With the MLB Trade Deadline quickly approaching (Aug. 1), teams will need to decide if they are going to be buyers or sellers as we head into the final two months of the season. Check out TSN.ca's rumours blog for all you need to know about the MLB Trade Deadline.

Jays Eyeing CC?

As we enter the final two months of the season, there's a strong possibility the Toronto Blue Jays will be in the middle of a pennant race for a second consecutive year. And if Aaron Sanchez ends up being moved from the rotation to the bullpen, the Jays could really use another starter before the Trade Deadline.

According to FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman, the Jays scouted the New York Yankees' CC Sabathia and San Diego Padres' Andrew Cashner Thursday night. 

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Heyman says the Yanks are still undecided on whether or not they want to be sellers at the deadline.

Sabathia allowed four runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings Thursday in a 4-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Cashner threw 5.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits as the Padres would go on to fall to the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5.

Phillips: If Sanchez has innings limit so should Stroman

TSN Blue Jays analyst Steve Phillips joins Naylor and Landsberg in the Morning to discuss Sanchez, the Jays deadline strategy and Encarnacion contract negotiations.

The 36-year-old Sabathia has a record of 5-8 with a 4.04 ERA over 17 games this season with New York, his eighth with the club.

Cashner, 29, is 4-7 with a 4.79 ERA over 15 starts with the Padres in 2016. 

Cashner is a free-agent at season's end while Sabathia has a $25 million vesting option for 2017.

 

What To Do With Jay?

The future of Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce is up in the air.

The 29-year-old has been the centre of trade speculation all year long, but ESPN's Buster Olney says a deal is not guaranteed to get done before the Aug. 1 deadline.

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Bruce is hitting .263 with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs over 89 games with the Reds this season, his ninth in Cincinnati.

The Reds, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angles had a deal in place in spring training that involved Bruce and Michael Saunders, but it fell through due to medicals. Both are now having good years for their respected ball clubs. 

Bruce has one-year and $13 million left on his current contract following this season and has already stated he's willing to waive his no-trade clause for a contender. 

"I would consider waiving the no-trade clause for all types of reasons," Bruce told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon last month. "There's no blanket reason I wouldn't. I'm open to all possibilities, but it would be situation to situation. If I am moved, which has seemed likely for the last year and a half, I'd like to go where the team is mostly likely to win. Teams that want me are likely seeking somebody to help them win."

The Reds sit last in the NL-central with a record of 36-59.

No Deal Here?

A Sonny Gray trade seems unlikely, according to MLB.com's Jon Morosi.

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The Oakland Athletics pitcher was a finalist for the Cy Young award last season, but has had a rough 2016 campaign.

Gray, 26, is 4-9 with a 5.49 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over 18 starts with the A's this season, his fourth with the club.

Gray is arbitration eligible at the end of the season. Oakland is in late place in the AL-West.