MLB alternate cut-off date rumors: Soto sweepstakes down to four teams; Yankees, Cardinals in the hunt for rotation improvements - CBS sports

The Aug. 2 MLB exchange deadline is mere days away, and groups are no doubt laying the groundwork for any variety of super swaps. Others, interim, are attempting to determine whether they are going to buy, promote, or dangle as we work our way toward Tuesday. All of that ability a daily dose of change buzz, and we're right here to round up Friday's. 

Oh, before we get to the rumors, there became a large alternate that happened late Friday. The Mariners landed All-celebrity beginning pitcher Luis Castillo whereas the Reds bought a major prospect haul in return. Full story here. 

Soto sweepstakes all the way down to 4 groups

Negotiations continue on a probable exchange of Nationals correct fielder Juan Soto. The box of suitors has been trimmed to simply 4 groups, in accordance with Jim Bowden of CBS activities HQ. Bowden additionally reports that issues are relocating "at a rapid pace" and Soto is very prone to turn down any extension offer the Nationals present him. 

one of the vital greater well-liked groups now we have considered in Soto rumors were the Cardinals and Padres, notwithstanding as much as basically a dozen were mentioned and there's no certain word on what groups could make up the remaining 4 here. 

Yankees need starting pitching

The long island Yankees recently added outfielder Andrew Benintendi to the fold, and the now their cut-off date focal point looks to be on fortifying the rotation. here's the newest from Jon Heyman: 

"The Yankees are casting a much wider web for starters, and no shock, they are in on Frankie Montas as neatly. Luis Castillo seems to be their first choice, youngsters. Noah Syndergaard is operating third."

The Yankees this season have had probably the most most reliable rotations in baseball up to now, but concerns about regression in some corners of that rotation and the harm to Luis Severino mean they're looking for reinforcements. We know now that Castillo is no longer a probability, so the Yankees will need to focus in other places. 

Montas, of the A's, will be the catch now that he's gotten past his contemporary shoulder troubles. As for extra modest aims, Heyman additionally lists Jose Quintana of the Pirates apart from the Angels' Syndergaard. 

Cardinals focused on rotation improvements

The St. Louis Cardinals -- at the moment tied for the final NL wild-card spot and within latitude of the first-place Brewers in the countrywide League crucial -- are reportedly one of the most groups with very precise designs on landing Juan Soto of the Nationals. on the equal time, although, they need to handle a rotation that, on no account deep to begin with, has been beset through accidents. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis publish-Dispatch studies that the rotation is certainly a precedence for the Cardinals' front workplace as the deadline strategies. As smartly, the Cardinals are looking to add huge enhancements to a corps that has been useful however is at this time struggling to fill spots. especially, Goold reviews that Montas and Pablo Lopez of the Marlins are of interest to the playing cards. both can be a considerable improve for St. Louis. Of course, competitors for either arm figures to be fierce. 

White Sox no longer seeking to promote

The Chicago White Sox, coming off a a division title in 2021 and a playoff berth within the abbreviated 2020 season, had high expectations coming into 2022. despite the fact, they've didn't meet those in a large approach up to now. Going into Friday's slate, the Sox are 49-forty nine with a minus-19 run differential, and that is the reason not customarily the profile of a team it is trying to add items on the cut-off date. besides the fact that children, thanks to the encircling weakness of the American League valuable, the White Sox are just three games out of first vicinity. As smartly, the SportsLine Projection device gives them a 49.4 percent possibility of creating the postseason -- the optimum odds of any team within the AL relevant. 

towards that backdrop, Jon Morosi reviews that Sox GM Rick Hahn usually are not looking to promote any great names main as much as the time limit: 

Hahn has previously hinted that including to the bullpen might be a cut-off date priority, and they may additionally use a left-surpassed bat within the outfield (and ideally at 2nd base, as well). on the very least, the Sox figure to maintain the band together within the hopes they can make a push for the division title down the stretch.