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ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Zack Littell is a likely trade candidate this summer.
Littell is pitching fine this year with a 3.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 48/11 K/BB ratio in 74 2/3 innings, but he’ll be a free agent in the off-season, so the Rays will likely try and get something back for him. It helps that Shane McClanahan (nerve issue) will likely return to the rotation in late July, and the Rays also have Joe Boyle and Ian Seymour ready to go at Triple-A.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Brandon Lowe figures to be “very attractive in this [trade] market.”
Lowe only has one more year of team control, but it’s an $11.6 million team option for 2026 that the Rays may not be inclined to pay. However, that price is not a steep one for bigger budget teams. Lowe has 11 home runs and a .720 OPS in 55 games this year and continues to produce against right-handed pitching. He could be an intriguing second baseman or DH for a contending team.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Nick Martinez could be an attractive starting pitcher on the trade market.
Martinez signed a qualifying offer in the off-season, so he will be owed just $7 million over the final two months of the season. The 34-year-old has a 3.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 47/15 K/BB ratio in 69 1/3 innings for the Reds this season and could be a solid upgrade for a contender at the end of their rotation.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Pirates “won’t be opposed to shipping away” Bryan Reynolds or Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Hayes is still owed $36 million over four more seasons, while Reynolds is owed $76 million over five more years. Neither contract is too pricey for a contender to take on. Even though Hayes hasn’t broken out like many people expected, he makes only $7 million per season and still plays strong defense at third base. That could entice a team like the Yankees, who could shift Jazz Chisholm back to second base. Similarly, $15 million per year for Reynolds is not a steep price to pay, especially since the 30-year-old has started to turn it around of late. Given their years of control remaining, some team would need to part with some prospects of note to land either player.
Otto Kemp went 2-for-4 with a home run for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.
Kemp is now hitting .324/.417/.616 in 55 games at Triple-A with 14 home runs, 10 steals, and 53 RBI. He’s ready for the big leagues. The Phillies have played him at first base, second base, third base, and left field so far this season, and even if there is no spot for him in the lineup, he seems to make sense as a utility player off the bench given how well he’s hitting.
Keston Hiura is starting at first base and batting seventh on Wednesday against the Marlins.
Hiura has now started three of four games since being promoted to take Michael Toglia’s spot on the roster. He has gone 1-for-6 in his previous two games with one strikeout and two runs scored. We’re skeptical he remains an option for the Rockies in the second half of the season.