The MLB trade market has yet to see much action, but things will surely heat up with the deadline six days away. Teams have until 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 1 to make deals, and some high-profile names could be on the move. Here are a few players and teams you should be keeping your eye on.

Shohei Ohtani

Let’s get this one out of the way first. Ohtani’s name has come up in all sorts of trade rumors over the past month. But a trade makes much less sense now than it did a week ago. The Angels have won six of their last seven and increased their FanGraphs playoff odds from 6.9% to 16.5% during that stretch. As long as they remain in the playoff hunt, the Angels owe it to their fans not to throw the season away by trading Ohtani. If he does end up on the block, the Orioles and Diamondbacks are among the teams interested in trading for him, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Monday.

The Reds

The time has finally come for Cincinnati to make a playoff run. The Reds haven’t made the postseason in a full 162-game season since 2012 and haven’t won a playoff series since 1995, but the team’s collection of young stars (Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer, among others) has the club in a neck-and-neck race with the Brewers in the NL Central. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported Monday that Cincinnati would be willing to trade 2021 Rookie of the Year Jonathan India “for young, controllable starting pitching.” But Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote that multiple sources said Feinsand’s report “is vastly overstated.” Whether or not India is moved, the Reds will be buyers at the deadline, likely with a focus on adding to the pitching staff. Starters Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo remain sidelined by injuries, so Cincinnati could leverage the depth of its farm system to land a starter or two.

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Pitchers who could be on the move

For teams like the Orioles, Reds and Diamondbacks that could be seeking additional arms, there are several appealing options. The Pirates are willing to listen to offers for their two All-Star pitchers—starter Mitch Keller and reliever David Bednar—the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Pittsburgh is not likely to trade either player. The White Sox also have a pair of pitchers who make sense as trade candidates in Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn. Giolito, who’s having a bounce-back season after a rough 2022, is the more appealing option. On the other side of Chicago, Marcus Stroman is another pitcher who will attract plenty of offers. Other names to watch include starters Jordan Montgomery (Cardinals) and Eduardo Rodriguez (Tigers), as well as relievers David Robertson (Mets) and Trevor May (A’s). While the Mets are basically toast (seven games out of the final wild-card spot), don’t expect them to go full fire sale. According to Heyman, New York is unlikely to trade away Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

Hitters to watch

The market for position players is less robust, but teams looking for offensive help should still be able to find some. Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron is one of the better options. He’s set to be a free agent at the end of the season, and Colorado has already started to sell (trading Mike Moustakas last month and Pierce Johnson earlier this week), so Cron figures to be elsewhere by the deadline. Mets outfielder Tommy Pham and Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario are two other solid hitters on expiring contracts who are appealing rental targets. Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger also makes sense for teams looking for a rental, but The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal floated the possibility of Chicago trading Stroman and keeping Bellinger, because the the latter is eligible for a qualifying offer, which would entitle the team to a draft pick if he leaves as a free agent.

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The top five...

… things I saw since yesterday’s newsletter:

5. The Braves’ triple play thanks to the Red Sox’ terrible baserunning.

4. Mookie Betts’s throw and Will Smith’s tag to get a runner at the plate.

3. Seiya Suzuki robbing a would-be grand slam.

2. Lionel Messi’s two goals for Inter Miami against Atlanta United.

1. Katie McCabe’s Olimpico for Ireland against Canada.

SIQ

On this day in 2011, the Pirates and Braves played the longest game in the long history of both franchises. How many innings were played before it ended on a blown call at the plate?

Yesterday’s SIQ: On July 25, 2021, which country handed the United States its first Olympic men’s basketball loss in 17 years?

Australia
Spain
Nigeria
France

Answer: France. The 83–76 loss marked the first time the U.S. men had lost since the semifinals of the 2004 Olympics against Argentina. The Americans had won 25 games in a row.

France closed the game on an 18–2 run, and the U.S. offense sputtered. Evan Fournier led the way for the victors, scoring 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting, while Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum struggled to find their shots.

The loss was worrisome for Team USA. After losing exhibition games to Nigeria and Australia, the team was on shaky ground headed into the Olympics. The roster had to be cobbled together at the last minute because the NBA Finals ended just five days before the opening game. Booker, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday arrived in Tokyo less than 24 hours before the game against France.

The U.S. turned things around after the loss, though, and went on to win the gold medal, getting revenge against France in the final.

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