MLB Rumour Roundup: Padres listening on Soto, Hader and Snell

Not only did the Los Angeles Angels declare themselves buyers on Wednesday, but they backed up their claims, sending two top prospects to the Chicago White Sox for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez.

With the move seemingly bringing an early end to the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, some trades have started to trickle in, with Carlos Santana headed to the Milwaukee Brewers and David Robertson joining the Miami Marlins.

As we wait for Aug. 1, could Juan Soto take Ohtani's place as the prize of the deadline? Here are the latest rumours from around MLB:

With a 49-54 record, the San Diego Padres are 6.5 games out of the final wild card spot, with three teams separating them and the Cincinnati Reds.

Despite an intention to buy after an off-season spending spree, they are now "listening on [Juan] Soto plus star starter Blake Snell and star closer Josh Hader in case things go further south," according to The New York Post's Jon Heyman.

Heyman calls a Soto deal "unlikely" but adds that San Diego might "reasonably believe there’s little hope of extending" the 24-year-old before he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024 season.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Thursday that some teams that have been in contact with the Padres believe Snell and Hader — both pending free agents — will be dealt ahead of the deadline.

Late Thursday night, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported that "there is a belief within the industry" that New York Mets starter Justin Verlander could be traded in the coming days.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has a full no-trade clause as part of the two-year, $86.66 million contract he signed with New York in the off-season. A total that the Mets would reportedly have to pay down to "extract better prospects" in any deal.

Feinsand lists the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Reds as teams that could be in the running for Verlander's services.

An executive told Feinsand, “Cincy has the system to get a deal done, and [Reds GM] Nick [Krall] might be just wild enough to do it.” 

Despite getting off to a slow start this season, Verlander has posted a 1.46 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 37 innings over his last six outings.

Another team just outside of the NL playoff picture, the Marlins, have been tied to multiple position players after dealing for relievers Robertson and Jorge Lopez.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported the team's interest in Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger on Wednesday. However, with the Cubs on a six-game win streak, their status as a seller has come into question.

In ESPN's Trade Deadline Tracker, Jesse Rogers said that the team is "casting a wide net for potential improvements, including at shortstop and in the outfield" and that "they are willing to trade from their system strength of young pitching to get the bat they desire."

In the tracker on Wednesday, Rogers reported that Miami is looking at Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson.

The Marlins are also among the teams interested in Washington Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario after making a "late push" for Santana before he was dealt to the Brewers, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

With a thin pitching market, Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez has been drawing interest from rival clubs, per Feinsand.

In a column Thursday morning, Feinsand reported that "the Rangers, Rays, Reds, Phillies and D-backs" are some of the teams that have been monitoring Rodriguez.

The 30-year-old southpaw owns a 2.95 ERA this season over 88.1 innings. Rodriguez also has an opt-out in his contract at the end of the season — which he is expected to take. But if he doesn't, any team that trades for him would be on the hook for an extra three years and $49 million.

Feinsand also reported that scouts who went to see Rodriguez have "stuck around to watch Michael Lorenzen."

Lorenzen, Detroit's sole representative at the 2023 All-Star Game, has been the topic of many rumours over the past couple of weeks, including the Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and, as of Thursday night, the Baltimore Orioles, according to Morosi.

To cap off the list of Tigers' pitchers that could be on the move, Feinsand reported that the team is considering trading one of their relievers, with Jason Foley "drawing significant interest."

• In his column Thursday night, Rosenthal called the Seattle Mariners "a team to watch," specifically when it comes to their pitching staff. However, he called the bar to trade for one of their young arms "rather high."

• Fansided's Robert Murray reported that White Sox reliever Joe Kelly is "drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers."

• Heyman also reported Thursday that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been "getting lots of hits" on pitchers Rich Hill, Colin Holderman, David Bednar and Mitch Keller.