Here is the latest trade deadline buzz surrounding the Mets…
July 27, 5:55 p.m.
The Philadelphia Phillies are close to a trade for Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Tyler Anderson, per multiple reports. At least that was the report two hours ago.
It appears the deal for the lefty has hit a snag, and he was spotted pitching in the Pirates’ bullpen, according to the Post-Gazette’s Jason Mackey.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman added the cause for the delay is uncertain.
The Mets had been interested in Anderson but did not make a push to trade for him in advance of Tuesday’s game, reports SNY’s Andy Martino.
According to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, the Phillies were going to send two “second-tier” prospects to the Pirates in the deal.
July 27, 2:49 p.m.
Roughly 14 teams have called the Washington Nationals to inquire about Max Scherzer, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network, who added that some of the teams who have called are “barely” in the playoff race.
Teams who are interested in Scherzer believe the Nationals are motivated to get a deal done by Thursday afternoon due to the potential need to work through Scherzer’s no-trade clause, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
The Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants are among the teams that have been connected to Scherzer. However, SNY’s Andy Martino reports that a source says there’s “no chance” the Nats deal him to the Mets, citing not wanting to help a division rival.
July 27, 11:15 a.m.
The Mets remain interested in trading for Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Tyler Anderson, reports SNY’s Andy Martino.
Per Martino, it is probably too late to swing a trade for Anderson in time for him to start Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field — the Mets’ starter is currently TBA.
Martino added that Mets president Sandy Alderson has a very strong relationship with Pirates GM Ben Cherington.
Anderson, 31, has a 4.35 ERA (4.26 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP with 86 strikeouts in 103.1 innings over 18 starts this season for Pittsburgh.
He is earning $2.5 million this year and will be a free agent after the season.
July 27, 9:51 a.m.
The Tampa Bay Rays are interested in a pair of Mets targets, expressing interest in Kris Bryant and Max Scherzer, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
According to Passan, the Rays have had “preliminary discussions” about both players, though the amount of money owed to Scherzer could impact whether Tampa is willing to pull the trigger.
Passan adds that the “smart money” is on a team in the NL West — potentially the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco Giants — winding up with Scherzer.
July 26, 5:54 p.m.
Nationals ace Max Scherzer will not use his 10-5 rights to veto a potential trade from Washington and is open to moving on from the team, The Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty reported Monday.
Scherzer could still use his veto power to steer the Nationals into the direction he wants to go if there ends up being multiple offers on the table, per Dougherty.
July 26, 11:12 a.m.
While the Mets are “all over” the market for starting pitchers and relievers, they are not currently in on Jose Berrios, reports SNY’s Andy Martino.
Per Martino, the prospect cost for Berrios is simply too high at the moment, and the Mets are not in pursuit of him.
A rumor last week had the Twins seeking a ton for Berrios — a pre-arbitration big leaguer and two top 100 prospects.
July 26, 9:14 a.m.
As the Minnesota Twins entertain offers for right-hander Jose Berrios and other starting pitchers, the team “needs up-the-middle position players,” reports Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Morosi lists the Toronto Blue Jays as a potential trade fit with the Twins since Toronto has middle infield prospects such as shortstops Austin Martin and Orelvis Martinez.
Martin is currently the No. 12 prospect in baseball, per Keith Law of The Athletic’s new Top 50 list, and it’s hard to see any team giving that caliber of prospect up for just a year and change of Berrios.
Law has Martinez ranked No. 40, which is more in the wheelhouse of the kind of player who might headline a deal for Berrios. And if Martinez is a fit for the Twins, it’s fair to argue that Mets shortstop prospect Ronny Mauricio (ranked No. 36 by Law) would also be a fit.
July 25, 10:05 p.m.
With the Washington Nationals in a freefall, the possibility of them trading ace Max Scherzer has risen, and SNY’s Andy Martino reports that the Mets will inquire about his availability.
Per Martino, outside executives are skeptical that the Nats would deal Scherzer within the NL East, but the Mets plan to investigate.
Scherzer is set to become a free agent after the season.
As a player with 10-and-5 rights (10 years in the league, five with the same team), Scherzer has the ability to veto any trade.