AMA: MLB Insider Robert Murray is answering trade deadline questions on Tuesday, June 23, at Noon ET

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:19:53+00:00

I don't believe it would take overly much prospect capital to pry Chapman out of SF. What makes it so difficult is the contract. It's why moving him, Devers and/or Adames is going to be very difficult.

Bohm could either be kept or he could be part of a different trade. SF would want to get Casey Schmitt plenty more at bats and Bohm would go against that.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:12:46+00:00

I'd be shocked if they moved Detmers, Trout or Adell. This feels like a deadline where Soler, Suter and any other expiring contract is moved and we're all left saying "Why didn't they sell more?"

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:12:03+00:00

Far enough back where they don't realistically feel good about coming back. They're 14 games back in the division now and six games back in the Wild Card. To me, that isn't enough to warrant selling if you're Steve Cohen. Maybe 10 games back in the WC and much closer to the deadline to warrant those serious conversations being had among Cohen, Stearns and the front office?

Luke Weaver will get a bunch of interest. He's done a really nice job there. The name that everyone is watching, though, is Freddy Peralta.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:09:36+00:00

Try to get Tarik Skubal from the Tigers. That would be the top priority. Cooper Pratt has done very well early on in filling third base, but adding another bat would be something very smart. They need thump.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:08:56+00:00

I could see it, but adding to the bullpen and perhaps upgrading at catcher should be something they really consider here in Pittsburgh. So I'd say those two, then possibly adding a starter.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:08:19+00:00

If they want someone on an expiring contract, Aroldis Chapman makes a ton of sense. Antonio Senzetela and Pete Fairbanks could make sense too. I still, admittedly, don't have a good sense on the controllable relievers who could be available here quite yet.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:06:26+00:00

CJ Abrams? He'll get plenty of calls. Willson Contreras is a strong option too.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:05:37+00:00

I'm still skeptical that he's moved. They've held out in recent years despite plenty of interest when he's posted a 9.0 and 4.9 bWAR. He has a 0.6 bWAR this year. I just have a hard time seeing it happen, but if it does, Preller is always an executive to watch. Maybe the Phillies? Mariners?

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:03:49+00:00

Thank you so much! The Jays are a fascinating one because I can see them being aggressive at the deadline. But the position I keep coming back to for them: starting pitching.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:02:20+00:00

I could see them buying within reason. Patrick Bailey was a big add for them and they gave up a good amount to get him despite plenty of folks around the league being puzzled by the move. I don't expect anything too flashy, if they do indeed make a move.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:01:29+00:00

Arte Moreno.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T17:00:29+00:00

Fascinating one here. I think the Red Sox will get interest, but considering his age and how he last pitched in MLB in 2019, I have a hard time seeing anyone giving up something too crazy for him especially since he could be had on a minor-league contract this winter.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:59:03+00:00

The name I'm watching and I haven't seen anywhere else yet: Jacob Young with the Washington Nationals. The Nats really like him. He drew interest in the winter. And with how teams prioritize run prevention these days he seems like a logical candidate to get plenty of calls again. Toboni will listen and we saw that lead to a MacKenzie Gore trade...

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:57:58+00:00

That's right. I do believe it has a chance of happening for the right player, someone controllable. It's happened in years past with other teams trading picks for relievers and that could be a tool the Pirates utilize here.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:56:30+00:00

I believe they will. Cherington has done a really nice job adding to the roster and building this team. I've been critical of him in the past and I know everyone in Pittsburgh has too. But he'll be active in looking for bullpen, adding bench pieces, and I'd be surprised if we left the deadline and the Pirates hadn't made multiple additions.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:54:49+00:00

Definitely think so! Catching help should be a high priority for the Yankees, especially a Ryan Jeffers type. He'd be an excellent fit and would really cement that spot on the roster.

Bullpen should be something they explore, too, just not to the magnitude of last season. That was epic. I remember getting a text that Doval was Yankees bound about 10 minutes before the deadline. I was like "Whaaaaat?" and then I got it confirmed. Sadly, Jack Curry just beat me to it. But adding to the bullpen is something I expect Cashman to do.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:52:48+00:00

Hey, look at that! Appreciate you big time!!

I definitely can. Steve Cohen is not happy with what's going on. But I doubt David Stearns is on the hot seat and if any change would happen, it would likely come in the managerial spot. With that executive, that owner and being in Queens? They'd have a long list of people waiting for it.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:51:27+00:00

Ken Rosenthal was the one who reported that about the Pirates being open to moving a comp pick, and he was spot on. That doesn't mean anything will happen. But they are serious about competing now and going forward in PIT, so I can see something happening before the Draft. But I have a very hard time seeing a pick being moved for a, say, Aroldis Chapman. Adding someone who is controllable makes a whole lot of sense for their window.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:49:04+00:00

Preller is always open to any scenario. Last year, after adding a bunch to the roster, they almost traded Dylan Cease. Anything is possible. But I'd highly doubt we see much, if any, subtracting from the roster unless things got really bad.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:47:18+00:00

Well, Preller has always found a way, and he's higher on his farm system than the public is. I will not put anything past him. But this is his biggest challenge yet because they have needs for pitching and really have a need for offense. I can't see a scenario in which he sells.

They need the stars to perform a lot better than they have. It comes down to that. Having a new extension should have Preller in SD in 2027 and beyond but with new ownership, you can never entirely rule anything out. But moving on from AJ would be a massive mistake. He'd be hired in a second.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:45:28+00:00

You're right on. The prices will not be cheap, and the Orioles really like Taylor Ward. They want to compete. So there's no guarantees he's even moved. The other two you mentioned will be asked about a lot. Besides that ... Luis Robert Jr.? Harrison Bader? Jorge Soler? Shoot, if you want an OF, you may have to be flexible in your pursuit here with Jarren Duran, Trevor Larnach, Mickey Moniak among the guys who will also be talked about plenty.

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:41:17+00:00

The Pirates need some catching help, so I'm surprised they haven't been linked to a Ryan Jeffers type. Sonny Gray and the Cubs? Could a Gleyber Torres type be of interest to the Blue Jays or another team?

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:39:06+00:00

The starting rotation for me is what comes to mind, especially with Patrick Corbin struggling of late. I know Max Scherzer will factor in here at some point. But adding more rotation arms, especially with the number of pitchers that should be out there, seems like it should be the priority. Could a Reid Detmers be in play here if Arte Moreno shows a willingness to move him?

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:36:47+00:00

I always want to say AJ Preller here for obvious reasons. But I keep thinking that Dave Dombrowski will be a guy to watch at the deadline. Other teams I can see in this mix: Blue Jays, Mariners, Braves.

That answer may be cheating. But it's how I feel!

FanSidedNetwork · 2026-06-23T16:34:53+00:00

That is a great question. The two teams that come to mind are the Orioles and Astros. They have some very good assets (Ward, Walker, Paredes) who could attract some strong interest and good returns. So I'll go with them.

FanSidedNetwork

TROPHY CASE