Although the Major League Baseball season has just begun, the action has already been intense. The New York Yankees managed to score 20 runs in a single game, while the Los Angeles Dodgers appear unstoppable, starting the season with a perfect 5-0 record. On the other end of the spectrum, the teams with the worst records so far are surprisingly the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers—both of whom qualified for the 2024 postseason but have started this year 0-3.
While the games have only recently started, trade speculation and team rumors never truly cease. It was only a little over a month into the 2024 season when a major trade shook the league, proving that unexpected moves can happen at any time. With that in mind, here’s the latest buzz from around MLB.
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MLB Trade Speculation: Ryan Mountcastle on the Move?
The Baltimore Orioles made a somewhat controversial decision ahead of Opening Day by sending top infield prospect Coby Mayo back to the minors. From one perspective, this move was logical, considering the club’s depth in the infield and Mayo’s struggles during spring training. However, given that Mayo is regarded as one of the premier prospects in baseball and has already demonstrated his abilities at the Triple-A level, keeping him from the majors raised some eyebrows. It would make sense for the Orioles to provide him with consistent playing time at the major league level to properly evaluate his potential.
To clear a path for Mayo, Baltimore may have to part with an infielder currently on the roster. Reports from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale suggest that first baseman Ryan Mountcastle is now on the trade block.
“The Baltimore Orioles are informing teams that Ryan Mountcastle is available in a potential trade, aiming to create space for Coby Mayo.”
For Orioles fans, this is a bittersweet development. While making room for Mayo’s advancement aligns with the team’s long-term strategy, parting ways with Mountcastle, who has spent his entire six-year MLB career with Baltimore, would be a difficult pill to swallow. Although not an elite player, Mountcastle has had productive stretches at the plate and even launched as many as 33 home runs in a single season. Fans were particularly interested in seeing how the 28-year-old would perform following the team’s adjustments to the left-field wall. However, if these trade discussions materialize, Mountcastle’s time in Baltimore may be coming to an end sooner than expected.
MLB Contract Talks: Red Sox Negotiating Extension with Kristian Campbell
The Boston Red Sox made a bold decision by including highly touted prospect Kristian Campbell on their Opening Day roster despite his limited experience at the Triple-A level and a lackluster showing in spring training. So far, that gamble appears to be paying off. Campbell has started strong, recording five hits in his first ten at-bats and reaching base seven times in his first 12 plate appearances. To add to his promising debut, he launched his first career home run on Saturday.
Following his early success, Boston is reportedly in advanced discussions regarding a contract extension with Campbell, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
While ongoing negotiations do not guarantee that an agreement will be reached, the progression of talks suggests the Red Sox are eager to secure Campbell as part of their long-term plans. Any potential deal would likely cover his six years of team control and potentially extend into his free-agent years. Given that Boston has recently secured long-term deals with young talents like Ceddanne Rafaela and Brayan Bello, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the club finalize an agreement with Campbell as well.
By committing to Campbell through an extension, the Red Sox would be signaling their confidence in his future as a core member of the franchise. Although such a move carries some risk, should Campbell develop into the star Boston envisions, it would prove to be a highly rewarding investment for Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
Trade Rumors: Are the Cubs Leading the Race for Sandy Alcantara?
Over the past year, the Miami Marlins have been in full rebuild mode, trading away most of their top talent. At this point, one of the few remaining stars on their roster is pitcher Sandy Alcantara. Given the team’s trajectory, it seems inevitable that he, too, will eventually be moved.
The likely timeline for an Alcantara trade would be before July’s trade deadline. However, his destination remains uncertain, as multiple contending teams are in need of an elite starting pitcher. Ultimately, the outcome will depend on which team is willing to offer the most enticing package to Miami.
Based on their recent roster moves and offseason trade activity, the Chicago Cubs appear to be one of the frontrunners to acquire Alcantara. They were actively linked to several high-profile pitchers during the offseason, including Garrett Crochet and Dylan Cease, but ultimately made their biggest splash by trading for Kyle Tucker. Even after that move, the Cubs still possess a deep farm system and have the assets necessary to strike a deal for Alcantara.
Chicago’s division is winnable, and their rotation could use another frontline starter. This makes them an ideal candidate to pursue Alcantara aggressively. While top prospect Matt Shaw may be off-limits in negotiations, the Cubs boast seven prospects ranked in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list—tying them with the Seattle Mariners for the most in baseball. This wealth of young talent provides them with the firepower needed to pull off a blockbuster trade.
Acquiring Alcantara would significantly enhance Chicago’s rotation and improve their chances of making a deep playoff run in a highly competitive National League. As the trade deadline approaches, all signs point to the Cubs emerging as one of the top suitors for Miami’s ace.
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