MLB trade deadline rumors: Jameson Taillon draws looks, Dodgers eye outfield help, Yankees narrow to-do list

Here are your rumors for Wednesday, July 24

By Mike Axisa Jul 24, 2024 at 6:00 pm ET• 4 min read

The 2024 MLB trade deadline is less than a week away. Luis Arraez, Aaron Civale, and Hunter Harvey have already been traded, and you can be sure more players will be on the move between now and next Tuesday. Here are the latest deadline rumors.

Red Sox sort out shopping list

The Boston Red Sox are in the thick of the American League wild-card chase and also can't be ruled out for the AL East title. As such, they're looking like buyers at the deadline. On Wednesday, lead executive Craig Breslow laid out his specific deadline objectives to reporters, including Alex Speier of the Boston Globe: 

"I think if we were to be pretty specific, pitching is always what we look for at the deadline, especially given some of the injuries that we're currently battling through, some of the ones we had on the starting pitching side earlier in spring training and at the beginning of the season between [Lucas] Giolito, [Garrett] Whitlock, and now [Justin] Slaten and [Chris] Martin. Hopefully we'll get those guys back here soon, but definitely looking for pitching.

"And given how lefthanded we are — not only right now but also a lot of our really exciting young players are lefthanded — if we could add a righthanded bat, it would be something that we would want to do."

Given what figures to be a limited supply of sellers in the coming days, pitching will be a competitive space for deadline buyers like Boston. Landing on a right-handed bat, however, should be a much lighter lift for Breslow and the rest of the front office. 

Rangers want to add bat, reliever

Josh Jung TEX • 3B • #6 BA0.412R5HR2RBI6SB1 View Profile

Despite being 49-52, the Rangers are only three games out in the AL West, and they would like to add a bat and perhaps a reliever with long-term control at the deadline, reports The Athletic. Texas could move rental starter Michael Lorenzen, maybe even Jon Gray, though they are reportedly less inclined to deal Andrew Heaney and postseason stalwart Nathan Eovaldi.

Third baseman Josh Jung, who has not played since an errant pitch broke his wrist in the fourth game of the season, is inching closer to a return and will provide a lineup boost. Even then, the Rangers could use a big DH bat since Josh Smith, who is filling in at third for Jung, is versatile enough to play almost anywhere. Texas ranks 17th in runs scored per game.

Yankees focused on bullpen, offense

DJ LeMahieu NYY • 3B • #26 BA0.181R12HR1RBI12SB0 View Profile

Not surprisingly, the Yankees are focused on adding to their bullpen and their offense at the trade deadline, according to ESPN. Third base in particular needs an upgrade, possibly second base as well. New York could also use more rotation depth. The Yankees are reportedly open to trading top prospects Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones, which opens some doors.