MLB Trade Deadline Nears: Verlander Still on the Market as Teams Rush to Finalize Deals
The Major League Baseball (MLB) trade deadline is fast approaching, with teams having less than 12 hours left to make their moves. Today, August 1, at 6 p.m. ET marks the cutoff for teams to strategize and execute trades in order to bolster their rosters for the stretch run of the season. It is important to note that post-deadline waiver trades are no longer allowed, adding urgency to the current situation.
As the deadline draws near, numerous big names have already been on the move, adding excitement to the already eventful trade season. Among the recent trades, Max Scherzer joined the Texas Rangers from the New York Mets, Lucas Giolito went from the Chicago White Sox to the Los Angeles Angels, and Lance Lynn moved from the White Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Other notable trades include Jordan Montgomery from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Texas Rangers, Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals to the Toronto Blue Jays, Aaron Civale from the Cleveland Guardians to the Tampa Bay Rays, and Jeimer Candelario from the Washington Nationals to the Chicago Cubs.
However, despite the flurry of activity, one major name still remains on the market: Justin Verlander of the New York Mets. Verlander is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after players as teams look to strengthen their pitching rotations for the remainder of the season.
In recent news, it has been confirmed that Shohei Ohtani, widely regarded as the best player in baseball, will not be changing teams this week. The Los Angeles Angels have committed to making a playoff push with Ohtani, who is set to become a free agent after the season.
In the National League, the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres, both harboring hopes of making it to the postseason, seem inclined to hold on to their key players. As the day progresses, it remains to be seen whether any last-minute deals will be made by these teams.
As fans eagerly await the final hours, CBS Sports will be providing live updates through a dedicated blog, offering the latest rumors, news, and analysis on the trade deadline. Stay tuned for the most up-to-date information on the moves being made across the league.
With the clock ticking, MLB teams are actively exploring all options to secure the talent they need as the race to the playoffs intensifies. It will be interesting to see how this year’s trade deadline frenzy unfolds and how teams position themselves for a successful postseason push.