MLB trade rumours: Ryan Braun, Aroldis Chapman among many big names available as teams look to deal

Closing pitcher Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

One of the most daunting tasks in Major League Baseball these days is trying to take a lead against the New York Yankees in the final three innings of a game.

The intimidating bullpen trio of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman average five strikeouts for every nine outs they record, and have a combined earned run average of 2.26.

For New York fans who love that scary grouping of talent, prepare for a sad breakup. The trade deadline may prove even more powerful than Chapman’s 103 miles-per-hour fastball. Because the Yanks’ season has melted into a .500 puddle, the team will likely be a seller, not a buyer, as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. Rumour has it that Miller and Chapman are available for prospects – young talent that might make the Yankees relevant again in the near future.

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It’s that time of year. The strong look for a boost into the play-offs, and the weak give up short-term hope. Players like the 31-year-old Miller or 28-year-old Chapman, who will be a free agent after this season, are just shiny baubles on faltering New York. Either one, if not both, could be a key piece on a contender.

Possible suitors? The Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays are three who could use the bullpen help.

Certainly next week’s All-Star Game will take centre stage, but it will soon give way to the intrigue of moving month. Also among the more prominent names in the rumour mill are aging outfielders Ryan Braun, Carlos Gonzalez and Matt Kemp.

All three can still hit, but have large contracts and play for non-contending teams. It’s the perfect time to dump their salaries (or at least some of the debt) to a winner. If the Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres, respectively, are serious about rebuilding, Braun, Gonzalez and Kemp could all be in different uniforms by August, traded for multiple players with big, future upsides.

Potential takers? The Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets and Seattle Mariners all would love a productive bat for their outfields.

Back on the have-not side, the Oakland Athletics are having a sorry year, and are never shy about moving players out of their clubhouse. What most good teams want for a playoff push is more pitching, and the A’s are one of the few teams willing to accommodate that need.

Young right-hander Sonny Gray might be perceived as the coveted core of the A’s rotation for years to come, but he can’t do it alone. Sadly, the team may have to turn his potential star power into three or four prospects.

The best match may be with the rotation-poor Boston Red Sox, who have a farm system bursting with talent. The A’s also can expect phone calls from the Dodgers, Houston Astros and Cubs.

And if Oakland ultimately cannot bear to part with Gray, they have plenty more to offer, including veteran left-hander Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick.

Perhaps the most valuable starting pitcher on a team in total rebuilding mode is Julio Teheran of the Atlanta Braves. The Braves’ hard-throwing closer, Arodys Vizcaino, is also reported to be available.

With the Braves are on pace to lose 109 games, any life form with a pulse that can be traded for a pocketful of promises is destined to find another home, sooner rather than later.

The moral of the story, of course, is not to get too attached to anyone wearing your hometown uniform. If free agency doesn’t displace your heroes in winter, the trade deadline will break your heart in summer.

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