Trade rumors: Slugging SS available, Cubs, All-Star LHP on the block?

The Trade Deadline is fast approaching -- 11 days to go and counting.

Here's a look at some of the latest topics swirling in the rumor mill, including the potential availability of a power-hitting shortstop, the Cubs' possible pitching targets and more.

Angels willing to listen on Neto

The Angels are reportedly expected to make starters Reid Detmers and José Soriano available before the Trade Deadline, but that’s not all. Shortstop Zach Neto could also be dealt.

According to ESPN, people who have spoken with interim general manager John Mozeliak in recent days say he is “very open to trading controllable players if the right offers materialize.” That includes Detmers and Soriano as well as Neto.

Neto’s limited range at shortstop is a drawback, but he could fetch the Angels an impressive haul as a power-hitting middle infielder with three-plus years of control remaining, especially in a trade market short on right-handed bats.

One potential suitor for Neto is the Red Sox -- according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic (subscription required), Boston "continues to view him as a strong fit" after showing interest in him this past offseason. With shortstop Trevor Story on the injured list, the Red Sox, who saw a 15-game win streak snapped on Wednesday, could use an upgrade up the middle.

Per Baseball-Reference, the 25-year-old Neto ranks fifth in WAR (13.4) among players who have played at least 50% of their games at shortstop since the beginning of 2024. He's swatted 19 homers this season, third most at the position behind CJ Abrams and Colson Montgomery with 24 apiece.

How might Cubs look to upgrade pitching staff?

Arguably no contender has a greater need to add a top-of-the-rotation arm this summer than the Cubs, but it remains to be seen just how aggressive they’ll be in that regard.

Chicago has been linked to Tarik Skubal, but surrendering major assets for a pending free agent would be out of character for the organization. According to The Athletic, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is “aiming more for a starting pitcher who remains under club control beyond this season.” The club could also pursue a rental starter that won’t cost as much prospect capital as Skubal.

The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma lists Robbie Ray of the Giants, Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes (opt-out) of the Mets and Kevin Gausman of the Blue Jays as pending free agents from likely sellers that the Cubs could consider, in addition to Detmers and Soriano. Both Halos starters are controllable through 2028.

Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic presented another option for the Cubs: Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock, whom Seattle appears open to trading. Hancock, who has a 3.16 ERA in 19 starts, is under club control through 2030. Chicago could be a natural fit.

The Cubs also need back-end bullpen help and could target the Mets’ Luke Weaver. According to The Athletic's Patrick Mooney, Chicago pursued Weaver in free agency over the winter before he signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets.

Trade far more likely than extension for Holmes

After rain scuttled plans to have Holmes begin his rehab assignment last Saturday, the Mets right-hander is scheduled to do so Thursday for High-A Brooklyn. Holmes has been sidelined since he suffered a fractured right fibula on a comebacker in May.

Multiple rival clubs had sent scouts to monitor Holmes’ scheduled start on Saturday, and we expect that will be the case again Thursday. The White Sox are one of the teams said to be keeping tabs on Holmes.

Holmes, who can opt out of his contract at the end of this season, is one of a long list of trade candidates the Mets reportedly are open to dealing.

Holmes said earlier this month that he was “definitely open” to an extension with the Mets, but people familiar with the situation told The Athletic that a trade is significantly more likely than a new contract at this point.

Will Nationals trade All-Star Griffin?

As the Nationals figure whether to buy, sell or stand pat at the Trade Deadline, pending free agent Foster Griffin has emerged as an interesting trade candidate for contenders in need of an impact starter.

Washington’s move to sign the 30-year-old lefty to a one-year, $5.5 million deal as a free agent has worked out well. Griffin, who spent a few seasons pitching in Japan before joining the Nats, made the National League All-Star team and has posted a 2.68 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and a 4.11 K/BB ratio over 117 1/3 innings this season.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon report that the Nats are “still assessing whether to deal, extend or keep the starting pitcher through the end of the season” but note that some rival executives think a trade is inevitable.