Trade rumors: Alcantara, Abrams, Blue Jays, Mets

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

Saturday brought the first major trade of the summer, as the Red Sox sent pitcher Connelly Early to the Nationals for infielder Curtis Mead. Meanwhile, Washington is said to be willing to listen to offers for another infielder -- All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams.

More on that below, plus additional Trade Deadline updates on the Marlins, Blue Jays and Mets.

Marlins’ losing streak could increase chances of Alcantara trade

On the morning of July 10, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that the Marlins intended to keep ace Sandy Alcantara and strategically add to its roster at the Trade Deadline, “barring an utter collapse.”

At the time, Miami was riding high amid a 26-8 stretch that put the club a season-high 10 games above .500 (52-42). Since then, the Marlins have lost 11 straight games. Their playoff odds, which were 51.5% (per FanGraphs) through July 9, have dropped below 10%, raising new questions about their Trade Deadline plans.

“They are heading toward sellers-ville, I believe, on their journey to the Trade Deadline,” MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said Wednesday, when the Marlins’ losing streak was at eight games. “They’ve got the pieces, especially in the rotation, to really capitalize on what is a fairly shallow supply of elite talent out there. I think this tips toward selling and they can really do a great job of building for a future when they can win the division against teams like the Phillies and Braves.”

Fellow MLB Network insider Joel Sherman echoed that opinion.

“In some ways, this is a well-timed losing streak, because they should probably be playing for the future, for as early as next year," Sherman said. “If they’re winning, they’re kind of forced to go for it, and they’re probably not a team that’s good enough right this second to go for it. But they have a lot of things in place, and they have some pieces -- Alcantara, for example -- to add more pieces to go for it [next year]. This is not a rebuild for ’29, ’30, ’31. They could be real factors next year.”

Much of the Marlins’ roster is controllable well beyond 2026, so even if they do opt to sell, it’s unlikely they’ll have a long list of outgoing players. But Alcantara, whose name has been floated in trade rumors going back to last season, is a prime candidate to be dealt. The 2022 National League Cy Young winner has one year left on his contract -- a $21 million club option ($2 million buyout) for '27.

Miami could also shop relievers Anthony Bender, Michael Petersen, Lake Bachar and John King, all of whom are 31 or older.

Nats willing to listen on Abrams

The Nationals appear open to the idea of dealing Abrams prior to the Trade Deadline. According to a report from The Athletic, people briefed on the club’s thinking said that while the Nats aren’t shopping Abrams, they are at least willing to listen to offers. Washington anticipates that the talks will be more serious than they were over the winter, with Abrams in the midst of a career year.

The Nationals did trade another infielder on Saturday night, sending Mead to the Red Sox for Early, but that doesn't necessarily mean Abrams or fellow trade candidate Luis García Jr. are off the table.

Read more here.

Blue Jays ‘already wading into sell waters’

While many teams on the playoff bubble are still evaluating their Trade Deadline options, the perception among some rival executives is that the Blue Jays “already were conceding and wading into the sell waters,” according to MLB Network insider Joel Sherman (New York Post subscription required).

Toronto won Saturday behind another gem from Dylan Cease but has gone 9-18 since June 23. The reigning American League champs are currently in last place in the AL East and 5 1/2 games out in the race for the third AL Wild Card spot.

The Blue Jays have a number of pending free agents who could be of interest to contenders, including Kevin Gausman, Daulton Varsho, George Springer, Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer. Toronto could also look to capitalize on the demand for relievers by shopping Jeff Hoffman, who is in the second year of a three-year, $33 million deal.

Hoffman struggled earlier this season and lost his closer job, but he has pitched to a 1.47 ERA since the beginning of June and has some intriguing peripherals.

The biggest Trade Deadline variable for Mets

The Mets are clear sellers, and Rosenthal expects their activity to be extensive prior to the Trade Deadline. With few untouchables on their roster, Rosenthal said he believes the Mets will make at least six trades.

Pending free agents Freddy Peralta, A.J. Minter, Brooks Raley and Tyrone Taylor are the most likely to be traded, and Clay Holmes will probably be moved as well. Holmes, who is currently on a rehab assignment as he works his way back from a fractured right fibula, is expected to decline his 2027 player option to become a free agent at the end of this season. He said Friday that he hasn’t had substantive extension talks with the Mets to this point.

Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. has been generating interest, too, after returning from the injured list on July 20. Robert has a $20 million club option ($2 million buyout) for 2027.

In Rosenthal's view, the big question for the Mets is not whether superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor will be traded -- it's unlikely -- but whether they'll deal reliever Luke Weaver.

The Mets have Weaver signed through 2027 and want to compete next season, but the demand for relievers could force them to consider moving the right-hander.