Big names bubble up in trade talks

While it’s not clear if a deal can be completed before the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Rangers are “making a serious run” for White Sox left-hander Chris Sale, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan reported Friday, citing Major League sources.

Sale’s appeal for Texas is obvious, as the All-Star Game starter is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA, and if two team options are picked up, he will cost a modest $38 million from 2017-19.

Even though the White Sox appear to be falling out of contention, that’s no guarantee they will trade Sale rather than try to build around him for a future run. Still, the Rangers might be as well set up as anyone to land a player of that caliber, given their depth of young talent, which includes slugger Joey Gallo.

Here were some of the other rumors circulating on Friday, as the deadline approaches:

Chapman is Nationals’ top target A year ago the Nationals acquired a closer before the Trade Deadline, getting Jonathan Papelbon from the Phillies. The club could be headed down the same road in 2016, with MLB.com’s Bill Ladson reporting that Yankees flamethrowing left-hander Aroldis Chapman is currently Washington’s No. 1 target.

A baseball source told Ladson that the Nats will not sacrifice their top prospects in such a deal, ruling out the likes of Trea Turner, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. However, they still could have enough to get the job done.

If he joins Washington, Chapman likely would supplant Papelbon as closer, as Papelbon did with Drew Storen last season. …

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