Trade Deadline: M’s willing to deal Taijuan?

Many potential deals are in the works as the non-waiver Trade Deadline — Monday at 4 p.m. ET — approaches. Here is a look at the latest news, reports and rumors.

M’s Walker on the block? The Mariners, who entered Thursday six games out in the American League West and 4 1/2 out of the second Wild Card spot, reportedly could move a big piece of their starting rotation. Taijuan Walker, a promising 23-year-old right-hander, is “drawing strong interest” and will throw a bullpen session in front of scouts on Friday at Wrigley Field, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

Walker has been on the disabled list with tendinitis in the arch of his right foot, last pitching for the Mariners on July 5. However, he took a step forward on Wednesday, tossing three innings in a simulated game at PNC Park. If all goes well on Friday, Walker currently is slated to make a Minor League rehab start next Monday before potentially returning to Seattle’s rotation. 

In 16 outings this year, Walker has a 3.66 ERA, with 1.9 walks and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. He isn’t due to become a free agent until after the 2020 season.

Injury not preventing potential Jay dealJon Jay remains on the disabled list with a broken right forearm, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Padres won’t deal him before the Deadline. In fact, San Diego is “drawing interest” in the lefty-hitting center fielder, according to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal.

Jay, who is expected to return by the middle of next month, can be traded while still on the DL. Before his season was interrupted by the injury in mid-June, the 31-year-old pending free agent was batting .296/.345/.407 with 24 doubles and two homers. 

Royals trying to package Kennedy, Davis The Royals are trying to package Ian Kennedy with Wade Davis in a potential trade, sources told Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan on Thursday.

The Dodgers would be a strong match for the Royals in a deal for Davis, according to Passan. Los Angeles covets the Kansas City closer, even though it already has All-Star Kenley Jansen, and the Dodgers have the budget necessary to take on Kennedy’s contract, a five-year, $70 million deal that runs through 2020.

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman and FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, however, reported that although the Royals have talked to teams about taking on Kennedy’s salary, even the Dodgers would likely be unwilling to do so despite liking Davis. Starting next season, Kennedy is owed $62.5 million through the end of his contract.

With Aroldis Chapman now off the market and several contending teams looking for bullpen help, Davis would be a prize acquisition. The 30-year-old right-hander has become one of the best closers in baseball and was one of the keys to the bullpen that helped the Royals win last year’s World Series.

Davis was an All-Star this season and has 21 saves in 23 opportunities and a 1.60 ERA. Kennedy is 6-9 with a 4.41 ERA in 20 starts.

The Dodgers lead the National League Wild Card standings entering play on Thursday, and they trail the Giants by 2 1/2 games in the NL West. The Royals are in fourth place in the American League Central, 8 1/2 games behind the division-leading Indians and 6 1/2 games out of an AL Wild Card spot.

Yankees could pursue Sale According to a report Thursday from MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman, there is now some speculation that the Yankees, despite trading closer Aroldis Chapman, will make an attempt to acquire Chris Sale.

Sources told Heyman that the Yankees have called the White Sox multiple times to inquire about their ace left-hander. The Yankees, according to Heyman, might be one of the few teams with enough prospects to put together a package for Sale, especially after landing Gleyber Torres from the Cubs.

According to Heyman, the Yankees wouldn’t necessarily be favorites to land Sale, especially with stronger contenders like the Rangers and Red Sox in the mix. The White Sox, Heyman reports, have not yet reduced their asking price of five top prospects and young players for Sale, and they still may be unlikely to trade him at all.

The Yankees have multiple shortstop prospects in Torres and Jorge Mateo, as well as other pieces like first baseman Greg Bird, outfielder Aaron Judge, catcher Gary Sanchez and right-hander Luis Severino that they could package into a deal.

New York, at 52-49 entering play Thursday, is in fourth place in the AL East, 6 1/2 games back of the Orioles and four games out of a Wild Card slot.

D-backs close to dealing reliever Hudson The D-backs are close to dealing reliever Daniel Hudson, a baseball source told MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. It is not known which team Hudson might be headed to.

The return for the right-hander will likely not be great given his struggles of late. Hudson has allowed 20 earned runs over his last eight innings of work.

Lucroy trade talks continue to intensify Trade talk surrounding Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy, one of the biggest fish left in the trade market, continues to intensify, sources told MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi.

According to a report from MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman on Thursday, the Rangers and Indians seem to be the …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com