MLB Trade Rumors: Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, Kris Bryant Among Top Targets At Deadline

Some of the best players in baseball could be moved before Friday’s MLB trade deadline. The Washington Nationals are reportedly willing to trade a few of their stars at the right price, while the Chicago Cubs could deal their only All-Star position player.

It’s long been expected that Cubs would be sellers at the 2021 trade deadline, looking to unload their top players who are headed for free agency. The Nationals have underachieved this season, forcing the organization to mull offers for the likes of Max Scherzer and Trea Turner.

Scherzer is in the final year of his contract, while Turner has one more season of arbitration before he can become a free agent in the winter of 2022. With a 45-54 record and long shots to get back in the NL East race, the Nationals are willing to trade any player except for Juan Soto, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.

Nats message to other teams: Everyone but Juan Soto is available. The reason Trea Turner is not included with Soto is the team has been unable to lock him up with their past attempts. @chelsea_janes reports lots of interest in TT.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 27, 2021

Hard to picture them getting that massive of a haul with so many shortstops hitting FA this winter and Turner with just a year of control left. But he’s second among all MLB SS in fWAR. Might be the biggest impact player approaching available this week, even though it sounds like
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) July 26, 2021

Just about every contender can use more starting pitching, making Scherzer a fit for several teams across MLB. The Tampa Bay Rays have had preliminary discussions about Scherzer, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.

Even at 37 years old, Scherzer remains one of the best pitchers in baseball. The three-time Cy Young winner has a 2.83 ERA with 142 strikeouts in 105.0 innings. Scherzer started the All-Star Game for the NL.

The Rays lead the AL wild-card race and trail the Boston Red Sox by 1.5 games for the AL East lead. Only three AL teams have gotten fewer innings from their starters than Tampa Bay.

MLB.com’s Jon Morosi has named the Seattle Mariners as a potential suitor for Turner. Through more than 60% of the season, Seattle trails the Oakland Athletics by only a game for the second AL wild-card spot.

Turner leads the league in total bases to go along with .320/.368/.519 splits, 18 home runs and 21 stolen bases. The shortstop posted a .982 OPS last season and finished seventh in the 2020 NL MVP race.

The #Mariners are one potential suitor for Trea Turner. They have high-end prospects to interest the #Nats and are looking at infielders controllable beyond this season (e.g., Whit Merrifield). The Mariners have been happy with J.P. Crawford, and Turner can move around diamond.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 27, 2021

The Rays talking Max Scherzer and Kris Bryant? The Padres trying for another bat: Joey Gallo?

A notes extravaganza at ESPN also hits Dodgers/Giants with Max, Kimbrel market, Trea/Jose unlikely to move, the Story conundrum, Mets, Yanks, Seattle and more: https://t.co/dOYc1ZCEY9 pic.twitter.com/Wi0vlrk93o
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2021

It remains to be seen if Max Scherzer will be traded, but a source said the pitcher “strongly prefers the West Coast” to waive his no-trade clause. Given the state of the NL West, he could be the difference-maker in that race if he landed with the Dodgers, Giants or Padres.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 27, 2021

Bryant has also been at the center of discussions with Tampa Bay, according to Passan. The 2016 NL MVP was an All-Star for the fourth time in seven years a few weeks ago. Bryant is hitting .269/.356/.500 with 17 home runs in 91 games.

Bryant has also been linked to trade rumors with the New York Mets, who have controlled the NL East all season, despite having one of MLB’s worst offenses.

While Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez are all in the final year of their respective contracts with Chicago, Bryant appears to be the most likely trade candidate.