MLB Trade Rumors and News: Mets start a fight club, Nats release Rosenthal

We’ve all seen Jason Vargas pitch — I doubt he’ll land any of those punches.

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• Athletics star pitcher Frankie Montas was suspended last week for PED usage. The 80-game suspension will be a huge hit to Oakland, who were still fighting to contend this year. Montas was sporting a 2.70 ERA and nine wins. In his statement, the 26-year old claimed he unknowingly took a drug that’s meant to help slow down the development of osteoporosis.
• It is no secret that the Rays both have had real trouble drawing any meaningful crowds to their games (despite a strong product on the field) and that they are quite unhappy with their current stadium situation. However, an interesting wrinkle has developed as MLB has granted the Rays permission to explore a “two-city” model which would have the Rays call both Tampa AND Montreal home. Let’s get weird.
• Fan safety has been a hot topic of late, particular regarding foul balls that very often come screaming into crowds before anyone has time to react. While some would argue that this is long overdue, the Nationals and White Sox are joining a growing number of teams that are extending the netting along the foul lines.
• The Nationals have released reliever Trevor Rosenthal six months after signing him to a one-year, $7M deal. So if you think your ex has commitment issues, think again. Also, maybe consider if your ex was a full-blown dumpster fire while in a Nationals uniform and was not a return-to-the-mound-post-Tommy-John success story. So maybe this is a different situation.
• The 2019 MLB Draft has come and gone, but who are the teams that made out like bandits and who are the teams that, well, didn’t impress. Our own Matt Powers went through the National League and reviewed each team’s draft classes while highlighting the good, the bad, and the puzzling.
• The trade deadline will be here before you know it, and we are already starting to hear whispers of which teams are going to be buyers and sellers despite the actual deadline being over a month away. Andersen Pickard went ahead and picked five stars who could have new homes before the trade deadline passes.
• The Mets continue to be your drunk uncle who ruins family holidays, this time just with extra fighting. Both Jason Vargas and skipper Mickey Callaway had some heated words to say to a Mets beat writer for Newsday, with Vargas saying to the reporter, “I’ll knock you the f--- out.” The Mets have released an official statement and we can all guess at the one they’re drafting up next — Callaway’s walking papers.
• As most are aware by now, Max Scherzer had an unfortunate incident during bunting drills that resulted in his nose being broken. Most pitchers would be a little embarrassed and at least miss a start. Max Scherzer is not most pitchers, and instead chose to scare everyone around him into letting him start and then threw seven shutout innings while striking out 10 batters.
• The Yankees have acquired slugger Edwin Encarnación from the Mariners in exchange for 19-year old pitching prospect Juan Then. Encarnación currently leads the American League in home runs and is well on track to have another 30+ home run season — his eighth, to be exact. Then (the player, that is) was ranked number 27 in the Yankees farm system and was due to pitch in the rookie league this summer. In other news, how do I get a reality show called: “Brian Cashman, Finesse My Life?” Because it feels necessary right now.
• The Angels have released Cody Allen. Yes, you read that correctly, the same Cody Allen that signed a one-year, $8.5M contract with the Angels in January. His 6.26 ERA and 20 walks in 23 innings ultimately led to the Angels letting him go. Righty Taylor Cole was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to take his place.
• Cameron Maybin has found the exit velocity.
• The Rangers have acquired righty reliever Jake Petricka from the Brewers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. The 31-year old has had six relief appearances this season with three strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA. He’s been assigned to the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville.
• Are you excited about the new, young future of baseball? Who isn’t? Our Andersen Pickard wants you to be even more excited as he breaks down one prospect worthy of making their MLB debut from every AL East team. Keep an eye out as Andersen takes on the other divisions next.
• What should the Diamondbacks do with Zack Greinke?
• David Ortiz is expected to make a full recovery after being shot in the lower back in the Dominican Republic.
• Not ready to let the draft go just yet? Worry not. Our 2019 MLB Draft First-round pick Signing Tracker will keep you in the loop of what picks will be headed to their teams and who may just pass it up.