MLB trade rumours: Kikuchi's market slowing down?

Market for Kikuchi slowing down?

Interest around the league for Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuch has been slowing down, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

Appearing on TSN1050 Monday morning, Olney revealed that there is a "general lack of enthusiasm" from other general managers around the Japanese southpaw. 

"I think he's down the list when it comes to pecking order in the starting pitching market. [Garrett] Crochet is at the top, and then you've got Jack Flaherty, there's guys like Erick Fedde of the Chicago White Sox, and what I'm hearing from other teams is that they're kind of like 'Well, [Kikuchi] is okay, he's got talent, but... he finds a way to lose sometimes.' That was a little eye-opening for me, because I thought when this whole process started that he might be one of the more coveted guys, and that is not the sense that I get. 

"I continue to hear that the Blue Jays are focused on 2025, on trading some of these rental players, guys who are headed into free agency for minor league assets that could help things going forward. But they don't want to do anything big."

Kikuchi, 33, is in the final season of a three-year, $36 million contract signed with the Blue Jays in 2022. Since signing that deal, Kikuchi has gone 21-22 with a 4.48 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 384.0 innings pitched for the team.

Toronto sits in last place in the American League East with a record of 49-56, and have already traded Danny Jansen, Yimi Garcia, and Nate Pearson as the club looks to retool their roster ahead of next season.

Tigers expected to move Flaherty

The Detroit Tigers are expected to move starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, according to MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman. 

Flaherty, 28, was scratched from his start Monday against the Cleveland Guardians.

After struggling to end his stint with the St. Louis Cardinals, Flaherty was traded to the Baltimore Orioles last season, becoming a free agent shortly after. He signed a one-year, $14 million contract with Detroit, and has regained his form as a quality rotation piece, posting a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.

He is set for another round of free agency this winter.

Red Sox acquire Priester from Pirates

The Boston Red Sox completed a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday to acquire right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Priester, 23, has an earned-run average of 5.04 in 10 games (six starts) with the Pirates this season. 

The Pirates are receiving infield prospect Nick Yorke in return. 

Priester was ranked the No. 60 prospect on MLB Pipeline entering the 2023 season, but has struggled to maintain a role with the big-league club since making his debut with Pittsburgh a season ago.

In 20 career MLB games, the Glendale Heights, Ill. native has an ERA of 6.46 with 67 strikeouts in 94.2 innings.

Yankees, Mets linked to Snell

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell is garnering interest from both teams in the Big Apple, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Snell, 31, signed a two-year, $62 million deal with the Giants this past offseason, which includes an opt out that could see the left-hander back on the market this winter.

It would be a welcome addition for the Yankees, who's rotation owns the second-highest earned run average in baseball since the middle of June. 

The Mets currently hold a 0.5 game lead for the third and final NL wild card spot, and with starters Kodai Senga and Christian Scott on the shelf for the foreseeable future, adding an ace like Snell could be too enticing to pass up on.

The two-time Cy Young winner has struggled at times this season, but over his last five starts has allowed five earned runs across 28.2 innings. In his most recent start, Snell struck out 15 batters in six innings against the Colorado Rockies, confirming his status as an intriguing arm for any team looking to bolster their rotation.

Crochet, Robert Jr. may not be moved until after 2024 season

Left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. have been seen as two of the biggest trade assets available on the market, but general manager Chris Getz could keep both players through 2024 to try and strike a deal in the offseason, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

A trade in the winter would enable the White Sox to negotiate with more teams, as opposed to the ones seen as 'buyers' if they were to be traded prior to the deadline. 

In his first season as a starter, Crochet has been one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, posting an ERA of 3.23 and 160 strikeouts across 22 starts . After being linked to top contenders such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported that the 25-year-old southpaw would not pitch in the postseason before being given an extension if he were to be dealt.

Crochet has thrown 114.1 innings this season, 41 innings more than he has pitched in his first four seasons in the majors combined, raising concerns regarding whether the University of Tennessee product will be able to contribute down the stretch and into the postseason. Without a new deal, he is arbitration eligible for two more seasons making him a free agent after 2026.

Robert, 26, is hitting .210 with 12 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 53 games played this year, and has been linked to the Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. He signed a six-year, $50 million contract with Chicago in 2020 that includes two club options. He is set for free agency after the 2027 season.