MLB Trade Rumors and News: Cubs and Royals make a trade, Zack Wheeler heads to the injured list

The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we’re running here at MLBDD that rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be the shared? Hit us up at @mlbdailydish on Twitter or @MLBDailyDish on Instagram.

• The Mets hopes of cashing in on a Zack Wheeler, who is in the last year of his deal, at the trade deadline were all but dashed yesterday as it was announced that he is headed for the injured list with shoulder fatigue. There may still be teams willing to gamble that he will return this season and be able to contribute quality innings, but any dreams of getting a team to part with big time assets for Wheeler appear to be gone now.
• The Cubs and Royals made a late night trade that sent Martin Maldonado to the Cubs in exchange for Mike Montgomery. The Cubs get some insurance in case Willson Contreras’ foot injury lingers and the Royals get a 30 year old reliever that they want to convert into a starter with a bit of team control.
• Kirby Yates is one of the more interesting names on the trade market mainly because it isn’t clear that the Padres would or even should trade him. Our own Andersen Pickard took a look at Yates’ status in the trade market as well as the track record for relievers dealt at the trade deadline last season.
• The trade rodeo is going strong as the Red Sox acquire Andrew Cashner from Orioles. In return, the Orioles will now have minor-leaguers Noelberth Romero and Elio Prado rocking their uniform.
• It is that time of the year where rumors spread like wildfire about rumored trade deadline deals. To keep track of all of the noise that surrounds this time of year, we have put together a deadline rumor tracker for all of you to enjoy.
• To kick off the frenzy that may or may not ensue in the coming weeks, just before his start, Homer Bailey was scratched from the mound and traded to the fiscally conscious Oakland Athletics, who get the veteran on a very affordable contract.
• Now that the 2019 Draft is all done and (almost) all of the early picks have signed, our own Cristiana Caruso put together a list of all of the first round picks from this year’s draft with links to their social media so that you can better get to know them and probably send your grievances whenever things don’t always reach your expectations.
• The MLB All-Star Game took place last Tuesday night, and — surprise, surprise — the American League emerged victorious. That makes the AL 19-3-1 in the Midsummer Classic since 1997 and 7-0 over the last seven years. While the outcome may have been predictable, we did see some great Cleveland-centric moments as Carlos Carrasco, who is battling leukemia, made an appearance during the in-game Stand Up 2 Cancer salute, and Indians starter Shane Bieber won the MVP award for the night.
• Over the last few years, we have seen a slew of exciting young prospects make their debuts in the majors to much fanfare and excitement. The current crop of minors looks exciting yet again so our own Andersen Pickard went over the AL Central to see which prospects from each team could debut this year.
• There are some very real divisions that exist between MLB, MLB umpires, and MLB players at this moment as to how umpires and players should be expected to relate to one another and be held accountable. Our own Andersen Pickard took a look at some recent events and examined umpire accountability in Major League Baseball.
• An Angels no-hitter on Tyler Skaggs night was an amazing, emotional tribute. What a beautiful moment for the Skaggs family and for baseball.
• 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.
• Justin Verlander isn’t a fan of MLB’s ‘juiced balls’ and no that’s not just because he’s given up a lot of home runs this year, there’s a conspiracy among us..
• The trade deadline is comin’ in hot this year, with some even hotter takes. Our Andersen Pickard went ahead and picked five stars who could have new homes before the trade deadline passes.
• 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.