Redbird Droppings: Rumors 07/31/2025

Redbird Droppings have a few new names in the rumor mill

A busy deadline eve had transitions into an even busier deadline. The Cardinals completed their trades with the New York Mets (Ryan Helsley for 3 prospects) and Boston Red Sox (Steven Matz for Blaze Jordan), but they still have a few guys out on the market.

The Blue Jays have addressed their rotation (see below) but they still have needs in the bullpen. They are apparently interested in Phil Maton. The Cards and Blue Jays have matched up a few times in the past, most notably in 2023 when the Cardinals traded Genesis Cabrera, Paul DeJong, and Jordan Hicks in 3 separate deals.

Maton’s name is moving up the list right now, as deals for relievers are happening fast. He’s one of the best ones available right now.

One team who won’t be in on Maton is the Phillies; they are shifting to hitters after making a relief pitching acquisition yesterday (again, see below). There still quite a few other teams looking for relievers, including the Yankees, Dodgers, Rangers, Mariners, Cubs (maybe), and Reds.

The Cardinals have taken calls on Alec Burleson and Lars Nootbaar; both the Phillies and Astros are known to have checked in on one or both. I really want the team to move Noot; he’s injury prone and it opens a position for any number of prospects, who may or may not end up being better than he is. Personally, I’d keep Burleson around unless a deal is overwhelming.

Brendan Donovan is still getting interest too; he’s been tied to the Yankees, Dodgers, and Astros. There just haven’t been many new rumors since yesterday.

Update: Katie Woo is reporting the chances of Burleson, Donovan, or Nootbaar being traded is very slim and they’re expected to hold onto all 3. Not moving one of them is a mistake, because there are too many players blocked at both infield and outfield.

No new rumors around JoJo Romero, Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, and Jordan Walker.

There have been quite a few new deals since yesterday:

Yankees acquire Austin Slater (OF) from the White Sox for Gage Ziehl (RHP)
Braves acquire Tyler Kinley (RHP) from the Rockies for Austin Smith (RHP)
Angels acquire Andrew Chafin (LHP), Luis García (RHP) from the Nationals for Jake Eder (LHP), Sam Brown (1B)
Reds acquire Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) from the Pirates for Taylor Rogers (LHP), Sammy Stafura (IF)
Mets acquire Tyler Rogers (RHP) from the Giants for Jose Butto (RHP), Blade Tidwell (RHP), Drew Gilbert (OF)
Mariners acquire Caleb Ferguson (RHP) from the Pirates for Jeter Martinez (RHP)
Phillies acquire Jhoan Duran (RHP) from the Twins for Eduardo Tait (C), Mick Abel (RHP)
Cubs acquire Michael Soroka (RHP) from the Nationals for Ronny Cruz (IF), Christian Franklin (OF)
Tigers acquire Rafael Montero (RHP) from the Braves for Jim Jarvis (IF)
Astros acquire Ramon Urias (IF) from the Orioles for Twine Palmer (RHP)
In a 3 team trade, the Reds acquire Zack Littell (RHP) from the Rays, the Rays acquire Brian Van Belle (RHP) from the Reds and Hunter Feduccia (C) from the Dodgers, and the Dodgers acquire Adam Serwinowski (LHP) from the Reds and Paul Gervase (RHP), Ben Rortvedt (C) from the Rays.
Mariners acquire Eugenio Suarez (3B) from the Diamondbacks for Tyler Locklear (1B), Juan Burgos (RHP), Hunter Cranton (RHP)
Cubs acquire Andrew Kittredge (RHP) from the Orioles for Wilfri De La Cruz (SS)
Tigers acquire Paul Sewald (RHP) from the Guardians for PTBNL/Cash
Blue Jays acquire Shane Bieber (RHP) from the Guardians for Khal Stephen (RHP)
Padres acquire Mason Miller (RHP), JP Sears (LHP) from the Athletics for Leo De Vries (SS), Braden Nett (RHP), Henry Baez (RHP), Eduarniel Nunez (RHP)