EHCC Trehde Rumors

In the wake of the Quebec City/Las Vegas mega trade that sent Xander Bogaerts packing to cover the hole in Vegas, while asking Jake Arrieta to sure up the Piglet's rotation, the EHCC is a buzz with new rumors across the league. Every team wants to make their team better, whether it's better now to win the current match up, or to win it all in 2019 - there's usually something for everyone out there, you just have to be willing to dig deep to find it. Here's some rumblings that have been heard from around the league....

EHCC Trehde Rumors

By: Jim Fierkes, EHCCTrehdeRumors.com

Selling Low on Schwarber?

The Las Vegas Doggs have reportedly received 3 separate phone calls regarding the availability of slugger Kyle Schwarber. GM Howe Dogg has recently added Schwarber, along with about half of the current Doggs' roster, to the league trading block, making him an intriguing "buy low" candidate for any team. Seems like a long shot for the Doggs to give up the outfield for anything less than they gave up for him just last season, considering his age and current position versatility, though it's expected Schwarber will have no chance of putting on the mask and pads behind the plate in 2018, but may have a future at First Base as well as in the Outfield instead. (The information was first reported by Connor Intabedd of the Reno Weekly Rag)

McCutchen Requests Trade

Andrew McCutchen has been benched by manager Hank Scorpio in Vegas, as he hasn't bounced back into form as quickly as Scorpio was hoping he would after acquiring the veteran from Quebec City, replacing Jay Bruce in the Vegas outfield. After hearing the news of his benching, McCutchen has requested that GM Howe Dogg take the reigns and trade him to a place where he's wanted. Howe Dogg has stated that he will do just that, only issue is that no one seems to want him. 

"We barely wanted him. He doesn't fit with our future at all. We chose him over [Evan] Longoria just because he was still able to play the outfield and we thought he might be able to supplement the lose of Jay [Bruce]. We were wrong it seems," manager Hank Scorpio told reporters in yesterday's post-game press conference. It seems as though there's already bad blood in Vegas between McCutchen and Scorpio, and we wouldn't expect to see McCutchen cut any time soon, as Scorpio has shown he can be stubborn toward his players who don't perform. (This information was first reported by Max Powers of Baseball Tri-Weekly)

Closers Changing Hands

With Tijuana's recent signing of Brad Hand, he adds to the list of shaky closers making up the Hispanics' bullpen. Tijuana has dominated the Saves category this season, currently leading the lead in the stat, and has yet to lose or even tie the category in any of their first seven match ups. If they want to continue their dominance in the 'pen, they'll need to start making phone calls for some more solid options to assist Brandon Kintzler. Multiple Tijuana pitchers (Feliz, Cishek, Mauer) have already lost their jobs it seems, and Hand is slated to move cities in the coming month or so, probably losing his newly announce closing responsibilities. Lucky for Tijuana, it looks as though there's a few teams out there looking to shop their closers San Fernando and San Juan have both expressed their interest, or intention or shopping around at least one, or multiple closers for the right price. In the past 3 seasons, at least two established closers have been traded between the MiDraft and the Trade Deadline each year, so the odds are someones' bullpen is getting an upgrade. (This information was first reported by Skip Clifton of the San Diego Chronicle)

Rocketeers

While the league was buzzing about Eric Thames and all his dongs, Jedd Gyorko has quietly lived in his shadow raising his stock under the radar. GM Jack Reed has taken notice and has been busy working the phones. His phones only work in one direction - outgoing calls only - so if he doesn't get through to another GM they'd never even know Gyorko was on the market. And ultimately, there's no way for another GM to get in touch with Reed beyond carrier pigeon. Rumors are swirling the only conversations that have actually taken place are with new manager/AGM Hank Scorpio in Vegas. Scorpio has already made one deal with Rakeville, shipping off Tommy Watson for a conditional 2018 MaDP, which is shaping up to be a terrible deal for both teams as Watson has given up 5 ER in 4.2 IP for Rakeville thus far, but only needs 15 more Saves to activate the 1st Round condition on the MaDP. Rakeville would prob be best to try to move Watson soon before he regains form, or before he does more damage. Rakeville is currently in line to have the #3 overall MaDP. (This information was first reported by J.C. Stapelton of EhSPN)

Rio Making Upgrades with Themselves

It seems it's going to be tough for the Cristos to make a deal as they simply don't know what they need. They're ultimately trading with themselves int he next few weeks, as they's recently seen the return of Robinson Cano (an upgrade over their previous 2B option of, well, the ghost of Ryne Sandberg) and is expecting to upgrade SS and 3B with Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson respectively. Their rotation should also get a jolt in the coming week or two with the addition of David Price and Steven Matz. So it should come as no surprise that Rio's GM Tom Brady has formally told other teams that he is not in the market for anyone except his own players at the moment. We'll expect him to change his stance when inevitably Ryan Zimmerman contracts Lyme Disease and Nelson Cruz gets scurvy. (This information was first reported by a squirrel at the Rio Times. Apparently all their reporters are sick and have temporarily been replaced by wild rodents. That breaking news is an EHCCTrehdeRumors.com original)

Jim Fierkes is the editor and contributor to www.EHCCTrehdeRumors.com. When he's not scouring the internet for the next big scoop to post on his blog that was ultimately heard and written by someone else first, he's collecting peach pits that look like the late Al Davis.