MLB trade deadline rumors: Cubs not looking for rentals, Yankees interested in old friend for bullpen help

The July 30 trade deadline looms and there still appears to be a dearth of sellers. It depends where you draw the line, of course, with the Rays being 5 1/2 games out of a playoff spot and the Tigers six out. The Giants and Reds are four out with four teams in between while the Nationals are 4 1/2 games out. Still, if we said the Tigers at six out have an outside chance at a playoff berth, that means we'd only be looking at six teams definitely not in contention this season: Blue Jays , White Sox , Angels , Athletics , Marlins and Rockies . Even if we tossed in the Rays, Tigers, Giants, Reds and Nationals , that makes 11 sellers and 19 potential buyers.

We're running out of time for some clarity, too.

Still, the rumor mill churns on, even if ever so slowly. Let's get to it.

Cubs not looking for short-term fixes

The Cubs are 3 1/2 games out of the last NL wild-card spot and that's certainly within striking range, though they'd have to jump four teams to move into playoff position and they haven't exactly looked good for large portions of the season. This would be why team president Jed Hoyer suggested Monday that they won't be in the market for players hitting free agency after this season.

"Where we are right now, I would have to say that moves only for 2024 -- unless things change over the next week -- we probably won't do a lot of moves that only help us for this year," Hoyer told reporters ( via ESPN ). "If moves help us for 2025 and beyond I think we're exceptionally well positioned."

The Cubs enter Tuesday sitting at 49-23 despite jumping out to a 17-9 start. They have won 10 of their last 15 games and that has probably been enough to keep them out of a seller territory, but it doesn't sound like they'll be an aggressive buyer.

Yankees look for Green reunion?

The Yankees are interested in bringing back right-handed reliever Chad Green , according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network . He spent the first seven years of his MLB career with the Yankees, so it would be a reunion. In 28 outings for the Blue Jays this season, Green has pitched to a 1.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 24 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings. The Yankees aren't likely looking to replace All-Star closer Clay Holmes , but Green could team with the likes of Luke Weaver and Tommy Kahnle to form a stellar late-inning corps.