Carp Rumor Mill (7/30)
by Alora Shaw -Trade Rumors/Token Female Hire
Good evening, rumor-starved Carpers! We are about a week out from the fantasy baseball trade deadline and there has been no shortage of chatter coming through my sources. Let's get right to it.
Luke Weaver - RP
There have been several discussions concerning the one player on the New York Mets who isn't to blame for everything that has befallen those Metropolitans in 2026. For the River Carp, Weaver has been an exceptional member of the bullpen, but given management's major, potentially compulsive, adding to the Carp bullpen every other day, he's somehow very expendable. From what I'm hearing, the convos are centered around moving up into the first round of the rookie draft this upcoming year. They already own the #2, #3, and another 1st that might be anywhere from #4-#12. But my sources are saying it's the Carp's 2nd round pick (#14) that they are dangling with Weaver to move up into the back end of the first round.
Jack Leiter - SP
I'm not sure where this came from, but the Carp really like Leiter; I know, random. I guess when you don't have any food, last week's frozen leftovers sound better than they should. They have made several salvos for the young righty and have been rebuffed each time. It's pretty clear that they want him...at the right price --sounds like they've gone as far as offering Cam Smith. But since Cam is apparently terrible, maybe that wasn't a great offer; it's asking a lot these days for owners to believe what's under the hood when the car doesn't currently have headlights, windows, and is missing a tire over the hood. But then again, the Jack Leiter car isn't exactly sleek these days; it's just painted with a coat of that one particular shade called "My Dad Was A Great Pitcher, So I Probably Am Too". Regardless, to this point nothing has materialized, but some of that might be the injury limbo that Leiter's final bit of 2026 is stuck in. If it's revealed that Leiter isn't coming back until 2027, talks might reignite.
Xavier Edwards - 2B/SS
X has been a big part of the Carp's (modest) success this year. Other than not hitting for power --because X doesn't ever-- he's done everything well-to-very-well. He's hit for AVG (.292), scored runs (51), driven in runs (39) stolen bases (18), and has the most defensive points (472) on the entire Carp roster. I'm not getting the impression they really want to trade the 26-year old sparkplug, but when you're where the Carp are in franchise building you have to listen on everyone, and they've had inquiries. If I had my guess, I'd say X stays a Carp through Friday's deadline. It'll take a major offer that I don't see another team paying.
There are sure to be more rumors (and deals) between now and the 7th; I'll keep my ear to the ground and drop in with any nuggets. Until then, go Carp!