Things That Make You Go “Hmmmm…”

The Rangers are shopping Adrián Béltre , Keone Kela , and Jake Diekman , according to Eva Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Beltre has 10-5 rights, which allows him the ability to veto any trade. He may be willing to waive it, if he wants to take another shot at winning a ring. Kela is under team control through 2021 and would likely be highly coveted as a closer and since he is so young and controllable for so long. Both Diekman and Beltre are free agents after this season, so they may not come at much of a cost in trade.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, a number of teams are interested in Zach Britton of the Baltimore Orioles, including the Red Sox. Britton is a free agent after this season and coming off of off-season achilles surgery after rupturing it. He needs to prove he can pitch on back-to-back days, but is very likely to be moved to a contender in the next six weeks.

Alex Bregman decided to shave mid-game on Sunday after starting off the game hitless.

Baseball is no stranger to weird displays of superstitious behavior, but this made for some fun:

That Happened?!?

Giancarlo Stanton went 5-for-5 with a homerun on Sunday. This marks the first time he has had five hits in a game since August 11th of 2010. Stanton struggled to start the season, but is now hitting .262 for the year and is hitting over .300 for the month of June. His average tends to fluctuate year-to-year, but it appears he still is hitting for power and on track for his second best season in production.

Carlos Rodon threw eight innings versus the Athletics, striking out three and not issuing any walks. The fact he did not walk anyone is a very good sign. He is still building up strength in his arm after missing most of the season, but Rodon has always had a ton of talent and good mechanics, so it has always felt like he was one adjustment away from breaking out. Now is the time to buy on the lefty.

Derek Dietrich went 4-for-5 with a home run. He is hitting .302/.354/.496 with 11 home runs. He is hitting the ball harder than he ever has before and is only two home runs away from tying his career high of 13. With the Marlins being so bad and Dietrick being under team control for a couple more seasons, there is no reason for him not to continue to see a lot of at bats. He already has third base and outfield eligibility and close to gaining second base eligibility in all formats, which is always useful. 

Rhys Hoskins went 2-for-5 with a home run versus the Nationals on Sunday. Hoskins has been great since returning from the disabled list with a fractured jaw. He is hitting .333/.431/.685 with five home runs and a stolen base in 65 plate appearances. Hoskins is still under a .260 average for the season, so now is a good time to buy the slugger who hit 18 homers in just 50 games last year.

What We’ll Be Watching Today

Short slate today, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t stuff to pay attention to.

Edwin Jackson will tie the Major League record for most teams pitched for as a starter when he takes the mound today for the Oakland A’s.

Tyler Skaggs versus the Royals. Skaggs has been cleared to return to the mound after being scratched from his last start with a hamstring injury. The Royals are 25th in the Majors versus left-handed pitching in BB/K% this year.

Shelby Miller makes his return to the Majors versus the Marlins. Miller has a ton of upside, but can get funky with his mechanics. He has been erratic in his rehab starts, but the Marlins are awful.

Taillon versus Lugo. Taillon has rebounded recently and Lugo has been stellar (outside of Coors) since joining the rotation in relief of Syndergaard. 

Can the Dodgers keep raking? They hit seven home runs versus the Mets yesterday and get to face Duane Underwood , a rookie in his first Major League start after a lackluster AAA line this season in Iowa.

Baseball. Lots of baseball.