MLB Trade Deadline is less than 24 hours away

This is a special evening edition of the Morning Briefing. Since we are less than 24 hours away from the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline, here is the latest:

The latest on the Juan Soto sweepstakes

Even though there were no new headlines today, there seems to be a narrowing “down the field” of potential trade partners with the Nationals for Juan Soto. According to multiple “reports,” three teams seem to be in talks with the Nationals: the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Los Angels Dodgers.

An interesting note: Earlier today, the Padres landed All-Star closer Josh Hader from the Brewers, giving up a substantial package of players to get the deal done. However, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan points out, the club still has the prospects to land another big fish like Soto.

Jon Paul Morosi from MLB.com reported on Saturday that the Padres have been willing to discuss C.J. Abrams, Adrian Morejon, and No. 1 prospect Robert Hassell III as part of a potential return for Soto. [Could the Nationals face Soto in a Padres uniform right away? as the Padres come to Washington D.C. for a weekend series on August 12, only days removed from the trade deadline.]

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of Ildemaro Vargas after this afternoon’s trade of Ehire Adrianza to the Braves. Harris, 26, was Atlanta’s №29 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com. He hit .238 with eight doubles, one triple, two home runs, 16 RBI, 18 walks, four stolen bases, and 25 runs scored in 59 games for Double-A Mississippi in 2022.

The latest from around Major League Baseball…

After fielding calls on Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels have decided to keep the two-way superstar, MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman writes in the New York Post.

While the Angels never seemed to have much interest in dealing with Ohtani, there were some reports last week that they were listening to offers out of due diligence. That changed Monday, however, with Jon Heyman writing teams pursuing the 28-year-old have “moved on with the understanding the Angels are deciding to keep [Ohtani].”

Bombs away… The New York Yankees made some news today. The Yankees traded for Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino from the A’s for New York’s top-rated pitching prospect, Ken Waldichuk, and three other prospects.

Quick Notes

• Baltimore Orioles are trading Trey Mancini to the Houston Astros, per reports.
• The Atlanta Braves today signed 3B Austin Riley to a 10-year contract worth $212 million.
• Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Tommy Pham from the Reds for a player to be named.
• White Sox and Red Sox finalized a deal on Monday that sent lefty reliever Jake Diekman to Chicago and catcher Reese McGuire plus a player named to Boston.