Despite their need for starting pitching depth heading into the stretch run, the Boston Red Sox recently rejected an offer from the San Diego Padres for a deal involving Jarren Duran and Dylan Cease.

This story was excerpted from AJ Cassavell's Padres Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Cease, continued his own uneven campaign, adding more uncertainty to his immediate future with the San Diego Padres.

The Mets, who are expected to upgrade their rotation before the July 31 trade deadline, have also been linked to Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller. The 29-year-old is posting a 3.53 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over a league-leading 21 starts for Pittsburgh.

The Toronto Blue Jays could try to trade for San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease at the MLB trade deadline.