DiamondCentric

The Milwaukee Brewers are one of the best teams in baseball approaching the trade deadline, and the front of their rotation has been remarkable between Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison. Would trading for Jose Soriano of the Angels make sense, and how much would it cost the Crew to bolster the back end of their starting five? Let's dive in. View the full article

Outside of injuries to top-end arms like Cade Horton, Edward Cabrera and a 2023 All-Star in Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon has recently been designated for assignment amidst a lackluster season. Despite all of those issues, the Chicago Cubs find themselves firmly atop the National League Wild Card standings, primed to be a buyer at the deadline. In other words, they need to trade for a veteran starting pitcher or two, which is why Michael Wacha should be a name on everyone's radar this weekend. Assessing Michael Wacha's Trade Market, Fit With Cubs If the Cubs pursue Wacha, they’d be getting a true grizzled veteran. The 35-year-old has tossed over 1,750 innings, and in his 14th season of service time, the Kansas City Royals righty is still a steady rotational option. Wacha is a two-time All-Star (including a selection this year), and he’s played for six different organizations. The righty is mostly known for his seven-year tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he became very familiar with the Cubs and pitching at Wrigley Field. The Royals are 46-64, 18 games under .500 and 10 games back of the final wild card spot in a relatively open American League race. They're going to sell and Wacha is one of their best pieces. A Strong 2026 Campaign His performance this year, combined with the Royals’ poor start, have made him a prime trade candidate. Wacha has cruised to a 5-7 record, ranking in the top 30 among all qualified starters with a 3.60 earned run average (29th) and a 1.17 WHIP (28th). He’s done a remarkable job of limiting mistakes so far, logging a 7.1 walk percentage (70th percentile) and allowing just 36.3 percent of balls hit in play to be registered as hard-hit balls. Wacha works with a fastball that’s well below the league average in terms of velocity, but thanks to his 6-foot-6 frame, his 6.7 feet extension (76th percentile) makes the ball seem to ride up on hitters a tick quicker. A Plethora of Options The arsenal is far more vast than his four-seamer, though. In a day and age where throwing in the triple digits is becoming the norm, this old-school hurler uses a six-pitch arsenal and picks his way through opposing lineups. He uses the fastball just under 27 percent of the time, and opposing batters hit just .234 against it. Between his five other pitches (changeup, cutter, sinker, curveball, slider), three of them hold an expected batting average below .250 and all allow an average exit velocity south of 90 miles per hour. Wacha’s strength is limiting hard contact, and he’s been a master at it in his mid-30s. Luck Is On His Side While Wacha has done an effective job this year, even posting a pair of quality starts since the All-Star Break, he’s had a bit of luck on his side. He doesn’t generate a ton of swing-and-miss, earning just a 21.1 percent whiff rate (17th percentile), so a lot of his success relies on the players behind him. His 4.25 expected ERA is over half a run greater than his actual ERA, and the .253 expected batting average on his ledger supports the thesis. Wacha has managed to achieve all of this success while working around a sub-par groundball rate as well. Paying Up Wacha isn't an ace, despite his All-Star credentials. Still, the Royals would be giving up a quality starter, so what would Chicago have to fork over in return? Wacha is owed what remains of his $18 million salary this year and $14 next year before a club option (worth $14 million) kicks in following the 2027 season. The North Siders wouldn’t just be getting a rental; they’d need to find room for him a year from now when many, if not all, of their starters are off the injured list. That additional control means a couple of top-10 prospects may be on the table, though the Cubs may be able to get the job done with just one top-100 type (and a low-level flier) if they're willing to dig into the best chips in a weak farm system. View the full article

With only a few exceptions, sources tell Fish On First that the Miami Marlins continuing to listen to offers on all of their players entering the final weekend before the MLB trade deadline. That incudes All-Star shortstop Otto Lopez. In 106 games played, Lopez is slashing .325/.359/.486/.845 with nine home runs, 50 RBI, 22 stolen bases and a 129 wRC+. He currently leads the majors in hits (138) and is tied for first in doubles (27). Defensively, Lopez has plus-five outs above average and plus-six defense runs saved, placing him in the running to be a National League Gold Glove finalist. Only Bobby Witt Jr. has a higher fWAR than Lopez (4.5) among shortstops. Lopez has been everything that the Marlins could've asked for at a premium position and he doesn't become a free agent until 2030, so why would they even entertain the possibility of trading him now? For starters, Lopez will enter his first year of arbitration eligibility this upcoming offseason. A huge pay raise is coming as a result of his production and accolades. In the meantime, the Marlins may want to maximize his value at a moment when he is affordable for every team in the league. Moving on from Lopez would open a major hole at shortstop. In the short term, the Marlins could have Javier Sanoja take the majority of the reps there. The other 40-man roster options behind Sanoja are underwhelming (Leo Jiménez and Maximo Acosta). However, the Marlins have promising infield prospects who will be knocking on the door in 2027. First-round draft pick Aiva Arquette has made a compelling case that he's capable of remaining at shortstop. He's currently on the injured list and still needs more Double-A experience. Another name to keep an eye out for is 22-year-old Cristian Hernández, one of the three players acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Edward Cabrera trade. After a slow start to his Marlins tenure, he is now slashing .256/.336/.409/.745 with nine home runs, 32 RBI, 22 stolen bases and a 100 wRC+. High-A Beloit's Starlyn Caba is the best defender of them all, but his eventual call-up is more likely to come in 2028. As a reminder, Lopez landed in Miami as a waiver claim two years ago. This front office's track record of turning under-the-radar acquisitions into impact players gives them the confidence that they can do it again. Again, it should be noted that the Marlins are not looking to trade Lopez, but they need to be open-minded. Maybe a desperate suitor offers so much talent for him that they have to pull the trigger. ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Boston Red Sox are actively searching for a shortstop and Lopez's name has "come up in conversations." Boston is 21st in shortstop wRC+ this season (85). Adding Lopez would not only bolster their lineup, but improve their team defensively. On top of that, the Red Sox have the prospect capital to make a trade, even if their top overall prospect, Franklin Arias, is off limits. Mock trade proposal Marlins receive: RHP Anthony Eyanson (BOS No. 2 prospect, per Baseball America) and OF Justin Gonzales (BOS No. 4 prospect) Red Sox receive: SS Otto Lopez Eyanson is a right-handed pitcher who is currently in Double-A with a 1.45 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 10.38 K/9 and 4/36 BB/9. He started the season in High-A, where in five starts, he had a 0.44 ERA. Eyanson throws a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. His two best pitches are the fastball and slider with the curveball beginning to improve. This is a pitcher who could advance quickly through the Marlins system and potentially contribute to the major league rotation in 2027. As for Gonzales, he is currently in High-A, where in 77 games, he is slashing .266/.386/.457/.843 with 15 home runs, 45 RBI and a 117 wRC+. The power and arm stand out about the 6'5" teenager. Another calling card with Gonzales is his approach, striking out 18.7% of the time at the High-A level and walking 13.5% of the time. The combination of Eyanson and Gonzales would make this the largest prospect haul that the Marlins have received in any trade since the beginning of the Peter Bendix era. View the full article

Against all odds, the Boston Red Sox are buyers this summer. The question now becomes: Which positions do they plan to target for an upgrade? One area we know that they're looking to improve at is their middle infield. Entering the season, the organization hoped that the pair of Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer could man shortstop and second base respectively, but injuries and poor offensive performances led to the team cycling through various alternatives such as Nick Sogard, Tsung-Che Cheng, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler. Second base is the more pressing area between the middle-infield positions. The team, looking for an offensive boost made a shocking trade with the Washington Nationals. Sending Connelly Early to the Nationals, the Red Sox received power-hitting infielder Curtis Mead. He was expected to slot into the second spot in the lineup while playing second base. His offensive potential is huge, as he had 17 home runs with Washington, but in just his second at-bat following the deal, disaster struck (on the wrist). Mead would be removed from the game and the following day be diagnosed with a fractured wrist. A replacement is now atop the priority list, but thankfully, the second base market isn't completely bereft of talent. Ranked 48th on DiamondCentric’s top trade deadline candidates list, Gleyber Torres could be a player the Red Sox look to acquire. The right-handed hitting infielder has missed significant time this season due to two stints on the injured list with an oblique strain, but he's currently playing every day in the Detroit Tigers' lineup. While healthy, he’s put together a solid .270/.383/.392 slash line through 50 games. That also includes impressive walk (15%) and strikeout (19.8%) rates. While he has had four straight seasons of at least 15 home runs, that streak is likely to end as he currently has just five due to his time spent on the injured list. Part of the problem is that he is not a big pull hitter this season. For his career, he’s pulled the ball around 34.4% of the time, but in 2026 that number has plummeted to just 19.9%. Likewise, his pull-air rate is just 7.5%, which makes makes you wonder how his swing will hold up in Fenway Park. However, his line drive rate and fly ball rate are nearly the same, sitting at 26% and 27.4% respectively, which is something that could lead to Torres hitting a lot of doubles into the right field corner or the right-center gap. The infielder is on an expiring contract and will likely leave in free agency, so it's likely that Detroit will optimize their potential returns on the soon-to-be free agent. For the Red Sox, they would be acquiring a high-contact bat that would lengthen their lineup for a marginal cost. His speed is a non-factor and his arm strength is in the 8th percentile among all infielders, but Torres is a known quantity at a position of need. As the second second baseman acquired, it would be hard for the front office to do better than adding the former Yankees All-Star to their deadline haul. View the full article

Most of the conversations surrounding the New York Mets’ trade deadline have focused on names like Freddy Peralta, Brooks Raley, and A.J. Minter, the latter of whom has already been traded. However, Tyrone Taylor could become one of the more interesting options for teams looking to strengthen their outfield before October. Taylor does not have the same profile as other players available on the market, but he offers a combination that can be difficult to find. He is a right-handed outfielder capable of playing all three outfield positions, has experience in center field, and has been one of the Mets’ best hitters against left-handed pitchers this season. After a 2025 season that lowered his value, Taylor regained some of his offensive production and moved closer to the player he was during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. His contract also works in favor of potential buyers: he will earn $3.8 million in 2026 and become a free agent after the season. Assessing Tyrone Taylor's Trade Market Taylor built his value away from the profile of an impact hitter. After making his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers, he earned a spot in the majors because of his athleticism and defensive ability in the outfield. His best season came in 2022, when he appeared in 120 games, accumulated 2.1 WAR and finished in the 81st percentile in Statcast defensive metrics. That season showed the profile that has defined his career: enough offensive production to stay in the lineup while creating value with his glove. The Mets acquired him before the 2024 season, and although his bat has had ups and downs in New York, his defense remains an important part of his role on the roster. The 2025 season was the lowest point of Taylor’s time with the Mets. He hit .223/.279/.319 with a 70 wRC+, while his barrel rate dropped to the 12th percentile and his expected slugging percentage fell to the 17th percentile. That season hurt his market value, but his rebound in 2026 has changed the conversation. In just over 150 plate appearances, Taylor is hitting .239/.289/.486 with nine home runs, a .246 ISO and a 113 wRC+. Taylor has also accumulated 20 Outs Above Average and 21 Defensive Runs Saved during his career in the outfield. He has played more than 2,000 innings in center field and also has experience in the corners, which is the kind of experience that every contender wants when they're looking to add a bench bat at the deadline. And though his defensive metrics have declined in a limited sample during 2026, he still has tools teams value. His sprint speed ranks in the 91st percentile this season, and his arm strength remains one of his best attributes, ranking in the 85th percentile. Another element that increases his appeal is his performance against left-handed pitching. Against lefties in 2026, Taylor is hitting .314/.324/.614 with a .938 OPS and a 156 wRC+. While that production would be difficult to maintain over a full season, it confirms the skill that has been one of the most valuable parts of his profile throughout his career. Because he is a rental player, the Mets should not expect a package similar to what they could receive for a player with multiple years of team control. But his combination of quality defense and production against left-handed pitching could allow New York to acquire a mid-level prospect or a younger player with big upside. View the full article

Not that this comes as a stunning development to San Diego Padres fans, but one MLB insider considers it very unlikely closer Mason Miller will be dealt by the trade deadline. "It would be a shock," ESPN's Alden Gonzalez wrote Friday about a Miller trade. Miller was the Padres' lone All-Star and has converted all 28 of his save opportunities this year after being acquired at last year's trade deadline. A.J. Preller, the Padres' president of baseball operations, is still listening to anyone who wants to inquire, but his asking price remains "astronomical" to the point that certain contenders haven't even asked about MLB's best closer. It also helps that the Padres recently won five straight to get them in a better position in the NL wild-card race. However, that doesn't mean the rest of the Padres' bullpen isn't available. According to The Athletic, left-handers Adrian Morejon and Wandy Peralta are popular names on the trade block, with the New York Yankees one team that would be interested and have young starters Will Warren and Ryan Weathers as potential trade pieces. View the full article

The Twins’ bullpen has been an obvious weak spot since before the season even began. Even a few weeks ago, the hope was that the team could stay in contention long enough to acquire several relievers at the trade deadline. While acquiring at least one more reliever may be wise, after acquiring left-handed reliever AJ Minter on Friday, it can be argued that it’s no longer the Twins' number one priority. The Twins prided themselves on their ability to find relievers internally or without spending much after trading away much of the controllable bullpen at last year’s trade deadline sell-off. It took some time, but we’re seeing some signs of this. Yoendrys Gomez has been a savior in the closer role after being claimed off waivers. Andrew Morris has been as good as any reliever in baseball over the last month. Recently acquired Tommy Nance has served as a setup man, and lower-level relievers such as Travis Adams and Jack Anderson have started to show flashes. Add in Minter, who is arguably now the third-best reliever in the bullpen, and things are starting to look up. The Twins are still in the bottom five in bullpen ERA in baseball, but things are trending in the right direction. If another deal like the one for Minter presents itself, they should jump at the opportunity. Perhaps that shouldn’t be the team’s number one priority, however. On the flip side of the bullpen, the starting rotation is suddenly riddled with enormous questions. Bailey Ober is struggling to hit 87 mph on his fastball in the middle innings of starts. Zebby Matthews does not look like the pitcher who shot through the minor leagues a few years ago and has been blow-up-prone lately. Connor Prielipp has already surpassed his career high in innings pitched in a season. Joe Ryan’s historical second-half struggles suddenly appear front and center. Perhaps the Twins’ number one priority should be starting pitching. The level of starter the Twins look to acquire can be flexible. If the market for playoff-caliber starters is too costly, even a back-end arm to ensure they have the innings covered the rest of the way could make all the difference. If they find a deal they like for a starting pitcher with multiple years of team control, they could certainly benefit from another rotation member beyond 2026 as well. There is no shortage of options when it comes to starting pitchers currently on the trade block. While even uninspiring options will cost more than a good reliever, there are plenty of realistic arms that can be brought in. Someone like Robbie Ray would be incredibly cheap if the Twins were willing to eat the remainder of his contract (approximately $8.3M for the rest of 2026) as they did with Minter. The same could be said for someone like Dustin May or Brady Singer if the Twins are concerned with filling innings. If they choose to pursue the more expensive route in search of arms that can help beyond 2026, several names should be available. The Twins have long been rumored to be interested in Angels LHP Reid Detmers. The Mariners have been telling teams Emerson Hancock is available amidst a breakout season. The prospect capital would be higher, but the Twins need MLB-ready rotation options both now and into 2027. Whatever path the Twins take, if they’re buying, they should strongly consider adding to their rotation that appears to be on the brink of the wheels completely falling off. Perhaps grab another reliever, but make sure the team has the starting pitching to turn the ball over to an improved bullpen with a chance to win. Do you agree? Got some other names the team should target? Let's hear them in the comments. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs have been connected to former division foe Freddy Peralta in trade talks, according to The Athletic. Peralta pitched most of his career with the rival Brewers, including making postseason starts against the Cubs. Peralta was formerly managed by Craig Counsell, so there is some familiarity at play here. The Cubs need starting pitching, and at his best, Peralta is a very good one. This season for the Mets, however, has not featured his best; he's posted a 4.99 ERA in 113.2 innings pitched, but his expected numbers are better. His xERA is 3.83, which indicates Peralta is running into some bad luck. Many underlying metrics indicate that Peralta is a similar pitcher this season to what he was with the Brewers. The story from The Athletic notes that the Mets are talking to other teams, which isn't exactly a shocking piece of news. It's also not surprising to learn that the Mets are asking for a top-100 prospect in return, though whether not they receive that offer remains to be seen. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins entered last summer's trade deadline looking to reshape their roster. One year later, one of those decisions continues to loom larger with every dominant outing from Louis Varland. Varland has blossomed into one of baseball's premier relief pitchers since joining the Toronto Blue Jays. Through 49 appearances this season, the St. Paul native owns a microscopic 0.98 ERA, has already accumulated 3.2 bWAR, converted 23 saves, and earned his first career All-Star selection. Few relievers in baseball have been as valuable. Minnesota sent Varland and veteran first baseman Ty France to Toronto at last year's trade deadline in exchange for outfielder Alan Roden and pitching prospect Kendrys Rojas. At the time, the Twins believed they were adding long-term value while moving a reliever whose role had fluctuated between the rotation and bullpen. Now, the deal looks dramatically different. As Minnesota fights to remain in the American League playoff picture, the bullpen has become one of the club's biggest weaknesses. Ironically, the solution may have been wearing a Twins uniform all along. USA Today's Bob Nightengale recently reported that the organization is still feeling the sting of that decision. "The Minnesota Twins, who are hanging around the AL Central race, still are having nightmares about trading away reliever Louis Varland a year ago. Varland, their popular homegrown kid, has become an All-Star closer in Toronto. If the Twins had kept him, they might be running away with the AL Central, but instead are desperately scrambling for bullpen help," Nightengale wrote. It's difficult to argue with that assessment. Varland has been worth 3.62 WPA, second among relievers to San Diego’s Mason Miller. Minnesota’s bullpen as a whole has been worth 1.03 WPA, so adding Varland to that total could be worth multiple wins. The Twins have spent much of this season searching for reliable late-inning options and have made bullpen upgrades a clear priority ahead of this year's trade deadline. Meanwhile, Varland has emerged as exactly the type of dominant, swing-and-miss reliever every contender covets. Of course, player development is rarely linear. It's fair to wonder whether Varland reaches this level had he remained in Minnesota. Sometimes a new organization, a different coaching staff, or a defined role can unlock another level. There's no guarantee his breakout would have happened with the Twins. That nuance doesn't make the trade any easier to swallow. Toronto acquired a controllable reliever who has developed into one of the game's elite closers, while Minnesota is once again spending valuable deadline resources trying to acquire the type of pitcher it already had. That's a difficult cycle for any front office to explain. The trade may eventually look more balanced if Roden or Rojas develops into an impact major leaguer. Prospect evaluations often take years before a winner can truly be declared. For now, though, every scoreless inning Varland throws north of the border serves as another reminder of what the Twins gave away, and why it's a move the organization almost certainly wishes it could have back. View the full article

The Mets have scratched right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta from his start tonight against the Marlins. The scratch was first reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The Mets will go with a bullpen game tonight. This comes as trade interest in Peralta picks up. The Mets do not want to risk pitching Peralta tonight and him getting injured before a trade is made, so they decided to change up their pitching plans. It's been reported that multiple teams, including the White Sox, Rays, and Cubs, have interest in Peralta, and conversations are picking up. View the full article

Acquiring AJ Minter from the MetsTwins Daily's Top 20 Twins' prospects front office views this team. They're buying, and the return they sent to New York reinforces that idea. In exchange for Minter, the Twins parted with a pair of infield prospects: corner infielder Billy Amick and middle infielder Bruin Agbayani. Neither player ranked among Twins Daily's Top 20 Twins' prospects, but both have intriguing offensive tools that made them attractive enough for the Mets to take a chance. Let's start with Amick. The Twins selected him in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft, and he should immediately become one of the best corner infield prospects in New York's farm system. There's a lot to like offensively. Across 86 games at Double-A Wichita this season, Amick launched 23 home runs while drawing 50 walks. That's a really appealing combination of power and plate discipline, and it's easy to see why another organization would believe there's more upside to unlock. He's split time between first and third base as a pro, although first base is pretty clearly where he fits best defensively. The overall batting average doesn't exactly jump off the page, though. Amick is hitting just .217 this season, but that number probably undersells how well he's actually swung the bat. His .239 BABIP is unusually low, especially for someone who consistently hits the ball as hard as he does. You'd expect that number to normalize over time, which should naturally push the batting average higher. Still, there's a reason the Twins were willing to move him. The bat-to-ball skills leave a lot to be desired. He's striking out at a 28.5% clip as a 23-year-old at Double-A, and that's a pretty concerning number. Ideally, you'd like to see more consistent contact against upper-level pitching at this stage of his development. And when you dig a little deeper, it becomes even more obvious. Amick owns just a 63.6% overall contact rate this year. He's also not an especially aggressive hitter, so these aren't simply the byproduct of someone constantly expanding the strike zone. He's just swinging through pitches far too often. That doesn't mean he can't become a productive major leaguer; players with his kind of power can absolutely carve out roles if they make enough contact. But his defensive profile doesn't leave much margin for error. He's probably not going to stick at third base long term, and while he's serviceable at first, that's a position where the offensive expectations are incredibly high. If the contact issues persist, his ceiling becomes much more limited. Now let's talk about Agbayani, who is much harder to evaluate. The Twins selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft, but he just hasn't played much professional baseball yet. He suffered a throwing shoulder injury back in May and hasn't appeared in a game since May 12. Because of that, he has just 74 professional plate appearances since being drafted. So we're working with an incredibly small sample size. But from what we've seen so far, he kind of feels like the complete opposite of Amick offensively. Agbayani already shows impressive contact skills for a 19-year-old. Across those 74 plate appearances at Low-A, he's struck out only six times while drawing 16 walks. That's an outstanding foundation to build from. He consistently puts the bat on the ball, controls the strike zone well, and has shown an ability to use the entire field instead of trying to yank everything into the pull side. The biggest difference between him and Amick is the type of contact he creates. Agbayani puts the ball on the ground quite a bit. There are flashes of pull-side power when he gets the ball in the air, and as he continues to mature physically and add strength, you'd expect some of those doubles to eventually turn into home runs. But he'll probably profile as more of a hit-for-contact type of hitter than a true power bat. Defensively, he's bounced around the infield, seeing time at second base, third base, and shortstop. Long term, though, second base feels like the most realistic fit. His range isn't particularly exciting, and his arm strength probably isn't enough for the left side of the infield. That's perfectly fine if the bat develops, but like Amick, there are still questions about where exactly he fits defensively. Overall, the Mets are getting two very different offensive profiles. Amick brings legitimate power with some swing-and-miss concerns. Agbayani offers advanced contact skills but significantly less impact with the bat. They're both bat-first prospects who come with defensive question marks, just in completely different ways. Could one of them eventually become a productive major leaguer? Absolutely. Prospect development is unpredictable, and we've seen players make dramatic improvements after changing organizations before. But if we're being honest, the odds are that neither develops into a true impact player. There's no guarantee either one even reaches the majors. The Mets clearly saw enough upside to take the gamble, and that's exactly what prospect trades are all about. But from the Twins' perspective, this feels like a worthwhile price to pay. Minter immediately upgrades a bullpen that desperately needed another reliable late-inning arm, and that's simply more valuable to Minnesota's playoff hopes than what Amick or Agbayani were likely ever going to provide. Of course, projecting prospects is never an exact science. Maybe New York helps Amick cut down the strikeouts, and maybe Agbayani develops more power than expected. Maybe one of them eventually becomes an everyday major leaguer; that possibility will always exist. But based on what we know today, I like this deal for the Twins. I love seeing this front office act aggressively instead of sitting on its hands. This team needed bullpen help, and they went out and got it without sacrificing any of their elite prospects. Hopefully, this is just the beginning. Because if the Twins are serious about making a postseason run, there should be more moves coming. View the full article

Perhaps as a way to limit the loss of prospects, the Milwaukee Brewers would be willing to pay the remainder of the $32 million salary in order to acquire reigning two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Friday. Skubal will be owed about $9.4 million when he is dealt. The Brewers are MLB's smallest market, yet posted the best record last year and are just 1½ games behind the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers (69-40) at 67-41 for this year's best record. That $9.4 million matches catcher William Contreras' salary for 2026, which is the third-highest salary for the Brewers behind Christian Yelich's $24,032,625 and Brandon Woodruff's $22,025,000. The Brewers' had the No. 19 payroll on Opening Day at $124.8 million, per Cots. By taking on more salary and relieving that burden from the Tigers, the damage in losing prospects is lessened. Basically, the Brewers are paying to keep prospects. If the Tigers would pay the remainder of Skubal's salary, they would be buying better prospects. The Brewers have baseball's best farm system and can absorb the loss of key prospects, but the hesitancy from a team such as Milwaukee that values prospects like a golden egg, is the rental of Skubal for the rest of the season might be too much of a price to pay. However, if Skubal helps the Brewers get to or win a World Series, that cost could be worth it. View the full article

The countdown to Monday's MLB Trade Deadline is underway, and the Minnesota Twins continue to signal they're looking to improve rather than stand pat. Minnesota has already addressed one of its biggest weaknesses by adding veteran left-hander A.J. Minter and right-hander Tommy Nance to the bullpen, giving manager Derek Shelton two more experienced options for a relief corps that has struggled for much of the season. But with the club firmly in the postseason race, the front office appears to be keeping its options open. According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, the Twins may not be done making moves. While Minnesota has already completed a pair of trades, Hayes reported that a team source, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity surrounding trade discussions, indicated additional moves remain a possibility before Monday's deadline. One area drawing increasing attention is the starting rotation. “Not only could the Twins use additional bullpen depth,” said Hayes. “But the team is also potentially seeking rotation help as rookie Connor Prielipp has never pitched more innings in his injury-plagued career.” That possibility isn't surprising considering how Minnesota has approached the deadline publicly. Earlier this week, general manager Jeremy Zoll made it clear the Twins view themselves as buyers, even as many clubs around baseball continue to weigh whether they'll buy or sell. Minnesota's willingness to act early reflects the organization's confidence that this roster is capable of making a postseason push. It's also consistent with comments chairman Tom Pohlad made earlier this month. After last summer's deadline selloff frustrated both fans and players, Pohlad said the organization needed to be aggressive if the team remained in contention. Adding talent before the deadline would represent an opportunity to regain credibility in the clubhouse while showing fans the organization is committed to winning. Adding another starter would also provide valuable insurance for a pitching staff that has absorbed more than its share of injuries this season. Connor Prielipp has exceeded expectations as a rookie, but workload management is becoming a legitimate consideration. The former second-round pick has battled injuries throughout his professional career, making it unlikely the Twins will simply let him throw deep into uncharted territory over the final two months. Beyond Prielipp, Minnesota has already lost several key starters at various points this season. Pablo Lopez, David Festa, and Mick Abel are out for the year, testing the organization's starting pitching depth. That makes another dependable arm an attractive addition, even if it's not a headline-grabbing acquisition. The Twins don't appear to be a logical fit for the biggest names expected to be available, such as Tarik Skubal or Reid Detmers. Acquiring pitchers of that caliber would likely require an enormous prospect package and would run counter to Minnesota's recent strategy of supplementing an already competitive roster rather than reshaping it. Instead, the more realistic path is targeting a reliable back-end starter who can stabilize the rotation, absorb innings, and lessen the burden on a staff that has already endured plenty of attrition. It may not generate the same excitement as landing a frontline ace, but adding quality depth could prove just as important if the Twins plan to extend their season into October. What starters should the Twins target? Leave comment and start the discussion. View the full article

The 2026 MLB trade deadline is rapidly approaching—it's on August 3—and even though the Milwaukee Brewers are seemingly set for position players, we at Brewer Fanatic would like to offer a dozen or so players who could be good pieces to fill in for injuries or demotions. Great though it's been to see Joey Ortiz go on a bit of a tear, we don't believe in ignoring the downside that still lurks for Ortiz, Cooper Pratt, and others. So, here's where the team might pivot if needed. Enjoy! Higher-Salary Players Oswaldo Cabrera, New York Yankees (AAA), 27 Cabrera is currently playing at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and is hitting .284/.343/.435 with 10 home runs across 299 at-bats, so he has some pop as a switch-hitter. He has played every position except for catcher and center field this year, so he offers good versatility for a team that craves that asset. He has a one-year, $1.2-million contract for 2026, which obviously isn't much in baseball terms—but it's kind of a lot for a fifth infielder. Edmundo Sosa, Philadelphia Phillies, 30 The right-handed Sosa has played at least 10 games at second base, third base, shortstop, and left field for the Phillies this year. His batting numbers are down a bit (.213/.250/.350) from his career averages of .253/.304/.408, but he has hit five dingers across 160 at-bats. His $4.4 million contract might keep potential suitors away. But for a contender like the Brewers, the fact that Sosa has played in 19 postseason games is a huge plus. (Of course, the Phillies are also a contender, so they (like the Yankees) might not be eager to give up their own depth.) Didn’t You Used to Be Somebody? Jeimer Candelario, Los Angeles Angels (AAA), 32 The switch-hitting corner infielder has had a solid 11-year major-league career, but is toiling at Salt Lake this season. He's hitting .263/.364/.442 for the Bees, with six homers across 217 ABs. He signed a 3-year, $45-million contract with the Halos before the 2024 campaign, but he might be willing to sign a smaller deal to get back to the big leagues. Santiago Espinal, Texas Rangers (AAA), 31 Released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in late May, Espinal signed a minor league contract with the Rangers just before Independence Day. The righty-hitting utility infielder has been at Round Rock and is hitting .250/.300/.306 over 36 ABs but is heating up a bit lately, going 5-for-11 in his last three games. Espinal was an All-Star with Toronto in 2022 and has seven years’ experience in the bigs. Stuck in the Minors Christian Koss, San Francisco Giants, 28 Koss got called up to San Francisco when third baseman Matt Chapman went down with an abdominal injury in early July. He has had limited success in a small sample, going just 3-for-21 since being promoted. Koss has spent seven years in the minors, slashing .277/.340/.458 with 59 home runs across 1700+ at-bats. It is likely he will return to the minors when Chapman returns in late July, so he could possibly be a versatile, cheap pickup for Milwaukee. Nick Sogard, Boston Red Sox (AAA), 28 Sogard is a switch-hitter who has lots of minor league time under his belt with numbers similar to those of Koss. He is a cousin of former Brewer Eric Sogard and the nephew of Steve Sax, so baseball is in his blood. He recently returned to action after suffering a right oblique strain and had done well in a brief stint with Boston, batting .257/.350/.371 across 35 ABs. Having another Sogard playing for the Brewers wouldn’t be a bad thing. Tyler Tolbert, Kansas City Royals, 28 Tolbert plays some short and outfield as he is filling in for the injured Bobby Witt, Jr. He has been impressive in his time with the Royals, hitting .328/.364/.443 across 61 ABs. In two seasons with the Royals, he has stolen 32 bases during just 111 ABs, so his speed would fit right in with Milwaukee. Witt is expected to return in late July, so Tolbert might be readily available. Charles McAdoo, Toronto Blue Jays (AAA), 24 McAdoo can play almost anywhere and has some pop, hitting 50 home runs in four minor league seasons. He played three weeks in Toronto earlier in the season but was returned to Triple-A Buffalo. McAdoo also has some speed, having pilfered 34 bases last season in Double-A. He is stuck behind Ernie Clement and Kazuma Okamoto at second and third, respectively, so he might be on the trading block. Hey, You Look Familiar Anthony Seigler, Boston Red Sox, 27 Seigler is having a decent season in Boston, hitting .245/.314/.383 across 94 ABs as a fill-in at second and third. Orlando Arcia, Minnesota Twins (AAA), 31 It seems like he has been around forever, and he has, witnessed by his 11 big-league seasons. Although his best days are behind him, he is still a solid all-around player. Raynel Delgado, Houston Astros (AAA), 26 Despite having a good season at Nashville in 2025, he became a free agent and has played in the Tampa Bay and Houston organizations since. He played in 17 games in a three-week stint for Houston earlier this year, batting .273/.314/.394 across 33 ABs. Maybe it is time for Milwaukee to give him another chance. Rowdy Tellez, Atlanta Braves (AAA), 31 Tellez was a Brewers fan favorite and slugged 35 dingers in 2022, giving him 123 in his nine-year career. If the Brewers need a LH power bat, this might be the guy. Will the Brewers go after any of these guys, or will they stand pat? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs’ top priority at the trade deadline is adding starting pitching, as injuries have left the rotation in need of reinforcement for the stretch run. While the bullpen has also absorbed its share of attrition, the biggest need is a dependable starter who can provide stability and innings. Offensively, the Cubs are more likely to pursue a complementary bench piece rather than a major everyday upgrade. If they make a significant move, it will likely come at the expense of some of their hitting prospect depth to address the more pressing need on the mound. Multiple MLB insiders are reporting that Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene is drawing significant trade interest, though the Cubs haven't been formally tied to the 26-year-old righty. Of course, an interdivisional trade would complicate matters and even raise the asking price. Greene, who is under team control through 2029, has only made four starts in 2026. Though his ERA is 7.06, his 3.20 FIP suggests that the gloves behind him have been a large reason for the inflated ERA. He's pitched to a 23.5% strikeout-minus-walk (K-BB) rate across 21 2/3 innings. Though the former 2nd overall pick is young and controllable, durability has certainly been a huge question mark in his first five big league seasons. Do you think the Cubs should take a chance on the fireballer? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

With a depleted rotation creating uncertainty heading into the stretch run, the Boston Red Sox are expected to prioritize adding a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. While injuries and inconsistent performance have left shortstop and second base unsettled, the bigger need comes on the mound, where an established starter could help stabilize the staff. The Red Sox could still explore upgrades up the middle defensively, including at catcher and in the infield, but adding rotation help is the clearest path to strengthening the roster. Multiple MLB insiders are reporting that Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene is drawing significant trade interest, though the Red Sox haven't been formally tied to the 26-year-old righty. Greene, who is under team control through 2029, has only made four starts in 2026. Though his ERA is 7.06, his 3.20 FIP suggests that the gloves behind him have been a large reason for the inflated ERA. He's pitched to a 23.5% strikeout-minus-walk (K-BB) rate across 21 2/3 innings. Though the former 2nd overall pick is young and controllable, durability has certainly been a huge question mark in his first five big league seasons. Do you think the Red Sox should take a chance on the fireballer? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

In 2024, the New York Mets acquired catcher Luis Torrens from the New York Yankees for 100,000 in cash considerations. Since then, Torrens has gone from a a third-string catcher behind Francisco Alvarez and former Met Omar Narvaez to sharing the starting catcher spot with Alvarez. There is value in a dependable catcher and contending teams know that, which is why the vet may not be around for much longer. Since joining the Mets, Torrens’ primary strength is his defense. He ranks in the top three league-wide in almost all defensive catching statistics, including Fielding Run Value, Caught Stealers Above Average, Framing and Pop Time. While he doesn't offer much of anything at the plate (71 wRC+, .602 OPS this season), he's as good as it gets when it comes to run prevention, which is a backstop's primary function. This is where we enter a paradox. The Mets probably don't want to trade Torrens; the New York Post’s Jon Heyman said that “The Mets are very reluctant to deal Luis Torrens and view him as a key part of their 2027 team." At the same time, others reports say that the White Sox have interest in the nine-year veteran. The White Sox catcher depth consists of Drew Romo and Edgar Quero, and with neither of them having a good season, it makes sense that they would call the Mets. In conjunction with reports that Francisco Alvarez could be available, David Stearns will be fielding a lot of calls regarding their catcher depth. In a lost season, the Mets are trading every player that is not a part of the core, which means a fire sale will take place before the Aug. 3 deadline. Heck, they already got the party started by surrendering A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins just before the weekend. Sure, the Mets could absolutely hold onto Torrens and keep their catching duo together for 2027, but should they? Torrens' value is as steady as they come as a defense-first catcher, and there's plenty of contenders out there looking for just that type of player. There's real merit to picking up as much prospect depth as possible, even if it means adding another agenda item to the offseason to-do list. View the full article

For more than two hours Thursday afternoon, Target Field felt lifeless. Kansas City starter Noah Cameron carved through the Twins lineup with precision, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Minnesota's offense had no answers, and by the time the ninth inning arrived, the Royals held a 3-0 lead with the Twins staring at another frustrating loss. Then baseball reminded everyone why no lead is ever truly safe. What followed was one of the wildest finishes the sport has ever produced. After Cameron exited following eight dominant innings and 97 pitches, Kansas City handed the ball to Lucas Erceg to finish the job. Trevor Larnach struck out and Victor Caratini lined out, leaving the Twins with two outs and nobody on base. The comeback appeared finished before it ever started. Instead, the inning unraveled almost immediately. Erceg hit Ryan Jeffers with a sinker, Royce Lewis followed with a single, and Josh Bell worked a walk to suddenly load the bases. Both Lewis and Bell fell behind 0-2, meaning the Twins were down to their last strike multiple times. Royals manager Matt Quatraro made another move, calling on left-hander Matt Strahm to face the left-handed hitting Kody Clemens. On paper, the matchup favored Kansas City. Although Strahm has struggled overall this season, he had limited left-handed hitters to a .235 batting average and .617 OPS entering the game. He immediately got ahead, freezing Clemens with a sinker before another fastball produced an 0-2 count. One strike separated the Royals from victory. One swing changed everything. Clemens turned on Strahm's next pitch and launched it deep into the right-field seats, sending Target Field into complete chaos. The walk-off grand slam erased a three-run deficit in an instant, transforming what looked destined to become a forgettable afternoon into the Twins' most memorable victory of the season. Historical Context The celebration was every bit as dramatic as the swing itself. Clemens was mobbed at home plate while thousands of fans struggled to process what they had just witnessed. It wasn't simply a walk-off grand slam. It was an ultimate grand slam, a walk-off grand slam that overcomes a three-run deficit, and those almost never happen. Clemens became just the 34th player in Major League history to hit one, and the first in Twins franchise history. Even more remarkably, Minnesota became the first team ever to be no-hit through six innings, break up the no-hit bid in the seventh inning or later, and still win the game with a walk-off grand slam. The home run also joined some incredibly exclusive company. It was only the 15th ultimate grand slam with two outs, making it rarer than a perfect game. Of every walk-off grand slam that erased a three-run deficit since pitch counts began being tracked in 1988, Clemens is the first to do it on an 0-2 pitch while down to his team's final strike. Clemens became only the second player in MLB history to have a career that includes a strikeout on the mound, a three-homer game at the plate, and hit an ultimate grand slam. The other player is Babe Ruth. The blast was also the first walk-off grand slam with the Twins trailing by three runs in franchise history and only the third in MLB history by a team that entered the inning down three with two outs and nobody on base. Clemens also became the first player since David Bote in 2018 to hit a walk-off grand slam while his club was down three runs and down to its final strike. As if the day needed another layer of trivia, the Twins also became just the second team in MLB history to hit a walk-off grand slam on their manager's birthday. As Clemens said after the game, that's a moment you dream about as a little kid. Some wins count the same in the standings. Others become part of franchise lore. Thursday's comeback was the latter. Fans at Target Field witnessed a finish they'll be talking about for years, a game that looked hopeless until it suddenly became unforgettable. For a franchise with plenty of memorable moments, Clemens' ultimate grand slam instantly earned its place among the greatest ever seen in Minneapolis. What will you remember about yesterday’s historic home run? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

The New York Mets enter the deadline firmly in sell mode, with their focus centered on moving veteran pitching, particularly a starting pitcher who could provide rotation help for a contender. While their top trade chip carries the most value as a proven arm, recent inconsistency could limit the return New York is able to command. Beyond the starting pitching market, the Mets lack a deep pool of premium trade assets, leaving underperforming veterans and prospects who have seen their stock dip as the primary pieces available in negotiations. Will Sammon of The Athletic is reporting that the New York Mets are asking for a "top 100 prospect and more" for starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. It will be interesting to see if a team is willing to pay that price for him considering his struggles this season. Peralta, 30, is set to be a free agent at season's end. Despite looking like an ace with the Milwaukee Brewers, he has struggled with the Mets this year, posting a 4.99 ERA (4.47 FIP) with a career-low 12.7% strikeout-minus-walk (K-BB) rate. Do you think a team will meet the Mets asking price? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

The Minnesota Twins aren't done after adding veteran reliever A.J. Minter. The Twins have made it clear they’re approaching the deadline as buyers, with reinforcing the bullpen standing as their top priority after one of the league’s least effective relief units struggled throughout the season. Injuries have also tested the rotation, making additional starting pitching a sensible target if the right opportunity arises. With the front office committed to contending, Minnesota is expected to focus on adding pieces that can strengthen both its postseason push and its roster depth. Dan Hayes of The Athletic is reporting that the Twins are still looking to reinforce the bullpen. In his most recent updates, he's quoted as saying, "[The Twins] can improve their bullpen simply by providing manager Derek Shelton with another trusted option. While he didn't provide any specific targets, it seems guys like Mason Miller or Luke Weaver aren't in the picture. So, who do you think the Twins should target? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

The New York Mets approach the trade deadline focused on the future, positioning themselves as clear sellers with several impending free agents available. Their most attractive trade asset is a veteran starting pitcher capable of helping a contender, though a disappointing second half could temper his market value. Outside of those rental pieces, New York has few premium trade chips to offer, leaving underperforming veterans and prospects whose stock has slipped as the bulk of what they can realistically market. Arguably, their most valuable trade chip is starting to gain interest from teams looking to buy. Will Sammon of The Athletic is reporting that the Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers are interested in reliever Luke Weaver. Weaver, who is controlled through next season, has shined in his role with the team. Through 41 appearances, he has a 1.88 ERA (2.87 FIP) and a 19.9 strikeout-minus-walk (K-BB) rate. He's largely been used as a high-leverage reliever (though those opportunities have been few and far between) who has accrued 16 saves plus holds this season. Do you think the Mets should move the 32-year-old righty even though he has one year remaining on his deal? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

The Milwaukee Brewers, as clear favorites in the NL Central, are looking to fine-tune an already strong roster rather than fill any glaring holes. Their biggest priority is adding another reliable starting pitcher to strengthen the rotation for what they hope will be a deep postseason run. Beyond the rotation, Milwaukee could still look to bolster its lineup with a right-handed bat that provides more power and handles left-handed pitching well, particularly if that player can also offer versatility on the left side of the infield. Additional bullpen depth would further solidify the roster ahead of October. The latest reports suggest that they have their eyes on one of the more coveted relief pitchers on the market. Will Sammon of The Athletic is reporting that the Milwaukee Brewers are interested in New York Mets reliever Luke Weaver. Weaver, who is controlled through next season, has shined in his role with the Mets. Through 41 appearances, he has a 1.88 ERA (2.87 FIP) and a 19.9 strikeout-minus-walk (K-BB) rate. He's largely been used a a high-leverage reliever who has accrued 16 saves plus holds this season. Do you think the Brewers should acquire the 32-year-old righty? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

Jonah Tong isn't going anywhere at the MLB trade deadline, except maybe back to New York. With the big-league Mets having officially begun their pitching sell-off, the time is growing closer for Tong (No. 1 in Grand Central Mets' latest prospect Top 20) to get another shot in the Show. If he does receive the call in the next few days, he'll be coming in with confidence, based off his outing Thursday night. Tong allowed two hits, walked two and struck out seven over five scoreless innings as he led Triple-A Syracuse to a 2-0 win and a doubleheader split with Rochester. His fastball topped out at 97.9 mph, per MLB Pipeline. He was efficient, with 56 strikes in 89 pitches (63 percent). That's significant for a pitcher who struggles to throw strikes: his Triple-A walk rate this year is a too-high 13.3 percent, although the 27.8 percent strikeout rate mitigates it some. It came after Jacob Reimer (No. 6) homered with one out for a 1-0 lead. Colin Houck tripled to open the second and scored on Chase Meggers' single for a 5-0 lead. Brooklyn tacked on a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Obispo was sharp but just failed to qualify for the win. He was taken out after 4 2/3 innings of one-hit, one-walk ball. He was charged with a run after Gregori Louis walked in an inherited runner with two outs. Brooklyn finished with 14 hits, eight of them for extra bases (five doubles, a triple, and two homers). Andy Ibáñez, who, like Tauchman, is on extended injury rehab, had two hits, drove in a run and scored a run. Player AB R H RBI BB K Trey Snyder 5 0 1 0 0 4 Jacob Reimer 4 1 1 1 1 1 Andy Ibáñez 4 1 2 1 0 0 Randy Guzman 4 1 1 0 1 2 Yonatan Henriquez 4 1 2 1 1 0 Daiverson Gutierrez 4 2 2 3 0 0 JT Benson 4 0 1 1 0 0 Colin Houck 4 1 1 0 0 1 Chase Meggers 4 1 3 1 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Emilio Obispo 4 2/3 1 1 1 1 8 0 Gregori Louis 1 0 0 0 5 2 0 Rafi Vazquez 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 3 0 Tanner Witt 2 1 0 0 2 2 0 St. Lucie Lead Short-Lived Vs. Dunedin St. Lucie built a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Consecutive singles by Kooper Schulte, Elian Peña (No. 4), and Aiden Robbins plated the first run, and a throwing error on Robbins' hit brought in the second. Dunedin answered with four in the bottom half of the inning against starter Joel Lara. A double, a walk, and a bunt single loaded the bases with none out, and then a two-run single tied the game. The go-ahead run came home on a wild pitch, and a fourth run scored on a Lara throwing error. Peña doubled home Vladi Gomez to make it 5-3 in the seventh. Dunedin got that run back in the bottom half. Player AB R H RBI BB K Elian Peña 4 1 2 1 0 1 Aiden Robbins 4 0 1 1 0 0 John Smith III 4 0 0 0 0 0 Julio Zayas 4 0 0 0 0 1 Ryan Tayman 3 0 1 0 1 0 Wyatt Vincent 4 0 1 0 0 2 Simon Juan 4 0 1 0 0 2 Vladi Gomez 4 1 1 0 0 0 Kooper Schulte 4 1 1 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Joel Lara 4 4 4 3 3 6 0 Tyler McLoughlin 1/3 2 1 1 1 0 0 Miguel Mejias 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 Jean Brito 2 3 1 1 0 1 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jonah Tong: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (Game 2) Jack Wenninger: 3 2/3 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 5 K (Game 1) Ryan Clifford: 0-for-4, 2 K (Game 1) Elian Peña: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R, K Nick Morabito: 0-for-4, 3 K (Game 1); 1-for-4 (Game 2) Jacob Reimer: 1-for-4, HR, RBI, BB, K Mitch Voit: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 K Jonathan Santucci: DNP Zac Thornton: MLB Chris Suero: 0-for-4, BB, K Will Watson: DNP Wandy Asigen: 2-for-3, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB, K Eli Serrano III: DNP Randy Guzman: 1-for-4, BB, R, 2 K Dylan Ross: 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (Game 1) Ryan Lambert: DNP Antonio Jimenez: DNP R.J. Gordon: DNP Jonathan Pintaro: DNP Marco Vargas: DNP View the full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Iowa Cubs Held Scoreless In 11-0 Loss To Scranton/Wilkes-Barre The Iowa Cubs were shut out at home, dropping an 11-0 decision to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Iowa managed six hits, drew three walks, struck out nine times, and left six runners on base. Jordan Wicks worked five innings and gave up six hits, five runs, two of them earned, with two walks and one strikeout. The third inning turned the game. A fielder's choice brought home the first run after a throwing error by Owen Miller, a second fielder's choice plated another after a fielding error by Ben Cowles, a single to left made it 3-0, and a groundout to first capped a four-run inning. Wicks also gave up a solo home run in the fourth. Vince Reilly followed with two innings, three hits, one run, one walk, and two strikeouts, with the run crossing on a wild pitch. Collin Snider allowed no hits over an inning but walked two. Luis Peralta recorded two outs and was charged with four hits, five runs, one walk, and one strikeout, surrendering a three-run homer and a solo shot in a five-run ninth. Ethan Hearn retired the only batter he faced. Greg Jones led Iowa with two hits in three at-bats. Jonathon Long, Owen Miller, Kevin Alcántara, and Owen Ayers each had one hit, and Ayers added a walk. Brett Bateman and Hayden Cantrelle also walked. Iowa's best look came in the fifth, when Ayers walked and moved to third on a Jones single, but a strikeout and a groundout ended the inning. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 3 0 0 0 1 1 Jonathon Long 4 0 1 0 0 0 BJ Murray 4 0 0 0 0 0 Owen Miller 4 0 1 0 0 0 Kevin Alcántara 4 0 1 0 0 2 Owen Ayers 3 0 1 0 1 2 Ben Cowles 3 0 0 0 0 1 Greg Jones 3 0 2 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 2 0 0 0 1 2 Totals 30 0 6 0 3 9 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jordan Wicks 5 6 5 2 2 1 1 Vince Reilly 2 3 1 1 1 2 0 Collin Snider 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 Luis Peralta 2/3 4 5 5 1 1 2 Ethan Hearn 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 9 13 11 8 6 4 3 Brody McCullough Strikes Out Five In Knoxville's 5-1 Loss The Knoxville Smokies lost 5-1 at home to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, finishing with six hits, five walks, 14 strikeouts, and nine runners left on base. Brody McCullough gave Knoxville five innings, allowing two hits, one run, one walk, and five strikeouts. The only damage against him was a solo home run in the fourth. Luke Little followed with an inning, two hits, two runs, one of them earned, one walk, and one strikeout. Pensacola's sixth began with a fielding error by Jefferson Rojas that let a run score, and a double to left brought in another for a 3-0 lead. Erian Rodriguez worked two innings and gave up two hits and one run without a walk, striking out one, with the run scoring on a groundout. Grayson Moore closed with an inning, one hit, one run, no walks, and two strikeouts, giving up a solo home run. Knoxville got on the board in the eighth. Jefferson Rojas doubled with two outs, then scored on a passed ball during Andy Garriola's at-bat. Garriola singled, Miguel Useche followed with a single, and Carter Trice walked to load the bases, but a strikeout ended the inning. Rojas finished 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and two strikeouts. Useche went 2-for-3 with a walk. Alex Ramírez had one hit and one walk out of the leadoff spot, and Trice drew two walks. The Smokies struck out 14 times, with Edgar Alvarez, Colin Hynek, and Karson Simas combining for eight of them. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 4 0 1 0 1 0 Jefferson Rojas 4 1 2 0 0 2 Andy Garriola 4 0 1 0 0 2 Miguel Useche 3 0 2 0 1 0 Carter Trice 2 0 0 0 2 0 Edgar Alvarez 4 0 0 0 0 3 Colin Hynek 4 0 0 0 0 3 Karson Simas 4 0 0 0 0 2 Alex Madera 3 0 0 0 1 2 Totals 32 1 6 0 5 14 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brody McCullough 5 2 1 1 1 5 1 Luke Little 1 2 2 1 1 1 0 Erian Rodriguez 2 2 1 1 0 1 0 Grayson Moore 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 Totals 9 7 5 4 2 9 2 Five Home Runs Push South Bend Past Lake County 11-8 The South Bend Cubs hit five home runs and collected 17 hits in an 11-8 win at Lake County. South Bend also drew five walks and left 10 runners on base. Nazier Mulé struck out eight over 3 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, three runs, and one walk. Brayden Spears picked up the win with three innings, three hits, three runs, two walks, and five strikeouts, giving up two home runs. Yoendris Gonzalez worked 1 2/3 innings with two hits, two runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. Ethan Bell struck out three in a hitless, walkless inning for his seventh save. South Bend pitchers struck out 19. Kade Snell and Logan Poteet each homered twice. Snell went 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Poteet finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. Matt Halbach added a home run and went 2-for-5 with two RBI. The sixth inning broke the game open. With South Bend ahead 5-4, Josiah Hartshorn tripled to center to score Michael Hallquist and Kane Kepley, and Halbach singled to center to bring Hartshorn home for an 8-4 lead. Hartshorn doubled to right in the seventh to score Kepley and Ty Southisene, and Poteet homered again in the eighth. Hartshorn finished 2-for-5 with a triple, a double, four RBI, and a walk. Southisene went 3-for-6. Kepley had one hit and three walks out of the leadoff spot, and he scored twice. Jose Escobar and Geuri Lubo each had two hits. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 2 1 0 3 0 Ty Southisene 6 1 3 0 0 2 Josiah Hartshorn 5 1 2 4 1 0 Jose Escobar 4 1 2 0 0 0 Matt Halbach 5 1 2 2 0 1 Kade Snell 5 2 2 3 0 0 Logan Poteet 4 2 2 2 1 1 Geuri Lubo 5 0 2 0 0 2 Michael Hallquist 5 1 1 0 0 3 Totals 42 11 17 11 5 9 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nazier Mulé 3 1/3 4 3 3 1 8 0 Brayden Spears 3 3 3 3 2 5 2 Yoendris Gonzalez 1 2/3 2 2 2 1 3 0 Ethan Bell 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 Totals 9 9 8 8 4 19 2 Late Charleston Surge Ends Myrtle Beach Comeback In 9-6 Loss The Myrtle Beach Pelicans led through six innings before losing 9-6 at home to the Charleston RiverDogs. Myrtle Beach had nine hits, five walks, 10 strikeouts, two errors, and seven runners left on base. Braylon Myers gave up no runs across five innings, scattering five hits without a walk and striking out eight. David Bracho followed with two innings and was charged with three hits, five runs, two walks, and four strikeouts, taking the loss and a blown save. Charleston's seventh produced five runs, opening with a single that scored a run, a force out with a throwing error by Fernando Cruz that scored another, and a three-run home run to left. Jordan Henriquez worked two innings and allowed four hits, four runs, and one walk with one strikeout, giving up a grand slam that made it 9-3. Jose Silva homered to left center in the second for the game's first run. In the fifth, Corey Nunez walked, Jan Luis Reyes doubled to left, and Ethan Conrad doubled to right to score both for a 3-0 lead. Myrtle Beach answered in the eighth. Silva and Derik Alcantara walked, Nunez singled to left to score Silva, and Reyes tripled to right to bring in Alcantara and Nunez, cutting the deficit to 9-6. Silva finished 2-for-2 with a home run, two walks, one RBI, and two runs scored. Reyes went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, and two RBI. Nunez had two hits and a walk with one RBI, and Conrad drove in two. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 5 0 1 0 0 2 Alexis Hernandez 4 0 1 0 1 2 Ethan Conrad 5 0 1 2 0 0 Eli Lovich 5 0 0 0 0 2 Jose Silva 2 2 2 1 2 0 Derik Alcantara 3 1 0 0 1 1 Fernando Cruz 3 0 0 0 0 2 Ivan Cespedes 1 0 0 0 0 1 Corey Nunez 3 2 2 1 1 0 Jan Luis Reyes 4 1 2 2 0 0 Totals 35 6 9 6 5 10 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Braylon Myers 5 5 0 0 0 8 0 David Bracho 2 3 5 5 2 4 1 Jordan Henriquez 2 4 4 4 1 1 1 Totals 9 12 9 9 3 13 2 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 K Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 2-for-5, 3B, 2B, 4 RBI, BB Kevin Alcántara: 1-for-4, 2 K Ethan Conrad: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI Kane Kepley: 1-for-3, 3 BB Owen Ayers: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K Jonathon Long: 1-for-4 Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: DNP Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: 3-for-6, 2 K Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 0-for-5, 2 K Ariel Armas: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View the full article

Heading into the final weekend before the MLB trade deadline, we still don't know whether the San Diego Padres plan to buy or sell. They're just outside of wild card spot in the National League, but the handful of teams within their range makes even that relatively narrow gap a difficult one to traverse. Mason Miller's role within either route only makes those waters all the more murky. We don't know whether or not A.J. Preller is seriously entertaining the idea of moving his all-world closer, even if he does take the seller's path. San Diego's precarious positioning within the broader National League context makes a general narrative around it easier to justify from the outside, though, with Miller's value at present only adding to a potential rationale. There has not been a better relief pitcher in baseball in 2026 than the Padres' closer. He sits atop the relief pitcher leaderboard in fWAR (2.9), FIP (0.44), and strikeout rate (49.4 percent) while also ranking in the top three in ERA (0.79) His slider represents perhaps the best individual pitch in the sport, helping him to a 98th percentile standing in chase rate (38 percent) while also residing in the 100th in whiff rate (48%). As few certainties as this Padres roster has possessed this season, Miller has been perhaps the most certain thing in the game. Even with their questionable standing in the NL playoff picture, trading Mason Miller is in no way something that the Padres have to do. Despite the fact that he sits atop DiamondCentric's list of the top trade candidates, he remains under team control through 2029. Even if the Friars were not to make an appearance in this year's postseason, it stands to reason that they could find their way back well within the timeframe in which he's a part of the organization. Perhaps even with an eye on moving him into a starting role before his team control runs out, as we heard throughout the offseason. Whether they should move Miller prior to August 3, however, represents a different query altogether. When the Padres acquired Miller last season, they were forced to surrender one of the sport's top prospects in Leo De Vries, along with Braden Nett, Henry Baez, and Eduarnial Núñez. That trade accounts for three of the Athletics' top 13 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. The Padres, at present, were ranked 30th by that outlet back in March while currently residing in the same position per FanGraphs' farm system rankings. No matter what source one was to utilize, this team currently sports a prospect pipeline that sits at or near the bottom of the league. A trade of Miller would go a ways toward improving that standing. As much of a bump as the A's were able to get in trading Miller, it's possible that the Padres could exceed their own previous package given his 2026 dominance and remaining team control. And that's important considering some of the team's shortcomings and aging components of their roster. There is very little at the upper levels of the minors to help their woes on the starting pitching front or to aid in supplementing their veteran position players that are either underperforming or nearing the painful end of their contracts. If the Padres are content to call it good on 2026, then trading Miller helps them turn their attention to a more medium and long-term arc while giving them a foundation of prospects that could serve as a springboard to either. What's particularly fascinating about a potential trade of Miller, though, is that the team doesn't have to be a seller in order to justify it. This is a team capable of developing high-leverage arms. Names like Robert Suárez, Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon, and Jeremiah Estrada are among those who have raised their profile in the last couple of seasons in serving as late-inning relief. There's a realistic pathway to trading Miller while still remaining in contention. Such a scenario would likely see at least one major-league caliber starting pitcher coming back with a name like Adam or Morejon (assuming neither is also traded) sliding into ninth inning work in Miller's stead. Such a move theoretically would allow San Diego to remain relevant in the National League while also addressing their largest shortcoming this season. Considering either pathway, there is a very real justification for trading Mason Miller. If the Padres are selling, Miller helps them to ignite a farm system revamp in the most impactful way. If they're leaning the other direction, Miller can help them address their current roster in a way that almost no other individual player could. It would be a tough piece of business for A.J. Preller to sell to the fanbase considering Miller's profile and his performance, but there is at least reason to believe it's the best path forward. View the full article