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Kyle Stowers' solo home run (23)

Kyle Stowers' solo home run (23)

Yahoo5 days ago
Kyle Stowers continues his hot hitting and puts the Marlins on the board with a solo home run to left-center field in the top of the 3rd inning
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Pirates are likely to keep right-hander Mitch Keller
Pirates are likely to keep right-hander Mitch Keller

New York Times

time4 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Pirates are likely to keep right-hander Mitch Keller

The 2025 MLB trade deadline arrives at 6 p.m. (ET) today. Join us for live updates and analysis on trades around the league. Getty Images Barring a dramatic shift on Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates are likely to keep right-hander Mitch Keller, according to major-league sources briefed on their discussions. A trade of Keller represents perhaps the Pirates' best chance to acquire impact offensive talent. But The Athletic reported last Friday that the Pirates were torn on moving Keller, who is in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract. An executive from a team interested in Keller, granted anonymity for his candor, said his team has not 'even bothered' continuing its pursuit of the pitcher, citing the Pirates' reluctance to seriously engage. There are multiple reasons the Pirates might balk at trading Keller, 29. The difficulty of replacing his performance could be one. The lack of quality offers from teams that perceive him as nothing more than a mid-rotation starter might be another. Moving Keller would clear his salaries of $16.5 million, $18 million and $20 million the next three seasons. But the Pirates also could seek to fill their offensive void by moving left-hander Bailey Falter, 28, or Braxton Ashcraft, 25, and others. None of the Pirates on expiring contracts — outfielder Tommy Pham, infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and left-hander Andrew Heaney — are likely to bring back hitters who would bolster the 2026 roster. Closer David Bednar and setup man Dennis Santana, both of whom are under club control for an additional season, carry greater value, but perhaps not enough to land a difference-maker. Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees continue to make moves along the margins, now acquiring versatile outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox. Here are your views on the deal: Shirley M.: Cashman is shopping at Dollar General again. Greg R.: Solid small move. If nothing else, Boone has greater roster/lineup flexibility and we're not neutered vs. lefties. Bigger picture, this bodes a Grisham trade for an arm. Anonymous: The Yankees look ahead to October? Are you kidding? The only thing happening at Yankee stadium in October will be the tours. They need to look ahead to find a GM. Alex W.: Guess the Martian turns out to be human after all. Sam H.: In a vacuum, Slater seems like a solid pickup (I read somewhere he's one of the best pinch hitters in MLB history, surprisingly) but trading your #18 prospect for a rental fourth OF with his stat line seems like an overpay. We know the Tigers need bullpen help, and we know they've signaled they're reluctant to part with top prospects. But what in the world do they like about Rafael Montero, who has a 5.40 ERA in 38 1/3 innings this season? Perhaps they think he can add needed swing and miss to a bullpen that has the American League's worst whiff rate so far this season. Montero, imperfect as he is, ranks in the 89th percentile in chase rate and 76th percentile in whiff rate. He also has a 13.9 percent walk rate, one of the worst in the league, something that runs counter to the Tigers' usual pitching profile. Montero has a good splitter and posted a 2.37 ERA for the Astros back in 2022. But here on the eve of the deadline, the Tigers have missed out on big-ticket relievers, this time opting for yet another project. In need of pitching, the Cubs made their first move the trade deadline by adding Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals, league sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Soroka has an elevated 4.87 ERA but strong peripherals with a 25.4 percent strikeout rate and 7 percent walk rate. He'll also be going from pitching in front of a bottom-five defensive unit to one of the best infields in baseball. Still, there is some concern that Soroka's fastball velocity has dipped in his last three starts. But with Justin Steele out for the season and with Jameson Taillon working his way back from injury, the rotation has been screaming for reinforcements. Filling in admirably at times, Colin Rea has been shaky of late, posting a 5.46 ERA in his last 11 starts and has given up nine runs combined in his last two outings. GO FURTHER Cubs acquiring RHP Michael Soroka from Nationals: Sources In cased you missed it, our first notable move from earlier today came when the Yankees got outfielder Austin Slater from the White Sox, adding to New York's outfield with reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge on the shelf with an elbow flexor strain. The 32-year-old Slater is hitting at a roughly league-average pace this year, according to Fangraph's weighted runs created plus metric, and owns a .236/.299/.423 slash line through 51 games. According to The Athletic's Brendan Kuty, Judge went through some outfield drills at Yankee Stadium today but did not test out his injured right elbow with any overhand throws. Ke'Bryan Hayes is staying in the NL Central after getting dealt from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. Here are your views on the Reds new third baseman: Anonymous: Watching Ke'Bryan hit over the top of the ball into yet another groundout will not be missed. Getting a low minors prospect and a reliever who will probably be traded before wearing the uniform is underwhelming, to say the least, but as a fan, having Hayes come into the batter's box always made my heart sink. Pirates being Pirates. They're glad to be saving money. Jonathan C.: Bucks did good. He would never hit here and his back was always an issue. If he turns out to start hitting, good for the Reds. I'll take this deal. Andrew C.: An absolute salary dump. Ke'Bryan's glove and defense is elite. His bat? Not so much. The typical and predictable Pirates fire sale has started. Sell the team. David W.: A better organization and park will help Hayes improve his offense, but back injuries don't get better. As much as I dislike Nutting and Cherrington, getting out from under this contract is probably good. If Hayes improves to a .700 OPS for 100 games a year, that's not a building block player. Getty Images The Cubs are acquiring right-handed starting pitcher Michael Soroka from Nationals, sources tell The Athletic . . Reds: C+ Pirates: B+ The Reds had a clear need when it came to offense … but does Ke'Bryan Hayes solve that problem? This year, Cincinnati has been the fourth-worst offense against left-handed pitching. They've been open to moving third baseman Noelvi Marte to the outfield, and they went and got a cheap right-handed third baseman that's a great defender and under team control for another four-plus seasons after this one. Clear win, right? Depends on what you think of Ke'Bryan Hayes' bat. There's no doubting his glove, as he leads all qualified defenders in Statcast's Outs Above Average since that stat started being tracked in 2020. He's the best or second-best third baseman in the game, defensively. But he's struggled to stay healthy, with a back that's been bothering him all season among the most annoying of his ailments. And his bat has been below average in every full season except 2023, when it was average. He has above-average bat speed, and makes contact at a good rate, but that contact burns worms, and he has had very limited success lifting the ball. In case you missed it from earlier today... Perhaps Ke'Bryan Hayes' bat can still be unlocked. But it won't be in Pittsburgh. The Cincinnati Reds acquired the Gold Glove third baseman, one of the sport's premier infield defenders, from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. The Pirates received shortstop Sammy Stafura, the Reds' No. 7 prospect on Keith Law's preseason rankings, and lefty reliever Taylor Rogers in return. The Reds' search for a right-handed outfield bat came from within its roster, with Noelvi Marte's recent foray from third base to the outfield. Adding Hayes allows Marte to go the outfield while also boosting the team's infield defense. Whether Hayes can return to form offensively from where he was two years ago is to be seen, but Great American Ball Park is as good a place as any to rediscover your offensive prowess. In 112 career plate appearances at GABP, Hayes has hit .264/.304/.434 with four homers. The move marks the end of a long relationship for the Pirates and Hayes, whom they drafted at No. 32 out of high school in 2015 and later handed one of the largest contracts in club history. Read more below. GO FURTHER Reds to acquire Ke'Bryan Hayes from Pirates to improve infield for prospect Stafura, Rogers Imagn Images In her latest story, Jen McCaffrey reports it's still possible the Red Sox trade outfielder Jarren Duran, especially as the Padres continue to push for him. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has said publicly he does not feel the need to trade from his group of four young, controllable outfielders, but (Padres GM A.J.) Preller could force his hand. With the market at a standstill for controllable starters, the Red Sox might shift their interest to rental starters, and San Diego's Dylan Cease is available. Boston wouldn't trade Duran just for Cease, who has a 4.79 ERA in 22 starts, but if San Diego included top prospect infielder Leodalis De Vries, the Red Sox would consider it. The Athletic's Keith Law ranks De Vries as the No. 13 prospect in baseball. Preller is known to be aggressive. He also seems willing to be creative, potentially trading from his departing pitchers — Cease and closer Robert Suarez — to address his team's need for offense. Duran has been hot lately, but the Red Sox are facing a logjam in the outfield with Duran, Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abrea — all lefty hitters — plus versatile Ceddanne Rafaela who's best defensive position is center field. GO FURTHER Red Sox at trade deadline: San Diego still after Jarren Duran, Garrett Crochet pushed back Getty Images Phillies: A Twins: B All week long, we've heard that the prices for relief pitching have been through the roof. It called to mind a conversation I had this past spring with Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos. 'At the trade deadline, someone's a seller and you hear, 'The prices are astronomical,'' Anthopoulos said. 'To whom? Who is the authority on what the price should be? The guy trying to buy? The guy trying to get the best deal he can? It only takes one person, you know.' At this time of year, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is often that one person willing to pay full freight to acquire a star. But this time, it appears he did not have to empty out his farm system for Duran. Dombrowski went into this deadline searching for the pitcher who could record the final out of the World Series. Duran fits the bill. He wields three elite pitches, misses both bats and barrels, and is still under team control through 2027. He looks like a stud, which is always a temporary condition for a reliever, but he has performed well in every season since his debut in 2022. GO FURTHER Trade grades: Phillies find what they need in Jhoan Duran, Twins 'win,' too Getty Images Mets: A- Cardinals: B- Over the 2022-24 seasons, Helsley had a 1.83 ERA and a 0.954 WHIP while allowing .5 homers per nine innings. This season, he has a 3.00 ERA and a 1.389 WHIP while allowing 1 homer per nine innings. Helsley, then, is a touch below his peak. But with all reliever deals, you have to ask: Is he better than the last guy in the bullpen? As long as the answer is yes, it's an upgrade. And with Helsley, the answer is an easy yes. He's not coming over to unseat Diaz. In Helsley and Rogers, the Mets have acquired two righties with very different looks who will work in high-leverage spots. GO FURTHER Trade grades: Mets continue bullpen revamp, add Ryan Helsley from Cardinals Getty Images New Phillies closer Jhoan Duran also fits their hitters' park because of his extreme ground-ball rate. He has faced 206 hitters this year — and allowed five extra-base hits (four doubles and a homer). So for a team with win-the-World-Series aspirations, this was a trade the Phillies had to make — once the Phillies were able to keep their top three prospects (Andrew Painter, Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller) out of the package. Here's the review one scout passed along of Duran: 'Big dude with BIG stuff. … Can overmatch hitters. … Split has bowling-ball action. … Walks up a little bit … change of scenery will be good. … Can take the bull by the horns and ride. … Duran changing leagues will be filthy.' It was only the last week of June, but Dave Dombrowski already knew exactly what he was going to be shopping for over the next month. The Phillies' president of baseball ops laid it out back then in a conversation we had about a variety of topics: A big arm to pitch at the back of a big game. But not just anywhere. He had to be able to pitch those big games in a town like Philadelphia. And he had to be a guy who had already been there, done that. There was one other thing, but Dombrowski only hinted at that. He was shopping for a guy who could fill that job for 2025 … and beyond. Dombrowski never mentioned the name, Jhoan Duran, that day. But if the Phillies were designing That Guy in their pitching lab, this would have been That Guy. In his fourth season as a premier closer, Duran … has a 0.00 postseason ERA in four appearances, with 18 batters faced and only two hits allowed … is under team control through 2027 … has pitched in 32 big-league parks and has a 0.00 ERA in 17 of them (including Philly, in one appearance). As for the Phillies' new closer, we have a doozy of some insight from The Athletic's Jayson Stark coming for you shortly. But let's quickly go over what you all think of the Jhoan Duran deal: Loren H: I will wait for more professional analysis, but it feels like the Twins could have gotten more. I really hate the owners of this team, and the GM doesn't give me any confidence either. Sean S: Let's go! Getting Durán without giving up Painter, Miller or Crawford is huge. Cat F: This trade is maybe okay from a raw value But the Twins talked a big game about "needing to get blown away" by an offer and this isn't it. Sure feels like they folded. Getty Images The Mets have made some bold moves today, first getting Giants setup man Tyler Rogers then adding All-Star Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley to help Edwin Diaz at the back of their bullpen. Let's see what you had to say about it all... Austin C: This deal rules. Incredible 8th inning set up man for Diaz. None of the Mets top 7 prospects touched in any deal today. SS Baez the most valuable player traded with the most potential of all Mets moves but he's far from making the show, we have Lindor, and Pena our IFA who was just signed has the most upside and is the future. John Z: Mets are getting after it, revamped the bullpen in a couple days, hope they can find a starter or bring up 1 of the kids because Holmes and Montas are a weakness right now. Evans #24 F: In the comments in the other article re Rogers trade. Someone said Mets would need to trade Vientos and one of the three top pitching prospects to get Helsey. Guess not 😉 Getty Images Whew. Hope you've had a chance to catch your breath from that trade deadline flurry. Here are the full details that sent two of baseball's current top closers into the thick of the National League East race: Phillies get RHP Jhoan Duran from Twins for minor-league catcher Eduardo Tait and pitcher Mick Abel . from Twins for minor-league catcher and pitcher . Mets get LHP Ryan Helsley from Cardinals for minor-league shortstop Jesus Baez and pitchers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt. Got it? Getty Images With the Los Angeles Angels, it's always dangerous to make definitive statements. So while their trade for relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García would indicate the team is in 'buy' mode, a loss to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night still might leave them open to a sell-type deal. Closer Kenley Jansen is the Angels' most desirable potential free agent, and club officials sent conflicting signals after the trade with the Nationals on whether he might still be available. The question might not even be that relevant. The bullpen market erupted Wednesday with deals for relievers with bigger stuff and better numbers than Jansen. The trade for Chafin and García, at least, protects the Angels if they pull one of their trademark reversals. It happened in 2023, when the team made several 'buy' moves at the deadline, then dumped most of those players on waivers when they fell out of contention in August. A trade of Jansen would be even more sudden. It also might damage the chances of him returning to the team next season, an outcome both he and general manager Perry Minasian have said they desire. But with the Angels, nothing cannot be ruled out until the deadline passes. Getty Images So, after they landed Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley to bolster their bullpen, what's next for the Mets? It's probably the offense, league sources said. Center field stands out as the most obvious area for an upgrade, but the Mets aren't limiting themselves to just that position, people familiar with their thinking said. Their fluid situation at designated hitter allows them to explore different things.

Yankees play the Rays leading series 2-1
Yankees play the Rays leading series 2-1

Yahoo

time27 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Yankees play the Rays leading series 2-1

Tampa Bay Rays (54-55, fourth in the AL East) vs. New York Yankees (59-49, second in the AL East) New York; Thursday, 1:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Ryan Pepiot (6-8, 3.42 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 124 strikeouts); Yankees: Marcus Stroman (2-2, 6.09 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 23 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Yankees -127, Rays +106; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The New York Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays with a 2-1 series lead. New York has a 33-22 record in home games and a 59-49 record overall. The Yankees have gone 26-14 in games when they did not allow a home run. Tampa Bay is 54-55 overall and 23-27 on the road. Rays hitters are batting a collective .254, which ranks third in the AL. The teams meet Thursday for the 11th time this season. The Yankees lead the season series 6-4. TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt has 23 doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 38 RBIs while hitting .282 for the Yankees. Giancarlo Stanton is 12 for 38 with a double and three home runs over the past 10 games. Yandy Diaz has 19 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs and 62 RBIs for the Rays. Junior Caminero is 9 for 39 with two home runs and six RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Yankees: 5-5, .216 batting average, 4.50 ERA, outscored by 14 runs Rays: 2-8, .218 batting average, 5.07 ERA, outscored by 19 runs INJURIES: Yankees: Clarke Schmidt: 60-Day IL (forearm), Aaron Judge: 10-Day IL (flexor strain), Mark Leiter Jr.: 15-Day IL (fubular), Fernando Cruz: 15-Day IL (oblique), Ryan Yarbrough: 15-Day IL (oblique), Oswaldo Cabrera: 60-Day IL (ankle), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gerrit Cole: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Gil: 60-Day IL (back) Rays: Ha-Seong Kim: 10-Day IL (back), Stuart Fairchild: 10-Day IL (oblique), Manuel Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Hunter Bigge: 60-Day IL (lat), Richie Palacios: 60-Day IL (knee), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (tricep), Alex Faedo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lavender: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Reds host the Braves to open 3-game series
Reds host the Braves to open 3-game series

Yahoo

time27 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Reds host the Braves to open 3-game series

Atlanta Braves (45-62, fourth in the NL East) vs. Cincinnati Reds (57-52, third in the NL Central) Cincinnati; Thursday, 7:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Carlos Carrasco (0-0); Reds: Andrew Abbott (8-1, 2.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 95 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Reds -161, Braves +135; over/under is 9 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds begin a three-game series at home against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Cincinnati has a 32-24 record in home games and a 57-52 record overall. The Reds are 44-21 in games when they record at least eight hits. Atlanta has a 19-36 record in road games and a 45-62 record overall. Braves hitters have a collective .389 slugging percentage to rank eighth in the NL. The matchup Thursday is the fifth meeting between these teams this season. The Braves hold a 3-1 advantage in the season series. TOP PERFORMERS: Elly De La Cruz leads the Reds with 44 extra base hits (23 doubles, three triples and 18 home runs). Tyler Stephenson is 9 for 35 with two doubles, two home runs and six RBIs over the last 10 games. Matt Olson has 26 doubles and 18 home runs for the Braves. Michael Harris II is 16 for 39 with two doubles, three triples and two home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Reds: 5-5, .245 batting average, 3.62 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs Braves: 2-8, .224 batting average, 6.52 ERA, outscored by 27 runs INJURIES: Reds: Ian Gibaut: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Wade Miley: 15-Day IL (flexor), Rhett Lowder: 60-Day IL (forearm), Hunter Greene: 15-Day IL (groin), Carson Spiers: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Callihan: 60-Day IL (forearm), Brandon Williamson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Julian Aguiar: 60-Day IL (elbow) Braves: Ronald Acuna: 10-Day IL (calf), Grant Holmes: 60-Day IL (elbow), Spencer Schwellenbach: 60-Day IL (elbow), Chris Sale: 60-Day IL (rib), AJ Smith-Shawver: 60-Day IL (calf/elbow), Reynaldo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Joe Jimenez: 60-Day IL (knee) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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