Blue Jays vs. Cardinals Highlights
'Top of the lineup really got it done' for Phillies in 8-3 win over Blue Jays
The Phillies Postgame Live crew breaks down the teams' 8-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.'Top of the lineup really got it done' for Phillies in 8-3 win over Blue Jays originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
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New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Cubs MLB trade deadline primer: Adding starting pitching is the clear goal
PHILADELPHIA — It has been a while since Jed Hoyer's directive was so clear this early in the season. Not even two weeks into June, there's little doubt what direction the Cubs will be headed at the trade deadline. And arguably, they could be one of the more aggressive buyers this July. For a team that has scored 376 runs, the second most in baseball, where the Cubs will look to upgrade has become obvious. Advertisement 'Our position-playing group has been outstanding both offensively and defensively,' Hoyer told reporters Wednesday morning in Philadelphia. 'That gives some clarity. Obviously, you don't know what's going to happen in the next month-and-a-half with that group. But right now, the focus would be on adding pitching and adding pitching depth. That would be the clear thing.' The spotlight on the need for starting pitching shone brightly over the last two games in Philadelphia. Colin Rea and Ben Brown combined to give up 10 runs over 10 1/3 innings. Brown battled through 5 2/3 innings in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Phillies as the Cubs dropped their second straight series, immediately putting his team in a 3-0 hole in the first inning and never seeming to find his rhythm. Since Shota Imanaga went on the IL with a left hamstring strain on May 5, Rea and Brown have combined for a 5.26 ERA in 75 1/3 innings. Though each has had moments of brilliance, the rotation has become a glaring area of need. Imanaga made a rehab start Monday and should return to the rotation later this month. But Justin Steele is out for the season, and Javier Assad still isn't throwing off a mound as he works to return from an oblique issue. The depth at Triple A has taken a hit, too. Jordan Wicks is on the shelf with a hamstring issue (he recently threw live BP and is close to returning to game action), and Brandon Birdsell — an upper-level pitching prospect who had a breakout season last summer — suffered a shoulder injury early in the spring and is not expected to return until later this summer. 'We've definitely taken a lot of hits there, and these guys have held up well,' Hoyer said. 'But it's a long season; we're not even halfway through yet. So we have to continue to address that in all sorts of ways, whether it's trade deadline (or) small transactions, and hopefully get some of these guys healthy.' Advertisement Hoyer pointed out that while the position-player group looks set, he wouldn't rule out upgrading the bench or finding a complementary piece if needed. The bullpen, once looking like a weakness, has an MLB-best 2.20 ERA since April 19. But Hoyer knows he can't assume all will stay well there. 'I don't think I can answer that on June 11,' Hoyer said when asked if he would avoid a major addition to the bullpen. 'That's something for closer to the 31st. It used to be you had some more transactions in the tank in August and September. Now you don't. So you have to think about that aspect of it.' The Cubs have built a strong bullpen primarily by looking for value adds like Brad Keller, Chris Flexen and Drew Pomeranz. Continuing to add around the margins makes sense. For those hoping the Cubs hit it big with an ace-type addition, it might be hard to find that pitcher. And if they do identify the right target, the prospect cost will certainly be high. Miami Marlins starter and former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and has an ugly 7.14 ERA in 13 starts. However, he delivered his two best outings of the season his last two times out, going a combined 12 innings and giving up just two runs with 10 strikeouts and two walks. The reality is Hoyer and his front office are still in the early stages of their trade work. Though the Marlins appear to be an obvious seller, it's not as clear for other teams. 'We're in the information-gathering process still,' Hoyer said. 'There's still very few teams that would be fully categorized as sellers. For the most part, right now, the teams that have struggled think they can get back in the race, other than a handful. We're not quite there yet.' A team like the Atlanta Braves, one that was expected to contend, may look like it's out of it. But the Braves will likely push the decision to sell until the last possible moment. So who knows if Chris Sale would be available? If he is, that's a game-changing addition and one whose price would be astronomical. Advertisement The Arizona Diamondbacks surely hope they get back in contention. But if not, they'd likely be willing to move impending free agent Zac Gallen; though, like Alcantara, he has struggled this season. Merrill Kelly might not have the same upside as these other options, but he'd be the type of stabilizing force the middle of the Cubs rotation could use. If the Texas Rangers decide to go into sell mode, multiple more interesting arms would potentially be up for grabs. Again, the prospect cost would be key. The Cubs are obvious contenders this season, but how willing they'd be to mortgage the future is unknown. For fans, that's an easy call. Front offices have more to weigh than just 2025, though. A major move almost certainly has to come in the rotation. Barring a collapse over the next six weeks, this team is well positioned to make aggressive additions. But does Hoyer have a big swing in him? (Top photo of Jed Hoyer: Griffin Quinn / Getty Images)
New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Phillies MLB trade deadline primer: 3 early storylines to watch
There is an absolute in the years since Dave Dombrowski assumed control of the Phillies, and that is an active trade deadline. He has engineered 12 deadline trades in four years. He acquired two players — Brandon Marsh and Edmundo Sosa — at the 2022 deadline who are still on his roster. He's obtained others — Ian Kennedy, Rodolfo Castro and Austin Hays — who left less of a mark on the Phillies. Advertisement Dombrowski figures to be active again come July; these Phillies are in deep with a $305 million payroll. They still have flaws. The Phillies entered this season attempting to strike a difficult balance; they did not sign a free agent to a multi-year contract over the offseason, and resisted trading their best prospects. This, then, was a bridge year. The Phillies are trying to win, but without sacrificing everything. It makes this a fascinating deadline for Dombrowski, who has to issue a referendum on this roster's chances for a World Series title. Dombrowski has never been afraid to flip middle-tier prospects in July trades. He has protected his best farmhands at previous deadlines. The Phillies went deep into trade talks last summer with the Chicago White Sox regarding Garrett Crochet, a deal that would have required surrendering a massive prospect package. Those talks fizzled. There might not be a player of Crochet's caliber available at this year's July 31 deadline. Even if there is, Dombrowski has made Andrew Painter untouchable. Other prospects might have since ascended to that status. Here's a primer on what to monitor in the weeks ahead. It's no secret the Phillies will look to fortify their bullpen. It is a familiar need. The Phillies searched for bullpen help at the 2022 and 2024 trade deadlines; they went with 'proven veteran' types like David Robertson and Carlos Estévez. Under Dombrowski, the Phillies have targeted velocity when building a bullpen. They had the hardest-throwing bullpen in baseball in 2023 and the third-hardest in 2024. They've dipped to sixth in 2025 — that includes José Alvarado's high-powered fastballs from earlier this season. They could be hunting in July for more velocity. Dombrowski will go into this trade deadline knowing he'll have Alvarado, suspended by MLB until Aug. 18, for the season's final six weeks. The lefty is ineligible for the postseason if the Phillies qualify. They do not know how effective Alvarado will be upon his return, but that adds a layer to Dombrowski's decision-making. Advertisement So does this: The Phillies might have a surplus of starting pitching, depending on Aaron Nola's health and Andrew Painter's ascension, which could bump some starters to the bullpen in August or September. This matters too: This year's postseason schedule calls for an extra off day during the National League Division Series, which means a team would need only three starters in a five-game series. So a bullpen acquisition at the trade deadline has to be more than a marginal one; the Phillies might not be looking for someone to help them reach October, rather someone who can be trusted to pitch in high-leverage postseason situations. That is a high bar. Whether that pitcher becomes available or the Phillies decide to meet the price remains to be seen. Here lies, yet again, another festering problem. The Phillies entertained an outfield addition at the 2023 trade deadline, but opted to stick with Johan Rojas in center and Brandon Marsh in left. They plucked Hays from the Baltimore Orioles last July, only to see that transaction flop when Hays suffered myriad injuries. They tried another marginal addition over the offseason by signing Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million deal. The outfield free-agent market has not borne much fruit: Anthony Santander, Tyler O'Neill, Michael Conforto and Jurickson Profar (suspended) have all struggled for various reasons. The only free-agent outfielder from the middle class who has produced, Harrison Bader, is having his best season in years. The Phillies made a bet on Kepler as a bounce-back candidate. They have hidden him against lefties through a platoon, yet Kepler is a below-average hitter overall in 2025. He's played an average left field. If the Phillies want an outfield reinforcement in July, they might have to think creatively again. Many contenders are seeking a right-handed bat. Left field, at least in the past, would be a logical place to stick one. Advertisement The Phillies entered the week tied for 25th in home runs by right-handed hitters. They've averaged 102 homers from righties over the past four seasons. They are on pace for 64 in 2025. The last time they did not have a righty who bashed 20 homers in a season (excluding 2020) was 2015. Slugging numbers are down across the sport, rendering any available power hitter a hot commodity. Some teams could simply double down on pitching and defense. The Phillies have one of the worst defensive outfields in baseball. If they cannot obtain power, maybe they rearrange things to optimize for defense. This qualifies as a good problem for the Phillies to solve, considering how much Mick Abel's stock has risen following a forgettable 2024 season. He's pitched with conviction in the majors. He has emerged as a more confident strike-thrower; it is a transformation that could entice other clubs. Abel, for now, is crucial rotation depth because Nola could be sidelined through the All-Star break. At that point, if Nola is ready, Abel would probably return to the minors. Sometime in July, the Phillies expect Andrew Painter to factor into their rotation plans. That would bump Abel even further down the depth chart. If the Phillies retain Abel, he'd still be on the outside of an initial 2026 rotation projection. The Phillies have Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez and Nola under contract, with Jesús Luzardo and Painter under club control. All of this must factor into the calculus the Phillies use in assessing Abel's place in the organization. Should the Phillies believe Abel's transformation merits a longer look, they could toy with the idea of him as a reliever for the stretch run, then revisit things in the offseason. The Phillies will receive calls on Aroon Escobar, a stocky infielder who hits the ball hard. The 20-year-old Venezuelan generated interest among clubs at last year's trade deadline despite being sidelined by persistent shin splints. Eduardo Tait, a big-bodied catcher who does not turn 19 until August, is a potential trade chip. Rival evaluators have questioned whether Tait sticks behind the plate, but that is not a universal opinion. The job requirements for a big-league catcher could be drastically different by the time Tait reaches the majors. (Top photo of Dave Dombrowski: Eric Hartline / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Red Sox Trade Idea Sends Walker Buehler to Blue Jays
Red Sox Trade Idea Sends Walker Buehler to Blue Jays originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Boston Red Sox are one of the most intriguing teams to watch ahead of the 2025 MLB trade deadline. Currently nine games back of the AL East and 3.5 behind a Wild Card spot, the team is hoping an influx of young talent, including top prospect Roman Anthony, can jumpstart their winning ways. However, the more they slip in the standings, the odds they sell at the deadline get increasingly higher. Advertisement If Boston decides to cut their losses, Jim Bowden of the Athletic identified the Toronto Blue Jays as a top suitor for starting pitcher Walker Buehler. The Blue Jays are one of the surprise teams in the American League. Sitting atop the AL Wild Card standings with a 37-30 record and just four games back of the New York Yankees for the AL East lead, Toronto has every reason to be aggressive at the trade deadline. Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Walker Buehler (0) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Brad Penner-Imagn Images Although marquee free agent signing Anthony Santander and franchise cornerstone Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have underperformed thus far, if both stars can find their stride and accompany George Springer and Bo Bichette in carrying the offense, the Blue Jays' deadline strategy shifts to improving the starting rotation. Advertisement Buehler has struggled this season with a 5.18 ERA and 3.1 walks per nine. Despite his accumulated stats indicating poor performance, Buehler has shown signs of his former self this season. During a five-game stretch in April, Buehler totaled a 3.68 ERA and 26 strikeouts across 29.1 innings. If Boston is open to trading Buehler to a division rival, he would slot in behind Jose Berrios as the Blue Jays' fourth starter and deepen FanGraph's 28th-ranked rotation. Buehler is not the consistent pitcher he once was, but in streaks, he has proven to be a capable starter good enough to anchor a starting rotation. Who knows, getting out of Boston and back into a winning environment could reinvigorate the two-time All-Star and be involved in a rare win-win trade for both teams. Related: Alex Cora Makes Six-Word Admission After Latest Rafael Devers Red Sox Drama This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
