Stewart likely happy with trade
While Brock Stewart wasn't in a hurry to leave Minnesota, where he revived his career, he did sound enthusiastic about the possibility of returning to the Dodgers team where he began his time in the big leagues when asked about it by our Dan Hayes recently:
Trading Michael Soroka to the Cubs was easy. Soroka was a pending free agent on a team going nowhere, and the Nationals had no reason to keep him, but they also weren't going to get a ton for him. Gore, on the other hand, would bring back a bounty. Buyers seem to be interested. Could one of them make an offer the Nationals can't refuse?
The Phillies have been trying to win for a few years now, and last night, Dave Dombrowski made his boldest deadline move since taking over the team's baseball ops (Jhoan Duran). This afternoon, he's followed by addressing the team's hold in center field (Harrison Bader). Is that enough? The Phillies are good as it is. Bullpen and a right-handed bat were their biggest needs. Does Dombrowski have one more move in him?
The rival Phillies also had a need in center field, and they addressed it within the hour by trading for Harrison Bader. But the Mets are also in the center field market where there is perhaps safety in Cedric Mullins, but there's risk-reward upside in Robert (there's also Alek Thomas of the Diamondbacks). It's possible the Mets could try to add offense elsewhere.
He's 29 years old with a 6.36 ERA, but Alcantara also won a Cy Young award three years ago, he still has a huge fastball, and his last two starts have been excellent. So, what's that worth? Alcantara has been one of the market's most intriguing trade candidates, and negotiations could come down to the wire. (Related: Same question for Edward Cabrera.)
The Braves have talent, but they also have a terrible record and very little chance of making a playoff run. The assumption has been that they'll sell — especially DH Marcell Ozuna — but so far, they've made only a minor trade of Rafael Montero while actually acquiring a bunch of spare parts for their rotation. Are they going to do something of substance or not?
The countdown to 6 p.m. ET continues. Let's move on to one lingering question for every team in the National League East...
The Twins originally signed Brock Stewart in July 2022 as he rehabbed from May 2021 Tommy John surgery.
After pitching in only 11 minor-league games that season, he returned in 2023 and flourished at Triple-A St. Paul, catching the team's attention with a four-pitch mix, including a 97 mph fastball.
He joined the Twins in late April 2023 and quickly became a trusted option in Rocco Baldelli's bullpen, striking out 35 batters in 25 2/3 innings before an elbow injury shut him down for three months. Stewart returned for the playoffs but then was limited to 16 outings in 2024 by shoulder issues, which led to season-ending arthroscopic surgery.
Since returning to the majors in mid-April, Stewart has pitched well again. Working with a five-pitch mix, including a changeup he's used more frequently, he's struck out 41 batters in 34 innings with a 2.38 ERA.
Though Stewart, originally a sixth-round pick by the Dodgers in 2014, is already 33, he still has two-plus seasons of team control remaining. Getty Images
Phil Maton is expected to be the final trade for the Cardinals. Teams have inquired about Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson and Lars Nootbaar to varying degrees, but St. Louis has "not entertained that up to this point" according to a team source. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak said twice in July that if the Cardinals sold, it would likely be limited to players on expiring deals — similar to how the organization operated when it last did so in 2023. Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz and Maton are all pending free agents.
For much of the season, the Rangers were trending toward another disappointment, but they've most recently played their way right into the thick of the wild card race. They could get some reinforcements as various players come off the IL, but they're one of the few teams that hasn't made a move this week. Was their recent surge enough to become buyers, or was it simply enough to keep the front office from selling?
The Mariners have addressed their primary objective. They've successfully improved their lineup by trading for two of the best corner infielders on the market, getting both Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez from the Diamondbacks. Those were their weakest positions, and they've strengthened them quite a bit. Now, can they add a relief pitcher and maybe a bench bat to really solidify things for a late-season run?
Ok, let's finish our lingering questions for the AL West... Getty Images
The New York Yankees, facing the losses of top relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to free agency, are seeking a high-leverage arm who is under club control beyond this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar fits the description.
The Yankees and Pirates are discussing a trade involving Bednar, according to sources briefed on the discussions. An official from one team involved in the pursuit of Bednar believes the Yankees are the front-runner.
Bednar, who turns 31 in October, is earning $5.9 million and under club control through next season. He is enjoying a bounceback campaign with the Pirates, with 51 strikeouts and a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings.
It's a reunion for the Dodgers with Brock Stewart, though it's clear they're getting a different guy. Stewart was a swingman for the Dodgers from 2016-19 riding the shuttle from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles, but went to a private facility, ramped up his velocity and made it back to the big leagues as a hard-throwing reliever.
The Dodgers were targeting a right-handed reliever who was particularly strong against right-handed hitters. Stewart fits that bill: opposing right-handed hitters have just a .327 OPS against him this season. Getty Images
A major-league source confirms to The Athletic that the Dodgers are getting reliever Brock Stewart from the Twins. ESPN first reported the deal.
The Phillies' outfield has been among the worst in the sport this season. The group is third-worst in MLB in defensive runs saved (minus 18) and fifth-worst in outs above average (minus 25). It is no better on offense, where the unit ranks 23rd in MLB in average (.237), 26th in OPS (.677) and 24th in slugging (.372).
It was known going into Thursday the Phillies were seeking outfield reinforcements. They have found one in Twins left fielder Harrison Bader, who is slashing .258/.339/.439 with a .778 OPS through 96 games. He won a Gold Glove at center field in 2021, and currently ranks third among left fielders in outs above average (4).
The move could potentially be the beginning of the end of Max Kepler's time with the Phillies. Acquired for $10 million in the offseason, Kepler was a bounce back candidate coming off injury. He has not bounced back, hitting .203/.297/.357 with a minus .3 WAR and .655 OPS through 94 games with the Phillies. Kepler also has publicly taken issue with not being the everyday left fielder, instead platooning with Weston Wilson and Otto Kemp at points this season. Getty Images
FanGraphs gives the Angels a 3.2 percent chance of making the playoffs, yet their only move so far is to trade for two relievers in their mid to late 30s. In a market light on right-handed bats, are they really going to keep Taylor Ward? In a market desperate for relievers and team control, are they really not going to sell high on Reid Detmers? Is there any value at all in keeping 35-year-old Tyler Anderson? Getty Images
A more for a starting pitcher feels more likely — maybe Dylan Cease or even Sandy Alcantara — but that's been the thinking for a while. The really fascinating wild card developing the past few days is the possibility of a trade for Carlos Correa. This one is a longshot, but it's the kind of longshot that sticks in your head this time of year. Getty Images
Trading Mason Miller and JP Sears was bold. Granted, the prospect package was enough to blow them away, but still, the Athletics committed to a something more than trading some pending free agents. Can they do more? Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs stand out as obvious trade chips, but what about controllable left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, who's blocked at his two best positions? This market is screaming for offense, and Soderstrom is a 23-year-old with 19 homers.
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