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Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees Predicted to Land Pirates Two-Time All-Star In Last-Minute Blockbuster
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Yankees have to quickly start picking up some arms. Thursday's 6 p.m. ET trade deadline is fast approaching, and so far, the Yankees have done all their damage on the position player side. Ryan McMahon, Amed Rosario, and Austin Slater could all be helpful, but none of them are going to strike out opposing batters in key situations. As Devin Williams' latest blown save on Wednesday displayed, the Yankees could use another option in high-leverage situations. Perhaps the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are obvious sellers at this point, will come to their aid. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: David Bednar #51 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after striking out a batter in the ninth inning during a game against the Cleveland Guardians at PNC Park on April 19,... PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: David Bednar #51 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after striking out a batter in the ninth inning during a game against the Cleveland Guardians at PNC Park on April 19, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. MoreOn Thursday, Adam Weinrib of FanSided predicted that the Yankees would land Pirates closer David Bednar, a two-time All-Star, before the deadline. "(YES Network's) Jack Curry singled out Bednar on Wednesday night for good reason; when he speaks to endorse an option rather than refute one, it's usually because a deal has been substantially discussed," wrote Weinrib. "Bednar is on an absolute heater in Pittsburgh, and while he went through a difficult year-long slump in 2024, he'd be the highest-upside closer the Yankees could bring on at this point in time. It'll cost 'em, but we know the Pirates are scouting Carlos Lagrange. Add Roc Riggio for some MLB-ready thump and JC Escarra and call it in?" Bednar, 30, has an impressive 2.37 ERA on the year, striking out 51 batters in 38 innings. Perhaps even more importantly, he's under team control for next season, and would project to take over as closer on a full-time basis at that time. The clock is ticking, and every contending team wants relief pitchers at this time of year. Will the Yankees pull through for Bednar? More MLB: Braves Cutting Ties With Marcell Ozuna? Rangers, Padres Reportedly Teams to Watch
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Red Sox Drop Ball as Top Rumored Pitching Trade Target Heads to AL East Rival
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Just hours after the Red Sox completed their first significant MLB deadline day trade, bringing in relief pitcher Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston missed out on a starting pitcher who has been a long-rumored target for the team. The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Thursday that they had acquired righty Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians. The 30-year-old who was Cleveland's fourth-round draft pick in 2016 won the American League Cy Young Award in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when he also won the pitching Triple Crown, leading the AL in wins (eight), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122). CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 10: Pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians talks with teammates prior to the game against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on April 10, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.... CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 10: Pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians talks with teammates prior to the game against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on April 10, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. MoreIn return the Blue Jays sent their fourth-ranked pitching prospect and No. 5 prospect overall, per MLB Pipeline, Double-A hurler Khal Stephen. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound righty was Toronto's second round pick last year out of Mississippi State, and according to Pipeline is close to MLB-ready. "With 96 innings in his final season of NCAA ball, he's also built up for a full season, so he'll be starting from a high floor in most ways," MLB Pipeline wrote in a scouting report on Stephen. More MLB: Red Sox 'Who Says No?' Trade Idea Gets 18 HR First Baseman For No. 2 Prospect With the Red Sox beginning to exercise caution with their ace starter Garrett Crochet, pushing his scheduled Friday start to Monday as he approaches his career high in innings pitched, chief of baseball operations Craig Breslow is clearly in need of help in the rotation. After optioning righty Richard Fitts to Triple-A Worcester following another shaky outing Monday, the Red Sox are searching for a permanent solution for the No. 5 starter's role. Bieber would have come with a caveat, however. The former Cleveland ace has not pitched since April 2, 2024, as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Bieber made his latest rehab start on Tuesday for Double-A Akron, throwing 57 pitches with seven strikeouts and no walks. More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Acquire Former AL East Rival In Late-Night Deal With Cardinals
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Jays' perfect Jhoan Duran trade offer to Twins
The post Blue Jays' perfect Jhoan Duran trade offer to Twins appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, the Toronto Blue Jays are primed for a bold move. With a roster still hunting for reliable late-game leverage and a front office facing pressure to maximize the closing championship window of Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays have set their sights on one of the most coveted arms on the market, Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran. Why Jhoan Duran is the perfect fit for the Blue Jays Duran, just 27 and under team control through 2027, features one of the most electrifying power arsenals in the game— routinely hitting triple digits and pairing it with a devastating splinker. This season, he's delivered a 1.94 ERA, 15 saves, and a career strikeout rate oof 26.4%. The result? Nearly every contender has inquired on his availability, but all have been rebuffed by the Twins' 'sky-high' asking price: at least two top-100 prospects, plus secondary pieces that directly address Minnesota's needs for controllable young bats and high-upside pitching. Of all the suitors, Toronto is uniquely positioned to match such demands. The Blue Jays boast a top-heavy, blue-chip-laden farm system with several players knocking on the MLB door and scouts around baseball lauding their Top 5 for both ceiling and proximity to the majors. The front office, after several deadline standstills, knows this is the time for an all-in push. The arrival of Jhoan Duran would immediately transform Toronto's bullpen, giving it a true, multi-inning shutdown closer capable of dominating in October. Over the last month, repeated bullpen collapses have cost the club key games, a trend a Duran acquisition would immediately remedy. Toronto's willingness to part with premier prospects signals a recognition that with Vlad and Bichette's futures uncertain after 2025, the window to win is now. From Minnesota's side, trading Duran, one of baseball's elite relievers on a below-market deal, only makes sense for a return that accelerates their next playoff push. The Twins want two top-100 prospects, one of whom must be close to the majors, an MLB-ready piece, and surplus value to recharge the pipeline. With Byron Buxton's future in flux and a farm heavy on outfielders but light on infield depth and immediate rotation help, their focus is clear. The perfect Blue Jays-Twins trade proposal Below is the perfect proposal Toronto would submit, aggressive enough to turn Minnesota's 'no' into a 'maybe,' and still calculated to preserve enough upper minors depth to keep contending in 2026 and beyond. Blue Jays receive: RHP Jhoan Duran Twins receive: SS Arjun Nimmala RHP Trey Yesavage INF/3B Orelvis Martinez LHP Ricky Tiedemann OF Alan Roden Cash considerations: To offset Duran's $4.1M 2025 salary for Twins' accounting. This blockbuster package directly aligns with Minnesota's stated demands, two consensus top-100 prospects headlining (Nimmala and Yesavage), plus two more high-upside close-to-MLB pieces at infield and pitching (Martinez and Tiedemann), and a ready-to-play outfield bat (Roden). The Twins immediately restock their middle infield, fill a corner infield/DH need, gain both left- and right-handed rotation options, and address outfield depth. Despite giving up premium future talent, the Blue Jays retain cornerstones in Tucker Toman and Josh Kasevich while creating the bullpen leverage necessary for a sustained playoff run. Jhoan Duran's combination of stuff, control, and affordability is impossible to duplicate; in 2025, trading prospects for elite relievers is the new currency of contention. For Toronto, the risk is justified by the reward: a significantly greater chance at a parade in downtown Toronto—and the first World Series trip in over 30 years. Moreover, this trade reflects a larger trend in today's MLB where proven bullpen dominance is becoming as crucial as starting pitching in postseason success. The Blue Jays are betting that by converting late-inning pressure into secure outs, they can transform close contests into reliable victories, potentially reshaping their October destiny. Every run saved on the back of Jhoan Duran's heat brings Toronto closer to finally capitalizing on the superstar core of Guerrero and Bichette. For the Twins, the deal isn't just about moving a star reliever—it's a strategic overhaul to restock and redefine their franchise blueprint. By acquiring a blend of elite prospects and MLB-ready contributors, Minnesota lays the foundation for renewed competitiveness in the coming years, giving their fan base renewed hope and compelling reasons to stay invested. As the trade deadline approaches, the stakes grow higher. The Blue Jays' boldness and the Twins' pragmatic vision converge in this potential blockbuster, promising exhilarating summers ahead for both fan bases and setting the tone for the next chapter in each franchise's journey. Related: Blue Jays trade proposal lands $77 million Pirates pitcher over Cubs Related: Blue Jays' John Schneider makes Eric Lauer admission after Tigers blowout
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB rumors: Cubs ‘actively monitoring' Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase
The post MLB rumors: Cubs 'actively monitoring' Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Chicago Cubs have positioned themselves for a big MLB trade deadline push. The Cubs set their sights firmly on Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase. Chicago is 'one of the teams most actively monitoring' Clase. That pursuit has quietly simmered since last offseason, according to Francys Romero of Emmanuel Clase is no ordinary reliever. He's piled up 181 career saves, including 23 this season, and boasts a stellar 1.81 ERA since 2021. While 2025 began rocky, he entered May with a 5.87 ERA, he's been dominant since mid-May. He's allowed just four earned runs over 31 ⅔ innings. Add in a team-friendly contract: $4.5 million in 2025, $6 million in 2026, plus club options and buyouts. Clase becomes arguably the most cost-effective elite closer available for the Cubs. Cleveland's stance is clear: they'll listen to offers, but only if blown away. They're balancing a 51-50 record, just a few games out of a Wild Card, and may yet pivot toward buyer mode. With Cade Smith a viable internal backup, Clase is the more tradable asset, should the right deal arrive. For the Cubs, adding Clase would check a major roster need. Their bullpen ERA (3.78) ranks 10th league wide, and while Daniel Palencia has performed well, there's a long standing void at closer. Clase's elite cutter, groundball prowess, and low walk rate could instantly transform Chicago's late inning strategy. But acquiring him won't be cheap. The Guardians plan to demand top prospects and MLB-ready talent in return, while rival bidders like the Mets, Phillies, and Tigers continue to pursue Emmanuel Clase. Still, the Cubs' willingness to deal from their outfield pipeline, prospects like Owen Caissie or Kevin Alcantara, signals they're ready to double down. In short: Chicago's bullpen aspiration is clear, add Emmanuel Clase now, win later. The MLB Trade deadline looms, and if the Cubs want to contend, they may have to pull off a blockbuster. Related: Gary Sheffield says Barry Bonds won't 'hit nothing' at 60 years old Related: MLB rumors: Tigers' 'minimum' trade idea if they don't land Eugenio Suarez
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Blockbuster Mock Trade Sends Cardinals Stars To Phillies For Loaded Haul
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. FanSided's Quinn Everts recently proposed a blockbuster mock trade that would send St. Louis Cardinals stars Ryan Helsley and Brendan Donovan to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for prospects Aidan Miller, Mick Abel, and Carson DeMartini. "Helsley is the lockdown reliever this team needs, and would probably be the closer in Philadelphia. He's on an expiring deal but would provide two months of the relief pitching the Phils need so badly," Everts wrote. "And Donovan, who's under team control for at least two more years, is an elite contact hitter, a reliable and versatile defender who would fill the final hole in the Phils outfield with some high-level hitting. "This package could very well fall into the category of a 'sky-high' offer that St. Louis wants. Abel is already an MLB-ready pitcher who's put together some impressive starts in Philadelphia this year, but Miller would be the big-name prospect here. He's ranked No. 19 on MLB's Top 100 prospects list and is thought of as a future top-of-the-order bat in the majors, something the Cardinals would be salivating over." CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 23: Brendan Donovan #33, Ryan Helsley #56 and Willson Contreras #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals gather at the pitchers mound in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the... CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 23: Brendan Donovan #33, Ryan Helsley #56 and Willson Contreras #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals gather at the pitchers mound in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 23, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. MoreWith a massive trade like this, it's important to look at it from both points of view. From the Cardinals' perspective, this kind of deal makes sense. Adding Abel would give the team an answer in the rotation right away. Erick Fedde is gone, and Miles Mikolas is on his way out of town, too. Adding a very talented pitcher like Abel is a rare thing to achieve on the trade market. But Miller is the main reason this deal makes sense. Adding a prospect like the 21-year-old infield prospect is the kind of move the Cardinals couldn't pass up. He has superstar potential written all over him, though he hasn't been incredible in Double-A this year. From the Phillies' perspective, it would make some sense, too. The team would add the closer they desperately need in Helsley. Helsley makes more sense in a deal to Philadelphia than any player in the game. Adding Donovan would be a huge utility piece that the Phillies need, too. Donovan would also come with some club control. More MLB: Yankees' Aaron Judge Finally Breaks Silence Following Grim Injury Update
