Latest news with #MLBTradeDeadline
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Will Tampa Bay Rays Be Buyers or Sellers by MLB Trade Deadline?
Will Tampa Bay Rays Be Buyers or Sellers by MLB Trade Deadline? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Rays are in a unique position. Though they trail the New York Yankees by 5.5 games in the American League East going into Thursday, the Rays are squarely in the Wild Card hunt. Advertisement A recent surge has Tampa Bay just a half-game out of the last playoff spot, which is an enviable position with the MLB trade deadline coming fast. Teams have until July 31 to make a deal, with it unclear whether the Rays will be buyers or sellers? Or perhaps they can do both. Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander is no stranger to dealing, as a number of moves last year helped set the club up for contention this season and in those to come. The Rays have significant depth to use as potential trade chips is both the buying and selling scenarios. What will the Rays do at the trade deadline? As noted by Mark Feinsand, much can happen in the near future. A lot will depend on how things shake out in the coming weeks. If Ha-Seong Kim is healthy and effective, their need for a better shortstop is answered. If Shane McClanahan is close to his old form, they've got an ace. The depth in the organization could provide the answers to any needs they have, but the Rays are always cognizant of their players' contractual status, which could open the door for some deals. Advertisement Some of those pieces could be on the move or remain in place if the club hopes to make a playoff run. Closer Pete Fairbanks has one more year of control, Brandon Lowe has a club option for 2026 and Yandy Díaz is signed through 2026 with an option for '27. Zack Littell is headed for free agency this winter. If the Rays are firmly in the race next month, it's hard to see them moving any of these key pieces, but with Tampa Bay, you never know. Expect the Rays and Neander to be busy. Whichever path they take is anyone's guess. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MLB Insider Explains Possibility of Red Sox Aroldis Chapman Being Traded
MLB Insider Explains Possibility of Red Sox Aroldis Chapman Being Traded originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Boston Red Sox are 28-32 on the season, and are in a position where, if things don't start to turn around, they could make changes to their roster as MLB's trade deadline looms. Boston is currently fourth in the American League East and sits 8.5 games back of the New York Yankees. So, the season hasn't quite gone according to plan for the Red Sox, despite an offseason where they addressed their top needs. Advertisement However, closer Aroldis Chapman is putting together a quality season for Boston. He has eight saves over 23 innings pitched and an ERA of 1.96. Bob Nightengale of USA Today believes that Chapman could potentially draw trade interest if the Red Sox don't turn the season around and get back into contention. Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) during the first day of spring training at Jet Blue Park at Fenway Tilley-Imagn Images 'Scouts already are keeping an eye on Boston Red Sox reliever Aroldis Chapman, who will be a hot commodity at the trade deadline if the Red Sox fall out of the AL East race.' Chapman was one of the Red Sox's offseason acquisitions, and like others, including Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet, he has contributed to the team this season. A trade for Chapman would have to include some starting pitching for Boston, and maybe a top prospect that can play somewhere on the infield. Advertisement As Bregman seems to be out for potentially another month, the season has not gone according to plan for manager Alex Cora and Boston. However, it's a long season, and there's a lot of baseball left to be played, but Chapman is a good name to keep an eye on come July. Related: Alex Bregman Gives One-Word Praise to Red Sox Youngster Marcelo Mayer This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Pirates GM breaks silence on Paul Skenes trade talk amid claims star pitcher could be on way out
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has broken his silence on a possible trade of star pitcher Paul Skenes, saying dealing last year's All-Star Game starter was never on the table. Ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline and Pittsburgh well out of the playoff race, many wondered if Skenes could be flipped for tons of assets to help in the future. Cherington has spoken to those claims for the first time, denying it was ever an option. The Pirates enter Friday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at 17-34 overall and 13.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs for first place in the NL Central. Pittsburgh finished each of the last two seasons 10 games under .500, with this year projected to be a step forward. Instead, it has been multiple steps back, with Skenes viewed as one of the only prized assets on the squad. 'No, it's not part of the conversation at all,' Cherington said of the Skenes trade talk. Dealing last year's All-Star Game starter was never on the table for the struggling franchise After Cherington spoke to the media on Thursday, the Pirates scored five or more runs for the first time in 27 contests, still in an 8-5 loss. The Pirates co-hold the MLB record with 26 consecutive games scoring four runs or less with four other teams, with the most recent being the 1969 California Angels. Pittsburgh's season already looks on life support after having fired manager Derek Shelton two weeks ago and fortunes not turning under Don Kelly. Yet, the Pirates starting rotation has been viewed as one of the best parts of the struggling team. And Pittsburgh's ace is not going anywhere is Cherington has a say.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers Trade Idea Lands Pitcher Seth Lugo
It's only fair to suggest that the Los Angeles Dodgers will need pitching at the deadline. Even if the idea is to bring in a starter or two to eat innings, the Dodgers are in a very strange position on the mound and have suffered because of it at times. Advertisement After losing 11-1 to the Athletics on Tuesday night, the Dodgers saw why they can't continue to rely on below-average starters and bullpen games to win at the highest level. Looking at potential trade candidates, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller listed Seth Lugo as an option, and he'd make perfect sense for the Dodgers if he becomes available. While it isn't a guarantee that Lugo will be available, as the Kansas City Royals have played decent baseball to start the year, the veteran would be exactly what the Dodgers have targeted. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) looks on against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Camelback Camporeale-Imagn Images 'Such trades do occasionally happen. But whether this one would even be on the table hinges on where the Royals are at in the standings 12 weeks from now. Advertisement 'After getting off to an 8-14 start, Kansas City has catapulted back into the playoff picture with 11 wins in its past 13 games. Still, Seth Lugo could be a hot commodity if the Royals were to fall back out of the conversation—which isn't exactly a stretch, given the state of this offense beyond Bobby Witt Jr,' he wrote. More importantly than anything else, when it comes to the right-hander, he's shown the ability to stay on the mound. Since becoming a full-time starter during the 2023 campaign, Lugo has thrown in at least 146.1 innings. He faced the most batters in baseball last season with 836, and struck out 181 hitters in 206.2 innings. The Louisiana native could be a free agent at the end of the year, given that he has a player option, so this could be a rental. If the move is to simply try to win a World Series right now, which it is, the Dodgers make a lot of sense as a landing spot. Related: Dave Roberts Makes Admission After Recent Dodgers Decision
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees Could Land $6 Million Closer Following Devin Williams Announcement
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 recently made the decision to demote Devin Williams out of the closer role, presumably elevating breakout star Luke Weaver in his place. This is quite the shocking decision considering the Yankees made a blockbuster trade for the righty in the offseason. But Williams has been horrendous, and he desperately needed some of the pressure off his back. Having Weaver is a solid backup plan, but this situation puts an emphasis on the importance of high-leverage bullpen depth. With that in mind, the Yankees may look to swing a blockbuster trade for a closer before the MLB Trade Deadline. A deal with the Washington Nationals for closer Kyle Finnegan would help patch this hole for the Yankees. WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: Kyle Finnegan #67 of the Washington Nationals pitches during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park on April 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: Kyle Finnegan #67 of the Washington Nationals pitches during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park on April 23, 2025 in Washington, be clear here, trading for Finnegan wouldn't be to add a closer to replace Williams. It would be to add another high-leverage arm to take some of the pressure off Williams and Weaver. Finnegan hasn't been an elite option, and the Yankees had a chance to bring him in during the offseason, but they need bullpen arms more down the stretch than they did during the offseason. It's likely the Nationals will fall out of postseason contention at some point. They're already a few games under .500 with a loaded division ahead of them. Once they fall out of postseason contention, assuming they do, trading Finnegan will likely be on their to-do list. The Yankees could acquire him for cheap and plug him in as a late-inning relief option in manager Aaron Boone's bullpen. More MLB: Giants' $182 Million Free Agency Signing Called 'Biggest Bust Of First Month'
