Latest news with #WorldSeries
Fox Sports
27 minutes ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
FOX MLB Crew Predicts Bold Trade Deadline Will Decide World Series Teams
The first half of MLB's 2025 season is over, and the All-Star Game is behind us, as well. What better time to start looking at just which teams might be in this year's World Series than now? FOX's Kevin Burkhardt posed the question of World Series favorites to fellow analysts and former MLB players Derek Jeter, David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez at the conclusion of the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, and there was a theme worth exploring: the trade deadline. All three of Jeter, Ortiz and Rodriguez emphasized the importance of the trade deadline in ensuring that their predictions come to pass. Jeter even prefaced his pick with a callback to last year. "Last year I picked the Baltimore Orioles to go to the World Series," Jeter told Burkhardt. The reason why I picked them is I was looking forward to the trade deadline, Baltimore had a stacked minor-league system, I thought they were going to make a move, they didn't do it, they didn't win." This year, he used the same strategy, but for the Yankees. And Jeter isn't expecting a repeat of last year's Baltimore inactivity, either. "So this year I am going with the New York Yankees. Yankees are going to beat the Cubs in the World Series. I'm going with the Yankees because [Brian] Cashman basically said that he's all-in. So I expect the Yankees to do something at the trade deadline." As for Ortiz, he once again went with the Red Sox as his pick for the World Series champion, citing their recent success – the Red Sox entered the All-Star break riding a 10-game win streak – as well as expected trade deadline activity as the reasons. "Can't get no better than that, you go into the trade deadline, we pick some stuff, get the team better, and all of a sudden, winner in Boston." Rodriguez had less confidence in a specific pick than either of Jeter or Ortiz, citing the "wide open" field of potential World Series candidates. "We've been doing this now for 10 years, and this is the one year, fellas, that's wide open. I have no idea who's going to go to the World Series, and that's a good thing." Rodriguez continued on, however, citing the potential of the trade deadline as a separator, just as Jeter and Ortiz had. "There's going to be a competition of the best front office that does the most bold moves in the trade deadline, and I'm going to go with the most resources: Yankees and Dodgers," said Rodriguez. "All the eyes will be on Brian Cashman, to make the moves to finally get over the L.A. Dodgers in October." Two picks for the Yankees – one over the Cubs, one over the Dodgers – and one for the Red Sox against whichever team they come up against. All of these selections, however, rely on these clubs doing what the Orioles didn't do either for themselves or for Jeter a year ago: getting even better than they already are at the July 31 trade deadline. The Yankees, as of the break, are in second place in the AL East, two games back of the Blue Jays, while the Red Sox are in third, three games back. Both have wild cards in their possession, though, and there's a lot of season left that includes a trade deadline in it, too. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience New York Yankees Boston Red Sox Los Angeles Dodgers recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
27 minutes ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Grading 10 Biggest MLB Signings At All-Star Break: Juan Soto, Max Fried, More
This past MLB offseason produced historic signings, which included the biggest contract in baseball history and teams throwing money at starting pitching left and right. How have these signings fared thus far? With the 2025 MLB All-Star Break upon us, here are early grades for the 10 biggest signings in terms of total money from last offseason. OF Juan Soto – New York Mets Contract: 15-year, $765 million deal 2025 stats: 23 home runs, 56 RBIs, 77 walks, .262/.396/.509 slash line, 3.9 WAR (423 plate appearances) Soto signed the biggest contract in the history of sports. With the outfielder a respectable but not elite fielder and a so-so baserunner, it's virtually impossible for Soto to play up to his $51 million average annual salary. The way he justifies his contract is by helping the Mets win multiple World Series and being the Juan Soto that the baseball world is accustomed to, that being as lethal and consistent as any hitter in the sport in both the regular season and postseason. After a slow start, Soto has rebounded this season, hitting like the elite, balanced and impact hitter that he is. Again, the ultimate end grade for the Soto contract is him being the same player he has been his entire career and the Mets winning multiple championships to justify a historic commitment. Grade: B- LHP Max Fried – New York Yankees Contract: Eight-year, $218 million deal 2025 stats: 11-3, 2.43 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 113 strikeouts, 122.0 innings pitched, 3.3 WAR (20 starts) The first move the Yankees made after losing Soto — who helped them reach the 2024 World Series in his one season with the franchise — was signing Fried, and he has been worth every penny. The left-hander has been spectacular for New York, pitching deep into games, seldom surrendering runners and mixing in six pitches (cutter, curveball, sinker, four-seamer, sweeper and changeup). With Gerrit Cole out this season due to Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil still having not pitched due to a lat strain, Fried has become the Yankees' ace and a godsend for their rotation, which also recently lost Clarke Schmidt to Tommy John surgery. Aaron Judge is the best position player in the game and the face of the Yankees. But where would the Yankees be without Fried? Grade: A RHP Corbin Burnes – Arizona Diamondbacks Contract: Six-year, $210 million deal 2025 stats: 3-2, 2.66 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 63 strikeouts, 64.1 innings pitched, 2.2 WAR (11 starts) The D-backs threw the bag at Burnes for him to be their ace, and he was precisely that. The veteran right-hander and 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner pitched at a high level, threw deep into games and was effective at primarily throwing his cutter earlier this season. Unfortunately for Burnes, he suffered an elbow injury on June 1 that required Tommy John surgery, ending his 2025 campaign and jeopardizing the bulk, if not the entirety, of his 2026 campaign. Burnes is a proven stud, but the devastating injury makes his contract a potentially burdensome one for Arizona moving forward. Grade: D+ LHP Blake Snell – Los Angeles Dodgers Contract: Five-year, $182 million deal 2025 stats: 1-0, 2.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, four strikeouts, 9.0 innings pitched, -0.2 WAR (two starts) When healthy and at his best, Snell is electric. Unfortunately for Snell, he has been snake-bit by injuries his entire MLB career; Snell has made 30 starts in a single season just once since 2018, doing so in his 2023 NL Cy Young campaign with the San Diego Padres. This season has been one of the worst cases of injuries impacting Snell. After two starts, Snell suffered a shoulder injury, was later placed on the 60-day injured list and hasn't pitched for the Dodgers since. Los Angeles has been ravaged by injuries on the pitching front, including Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki and Tony Gonsolin, among many others. Snell getting back in the mix and acclimated for the postseason would be a game-changer for the Dodgers. However, the $180 million pact, which was one of the first headline moves of the offseason, is off to a bad start for the Dodgers. Grade: C- SS Willy Adames – San Francisco Giants Contract: Seven-year, $182 million deal 2025 stats: 12 home runs, 48 RBIs, 45 walks, .220/.307/.373 slash line, 0.9 WAR (408 plate appearances) Adames was arguably the Milwaukee Brewers' best player from 2021-24 and had a career year in 2024, totaling 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. This season has not been a continuation of his Milwaukee days, though. Adames is struggling to get on base in his debut sesason for the Giants, and is on pace for a career-low in home runs since 2019. One potentially auspicious sign for Adames is him boasting a .295/.380/.614 slash line in July. Nevertheless, San Francisco's premier offseason move is off to a slow start. Grade: C- 3B Alex Bregman – Boston Red Sox Contract: Three-year, $120 million deal 2025 stats: 11 home runs, 35 RBIs, 22 walks, .298/.380/.546 slash line, 2.9 WAR (234 plate appearances) Boston signed one of the best third basemen of his generation to a short-term deal for a combined salary that would've been impossible to foresee last summer. It has been a mixed bag for Bregman, though, who missed six weeks due to a quad strain and whose arrival triggered an internal nightmare with star third baseman Rafael Devers, who didn't want to move to first base and was later traded to the Giants. When healthy, Bregman has been a steady and reliable force at the hot corner and a reliable hitter from the right side this season. The grade for this signing is relatively positive because Bregman is healthy and the Red Sox have won 10 consecutive games. He can opt out of his contract after this season, though. Grade: B- OF/DH Anthony Santander – Toronto Blue Jays Contract: Five-year, $92.5 million deal 2025 stats: Six home runs, 18 RBIs, 24 walks, .179/.273/.304 slash line, -0.9 WAR (209 plate appearances) At first glance, this contract was a bargain. The switch-hitting Santander was coming off a 44-home run season and had been a consistent source of slugging for the Baltimore Orioles dating back to 2019. But 2025 has not been kind to Santander, as he has struck out at a high rate (55 strikeouts, compared to 33 hits), his traditional power has been inconsistent, and Santander was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list due to a shoulder injury that has kept him off the field since May 29. Still, the Blue Jays are atop the AL East. Maybe Santander can get back before the postseason and do damage for Toronto in the postseason? That said, this deal has been a whiff thus far. Grade: D+ LHP Sean Manaea – New York Mets Contract: Three-year, $75 million deal 2025 stats: 0-0, 2.70 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, seven strikeouts, 3.1 innings, 0.0 WAR, (one appearance) Manaea made his first MLB appearance of the 2025 season on July 13 after a spring training elbow injury. The southpaw's absence is one of a handful of injuries New York's rotation depth has faced, the others including Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning and Frankie Montas. Manaea got his career back on track with the Mets last season, recording a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts and pitching well in the bulk of his postseason outings, including surrendering just one run and five baserunners across seven innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. A healthy Manaea gives the Mets another needed rotation body, and him returning to 2024 form would change the grade, but the left-hander's prolonged absence makes this signing a preliminary "D." Grade: D RHP Nathan Eovaldi – Texas Rangers Contract: Three-year, $75 million deal 2025 stats: 7-3, 1.58 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 94 strikeouts, 91.0 innings pitched, 3.4 WAR (16 starts) The production of a Cy Young candidate at $25 million a year. That's what the Rangers have gotten by re-signing Eovaldi. After helping Texas win the 2023 World Series and posting a combined 3.72 ERA from 2023-24, Eovaldi has been exceptional in 2025. Throwing a consistent, four-pitch arsenal at opposing lineups (split-fingered fastball, four-seamer, curveball and cutter), the right-hander has kept runners off the basepaths at an elite level, induced weak contact and is having the best season of his MLB career. Tarik Skubal is having another magnificent year for the Detroit Tigers, but Eovaldi is having an elite season himself. Maybe the American League Cy Young Award shouldn't be a shoo-in for Skubal? Grade: A+ LHP Tanner Scott – Los Angeles Dodgers Contract: Four-year, $72 million deal 2025 stats: 4.09 ERA, 19 of 26 in save opportunities, 1.14 WHIP, 49 strikeouts, 44.0 innings pitched, 0.0 WAR (45 appearances) After back-to-back stellar seasons in 2023 and 2024, highlighted by recording a combined 1.75 ERA in 2024, Los Angeles made Scott one of the game's richest relievers. It has been a bumpy ride for the two sides since. Scott, who throws two pitches (four-seamer and slider), has been hit in the late innings, leading MLB with seven blown saves. If Scott is stellar in the postseason and returns to the elite force that he was with the Padres and Miami Marlins, then his first half will be an afterthought. But, to date, the left-hander has underwhelmed for the $18 million average annual salary the Dodgers threw his way. Grade: C- Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Major League Baseball recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Newsweek
27 minutes ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Six Studs, Three Duds From 2025 MLB All-Star Game
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 MLB All-Star Game certainly did not disappoint in Atlanta with a historic ending to the midsummer classic. The game ended in a tie in the box score, though the National League came out victorious in the inaugural home run swing-off. Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber led the way in that competition to earn Ted Williams All-Star MVP honors. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets hits a three-run home run against the American League during the sixth inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on... ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets hits a three-run home run against the American League during the sixth inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. MoreThe National League earned just its third win over the American League since 2012. Here are six studs and three duds from the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. STUDS Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies Nobody hits homers in major spots like Schwarber. From the World Baseball Classic to the World Series, the Phillies slugger continues to meet the moment. Schwarber hit second in the swing-off after nine innings and homered on all three of his swings to put the National League in front for good. That stretch earned him MVP honors. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers Kershaw earned his 11th career selection as a "legend pick" from commissioner Rob Manfred. The veteran left-hander retired the only two batters he faced in the second inning, including a strikeout of Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr., before manager Dave Roberts lifted him for an ovation in what could be his final All-Star Game. Pete Alonso, New York Mets The NL East rival of the hosting Atlanta Braves entered the game as a defensive replacement for Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who left to an ovation after spending his first 12 seasons with Atlanta and capped off his tenure with a World Series title in 2021. Alonso quickly went to work with his bat and launched an opposite field three-run home run off Kansas City Royals starter Kris Bubic to extend the lead for the National League in the middle innings. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates Skenes became the youngest arm to start the All-Star Game in each of his first two seasons. He picked up where he left off in Texas last year with a scoreless first inning and two strikeouts. Brent Rooker, Athletics The American League needed a spark at the plate. Rooker brought it. Just a night after his elimination by under an inch in the Home Run Derby, the Athletics star left the yard with a three-run home run. Rooker also homered on two of his three swings to lead off the swing-off. Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona infielder got the scoring started with a two-run double in the first inning against reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. DUDS Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers Skubal still showed his good stuff with a pair of strikeouts, but he blinked first in the box-office starting pitching matchup when he allowed two runs and three hits in the opening frame. Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres The San Diego closer could not nail down the save in the ninth inning. The American League chased him after he allowed two runs to extend the game. That capped off an unprecedented six-run comeback from the American League. Kris Bubic, Kansas City Royals Bubic, who entered with the sixth-best ERA in the American League, got hit hard in his outing, headlined by the three-run homer from Alonso. More MLB: Reds Showing 'Strong Interest' In Shocking Trade For Star Pitchers
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Time heals everything.' Freddie Freeman, Braves fans find peace at All-Star Game
ATLANTA — There were no tears. There were no tears when he addressed the crowd in a Fox interview that was played over the Truist Park sound system. There were no tears when manager Dave Roberts removed him from the game in the top of third inning so the fans could salute him once final time. Freddie Freeman didn't cry Tuesday at the All-Star Game. 'I didn't know how it was going to go,' Freeman said. This was the kind of setting that could have very easily turned the emotional Freeman into a sobbing mess, and he admitted as much the previous day. He was returning to the market in which he spent the first 12 years of a career to play in the kind of event that is often a source of reflection. The absence of tears represented how much can change in four years, especially four years as prosperous as the four years Freeman has played for the Dodgers. 'Time,' Freeman said, 'heals everything.' For both sides. The same fans who watched him transform from a 20-year-old prospect to a future Hall of Famer warmly cheered for him during pregame introductions — just not with the kind of back-of-the-throat screams they once did. The same fans who used to chant his name chanted his name again — just not as long as they used to, and definitely not as long as the fans at Dodger Stadium now chant his name. Freeman will never be just another visiting player here. He won an MVP award here. He won a World Series here. Braves fans appreciate what he did for them. They respect him. But they have moved on to some degree, just as Freeman has. 'You spend 12 years with Atlanta, you pour your heart into it,' Freeman said. 'Now I poured my heart into four years with the Dodgers and still got many more hopefully to go.' Gaining such a perspective required time. Freeman acknowledged he was wounded by the decision the Braves made after they won the World Series in 2021. They didn't offer him the six-year contract he wanted and traded for Matt Olson to replace him as their first baseman. Freeman signed a six-year deal with the Dodgers. 'To be honest, I was blindsided,' Freeman said at the time. 'I think every emotion came across. I was hurt.' He carried that hurt with him into his return to Atlanta, which came a couple of months into his first season with the Dodgers. He spent much of the weekend in tears. Now looking back, Freeman said, 'It does feel like a lifetime ago.' So much so that Freeman said it was 'a little weird' to be back this week in the home team's clubhouse at Truist Park. 'I was sitting with [Braves manager Brian Snitker] in the office and seeing him and talking to him, seeing all the home clubhouse guys and then it kind of just comes all flying back that, like, well, it has been four years,' Freeman said. Freeman has since returned to Southern California, where he was born and raised. He's been embraced by an entirely new fan base that supported his family when his now-five-year-old son was temporarily paralyzed last year because of a rare disease. His postseason heroics — particularly his walk-off grand slam in the Game 1 of the World Series last year — has made him one of the most beloved players on a stacked roster. 'Now, everything's in the past,' he said. 'I get to play in front of my family every single day and we won a championship, so everything's OK.' His experience in Los Angeles has liberated him from the negative feelings associated with his breakup with the Braves, allowing him to focus on his positive memories with the organization. Because of that, Freeman was grateful he was offered a chance to speak directly to the fans before the game. 'From the bottom of my heart, thank you,' he told them. He was also thankful of how Roberts replaced him with Pete Alonso at first base while the American League was batting. The crowd gave Freeman a standing ovation. Freeman saluted the crowd in return. 'I really appreciate the moments,' Freeman said. Freeman grounded out in his only at-bat, which was preceded by respectful applause and a brief chant of his name. Another NL first baseman elicited louder cheers when he stepped into the batter's box, however. That player was Olson, his successor in Atlanta. Freeman wasn't the only one who had moved on.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Red Sox's 8-Time All-Star Breaks Silence on Return for Next Season
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 Boston Red Sox are emerging from the All-Star break looking to pick up where they left off, with a 10-game win streak that put them right back into the playoff picture. After looking like they might reset with an eye toward future contention at the coming trade deadline, now the Red Sox seem headed toward adding pieces. And that might have changed things for the team's potential trade chips. "Aroldis Chapman's going nowhere, Alex Bregman's going nowhere," ESPN's Jeff Passan said during a recent episode of "The Pat McAfee Show." "They're going to add. ... The Boston Red Sox are legitimate World Series contenders." That change could have the biggest impact on Chapman, an eight-time All-Star who seemed like the most likely trade chip as he's outperforming an affordable $10.7 million single-year contract and virtually every contending team will seek a bullpen upgrade. With the change in the team's outlook, it could make sense for the Red Sox to extend Chapman before he has the chance to depart in free agency without bringing anything back in return. BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 30: Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during an end of season press conference on September 30, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.... BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 30: Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during an end of season press conference on September 30, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston) More Weiss/Getty But breaking his silence on a potential new deal with the Red Sox, the closer indicated that no such negotiations have taken place. "Aroldis Chapman said he hasn't talked to the Red Sox about any contract beyond this season," WEEI's Rob Bradford reported. As the Red Sox look to extend their winning streak, they have a chance to solidify their buyer status at the trade deadline and their contention for a playoff berth. If they do so, perhaps an extension for Chapman will come as well. More MLB: Kyle Schwarber Admits 'Unknowns' With Phillies Future, Looks Forward to Free Agency
