Category: Baseball

Major League Baseball presented its annual Home Run Derby on Monday night, and Shohei Ohtani wasn’t on the list of scheduled participants.

Aaron Judge wasn’t either.

A home run contest without baseball’s two most famous home-run hitters?

What’s the point?

Ohtani pointed to the contest’s physical demands as to why he didn’t compete. Judge said he would only consider participating if the event was staged in New York.

How unfortunate for baseball, which has the perfect stage to showcase its two most popular players but can’t persuade them to perform on it.

Here’s one potential remedy: Let Ohtani and Judge write the rules.

Read more:Jacob Misiorowski is the talk of the All-Star Game. Why Dodgers are partially to thank

That might not change Judge’s position, but it could change Ohtani’s. Ohtani has certainly pondered modifications that could be made to the Derby to make him more inclined to participate, some of which he shared at All-Star media day.

“That’s not for me to decide,” Ohtani said in Japanese. “However, personally, I think there could be limits on the number of pitches, the number of swings, and a focus on flight distance.”

The commissioner’s office should listen.

As profitable as baseball is, its cultural relevance in this country is diminishing. The most popular athletes in the United States are football and basketball players. Outside of Ohtani, and maybe Judge, no baseball player transcends his sport.

In Ohtani, baseball finally has its long-awaited face of the game, and the sport would be negligent to not maximize his stardom, both domestically and abroad.

Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners might be the major league leader in home runs, but he’s a nobody as far as the general public is concerned. The same is true of everyone else in the eight-player Derby field — Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves, James Wood of the Washington Nationals, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brent Rooker of the Wandering Athletics.

By participating in the Derby, Ohtani wouldn’t just draw attention to the event. He would also elevate his competitors, giving them chances to introduce themselves to audiences that would otherwise remain ignorant of their existences.

If baseball has to reduce the number of swings taken by Derby participants to gain that kind of exposure for its players, it should reduce the number of swings taken by Derby participants.

For that matter, if Ohtani says he would participate only if he’s allowed to hit soccer balls, let him hit soccer balls.

Why not?

What would be compromised, the integrity of a barely-watchable made-for-television event?

Ohtani’s reticence is based on history. When Ohtani made his only Derby appearance in 2021, the format was similar to what it is now. In the first round, Ohtani had three minutes to hit as many homers as possible, as would be the case today. The Derby has since added a 40-pitch limit.

Ohtani was eliminated by Juan Soto in the opening round, after which he said with a simile, “It was more tiring than the regular season.”

Ohtani went on to win his first most valuable player award that year, but the Derby marked a turning point in his season. In 84 games before the All-Star break, Ohtani batted .279 with 33 homers and 70 runs batted in. In his 71 games after, he hit just .229 with 13 homers and 30 RBIs.

Read more:Seattle's Cal Raleigh becomes first catcher to win MLB All-Star Home Run Derby

He implied that experience was why he was unlikely to return any time soon.

“With the current rules, it’s pretty difficult,” Ohtani said last month, “so for now, I don’t think there’s much of a chance.”

For baseball, that translates to limited viewership.

Viewership for the Derby was at its highest in the first decade of the 2000s. Of the five most-viewed Derbys, only one was staged in the last 15 years: The 2017 Derby, which Judge won as a rookie. Judge has not competed since.

The Derby doesn’t make the players. The players make the Derby. And if the sport’s only superstar is open to taking part, the league should facilitate it.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Seven days ago, Jacob Misiorowski was really only known by the most die-hard of baseball fans.

And even then, he was far from any sort of household commodity.

“I don’t even know who I’m pitching against,” future Hall of Fame Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw said last week, a day before squaring off against the Milwaukee Brewers' rookie phenom who had made only four career starts prior.

“Is that the guy who twisted his ankle on the mound, the ‘Twisted-His-Ankle’ guy?'” Kershaw added, able only to recall a widely shared clip of Misiorowski having to exit his MLB debut a month earlier amid five hitless innings after turning his ankle on the downslope of the hill.

Read more:Agent: Julio Urías has 'every intention to continue his career'

“I know he throws hard. I saw a couple highlights,” Kershaw continued.

But, as far as the 23-year-old’s reputation was concerned, that was it — both to Kershaw, and most casual observers of the sport.

Then, however, came the game that changed everything — for Misiorowski, Major League Baseball and the conversation around this year’s All-Star festivities in Atlanta.

Last Tuesday, Misiorowski had his official coming-out party with a dominant six-inning, one-run, 12-strikeout gem against the mighty Dodgers — easily the most electrifying outing of the young flamethrower’s nascent career.

Days later, in a move that stunned the sport, Misiorowski was unexpectedly added to the National League All-Star team — an immediately controversial move given his one total month of big-league service time.

On Monday, at an All-Star media day event near Truist Park in Atlanta, Misiorowski’s presence was still dominating story lines at the Midsummer Classic, especially after several members of the Philadelphia Phillies (who felt two of their pitchers, Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suarez, were more deserving of All-Star nods even though they wouldn’t have pitched in the game) derided Misiorowski’s selection over the weekend as a “joke” and public relations stunt by the league.

It was the first question Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who will helm the National League team after winning last year’s World Series, fielded at a Monday afternoon news conference at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater.

And when Misiorowski took his seat at media day, he was immediately peppered with questions about the backlash to his inclusion, and how he felt about people who argued he wasn’t deserving of being in the game — especially his NL teammates from the Phillies.

“I mean, they’re not happy,” Misiorowski said with an awkward smile. “But they’re not upset with me. It’s nothing I did. So they were all nice to me. The clubhouse has been good.”

For all the visceral takes and viral reactions the Misiorowski story has generated in recent days, chances are it will blow over by the time Tuesday’s game rolls around.

Roberts confirmed Misiorowski will pitch in the contest, probably somewhere in the middle innings.

And while he said Misiorowski’s selection, coupled with the withdrawals from numerous other NL All-Star pitchers, required a “deeper conversation” about how the game could be improved, he added that he was all for having Misiorowski take part in this year’s event.

“For this young kid to be named an All-Star, I couldn’t be more excited for him,” Roberts said. “It’s gonna be electric. The fans, the media, you’re gonna love it. So for me, it’s an easy answer, because if it brings excitement, attention to our game, then I’m all about it.”

If it wasn’t for Roberts’ team, the Misiorowski drama might have never happened.

Entering his start against the Dodgers last week, Misiorowski had a 3.20 ERA, was coming off a five-run, 3 ⅔ inning clunker against the New York Mets, and (despite his 100-plus mph fastball and wicked repertoire of breaking pitches) was nowhere near the All-Star picture.

Even internally, he acknowledged, he was still getting comfortable in the majors.

But in that game against the Dodgers, Misiorowski bounced back from a leadoff home run from Shohei Ohtani by giving up just three other hits. He mowed through the Dodgers’ league-leading offense with triple-digit fastballs and upper-90s mph sliders, which Dodgers catcher Will Smith called the nastiest current pitch in the sport. And he emerged with a newfound sense of belonging at the big-league level.

Read more:MLB draft: Dodgers select a pair of Arkansas standouts with their first picks

“That’s one of those games you look back on and you’re like, ‘OK, now we go,’” Misiorowski said Monday. “Now it starts.’”

Afterward, no one praised the young right-hander more than Kershaw, who started his postgame remarks about Misiorowski by quipping, “I know him now, huh?”

And now, a week later, so too does the rest of the baseball world; with Misiorowski’s dismantling of the Dodgers helping to thrust him into a spotlight he could have never imagined seven days earlier.

“I think it was just one of those things that, when it happened, it’s not really anything I’ve done,” he said. “I’m not gonna say no to MLB about coming to the game, so it is what it is.”

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

David Wright was still around during Jacob deGrom’s first few seasons as a Met. 

The All-Star third baseman was at the tail-end of his career as he battled through injuries, but he was still the captain of the club and made sure that he took the young starting pitcher under his wing. 

That certainly left a lasting impression on deGrom. 

Speaking at All-Star Media Day on Monday in Atlanta, the now Texas Rangers starter told reporters that he’s thrilled to see Wright’s No. 5 being lifted up into the Citi Field rafters later this week. 

“David was awesome for me early in my career,” he said. “My first year in the major leagues my locker was right next to him, to have a guy like that and to be able to learn from him, there’s no telling where I’d be without that experience.

“I’m super happy for him his number is being retired, he’s one of the all-time great Mets.”

This is also a pretty big week for deGrom, as he's making his first All-Star appearance since 2021 as a Met.

After dealing with injuries over the past few years, the 37-year-old has stayed healthy and returned to his dominant form this year with Texas -- pitching to a 2.32 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 19 first-half outings. 

The return to the festivities has presented him an opportunity to reconnect with some of his old teammates from the Big Apple.

“It was fun to see them,” he said. “You make a lot of friends in this game -- I keep in touch with some of those guys still, so it’s good see them and say hello, I’m happy with what they’ve been able to do this year.”

One of those former teammates is Pete Alonso, who says it’s awesome to finally see deGrom back healthy and at the top of his game. 

“With Jake feeling like himself, there’s never a doubt what his ceiling is,” he said. “He’s a guy that as long as he’s healthy he’s going to be a standout and one of the best in the world at what he does, so I’m super happy for him.

“Being a teammate of his for a long time, just seeing him overcome adversity and get his body right and be able to perform the way he has, it’s special -- he’s a Hall of Fame talent and to see him find that success it’s just really special what he’s been able to do.”

The suspension of former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías ends Wednesday. The next day, Major League Baseball will remove him from its restricted list, and any team that wishes to sign him can do so.

Scott Boras, the agent for Urías, said the pitcher — the only player suspended twice for violating baseball’s policy on domestic violence and sexual assault — hopes to resume playing.

“He still has every intention to continue his career,” Boras said here Monday. “He’s getting in shape. Obviously, he’ll have options that are open to him.”

Boras declined to discuss any of those potential options Monday, since the suspension has not yet expired. It is believed that multiple teams have checked in on Urías, but it is uncertain whether a deal would be struck and, if so, he might be able to help a major league team.

“It depends on how teams view the situation and view his skill,” Boras said.

Boras said Urías has not pitched this year and would need time to work into major league shape. How much time he needs could determine whether he could help a team later this season or would need to aim for next season.

Urías, 28, last pitched for the Dodgers in 2023. He is completing a half-season suspension for domestic violence, levied after a witness video obtained by The Times showed he charged his wife in a September 2023 incident outside BMO Stadium, pulled her hair aside and shoved her against a fence. After the two were separated, the video showed Urias swinging at her with his left hand.

Urías was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence, but the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office determined that “neither the victim’s injuries nor the defendant’s criminal history justify a felony filing.” The city attorney’s office subsequently filed five misdemeanor charges against Urías. He pleaded no contest to one, the other four were dropped, and he agreed to enter a yearlong domestic violence treatment program.

He also agreed to complete a similar program in 2019, when he was arrested after an incident in the Beverly Center parking lot. Witnesses said he pushed his fiancee, she said she fell, and no charges were filed.

The league subsequently suspended him for 20 games. Under its policy, the league can suspend a player even if no charges are filed.

Urías was placed on administrative leave for the final month of the 2023 season, after which his contract with the Dodgers expired and he became a free agent.

He has not pitched since then.

Urías recorded the final out of the Dodgers’ World Series championship in 2020. He led the National League in victories (20) in 2021 and earned-run average (2.16) in 2022.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Heading into the 2024 season, Pete Alonso had experienced plenty of what life as a MLB star is like over his five seasons with the Mets.

He won NL Rookie of the Year, took home two Home Run Derby titles, was named to the All-Star team three times, and played in the postseason. But one of things he hadn't done yet was become a free agent and have the power to choose his team.

After adding another All-Star nomination to his accolade list and helping New York make an unexpected run to the NLCS, Alonso became a free agent at the conclusion of the season. For a while it looked like the slugger was going to sign elsewhere, but as the markets changed, Alonso ended up re-signing with the Mets on Feb. 5 to return to the club for at least another season.

Now, with free agency experience under his belt, Alonso is prepared to do it all again this upcoming offseason. The 30-year-old inked a two-year, $54 million deal with a player option for the 2026 season -- which he's expected to opt out of and become a free agent for a second time. So with another free agency period looming, Alonso was asked by reporters Monday during All-Star festivities in Atlanta if he hopes to stay with the Mets long-term.

"I mean if it works out, you know, it would be really special to," Alonso. "But again, there's a lot of things that happen business wise and a lot of unpredictable things that happen in free agency.

"Yeah, this time around, like last year there's no guarantee, but happy I stayed. This is a great team, it's a great group of guys. We'll see what happens business wise, nothing's guaranteed, so we'll see."

Many Mets fans will want to see the team keep the homegrown star for the rest of his career, especially as he's moved into second all-time in franchise history for home runs and will be at the top of that list by the end of the 2025 season. Alonso, now a five-time All-Star, is at 247 career home runs -- just five shy of Darryl Strawberry's mark of 252 home runs in a Mets uniform.

Of course, Alonso could have already signed a long-term deal with New York to avoid this discussion, but instead he bet on himself with the short-term contract. The move appears to be paying off as he's already hit 21 homers and 26 doubles over 97 games during the 2025 season and is well on pace for another 30-30 season -- which likely means a big payday in free agency. However, Alonso isn't thinking about his future like that just yet.

"I mean I gotta finish this year off strong, I gotta finish this year healthy," Alonso said. "Ultimately right now, I'm just thinking about what I can do to help my team every single day. The free agency stuff, I'm not really worried about that right now. I'm sure at the end of the year I'll have plenty of time to think of that."

If Alonso continues to play like he has this season, he'll be deserving of that big contract; it'll just come down to his and the Mets' success in the postseason and if the long-term commitment works for both sides at that point.

Pete Alonso says it would be "really special" to be a Met long-term

"I'm happy that I stayed - this is a great team, a great group of guys. We'll see what happens business-wise, nothing is guaranteed." pic.twitter.com/QWRRnE1yUF

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 14, 2025

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh makes history with 2025 MLB Home Run Derby win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Seattle’s Cal Raleigh won his first All-Star Home Run Derby after leading the big leagues in long balls going into the break, defeating Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero 18-15 in the final round Monday night.

The Mariners breakout slugger nicknamed Big Dumper advanced from the first round on a tiebreaker by less than an inch over the Athletics’ Brent Rooker, then won his semifinal 19-13 over Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, whose 513-foot first-round drive over Truist Park’s right-center field seats was the longest of the night.

Hitting second in the final round, the 22-year-old Caminero closed within three dingers, took three pitches and hit a liner to left field.

Becoming the first switch-hitter and first catcher to win the title, Raleigh had reached the All-Star break with a major league-leading 38 home runs. He became the second Mariners player to take the title after three-time winner Ken Griffey Jr.

Raleigh was pitched to by his father, Todd, former coach of Tennessee and Western Carolina. His younger brother Todd Raleigh Jr. did the catching.

Just the second Derby switch-hitter after Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman in 2023, Raleigh hit his first eight left-handed, took a timeout, then hit seven right-handed. Going back to lefty, he then hit two more in the bonus round and stayed lefty for the semifinals and the final.

Caminero beat Minnesota’s Byron Buxton 8-7 in the other semifinal.

Atlanta’s Matt Olson, Washington’s James Wood, the New York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. and the Athletics’ Brent Rooker were eliminated in the first round of the annual power show.

Cruz and Caminero each hit 21 long balls and Buxton had 20 in the opening round. Raleigh and Rooker had 17 apiece, but Raleigh advanced on the tiebreaker of their longest homer, 470.61 feet to 470.53.

Cruz’s long drive was the hardest-hit at 118 mph.

The longest derby homer since Statcast started tracking in 2016 was 520 feet by Juan Soto in the mile-high air of Denver’s Coors Field in 2021. Last year, the longest drive at Arlington, Texas, was 473 feet by Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna.

Wood hit 16 homers, including a 486-foot shot and one that landed on the roof of the Chop House behind the right-field wall. Olson, disappointing his hometown fans, did not go deep on his first nine swings and finished with 15, He also was eliminated in the first round in 2021.

Chisholm hit just three homers, the fewest since the timer format started in 2015.

Brent Rooker stunningly eliminated by hard-to-believe Home Run Derby tiebreaker originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Athletics slugger Brent Rooker just experienced a level of heartbreak that has never been seen before on the MLB Home Run Derby stage.

Rooker officially got eliminated in one of the closest calls you’ll ever see in the competition, after losing a tie-breaker with Seattle Mariners catcher and 2025 MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh, who also finished the first round with 17 dingers.

Per the rules of the competition, if two players finish with the same first-round total, the player with the farthest home run advances.

It was determined both players’ longest home run traveled 470 feet, but an official ruling declared Raleigh’s went 470.61 feet, while Rooker’s fell just .08 inches short at 470.53 feet. Yes, you read that right, .08 inches officially slammed the door on the A’s slugger’s chances of advancing to the next round of the competition.

Cal Raleigh advanced to the second round of the Home Run Derby by winning the tiebreaker over Brent Rooker by less than an inch 😳 pic.twitter.com/4O27P4BWyU

— ESPN (@espn) July 15, 2025

Rooker came out on fire in the opening round, launching 17 home runs into the stands at Truist Park, immediately passing Washington Nationals phenom James Woods who kicked off the competition with 16 long balls of his own.

Brent Rooker came out on FIRE in the first round 🔥
pic.twitter.com/f5YjkvM6Vf

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 15, 2025

That momentum wouldn’t last long, however, as Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (21), Minnesota Twins centerfielder Byron Buxton (20) and Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (20) all surpassed Rooker’s first-round total.

Rooker appeared to maintain a path to the semifinal round by hanging onto the fourth and final spot needed to advance, but a late surge by Raleigh brought the pair of AL-West sluggers even, triggering an inconceivable tiebreaker scenario.

While Rooker can hold his head high after putting up a strong performance in the competition, the process by which he was eliminated likely will sting for years to come.

Landon Hodge, the Mission League player of the year from Crespi, was selected with the first pick of the fourth round by the Chicago White Sox in Monday's MLB amateur draft. The catcher is an LSU commit.

Day 2 involved rounds four through 20. Pitcher Riley Kelly from Tustin High and UC Irvine went to the Rockies with the 107th pick. Shortstop Colin Yeaman from Saugus and UC Irvine was a fourth-round pick (No. 124) of the Orioles. Pitcher Sean Youngerman, who attended Chaminade, Westmont College and Oklahoma State, went to the Phillies at No. 131.

With their 4th‑round pick (No. 106 overall), the @whitesox select Crespi Carmelite (CA) catcher Landon Hodge, No. 164 on the Top 250 Draft Prospects list.

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/VOZqOwm6uHpic.twitter.com/txRq5bOcnB

— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) July 14, 2025

Outfielder Josiah Hartshorn from Orange Lutheran went to the Cubs in the sixth round (No. 181). USC pitcher Caden Hunter was a sixth-round pick (No. 184) by the Orioles.

In the eighth round (No. 237), Tampa Bay took former Burroughs and Fresno State pitcher Aidan Cremarosa. Outfielder Nick Dumesnil from Huntington Beach and California Baptist went to the Tigers are No. 249.

In the ninth round (No. 279), the Tigers selected pitcher Trevor Heishman, who helped St. John Bosco win the Southern Section Division 1 title.

In the 10th round, former Sierra Canyon and UC Irvine closer Max Martin win to the Royals at No. 308. CJ Hughes, a shortstop from Gardena Serra, was taken in the 11th round (No. 335) by the Brewers. Catcher Rod Barajas Jr. from Saddleback College went to the Giants (No. 326). In the 12th round, former Windward and Harvard pitcher Truman Pauley went to the Mets (No. 373).

In the 13th round (No. 377), former Bishop Amat and Mt. SAC pitcher Izeah Muniz was chosen by the Rockies. Pitcher Gavin Lauridsen from Foothill went to the Brewers (No. 395).

The Brewers selected first baseman Dominic Cadiz from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in the 15th round (No. 455). He's a UCLA commit. He's the 29th former Notre Dame player taken since 1993.

Former Calabasas and UC Irvine outfielder Chase Call went to the Astros in the 16th round (No. 486).

Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The Yankees have claimed right-handed reliever Rico Garcia off waivers from the Mets.

Garcia was DFA'd by the Mets on Friday to make room on the roster for Kodai Senga.

Garcia tossed 2.2 perfect innings against the Orioles during Game 2 of the Mets' Thursday's doubleheader.

In his only other appearance for the Mets this season, he fired 2.0 scoreless innings against the Yankees on July 6, allowing one hit and striking out two.

Garcia, 31, has a 6.47 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in parts of five big league seasons with the Mets, Nationals, Athletics, Orioles, Giants, and Rockies.

10 ‘impact' starting pitchers Red Sox should target in trades originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The way Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has spoken over the last week, it would be shocking if he didn’t trade for a starting pitcher before the July 31 deadline.

In several interviews, Breslow has identified “impact starting pitching” as Boston’s top trade deadline priority.

“I think if we’re going to boost the rotation, trying to find impact starting pitching, not just starting pitching that can take a spot in the rotation,” he said, per MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo.

He used those three words again during his recent appearance on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show.

“You can never have too much (starting pitching), so I think that’s probably what we would prioritize,” Breslow said. “We have some depth, but I think if there’s the opportunity to provide some impact starting pitching, and add that to the group, that’s probably where we’d focus.”

And once more during an interview on Rob Bradford’s Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast.

“We’re not just looking for bodies that we can call starting pitchers, right? Like, if we’re going to bring somebody in, they need to really move the needle for us,” Breslow said. “And so that’s where we’ll have our sights set, but it’s really hard to find impact starting pitching.”

So, what qualifies as “impact” starting pitching? As great as Red Sox starters Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello have been over the last month, Breslow is likely looking for a starter who can step up as a reliable No. 2 or No. 3 in the rotation. Fringe starters won’t cut it for a surging club looking to clinch its first postseason berth since 2021.

Which “impact” starters could be available on the trade market? Here are 10 pitchers Breslow should at least inquire about before 6 p.m. ET on July 31.

Joe Ryan, RHP, Minnesota Twins

It’s going to take a significant haul to pry Ryan from the Twins. The 29-year-old is in the midst of a career year and is under team control through 2027. However, the Red Sox have reportedly expressed interest in Ryan over the last few weeks, so we’d be remiss not to include him on this list of “impact” starters they should target.

A first-time All-Star, Ryan boasts a 2.72 ERA and 0.915 WHIP with 121 strikeouts and 23 walks over 19 games (109.1 innings). He would slot in as a formidable No. 2 in Boston’s rotation after ace Garrett Crochet.

Joe Ryan, 95mph Paint. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/e3fk9znA6k

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 12, 2025

The Twins entered the break four games back in the American League Wild Card race. If they slump to start the second half, Breslow should be aggressive in his pursuit of Ryan — even if it means saying goodbye to beloved outfielder Jarren Duran.

Dylan Cease, RHP, San Diego Padres

It’s been a down year for Cease, but the veteran righty has a proven track record. He could snap out of his funk at any time in the second half and put up ace-like numbers. He finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting last year and was the runner-up for the AL Cy Young while with the Chicago White Sox in 2022.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Cease might be available for a bargain. If so, he should be near the top of Breslow’s list of targets. It wouldn’t be his first time reaching out to the Padres about a potential deal for the 29-year-old.

11 strikeouts through 7 scoreless innings for Dylan Cease!

It's been all @Padres tonight 😤 pic.twitter.com/HMwZZL1C0g

— MLB (@MLB) June 11, 2025

Cease has a 4.88 ERA and 1.33 WHIP this season, though his 3.69 FIP suggests some of his unfavorable numbers have been out of his control.

Mitch Keller, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Breslow wants “impact starting pitching,” but there’s little doubt he prefers impact starters who have years of team control beyond 2025. That makes Keller the perfect trade target.

The 29-year-old is having the best season of his career and is under team control through 2028. He’s stuck on a last-place Pirates squad that has a surplus of young pitching but a glaring lack of offense. Pittsburgh may be motivated to move him for a bat, and Boston has the hitters to get a deal done.

Mitch Keller, Wicked 82mph Sweeper. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/IeRGTJSEPj

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 2, 2025

Keller has a 3.48 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 20 starts.

Freddy Peralta, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are still very much in the postseason hunt, so Peralta isn’t one of the likelier trade candidates on this list. That said, Milwaukee has a history of trading star pitchers even while in contention, so Peralta must at least be mentioned as an option.

Peralta has an affordable $8 million team option for 2026 before he’s scheduled to become a free agent in 2027. That, plus his consistency over his eight years with the Brew Crew, makes the two-time All-Star an intriguing option for Boston.

Freddy Peralta has retired the last 19 batters he's faced today 🔥 pic.twitter.com/I6SNm6WMHx

— MLB (@MLB) April 2, 2025

Through 20 starts this season, Peralta has a 2.66 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.

Edward Cabrera, RHP, Miami Marlins

Cabrera has been linked to the Red Sox in trade rumors before, but that was when the former top prospect struggled to find his footing at the big-league level. He appears to have found it this season with Miami.

Seven shutout for Edward Cabrera. pic.twitter.com/xBqV5g48SN

— Marlins Radio Network (@MarlinsRadio) July 2, 2025

The 27-year-old has a 3.61 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 16 outings this season. Those numbers may not qualify him for the “impact starter” label, but he’s also under team control through 2028. Perhaps a change of scenery would turn Cabrera into the frontline starter he was expected to be when he entered the league in 2021.

Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Texas Rangers

Old friend alert! Would the Red Sox consider bringing the 2018 World Series champion back for another run? They should.

Eovaldi has been lights out for the Rangers this season, posting a 1.58 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 94 strikeouts and 14 walks over 16 starts. The 35-year-old is under team control through 2027.

Nathan Eovaldi's 7th and 8th Ks. pic.twitter.com/rGZlL19Okq

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 13, 2025

While he may not be the long-term “impact” starter Breslow has in mind, Eovaldi would boost the rotation while bringing valuable leadership and postseason experience to the Red Sox clubhouse.

Kris Bubic, LHP, Kansas City Royals

Bubic has been outstanding for Kansas City the last two seasons, but he could be available on the trade market this summer if the Royals — currently 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot — opt to sell.

The 27-year-old southpaw has posted a 2.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 18 starts to earn his first All-Star nod. He has one year of arbitration left on his contract and is scheduled to hit the free-agent market after the 2026 season.

Kris Bubic's 2Ks in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/sEu8DD7TAH

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 10, 2025

Bubic doesn’t have the track record of others on this list, but that shouldn’t dissuade Breslow from seeing what it’ll cost to get him into the rotation.

Seth Lugo, RHP, Kansas City Royals

The Red Sox nearly signed Lugo before the 2024 season, but the veteran right-hander chose to join the Royals instead. Will Boston find another way to finally get him into its rotation?

Seth Lugo, Three 3200+ RPM Curveball K. 🌪️ pic.twitter.com/3siwSPC4A1

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 28, 2025

Lugo still has plenty left in the tank at 35 years old. He was the 2024 AL Cy Young runner-up and has a 2.67 ERA through 17 starts this season. He’d only be a rental, but he’s a proven starter who could help Boston make a second-half push for a playoff berth.

Merrill Kelly, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Kelly has been a rock-solid starter for Arizona since joining the club as a rookie in 2019. He has continued the trend this year, posting a 3.34 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 20 starts. So, why would the Diamondbacks part ways with him?

As a long shot to clinch a playoff spot, Arizona is expected to sell off several key pieces ahead of the deadline, including Kelly and his expiring contract. Kelly is a 36-year-old rental who should be one of the more affordable pitchers on this list.

Merrill Kelly's 2Ks in the 3rd.

5Ks thru 3. pic.twitter.com/vH7O07bthd

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 28, 2025

Kelly was instrumental in the Diamondbacks making a surprise World Series appearance in 2023. Could he do it again with the Red Sox?

Zac Gallen, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Much like Cease, Gallen is a proven veteran starter in the midst of a rocky season. Also like Cease, he’s a 29-year-old former Cy Young finalist on an expiring contract.

This could be a perfect buy-low opportunity for Boston. Gallen’s 5.40 ERA is a bit worrisome, but he’s a strong candidate for a second-half bounce-back. He placed fifth in Cy Young voting in 2022 and third in 2023. If you can get a guy like that for relatively cheap, you pounce at the opportunity.

Zac Gallen ties his career high with 1️⃣3️⃣ strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/AeGEMVbXV9

— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2025

Why Giants' top 2025 draft pick Gavin Kilen sees Gavin Lux as a ‘great resource' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Gavin Kilen, whom the Giants selected No. 13 overall in Sunday’s 2025 MLB Draft, sees former top Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Gavin Lux as a mentor he can lean on as he navigates his professional baseball journey.

San Francisco’s first-round choice — and a fellow Wisconsin native — detailed his trust in Lux with reporters on Monday

“I’ve really never tried to mimic anybody, kind of throughout playing, but I feel like the easy one for me, I guess, would be Gavin Lux,” Kilen said when asked if he tries to replicate anyone’s game. “We played the same summer ball … here in Wisconsin. We had the same coach.

“I feel like I’ve grown in his shadow my entire life of being ‘Little Gav’ to ‘Big Gav’ because he was way older. I think that’s just the easy one to always say when people ask me that question.”

Kilen, a middle infielder like his older counterpart, played at Milton High School in Milton, WI, which is roughly an hour and a half drive from Lux’s Indian Trail High School and Academy in Kenosha.

The pair of Wisconsin natives are about six years apart, but already have been in contact about Kilen’s big-league future.

“Oh yeah,” Kilen said when asked if Lux is someone he talks to. “Just kind of [growing] up, same place, it’s kind of always been like ‘Big Gav,’ ‘Little Gav’ with him for the place we played at growing up.

“He texted me a lot this morning. We’ve been going back and forth the last two days since the draft, which has been pretty cool. His texting me was, you know, ‘All the fun stuff starts now.’”

Lux, currently slashing .265/.355/.379 with the Cincinnati Reds, is a six-year MLB veteran and a two-time World Series champion with the Dodgers. 

Perhaps San Francisco fans can appreciate Lux’s assistance in what ideally would be a long Bay Area career for Klein, now that he’s no longer a member of the Giants’ bitter rival.

“So, I’m sure we’ll have more talks and I’ll have plenty of questions, and he’s a great resource that I’m always gonna have,” Klein said about Lux.

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