Baseball News
After all that happened today, there is still a game tonight.
Shane Bieber gets the start, since he’s still there. Cristian Javier starts for Houston.
Daulton Varsho hits cleanup tonight for the Astros. That will be weird. He had a rather emotional press conference before the game. It does have to be hard on guys to leave their friends.
I’d still be ok with it if the Jays went on a bit of a roll. I’m not betting on it, but I’d be ok with it.
Go Jays Go.
When the MLB Trade Deadline came at 6 p.m. on Monday, the Yankees had added infielder Luis Garcia Jr. and outfielder Heliot Ramos. But the failure to add one of the big fish available at the deadline wasn’t for a lack of conversations had by general manager Brian Cashman.
Cashman revealed that the club had many conversations with Detroit about left-hander Tarik Skubal, who ended up being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Baltimore about catcher Adley Rutschman, who went to the Boston Red Sox.
"We've certainly been working at it for a long time; it’s always hard to find matches,” Cashman said Monday evening of the deadline talks.
While starting pitching is clearly a strength of the club, because of the excellence of the lefty, Cashman said, “We definitely made our phone calls and I talked to [Tigers president of baseball operations] Scott Harris several times about it.”
“We talked to Detroit, they set a high price,” Cashman said. “And, to be honest… we were unable to get them off what they said might work, but at the same time they were communicating that it also might not even win the day.
“They kinda went silent, I think after they got what they were looking for, and, ultimately, were wrestling whether they were gonna make the decision to move him or not. And then they made that decision. We feel like we didn't really match up in the end. We weren't able to compete at that level.”
Cashman said that the Tigers “did have some asks our way that we were unwilling to do.”
“It was a very specific ask, a certain player and players that we weren't willing to play with in that arena on Tarik Skubal, despite how great a pitcher he is," the Yankee GM said. “It’s another two months to go, plus the postseason, and that made it more difficult for us to be comfortable giving up the ask that was gonna go their way.”
Cashman said in the weeks leading up to the deadline that catcher was an area they were looking to improve with Austin Wells and Ali Sanchez struggling mightily at the plate.
Asked how close the club came to adding a catcher and Rutschman in particular, the GM said, “We grinded through the market at catching, ” but it was “a very thin market of opportunity.”
“We do believe we have quality catching, but obviously the offensive side, which has been a struggle for our team overall, not just at the catching position, made us certainly shop in that aisle,” Cashman said. “We had many conversations with Baltimore, as well, but were unable to meet the price. They did their business elsewhere.
“And we kept grinding through it, but ultimately at the end of the day there was no opportunity that existed that we felt good enough about to be able to push through on. There were very limited opportunities that were available in the marketplace, regardless, so I think that’s why probably Baltimore [did well]. And they did well. We had conversations with them, but to no avail.”
As far as the catchers on the roster, Cashman believes Wells is “trending in the right direction” of producing more at the plate.
“I think Austin has been getting his offense going this past month,” the GM said. “A much more closer version to what he’s capable of.”
“I know he’s capable of a lot, but we’ll see,” he continued. “Hopefully, the best is yet to come, and they're going to play big roles on both sides of the ball. [Wells] is extremely talented, knowledgeable in how he's handling our staff, and he does possess a lot of potential with that bat. Hopefully he's starting to finally tap into it."
One thing that won’t happen is Ben Rice seeing time behind the plate in any meaningful way.
“We’re not planning on having Rice catch now. He’s our third emergency catcher, but in terms of putting him in play for an everyday situation, we think he’s best served in being deployed in the capacity he has been this year,” Cashman said. “We are not considering him as a consistent catching option for us.”
Cashman did add that Rice is “capable of getting back there” if there are any late-game situations that require manager Aaron Boone making substitutions, but they will not “put him back there starting games.”
It’s time for a short memory to move past the three straight losses against the Red Sox, now visiting the Cubs.
St. Louis Cardinals trade SP Dustin May and LHRP JoJo Romero for (#11) OF Alexander Frias and (#13) OF Josiah Ragsdale
Grade: A
It took a while for Chaim Bloom to get their first deal across the finish line, but boy was it worth the wait.
OF Alexander Frias is a name Cardinals fans are going to know for a long time. At 18 years old, he’s posted a max EV of 117 this season, leading evaluators to believe he has plus-plus raw power, and if the Cardinals can help him make a tiny adjustment to add more loft into his swing, he could be a perennial 30 HR bat. Frias is considered a below-average runner but has exceptional arm strength, making him an ideal RF long-term. MLB Pipeline lists Frias as the Brewers’ number 11 prospect in the system, and Fangraphs had him as number 43 overall in all of baseball in their latest top 100 update. He demolished the FCL this year to the tune of a 1.196 OPS and has a modest .746 OPS against Low-A competition that is advanced for his age. Again, an 18-year-old who would be a High School Senior posting an above .700 OPS at the equivalent of Palm Beach is very impressive.
OF Josiah Ragsdale has made big strides this season from an offensive standpoint. The Brewers’ 7th-round pick in 2025, Ragsdale has posted a 1.127 OPS in his first month of Double-A and has 12 HR at that level ALREADY. A player who was considered a potential big-league 4th outfielder type has flashed offensive upside; 3rd-party evaluators didn’t think Ragsdale was capable of coming into the year has shifted his upside forward in a meaningful way. Ragsdale is considered a 70-grade runner and should be capable of sticking in CF long term.
The Cardinals sent mercenary Dustin May and rental LHRP JoJo Romero to a Milwaukee team that is the class of the division and is looking to fill out its roster fully as it prepares itself for a potentially inevitable clash with the evil empirical villain of MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dustin May slots in as a potential 3-4 starter in a top-heavy Brewers rotation, and JoJo Romero will be a 3rd lefty in their bullpen behind DL Hall and Aaron Ashby. Just as I’ve been saying for months now. JoJo is considered a high-leverage lefty in St. Louis, but he’s not particularly viewed that way across the league; he IS a valuable reliever nonetheless.
Overall, a deal for two rental pitchers in exchange for two outfielders who both have everyday potential (or more with Frias). It’s hard to give this deal anything other than an A, especially considering the path this organization has chosen going forward.
St. Louis Cardinals trade OF Lars Nootbaar to the Arizona Diamondbacks for (#5) RHP Daniel Eagan and (#26) Sandro Santana and a PTBNL
Grade: B- tentatively depending on the PTBNL
If Lars were healthy in the offseason, he likely would have been traded then. After only 8 weeks of health, the Arizona Diamondbacks are satisfied with the results, having parted with two of their top 30 arms to acquire him.
RHP Daniel Eagan was a 3rd-round pick in 2024 and fits the mold of the Cardinals player development group, getting a guy with a tall, projectable frame: 6’4 205 lbs, and his delivery features induced vertical break of up to 20 inches. Eagan’s primary offering is a plus curveball that sits in the low 80s and a mid 80’s Gyro slider that flashes above average. Eagan also throws a Splitter that has a chance to be MLB average as an offspeed offering. Eagan has posted a 4.95 ERA this season for Double-A Amarillo, but their park is also known to be a bit of a launching pad, and he has been posting a 4.43 ERA on the road as opposed to a 5.44 ERA at home. Overall, Eagan projects as a number 4 starter in the big leagues when all is said and done.
LHP Sandro Santana is a left-handed relief pitching prospect who has the potential to make his MLB debut as early as next season. Sitting mid 90’s with his fastball, it’s more about deception, arm slot, and placement on the rubber than it is about movement that allows the pitch to get swings and misses. Santana’s true calling card is a 70-grade slider/sweeper that he can work against either-handed hitters to both sides of the plate. He is also developing a changeup as a 3rd viable option. When you watch video of his delivery, it’s hard not to get JoJo Romero vibes.
It has been a rollercoaster experience with Lars Nootbaar, with the injuries he’s dealt with but also the moments of joy and excitement he’s brought over the years and his infectious personality and constant energy. Lars Nootbaar will leave a lasting legacy in Cardinals fans’ eyes of “what if” during an era in which most Cardinals fans will likely be eager to forget years down the road.
The ability to get two near big-league-ready arms within the next 2 seasons that fit the team’s current timeline, and being able to get a reasonable deal done after only 8 healthy weeks of Lars Nootbaar in 2026 when some were uncertain about his big-league career overall is a win. Nothing at present suggests the Cardinals received anything of wow in return for this deal, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a solid return. Thus the deal receives a B- grade with the chance to improve further based on who the PTBNL is.
St. Louis Cardinals acquire LHRP Caleb Ferguson from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for 250,000 dollars in International Bonus Pool money.
Grade: B
After JoJo Romero went down with appendicitis and had been out since the All-Star Break, the Cardinals had a clear and existing need for another left-handed option out of the bullpen. They tried to get by with George Soriano, Luis Gastelum, and Justin Bruihl as their counters to lefties, but it has not been a fruitful venture since the break. This acquisition allows the Cardinals an immediate boost to their bullpen that had allowed them to piece together games early in the season. The fact that the Cardinals didn’t have to give up a prospect to fulfill an immediate need down the stretch is a bonus.
Ferguson is primarily a Sinker/Slurve lefty that also throws a 4Seam FB and Cutter. Posting a 4.01 ERA but a 3.48 xERA lends to the theory that Ferguson could be marginally better for St. Louis with the high-level defense behind him. 11 Walks to 22 strikeouts in 24.2 IP this year; if the Cardinals can get him more in the zone, you can see an easier pathway to Ferguson becoming a more effective reliever almost immediately. Just a quick side note on Ferguson’s slurve. He generates over 3,000 RPM’s of spin on the pitch (elite) but only throws it 15% of the time. That seems like a pitch he should throw more often. Just my two cents!
If you’re someone who likes to put down a little extra spending money on your sports consumption, you can head over to FanDuel. Maybe you think the Cardinals can go on a little run now that the pressure of the deadline is over, and you think the Cardinals can snag that last wild card spot! Only being 4 games out of the final spot, the Cardinals are currently +1200 to make the playoffs! That would be a good value play if you believe in the first half of the team as compared to what they’ve been out of the break.
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The superteam Dodgers continue to draw ire for their largesse, including adding Tarik Skubal to their already deep rotation. But perhaps as an olive branch, they sometimes show their frailty as well. Dalton Rushing’s arm irritation that got him scratched from Sunday’s start is now right elbow inflammation that landed the catcher on the injured list.
Emmet Sheehan was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after allowing three home runs and five runs in his 2 2/3 innings in Sunday’s loss to the Boston Red Sox. Sheehan on the season in his 20 starts has a 5.29 ERA, which ranks 96th among the 105 major league pitchers with at least 90 innings, despite a 3.96 xERA that ranks 45th.
“Everyone knows what we think of him. I mean, the talent is there, the care, the preparedness, all that stuff is there,” manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday’s loss. “But it’s just, when you’re pitching in the big leagues, you’ve got to get guys out.”
With Sheehan optioned, that means Eric Lauer remains in the rotation for now after originally appearing headed for relief work or even a possible trade. Lauer will start Wednesday in Chicago, Roberts told reporters at Wrigley Field on Monday, per Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic.
The Dodgers earlier Monday acquired old friend Ben Rortvedt to help with their catching depth, then alsotraded for another old friend in Hunter Feduccia from the Rays. But with Rushing out they also needed another active catcher today, which is why Chuckie Robinson is back, selected to the roster ahead of the team’s series opener at Wrigley Field.
Eliezer Alfonso starts at catcher on Monday against the Cubs, as he did on Sunday against the Red Sox.
Also back is Jonathan Hernández, who had 12 mostly low-leverage appearances for the Dodgers earlier this season. He posted an 8.15 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 12 walks in 17 2/3 innings before getting designated for assignment on June 30, and was sent outright to Triple-A on July 2.
In seven games with Oklahoma City the 29-year-old Hernández had a 6.14 ERA with nine walks and six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers already had an open spot on the roster after Cole Irvin was designated for assignment on Saturday. They opened another spot by acquiring Kris Bubic — who is on the 60-day injured list — from the Kansas City Royals for Carlos Durán earlier Monday. Feduccia took up one of those 40-man roster spots when his trade was finalized.
To add both Robinson and Hernández, the Dodgers had to clear one more 40-man spot, and Wyatt Mills was designated for assignment after throwing 53 pitches in his two innings on Sunday night. Mills appeared in six games for the Dodgers this season, and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits, nine walks, and two hit batters, with five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
Tarik Skubal, who will start on Tuesday, was added to the active roster, taking Mills’ spot there.
There’s nothing like waiting until the last minute, and that’s exactly what happened on an action-packed day across the MLB as the trade deadline came and went at 4 p.m. MDT on Monday.
The Rockies waded into the chaos, making three of their four trades in the final hours on Monday, but didn’t end up dealing Hunter Goodman, who weighed heavily in the trade rumor mill. Colorado started the day by dealing center fielder Brenton Doyle to the Chicago White Sox, then sent former starter and current RHP reliever Antonio Senzatela to the Milwaukee Brewers and finished off by shipping right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik to the Miami Marlins. Earlier in July, the Rockies traded RHP reliever Seth Halvorsen to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
To fill two of the roster holes, the Rockies called up outfielder Jordan Beck and RHP Nick Frasso from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Now, it’s time to get back to baseball. That is, if the weather will allow it.
After notching triple digits again on Monday, a storm appears to be rolling in.
Stay tuned to Purple Row for any weather updates.
Starting tonight, the Rockies will finish a six-game homestand with a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (65-46). Colorado (45-67) is coming off a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals when they happened to first match and then surpass their 43-win total from 2025.
RHP Michael Lorenzen (3-9, 6.54) will be on the mound for the Rockies. Lorenzen is coming off back-to-back short starts. Most recently, he gave up three runs on eight hits with one walk and two strikeouts in four innings of work in an 8-7 loss in San Diego on July 28. On July 21, the Nationals beat him up, shelling him for six runs 0n seven hits, including two homers, with one walk and five strikeouts in an 8-7 loss at Coors Field.
LHP Ian Seymour (7-3, 4.37) will get the start for the AL East-leading Rays. A second-round pick from 2020 who made his MLB debut in 2025, Seymour, 27, has made 36 appearances for Tampa Day this season, but only seven have been starts. He’s 2-2 as a starter with a 5.34 ERA, and he’s made it at least five innings in five of those starts. Today will mark Seymour’s first appearance at Coors Field.
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
Rays SB Nation Site:DRaysBay
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CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are poised to acquire pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets for touted infield prospect Jefferson Rojas.
It’s the latest effort by the busy Cubs to replenish an injury-depleted pitching staff as they attempt to chase down first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central and hang onto the National League’s top wild-card spot.
Earlier in the day, Chicago obtained reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels for two minor leaguers: catcher Moisés Ballesteros and right-hander Mason McGwire — son of retired slugger Mark McGwire. The team also added left-hander Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins for a pair of minor leaguers: infielder Jonathon Long and right-hander Jace Beck.
Garrett was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Those deals came one day after the Cubs augmented their rotation by acquiring veteran starter Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Holmes appears just about ready to return from a broken right leg that has sidelined him since mid-May. He was 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA in nine starts before getting hurt.
The late actor and director Rob Reiner was a devoted Dodgers fan.
Sunday would have meant a lot to him.
Jake and Romy Reiner threw out the ceremonial first pitches at Dodger Stadium before the team’s game against the Boston Red Sox, more than seven months after their parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, were found dead at their Brentwood home.
Jake Reiner, a 35-year-old actor and reporter, threw his pitch straight down the middle to Dodgers outfielder Alex Call behind the plate. Romy Reiner, a 28-year-old actor and writer, sent her pitch a little high and outside, but her catcher, Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, had no trouble handling it.
Read more:Rob Reiner receives posthumous Emmy nomination for 'The Bear'
Afterward, the siblings shared a heartfelt hug next to the mound.
Jake Reiner, who co-hosts the Dodgers-based podcast “The Incline,” wrote about his and his father’s connection through the Boys in Blue in a Substack column posted in April.
“We loved the Dodgers more than anything,” Jake wrote. “We went to so many damn games. I’ll never go to Dodger Stadium again without feeling my dad’s presence and hearing his voice tell me why Shohei Ohtani should never bat in the leadoff spot.”
When Rob Reiner threw out a ceremonial first pitch before a Dodgers-Braves game in 2010, Jake was photographed helping him warm up.
Rob Reiner told People in 2023 that he became a die-hard fan through his own father, Carl Reiner, and that he made it a point to pass the same love for the sport on to Jake. The family has had Dodgers season tickets for about 60 years, with Reiner telling People that he and Jake “would go to at least 25 or 40 games a year.”
Read more:Commentary: As news of Rob Reiner's killing worsens, let's remember his legacy rooted in empathy
“Every time we come to the ballpark, even today when we walked in, I said to Jake, ‘There’s nothing like being at the ballpark,’” Rob Reiner said. “I love coming here. We look out at the grass. The green, it’s so beautiful.”
Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele, 70, were found by Romy Reiner when she went to their home the afternoon of Dec. 14. Their other son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested on suspicion of murdering his parents by stabbing in December. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.
Nick Reiner has struggled with addiction for years and had been living in a guesthouse on his parents’ property, according to a family friend. His mother was said to have become increasingly concerned about his mental health in the weeks leading up to her death.
“The Dodgers express our deep sorrow and share our condolences over the passing of longtime fan Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele,” the team posted Dec. 15 on X.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Better positioned to attack the market than any other club, the Dodgers were aggressive at this year’s deadline. Contextualizing for the position they were in, what they set out to accomplish, and what it took to get there, it’s inevitable to conclude it was a successful deadline for the reigning back-to-back champs, worthy of an A grade.
No matter what were to happen, the Dodgers would still come out of the deadline as the favorites to win the World Series. That being said, the addition of Tarik Skubal combined with more underwhelming moves from their top rivals justifies their current odds as +160 to complete the threepeat. Even though all three division leaders in the National League possess similar records, the Dodgers are still heavy favorites to secure the NL’s number one seed, currently at -370.
As evident now as ever, one of the keys to the Dodgers’ success is the ability to make measured decisions with both the short-term and long-term future in mind—a team unafraid to fully explore their vast resources without being inconsequential in their approach. Skubal’s acquisition fulfilled plenty of expectations, but no one can accuse the Dodgers of being held hostage by the Tigers.
Even with the departure of Zyhir Hope as the headliner, the Dodgers retain a loaded pool of outfield prospects from which they can benefit for years to come. When it comes to River Ryan, his development needed a breakthrough only a guaranteed big league spot with no leash could provide, and that was more than the Dodgers could afford to give him right now.
It was the perfect storm not only for the Dodgers to acquire Skubal but also to do so with a reasonable package, if there is such a thing. For most teams competing at an absolute high level, the reward of two months-plus of Skubal wasn’t worth the loss of such highly prized assets as the ones the Dodgers gave up.
Depth is also what allows the Dodgers to go on the trading market for not one but two currently sidelined pitchers, whose potential contributions in 2026 are major question marks. Kris Bubic represents a shot in the dark, which was reflected in the return sent to the Royals—the lefty is still roughly a month away from returning to a big league mound and is a free agent at the end of the year. Now, Seth Halvorsen is a far more intriguing addition, possessing the raw ability to be molded into a weapon out of the bullpen capable of reaching triple digits, and also controllable through the end of the 2030 campaign. Halvorsen is currently in the minors completing a rehab assignment, still with 3 MiLB options.
Going back to familiar names, the Dodgers added catching depth by acquiring both Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia from the Mets and Rays, respectively. The Dodgers will be able to freely select who stays on next to Rushing in the big league roster since Feduccia still has one option and Rortvedt is not currently on the 40-man roster. Alongside Feduccia, the Dodgers also added minor leaguer Jacob Kmatz, a 23-year-old pitcher currently with a sub-1.00 WHIP in Double-A.
Between Landyn Vidourek and Nick Frasso going to the Rockies, Carlos Duran to the Royals, Chayce McDermott to the Mets, and Jack Suwinski to the Rays, the hit that the organizational depth of the Dodgers takes to complete these moves is minimal.
If we want to get extremely nitpicky, assessing the price for a few of the veteran relievers who were moved, such as Luke Weaver and A.J. Minter, the Dodgers could’ve pulled the trigger on adding a more experienced option. And that may be the only thing keeping us from an A+.
The MLB trade deadline is behind us, and numerous All-Stars have been shipped elsewhere to play out the remainder of the 2026 season. With the departure of those superstars comes an influx of minor league talent, players that may not be household names just yet, but they may very well be in a few years.
That said, there may not be such a massive shift in these rankings. Prior to the start of the trade frenzy, USA TODAY Sports rated the Los Angeles Dodgers as boasting the best farm system in Major League Baseball. Despite trading for the crown jewel of the deadline in two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, the Dodgers didn't have to give up very much at all, only giving up one of their top-five prospects in the deal.
So, do the Dodgers retain their top spot? Who's the biggest riser? And who gave up the most of their future? We're looking beyond the 2026 trade deadline at which teams boast the best pool of prospects in their minor league systems.
NOTE: Top prospects listed per mlb.com
Top 5 prospects:
A team everyone thought would sell wound up buying at the deadline, acquiring LHP Robbie Ray from divisional rival San Francisco. In doing so, they did need to give away a top-five prospect in Miguel Mendez, though. They also needed to send another borderline top-10 prospect as well.
They couldn't stop there though. The Padres also acquired Casey Mize and Gage Workman from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for their No. 2 prospect Kash Mayfield. The Padres have somehow managed to give away all of their future talent not named Ethan Salas over the last few seasons.
An already shallow pool of prospects was made even shallower.
Top 5 prospects:
While Alvarez and Neyens are two of the best prospects the Astros have had in years, the Astros still don't boast a very impressive farm system. The team had a great opportunity to sell at this year's deadline but after winning 11 of 12 games between July 20 and August 2, the team burst into the buyer category, thus putting their farm system at even greater risk.
Thankfully for the organization's future, the team did not make any deals involving prospects, though Houston did trade starting RHP Spencer Arrighetti to the Toronto Blue Jays for Daulton Varsho. Maybe it's because they realized they couldn't afford to trade away what little talent they had left. Or maybe it was because the team continuously got outbid by teams with better prospect pools.
Top 5 prospects:
The Cubs did well at this year's deadline to acquire exactly what they needed without giving up too much in return. Still, in acquiring starting pitcher and two-time All-Star Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays, the Cubs did have to send away two solid prospects in CF Brett Bateman and SS Ty Southisene.
The pair have each immediately jumped into the Blue Jays' top-20 prospects, who don't have a bad farm system themselves. That shows you the level of talent they gave up, hence why they fall in these updated rankings.
The biggest loss was in the acquisition of Clay Holmes, trading away No. 2 prospect Jefferson Rojas to the New York Mets.
Top 5 prospects:
The recent graduation of key prospects such as Ryan Waldschmidt drastically lower the ceiling for this group. Just a few weeks ago, Waldschmidt was still considered a prospect, hence why they were rated slightly higher in our previous rankings.
The only move of note from the D-Backs was the acquisition of Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals, which slightly lowers the D-Backs in our rankings.
Top 5 prospects:
When we last ranked these teams, the Mets stood in last place, and despite trading away players like Brooks Raley, Huascar Brazobán, and Freddy Peralta, the team didn't add any game-changing prospects until the Clay Holmes trade. Adding Jefferson Rojas is a huge get for the Mets, and a huge blow for the Cubs.
While the team did add some depth beyond their top 10 in players like Aidan Smith, Émilien Pitre, and Gary Gill Hill, their trade deadline lacked any serious punch to immediately enhance their future. It's a good step for a lowly farm system, but given how weak it was before, adding depth doesn't do much to help.
Top 5 prospects:
Finally! It seems like the Angels are actually starting a rebuild. The shining moment of the trade deadline was undoubtedly the move to send Jose Soriano to the Blue Jays. Acquiring Arjun Nimmala was a massive get for this team as he will likely slot into the Angels' top-five prospects immediately.
Top 5 prospects:
The Royals didn't have much to offer at this year's deadline but did make slight improvements to their farm system, adding Lucas Braun to the team via the Lane Thomas trade. Braun is a borderline top-10 prospect within the Royals' organization but adds to an already loaded group of right-handed pitchers near the top of the farm system.
Top 5 prospects:
In trading away Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays were able to add a bit of depth to a somewhat top-heavy farm system. It was a solid move and about as much as the team could've expected to get for someone of Gausman's caliber.
The big blow came when the team traded away SS Arjun Nimmala to the Angels. Given the strength of the AL East this season, the lack of high-end talent in the farm currently, and Soriano's struggles as the 2026 season has worn on, this feels like a poor deal that has set the Blue Jays' farm system back.
Top 5 prospects:
The Braves were able to grab some depth at key places on their roster without giving up too much. The biggest prospect that departed with was pitcher Lucas Braun who was sent to Kansas City, but he doesn't even crack the Royals' top 10.
The Braves fall slightly in our rankings, but fans in Atlanta should not be discouraged about the team's future.
Top 5 prospects:
The additions of Luis Arraez and Brooks Raley came at a cost, but not too hefty. Considering how sought after both of those players were, you'd expect the team to have given up one of their top prospects, and while the loss of Ramon Marquez is certainly a hit, it could've been much worse.
Marquez's departure certainly thins out an already shallow pitching pool, but the Phillies could certainly afford to move off Marquez since they still flex four pitchers within their top-10 prospects.
Top 5 prospects:
The Boston Red Sox certainly gave up a lot of prospects for Adley Rutschman: right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, center fielder Enddy Azocar and catcher Carlos Narvaez Will it be worth it? Probably not, and in doing so, they've helped bolster a division rival's future.
Top 5 prospects:
The Rangers' farm system remains mostly intact following the trade deadline. While they did give away a mid-tier prospect in Angel Arredondo in exchange for Logan O'Hoppe and Chase Silseth, they also acquired Adam Macko.
Neither player is a real game-changer in the system, meaning the Rangers pretty much stand in the same spot they did before the deadline.
Top 5 prospects:
Sometimes the best move is no move at all. The Reds have a rather young roster and are currently last place in the NL Central. But despite being in last place, the team is just a few games under .500. They could've taken this opportunity to trade away some of their stronger pieces but instead, they opted to keep everyone intact and hope their current core can develop into a playoff-contending team within the next few years.
Top 5 prospects:
In acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Mets, the Rays did need to give away some solid mid-tier prospects in Aidan Smith, Emilien Pitre, and Gary Gill Hill. However, given how deep the Rays' farm system is and how bad the Mets' system is, the loss isn't too bad.
All three of those guys were borderline top 30 for the Rays but immediate top-20 impacts for the Mets. With that in mind, the addition to the Mets was much greater than the subtraction from the Rays.
The real loss came with the acquisition of Liam Hicks. Brayden Taylor, Adrian Santana, and Jacob Kisting were mid-to-high-tier prospects, making this deal feel like a bit of an overpay for the Miami catcher.
Top 5 prospects:
The A's didn't really have the means to do anything. Their talent is either too high a price, too young to properly evaluate yet, or not worth anything at all. With that in mind, their decision to do nothing fits. While the team still needs to find some pitching, no amount of prospects would've been worth getting rid of guys like Kurtz or Langeliers.
The A's remained stagnant at the deadline, and they remain pretty stagnant in our rankings.
Top 5 prospects:
Prior to the deadline, the Pirates didn't boast a great system. It was rather mediocre, middle of the pack. However, despite that, the team was able to acquire one of the more sought-after arms in Luke Weaver without giving up a top-five prospect in return.
The price certainly wasn't cheap by any means, needing to give away a top-10 project in Sammy Stafura, but all in all, it was a great move that didn't compromise the team's future all that much.
Top 5 prospects:
Trading away Taylor Ward should've given the Orioles something, anything. But the Mariners, with their deep farm system were able to acquire the outfielder without spending any of their top-to-mid tier pitching prospects.
The three names barely move the needle on Baltimore's farm system, but at least this team didn't give any prospects away in the deal.
Then, the Adley Rutschman trade happened. My oh my, what a haul. Baltimore was able to acquire four of Boston's top-21 prospects, two of their top three, three of their top five, and two top-100's in the deal. That's a huge get for a team that was looking rather stagnant at the deadline.
Top 5 prospects:
The decision to deal Brenton Doyle was a smart one and netted the Rockies two depth pieces. It doesn't add much, but it's enough to feel good about Colorado's deadline despite holding onto someone with immense value like Hunter Goodman.
The acquisitions of Connor Norby and Aiden May also help slightly but don't do enough to really elevate the Rockies.
Top 5 prospects:
In acquiring Luis Garcia Jr. from the Nationals, the Yankees gave away three prospects in Yovanny Cruz, Jake Bird, and Ben Grable. It was a reasonable price for someone who has been near the top of the league in home runs since the start of June.
Given the depth of the Yankees' system, none of those prospects will be missed too sorely, but they were some valuable depth to the system. New York falls ever so slightly in our rankings.
Top 5 prospects:
Obviously, Giants fans would've loved to see guys like Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers, and/or Willy Adames shipped away this year, but the team didn't need to give away too much while acquiring some solid prospects.
Guys like Miguel Mendez, Joniel Hernandez, and Ramon Marquez are all immediate top-30 guys in the Giants' system and give the team some much needed pitching depth.
The Heliot Ramos deal also acquired a borderline top-five prospect from the Yankees in Henry Lalane. This was a massive get for the Giants, offering them much more pitching depth in the minors than they came into the deadline with.
Top 5 prospects:
For a team that couldn't decide whether to buy or sell, the choice to trade for A.J. Minter and Dean Kremer was certainly one of the strangest decisions of this year's deadline. While none of the prospects given up were that highly-touted, the Twins' strength was their depth and now that has been thinned. If they do not reach the postseason, this deadline will feel like a hugely missed opportunity.
Top 5 prospects:
The loss of Jacob Cozart stings. Cozart was a rare left-handed hitting catcher with very solid pop. Sure, he had some strikeout issues, but the minor leagues are meant to iron out those problems. Outside of that deal though, the Guardians didn't see much change in their farm system.
As for the Foster Griffin trade with the Nationals, the Guardians really didn't give up all that much, only sacrificing one top-30 prospect for an All-Star pitcher. That's well worth it.
Top 5 prospects:
At the time of the original ranking, Braden Montgomery was still considered a prospect. His graduation to the big leagues already would've seen the White Sox fall a few spots. However, the moves for Brenton Doyle and Huascar Brazoban also thinned out the team's prospects without much in return. Albeit, Chicago did not give up much in those deals.
Top 5 prospects:
While the Tigers likely could've gotten more for Tarik Skubal, there's no denying that their farm system has improved dramatically, with two new players entering their top-five prospects immediately, both of whom should be ready for the majors by 2027.
The Tigers also added one of the Padres' top prospects in Kash Mayfield by dealing away Casey Mize to the Padres. That was an excellent get as well that moves the Tigers up substantially in these rankings.
Top 5 prospects:
The Hicks trade put some solid pieces into the Marlins' system in Brayden Taylor, Adrian Santana, and Jacob Kisting. All three are immediate top-25 prospects for the Marlins, giving Miami one of the most impactful trades that will likely go by quietly.
Top 5 prospects:
The Cardinals took advantage of a desperate Brewers team, willing to overspend to acquire some pitching help. Dustin May and JoJo Romero were not worth two mid-tier prospects, which is exactly what St. Louis got in return. While Frias and Ragsdale are not expected to be massive, huge-impact players, they will provide depth and potential big league value to the club in the future.
Top 5 prospects:
In acquiring Dustin May and JoJo Romero, the Brewers slightly overpaid, offering two mid-tier prospects and losing a bit of depth along the way.
But, Milwaukee still boast one of the deepest farm systems in baseball with a myriad of high-tier guys as well.
Top 5 prospects:
The Luis Garcia Jr. deal certainly added some pop to the Nationals' farm system. While none of the players acquired crack the team's top-20 prospects, they are clear top-30 in the system and provide some serious depth to an already loaded farm.
The Nationals certainly could've gotten more for Foster Griffin though, only acquiring one top-30 prospect in the deal with the Guardians. It helps, but not enough to climb into the top-two.
Top 5 prospects:
Oh, the Dodgers lost one of their dozens of great outfield prospects? Whatever will they do. Given how deep the Dodgers' prospect pool is and how highly-touted their top prospects are, the acquisition of Skubal was merely a small scratch on a Ferrari.
Top 5 prospects:
While acquiring Taylor Ward obviously cost the Mariners some prospects, the guys they gave up weren't the cream of their crop. In fact, it's hard to argue against Seattle rising in our rankings at all after this deadline. They kept basically all of their potentially impactful guys and acquired an immediate-impact outfielder.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Best MLB farm systems after trade deadline? Power rankings of all 30 teams
Sometimes in baseball, the media overuses the term “crucial series” in the regular season. But make no mistake, the San Diego Padres taking on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a four-game set at Chase Field this week is crucial for both teams.
From the Padres’ perspective, a series sweep causes a direct swing in the Wild-Card postseason standings. Heading into tonight’s contest, one game separates the Friars from the Philadelphia Phillies and D-Backs atop the standings. The winner of this series could create their own path to securing a postseason berth.
How crucial is this four-game set? San Diego pushed Michael King (6-7, 3.38 ERA) back a day from his scheduled start. No question, the club wants to set the tone by having its best starting pitcher on the mound for the series opener.
It does not hurt that King is 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five career starts against Arizona. Over the last month, he has pitched well; King is 1-0 with a 3.51 ERA. The right-hander had four no-decisions in July, his lone victory against the Diamondbacks at Petco Park on July 8.
The Snakes will counter with Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 4.00 ERA) tonight. He struggled at the start of the season and was sent back to the minors.
The D-Backs minor league pitching coordinators shortened his delivery and moved Pfaadt to the first-base side of the rubber. Suddenly, everything began clicking for the starter. Injuries to the rotation forced Arizona to call up Pfaadt. He has been outstanding, going 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA.
The right-hander is poised to increase the D-Backs’ Wild-Card lead over the Padres with a home win this evening.
The Friars head into the desert going 9-1 on their recent homestand. The offense has come alive since the All-Star break. The team’s batting average has risen by 9 points during this hot streak. The lineup is leaning on Jackson Merrill, who has been the Padres’ primary run-producer (19 hits, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs, and 19 runs scored).
The D-Backs had their own offensive resurgence. It began on July 9 following a series in San Diego. They went on a tear, going 14-6 and scoring a league-high 118 runs during this stretch. It propelled them back in the Wild-Card chase.
This is a crucial series because the number of remaining games is dwindling between both teams.
The San Francisco Giants (or what’s left of them) begin a three-game road series against the Texas Rangers this afternoon.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Logan Webb, who enters tonight’s game with a 3.93 ERA, 3.42 FIP, with 93 strikeouts to 30 walks in 119 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 16-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, in which he allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk in six innings.
As of the time this is being written, the Rangers have not yet announced a starting pitcher for tonight’s game. You can check down in the comments for more up to date information.
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Who: San Francisco Giants (47-65) vs. Texas Rangers (55-57)
Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
When: 5:05 p.m. PT
Regional broadcast: n/a
National broadcast: ESPN
Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM
After what was a fairly quiet trade deadline for Milwaukee through roughly 2 p.m. CT, the Brewers finally made their first move at roughly 2:15, acquiring right-handed starter Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero in a trade with the Cardinals, per Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic.
Nearly 40 minutes later, Brewer beat reporter Adam McCalvy has reported that the return in the deal is outfield prospects Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale.
May, 29 in September, is a former third-round pick by the Dodgers back in 2016. Initially ranked as a top prospect, he had a strong start to his career with Los Angeles before missing the entire 2024 season due to injury. He struggled in 2025 between the Dodgers and Red Sox, with a 4.96 ERA and 4.88 FIP across 132 1/3 innings, but he’s looked better this year with St. Louis.
Across 21 starts this season, he’s 5-7 with a 4.38 ERA, 3.14 FIP, and 106 strikeouts over 109 innings. Despite that high ERA, you can see from his FIP that a stronger defense should do him some favors, and as a groundball pitcher, Milwaukee may just be the perfect fit. He tossed a complete game shutout against the Padres earlier this year, and he also took a no-hitter against the Brewers into the eighth inning back in May, flashing his potential.
Romero, 30 in September, is a former fourth-round pick by the Phillies in 2016. He’s in his seventh big-league season and fifth with the Cardinals, and he’s been a reliable arm for St. Louis for several years now, with a 3.07 ERA, 3.60 FIP, and 207 strikeouts over 214 innings for them between 2022 and 2026. He’s made 44 appearances this year with a 3.35 ERA, 4.00 FIP, and 43 strikeouts across 43 innings, though he’s missed the last several weeks after an emergency appendectomy. He’s expected to return to action by mid-August.
Frias, 18, and Ragsdale, 22, both ranked among Milwaukee’s top prospects. Frias, ranked No. 11 in the system by MLB Pipeline, was an international signee out of the Dominican Republic in January 2025 and was hitting .236/.328/.418 in 28 games with Low-A Wilson after hitting .441/.518/.678 in 32 games at Rookie ball to begin the year.
Ragsdale, ranked as Milwaukee’s No. 13 prospect by MLB Pipeline, started the season at High-A Wisconsin before a call up to Double-A Biloxi, and he’s hit .316/.441/.581 with 19 homers, 21 doubles, two triples, and 31 steals over 86 games between the two levels. He was a seventh-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Boston College.
Luis Garcia Jr. grew up in New York, rooting for the Yankees.
While his family moved to the Dominican Republic when he was 8 years old, Garcia has rocked No. 2 most of his life because Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano were two of his favorite players growing up.
Now 26 years old, he has the opportunity to put the pinstripes on himself.
“It means so much,” Garcia said Monday via a translator. “I was born here in New York, so to be able to play for this team, you ask players and I think everybody wants an opportunity to wear these pinstripes.
“Also to be able to be able to play in front of my family, it means a lot -- I have a lot of family members here in the city still, so to be able to do that, it’s going to be a pretty cool opportunity.”
Garcia, of course, was acquired in a deal with the Nationals on Sunday night.
It remains to be seen where exactly he’ll fit in defensively with the Bombers, as he spent the majority of his time with the Nationals this season starting at first base.
He'll likely stick there or slide in as the DH most nights against right-handed pitching, but is ready for whatever opportunities his new club decides to throw his way.
“I’m just here to help,” Garcia emphasized. “Wherever they need me, I’m going to be right there -- that’s the honest answer regarding on that front, I’m just here to help this team.”
The biggest boost he'll be able to provide certainly will be with his bat.
Garcia has always been a relatively steady producer, but he's been enjoying himself a breakout season offensively, putting together 23 homers and a NL-best .560 slugging percentage through 104 games.
One of the biggest keys behind that has been him pulling the ball in the air at a career-best rate (18.6), which figures to make him a nearly perfect fit for the short porch in the Bronx.
"That’s one of the adjustments I’ve made this year, get the ball in the more and pull it with authority," he said. "It's no secret playing here at Yankee Stadium it's exciting to be part of that, so we'll see what happens."
We’re counting down to the final two hours until the trade deadline at 4:00 pm MDT.
As a reminder, the Colorado Rockies traded CF Brenton Doyle to the Chicago White Sox.
Rumors suggest the Rockies will make at least one more trade.
Stay hydrated, everyone. Be sure to keep breathing.
Let’s do this.
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