SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants third baseman Casey Schmitt left the game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the bottom of the second inning due to a left knee injury.
Schmitt appeared to hurt his left leg after rounding first base following a single to right field. He showed discomfort and was grasping at his lower left leg after the play.
Schmitt was able to walk off the field on his own power, limping with a trainer at his side as he left the game. Schmitt was replaced by backup Christian Koss and the Giants went on to beat the Brewers 3-0.
“Scary moment there for him,” manager Tony Vitello said after the game. “He’s a unique personality, but he’s definitely got a level of toughness to him. And you go out there and he was really struggling just to kind of even move around there with (head trainer Dave Groeschner) checking on him.”
Schmitt will undergo an MRI and it is not yet known whether he’ll be added to the injury list. Regardless, Vitello doesn’t expect Schmitt to be back right away.
“At this point, (he is) probably going to miss some significant time,” Vitello said. “But based off what we see tomorrow, be interesting what (Groeschner) has, hoping it’s as limited an amount of time as possible.”
Schmitt adds to San Francisco’s growing injury list as the team was already without third baseman Matt Chapman (abdominal strain) and outfielders Jung Hoo Lee (right elbow soreness), and Victor Bericoto (left oblique strain).
Vitello commented that with Schmitt’s injury, rather than rush starter Chapman back, they’ll look to another player to fill in at third base.
Schmitt is hitting .271 with 21 home runs and 55 RBIs, all career bests. Schmitt signed a one-year, $810,000 contract this past year.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Curtis Mead left his first game with the Boston Red Sox after being hit on the left wrist by a pitch against the Athletics.
Mead struck out looking in the first at-bat of his Boston debut and was struck on the wrist by A’s starter Jack Perkins in the fourth. Mead tried to shake off the pain, but left the game after being checked by an athletic trainer.
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said X-rays were negative, but Mead will undergo more tests.
“Looks like we dodged a bullet, maybe,” Tracy told reporters after Boston’s 4-2 win over the A’s.
The Red Sox acquired Mead in a trade that sent left-hander Connelly Early to Washington.
Mead is hitting .253 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs this season.
PITTSBURGH — Pirates rookie outfielder Esmeryln Valdez was removed from Pittsburgh’s 3-2 win against Arizona after being hit in the left hand by a pitch.
Valdez, who has 14 homers in limited playing time this season, took a 92 mph fastball from Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly that smacked into the area around his left wrist.
The 22-year-old Valdez, who entered with 24 RBIs in July, winced in pain while being tended to by medical staff. He walked slowly toward the Pittsburgh dugout and was replaced by Jared Triolo.
Pirates manager Don Kelly had no immediate update on Valdez’s status following the game. Valdez was in the clubhouse afterward but was not made available to reporters.
“I know it’s an uncertain time for him,” Pittsburgh second baseman Brandon Lowe said. “We’re praying that he gets the best news possible.”
Valdez’s emergence has helped the Pirates stay in playoff contention despite injuries to outfielder Oneil Cruz, shortstop Konnor Griffin and first baseman Spencer Horwitz. Valdez is one of six players since RBIs became an official statistic in 1920 to have at least 14 home runs and 36 RBIs in his first 37 games.
“He’s been playing great in right field — it’s not just the home runs,” Lowe said. “He’s taking really mature at-bats. He’s been fantastic for us.”
ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs designated right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon for assignment before the start of a four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals.
In a corresponding move, the Cubs selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Andrew Wantz from Triple-A Iowa.
In his last start, Taillon allowed seven earned runs, with three home runs in four innings, in an 8-7 loss to Pittsburgh. That outing raised his ERA to 5.92 on the season.
In 15 starts, Taillon had a career-worst 5.92 ERA with a 2-6 record. He has allowed the National League’s most home runs this season with 25 on 76 hits.
Taillon, 34, went 2-6 with a 5.92 ERA in 15 starts this season with the Cubs. He is in the final year of a four-year, $68 million contract.
The 30-year-old Wantz has a 5.63 ERA in 48 innings this season in the minors. He has a 4.20 ERA in the majors across 120 innings.
Prior to being signed as a minor league free agent by the Cubs on June 6, Wantz was with the Tampa Bay organization. He made one relief appearance this season for the Rays.
In his big league career, Wantz is 5-1 with a 4.20 ERA in 92 appearances and four starts with the Los Angeles Angels (2021-2024) and Tampa Bay (2026). He was originally selected by the Angels in the seventh round of the 2018 draft out of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 25: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers stretches before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 25, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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The Texas Rangers are currently two games up in an underwhelming American League West race, would should have us talking about the team being buyers in the run up to Monday’s trade deadline.
Instead, however, there’s been more and more talk of late suggesting that the Rangers should be selling at least one key player — shortstop Corey Seager.
Despite MVP-caliber performance when he’s been on the field during his time with the Rangers, Seager’s history of injuries, his slow start to the 2026 season, and his contract — he’s owed $31.5 million per year from 2027-31, with 10/5 rights giving him full no-trade protection when the 2026 season ends — have prompted calls from some corners to move Seager now, in the middle of the pennant race, arguing the team is better without him and his contract than with him.
So we reluctantly offer up this week’s Rangers Reacts Survey question…should the Rangers trade Corey Seager before the trade deadline hits on Monday?
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The somewhat surprising DFA of Jameson Taillon Monday hints that the Cubs are on the cusp of making a trade, or more than one.
For now, Andrew Wantz has taken Taillon’s roster spot. That gives the Cubs an eight-man bullpen for the time being, presuming Javier Assad is going to be held back to start Friday against the Yankees at Wrigley Field.
But that also leaves an open question: Will the Cubs trade for a starter before next Monday’s deadline? Or more than one? And might they also add relief help?
I think we are all pretty much assuming the Cubs will try to add one good starting pitcher. But will they make more deals than that?
Vote in the SB Nation Reacts survey below and I’ll have the final results here later in the week.
Jul 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The MLB 2026 trade deadline of Monday, August 3 at 4:00 p.m. MDT is fast approaching.
The Colorado Rockies (and, frankly, most teams) were disappointingly quiet on Monday, but it’s a new day, so we can all hope for action.
As the day progresses, we’ll keep this tracker updated with the most pertinent rumors and the biggest deals that come to fruition. We’ll also post a new thread daily through Monday.
As a reminder Colorado Rockies will meet the San Diego Padres tonight at 7:40 pm.
KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 20: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) pitches in the first inning during a MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals on May 20, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Last year, around the trade deadline, the Royals had a starting pitcher in his mid-30s on an expiring contract. Seth Lugo had a 3.03 ERA through his first 20 starts as the Royals approached the trade deadline under .500. Rather than trade him or extend him a Qualifying Offer at the end of the season, the Royals decided to sign him to a two-year, $46 million deal with a vesting option. Lugo had performance and injury issues after the signing, and has had mixed results this year. The extension looks like an overpay or an outright mistake right now.
Keeping Michael Wacha rather than trading him would be like walking into the same trap for a second year in a row.
Lugo has not been terrible this year. However, for a deal that could pay him up to $63 million, Lugo needs to be better than the 4.36 ERA he has put up. Even worse, he is trending in the wrong direction – his ERA-by-month has been 2.63, 4.59, 6.00, and 4.94. His peripheral numbers do not improve the story – he has an xERA of 5.42 and xFIP of 4.46. His strikeout rate is down for the seventh year in a row, part of that was moving to the rotation from the bullpen. His velocity has also been dropping over time, which is what happens to aging veterans.
Lugo has a vesting option for the third year that will pay him $20 million in 2028 if (a) he throws 335 innings over 2026 and 2027; or (b) he throws 190 innings in 2027. If he fails to reach those marks, the Royals still have a $17 million club option for 2028 with a $3 million buyout. I think you have to go into next year hoping Lugo is good enough to be a fourth starter, but that he does not hit the innings necessary to trigger the vesting option for 2028.
Enter Michael Wacha, he is a 35-year-old starting pitcher, the same as Lugo last year. The Royals have Wacha under control through next season for $14 million plus some incentives and there is a club option for 2028 at $14 million as well with a $1 million buyout. Wacha is having a nice season, which makes him attractive as a trade target in a market with not a lot of quality starting pitching. His value will never be higher. His 3.60 ERA is outperforming all of his peripheral numbers. If you are looking to next season objectively, you would expect him to take a step back from his 2026 level just due to aging and the low strikeout rate. Holding onto a pitcher who is likely to start moving toward the back-end of the rotation, even if he is still worth it on the contract, when you could get real prospects back for him is malpractice. Let’s do a little thought experiment to illustrate.
What if the Royals had traded Seth or let him walk after 2025? Some would say, “look at all the injuries this year and how much they have needed his innings,” but that is the wrong way to think about it. There were a lot of available free agents that would have been comparable to Lugo, including Dustin May, Erick Fedde, Tyler Mahle, Adrian Houser, Zach Littell, and Chris Bassitt. None of these are great options. But they are cheaper than Seth Lugo and capable of producing at last 80 percent of what Lugo has given them. And if you wanted to be more aggressive than that, you could sign a free agent like Michael King, a younger and better pitcher for not much more money per year with one additional guaranteed year. Any assertion that there will not be enough starters if Wacha is not on this team next year is just not true. And that is not even considering options on the trade market. How do you think the Royals ended up with Wacha and Lugo in the first place?
Michael Wacha is a fine pitcher. He is not irreplaceable.
Look at what pitching is available on the free agent market. Tarik Skubal may not be traded as Detroit has climbed back into the AL Central hunt. The Twins say they won’t trade Joe Ryan. The best long-term pitchers on the trade market may be Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano on the Angels, or short-term rentals like Kevin Gausman, not a guy you want starting in a playoff game.
It is conceivable that Wacha is the best starters available going into this final week before the deadline. Cash that chip in and I think someone like the Cubs might give you a Kevin Alcantara plus something or maybe even Jaxon Wiggins or Pedro Ramirez. I am not going to go team by team who might be interested and what they have, that is not the point of this article. There just seems like a lot of value to be gleaned in a trade for a pitcher who is realistically a third or fourth starter at best going forward. The Royals need to stop getting precious about having guys under team control and start flipping them when the value is there.
TORONTO, ON - JULY 25: Toronto Blue Jays Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) hits during the MLB regular season game between the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Eleven years ago today:
The Blue Jays made a blockbuster trade for Troy Tulowitzki. You know you are getting old when things you think happened a few weeks ago actually happened 11 years ago.
The deal sent Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins to Toronto in exchangefor Jose Reyes, Jeff Hoffman (I wonder what ever happened to him), Miguel Castro, and Jesus Tinoco.
At the time, the trade worked: the Blue Jays finally returned to the playoffs. Tulowitzki batted .250/.313/.414 with 36 home runs in 238 games over three seasons for Toronto. After his release, he signed with the Yankees but managed only 13 at-bats before landing on the injured list, then retired soon after.
One can only wonder how Tulowitzki’s tenure in Toronto would have unfolded without the devastating ankle injury he suffered—also on July 28th, in 2017—when he rolled his ankle slipping off first base. At 32, he still had the potential for a few more strong seasons, possibly building the numbers needed for a Hall of Fame case.
When healthy, he was a joy to watch—his signature sidearm throws from shortstop were things of beauty.
Hawkins appeared in 18 games for the Jays in 2015, posting a 2.76 ERA over 16.1 innings before retiring that offseason. The playoffs were less kind: in three appearances (1.2 innings), he surrendered seven earned runs.
As for the players sent to Colorado:
Reyes finished 2015 with a .259/.291/.368 line for the Rockies. He was suspended at the start of the 2016 season for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy and released at the end of his suspension. Reyes then signed with the Mets, played three unremarkable seasons, and was released after 2018.
Hoffman was considered the key prospect in the deal, but unfortunately never reached his projected potential in Colorado. He spent parts of six seasons with the Rockies before being traded to the Reds, where he spent two years. Now, he has made his way back to the Blue Jays.
Castro made minimal impact with the Rockies, pitching in 24 games over two seasons with a 7.20 ERA. He was traded to the Orioles, then to the Mets after three and a half seasons. Since then, Castro has pitched for the Yankees and White Sox, totaling 11 seasons across seven teams with a 4.24 ERA in 425 games.
Tinoco has bounced between teams in his six-year career, logging time with the Rockies, Marlins (twice), Rangers, and Cubs. In 100 games, he holds a 3.98 ERA.
At the time, the trade was popular: a poll showed 75% approval, 18% neutral, and only 7% opposed.
It’s still difficult to judge the trade’s ultimate value. The Jays needed to move on from Reyes, and this was the available deal. They did make the playoffs twice—would they have done so without Tulo?
To move on from Jose Reyes’ hefty contract, the Jays took on Tulo’s even larger one. But as they say, pennants fly forever.
Seven years ago, the Jays called up Bo Bichetteand traded Marcus Stoman
Bo hit .311/.358/.571, in 46 games that year, his best OBP and Slugging of his career up until now. In seven years with the Jays, he hit .294/.337/.469 with 111 home runs in 748 games. He’s not having a great season with the Mets, but it seems like every Jays beat reporter has suggested the Jays trade for him, which makes little sense to me.
That same day, they traded Marcus Stroman to the Mets for Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson. (Woods Richardson, along with Austin Martin, would later be traded to the Twins for José Berríos.)
Looking back, keeping Marcus might have been the better play, but management didn’t expect to re-sign him. Stroman’s big personality may also have played a role in their decision.
Twenty-One years ago, the Jays played a marathon 18-inning game to edge the Angels 2-1.
Pete Walker earned the win with three shutout innings in relief, after Dave Bush started and went 8.1 innings, allowing just one run. The bullpen also featured Scott Schoeneweis, Justin Speier, Vinny Chulk, Jason Frasor, and Miguel Batista.
The walk-off run was scored by Alex Rios, driven in by Orlando Hudson.
The Los Angeles Dodgers welcome the Seattle Mariners to town tonight, and they sit as a heavy -178 moneyline favorite for the series opener at Dodger Stadium.
Behind Justin Wrobleski, my Mariners vs Dodgers predictions expect L.A. to walk away with a victory here as it faces the vulnerable Luis Castillo.
Who will win Mariners vs Dodgers today: Dodgers -1.5 (+113)
Justin Wrobleski has been fantastic all season, and he’s dominating since the All-Star break. Across his last two outings, the Los Angeles Dodgers stud owns a 1.38 FIP while limiting opponents to a 35.3% hard-hit rate.
The Seattle Mariners have also struggled immensely against left-handed pitchers this season, compiling an 89 wRC+. That’s compared to a 104 wRC+ vs. right-handed hurlers.
As for Luis Castillo, he has surrendered 2.50 HR/9 over his previous three appearances while posting a 6.17 FIP.
With Wrobleski limiting a weaker split of Seattle’s offense and Castillo leaking power, Los Angeles has a clear path to creating separation.
I’ll play this to -110.
COVERS INTEL: Luis Castillo has been far less effective away from T-Mobile Park, posting a 5.05 road FIP compared to a 3.60 mark in Seattle. With the veteran also 1.80 HR/9 on the road compared to 0.81 at home, L.A. can capitalize.
Mariners vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 9.5 (-113)
The Under looks like the better angle tonight. Aside from Seattle’s inconsistencies against lefties, the Mariners are also in poor offensive form, posting an 88 wRC+ over their last six games with just a .118 ISO.
The Dodgers bullpen hasn’t been amazing with a 4.35 xERA over the last week, but Seattle doesn’t pose much of a threat at the dish, even when Wrobleski exits.
As for L.A.’s offense, the Dodgers are right around league average at the moment with a 100 wRC+ across their previous five contests, while their ISO sits at just .176.
I expect them to score enough off Castillo, but the Mariners relief corps is holding its own, compiling a 3.20 FIP over the last two weeks.
With a relatively high total of 9.5, the Under is the best play.
I’ll play this to -130.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 36-47, -15.34 units
Over/Under bets: 46-35, +4.47 units
Mariners vs Dodgers weather
Mariners vs Dodgers odds
Moneyline: Mariners +170 | Dodgers -178
Run line: Mariners +1.5 (-117) | Dodgers -1.5 (+113)
Over/Under: Over 9.5 (+108) | Under 9.5 (-113)
Mariners vs Dodgers trend
The Under is 5-1 in Dodgers' last six home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Mariners vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Mariners vs Dodgers and game info
Location
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
First pitch
10:10 p.m. ET
TV
Mariners.TV, SportsNet LA
Mariners starting pitcher
Luis Castillo (3-9, 4.85 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcher
Justin Wrobleski (11-2, 2.62 ERA)
Mariners vs Dodgers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Athletics All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers and right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. are having season-ending surgeries.
The A’s injury report indicated Langeliers will have surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee and Leiter will have surgery to repair a right hip impingement.
Langeliers was hitting .263 with 23 homers and 51 RBIs in 93 games before his injury. The 28-year-old became the first A’s catcher to start an All-Star Game since Terry Steinbach in 1989.
Langeliers had been the subject of trade rumors as the A’s struggle through another disappointing season.
Leiter went on the injured list with a hip impingement for the second time this season. The 35-year-old has not allowed a run in 17 of his last 18 games, compiling a 0.50 ERA during that stretch. He is 0-1 with a 4.28 ERA and four saves in 36 relief appearances overall this year.
After lighting up the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night, the Chicago Cubs will look to keep the bats rolling in tonight's rematch.
Chicago is -112 on the moneyline, and my Cubs vs. Cardinals predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, July 28, see the Cubs take down the Cardinals once again.
Who will win Cubs vs Cardinals today: Cubs (-112)
Even with right-hander Colin Rea taking the mound for the Chicago Cubs this evening, I still expect the visitors to come out on top.
I don't care that Rea owns a 5.51 ERA, 5.10 xERA, and 1.35 WHIP over his last three outings. The St. Louis Cardinals offense has been lifeless, posting a 68 wRC+, .265 wOBA, and .578 OPS over its last 12 games.
On the other side, right-hander Michael McGreevy has allowed nearly a 52% hard hit rate and over a 15.5% barrel rate across his last three starts. Meanwhile, the Cubs offense has been on a tear, owning a 128 wRC+, .358 wOBA, and .193 ISO over its last 21 games.
Despite Rea's struggles this season, I think the Cubs offense does enough to carry them to a win.
I'll take the Cubs on the moneyline down to -115.
COVERS INTEL: McGreevy owns a poor Batters-Box pitcher rating and grades out poorly in matchup ISO, hard-contact rate, and strikeout rate. He will also face three elite-rated hitters and another with a strong rating.
Cubs vs Cardinals Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-121)
With two below-average pitchers on the mound tonight, I have to lean toward the Over, right?
Rea owns a 6.45 ERA, 5.66 xERA, and 1.61 WHIP on the road this season, while allowing an 11.05% barrel rate to opposing hitters. Meanwhile, McGreevy owns a 4.58 expected ERA on the road and has allowed a 41.57% hard hit rate and 9.55% barrel rate.
At least one of these arms is giving up some runs tonight.
While I like the Over 8.5, I wouldn't play it past -125.
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
2026 MLB Record: 343-666, -12.6 Units
Cubs vs Cardinals weather
Should be another hot one in St. Louis, with temperatures in the upper 80s and slight winds blowing in.
Cubs vs Cardinals odds
Moneyline: Cubs -108 | Cardinals +104
Run line: Cubs -1.5 (+150) | Cardinals +1.5 (-156)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-117) | Under 8.5 (+113)
Cubs vs Cardinals trend
The Chicago Cubs have hit the moneyline in 16 of their last 21 away games (+11.80 Units / 51% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Cardinals.
How to watch Cubs vs Cardinals and game info
Location
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Date
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
First pitch
7:45 p.m. ET
TV
TBS
Cubs starting pitcher
Colin Rea (7-7, 4.85 ERA)
Cardinals starting pitcher
Micheal McGreevy (4-8, 3.07 ERA)
Cubs vs Cardinals latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 26: Ty France #25 of the San Diego Padres hits a single against the Miami Marlins in the second inning of the game at loanDepot park on July 26, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The solution to the Guardians’ offensive problems is, obviously, a journeyman first baseman.
You can view our larger trade deadline piece here as we discuss a wider pool of options the Guardians may consider. To make my position clear, I expect the Guardians to make smaller moves, like trading Bo Naylor and getting a castoff/undervalued reliever. But, in the interest of exploring potential larger moves, we are doing a series looking at some of those bigger names. So far, we have discussed Spencer Steer, Luis Arraez, Shea Langeliers, Taylor Ward, Heliot Ramos and Jo Adell.
The Guardians chose Rhys Hoskins over Ty France when looking for a right-handed hitting first baseman this offseason… and that was a poor choice, so far. Hoskins has a 92 wRC+, .289 xwOBA/.301 wOBA, 32/15 K/BB%, 11 homers and terrible defense. France has a 142 wRC+, .334 xwOBA/.376 wOBA, 23.4/4.8 K/BB% and 16 homers for the San Diego Padres while playing the best first base defense in baseball.
Will the Padres be selling? They are .500 and 1.5 games out of the third wildcard spot. There are no guarantees. They will certainly want an overpay for France, given how he has played, if they trade him, and it’s important to note that he is producing about .040 points better than his xwOBA. Would the Guardians consider trading Manzardo for France and a Padres’ prospect they are interested in? Is there a chance they do a Francisco Mejia-type move and trade Kody Huff for the chance of putting a 142 wRC+ right-handed hitter in the middle of their lineup?
France is putting up career highs in average exit velocity, barrel rate and bat speed. Every metric makes it clear that his season is not a fluke. Rather than double-down on the mistake of trusting in David Fry and choosing Hoskins, the Guardians should correct their error and see if an overpay offer convinces AJ Preller, Padres GM, to do a little threading the needle dealing, selling high on France’s breakout.
Let me know what you think about the idea of acquiring Ty France in the comments below!
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 11: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres prepares to pitch during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Petco Park on July 11, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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The MLB Trade Deadline is a week away and once again the San Diego Padres are getting a lot of attention. In recent seasons, the Padres and their general manager A.J. Preller have been on the prowl looking for pieces to add to their lineup that could finally bring a championship to San Diego. While that may be the case this season, the truth is no one knows — except Preller and his closest advisors of course. Actually, Preller may honestly not know which way the deadline will go, and he may not know until the homestand against the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants concludes.
Even if the Preller and the Padres are undecided, the baseball world has been speculating for weeks that San Diego’s All-Star closer Mason Miller could be on the move. With a low salary and multiple years of control, a trade involving Miller could bring the type of return that significantly impacts the depth in the Padres system — at the major league level and the farm system. Miller is a closer and yes, closers typically do not bring back significant talent, but he is not just any closer. Miller is the MOST DOMINANT closer in the game.
San Diego came out of the All-Star break on a 10-game road trip that saw them play against the Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins. The Padres entered the weekend series against the Marlins with a 2-5 record coming out of the break. The possibility of Miller being traded increased with each loss and baseball pundits began to imagine what trade packages could be cobbled together by teams like the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates. Then San Diego went into Miami and swept a three-game series and Miller added two more saves to his season total which sits at 27. He is by far the most valuable trade piece for the Padres at the MLB level.
Should Preller and the Padres decide to buy and add to the current roster, the minor league system could get thinned out more than it already is. The top player in the farm is catcher Ethan Salas, a switch-hitting, defense-first catcher that has been destined for stardom since the Padres signed him at 16 years old. The combination of talent and potential makes Salas attractive to any team in the league outside of maybe the Detroit Tigers, who have one of the top young catchers in baseball in Dillon Dingler. It is believed that Salas is still a couple years away from reaching the majors, but that is not long enough to deter teams from inquiring about him should Preller covet one of their players. The question is, “Is Salas this year’s Leo De Vries.” The shortstop prospect was moved to get Miller and JP Sears from the Athletics at the deadline last season.
Miller and Salas both have value. Miller has current value and Salas has future value. Losing either player could affect the Padres and their fans in a number of ways. In a perfect world, San Diego continues to win, Preller decides to add and he does so without sacrificing Miller or Salas, but that is a lot to ask. The Padres Reacts Survey from Gaslamp Ball last week asked respondents to determine who had more value (Miller or Salas) and which player would be more difficult to lose. The numbers on the poll were relatively close, but the majority determined Miller had more value than Salas and that losing Miller over Salas would be the more difficult subtraction from San Diego.
Again, there is no way to know what Preller is going to do considering the way the team is playing at the moment, but Aug. 3 is coming quick and he may have to be ready to use or lose one or both of Miller and Salas and the Friar Faithful may have to wait until the last minute to know the answers to all of their questions.
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NEW YORK, NY - MAY 22: Jonathan Aranda #8 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after hitting an RBI double in the eighth inning during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Friday, May 22, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With the August 3 trade deadline holding the potential to swing the season for the Tampa Bay Rays, let’s ponder the Rays trajectory.
As things stand, the Rays (62-43) hold a 2.5 game lead over the Yankees (60-46). Making the playoffs is essentially a forgone conclusion, with FanGraphs putting those odds at 98.6%, but winning the division only 50.3%, with the Yankees chances of taking the division at 44.5%.
What do the Rays need to do to hold onto their lead? Let’s see your vote!
COVERS INTEL: Luis Castillo has been far less effective away from T-Mobile Park, 
