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Dave Dombrowski's best and worst deadline deals with the Phillies

Dave Dombrowski's best and worst deadline deals with the Phillies originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

As the Phillies president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski has plenty on his plate. Every day he makes decisions, both large and small, that impact the fortunes of the franchise. His job is as close to a 365-day vocation as one can have. But for the most part, the only times of year that measurably affect the fans’ collective heart rate is after the World Series, which is open season for free agency, and now, the final week of July, leading up to the MLB trade deadline.

Dombrowski has made some solid moves, both in trades and in free agency, during his tenure in Philadelphia. But his best moves have come during the relative quiet of the offseason, when the results of each transaction aren’t on display later that week. He has added Jose Alvarado from Tampa Bay, Edmundo Sosa from St. Louis, and this past offseason, Jesus Luzardo from Miami, all of whom have been integral in the team’s success since their arrivals.

Comparatively, Dombrowski’s deadline deals lack the impact of those he has made in the winter. It could be the market, or a proclivity to hold onto prospects a bit too tight, or unforeseen factors, but he has yet to make a “lightning bolt” trade, one that immediately energizes and lifts a team to another level.

Let’s examine the best, and the worst, deadline moves during Dombrowski’s time with the Phillies:

Dombrowski’s Best Deadline Deals

  • Phillies acquire OF Brandon Marsh from Angels for C Logan O’Hoppe. This can be characterized as a win for both the Phillies and the Halos. Adding Marsh, a young outfielder with decent power, speed and defensive ability, is something the team needs now, and will certainly need for the years ahead. Meanwhile O’Hoppe has been solid, if not spectacular, at the plate (20 HR last year, 18 already this year), but his defense behind the dish needs some serious work.
  • Phillies acquire RP David Robertson from Cubs for SP Ben Brown.  The Phillies didn’t get too much for their investment the first time they picked up Robertson in 2019. He signed a two-year deal that netted the team just two weeks of Robertson’s services before he needed Tommy John surgery, costing him the balance of his contract. The second time was a charm: pitching to a 2.70 ERA in 22 games down the stretch in 2022, and a 1.17 in eight postseason games during the Phillies’ World Series run.
  • Phillies acquire RP Tanner Banks from the White Sox for UT William Bergolla. Banks was added for bullpen depth at last year’s deadline, but is slowly being nudged into higher-leverage situations, both due to his effectiveness and the team’s lack of depth in relief. In 68 games in red pinstripes, he has a 3.44 ERA and just about a strikeout per inning. The White Sox are still waiting for the 20-year-old Bergolla to develop as a hitter. He is currently in double-A.

Honorable Mention: Carlos Estevez from the Angels for minor-league pitchers George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri. Estevez was strong for the Phillies down the stretch last year, pitching to a 2.57 ERA with six saves in 20 outings, but many remember the grand slam he allowed to the Mets’ Francisco Lindor in the NLDS. (Has that landed yet?)

Dombrowski’s Worst Deadline Deals

  • Phillies acquire OF Austin Hays from the Orioles for OF Cristian Pache and RP Seranthony Dominguez. Hays’ two-month run in Philadelphia was forgettable. He suffered a kidney infection that caused him to miss two weeks, and hit .256 with two home runs in 22 games. Pache won’t be missed, but this team sure could use Dominguez right about now.
  • Phillies trade RP Gregory Soto to the Orioles for pitchers Seth Johnson and Moises Chace. Speaking for relievers sent to the Orioles! This trade could be graded higher as Chace develops as a back of the rotation starter, and Johnson is trying to find his footing at the big-league level as a reliever. Soto didn’t set the world on fire in Baltimore – like Dominguez, he’s already been traded again – but the Phillies could use an extra lefty in the ‘pen.
  • Phillies acquire infielder Rodolfo Castro from the Pirates for SP Bailey Falter. This may not resonate with fans, but would you take a 5th starter with a 3.73 ERA right now? Falter is pitching pretty well the past couple seasons. In fact, he has 15 wins over the past two seasons – same as Aaron Nola – and a better WHIP over that span than Ranger Suarez. Meanwhile, Castro went 3-for-30 following the trade, and hasn’t sniffed the big leagues since.
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Why Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga reportedly prefers Kings, Suns contract offers

Why Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga reportedly prefers Kings, Suns contract offers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

If Jonathan Kuminga had it his way, he would be a member of the Kings or Phoenix Suns via a sign-and-trade deal made with the Warriors.

Both teams have made offers to Golden State, including a four-year, $90 million contract that includes a player option for the final season, ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania reported Wednesday, citing sources, adding that Phoenix has made the “most lucrative push” to acquire the 22-year-old forward.

The money, stability and role promised in pitches from Sacramento and Phoenix move the needle for Kuminga.

“Kuminga prefers the longer-term offers presented by the Kings and Suns because he believes they signify a fresh start, a larger guaranteed role, a promised starting position and a greater level of respect and career control, shown in part through the player option, sources said,” Slater and Charania wrote. “Phoenix’s proposal is also nearly $70 million more guaranteed than the Warriors’ offer.”

The Warriors haven’t been intrigued by anything offered by the Kings and Suns, though. Sacramento’s offer included second-year guard Devin Carter, big man Dario Šarić and two second-round draft picks, sources told NBC Sports California. It is unclear if the Kings made a separate or revised offer to the Warriors.

In recent days, the Warriors have begun to indicate they’re leaning toward cutting off sign-and-trade conversations altogether, using their restricted free agency leverage to the fullest, Slater and Charania reported, citing sources.

Golden State currently is under the impression that Kuminga will begin the 2025-26 NBA season on the Warriors’ roster — either through their two-year offer on the table or the standing $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer, whichever is Kuminga’s preference. Kuminga declined Golden State’s recent two-year, $45 million contract offer, Charania and Slater reported, citing sources.

Kuminga met with Kings general manager Scott Perry, assistant GM B.J. Armstrong and coach Doug Christie earlier this month and left the meeting “open-minded” to the idea of joining Sacramento.

But as we’ve come to learn, it isn’t that simple.

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‘The risk was way too high’: Ben Stokes ruled out of fifth Test with India

  • Shoulder tear likely to need seven weeks of rehab

  • Ollie Pope will lead England while Jofra Archer is rested

Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the final Test match of England’s international summer with a grade-three muscle tear in his shoulder, sustained during the drawn fourth game against India at Old Trafford. Ollie Pope will captain the side in his absence as England seek to defend their 2-1 lead and complete a series victory.

Recovery from a muscle injury of such severity is estimated to take between six and 10 weeks, though England’s medical team have estimated Stokes’s likely recovery time at around seven weeks. England are due to arrive in Australia for the start of their Ashes preparations in just over 14 weeks, with their captain optimistic that he will have fully recovered in time for a potentially career-defining series.

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Giants reportedly ‘fielding calls' on relief pitchers before MLB trade deadline

Giants reportedly ‘fielding calls' on relief pitchers before MLB trade deadline originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants soon could trade from an area of strength.

San Francisco is “fielding calls” on back-end relief pitchers ahead of MLB’s 3 p.m. PT trade deadline on Thursday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported in his latest column.

The Giants’ bullpen, led by All-Star Randy Rodriguez, Tyler Rogers, Camilo Doval, Ryan Walker and now-injured Erik Miller, was the team’s biggest strength in the first half of the 2025 MLB season, even as it dealt with inconsistencies with the closer role.

It’s unclear who San Francisco is most likely to move, but perhaps Doval, the Giants’ current flame-throwing closer who has struggled at times in that role over the past two seasons, could be viewed as expendable while still holding value as a trade asset.

In 46 appearances (45 2/3 innings pitched) this season, Doval has a 3.15 ERA with 47 strikeouts, 24 walks and four blown saves.

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What NBA voices think of Jonathan Kuminga's value as Warriors gridlock lingers

What NBA voices think of Jonathan Kuminga's value as Warriors gridlock lingers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

With the Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga mired in a monthlong gridlock, I checked in with four people aligned with the NBA in search of an answer to the question at the root of the stalemate:

What do people around the league, not associated with the Warriors, think of the 22-year-old forward?

Willing to share their thoughts were two longtime scouts, one former NBA player who has transitioned to an analyst role and one former player who has spent nearly two decades as an executive in front offices around the league.

All respondents spoke under the condition of anonymity.

What do you see as Kuminga’s value within the league?

Scout No. 1: I can tell you that the [Chicago] Bulls have an interest in Kuminga, just as a whole lot of other teams do. But the problem is, they’re trying to figure him out. Everybody is trying to figure him out.

Analyst:The [Sacramento] Kings (and the Bulls) are interested in him. I really think that young man can help some teams. I don’t know him personally. I don’t know his basketball IQ. I don’t know his psyche. But just looking from an analyst position, the Golden State Warriors have a gem on their hands, and they know it. What I’m curious about is what the f–k is going on at Golden State to where he can’t play?

Exec: I see it from both sides. I see from Jonathan’s side, and I see the team’s side. He’s not asking for No. 1 money, which would be in the high $30 [millions per year]. He is asking for No. 2 money. And maybe they want to give No. 3 money. I think a lot of the issues are because of the way [the Warriors] play, because they are different than everybody else. I just think that if he were on another team — one that’s going where a lot of the NBA is going — he would cause some problems. He already causes problems.

Scout No. 2: He thinks he could be more than just a complementary player, or a third or fourth option. He thinks he could do more. I believe him. And if he were on a team that was young or a team that was rebuilding, and you put him in the starting lineup and gave him minutes, and he knew he was going to get minutes, and he knew he was going to have an opportunity to play through mistakes, then I think he could be an All-Star level player and a primary guy.

He’s 22. How much concern is there about his flaws? And how correctable are they?

Scout No. 1: His mistakes are not taking too many bad shots; it’s the stupid things. Let’s say he does four stupid things a night. If he can cut that to two, then people will want him badly. But so far, he hasn’t been able to do it on a consistent basis.

Exec: Mistakes happen. The question is, are they repeatable mistakes? Are they something that’s consistently going on where in every game, you’re like, “I just can’t trust this guy?” If that’s the situation, should he be in at the end of the games? The Warriors have to ask themselves: Is Kuminga better than his problems?

Any thoughts on how he has developed with Golden State?

Scout No. 1: It’s probably the best situation possible to figure it out, because you’ve got Steph [Curry] as a leader and [Steve] Kerr as coach. Can you imagine the short leash he’d have with [Tom] Thibodeau? If Golden State can’t figure him out, which they can’t, how can the rest of us? They should know him better than anybody else.

Exec: He came to a team that was playing for championships. So, it’s hard for someone to have chances to work through his mistakes. And then it’s a thing. When a guy is “in the freezer” and doesn’t get that full opportunity to just go explore and find out, it’s really, really difficult. The good part is, he’s shown these flashes to just be able to go on scoring bunches. I mean, he did it in the playoffs. Ideally, right now, I think he’s in a great spot when he is not the focal guy.

Scout No. 2: With the Warriors being who they have been over these past 10 years, it’s been hard for all their draft picks to get meaningful playing time … they haven’t really gotten a lot of opportunity like their counterparts, like the guys at OKC, the guys in Orlando. The only way you develop or become better in the NBA is through playing time. You don’t get better working with an assistant coach after practice or before practice, or watching film. You get better in the game and getting those minutes. The Warriors can say they don’t think Kuminga does this well enough, still needs to develop this way. But if you look at what he does have and what he can do, he’s the only Jonathan Kuminga on that team. They don’t have another athlete like him.

Can he help solve Golden State’s offensive issues in the non-Steph minutes?

Exec: He probably doesn’t want to hear it, but if he’s coming off the bench for what they call the non-Steph minutes, he could be great. He could just come in and just get buckets because he has so many tools. If you find out he can play in the non-Steph minutes, look out.

Scout No.2: Maybe. But if he’s going to be a sixth man, you don’t want to pay him [$30 million per year]. That’s the money he wants. He wants All-Star money. And then he’s got to play like an All-Star.

Analyst: I don’t understand why Steve isn’t on top of him, saying, “Look, here’s where we’re at. When Steph is not in the game, it’s you. You’re going to be my No. 1 option. You understand that. And the only reason why you’re No. 2 is because we have Steph Curry.” Think about it. When he comes off the bench, he’s a first-tier scorer going against second-tier defenders. He can cook every night. He can eat like [Minnesota Timberwolves center] Naz Reid.

What do you see as Kuminga’s ceiling?

Analyst: I see a young All-Star in the making. He’s got everything it takes. He got all the tools. Yes, I’ll give him that, because I’ve seen him go up and make some plays that get me out of my seat, that make me go, “Wow, damn.” I’m just shaking my head.

Scout No. 2: He has the potential to be an All-Star level player. And I thought that from the beginning, when he was at Team Ignite, just watching him play at Ignite and seeing how far he had come for a guy who was late to the game, right? And I just think that where you go, what team you go with, makes all the difference in the world in terms of, what opportunities do you get to play? What veterans are there? What is the organization’s position on young players? To me, he has really thrived and delivered when he’s had his opportunity. It’s just that when you’re on a veteran team, it’s hard because everything is centered around those veterans.

Scout No. 1: I do think he can be an All-Star. The question is, how much better has he gotten in the last three years in the areas we’re talking about? He hasn’t improved as much as they would like. Is he a lifetime tease? I don’t know, because he teases you — there’s no question about it. And then he’ll do something stupid. Here’s an example. Tyler Kolek is playing for the Knicks. Third-string point guard. He’s not good enough to get minutes. What he is on the collegiate side, and maybe on the NBA side, is one step slow but two steps smart. Kuminga is the opposite. He’s one step fast, but two steps slow mentally. That doesn’t mean he’s a dumb kid. I don’t mean that at all. Some guys just don’t see the game in real time.

Exec: He’s shown these flashes to just go score in bunches. He did it in the playoffs. I think he’s in a great spot when he is not the focal guy, but he can be a great No. 2 or No. 3. Maybe not a No. 2 yet, but definitely a No. 3 on a good team. But, I don’t know if he is the guy that you can say, hey, we can count on him to be a core foundation piece that’s going to lead us to a championship.

Can he reach his ceiling with the Warriors?

Analyst: Probably not in [Golden State’s] system. Put him in a place like Portland. Put him on a team that plays “four out.” The dude can get his own. Not too many guys in the league right now can go get their own bucket. He can. Just give him the ball and move out of the way, and he can do it.

Scout No. 2: If Steph and Draymond [Green] are going to be around for the next two years, it’s going to be hard for him to ever become himself because of the style. They’re never changing anything for Steph Curry. Steph Curry is going to get to play like Steph Curry for as long as he can put on that uniform.

Exec: Not right now, with Steph and Jimmy [Butler] and Draymond. But you can’t blame him for wanting to go for it because he’s tasted it. He’s had 30-point playoff games, you know? I get where he’s coming from. He wants a chance to go be the guy. The question is, is it in Golden State, with this team?

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Jonathan Kuminga reportedly declined Warriors contract for non-financial reason

Jonathan Kuminga reportedly declined Warriors contract for non-financial reason originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It doesn’t appear to be all about the money for Jonathan Kuminga.

The Warriors forward, who currently is a restricted free agent, rejected Golden State’s recent two-year, $45 million contract offer, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported in a story on Wednesday, citing sources.

Kuminga’s decision, as ESPN reports, largely was due to the Warriors’ insistence on having a team option for the second season and their unwillingness to let him maintain the built-in no-trade clause, which the team requested he waive.

The proposed one-plus-one contract, according to the collective bargaining agreement, would have an inherent no-trade clause, due to Kuminga’s potential next team not maintaining his Bird rights.

Charania and Slater also reported that Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, presented a few contract frameworks to the Warriors during two NBA Summer League meetings in Las Vegas, including a three-year deal worth up to $82 million that let the Warriors stay below the second apron, which would allow them to use the taxpayer midlevel exception.

Golden State, according to ESPN, believes it currently has the best offer on the table for Kuminga for two reasons: One, because of the higher starting salary for the 2025-26 NBA season ($21.7 million) compared to offers from other interested teams like the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings, which tops out at $19.8 million in Year 1, and two, because the two-year team option concept.

It’s unclear what the path forward for Kuminga is, but it doesn’t appear a resolution is imminent.

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Mets’ Sean Manaea feels like he’s ‘right there’ after strong fourth outing of season

Sean Manaea was terrific again, taking the ball in his fourth outing of the season Tuesday. 

The big Mets left-hander found himself in immediate trouble, as the Padres struck first with a two-out Jackson Merrill RBI single in the bottom of the first, and then suddenly they were threatening again in the second. 

Former Met Jose Iglesias led off the inning with a hustle double, and after advancing to third on a groundout, he was erased trying to score on a safety squeeze bunt on a terrific glove flip feed home from Manaea. 

He found himself in complete control from that point on, though, setting down the next 12 San Diego hitters in order as he cruised his way through five terrific innings of work.

Manaea signaled towards Carlos Mendoza in the dugout that he had one more inning in him after striking out the final two batters in the fifth, but the skipper decided otherwise with him still working on a pitch count. 

He had reached a new season-high of 86 pitches at that point. 

“He was [asking for one more], but we still have an idea pitch count-wise,” Mendoza said. “We’re still kind of on that buildup with him and he reached that mark, but the good news is for him to be asking for one more, that tells you he’s feeling good, but we’re not there yet.

“He was a lot better with the way the ball was coming out -- he looked really good.”

Manaea finished the night allowing just one earned run for the fourth consecutive outing since making his return from the injured list on three hits while not issuing a free pass and striking out four batters.

It’s still a very small sample size, but he’s now at a stellar 2.08 ERA and 0.87 WHIP.

Still, the Mets are going to need him to get back to being the big-inning arm he was last season.

While he's still wrapping up his build-up, he feels just about back to 100 percent.

“I feel good, I think I’m right there.”

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Mets' Luisangel Acuña shows off slick defense in center field as trade rumors swirl

The Mets had to do a lot of shuffling in their outfield on Tuesday against the Padres and Luisangel Acuña was actually a part of the mix.

After Juan Sotoleft the game with a foot contusion, Tyrone Taylor came in to play center with Jeff McNeil sliding to right field. But when the Mets had the bases loaded in the fifth, manager Carlos Mendoza pinch-hit for Taylor, calling on Starling Marte. Marte got the team's only run in their 7-1 loss with a sac fly, but stayed on to play right field.

In the eighth inning, Acuña came in as a defensive replacement for Marte. It's only the second time he's played the outfield in a major league game in his career, both coming this season, but he showed he's pretty capable out there when Xander Bogaerts hit a liner to center field. Acuña got a good jump and trekked all the way from right center to make a face-first dive to catch the ball.

"Good to see," Mendoza said of the sliding play. "Got tested right away, gets a really good jump and made a diving play. Good to see.

The Mets skipper was asked if he just wanted to give Acuña a rep in the outfield or whether Marte needed a blow, and Mendoza said it was a combination of both.

"Marte is fine, but coming off -  after three innings of defense and where we were at in the game, maybe give Acuña an inning and see what it looks like," he said. "And at the same time trying to protect Marte a little bit."

Marte (knee bruise) just returned from the IL last week, so it makes sense Mendoza would make sure his veteran slugger didn't overdo it, especially with the score out of hand in the later innings. But allowing Acuña to show what he could do in the outfield may also have another effect.

Acuña has been named in potential trade talks with the Chicago White Sox for Luis Robert Jr. -- with some reports calling the Mets the frontrunner to acquire the outfielder. Perhaps the rep was to show the White Sox that Acuña can play the outfield in a big league game to increase his value.

Aside from the, now, two appearances in the outfield in MLB, Acuña has plenty of reps in the minors. The Mets began letting him play in the outfield 31 times in 2024 and four times this year -- not to mention four games when he was in the Texas Rangers system. Although Acuña is an infielder by trade, the logjam of Mark Vientos, Brett Baty and Jeff McNeil forced the Mets to try to get Acuña another position under his belt.

In limited playing time, Acuña is slashing .239/.295/.283 with a .578 OPS but has speed -- 12 steals -- and defensive versatility, playing second, third and shortstop along with the outfield this year.

With the 2025 MLB trade deadline set for Thursday at 6 p.m., we'll see if the added versatility is to the White Sox -- or another team's -- liking.

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Five areas where Greg Swann can make his mark on the AFL

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Before her responsibilities were effectively cut in half, Laura Kane was burdened with the most challenging role in football, spanning everything that was hard and controversial about managing the game. Much of the criticism she copped should have been directed at the people she was directly managing, as well as the people who hired her.

Greg Swann’s arrival at AFL House last Monday came with a sigh of relief. “Swanny’s a ripper” and “Swanny understands clubland” must have been uttered dozens of times on radio, on podcasts and TV this past week. But even with a fraction of Kane’s responsibilities, it remains one of the most demanding jobs in football. Swann is phlegmatic, he’s a pragmatist and (so far) he’s refreshingly free of weasel corporate-speak. Here are a few areas where he can make his mark.

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Mets' bats can't deliver, bullpen implodes late in 7-1 loss to Padres

The Mets were defeated by the San Diego Padres 7-1 on Tuesday night at Petco Park.

Here are some takeaways...

- San Diego jumped on Sean Manaea for a first-inning run, and then threatened for more in the second. Former Met Jose Iglesias led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a groundout, but he was erased trying to score on a squeeze play by a beautiful glove flip from Manaea.

The big southpaw was able to find his groove from there, setting the next 12 Padres down in order. He indicated to Carlos Mendoza that he wanted one more inning coming off the mound in the bottom of the fifth, but the manager quickly shut that idea down.

Manaea was able to get up to 86 pitches on the night and closed his book with a final line of one run on three hits, just one walk, and four punchouts. He now has a 2.08 ERA and has allowed just one earned run in each of his four outings since returning from the injured list.

- The Mets' offense suffered a big blow in the middle of this one, as Juan Soto was forced to leave the game after fouling a ball off his foot during his second at-bat in the fourth. He finished that plate appearance with a groundout to second, but was replaced during the next half inning with a foot contusion.

Tyrone Taylor entered the game in center and Jeff McNeil slid over to right field.

- Taylor ended up playing just that half inning, as he was pulled for a pinch-hitter with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth. Starling Marte lifted a game-tying sacrifice fly, and then entered the game in right, making just his second rightfield appearance of the season.

McNeil eventually shifted back to right when Luisangel Acuña entered in place of Marte to play center.

- Opting not to have Manaea at least start the sixth backfired on the Mets quickly, as the bullpen imploded. Jose Buttó struggled in both the sixth and seventh innings, retiring just four of the 11 batters he faced to allow five runs on two walks and five hits.

Two of those came on a 404-foot homer off the bat of Manny Machado that Chris Devenski allowed.

- The Mets' bats went down very quietly against the top-ranked Padres bullpen. Jeremiah Estrada, Wandy Peralta, Adrian Morejon, Ron Marinaccio,and Yuki Matsui combined to allow just two baserunners across the final five innings of the ballgame.

- Mark Vientos had two of New York's four knocks on the night, extending his hitting streak to eight games.

Game MVP: Manny Machado

Machado continued his recent heater with a dagger three-run shot to cap off the seventh.

Highlights

What's next

Clay Holmes takes the mound against Yu Darvish in the series finale on Wednesday at 4:10 p.m.

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Longtime Capitals center Backstrom is resuming his hockey career with Brynas IF in Sweden

GAVLE, Sweden — Nicklas Backstrom is resuming his hockey career back in his native Sweden with Brynas IF after missing all of last NHL season because of a nagging hip injury.

The Swedish club announced Monday that Backstrom was signing there to play this coming season. The 37-year-old center’s NHL contract with the Washington Capitals expired this summer.

“I have always felt that I would like to represent Brynas again someday if the opportunity arose,” Backstrom said in a statement about rejoining the organization where he started. “After undergoing rehab and being away from the game for almost two seasons, I feel very charged and full of energy to contribute to the club’s future successes.”

Backstrom underwent hip resurfacing surgery in June 2022, hoping to address a chronic issue, and by training camp in September 2023 insisted he felt “way better.” He last played in a competitive, meaningful game on Oct. 29, 2023, saying on Nov. 1 he was taking a leave of absence because of what the team called an “ongoing injury situation.”

Before that, Backstrom skated in more than 1,200 games with the Capitals, recording more than 1,100 points, and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2018. The Capitals in a statement thanked Backstrom and wished him luck in the future, saying he “gave everything he had each and every day.”

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Braves All-Star OF Acuña leaves game in sixth inning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was removed from the game against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night with tightness in his right Achilles tendon after chasing down a ball in right field in the sixth inning.

Acuña walked off the field before a trainer followed him into the locker room.

Acuña has 15 home runs this season, 26 RBIs and is batting .309. He had two homers on Monday night and went 2 for 4.

The five-time All-Star and former Most Valuable Player missed most of last season with a left torn ACL.

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With Kyle Dubas, Don't Mistake Silence For Stagnation

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been busy this offseason as they continue their rebuild. They haven’t officially come out and used the word “rebuild” to describe where they are as an organization, but you don’t have to squint too hard to see it. 

They made cheap, low-risk moves to start free agency in early July, just like last year. They brought in defensemen Parker Wotherspoon, Alexander Alexeyev, Phil Kemp, and Caleb Jones, plus forwards Anthony Mantha, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, and Justin Brazeau. The Penguins also opted to re-sign forwards Philip Tomasino and Connor Dewar to one-year contracts after neither received qualifying offers before free agency started. 

Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas has been relatively active on the trade market as well, bringing in defensemen Matt Dumba and Connor Clifton. They are two players who badly needed a change of scenery since they didn’t have good seasons last year. If they can play a bit better, the Penguins will try to flip them at the trade deadline, given they only have one year left on their deals. 

Dubas also acquired goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks after his dominant Calder Cup Playoff run with the Abbotsford Canucks. Silovs helped the baby Canucks win the Calder Cup, finishing the AHL playoffs with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. His efforts led to him being named the MVP of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Right now, he’s the favorite to be Tristan Jarry’s backup heading into the season. 

Despite numerous changes, fans are still waiting for a major blockbuster or two. Forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, and defenseman Erik Karlsson have been heavily mentioned in trade talks, but to this point, none of them have been traded. Some fans see that as a bad thing since the calendar is about to flip to August, but it’s not. There is still about a month and a half until the Penguins report to training camp, and as we have seen from Dubas over the last two offseasons, he’s not afraid of making big splashes in August.

Usually, August is the month when everyone in the hockey world goes on vacation to the beach or the cottage, but not Dubas. Last year, he surprised the entire hockey world when he acquired top prospect Rutger McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets for Brayden Yager on August 22. The Penguins weren’t one of the reported teams in on him, but they put together the best offer and got the player they wanted. On August 6, 2023, Dubas traded for Erik Karlsson in one of the biggest trades of the summer. 

Apr 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) skates with the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

He’s always looking to make deals, no matter what time of year it is. He holds all of the cards right now with Rust, Rakell, and Karlsson, and while some fans want Dubas to get these deals over with, it’s not that simple. Considering where the Penguins are in their rebuild, they have to get the proper return for these players. They remain good and impactful players, despite all three being over 30. This isn’t a situation where you take what you can get and sell for pennies on the dollar. That wouldn’t help the Penguins in terms of where they want to go as an organization. 

There has also been some talk that by not trading these players, the Penguins would be “blocking their NHL-ready prospects” for this season. That is simply not true. McGroarty and Ville Koivunen are NHL-ready and will likely be in the lineup on October 7 against the New York Rangers, assuming they perform well during training camp and the preseason. They looked the part in their trial run at the end of the 2024-25 season. The Penguins also won’t block forward Filip Hallander from securing a spot since they just signed him to a two-year contract on April 29. They love what he did in the SHL these last two seasons. 

Penguins’ First-Round Pick May Be Diamond In The RoughPenguins’ First-Round Pick May Be Diamond In The RoughAt this year’s NHL Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins took the stage three different times in the first round.

As for Brunicke, if he does enough to earn a nine-game trial to start the 2025-26 season, the Penguins probably won’t hesitate to see what he can do at the NHL level. After those nine games, they’d have to decide whether to keep him up for the entire season or send him back to his junior team. 

Everyone is waiting for a big trade because there haven’t been too many of them this summer yet. Many insiders predicted that a lot of action would happen at the draft and in the summer, but they didn’t anticipate that so many teams would retain players who were once on the market. 

The Penguins are playing their cards close to the vest, but it still seems likely that at least one of Karlsson, Rakell, or Rust will get dealt before the season starts. It just might take longer and require more patience than some fans like. 

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Featured Image Credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News