Category: Sports News

Athletics trade Mason Miller and J.P. Sears to Padres for four players originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Athletics shook up their roster in a major way on Thursday.

The Green and Gold traded star closer Mason Miller and starting pitcher J.P. Sears to the San Diego Padres for shortstop prospect Leodalis De Vries, the No. 3 prospect in baseball, and right-handed pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Báez and Eduarniel Nuñez, the team announced after ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the news.

The 26-year-old Miller was an MLB All-Star for the Athletics in 2024, and in 38 games this season, posted a 3.76 ERA with 59 strikeouts, 18 walks and 20 saves in 38 1/3 innings pitched.

Sears, the Athletics’ staff ace, posted a 4.95 ERA with 97 strikeouts to 29 walks in 111 innings pitched this season.

While both pitchers certainly were beloved by fans and within the organization, it appears the A’s got a haul from the Padres.

As mentioned, De Vries is the third-best prospect in all of baseball, per MLB.com, and in 82 games at the High-A level, the 18-year-old shortstop is batting .245/.357/.410 with eight home runs, 46 RBI and eight stolen bases with a .767 OPS in 368 plate appearances.

Nett, a 23-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 3 prospect, and in 17 starts at the Double-A level, posted a 3.39 ERA with 86 strikeouts to 34 walks in 74 1/3 innings pitched.

Báez, a 22-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 13 prospect, and in 20 starts at the Double-A level, posted a very impressive 1.96 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 31 walks in 96 2/3 innings pitched.

Finally, Nuñez, a 26-year-old relief pitcher and San Diego’s No. 17 prospect, posted a 2.83 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 17 walks in 35 innings pitched across the Double- and Triple-A levels this season while surrendering two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work at the major-league level.

Athletics trade Mason Miller and J.P. Sears to Padres for four players originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Athletics shook up their roster in a major way on Thursday.

The Green and Gold traded star closer Mason Miller and starting pitcher J.P. Sears to the San Diego Padres for shortstop prospect Leodalis De Vries, the No. 3 prospect in baseball, and right-handed pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Báez and Eduarniel Nuñez, the team announced after ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the news.

The 26-year-old Miller was an MLB All-Star for the Athletics in 2024, and in 38 games this season, posted a 3.76 ERA with 59 strikeouts, 18 walks and 20 saves in 38 1/3 innings pitched.

Sears, the Athletics’ staff ace, posted a 4.95 ERA with 97 strikeouts to 29 walks in 111 innings pitched this season.

While both pitchers certainly were beloved by fans and within the organization, it appears the A’s got a haul from the Padres.

As mentioned, De Vries is the third-best prospect in all of baseball, per MLB.com, and in 82 games at the High-A level, the 18-year-old shortstop is batting .245/.357/.410 with eight home runs, 46 RBI and eight stolen bases with a .767 OPS in 368 plate appearances.

Nett, a 23-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 3 prospect, and in 17 starts at the Double-A level, posted a 3.39 ERA with 86 strikeouts to 34 walks in 74 1/3 innings pitched.

Báez, a 22-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 13 prospect, and in 20 starts at the Double-A level, posted a very impressive 1.96 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 31 walks in 96 2/3 innings pitched.

Finally, Nuñez, a 26-year-old relief pitcher and San Diego’s No. 17 prospect, posted a 2.83 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 17 walks in 35 innings pitched across the Double- and Triple-A levels this season while surrendering two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work at the major-league level.

Athletics trade Mason Miller and J.P. Sears to Padres for four players: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Athletics shook up their roster in a major way on Thursday.

The Green and Gold traded star closer Mason Miller and starting pitcher J.P. Sears to the San Diego Padres for shortstop prospect Leodalis De Vries, the No. 3 prospect in baseball, and right-handed pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Báez and Eduarniel Nuñez, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported, citing sources.

The 26-year-old Miller was an All-Star for the Athletics in 2024, and in 38 games this season, posted a 3.76 ERA with 59 strikeouts, 18 walks and 20 saves in 38 1/3 innings pitched.

Sears, the Athletics’ staff ace, posted a 4.95 ERA with 97 strikeouts to 29 walks in 111 innings pitched this season.

While both pitchers certainly were beloved by fans and within the organization, it appears the A’s got a haul from the Padres.

As mentioned, De Vries is the third-best prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB.com, and in 82 games at the High-A level, the 18-year-old shortstop is batting .245/.357/.410 with eight home runs, 46 RBI and eight stolen bases with a .767 OPS in 368 plate appearances.

Nett, a 23-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 3 prospect, and in 17 starts at the Double-A level, posted a 3.39 ERA with 86 strikeouts to 34 walks in 74 1/3 innings pitched.

Báez, a 22-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 13 prospect, and in 20 starts at the Double-A level, posted a very impressive 1.96 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 31 walks in 96 2/3 innings pitched.

Finally, Nuñez, a 26-year-old relief pitcher and San Diego’s No. 17 prospect, posted a 2.83 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 17 walks in 35 innings pitched across the Double- and Triple-A levels this season while surrendering two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work at the major-league level.

What they're saying: Grades on Phillies' trade for Jhoan Duran originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies made their big-splash trade a full day before MLB’s trade deadline, sending two of their top prospects to Minnesota for Twins fireballing closer Jhoan Duran.

It’s difficult to find many fans who would disapprove of the trade, but to get full perspective on this, we cast our net wider, and pulled in the many writers across the interweb who have given out grades to the Phils and Twins for the swap.

Michael Rand, Minnesota Star Tribune – Twins B, Phillies B+

What they’re saying: “It will be easier to judge this in a few years, obviously, but the bottom line is the Twins got a reasonable haul even if they didn’t get a can’t-miss prospect and sold high on Duran even if you are squeamish about losing him.

“It’s a deal that benefits both teams for the stages they are at, but those two extra years of team control with Duran tip the scales a little more in the Phillies’ favor.”

Andy McCullough, Senior MLB Writer, The Athletic – Twins B, Phillies A

What they’re saying: “It’s an easy trade to like for both sides. The Phillies acquired possibly the best reliever on the market, and didn’t have to part with their best prospects. The Twins managed to get a big-league-ready pitcher with a decent floor and a catcher with potential. I guess the price was right.”

Chad Jennings, MLB Writer, The Athletic – Twins A-, Phillies A

What they’re saying: “Rather than trying to nickel and dime their way through quantity over quality, the Phillies went out and got the best shutdown closer on the market (one who’s under contract for two more seasons, just like Zack Wheeler). This is the Phillies’ window to win a title, and they got the piece that’s been hardest for them to find anywhere else.”

Tyler Kepner, Senior MLB Writer, The Athletic – Twins A; Phillies B+

What they’re saying: “It’s hard to see the Twins regretting this deal. The Phillies might, in time, but they had no choice but to fix the bullpen, and Duran gives them a better chance to win a championship. That’s what matters most now.”

R.J. Anderson, CBS Sports MLB Writer – Phillies A, Twins B

What they’re saying: “Duran will ostensibly step into the ninth-inning role, giving the Phillies the kind of end-game cheat code they thought they had in suspended closer José Alvarado and hoped they were getting in free-agent signing Jordan Romano. Pair him with Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm and you start to have the makings of a reliable high-leverage situation.”

Jesse Yomtov, USA Today MLB Writer – Phillies A, Twins C-

What they’re saying: “Dave Dombrowski seized on his opportunity to get 2½ years of one of the best relievers in baseball in exchange for just a pair of prospects. It’s a huge addition for the Phillies, with Duran presumably assuming the ninth-inning role and taking a ton of pressure off the club’s other high-leverage guys. Philadelphia has the 27-year-old flamethrower under team control through 2027.”

What they're saying: grades for Phillies' trade for Jhoan Duran originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies made their big splash trade a full day before MLB’s trade deadline, sending two of their top prospects to Minnesota for Twins fireballing closer Jhoan Duran. It’s difficult to find many fans who would disapprove of the trade, but to get full perspective on this, we cast our net wider, and pulled in the many writers across the Interweb who have given out grades to the Phils and Twins for the swap.

Michael Rand, Minnesota Star Tribune – Twins: B, Phillies B+

What they’re saying: “It will be easier to judge this in a few years, obviously, but the bottom line is the Twins got a reasonable haul even if they didn’t get a can’t-miss prospect and sold high on Duran even if you are squeamish about losing him.

It’s a deal that benefits both teams for the stages they are at, but those two extra years of team control with Duran tip the scales a little more in the Phillies’ favor.”

Andy McCullough, Senior MLB Writer, The Athletic – Twins B, Phillies A

What they’re saying: “It’s an easy trade to like for both sides. The Phillies acquired possibly the best reliever on the market, and didn’t have to part with their best prospects. The Twins managed to get a big-league-ready pitcher with a decent floor and a catcher with potential. I guess the price was right.”

Chad Jennings, MLB Writer, The Athletic – Twins A-, Phillies A

What they’re saying: “Rather than trying to nickel and dime their way through quantity over quality, the Phillies went out and got the best shutdown closer on the market (one who’s under contract for two more seasons, just like Zack Wheeler). This is the Phillies’ window to win a title, and they got the piece that’s been hardest for them to find anywhere else.”

Tyler Kepner, Senior MLB Writer, The Athletic – Twins: A; Phillies B+

What they’re saying: “It’s hard to see the Twins regretting this deal. The Phillies might, in time, but they had no choice but to fix the bullpen, and Duran gives them a better chance to win a championship. That’s what matters most now.”

R.J. Anderson, CBS Sports MLB Writer – Phillies A, Twins B

What they’re saying: “Duran will ostensibly step into the ninth-inning role, giving the Phillies the kind of end-game cheat code they thought they had in suspended closer José Alvarado and hoped they were getting in free-agent signing Jordan Romano. Pair him with Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm and you start to have the makings of a reliable high-leverage situation.”

Jesse Yomtov, USA Today MLB Writer – Phillies A, Twins C-

What they’re saying: “Dave Dombrowski seized on his opportunity to get 2½ years of one of the best relievers in baseball in exchange for just a pair of prospects. It’s a huge addition for the Phillies, with Duran presumably assuming the ninth-inning role and taking a ton of pressure off the club’s other high-leverage guys. Philadelphia has the 27-year-old flamethrower under team control through 2027.”

Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday on BBC Sportsound

Rangers are a work in progress and will definitely improve on what they've shown over the two legs.

There are a lot of things for them to work on and new faces will help as well.

Ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd on Sky Sports

Some exciting players have arrived at Rangers - but Russell Martin is not silly, he will know that there is a lot of work to be done.

It's another tie out of the way, but they will have to tighten up defensively. Yes, Panathinaikos harassed Rangers and forced them into mistakes - but they were asking question after question of Rangers.

Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell on BBC Sportsound

That's the big thing with Russell Martin - he thrives on the training ground.

The longer he has with his players, the better they will get. This Rangers team showed a bit of character today. It's all positive at the moment, they just need to keep this momentum going.

Ex-Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands on BBC Sportsound

If you keep playing that way with those type of players you are going to get caught out. They have not been good enough over the last two legs.

Rangers don't really have time. The style of play right now seems like it's not really working. That needs to be tidied up before the next round."

Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson on BBC Sportsound

Yes, they were lucky at times, but I liked the mentality of the players. Can it be better? Of course it can.

I was a little worried before the game and we really saw the seasons why, because Rangers were cut open so many times. They need a few more in the building if they are going to progress further.

Athletics reportedly trade Mason Miller, J.P. Sears to Padres for four players originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Athletics shook up their roster in a major way on Thursday.

The Green and Gold traded star closer Mason Miller and starting pitcher J.P. Sears to the San Diego Padres for shortstop prospect Leodalis De Vries, the No. 3 prospect in baseball, and right-handed pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Báez and Eduarniel Nuñez, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported, citing sources.

The 26-year-old Miller was an All-Star for the Athletics in 2024, and in 38 games this season, posted a 3.76 ERA with 59 strikeouts, 18 walks and 20 saves in 38 1/3 innings pitched.

Sears, the Athletics’ staff ace, posted a 4.95 ERA with 97 strikeouts to 29 walks in 111 innings pitched this season.

While both pitchers certainly were beloved by fans and within the organization, it appears the A’s got a haul from the Padres.

As mentioned, De Vries is the third-best prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB.com, and in 82 games at the High-A level, the 18-year-old shortstop is batting .245/.357/.410 with eight home runs, 46 RBI and eight stolen bases with a .767 OPS in 368 plate appearances.

Nett, a 23-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 3 prospect, and in 17 starts at the Double-A level, posted a 3.39 ERA with 86 strikeouts to 34 walks in 74 1/3 innings pitched.

Báez, a 22-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 13 prospect, and in 20 starts at the Double-A level, posted a very impressive 1.96 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 31 walks in 96 2/3 innings pitched.

Finally, Nuñez, a 26-year-old relief pitcher and San Diego’s No. 17 prospect, posted a 2.83 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 17 walks in 35 innings pitched across the Double- and Triple-A levels this season while surrendering two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work at the major-league level.

Athletics trade Mason Miller, J.P. Sears to Padres for four prospects originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Athletics shook up their roster in a major way on Thursday.

The Green and Gold traded star closer Mason Miller and starting pitcher J.P. Sears to the San Diego Padres for shortstop prospect Leodalis De Vries, the No. 3 prospect in baseball, and right-handed pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Báez and Eduarniel Nuñez, the team announced after ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the news.

The 26-year-old Miller was an MLB All-Star for the Athletics in 2024, and in 38 games this season, posted a 3.76 ERA with 59 strikeouts, 18 walks and 20 saves in 38 1/3 innings pitched.

Sears, the Athletics’ staff ace, posted a 4.95 ERA with 97 strikeouts to 29 walks in 111 innings pitched this season.

While both pitchers certainly were beloved by fans and within the organization, it appears the A’s got a haul from the Padres.

As mentioned, De Vries is the third-best prospect in all of baseball, per MLB.com, and in 82 games at the High-A level, the 18-year-old shortstop is batting .245/.357/.410 with eight home runs, 46 RBI and eight stolen bases with a .767 OPS in 368 plate appearances.

Nett, a 23-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 3 prospect, and in 17 starts at the Double-A level, posted a 3.39 ERA with 86 strikeouts to 34 walks in 74 1/3 innings pitched.

Báez, a 22-year-old starting pitcher, is San Diego’s No. 13 prospect, and in 20 starts at the Double-A level, posted a very impressive 1.96 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 31 walks in 96 2/3 innings pitched.

Finally, Nuñez, a 26-year-old relief pitcher and San Diego’s No. 17 prospect, posted a 2.83 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 17 walks in 35 innings pitched across the Double- and Triple-A levels this season while surrendering two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work at the major-league level.

Red Sox acquire Steven Matz in trade to bolster pitching depth originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox have made their first move ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

The Red Sox acquired left-handed pitcher Steven Matz from the Cardinals in a trade that sends infield prospect Blaze Jordan to St. Louis, the teams announced late Wednesday night.

Matz, 34, is a longtime starter turned reliever who found success in the Cardinals’ bullpen this season, posting a 3.44 ERA and 1.182 WHIP over 55 innings. He’s made 172 career starts over an 11-year MLB career primarily split between the New York Mets and Cardinals but transitioned to a bullpen role late in the 2024 season.

Matz is a rental making $3.8 million on the final year of a four-year, $44 million contract, so the Red Sox will either need to re-sign him to a new deal this offseason or let him walk in free agency. Still, the veteran is a welcome addition to a staff that could use relief help behind All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman, who currently is dealing with a minor back injury.

Matz’s past experience as a starter also gives Boston the flexibility to use him in spots starts or as a long reliever if necessary.

The Red Sox paid a price to land Matz, however. While Jordan was the 19th-ranked prospect in Boston’s system per SoxProspects.com, he’s skyrocketed through the minors and earned the call-up to Triple-A Worcester in June. The 22-year-old was slashing .298/.341/.480 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in 44 games with Worcester and boasts plenty of raw power.

The Red Sox are clearly in win-now mode, though, and trading for a rental signals their intention to bolster the roster for a playoff push. At 59-51, the team currently occupies the second Wild Card spot in the American League and is five games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East.

Boston still could use a legitimate mid-rotation starter, a catcher and a first baseman ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET MLB trade deadline, so we’ll see if chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has more moves to make.