Day three updates from around the grounds
They’re up and running at Chelmsford and Canterbury – where Kent – buttressed by Ben Compton - had an unexpectedly good Wednesday against Leicestershire.
Fifty for Revis – who the Yorkshire cognoscenti consider to be the best of the batting bunch (though I feel I’ve written that about various others in the top five over the last few years). The Yorks lead is currently 113 and you’d think they’ll bat till tea if they last the course.
Continue reading...While Andy Farrell’s team are winning matches and fans in Australia, the league Lions remain in hibernation
If the British & Irish Lions complete a clean sweep against the Wallabies on Saturday in Sydney, there will be more talk of Australia no longer being a sufficiently challenging destination for a Lions tour. It’s a mirror image of what has happened to the rugby league Lions over the past 15 years, with Australia deciding that neither Great Britain nor England brought the jeopardy, ticket sales or eyeballs required to justify an incoming tour. Instead, the Kangaroos will visit London, Liverpool and Leeds later this year to play England.
It has been 33 years since Great Britain toured Australia. Martin Offiah lit up that series in 1992, scoring seven tries in six Tests against Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. Offiah, who won 33 caps for Great Britain, as well as five for England, cannot believe the Rugby Football League and Australian Rugby League have allowed these showcase events to fade from view. “As a nation we’ve got to have regular fixtures against Australia,” says Offiah. “Not playing them since the World Cup final in 2017 is crazy. When you’re trying to get across that bridge and match them, that’s a massive gap. And we should have been Great Britain for this series – then gone back to England for the World Cup.”
Continue reading...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 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: 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 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.”
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.”
On July 30 and 31, 2005, the NHL held its draft. It was initially scheduled for June 25th, but the lockout messed up the schedule. After the draft lottery was held on July 22, the drafting order was known, and the Pittsburgh Penguins won the privilege of drafting Sidney Crosby, a move that would change the fate of the franchise. As for the Montreal Canadiens, they won the fifth pick.
With Crosby, Bobby Ryan, Jack Johnson, and Benoit Pouliot off the board, the Canadiens elected to select Carey Price with the fifth overall pick. The move would turn out to be franchise-altering as well. The goaltender became the face of the team for 15 years and became the winningest netminder in the storied franchise's history with 361 wins.
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The Canadiens made the playoffs in 10 of the 15 years in which Price tended net for them, despite their lack of firepower. While Price was unable to lead them to the ultimate prize, he had the talent and the skills necessary to do it if only he had been given a better supporting cast.
Some blame Price for signing a contract that eats up too much of the cap, but the truth of the matter is, anyone would have done the same. Management offered the 84-million contract for eight years and then proceeded to invest much of its remaining money on the blueline. Marc Bergevin preferred a defense corps with big, punishing defensemen, and he was willing to invest heavily to achieve that.
The ”you just have to make the playoffs and then anything can happen” formula didn’t work, and it shouldn’t have been a shock to anyone. Generally speaking, the Stanley Cup champions don’t just sneak into the playoffs and luck out into a Championship.
It takes careful planning to reach the highest of heights in the NHL, and one has to wonder what would have happened had Price been playing for the current management team, with much more offensive power up front. It could have happened had injuries not ended his career early, but it just wasn’t to be.
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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Arch Manning madness: where does the stupidity end? Texas quarterback with famous name dealing with Texas hype and wild rumors about NFL future.
Alabama's athletic director offered one of the offseason's best ideas for how to improve the college football season – and playoff selection process.
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 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.
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.
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.
Josh Hader - Houston Astros
Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners
Edwin Díaz - New York Mets
Hader made back-to-back outings against the Nationals this week, striking out two in a non-save situation on Monday before striking out the side for his 28th save on Tuesday. The 31-year-old left-hander has produced a 2.22 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and a 73/13 K/BB ratio across 48 2/3 innings.
In Seattle, Muñoz made three scoreless appearances in the last week, picking up two saves against the Angels and Athletics. The 26-year-old right-hander trails Hader with 24 saves, but has posted an incredible 1.32 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 54/18 K/BB ratio across 41 innings.
Díaz is right there with 23 saves after converting two in back-to-back outings against the Giants over the weekend. He's produced a 1.48 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 64/16 K/BB ratio across 42 2/3 innings. The team made a number of acquisitions to bolster the bullpen ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, including Gregory Soto from the Orioles, Tyler Rogers from the Giants, and a high-profile closer in Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals. Helsley had converted 21 saves in St. Louis to go with a 3.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and a 41/14 K/BB ratio across 36 innings. Expect Helsley to step into a primary setup role behind Díaz.
Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies
Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers
Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres
Chapman had an injury scare this week, leaving with a training in the middle of Sunday's outing against the Dodgers with diminished velocity. The 37-year-old left-hander was dealing with some back tightness. He was unavailable Monday, then struck out the only batter he faced for his 19th save Tuesday against the Twins with his velocity back up to normal.
Duran made three appearances, picking up a save against the Nationals before giving up one run and picking up a win against the Red Sox on Monday. Wednesday, the Twins completed a blockbuster trade with the Phillies, sending Duran to Philadelphia in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Mick Abel and catching prospect Eduardo Taint. Despite Phillies manager Rob Thomson's propensity to mix and match in the ninth inning, the rest-of-season outlook shouldn't change for Duran as he should step right in and be the team's full-time closer. In fact, he could see more save chances with the 61-47 Phillies.
Megill allowed his first baserunner in six outings on Sunday, picking up a win with a scoreless inning against the Marlins. He then picked up his 24th save, striking out the lone batter he faced against the Cubs on Monday. The 31-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.19 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 45/15 K/BB ratio across 37 frames.
Suarez pitched a scoreless inning against the Cardinals on Saturday for his 30th save, then surrendered a solo homer against the Mets on Monday to blow the save chance. Still, he leads the majors in saves to go with a 3.50 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 46/12 K/BB ratio across 43 2/3 innings. It's hard to imagine the Padres moving off the saves leader in the ninth, regardless of who they may bring in at the trade deadline.
Mason Miller - Athletics
Devin Williams - New York Yankees
David Bednar - Pittsburgh Pirates
Daniel Palencia - Chicago Cubs
Will Vest - Detroit Tigers
Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds
Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels
Camilo Doval - San Francisco Giants
Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays
Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays
Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals
Miller recorded a four-out save with one strikeout against the Astros last Thursday, then tossed a scoreless inning against Houston in a non-save situation Saturday. He extends his scoreless streak to 11 games. Though he has just eight saves in the last two months due to poor team performance. Miller was curiously left in the bullpen during a save situation on Wednesday despite having three days' rest, fueling trade speculation. It was reported late Wednesday that the Padres were working on a potential deal for the 26-year-old right-hander.
Williams struck out two in a clean inning against the Phillies on Sunday for a save. He then gave up a run against the Rays on Tuesday before holding on for his 17th save. Expect Williams to continue to work as the team's closer despite the team's interest in several quality relievers on the trade market.
Bednar made three appearances in four days this week, picking up two saves against the Diamondbacks and Giants. The 30-year-old right-hander is up to 17 saves with a 2.37 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 51/10 K/BB ratio across 38 innings. With Bednar getting the day off on Tuesday, Dennis Santana stepped in for a save against the Giants. It would be surprising to see both Bednar and Santana still with the team following Thursday's trade deadline. Should both Bednar and Santana be on the move Thursday, Isaac Mattson could be the logical candidate to step in as closer. The 30-year-old right-hander tossed two scoreless innings to pick up a win against the Giants on Wednesday, ending his day with a 2.13 ERA over 25 1/3 innings.
Palencia struck out one batter on his way to a four-out save against the White Sox on Sunday, then tossed a clean inning in a non-save situation against the Brewers on Wednesday. The 25-year-old right-hander is up to 14 saves with a 1.40 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 42/11 K/BB ratio across 38 2/3 innings.
Vest surrendered two runs and took the loss against the Blue Jays on Saturday, then tossed a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the Diamondbacks on Monday. The 30-year-old right-hander has converted eight saves with a 2.53 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 51/15 K/BB ratio across 46 1/3 innings. The Tigers should be in the market for relief pitching, which could muddle Vest's outlook for the rest of the season.
Pagán had a busy week, pitching four times over the last five days. He picked up a save with a clean inning against the Rays on Sunday, then took the loss Tuesday with one run allowed against the Dodgers. Jansen also pitched in four of five days, collecting saves in three straight. The 37-year-old right-hander is up to 20 saves with a 2.93 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 39/11 K/BB ratio across 40 innings.
Doval made three appearances in non-save situations this week, giving up two runs against the Mets on Friday before tossing a scoreless inning against the Pirates on Monday, followed by three strikeouts in a scoreless inning Wednesday. The Giants have made the 28-year-old right-hander available on the trade market after trading veteran Tyler Rogers to the Mets on Wednesday. Doval has converted 15 saves with a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 50/24 K/BB ratio across 46 2/3 innings. With Rogers out of the picture and Doval in the center of trade talks in San Francisco, it might be a good idea to add Randy Rodríguez in any leagues he's available. The 25-year-old right-handed All-Star should step right into the ninth-inning role, bringing a 1.20 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a 62/9 K/BB ratio across 45 innings.
Fairbanks picked up a four-out save against the Yankees on Monday, then was charged with a blown save against New York with one run allowed in the ninth. He's converted 18 saves with a 2.90 ERA across 40 1/3 innings. Fairbanks has been involved in trade rumors leading up to Thursday's deadline, with the Dodgers, Rangers, and Yankees linked to the 31-year-old right-hander. The Rays would likely use a committee approach in the ninth inning should Fairbanks be moved, with Edwin Uceta and Garrett Cleavinger in the mix for saves.
Hoffman gave up a run to take the loss against the Orioles on Tuesday, then bounced back with a scoreless inning Wednesday for his 24th save. And in Kansas City, Estévez is up to 28 after converting two saves this week.
Cade Smith - Cleveland Guardians
Griffin Jax/Louis Varland/Brock Stewart - Minnesota Twins
Phil Maton/Jojo Romero - St. Louis Cardinals
Blake Treinen/Alex Vesia - Los Angeles Dodgers
Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves
Kyle Finnegan - Washington Nationals
Robert Garcia - Texas Rangers
Yennier Cano/Corbin Martin - Baltimore Orioles
In a shocking development last week, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31st as MLB conducts an investigation into potential gambling. Cade Smith is the likely candidate to step in to save chances. He got the first opportunity without Clase on Tuesday but blew the chance with four runs, one earned, coming in while recording just one out against the Rockies. Smith has had an otherwise strong season, posting a 3.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 65/17 K/BB ratio across 45 innings.
The Twins may not be done making moves following their trade of Jhoan Duran to the Phillies. For now, Griffin Jax looks to be in line for more saves in Minnesota. However, there's no guarantee that the 30-year-old right-hander will be used as a traditional primary closer. It took Duran a few seasons to get to that point under Rocco Baldelli. The most likely outcome is a committee approach to the ninth inning, with Louis Varland or Brock Stewart mixing in for save chances, assuming both are still with the team as well.
The Cardinals also moved their high-profile closer on Wednesday, sending Ryan Helsley to the Mets. While Phil Maton would make the most sense as the next man up in the bullpen, the 32-year-old right-hander is also drawing plenty of trade interest and is staying behind in St. Louis on Thursday as the team travels to San Diego for a series against the Padres. In the likely scenario that Maton is moved, Jojo Romero and Riley O'Brien could be in the mix for saves.
Treinen gave up a run on two hits and two walks while recording two outs in his first appearance off the injured list. Meanwhile, Vesia converted a save against the Reds on Tuesday, striking out two in a perfect inning. Expect the Dodgers to continue to utilize a matchup-based committee in the ninth inning in the absence of Tanner Scott.
Iglesias surrendered a run against the Rangers on Saturday on a walk and a hit to blow the save opportunity. He bounced back on Monday with a clean inning against the Royals for his 12th save to go with a disappointing 4.85 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 47/10 K/BB ratio across 42 2/3 innings.
Finnegan tossed a scoreless inning against the Twins on Sunday, then converted a save with a scoreless frame against the Astros on Monday. The 33-year-old right-hander has converted 20 saves with a 4.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 32/14 K/BB ratio across 39 innings.
No saves out of Texas this week. García made one scoreless appearance against the Braves on Friday. The Rangers could be in the market for a high-leverage reliever at Thursday's trade deadline. And in Baltimore, Félix Bautista is expected to be out for an extended period of time with a shoulder injury. Cano, along with Corbin Martin, could be in the mix for saves. Martin converted his first career save in the second game of a doubleheader against the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Kevin Ginkel - Arizona Diamondbacks
Anthony Bender/Ronny Henriquez - Miami Marlins
Grant Taylor - Chicago White Sox
Seth Halvorsen - Colorado Rockies
