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The Cubs are currently 54-42 and inhabit the NL’s first wild card spot, half a game ahead of the Phillies. The Marlins have, kind of under-the-radar, moved into the third wild card spot, 2.5 games behind the Cubs, two behind the Phillies and a game ahead of the Cardinals.
But the Cubs trail the Brewers in the NL Central by just five games. With 66 games remaining, that does not seem like an insurmountable lead to overcome. The Cubs and Brewers will face each other seven times before the regular season ends, four at Wrigley Field (Aug. 31-Sept. 1-2-3) and three in Milwaukee (Sept. 7-8-9). Playing those seven games within a 10-day span should go a long way to sorting out the division title. The Brewers currently lead the season series four games to two, so the Cubs would have to win five of the seven to take the season series and thus have the tiebreaker.
So where do you think the Cubs will finish the regular season? Winning the NL Central is not just for prestige; it likely would come with a first-round bye into the Division Series round of the postseason.
Vote in the survey and I’ll have the results here later in the week.
Jun 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Athletics manager Mark Kotsay (right) watches his team take on the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Happy Wednesday A’s fans,
This past weekend, the MLB Draft introduced the stars of tomorrow. One of the most thrilling Home Run Derbies in recent years followed the next day, leading into last night’s “Midsummer Classic,” which showcased many of the game’s brightest stars. Athletics’ catcher Shea Langeliers singled and walked in the American League’s 4-0 victory, which capped off a frantic few days of MLB events in Philadelphia.
With a couple of days off before the A’s resume their season against the Washington Nationals, it is a good time to assess the team’s first-half performance.
Offense
Entering the season, the Athletics offense was expected to carry this team and perform like a top-tier lineup. That has not happened, as the club ranks in the middle-to-lower tier of the league with a .243 team batting average and 422 total runs scored. Additionally, despite playing in a hitter-friendly home ballpark, the A’s have hit the 12th most home runs in the league.
All-Stars Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz were the team’s two-best hitters in the first half, although Langeliers’ production dipped after a stellar first couple of months. Kurtz’s recent slump can be attributed to a thumb injury that landed him on the injured list and kept him out of the All-Star Game.
Versatile utility player Zack Gelof was the biggest surprise. He provided excellent defense at several positions, while putting up offensive numbers on par with his highly-productive rookie season.
Injuries are partially to blame for the offensive struggles, as Gelof, shortstop Jacob Wilson and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom all missed time, not to mention designated hitter Brent Rooker undergoing season-ending knee surgery. However, it is also worth mentioning the lack of consistent production from outfielder Lawrence Butler and veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil this season.
Grade: B-
Pitching
The less said about the team’s pitching, the better. Yesterday, the A’s fired pitching coach Scott Emerson after ending the first half with a 5.21 team ERA that ranks second-to-last in the majors. The team’s highest-paid pitcher Luis Severino has been out since May with a shoulder injury. Free-agent signee Aaron Civale got off to a strong start before getting injured. He has since regressed to the form he displayed over the past couple of seasons.
Breakout right-hander J.T Ginn and the franchise’s top pitching prospect Gage Jump have been the team’s lone bright spots in the rotation. As for the bullpen, free-agent signee Scott Barlow was designated for assignment a few weeks ago after posting a career-worst 6.48 ERA. Right-hander Luis Medina has pitched well in his return from Tommy John surgery as has its lone left-hander Hogan Harris.
Really, it all comes down to the team not assembling a good enough pitching staff or figuring out how to pitch effectively at Sutter Health Park. Other teams have pitched fine there, so why is it that the A’s have struggled so much at this ballpark?
Grade: D
Coaching
For the second consecutive season, the A’s have suffered a devastating losing stretch that they have been unable to stop, with each loss pushing them further behind their divisional rivals. Between that and the pitching continuing to be a serious problem, it is time to seriously consider whether a regime change is the right move to take the Athletics from pretenders to contenders.
With Emerson gone, these next few months will be a litmus test for manager Mark Kotsay’s future. Can he get this team back on track and set the club up for a high-stakes stretch run, or will it be another inconsequential second half for the “Green and Gold”?
Grade: C
What grades would you give the A’s for their first half? Do you think this team has what it takes to turn things around?
Over the past few years, the Athletics have had more success drafting and developing players. Now, the team needs this pool of talent to coalesce into a unit capable of competing for the playoffs.
Georgia Tech reliever Mason Patel is the most noteworthy name among these UDFAs. He was named a finalist for the National Stopper of the Year Award, presented annually to the nation’s top relief pitcher.
The A's have come to terms with 6 undrafted free agents: C Max Aude/Pepperdine 1B James Whitman/Biola 2B Shintaro Inoue/Kansas State IF Xavier Esquer/UC Santa Barbara RHP Colin Fitzgerald/Penn State RHP Mason Patel/Georgia Tech
— Bill Moriarity – A's Farm (@AthleticsFarm) July 14, 2026
Congrats to Zack Gelof and his fiancée! Wishing them both the best. Seeing the knee brace in this picture is a reminder that his injury may have been more significant than many realized. Here’s hoping he’s back on the field soon—this struggling squad could certainly use him.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 27: Juan Soto #22, A.J. Ewing #9, and Carson Benge #3 of the New York Mets celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on Saturday, June 27, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Let’s cut right to the chase: The Mets are a bad baseball team. But worse than being bad, they’re borderline unwatchable. Ah, I see I’ve already contradicted the overarching purpose of this article. Apologies, let’s start over.
Yes, the Mets are bad. And yes, the Mets have been teetering on the precipice of completely unwatchable slop for much of the first half, but there have been some bright spots so far in this season. Despite carrying a 0.8% chance of making the postseason according to FanGraphs—remember when they started the year at 86.6%? Pepperidge Farm remembers—there are still plenty of reasons to tune in beyond our overarching love for the sport itself and passing the time with America’s past time.
Even in the worst years, there are typically things to latch on to and keep us engaged—think Jacob deGrom’s Cy Young campaign in 2018, R.A. Dickey’s march towards 20 wins and the Cy Young in 2012, watching David Wright break every offensive record in the book during some bleak years, to name a few examples—and this Mets team has a few interesting story lines heading into the second half, even if making the postseason isn’t one of them. So without further ado, here are the top things for Mets fans to keep an eye on following the All-Star break.
Juan Soto
This one’s a bit of a cop out, but come on. As bad as this season has been, we get to watch one of the most special talents on the planet play baseball night in and night out. Soto has been as advertised since arriving in Queens, even with a slow start to his 15-year tenure with the Mets. Soto finished third in NL MVP voting last year, hitting .263/.395/.525 with a 156 wRC+ and 5.8 fWAR. He hit 43 home runs, stole 38 bases, scored 120 runs, drove in 105, and set a franchise record by walking 127 times. And he was inexplicably left off the All-Star roster. That wrong was righted this year, as the fans voted him into the starting lineup. He enters the break with 21 homers, 44 runs scored, 51 runs batted in, and an even better 163 wRC+ while hitting .290/.405/.562 despite missing time early in the year with an injury.
This positive comes with a tinge of sadness, as the realization of Soto’s greatness also comes with the bitterness of understanding that the team has now wasted two prime seasons. This is now two years where the Mets cannot capitalize on prime Soto, which seems to be their M.O.—how many years of prime David Wright did the team squander? Prime Matt Harvey? Prime Jacob deGrom? Prime Pete Alonso? Prime Francisco Lindor? The list goes on and on and on.
Despite that, adding a player like Soto in free agency felt like an unrealistic dream just a few seasons ago. He plays for the Mets, and that’s worth the price of admission alone most nights. Let’s just hope the team catches up to his talent one day.
The Psychopaths (Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing)
What else is there to latch on to in lost seasons if not the youth? Benge and Ewing have been, aside from Soto, the biggest bright spots in the lineup. Benge grabbed his opportunity right out of spring training, and despite a slow start, he’s established himself as a solid bat with a terrific glove in right field. Meanwhile, Ewing debuted a little bit later than Benge but has been no less impressive. Along with Soto, the team seems to have set up their outfield for the foreseeable future.
The 23-year-old Benge entered the break hitting .263/.326/.402 with a 106 wRC+ and 1.7 fWAR in 94 games. His 11 home runs and his 1.7 fWAR are second to Soto, and he leads the club with 52 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. Then there’s the 21-year-old Ewing, who is hitting .276/.350/.439 with seven homers, 27 runs scored, 24 runs batted in, and nine stolen bases. His 122 wRC+ is second to Soto, and his 1.2 fWAR is third behind Soto and Benge. He’s done all this while playing really strong defense in center. He has also hit well against lefties as of late, showcasing another strength. Both guys have been utilized up and down the lineup, including hitting leadoff and in the middle of the lineup.
When speaking about Benge and Ewing during a broadcast earlier this season, Keith Hernandez referred to them as “two golden nuggets,” which is an apt description of the team’s two youngest talents. Their continued development will be a big talking point, and both could factor in NL Cy Young voting, which would be a nice little win for the team. If nothing else, their emergence represents a bright light in what has been a really dark season.
Scott and McLean and pray for rain
This title is a bit misleading, as this is more about the overall view of the young arms, which goes beyond just these two. All that is to say that, if all goes well, the team will have an entirely new rotation next year that is (hopefully) made up of many of these up-and-comers. Out with the old, in with the new.
Nolan McLean had a terrific debut in 2025 and looked to be the undisputed future ace of the staff, but has been a bit more uneven this year. He’s struggled with his consistency, looking as good as he did in 2025 some times and looking like he needs more seasoning in Triple-A other times. Specifically, his home/road splits are perplexing, as he dominates on the road but struggles at home. Despite that, he’s had a really solid stretch over his past few starts and could be putting his early season struggles behind him.
Then there’s Christian Scott, who missed all of 2025 but has emerged as one of the team’s best pitchers this year. He enters the break with a 3.17 ERA in 12 starts, and the Mets have won nine of his 12 outings this year. He has struggled at times to go deep into games, and after missing all of last year, it’s likely the team will ease off the gas pedal with him to ensure he doesn’t tire himself out, but he seems to have inserted himself into the team’s future rotation plans with authority.
With the team likely to trade at least one (and possibly two or three) starters—more on that later—additional will open up in their rotation. That’s where Zach Thornton and Jonah Tong come in. Thornton struggled in his first start against the Nationals, but he’s been terrific in his last two appearances. His last time out specifically, he hurled seven shutout innings and would have gotten his first career win had Francisco Lindor’s error and Devin Williams’ ineffectiveness not conspired against him. Andy Green seemed to suggest he will make his next start at the major league level, and honestly there’s no reason why he shouldn’t. And should additional spots open up, the team could give Tong another shot, despite his Triple-A struggles. Depending on how they’re feeling about his development, there’s every chance he could be back up to finish out the year in the majors and get more seasoning in the bigs. Lastly, Jack Wenninger also could be in line for a call-up at some point after the break.
The trade deadline and restocking the farm
Probably the biggest story line for the next three weeks or so is how David Stearns and the organization will handle the deadline. Is this sexy? Not in the least. But is it important? Absolutely.
A successful deadline could set the franchise up for an immediate turnaround. The team has made it known that they are open for business, but they seem to be approaching the deadline more as a retool than any sort of rebuild. They are very much building towards being competitive again in 2027, so they can seek major league talent on their returns, or at the very least will look to restock the farm to set themselves up for sustained success. With the farm system ranked 24th after graduating some of their top talent and trading some other talent, it’ll be a welcome sight to see an influx of talent (and they could look to flip the players for major league talent later on).
There are no sure things in life, but I’d venture a guess as to say Freddy Peralta, A.J. Minter, and Brooks Raley will not be wearing a Mets uniform after August 3. If the club cannot work out an extension with Clay Holmes, who is almost sure to opt out after year’s end, they could look to deal him as well, and he could be one of their biggest chips. The team will also listen to basically everyone aside from the players listed above (Soto, Ewing, Benge, Scott, McLean, and Thornton), so any number of guys could be moved. That includes younger players like Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Francisco Alvarez, and other vets like Bo Bichette, Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, and Luis Robert Jr.
And then there is Francisco Lindor, who figures to be one of the more intriguing trade options. While the Mets have not actively talked about shopping him, there have been rumblings about whether they would consider it, to the point that he was recently asked whether he would consider waiving his no trade (he replied “no comment” to the reporter’s inquiry). Lindor missed significant time due to injury this year, which has kept his numbers very modest compared to his career norms, but it still feels premature for the club to move on from their star shortstop or actively argue that he is in the twilight of his career. A good Mets team in 2027 almost definitely features both Soto and Lindor performing well in tandem alongside the team’s young outfielders and pitchers. Still, Stearns and the organization will likely leave no stone un-turned at the deadline, so if a tantalizing offer is presented, they will certainly consider it.
The Mets kick off their second half schedule on Thursday night as they travel to Philadelphia to face the Phillies at 7:10 PM EDT.
OAKLAND, CA - CIRCA 1989: Second Baseman Frank White #20 of the Kansas City Royals bats against the Oakland Athletics during an Major League Baseball game circa 1989 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. White played for the Royals from 1973-90. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On this very day 40 years ago, The Houston Astrodome would play host to the 57th annual All-Star Game. Royals Second Baseman Frank White would ultimately score the deciding run that night and he’s our featured guest at The Crawfish Boxes.
Q: You were no stranger to All-Star Games, and your career spanned eras to a degree. What were those games like?
A: Those All-Star Games were unbelievable. In the 70’s, you were able to see Willie Mays and play against Hank Aaron and Clemente and all of those guys. Frank Robinson was my favorite player and watching them go into the Hall of Fame was inspiring. I still think about it, those guys were all so impressive.
Q: Your final ASG, would be on this day in 1986. You sure made it count! What do you remember about that game?
A: (laughs) I didn’t start, I came in late and pinch hit. Mike Scott was pretty much unhittable that year, and he had started the inning by striking out Cal Ripken and Jessie Barfield ahead of me. He had me down 0-2 in the count and the Dome started to come alive with 45,000 people standing up anticipating a third strikeout. I
was hoping he’d try to sneak a fastball inside, often at that time when a pitcher had you down in the count, they’d throw you that pitch inside and he happened to miss. I was able to hit a homerun. That was something to make that happen.
Q: Did you know it was gone when you made contact?
A: You know, when I first hit it, I didn’t think it was going to go out. The Astrodome was huge of course, a tough place to hit homeruns. I was glad it sailed over the fence.
Q: Was it extra special for you to be able to play for your manager Dick Howser in that game?
A: Without question. I loved playing for him.
He was a great manager, especially if you were a veteran player because he had spent most of his time previously with the Yankees and they didn’t have a ton of younger players. They always had established guys who were ready to play, just like us. He knew how to handle older guys.
I put it all together in 1985 and Dick let me bat fourth in all seven games of that World Series since we couldn’t use the DH, and I led the Series in RBIs.
Q: When you see All-Star Games in this modern era, why doesn’t it mean as much?
A: I think when we played the games meant more from a competitive standpoint. Guys played to win. Today there’s the home field advantage to justify it, but it’s not like when Pete Rose ran over Ray Fosse. There was so much intensity back then. It’s more of a show now, it’s really for the fans.
Guys are being interviewed while they’re on the field or in between innings, it’s more of a show and it’s not as physical of a game as it used to be.
Q: We have a special guy in Houston who plays second base just as you did. In all probability, he’ll finish his career just as you played your entire career with Kansas City., he’ll play for one team. What do you think of Jose Altuve when you watch him play?
A: He’s a fun guy to watch, he always has been. I’ve always been envious of the size of the park he plays 81 games in each year (laughs). Kansas City was the biggest park in the American League back then.
What I like is the overall consistency. It just shows you, even with his size, you don’t have to be a big player to be successful in this game. Jose can do it all. He’s a Hall of Fame player, no doubt.
Q: What was tougher? Politics for you when you held office or dealing with a Roger Clemens fastball back in the day?
A: When I faced Roger Clemens, I kind of knew what he was going to throw. That being said, he dominated us in his career.
With politics, your worst enemies are the politicians (laughs) so I was happy I did that for 9 years for the community, but I’m glad I’m out of it and enjoying my life now.
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) is voted the 2026 MLB All-Star Game MVP (Arch Ward Trophy) at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
We’ve got two more off-days for the Mariners before they get ready to host the Giants in a weekend matchup. How have you been spending your extra days off from M’s baseball?
In Mariners news…
Amanda Lane Cumming continued her coverage of the 1996 Mariners by remembering their month of April, in which the team got off to a hot start but things began to get ugly for closer Bobby Ayala.
The MLBPA is prepared to go to bat for amateur players in order to maintain their eligibility to be drafted out of high school, reported J.J. Cooper at Baseball America. ($)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 4: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves hugs a police officer during batting practice before the game against the New York Mets at Truist Park on July 4, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There isn’t much action to speak of at the minor league level due to the all-star break, but there is some important rehab action going on down in Northport with the FCL Braves. The biggest is, of course, Ronald Acuna Jr. making his second appearance during his recovery from his hamstring strain. Ha-Seong Kim and Ray Kerr both made appearances as well.
Ray Kerr, SP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 0.00 ERA
The FCL isn’t typically the center stage of the recaps, but with no full season teams in action and a somewhat important player leading off for them, it was their chance to show all of Braves country just how bad they’ve been this season. It’s been a pretty nasty FCL campaign but Ronald Acuna Jr. is working back towards health and that is all that matters. Unfortunately this isn’t a game we have any Statcast data on, so all I have to report is what the box score has to show. Acuna flew out in the first inning and struck out in the third, then was able to reach on an error in the top of the 5th inning. Acuna was immediately lifted for a pinch runner at that point to end his day in basically a perfect repeat of yesterday’s action when he reached on error in the 5th and got pinch-run for. Ha-Seong kim got his second taste of action, though unlike yesterday’s game he was pulled early. Kim had a walk and scored on a home run in this game, but during a long defensive fourth inning Kim was lifted with one out and had his day cut short. Ray Kerr would have been the most interesting of the trio to have any data on as he made his first appearance in a long time, though he struggled with control in the first inning. He got two quick fly outs but then walked a batter, hit the next, then walked a third before getting out of the inning.
Sherrintley De Costa Gomez, RF: 0-2, BB, .288/.438/.488
Cesar Navarro, SP: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2.00 ERA
This is one of the craziest DSL Braves games I’ve ever seen, simply for how completely normal it was. Well-pitched and defended DSL games are so rare that there have only been four complete game shutouts in the last three years of DSL baseball. Cesar Navarro’s today was the first of the season for the entire league, only the second complete game, and there is a good chance it will be the only shutout thrown in the league this year. Navarro has been pretty good overall this season, with a relatively low walk rate of 16 in 27 innings and no games in which he hasn’t pitched into the fourth inning at least. Still, this came out of nowhere. The DSL Braves have not had a complete game shutout since Felix Falcon, and I’ll forgive you if you don’t know that name, because this happened in a 6-inning rain-shortened contest on July 2nd, 2013. Jose Manon was the only player for either side to score a run, and it didn’t come as a result of either of his two hits. He was hit by a pitch to lead off the third inning, stole second base, advanced on a fly out, then scored on a wild pitch. Manon has done a great job getting on base this month despite an increase in strikeouts, and he has made life hard for catchers with 10 stolen bases in eight games. The power and walks have dove off of a cliff, however, so despite maintaining good numbers his performance has been overall a bit lackluster compared to how incredible he was in June.
DETROIT, MI - JULY 12: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers walks to the dugout after being pulled during the sixth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Comerica Park on July 12, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New York Yankees currently sit among the best teams in the American League and Major League Baseball. However, they aren’t perfect, and, most importantly, they’re not without their own health issues. While Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, and Cam Schlittler represent the team in Philadelphia at the All-Star festivities (plus Aaron Judge in absentia), the Bombers’ management and coaching staff are preparing for the August 3rd Trade Deadline.
And while injuries won’t last forever, the Yankees are still clearly looking for ways to improve their team. There are some options that are more realistic than others, but some can hope for even more additions to an All-Star rotation — such as the biggest potential catch on the market, lefty ace Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers.
If the Yankees were to acquire the two-time defending Cy Young Award winner Skubal, it would be a trade to rock the baseball world. For the Tigers, who are 3.5 games outside of a Wild Card spot in the AL standings with a 44-52 record (trailing every team in the league, save for the lousy A’s, Royals, and Angels) and only have Skubal locked up for the rest of the season, it may be the perfect opportunity to garner value from him if they know he’s not going to re-sign. Reports have surfaced that Skubal wants to stay in Detroit, but if the Tigers aren’t going to pay him the kind of money he’s looking for, this is the only chance to get something more from him in free agency than qualifying offer compensation, pending the new CBA. And if you’re the Yankees, it obviously doesn’t hurt to keep building on top of an already-solid rotation as they continue to search for their first World Series since 2009.
There isn’t much to say about Skubal that hasn’t already been said countless times. For a pitcher of his caliber, the trade target profile is almost academic. If you’re even a casual baseball fan, you know this man.
Skubal is one of, if not the best, pitchers in all of MLB. His last two seasons have finished with two All-Star appearances, ERA titles, Cy Youngs, top-seven finishes in the AL MVP voting, and one pitching Triple Crown win. He’s a commodity that just about every team would want, especially long-term, even though he is 29 years old and will be turning 30 a month after the 2026 season ends.
The lefty has plenty of different weapons in his arsenal. Skubal has a five-pitch mix that features a four-seam fastball (37.7%), a changeup (24.9%), a sinker (19%), a slider (14.4%), and a curveball (4%). And while he does have the capability for excellent strikeout power, it has been few and far between this season due to other factors that have made his overall ERA shoot up from an absurd 2.39 and 2.21 in 2024 and 2025 to a still-excellent 3.09.
The biggest problem for Skubal this year has been a multitude of factors, but the long ball has particularly plagued him. Since the 2021 season (when he was 24), he hasn’t given up over 0.85 HR/9 … until this season. Now, he sports an HR/9 of 1.19, the second-highest of his career among qualified campaigns. He also has lost some velocity on his fastball, but that could also be due to other factors, including the effects of the innovative surgery he had following the finding of loose bodies—or body—in his throwing elbow. Skubal was on the injured list for around a month before throwing in a rehab game and eventually returning to a big-league mound.
Regardless of whether or not Skubal can immediately find his exact ideal strikeout form, he’s still elite in that area of the game. His 94th-percentile strikeout rate according to Baseball Savant speaks for itself, and so does the tape.
The Yankees’ rotation, when healthy, is full of fantastic arms that could match up well with every other rotation in MLB. Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Ryan Weathers, and Will Warren comprise as good a top six as one might find around the game. However, the “when healthy” aspect is the key here. The best four-man version of this rotation for October plainly does not feature Weathers or Warren, and the leading quartet includes a soon-to-be 36-year-old coming off Tommy John surgery (Cole), two lefties who have battled elbow injuries already this year (Fried and Rodón), and a second-year pitcher who while dominant is on pace to easily blow past his career-high in innings while regularly throwing in the high-90s (Schlittler).
There is risk here for a win-now team that is still trying to capitalize on their captain’s prime. Skubal does, of course, carry his own questions from the recent procedure, but he wouldn’t be signed past the end of the season anyway and he would also push essentially everyone down a peg on the depth chart. This isn’t some No. 3 you’re adding to supplement your rotation; it’s Tarik Skubal. It’s almost a disservice to call him rotation insurance. This is a home run swing for one of the league’s elite arms, not to meniton one with a career postseason ERA of 2.04 in 39.2 innings across six starts — fanning 13 in his most recent effort.
Naturally, the Tigers would still command a high asking price from the Yankees. They would be losing their ace and all but officially throwing in the towel on the 2026 season. The trade needs to be a worthwhile investment for them, not just a “he won’t re-sign, or we can’t give him the money he wants, let’s make sure we get any type of return we can” desperation move. Detroit would certainly drive a high bargain, which the Yankees could meet. However, on the Yankees’ side of things, is it worth the risk of Skubal not re-signing to add another ace in the hopes of winning just one World Series?
For some, that answer is absolutely, particularly given the potentially closing window of Judge’s best years. The Yankees have good prospects who it would be hard to part with, but they’ve had good prospects in the past too, and holding onto them for too long has hurt in the long run. And going back a further generation for a more matching example, the hesitance to meet the Mariners’ price in July 10 cost them a chance to get a comparable southpaw ace to Skubal in Cliff Lee, who went on to help the Rangers eliminate the Yanks that October. There is always a chance to be burned by giving up a great young player (ask Frank Costanza), but if you’re not willing to roll the dice to get a guy like Skubal, then who are you doing it for? And again regarding the Judge of it all, if you’re not going all-in for No. 28 now, then when are you?
Others may take a more cautious approach, or prefer the Yankees cash in their prospects in deals for greater areas of need in a timelier manner. Worse rotations than even the Yankees’ current front four have won championships, it’s true. It’s all a tricky balance to strike for general manager Brian Cashman, and it is of course always worth mentioning that it takes two to tango. Cashman could give the Tigers a sweetheart offer for Skubal, but he can’t make them accept it. Every organization has their own way of evaluating prospects with slightly different particulars and preferences; if Detroit is OK with moving him but likes another package more, then that’s unfortunately just the business.
Whether or not the Tigers will move Skubal could very well come down to the wire in those opening day of August before the deadline. It would behoove the Yankees to remain in the conversation for as long as they possibly can.
Steve Yzerman talks to fans about the 1997-98 Stanley Cup run during a ceremony honoring that championship run Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Little Caesars Arena.
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Steve Yzerman abruptly stepped down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, a stunning midsummer change of a franchise great leaving the job after seven seasons and zero playoff appearances.
Yzerman’s resignation to transition to an advisory role to CEO Chris Ilitch comes several weeks after captain and No. 1 center Dylan Larkin’s trade request came to light. The Red Wings’ decade-long playoff drought is the longest active drought in the NHL and in the organization’s storied history.
The team says its search for a new head of hockey operations is already underway and that Yzerman will continue to be in charge on a day-to-day basis until his successor is determined.
“Clearly, we are not where we and our fans expect to be as an organization,” Ilitch said in a statement. “Steve’s lifetime of contributions to the Red Wings has meant more to this franchise than words can truly express, and I have the highest level of respect for his continued commitment to our organization.”
Yzerman spent his entire 22-year Hall of Fame NHL playing career with Detroit, captaining them to the Stanley Cup three times. He was an accomplished GM with Tampa Bay, building the core that eventually won back-to-back championships, before taking over in Detroit in 2019, where success on the ice has not materialized.
“This organization has given me incredible opportunities, from my time as a player to the privilege of returning as general manager,” Yzerman said. “My commitment to the Red Wings and this community will never waver, and I look forward to supporting the organization in whatever role is needed to achieve our collective goals.”
With the 46th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected goalie Drew Commesso. Since then, the 23-year-old goaltender has been showing promise with his development.
Due to this, Commesso has now earned some praise. This is because the Blackhawks' young netminder made Scott Wheeler's top 20 NHL goalie prospect rankings for The Athletic.
Commesso just made the cut, as he was given the No. 20 spot. When noting that he played well last season with Chicago when given the chance, it makes sense that he was featured on Wheeler's rankings.
Commesso appeared in a career-high three games with the Blackhawks last season, where he posted a 2-1 record, a 2.31 goals-against average, and a .918 save percentage. He also most notably put together an impressive 36-save shutout against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 10. With this, the Norwell, Massachusetts left a strong impression in his limited appearances with the Blackhawks last year.
Down in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs last season, Commesso had a .901 save percentage and a 3.08 goals-against average in 37 appearances. This was after he had an 18-15-6 record, a .911 save percentage, and a 2.54 goals-against average in 39 games for Rockford in 2024-25.
With how Commesso has played, it is fair to wonder if he could earn a spot on the Blackhawks' roster in the near future. Blackhawks backup goalie Arvid Soderblom is entering the final season of his contract in 2026-27, after all.
Executive Vice President and GM Steve Yzerman is moving on from his roster managerial role, the team announced the morning of July 15. Yzerman will remain with the organization as an advisor to the team's Governor and CEO Chris Ilitch and handle day-to-day operations, but the Wings are beginning the search for a new roster manager.
The move comes while star center Dylan Larkin's trade request hangs in the ether, which has proven to be difficult to comply with. Reports indicate Larkin's trade destinations list includes the Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, and Florida Panthers, with the Dallas Stars also floated as a candidate (though the latter is unconfirmed).
Yzerman joined the organization after a wildly successful tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning in April 2019, sparking enthusiasm among a fanbase that hadn't made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. He failed, however, to make the postseason in his homecoming, and the historically successful Red Wings now have the longest active drought in the NHL at 10 seasons after the Buffalo Sabres ended their drought last season.
"Steve's lifetime of contributions to the Red Wings has meant more to this franchise than words can truly express, and I have the highest level of respect for his continued commitment to our organization,” Ilitch said in a statement released by the team July 15. “We are thankful for Steve’s hard work and dedication as General Manager and are grateful knowing Steve will remain where he belongs – here with the Red Wings family.”
"I am sincerely grateful to Chris and the entire Ilitch family,” Yzerman said. “This organization has given me incredible opportunities, from my time as a player to the privilege of returning as General Manager. I've appreciated every experience throughout the years, and I’m extremely proud to remain part of this great franchise.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins could use a bit more defensive depth before the start of next season. This is especially the case when it comes to their left side, as they lost Ryan Shea to the Edmonton Oilers and traded Parker Wotherspoon to the Vegas Golden Knights.
With it now being the middle of July, most of this year's top unrestricted free agent defensemen have been signed. However, there are some decent depth defensemen worth considering, and one of them is Mike Reilly.
If the Penguins signed Reilly, he could compete for a spot on their bottom pairing. However, he also could be useful for the Penguins to have as their seventh defenseman for when injuries arise during the season.
Reilly spent last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he recorded one goal, nine points, and a plus-11 rating. However, he also had six goals and 24 points in 59 games for the New York Islanders during the 2023-24 campaign.
Overall, on a cheap one-year deal, Reilly could be a decent depth pickup for the Penguins. He would give them another defenseman with a good amount of experience, which is never a bad thing. In 460 career NHL games over 12 seasons, he has recorded 19 goals, 114 assists, and 133 points.
Apr 28, 2026; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers head coach Jay Johnson walks the field before a game against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Alex Box Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
The LSU Tigers’ baseball program landed yet another major victory following the MLB Draft, as prized infield signee Luke Tucker is set to honor his commitment to the Tigers despite receiving multiple opportunities to begin his professional career and childhood dream.
Rather than signing with an MLB organization, Tucker has chosen to head to Baton Rouge, where he believes head coach Jay Johnson can help elevate his draft stock.
“I know Coach Johnson’s going to do everything he can to make me a first-rounder,” Tucker told Geaux247.
This is another recruiting win for Johnson, who has built a reputation for developing elite talent and preparing players for the big league. His track record played a significant role in Tucker’s choice to pass on the immediate opportunity to play in the minors.
Tucker arrives at LSU as one of the top infield prospects in the 2025 recruiting class and is expected to compete for playing time early in his collegiate career. For the Tigers, keeping Tucker out of the MLB Draft could prove extremely valuable.
The Tigers add another high-ceiling talent to a roster that continues to attract some of the nation’s best players, while Tucker gets the chance to develop in one of college baseball’s premier programs with his sights set on becoming a future first-round pick and fulfilling his lifelong goal of being a professional athlete.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 14: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres greets Hunter Goodman #15 of the Colorado Rockies as he exits the 96th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller made his appearance in the 2026 MLB All-Star game in the top of the ninth inning. His appearance for the National League All-Stars was short, just four pitches, but effective. The right-hander did what Padres fans have come to expect, and he struck out Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox for the first out of the inning. Miller then gave way to the hometown closer Jhoan Duran of the Philadelphia Phillies who got the final two outs of the top of the ninth. The National League was not able to mount a rally in the bottom of the ninth and the result of the game was a 4-0 win for the American League All-Stars.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts managed the NL All-Stars and seemed to be handling the pitchers and their appearances well until the seventh inning when he let Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski throw two innings. It was an odd decision that resulted in Wrobleski allowing a run on a solo home run by Miguel Vargas of the White Sox in the top of the eighth inning, but he also recorded five strikeouts. Prior to Wrobleski, the NL manager had limited each pitcher to one inning of work. By throwing “his guy” for two innings, he shorted Miller and MLB fans of watching the most dominant reliever in the game. It was a tough to see the lone representative for the Padres be limited to just four pitches, but he can now take some time off and prepare for the second half of the season, which kicks off Friday in Kansas City.
KONYA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 5: A view of butterflies as ten thousand butterfly cocoons have been placed at Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden for visitors to the Seb-i Arus events organized for the 751st death anniversary of Mevlana Jalaluddin al-Rumi in Konya, Turkiye on December 5, 2024. People who come to the city for the commemoration ceremonies to be held on December 7-17 will have the opportunity to watch the first wing flaps of butterflies in the garden. (Photo by Serhat Cetinkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
Shouts out to the animal lovers in the comments. You make our jobs easier. Here’s today’s list of links and notes for you to enjoy.
Per HoopsRumors, Jordan Clarkson waived the trade-veto rights he would normally receive after re-signing with the Knicks on a one-year deal. No, Clarkson is not getting traded tomorrow, but this concession could prove key mid-season when/if the Knicks need someone to match salaries or find the final piece to complete the back-to-back-champions puzzle. Are all Filipinos this charming?
The Knicks might still be searching for another center, but we’re starting to lose it with the targets, aren’t we?
CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn went much bigger and shared his “ultra aggressive backup center idea” for the Knicks ahead of next season. Can you guess the target? Tip: in Quinn’s estimation, it’d take sending a 2032 swap and a 2033 unprotected first the other way.
Former St. John’s standout and SummerKnick guard Oziyah Sellers talked to the New York Post’s Zach Braziller and spoke highly of both the Red Storm and Knicks organizations, among many other things. Worth the read, here’s a tease:
“Coming from St. John’s, I feel like we had that same mentality. We wanted to win really bad. It wasn’t too hard of a transition mindset-wise. Two kinds of similar programs in terms of mindset. It’s definitely something you have to bring every day.
“Obviously, being at St. John’s we play pretty much all our home games at the Garden. So I feel like we have a lot of the same fanbase. Knicks fans, a lot of them are St. John’s fans. It’s kind of like a perfect fit, transitioning right to the Knicks. I’m just grateful for it, for sure.”
Sports Illustrated’s Isaiah De Los Santos has seen enough from Jack Kayil to think the Knicks might have no excuse not to sign him.
Adam Silver washed his hands and clarified that the NBA did not pause the Kawhi trade. Silver claims the very own Raptors and Clippers chose not to complete it while the investigation remains open.
Silver also defended the second apron, saying the roster disruption is an intended consequence of it and that the system is creating competition across the league.
“It’s certainly not an unintended consequence… the purpose of this system is ultimately to create competition throughout the league and from that standpoint I think the system’s working incredibly well. The goal isn’t necessarily to have a different champion every year but we’ve had 8 different champions over the last 8 years”
Kevin Durant spent part of Tuesday doing what he does best, no burner accounts needed.
Bronny James’ future with the Lakers is reportedly not automatically tied to father LeBron, reports The Athletic’s Dan Woike. Shocker! Bryce, warm up.
The Kawhi Leonard investigation has expanded beyond the original Aspiration sponsorship issue. Investigators have examined whether the Clippers paid expenses for Leonard without reimbursement and whether he had another undisclosed endorsement agreement. Remember, Kawhi is an in-limbo Clipper with the Raptors left out in the cold for now.
Spain beat France 2-0 at the World Cup.
There is a name renaissance underway in College Football and no one is talking about it pic.twitter.com/d6NRLSPvwg
Flushing, N.Y.: New York Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns speaks to the media during the team's pre-opening day workout at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens, March 25, 2026. (Photo by Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images) | Newsday via Getty Images
The Mets are bad. The trade deadline approaches: Monday, August 3 at 6 PM EDT. That means it’s time to do an inventory of what the Mets have to move and what they might get for those pieces.
Rental relievers
Relief pitchers on one-year contracts are perhaps the most obvious pieces for a deadline seller to move, and the Mets have a couple good lefty options here. Brooks Raley has a 2.04 ERA over 35.1 innings this season, though his peripherals (3.62 xERA, 15.5% K-BB%) are a bit less favorable. A.J. Minter has been even more effective in his 19 innings, with a 1.42 ERA and peripherals that largely match.
Neither of these guys quite break through into the top tier of arms, but a return similar to what Ryan Helsley fetched last season for the Cardinals—INF Jesus Baez, RHP Nate Dohm, and RHP Frank Elissal—is within the realm of possibility. Something a bit lighter given Helsley’s potentially elite upside (at least at the time of the trade) is more likely, but the Mets should definitely be walking away with a handful of interesting prospects out of both of these deals.
This is perhaps a bit more painful, but a selling team should also consider moving any relievers they have under contract (including those under team control). Could these guys help the 2027 Mets? Absolutely. But year-to-year reliever performance is mercurial, and selling high gets the Mets future value while also potentially setting them up to duck the highest level of tax penalties in 2027.
Huascar Brazobán is the first name to consider here who, despite lacking high-end swing-and-miss stuff, has a 2.76 ERA backed by a 2.90 xERA on the season. Brazobán is a credible opener, middle reliever, or even a 7th inning guy. He’s also under team control until 2030, but he’s already 36, which mutes the value somewhat. Expect a modest return but one that should be better than what the Mets gave up in 2024 (infield prospect Wilfredo Lara).
Luke Weaver is possibly the best reliever likely to be available at this deadline, as one of the 10-20 best bullpen arms this season. He’s also signed for a very reasonable $12.5 million in 2027, giving whatever team acquires him two bites at the apple. This is a guy the Mets are hopefully getting a top-100 level prospect for—again, not a Jhoan Duran or Mason Miller level return, both of whom are better and had more control, but something better than the previously mentioned Ryan Helsley return from 2025.
Finally, there’s Devin Williams, who is the least likely arm to be moved here. He’s signed for an additional two years and $30 million beyond this season and has a 4.83 ERA on the season, along with three blown saves. That’s not great, but maybe a team looks at his solid peripherals and chooses to buy low, similar to what the Braves did in acquiring Raisel Iglesias from the Angels in 2022. It seems unlikely that there’s a serious suitor here but if one appears, offloading this deal is definitely in the Mets’ best interests.
Potential Buyers: Varies by arm, but any contender could be in play for Weaver
Starting pitchers
With the Tigers surging in the standings and the Marlins currently sitting in a Wild Card spot, the Mets may actually find themselves in an advantageous position when it comes to starting pitchers. Freddy Peralta, for all his struggles this season, may very well be the best starter moved at the deadline. Clay Holmes, despite working his way back from injury, may be the second-best starter moved at the deadline. Obviously you don’t want to be in a spot where you’re selling in the first place, but holding a limited resource isn’t the worst spot to be.
With Peralta, the hope is that some team is willing to bet on a bounce back to his prior form. His stuff metrics—along with his strikeout and walk numbers—have gone the wrong direction this season, perhaps suggesting his inflated ERA is earned. On the other hand, he has a 3.82 xERA and was a significantly better arm as recently as last season. The Mets are unlikely to get two top-100 prospects back (which is what they gave up in the offseason for Peralta), but they should comfortably beat the QO pick they’d get by holding Peralta and offering him the QO after the season given current market conditions.
Holmes is even trickier. He’s yet to make it back on the mound after breaking his fibula in mid-May, with a potential rehab assignment scheduled for after the All Star break. He also has a player option, further complicating any negotiations given the potential downside risk to a buyer. Given these factors, Holmes might not fetch quite as much as you’d expect given his quality. Nevertheless, the Mets should be able to grab something interesting in a deal here.
Potential Buyers: Astros, Cubs, Braves, White Sox
Outfielders
Tyrone Taylor is the clear name to move. Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing are already receiving the lion’s share of the outfield playing time and should continue to do so for the remainder of the season. Beyond them, the Mets would likely be better off giving someone like Nick Morabito a bit of run in the majors rather than continuing to trot out Taylor, who is a free agent after this season. Taylor has bounced back a bit from his down 2025 with the bat but at this point is a 4th outfielder—not a real difference maker, but maybe there’s a team that could use some extra depth.
The more interesting name to consider here is Luis Robert Jr., who is nearing a return from a swollen lumbar spine that has kept him out since late April. Describing Robert’s injury history as “lengthy” doesn’t do it justice, but he was playing well early in the season before the injury slowed him down. He’s a good upside play capable of handling center field, and he has a team option for next year to boot if things go well. I’d anticipate the Mets wind up getting more back for Robert than they gave up for him initially, if only because Luisangel Acuña has been so bad.
Potential Buyers: Marlins, Phillies, Astros, Blue Jays, Guardians
Catchers
The Mets’ catching situation is odd at the moment. They made the strange decision to extend Luis Torrens, locking him on a two-year deal, and have since been giving him more playing time behind the dish than Francisco Alvarez. Torrens is a 30-year-old with a 71 DRC+ and bottom of the scale batted ball metrics who rates as a very good defender under both Baseball Prospectus’ and Statcast’s metrics (credit to him, he’s improved a lot back there). Alvarez, by contrast, is a 24-year-old with better-than-league average offense and supporting peripherals. Alvarez has been a mediocre framer this year and was poor last year, but was an above average framer in 2024—perhaps the hand injuries have sapped some skill there, or perhaps this is something he can eventually get back.
Given where the Mets are, their decision to prioritize Torrens behind the dish is questionable to say the least. Practically, however, it’s relegated Alvarez to more of a DH role, a spot where his offense isn’t nearly as valuable. If the front office’s view is that Alvarez isn’t a catcher anymore, capitalizing on a thin market—one where Hunter Goodman and Ryan Jeffers seem unlikely to move—could make sense. All else being equal, it probably makes more sense just to keep him barring a particularly large return.
As for Torrens, it’d be very odd (and likely a significant PR hit with players) to trade him so soon after extending him. You can almost certainly count on him sticking around through the deadline.
Potential Buyers: Yankees, Astros, Red Sox, Rangers
Bo Bichette
Bo Bichette’s contract structure makes him basically unmovable. It is highly unlikely that any team would take the risk on him getting hurt and opting in for next season, particularly given his performance to date and the “general leg and right ankle soreness” that held him out of games prior to the All-Star break. If someone is willing to take on any amount of money here, the Mets should pounce, but don’t count on it.
Potential Buyers: Slim to none
Francisco Lindor
You can bury your head in the sand if you like, but the reality is that Francisco Lindor’s name is out there in trade discussions. Reporters don’t typically get the inkling to ask about no-trade clauses out of the blue, there’s usually a root cause behind it. With a recent Steve Cohen podcast recently confirming the long-suspected tension between Lindor and Juan Soto – the younger, better, more highly paid player – it’s not even a stretch to think that Lindor might actually want out at this point. His answer to the aforementioned no-trade clause question didn’t do much to quash that line of thinking at the very least.
Lindor has absolutely been very good in his time with the Mets, and he’s largely paid for the extension the team handed him prior to the 2021 season. That does not mean, however, that his contract does not have negative value at this juncture. Lindor is a 32-year-old shortstop with five years and ~$170M remaining on his contract after this season, one who is also showing clear signs of aging across his athletic metrics and on-field performance. Is he cooked at 32? No, probably not, but his days as a reliably elite, 5+ win player are likely over. Couple that with his seeming unwillingness to move off shortstop and you’ve got a potentially prickly situation that the Mets, from a completely rational, unemotional, process-driven perspective, should explore extricating themselves from.
So who is going to buy that sort of asset? Very difficult to say. Ten, five, or even three years ago there would have been a line of suitors, but most teams are run better than that these days. The Mets would need to find either a team that has…let’s call them regressive tendencies or a contender who is willing to eat the out years for improvement on the infield this season. Oh, and it has to be to a team that Lindor would waive his no-trade clause to.
That limits the suitors somewhat. The Yankees could be a fit, but trading an aging former star to the cross town rival might be too big a PR hit for the team to stomach. You could imagine the Blue Jays rolling the dice here and they likely have the financial flexibility to do so (plus, trading him for Andres Gimenez’s bad deal would be a good bit), but Lindor probably wouldn’t waive his NTC to play in Canada. The Red Sox are perhaps a decent fit, especially if the Mets ate the last year of Trevor Story’s deal in return, but also just dumped Rafael Devers’ money (a much, much worse deal to be clear). The Giants and Padres don’t have the room nor the impetus given their place in the standings.
All of this means that Lindor probably doens’t get moved, at least not at the deadline. But don’t be surprised if the rumors swirl or even if a deal comes to fruition.
Potential Buyers: Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners, Padres
