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What do you think the Orioles should do at third base now?

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 07: Blaze Alexander #23 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Chicago Cubs at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 07, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

As unbelievable as this would have been when the Orioles acquired him or even at the end of April, the O’s now have to find a way to replace the production that’s been provided by Blaze Alexander at third base this season. Alexander’s hand fracture after being hit by a Royals pitcher on Sunday takes a solid defender and the team’s only .300+ hitter out of the picture for probably at least six weeks, longer if the team is unlucky.

Since we are in the middle of the All-Star break while this news is digested by the team, the Orioles do have a few days before they have to start to commit to a strategy of what to do with third base while Alexander is out. Camden Chat writer Tyler Young broke down the possibilities on the site yesterday. In this week’s survey, I want to know what you think they should do.

Are you still a Coby Mayo believer? Do you want to see Gunnar Henderson shift over to play third base? Is it time for 40-man player Christian Encarnacion-Strand to arrive on the major league roster? Or should the Orioles look outside the organization, as they did when they got Alexander in the first place? Vote in the survey below:

The Mike Elias brain trust is hard to predict. Sometimes they do the thing that makes the most sense based on information available to outsiders. Other times, they venture far afield, sometimes with good results and sometimes not. Getting Alexander in the first place was one of the “venture afield” things that has turned out well so far. The rest of this is trying to make the best of a bad situation.

What do you think? Results will be posted later in the week.

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Why did Zack Wheeler decline All-Star Game invite? Phillies RHP felt 'disrespected'

When the National League roster is announced at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14 for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, the Philadelphia Phillies will have six players introduced — and will likely receive the loudest positive welcome of all the players.

There will be one All-Star-caliber player from the hometown team missing, though.

That would be right-hander Zack Wheeler.

MLB All-Star game starting lineups: Sanchez and Cease pitch, batting order

Wheeler, who has recovered from thoracic outlet surgery in September, has once again pitched like one of baseball's top starting pitchers this season, despite missing all of spring training and most of the first month of the regular season. He went 10-1 in 15 starts in the first half, posting a 2.13 ERA in 93 innings pitched while recording 108 strikeouts.

Despite that success, he was one of the players snubbed from the original version of Dave Roberts' National League roster. He then declined the invitation from Major League Baseball on the fourth-to-last day of the first half to be a replacement player.

Here's a recap of it all:

Why is Zack Wheeler not in the MLB All-Star Game tonight?

It's a three-parter.

The first part is that Wheeler was not voted in by his fellow peers in the league. To some misconception, only positional players are voted into the All-Star Game by the fans, as pitchers are not included on the now-virtual ballots.

"The All-Star Game for pitchers is probably the most difficult because we really only get selected by our peers," former Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels told USA TODAY Sports this week. "... When you actually are having a good season, you want to get recognized for it because being an All-Star carries forward so far into not only your career, but your retirement, because those are the numbers that people recognize."

REQUIRED READING: How Cristopher Sánchez has transformed into an All-Star Game starter and MLB ace

The second, and Wheeler said he'd be available despite it, is that MLB rules state a pitcher who starts the final game of the first half of the season is ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game just two days later.

Wheeler started against the Detroit Tigers on July 12, striking out 10 across six scoreless innings.

"I think it's kind of a B.S. rule that just because I pitch on a certain day, I get punished for it," Wheeler said about the MLB rule following his July 7 start against the Cincinnati Reds, where he tied a career-high 14 strikeouts.

The third, and this is the big one, is that once Major League Baseball reached out to him July 9 to be a replacement player, Wheeler felt disrespected that he wasn't asked to take someone else's spot earlier and instead was like a "fifth option." Therefore, he declined the 11th-hour invitation.

"Because they disrespected me," Wheeler said July 11 when he explained his decision. "So I’m just not gonna participate in that thing."

He added: "I’m not gonna be, like, the fifth option. Maybe I didn’t earn it at the, from the get-go, but maybe just second choice. Once I feel like they kind of messed that up, I’m out."

Wheeler being left off the National League roster, despite pitching like an All-Star, created quite the uproar among those within baseball, including former and current players.

"His numbers are better than mine, and I'm sitting here. I'll leave it at that," Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale told Foul Territory on July 13.

Meanwhile, San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb told reporters during the media day portion of July 11 All-Star Game events at Citizens Bank Park that he would have given Wheeler his spot.

"I would have given my spot to him for him to be here," Webb said. "He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball. Has been for a long time. It always sucks when guys who are deserving don’t make it. There was a couple of years when I didn’t make it and I thought I should have made it, but I don’t think I ever had stats that look like that."

Zack Wheeler stats

Wheeler holds a 10-1 record in 15 starts on the season to go along with a 2.13 ERA in 93 innings pitched and 108 recorded strikeouts. In his last five starts, Wheeler went 5-0 with a 1.91 ERA and struck out 60 hitters across 42 1/3 innings.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why did Zack Wheeler decline All-Star Game invite? Phillies RHP felt 'disrespected'

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Canadiens Caufield And Suzuki Dominate NHL On The Left Side

Once upon a not-so-distant time, the Montreal Canadiens were all about Carey Price’s spectacular saves, but that’s no longer the case. On Monday, the NHL released an interesting graphic picturing the highest-scoring players in the league by areas on the ice, and the Habs have claimed two of the 12 areas.

Unsurprisingly, it’s captain Nick Suzuki and sniper Cole Caufield who lead the league in goals on the left side. Caufield scored five goals from the area nearer the net, where he has repeatedly shown just how good his hands can be when scoring in close this past season. As for Suzuki, he’s also scored five lamplighters from a bit higher in the zone and in close to the boards. The centre has indeed proved that he doesn’t need much of an angle to beat netminders.

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The list of dominant players in all areas is a who’s who of the best players in the NHL; Suzuki and Caufield are in excellent company. On the doorstep, Tyler Bertuzzi has scored nine goals for the Chicago Blackhawks; from the slot, Dallas Stars’ Wyatt Johnston has converted 27 times; from the right in close, Pavel Dorofeyev has beaten goalies seven times with the Vegas Golden Knights. On the left, around the faceoff circle, is Nathan MacKinnon’s territory; the Colorado Avalanche leader and Rocket Richard Trophy winner has scored 10 of his goals from there.

Macklin Celebrini has ruled the high slot with the San Jose Sharks, finding the back of the net 16 times from there. Around the faceoff dot on the right was Cutter Gauthier’s stomping ground; the Anaheim Ducks RFA has beaten goalies 11 times from there, while the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov has converted seven times from near the boards.

From the blueline on the left, it’s rookie of the year and New York Islanders gem Matthew Schaefer, who’s been the most productive with three goals; around the blueline in the middle of the ice, it’s the Lightning’s defenseman Darren Raddysh, who has shown the brightest with nine goals. On the right side of the blueline, the Avs’ veteran defenseman Brent Burns dominated with five lamplighters.

Only three teams had two players on the graphic: the Habs, the Avs, and the Bolts, but only Montreal and Colorado have retained both of their players. When the puck drops on the new season, Raddysh will no longer be in Tampa; he’ll be patrolling the Toronto Maple Leafs’ blueline.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

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Report: LeBron James is reaching out to players on interested teams

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 25: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers wait for a free throw during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 25, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As the LeBron James saga plows forward like it’s an early 2010’s summer, the conclusion appears to be drawing near. And, like the early 2010’s, it’s ESPN’s Brian Windhorst leading the reporting.

On the Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst said that James is contacting players on some of the interested teams. This, of course, then gets sent back to the respective team’s head coach and/or general manager.

“LeBron is reaching out and talking to players on some of these teams and they report back to their GM or coach.”

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Windhorst did not indicate who these players were or even the exact teams that have been contacted, adding to the veiled maneuvering happening in the background.

The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be the silent frontrunner, though the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers are also reportedly on that list as well. All have compelling reasons to be interested in James’ services, but the Cavs offer the best option as the storybook ending.

The Cavs can also, in a way, corroborate this reporting from ESPN. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson, while being interviewed at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, appeared to allude to Cleveland’s pursuit of James.

“You guys know there’s a little free agency thing on right now so…that could be our real jump and you know what I’m talking about,” Atkinson said during the Cavs’ Summer League matchup against the Detroit Pistons. “That’s exciting too.”

Then there is the Donovan Mitchell extension, which came a year sooner than many expected. Mitchell left a sizable amount of money on the table by signing this year as opposed to next summer, an act of good faith that may have been signed with the knowledge that something was coming to boost the Cavs’ championship outlook. Signing James would certainly be one of those achievable roster improvements.

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Tyler Herro breaks silence on Bam Adebayo fight as new details emerge

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows NBA player Bam Adebayo attending a WNBA game, Image 2 shows Tyler Herro sitting at the 2026 NBA Summer League game
Heat Adebayo Herro

The Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo beef had been brewing for some time.

The two former Miami Heat teammates had a solid relationship before things began to fall apart over the past year, as the team took a different offensive direction, according to a new report from ESPN, culminating in Friday’s fight at a court in Las Vegas in which Adebayo reportedly punched Herro.

“Honestly, I’m just trying to move past all of it,” Herro, who was dealt to the Bucks in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, told ESPN. “I’m focused on Milwaukee and building something special. They obviously just traded the greatest player in their history, so we want to come in and help continue what they’ve been doing.”

Tyler Herro was hit in the face by Bam Adebayo during NBA Summer League. NBAE via Getty Images

Adebayo reportedly confronted Herro over critical comments made on social media after the Heat-Bucks trade.

Adebayo then “took exception” to Herro’s verbal response and struck Herro near his chin, ESPN reported. Herro, who was not knocked to the ground, “was restrained by others in the gym from responding physically.”

Herro and Adebayo began to grow apart over the past year as Herro played in just 33 games last season due to various injuries, and even when he did play, he struggled to adjust to changes made by coach Erik Spoelstra.

It became clear that the offense would revolve around Adebayo as their primary scorer rather than a pick-and-roll-heavy approach from years past.

The Heat ran just 5.3 pick-and-roll ball-handler possessions per game and just 5.6 percent of the time, by far the least frequent in the NBA, with the Spurs coming in second at 12.2 percent of their plays.

This is a massive change from the season prior, when the Heat ran pick-and-roll on 16.2 percent of their plays, middle of the pack in the NBA.

Miami ran the pick and roll less than any NBA team since at least 2015, when the data began being tracked by the league.

When Herro returned to the offense from injury to make his season debut on Nov. 24, Adebayo made some interesting comments about their star guard’s return to an offense that had moved past his style.

Bam Adebayo became the focal point of the Heat’s offense. Getty Images

“As you see, it’s a fun offense to be a part of,” Adebayo said. “It’s not a lot of pick-and-rolls to be a part of, but we’re sharing the game. You like those types of games where everybody feels involved, and everybody gets a chance to be aggressive. Put pressure on the rim and we’re being successful off of it.”

Herro said he’s ready to prove people wrong; perhaps Adebayo is one of them.

“I’m ready to come home and not prove everyone wrong,” he said, “but just be able to represent the city and the state because I wanted to do that coming out of school as well.”

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Walker Kessler says he’s been medically cleared after shoulder surgery

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 24: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 24, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers’ big move of the summer was pushing all their chips to the middle of the table to acquire Walker Kessler.

There are lots of boxes that Kessler checks as a rim-protecting center and a hard-screening lob threat. All that comes with the caveat of him being healthy.

Kessler played the first five games of the season before a torn labrum forced him to have surgery and abruptly ended his campaign. Given how early into the season the injury occurred, it’s not a surprise that he has been cleared to play.

On Monday, Kessler spoke to the media in Las Vegas for the first time since joining the purple and gold and revealed his injury is healed (h/t Dave McMenamin/ESPN).

“It’s been cleared,” Kessler said. “It feels strong. It feels mobile.

“I’m just excited to play again. Sitting out a whole year definitely puts a lot of things in perspective. The heart grows fond in absence. Falling in love with this game again, I just want to go play to win.”

Given how much chemistry the new-look Lakers are going to have to build, it’s great news that Kessler is healthy and ready to go. The team’s new signings met in Vegas to hang out and scrimmage to start building said chemistry with Kessler among them.

Kessler has largely been a durable player in his career. While he only played 58 games in the 2024-25 season, most of that was because the Jazz, one of the most notorious tanking teams in recent seasons, were doing funny things down the stretch with Kessler.

LA has placed a lot of faith in Kessler being the next center of the future. Fortunately, he’s going to be read to go from the jump this season to try to make good on that bet.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Penguins Forward Is Big Breakout Candidate For Next Season

At the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Elmer Soderblom from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. This was after the 6-foot-8 forward had two goals and one assist in 39 games for Detroit before the trade.

While Soderblom struggled with the Red Wings before the trade, he undoubtedly changed things on that front after being dealt to the Penguins. In 20 games with the Penguins after the move, he posted five goals, 10 points, and 35 hits. With numbers like these, he proved to be a strong pickup to Pittsburgh's roster for the final stretch of the season. 

Given how well Soderblom played for the Penguins following the trade, he is a breakout candidate to watch in 2026-27. He showed plenty of promise after being traded to Pittsburgh, and it would be big if he kept this kind of play up for a whole season. If he did, he would emerge as a key part of the Penguins' top nine. 

With Soderblom being only 25 years old, the possibility of him hitting a new level next season should not be ruled out. It will be interesting to see what kind of season he has from here. 

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Rival teams view a potential LeBron and Cavs reunion as ‘the scenario to beat’

Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

It is no secret to the league that a reunion of LeBron James and the team that drafted all the way back in 2003 would be hard to pass on. The Cleveland Cavaliers, as reported by Marc Stein, are regarded by teams pursuing James as “the scenario to beat”.

Stein includes teams who view this as the case to be the teams most in pursuit of the King. This includes the likes of the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets. According to Stein, the situation is viewed as Cleveland being the scenario to beat; however, not necessarily unbeatable.

Golden State reportedly, while having “tangible concern that Cleveland is the closest thing to a frontrunner,” has not given up on their pursuit of the King. Stein goes on to say that this sentiment is shared by all suitors above. With Timberwolves coach Chris Finch saying as much on Stein and Jake Fisher’s Bleacher Report livestream: “I think they’ve made everybody feel like they genuinely have an opportunity.”

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In the same excerpt from Stein, he floats questions around LeBron’s upcoming appearances this week. James is scheduled to have live podcast appearances this Thursday and Friday in New York City at the Fanatics Fest event.

It has been rumored that LeBron’s decision should be coming sooner rather than later. So the LeBron sweepstakes being announced before or even during LeBron’s media appearances later this week would not surprise many in the least.

If the Cavaliers are truly viewed as the “scenario to beat,” then Cleveland will need to remain aggressive in whatever approach they are currently utilizing to entice James to this potential third reunion. A return of LeBron brings more with it than a simple storybook ending to an all-time career. They would have a chance to compete for a title, and would presumably pull out all of the stops to put themselves in the best position to do so if they can secure a commitment from James.

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8 Blackhawks Make New Top NHL Prospect Rankings

It is no secret that the Chicago Blackhawks have formed a very strong prospect pool as they continue their rebuild. Due to this, they have many exciting youngsters in their system.

Eight Blackhawks prospects have made Scott Wheeler's new top 100 NHL drafted prospect rankings for The Athletic. Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov, Sam Rinzel, Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore, Kevin Korchinski, Xavier Villeneuve, and Vaclav Nestrasil made the cut. 

Frondell and Kantserov each received rankings in the top 25. This is because Frondell landed the No. 18 spot, while Kantserov picked up the No. 23 ranking. 

Rinzel, Lardis, and Moore each landed spots in the top 65. Rinzel was ranked No. 49, Lardis picked up spot No. 57, and Moore grabbed the No. 62 ranking on Wheeler's list. 

Korchinski, Villeneuve, and Nestrasil rounded off the rankings for the Blackhawks. Korchinski picked up the No. 75 spot, Villeneuve was given the No. 79 spot, and Nestrasil just made the cut at No. 95. 

Overall, it is hard not to feel excited about the Blackhawks' future when they have so many promising prospects. It will be interesting to see how they all continue to develop from here. 

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Brewers Reacts Survey: Grade the Brewers’ first half

Jul 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) and left fielder Jackson Chourio (11) celebrate after both players scored run on a two run homer run by Turang against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Welcome back to another edition of our Reacts Survey! This week, we’re asking fans to grade the first half of Milwaukee’s season.

After getting out to a hot start at 8-2, the Crew faltered a bit, falling to .500 though 26 games and jut 16-14 after the first month. Since that point, however, the Brewers have been one of the best teams in baseball. After going 19-7 in the month of May, they then went 17-10 in June before a 7-3 start to July. While they were swept by the Pirates in the final weekend of the first half, they still sit at 59-37 on the season, with a five-game lead atop the NL Central and the second-best record in baseball, behind only the 61-36 Dodgers.

With that in mind, how would you grade the Brewers’ first half? Weigh in below and stay tuned for results later this week!

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Report: Ex-Maple Leafs Forward Nick Robertson Settles On 2-Year Deal With Penguins

Nick Robertson’s has reportedly settled on a new contract.

The 24-year-old forward, who spent his entire NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, has agreed to a two-year contract worth $6.5 million ($3.25 million AAV), according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The deal comes less than two weeks after Robertson, a restricted free agent, filed for salary arbitration and just days before his scheduled July 28 hearing.

For Robertson, the agreement provides the stability he has chased since breaking into the league as a highly touted 2019 second-round pick (53rd overall). Drafted out of the OHL’s Peterborough Petes, the Pasadena, California native was long viewed as a dynamic, undersized winger with high-end skill and speed. Early stints with the Leafs were interrupted by injuries and the Maple Leafs’ crowded forward depth, sending him back to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies for extended development stretches in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The persistence paid off. Robertson gradually carved out a more regular role, showing he could play a gritty, responsible game while chipping in offensively. Over 234 NHL games,  all with Toronto, he has produced 48 goals and 88 points. His most recent campaign in 2025-26 was his most complete: 78 games, 16 goals and 32 points, numbers that reflected both increased ice time and a growing comfort level in the league’s middle six.

That production made him a logical arbitration candidate after he earned $1.825 million in 2025-26. With the Maple Leafs facing their own cap and roster decisions, Toronto shipped the pending RFA to Pittsburgh on the opening day of free agency. The move gave the Penguins a young, cost-controlled forward with NHL experience and upside, while clearing a roster spot and cap flexibility for the Leafs, while reuniting him with former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas.

Now with his new club, Robertson will slot into a Penguins forward group looking for secondary scoring and energy. Pittsburgh avoided the uncertainty of an arbitration hearing by locking him in at a reasonable number that reflects his recent output and the organization’s view of his long-term fit. The deal runs through the 2027-28 season, taking Robertson to one more year of restricted free agency at the expiry of the deal.

For a player who once symbolized the Leafs’ prospect pipeline frustrations, the contract represents both validation and a fresh start. Robertson has shown he can score at the NHL level when given consistent opportunity. In Pittsburgh, with a new coaching staff and a different set of expectations, he’ll have another chance to prove it ,  this time with the security of a twoi-year deal in hand.

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Red Sox acquire outfielder Jahmai Jones in trade with Tigers

Red Sox acquire outfielder Jahmai Jones in trade with Tigers originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Red Sox may be off this week for the All-Star break, but chief baseball officer Craig Breslow remains at work to try to salvage the season.

Breslow’s latest move was a minor one, acquiring outfielder Jahmai Jones in exchange for a player to be named later.

The Red Sox optioned Nate Eaton to Triple-A to make room for Jones.

Prior to being DFA’d, Jones suffered a massive dropoff from 2025, when he posted a .937 in 150 plate appearances, to 2026, when he’s had a .440 OPS in 105 plate appearances.

The 28-year-old is certainly a journeyman. He debuted with the Angels in 2020, played 26 games for the Orioles in 2021, spent the 2022 season in Triple-A, played 11 games for the Brewers in 2023 and played 47 games for the Yankees in 2024 before landing with Detroit in 2025.

Alex Speier, who first reported the trade, noted that Jones’ success against lefties last year likely intrigued the Red Sox. The right-handed Jones batted .288 with a .970 OPS against lefties last season. Last year, the Red Sox relied heavily on Rob Refsnyder and Romy Gonzalez to feast on opposing left-handers. Yet with Refsnyder leaving in free agency and Gonzalez just recently returning from injury, Breslow may be seeking a potential replacement with this move.

While Wilyer Abreu (.948 OPS against lefties) and Ceddanne Rafaela (.877) have been very effective, Jarren Duran (.587) has not.

Jones is unlikely to be the answer, as he got off to a slow start (.194 average in March/April), got worse in May (.114) and fell even further in June (.091) before getting DFA’d.

Yet with the Red Sox riding a ridiculous hot streak into the All-Star break (nine straight wins, victories in 14 of their last 16 games) and climbing back into postseason contention, the front office will be doing what it can to sustain some of that success through the month of July ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

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Islanders Sign 2026 First-Round Pick Malte Gustafsson To Entry-Level Contract

The New York Islanders have signed 2026 first-round pick Malte Gustafsson to his three-year entry-level deal, the club announced on Tuesday morning. 

Gustafsson, the 13th overall pick, will be playing one more season in the SHL for HV71 before coming over to join the Islanders' organization. 

We'll see if that plan has changed. 

The 18-year-old Swedish defenseman, standing at 6'4 and weighing 203 lbs, plays an annoying brand of hockey. For his size, he's incredibly mobile, has top-notch hockey IQ, and also has the physical ability to shut down the best players on the other team. 

Islanders Select Left-Shot Defenseman Malte Gustafsson With 13th Selection In 2026 NHL DraftIslanders Select Left-Shot Defenseman Malte Gustafsson With 13th Selection In 2026 NHL DraftThe 6’4” Swedish blueliner brings elite skating and three-zone versatility to New York’s pipeline, fresh off a dominant showing as an international shutdown force for HV71.

The 18-year-old Swedish defenseman, standing at 6'4 and weighing 203 lbs, plays an annoying brand of hockey. For his size, he's incredibly mobile, has top-notch hockey IQ, and also has the physical ability to shut down the best players on the other team. 

Although Gustafsson does want to add more offense to his game, that's not his specialty.

He should be viewed as a future Adam Pelech replacement. 

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2026 LSB Midseason Community Prospect Rankings — #7

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 11: Rafe Perich #38 of the Frisco RoughRiders rounds the bases in the third inning during the game between the Frisco RoughRiders and the San Antonio Missions at Nelson Wolff Stadium on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Zach Del Bello/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Congratulations to Rafe Perich, who has been named the #6 prospect in the 2026 LSB Midseason Community Prospect Rankings, receiving a little under a third of the vote.

Our list so far:

1 — Sebastian Walcott

2 — Caden Scarborough

3 — Malcolm Moore

4 — A.J. Russell

5 — Yolfran Castillo

6 — Rafe Perich

Moving on…

Because there has been a history of vote-spamming shenanigans in the rankings, I used Google Forms for the last several of community rankings, and it worked out well, so we will use it again. You will need to include your LSB user name when you vote. If you don’t have an LSB user name, you need to use some sort of identifier. While this won’t eliminate the possibility of vote spamming, it will make it harder.

So who is the #7 prospect in the Rangers system right now?

Cast your vote below…

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Mets Minor League Players of the Week: Week Sixteen

Daiverson Gutierrez (23) of the New York Mets bats against the Houston Astros during a Minor League spring training game on March 14, 2026 at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Daiverson Gutierrez | (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Daiverson Gutierrez, C

  • Week: 5 G, 18 AB, .556/.526/.778, 10 H, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/2 SB (High-A)
  • 2026 Season: 73 G, 257 AB, .206/.312/.319, 53 H, 12 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 30 BB, 49 K, 3/6 SB (High-A)

It’s been a pretty rough go of it thus far this season for Gutierrez, who ranked 24th on our list of the Mets’ top prospects coming into the 2026 season, but he was on fire in the week leading up to the break. The 20-year-old edged out Christopher Morel, who started his time in Syracuse very hot after signing with the Mets recently, for these honors. Gutierrez led the Mets’ minor league system with ten hits, only struck out once, and hit a home run and a double.

We noted that Gutierrez’s defense was ahead of his offense coming into the season, and he had struggled pretty significantly at the plate up until this week. But he had at least one hit in all five games that he played, and he had multi-hit games in four of the five.

Jonathan Santucci, LHP

  • Week: 1 G (1 GS), 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K (Double-A)
  • 2026 Season: 17 G (17 GS), 80.0 IP, 60 H, 37 R, 32 ER (3.60 ERA), 40 BB, 101 K, .304 BABIP (Double-A)

Santucci ranked 12th on our list of the Mets’ top prospects before the season began, and after a bit of a rocky start to his season in April with Binghamton, he’s settled in pretty nicely. Since the beginning of May, he has a 3.02 ERA and a 3.30 FIP with a very good 29.0 percent strikeout rate and a decent enough 11.2 percent walk rate. In this start against Hartford, Santucci struck out eight, walked one, and gave up two runs, only one of which was earned.

Perhaps it’s a bit harsh not to give this one to Dakota Hawkins, who threw six perfect innings with five strikeouts in High-A Brooklyn in his lone start of the week, but given that both pitchers are 23 years old, I’ve gone with the slightly imperfect but impressive outing by Santucci. The inimitable Steve Sypa will be back on this series next week.