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a day ago
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- Yahoo
Chicago Cubs ‘Desperately' Targeting Specific Position at MLB Trade Deadline
The Chicago Cubs have missed out on playing postseason baseball for the past four years. They're doing everything in their power to make sure that streak doesn't stretch to five seasons. Yet, this year's Cubs team is already on track for a playoff spot, sitting in first place of the National League Central. However, the Philadelphia Phillies are just a half-game behind, meaning the Cubs can't afford to rest on their early success. If anything, they need to capitalize and shore up any weaknesses. According to USA Today's MLB expert Bob Nightengale, the Cubs have been an active team ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline. Nightengale describes the Cubs as 'desperately' wanting another starting pitcher before Thursday's deadline passes. 'The Cubs desperately want another starter at the deadline, targeting Mitch Keller of the Pirates, and would include outfield prospect Owen Caissie to make it work.' Bob Nightengale on Chicago Cubs Keller is a one-time All-Star who's still just 29 years old. Plus, he's under contract through 2028, so it's not hard to see how the Cubs would have interest. He's also in the midst of one of his best seasons yet, with a career-low ERA of 3.53 to go with an ERA+ of 120. Though, as Cubs fans know, Caissie is no slouch either. He ranks 36th on top prospects list and is the top-ranked player in the organization. If the Cubs really are willing to give up Caissie, it would send a strong signal to the fanbase that this regime is ready to win and win now. Related: Related Headlines MLB Trade Rumors Roundup: Latest on Mets, Cubs, Astros, Dodgers and More Ice Cube Explains Why Angel Reese Won't Get Caitlin Clark's $5M BIG3 Offer Chicago White Sox Demanding Specific Player from New York Mets in Luis Robert Trade NASCAR points leaders today: Cup Series playoff picture after Brickyard 400
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Twins rumors: Minnesota's ‘expected' Joe Ryan trade stance ahead of deadline
The post Twins rumors: Minnesota's 'expected' Joe Ryan trade stance ahead of deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Minnesota Twins are reportedly open to listening to trade offers for Joe Ryan but are expected to keep the All-Star right-hander through the July 31 MLB trade deadline, according to reporting from USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Ryan, 29, had drawn interest from teams like the Boston Red Sox, who are looking to bolster their starting rotations ahead of the stretch run. However, as The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported, 'I don't know that the Twins are going to want to trade Joe Ryan. And that's the key thing here.' The 2024 All-Star is in the midst of a breakout season. Through 19 starts, Ryan owned a 9-4 record with a 2.72 ERA, 121 strikeouts and a 0.91 WHIP across 109 1/3 innings. His ERA was the best by a Twins starter at the All-Star break since Johan Santana in 2007. He pitched a scoreless inning in the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday, striking out two. Beyond performance, Ryan's value is amplified by his contract status. He's earning just $3 million this season and remains under team control through 2027, with two more arbitration years remaining, per Mike Rosenstein of NESN. That combination of production and affordability makes him a highly attractive trade chip, but also a reason the Twins are hesitant to move him. Minnesota sits second in the AL Central and just a few games back in the AL Wild Card standings. With multiple pitchers injured — Pablo López, Bailey Ober, and Zebby Matthews among them — Ryan has anchored a depleted rotation, throwing at least five innings in every start and allowing two runs or fewer in more than half. Unless overwhelmed by a impossible-to-pass-up trade offer, Minnesota is expected to keep Ryan as part of its postseason push and long-term plans. The Twins may even look to add reinforcements rather than subtract from their rotation. Related: Twins' Royce Lewis pulls back the curtain on 2025 struggles with Minnesota Related: Byron Buxton goes all-out for huge catch vs. Rockies
Yahoo
2 days ago
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MLB rumors: Phillies ‘extensively' linked to Twins relievers ahead of trade deadline
The post MLB rumors: Phillies 'extensively' linked to Twins relievers ahead of trade deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the top teams in Major League Baseball so far this season and have a real chance to make a push at the World Series. With just one game left to go until the All-Star break, the Phillies are just a half-game back of the New York Mets in a back-and-forth NL East battle. As a result, it will be an arms race for the Phillies, Mets and the rest of the contenders around the league at the trade deadline as they all look to gear up for the back half of the season and the playoffs. The Phillies have one of the best starting rotations in baseball, but they could use some more help in the bullpen. As the deadline approached, they have been linked to a pair of Minnesota Twins relievers in Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, but they are not alone according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. 'The Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, hoping to acquire at least one of them,' Nightengale wrote. 'The Twins also are drawing strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds.' Duran is having a stellar season, posting just a 1.49 ERA in 43 appearances. He has struck out 47 batters and given up just 16 walks in 42.1 innings, so he would be a crucial add to the Philadelphia bullpen. Jax has not been as successful, with a 4.02 ERA in 43 outings with Minnesota, but he would still be a productive arm capable of eating innings in the middle of the Phillies' bullpen if they were to acquire him. The Twins are in second place in the AL Central heading into the break, but they are still 11.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers who are pacing the pack. At 47-48, Minnesota is also three games out of the wild card in the American League, so it has some tough decisions to make at the deadline. Does it want to keep its key pieces and make a push for the playoffs, or get younger and look to the future? If it's the latter, the Phillies would be wise to get on the phone and get one of these relievers in the building. Related: Padres CF Jackson Merrill breaks down huge game against Zack Wheeler, Phillies Related: Jackson Merrill puts Padres on his back with 2nd-home run vs. Phillies
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Dodgers rumors: Jhoan Duran, Felix Bautista emerge as latest reliever trade targets
The post Dodgers rumors: Jhoan Duran, Felix Bautista emerge as latest reliever trade targets appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Dodgers boasted the best roster in baseball before the start of the season. But, injuries and other unexpected deficiencies have made them buyers ahead of this month's trade deadline. According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers will be looking to acquire relievers before the end of the month. 'They thought they assembled a lights-out bullpen when they shelled out $107 million to sign co-closers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, to go along with Blake Treinen,' Nightengale wrote. 'Scott has already blown seven saves and given up eight homers with a 4.09 ERA. Yates is yielding a .500 slugging percentage. Evan Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery. And Treinen and Michael Kopech are hurt.' 'It leaves the Dodgers scouring the market, talking with the Minnesota Twins about Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles, Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians.' Of the mentioned names, Felix Bautista and Jhoan Duran would likely be the most influential additions. Through 43.1 innings with the Minnesota Twins, Duran has earned 15 saves and a 1.66 ERA. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 99th percentile in Barrel% and the 96th percentile in xERA. Bautista has been similarly effective for the Baltimore Orioles. Across 33.2 innings, he's collected 18 saves and posted a 2.41 ERA. He ranks in the 97th percentile in K% and the 100th percentile in xBA. Los Angeles relievers have posted a 4.38 ERA thus far. Either Duran or Bautista would greatly help a unit that has struggled to stay both healthy and productive. The Dodgers are currently at the top of the National League West, but the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are not far behind. While Los Angeles will almost certainly make the Postseason, reinforcements will be needed if they have designs on winning the World Series for a second straight year. Related: Watch Mookie Betts act with Liam Neeson in The Naked Gun teaser Related: Dodgers' Tyler Glasnow makes 1 request for MLB All-Star break
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Yankees rumors: What rival GMs are saying about Spencer Jones trade
The post Yankees rumors: What rival GMs are saying about Spencer Jones trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Yankees have already had a busy weekend as it pertains to the upcoming MLB trade deadline, and one insider recently reported that the team's most coveted prospect might not be untouchable. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, executives feel that general manager Brian Cashman may be willing to include outfielder Spencer Jones in a potential trade. 'The New York Yankees are open to trading prized outfield prospect Spencer Jones, rival GMs say,' Nightengale wrote. The development comes following two recent trades. New York traded minor league pitchers Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz in exchange for former Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon. Shortly thereafter, the Yankees also acquired infielder Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals for right-hander Clayton Beeter and outfielder Browm Martinez. The Yankees have been attempting to make changes and avoid a complete collapse. Despite a strong start to the season, they have gone 14-23 since June 13, and are now 6.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East. New York has been connected to multiple bullpen arms ahead of the deadline. The team currently is 23rd in terms of bullpen ERA, and could benefit from one or two high-leverage arms. Including Jones in such a deal could sway a rival executive. The 24-year-old has hit 29 total home runs and earned a 1.117 OPS during his 2025 season between both Double-A and Triple-A. 'I've never seen anything like it before,' Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders manager Shelley Duncan told ESPN. 'I've never seen a player this talented before in my life.' Jones' status as an outfielder also complicates a potential promotion, and could partially explain why the front office might be willing to include him in a deal. Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Jasson Dominguez form the main outfield contingent for the Yankees, Additionally, Giancarlo Stanton serves as the club's primary designated hitter. It would be a challenge for manager Aaron Boone to find playing time for Jones, especially if Judge is able to return from his flexor strain quickly. 'It's a lot of fun this time of year, just for baseball fans in general, right?' Jones told ESPN. 'I have friends all over the country that are wanting me to go and play for their team. But my heart's here with this organization. I've been having a lot of fun being a Yankee so far in my career. And you take everything with a grain of salt. It's part of it, part of the season and I'm excited to see how things go moving forward.' New York will likely make more moves before next week's deadline, and Jones could be a name to watch carefully. Related: Yankees' Aaron Boone drops defiant AL East take after Aaron Judge injury Related: Yankees rumors: What New York won't do with Aaron Judge when he returns from injury
