Latest news with #GoldGlove
Mint
9 minutes ago
- Sport
- Mint
Kansas City Royals trade Freddy Fermin to San Diego Padres for pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek
The Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres executed a significant trade, with the Royals sending catcher Freddy Fermin to the Padres in exchange for pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek. This move reshapes both teams' rosters, addressing specific needs as the MLB trade deadline approaches. The Kansas City Royals, reeling from injuries to key pitchers Kris Bubic, Cole Ragans, and Michael Lorenzen, needed to reinforce their pitching staff. Acquiring Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek will provide them with much-needed flexibility. Ryan Bergert, ranked as the Padres' No. 7 prospect before the season, has shown promise in his rookie year. The 24-year-old right-hander, drafted in the sixth round in 2021 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, boasts a 2.78 ERA across 11 appearances (seven starts) with 34 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings. However, his 18 walks highlight a need for improved control. At Triple-A, he's posted a 4.03 ERA in 11 starts. His fastball, sitting at 91-94 mph, pairs with a standout slider, making him a potential starter or bullpen arm for Kansas City. Stephen Kolek, in his second MLB season after being selected from the Mariners in the Rule 5 draft, brings a different dynamic. The sinkerballer has a 4.18 ERA in 14 starts, striking out 56 in 79 2/3 innings, with an impressive 50% groundball rate. His ability to induce groundballs could stabilize the Royals' rotation or provide relief depth. For the Padres, acquiring Freddy Fermin addresses a glaring weakness behind the plate. The team's catching tandem of Elias Diaz and Martín Maldonado has struggled offensively, ranking 27th in the Majors with a 71 wRC+. Fermin, 30, offers an immediate upgrade. His .255/.309/.339 slash line this season, combined with three home runs in 67 games, provides offensive stability. A 2024 Gold Glove finalist, Fermin's strong framing metrics and reliable arm enhance San Diego's defense. With team control through 2029, he's a long-term asset. The Padres' rotation, strengthened by the return of Yu Darvish and Michael King, plus the addition of JP Sears in a separate deal, made Bergert and Kolek expendable. San Diego's earlier acquisition of closer Mason Miller has further strengthened their bullpen. For the Kansas City Royals, Bergert and Kolek offer versatility. Both can start or shift to the bullpen, providing immediate help or minor-league depth. Royals' focus on pitching reflects their urgency to stay competitive despite injuries. The Padres, on the other hand, must navigate how Fermin fits into their catching plans. Carrying three catchers could offer manager Mike Shildt pinch-hitting flexibility, but Fermin's midseason integration with a new pitching staff will be critical.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Phillies make another trade with Twins, acquire righthanded outfielder
Phillies make another trade with Twins, acquire righthanded outfielder originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia When Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski met with the media in the Phillies clubhouse at Rate Field in Chicago to announce the team acquiring Jhoan Duran, he was asked if there was another move coming. 'We're not done,' he said, before quickly backtracking to 'we're not done talking.' Talk he did, and to the same team that brought them Duran, to the Minnesota Twins for a second deal that brought the Phillies righthanded outfielder Harrison Bader. They sent a pair of prospects, outfielder Hendry Mendez and righthanded pitcher Geremy Villoria, as return. Bader, the 31-year-old, has traveled the league in his nine seasons and is considered a very good outfielder. He was named the Best Defensive Outfielder in the National League in Baseball America's 2019 Best Tools survey of managers, coaches, scouts and executives and in 2021 won the Gold Glove award for centerfield. He signed a one-year contract with the Twins before the season for $6.25 million with a mutual option for 2026. Bader isn't the big bat or more well-known player that was rumored to be coming to the Phillies in the previous days. Those names were Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, Cleveland's Steven Kwan or Arizona's Eugenio Suarez, who was moved to the Seattle Mariners, to name a few. But the addition of Hader will perhaps stabilize an outfield for manager Rob Thomson that has platooned Max Kepler, Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas in center and left for most of the season. Is the team done with their $10 million experiment in Kepler, who is hitting just .203 this season? Are they going to give Justin Crawford a shot as he is hitting .325 in Lehigh Valley with 33 stolen bases? Is there room for another upscale defender, low-power guy in the outfield? Crawford has just three home runs in 329 at bats, Rojas is a player the organization just wants to try and reach base to create some havoc with his speed and, though he is hitting the ball very well of late, Marsh isn't exactly a bopper, as his five home runs prove. Marsh, it appears, is pretty much set in stone to get a majority of playing time, whether it be left or center. Though his .204 batting average and .286 on base percentage against lefties this year isn't ideal. Bader is also someone who can play either left or center and someone who hits a bit better against righthanders (.266 avg., .347 OBP) than lefties (,241, .318). One thing that is for certain is that Nick Castellanos will be the right fielder. As much delight, and rightfully so, the Duran trade brought to the baseball fans of the Delaware Valley, the addition of Bader seems to be garnering the 'uh, okay' type of reaction that sticks to a player that now will be suiting up for his sixth team in nine years.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies insider reveals return for newly acquired $6.25 Gold Glover
The Philadelphia Phillies made a key trade on Thursday afternoon with hours to spare before the trade deadline. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Phillies are acquiring Harrison Bader from the Minnesota Twins. Bader won a Gold Glove in 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals and has bounced between the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and Twins prior to the Phillies trade. The Phillies needed an outfield bat, and Bader provides them with what they were looking for. He gives them power from the right side of the plate, as well as elite defense and speed. Matt Gelb of The Athletic recently revealed the return for Bader. The Phillies are sending two prospects to the Twins in exchange. "Phillies are sending outfielder Hendry Mendez and righty Geremy Villoria to Twins for Harrison Bader, according to sources," Gelb posted on X. Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Bader is hitting .258/.339/.439 with 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 10 stolen bases, a 2.8 WAR and a .778 OPS. He also has a 111 OPS+. This may not be an earthshattering move, but it is one that should help the Phillies out as they try to catch the Mets in the National League East. They are just a half-game behind New York in the division. The price clearly wasn't too extreme for Bader. They gave up an outfield prospect and pitcher in exchange for the veteran, and they aren't highly regarded prospects. Still, it will be interesting to see how Bader fits into the Phillies plans. He should play every day in center field for a team fighting for a playoff spot. He'll also bring veteran leadership to the clubhouse. More MLB:
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Former Florida Gators OF Harrison Bader traded to Phillies in deal with Twins
Once a standout for Florida baseball, Harrison Bader is on the move in Major League Baseball. The former Gators outfielder was traded Wednesday afternoon from the Minnesota Twins to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for two prospects in outfielder Hendry Mendez and right-handed pitcher Geremy Villoria, according to reports. Bader, 31, has been a defensive force in center field since his days in Gainesville, and that glove remains elite. He's also putting together a solid season at the plate, hitting .258 with 12 home runs, 38 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 96 games for Minnesota. Bader's been especially hot lately, batting .412 over his last seven games. For Philadelphia, Bader is the type of veteran addition that can tilt postseason games. His range, speed and experience make him a dangerous weapon. Bader played at Florida from 2013-2015, helping the Gators make multiple deep postseason runs before being drafted in the third round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015. Since then, he's built a reputation as one of the game's most respected defensive outfielders, winning a Gold Glove in 2021 and making highlight-reel catches look routine. While the Twins add promising young talent for the future, Philadelphia is banking on Bader's steady presence to help them chase another deep playoff run. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
David Bednar trade: New York Yankees to finalize blockbuster deal with Pittsburgh Pirates closer
The New York Yankees are finalizing a blockbuster trade to acquire Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar. The deal, pending medical review, aims to strengthen the Yankees' struggling bullpen. In exchange for David Bednar, the Pittsburgh Pirates will receive catcher Rafael Flores and 19-year-old prospect Edgleen Perez. Flores, a top-shelf framer, has excelled in Double-A and is now in Triple-A, ready for the big leagues. Perez, ranked as the Yankees' 10th-best prospect, is known for his brilliant swing decisions. New York Yankees' struggling bullpen posted a 6.29 ERA in July, the second-worst in MLB. David Bednar, a 30-year-old right-hander, will bring elite performance with a 2.37 ERA and 17 saves this season, making him a critical addition for a postseason push. With a $5.9 million salary and arbitration eligibility until 2026, Bednar offers high-end talent without the hefty price tag of other elite closers. Since Memorial Day, David Bednar ranks second among MLB pitchers with a 0.40 ERA (minimum 20 innings), trailing only Adrian Morejon. Over his last 24 outings, he struck out 29 batters while walking just five, allowing only one earned run. His arsenal, featuring a high-90s fastball, a hard-breaking curveball, and a splitter, has produced career-best strikeout and walk rates in 2025. Bednar's 51 strikeouts against 10 walks this season highlight his swing-and-miss command. David Bednar's 2025 resurgence follows a challenging 2024 season, where he posted a 5.77 ERA and seven blown saves. However, his current form mirrors his 2021-23 seasons, when he was among baseball's top five relievers. For the New York Yankees, David Bednar's acquisition signals their commitment to contending in the 2025 MLB season. On the other hand, for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Rafael Flores and Edgleen Perez represent building blocks for the future. As the trade deadline heats up, this move joins other notable deals, including the Cincinnati Reds' acquisition of Gold Glove third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes from Pittsburgh and the San Diego Padres' trade for closer Mason Miller.
