Latest news with #Passan


Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Eugenio Suárez Rumors? Why Cubs Blockbuster Deal Makes Sense
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. ESPN's MLB insider, Jeff Passan, recently suggested there was a 90 percent chance the Arizona Diamondbacks will trade slugger Eugenio Suárez ahead of the trade deadline. Passan also listed the Chicago Cubs as one of the best fits for the star infielder. "Suárez is in a contract year and playing like one of the best players in baseball. Only Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge have more home runs than his 35. Despite turning 34 years old before the trade deadline, Suárez is sitting near career highs in isolated power and wRC+ (which measures overall offensive performance)," Passan wrote. "His fielding metrics have declined in recent years, but he's still an acceptable defender at third base. Even if the Diamondbacks don't offload all their free agents-to-be, Suárez could be moved because they've got Jordan Lawlar raking in Triple-A and primed to take over at third." PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Chase Field on July 20, 2025... PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Chase Field on July 20, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. MoreThe Cubs could be the perfect landing spot for Suárez for a few reasons, but there's bound to be a lot of competition on the trade market, notably from the New York Yankees. The top reason the Cubs could be favored over the Yankees in the potential Suárez sweepstakes is their farm system. Chicago has a much better farm system than New York, so it would be easier for the front office to acquire Suárez. Chicago could use a one-year rental third baseman, too. Matt Shaw has struggled this year, but he remains supremely talented. Shaw might not have been ready to be the third baseman of a World Series contender this year, but if Suárez can help the Cubs win a championship in the coming months, Shaw will be primed to take over at the hot corner in 2026. The Yankees are desperate, so it won't be easy for the Cubs to poach the infielder from the Diamondbacks, but it's a move Chicago needs to make to solidify itself at the top of the league. More MLB: Desperate Yankees Urged To Avoid Reunion With $15 Million Infielder


Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees' Pursuit of Third Baseman Eugenio Suarez Ramps Up Ahead of Deadline
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The New York Yankees have waited too long to address their need at third base, but it seems they'll finally do so before the trade deadline passes. Eugenio Suárez was already one of the most-coveted players at the deadline, but his recent performances are increasing his value even more. MLB insider Jeff Passan believes the Yankees are still one of the best fits for him. PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a three run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Chase Field on July 20,... PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a three run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Chase Field on July 20, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. More"Suárez is in a contract year and playing like one of the best players in baseball," wrote Passan. "Only Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge have more home runs than his 35. Despite turning 34 years old before the trade deadline, Suárez is sitting near career highs in isolated power and wRC+ (which measures overall offensive performance)." "His fielding metrics have declined in recent years, but he's still an acceptable defender at third base," added Passan. "Even if the Diamondbacks don't offload all their free agents-to-be, Suárez could be moved because they've got Jordan Lawlar raking in Triple-A and primed to take over at third." Suárez would certainly be an upgrade even defensively over the rotation of players the Yankees trot out onto the field right now. League average defense would help the Bronx Bombers out tremendously, but his bat is the prized possession. In the three games that have been played since baseball resumed from the All-Star break, Suárez has been one of the game's best hitters. He's boosted his home run tally up to 35 heading into Monday's game against the Houston Astros, and he doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon. "Best fits: New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants," wrote Passan. However, there are a lot of teams that will be vying for Suárez's services just looking at the list above. The Yankees will certainly have to provide a stellar package going back to Arizona to land him. More MLB: Cardinals May Keep Ryan Helsley at Deadline, Aim for Better Return in Winter, Per Report
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB insider floats Red Sox trade to build ‘elite setup-closer combination'
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan thinks the Boston Red Sox have the makings of a very good team in the second half" of the season. They just need to add some pitching help. On Thursday, Passan released his top trade fits for each MLB team that currently has a winning record. For Boston, Passan proposed the acquisition of St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley. Passan noted that the Red Sox have 'the best reliever in the AL this season' with Aroldis Chapman, but need more help in their bullpen. 'Getting Helsley from St. Louis would give Boston arguably the top setup-closer combination in baseball and go a long way toward supporting a rotation that has been among the game's best over the past month,' Passan wrote. The 30-year-old Helsley is a two-time All-Star who has spent his entire professional career in the Cardinals organization. Helsley has been an effective closer in St. Louis for the last four seasons, recording a league-high 49 saves last season. So why is he floated in trade rumors? Hesley is set to hit free agency this offseason. So if another team is willing to pay a high price for a half-season rental, the Cardinals could benefit from parting ways early. The Cardinals (49-44) and Red Sox (49-45) are in similar spots in the standings, buried in a stacked division while very much in the wild card hunt. At this point, both teams have been teetering between being strong buyers or potential sellers at the trade deadline. BETTING: Red Sox -1.5 runline is +180 on BetMGM for Thursday's game versus Tampa Bay. Our complete list of the best Massachusetts online sportsbook promos will help you determine which sportsbook to use. More Red Sox coverage Fenway Insider Live: Sean McAdam on outfield decisions, Alex Bregman's return Red Sox' playtime is over as schedule gets far more challenging | Sean McAdam Boston Red Sox hurler shouts out teammates for 'huge' play Boston Red Sox' Masataka Yoshida told Alex Cora he needed 'two days' Red Sox' Lucas Giolito closes out first half of season on upswing Read the original article on MassLive.


Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB Insider Calls Streaking Red Sox 'Legitimate World Series Contenders'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jeff Passan of ESPN appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" and stated that the Boston Red Sox are going to be buyers this season and, with the right move, World Series contenders. The Red Sox currently hold a wild card spot in the American League and are getting ready to make a second-half push to hold off the rest of the junior circuit. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 11: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run walk off home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Fenway... BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 11: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run walk off home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Fenway Park on July 11, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. More Photo byPassan refuted rumors of the potential trade of Aroldis Chapman and Alex Bregman, saying that the pair is "going nowhere". Passan declared the Red Sox as buyers, saying, "They're going to add, and if they can get another starting pitcher who can be at the top of that rotation with Garrett Crochet, with Brayan Bello pitching so well, Lucas Giolito, the Boston Red Sox are legitimate World Series contenders." It's a bold claim for a team that is currently in third place in its division, but Passan might not be that far off. The youngsters in the Red Sox clubhouse have started to make the turn, with the team going on a 10-game winning streak just before the trade deadline and looking to make it 11 straight wins on Friday. There was some speculation that Bregman, who has an opt-out after this season, could be moved, but the Red Sox have gotten hot and are looking to overtake the Yankees, placing themselves squarely in title contention. The trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Red Sox have some needs to fill if they want to return to the Fall Classic, but according to Passan, they are right in the mix. More MLB: Royals Trade For Former Utility Man From Pirates Before Trade Deadline: Report


Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB Insider Adds Fuel To Fire Of Cubs-Sandy Alcántara Trade Rumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Chicago Cubs need to add a starting pitcher ahead of the trade deadline this season in order to put the best roster on the field. One of the pitchers who's continuously linked to the Cubs is Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara. The Marlins are expected to trade away the righty in the coming weeks despite his struggles on the mound this season. ESPN's Jeff Passan recently added fuel to the fire of these rumors. Passan called Alcántara the "best match" in a deal for the Cubs ahead of the trade deadline. MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 4: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins pitches during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at loanDepot park on July 4, 2025 in Miami, Florida. MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 4: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins pitches during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at loanDepot park on July 4, 2025 in Miami, Florida."The market for Alcántara might not reflect his résumé. A former Cy Young Award winner, the 29-year-old has been arguably the worst pitcher in baseball this season, with an ERA of 7.22," Passan wrote. "Some teams -- even ones that could desperately use starting pitching -- see the remaining two years and $38.3 million on Alcántara's deal as an impediment to any trade, particularly with Marlins GM Peter Bendix asking for a haul in return. "Whether it's Alcántara or another starter, the Cubs are a good starter away from having one of the top teams in baseball. Their offense is undeniable. Their defense is magnificent. Their bullpen has been a pleasant surprise." This deal has made sense for the entire season. The Cubs have made a lot of moves this year, but they've seemingly all been for rentals. Adding a pitcher with ace potential and multiple years of team control is what the Cubs need. This would give them a pitcher who has the potential to return to his ace form this year. At the worst, he's a fourth or fifth starter in Chicago while the team works to get him back to form in the offseason. Either way, it's the aggressive kind of move the Cubs need to do in order to make a World Series run in October. More MLB: Mets Called Potential Landing Spot In Trade For $5 Million Flamethrower