Latest news with #trades
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Padres, with deadline looming, face key decisions on Dylan Cease, Robert Suarez
SAN DIEGO — The man who indirectly brought two of the Padres' best pitchers to this city stood near home plate, catching up with a former colleague. It was Monday afternoon at Petco Park, and in between innings of a simulated game thrown by Michael King, Juan Soto had strolled over from the visiting clubhouse. The outfielder, clad in shorts and a New York Mets tee, laughed and chatted with Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla. Advertisement It was less than two years ago that the Padres, seeking to address multiple needs and knowing they would not extend or re-sign him, traded Soto for a package that included King and pitching prospect Drew Thorpe. The blockbuster exchange would influence the fortunes of two franchises. The New York Yankees advanced to the 2024 World Series, with Soto batting in front of Aaron Judge. The Padres went on to play a tightly contested division series against the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with King and Dylan Cease — acquired in a trade that saw Thorpe flipped to the Chicago White Sox — fronting their rotation. This was how the Padres turned trading Soto, a generational talent, into a win-now deal. And this is similar to how the Padres might turn trading Cease or closer Robert Suarez into something along the same lines. Neither pitcher is a generational talent, and both are several months closer to potential free agency than Soto was in December 2023. Still, with Thursday's trade deadline looming, the Padres face significant decisions on Cease and Suarez. Monday night against Soto's Mets, the Padres won despite subpar performances from the aforementioned pair. Cease, perhaps the top rental starter on the trade market, struck out nine batters but also was struck by a comebacker and later surrendered a grand slam. Suarez, one of the best available rental relievers, served up a ninth-inning solo homer. By the end of a walk-off victory that included a five-run bottom of the fifth and two spectacular Fernando Tatis Jr. catches, Cease and Suarez had been reduced to footnotes. There is a chance that either pitcher's outing will end up being a farewell. The Padres, since last offseason and certainly in recent weeks, have discussed the idea of moving Cease and/or Suarez. The former will enter free agency this winter represented by Scott Boras, who secured for Soto the largest contract in professional sports history. The latter recently hired agent Bryce Dixon, and the expectation is that Suarez will decline a pair of $8 million player options for 2026 and 2027. Advertisement With limited payroll flexibility and less prospect capital than they possessed a year ago, the Padres could try to send one of these expiring deals to another postseason contender in exchange for new prospect capital and some salary relief. In theory, San Diego could then use those resources to acquire club-controlled players at positions of need. As of late Monday, president of baseball operations A.J. Preller still seemed to be aiming high. League sources said the Padres remained among the teams in pursuit of Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan. Meanwhile, despite reports that the Boston Red Sox had taken Jarren Duran off the market, San Diego continued to express interest in the longtime target. Preller, famous for his exhaustiveness, was said to also be considering such commodities as high-end relief and starting-pitching depth. The Padres survived a scare to their existing depth in Monday's third inning. That was when Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor hit a 99.6 mph grounder that jumped and struck Cease in the back of his head, the ball ricocheting nearly to the third-base dugout. Cease crumpled to the ground, then sat up as multiple athletic trainers rushed to his side. He eventually threw a few trial pitches and stayed in the game, getting seven more outs before he exited following the fifth-inning grand slam. Cease was not available to reporters after the game, having left the clubhouse to undergo what manager Mike Shildt described as precautionary imaging. The right-hander hasn't missed a start since the end of his rookie season, and his durability is one reason the Padres — who face questions related to the health of King and fellow starter Yu Darvish — might be reluctant to trade him. Scary scene at Petco Park as Francisco Lindor hit Dylan Cease in the back of a head with a comebacker. Here's the play: — Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 29, 2025 Monday afternoon at least brought a more positive development for King. Sidelined by a nerve issue since May, the right-hander threw 40 pitches over two-plus simulated innings. His fastball ranged from 91 mph to 94 mph, and King afterward declared himself '100 percent.' He also reiterated his confidence that he would return from the injured list before his bobblehead night at Petco Park on Aug. 20. Shildt did not divulge the team's timetable, but the manager called King's progress 'very, very, very encouraging.' Advertisement Like Cease and Suarez, King is expected to become a free agent in a few months, and the Opening Day starter might have been a trade candidate himself had he not missed the past two months. Cease and King also remain obvious candidates to receive and reject qualifying offers after the season — a scenario that likely would result in draft-pick compensation for the Padres. Suarez, currently on a five-year, $46 million contract, does not appear to be a candidate for a qualifying offer. That, along with the ascension of Adrian Morejon in a deep bullpen, might make the Padres more inclined to move the major-league saves leader. There is, of course, at least one other scenario: Absent compelling offers, the Padres could keep both Cease and Suarez for another playoff chase. For now, however, the potential for a different outcome continues to loom. King, who has been traded twice since the Miami Marlins drafted him, expressed admiration for a teammate with similar experience. 'I give a lot of props to him because you've got to still go out here and pitch when your name's getting thrown around,' King said of Cease. 'And he's a pro. He's going to shut out the noise … It's a business, so it's a tough game. But wherever he is, I like him in my rotation.' (Top photo of Padres pitcher Dylan Cease:)
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
On this day: Bremer, Sundov traded, Wedman, Duerod, Hertzberg born
On this day in Boston Celtics history, former point guard J.R. Bremer was traded along with big man Bruno Sundov and draft assets to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for small forward Jumaine Jones. The Cleveland Heights (Ohio) native had signed with the Celtics as a 6-foot-2, 185 lb. free agent in the summer of 2002 after going undrafted out of St. Bonaventure University in the NBA draft of that year. Despite his lack of draft interest that summer, Bremer managed to make All-Rookie Second Team for his inaugural season in the Association, elevating his stock enough to make himself a trade asset for Boston. Bremer averaged 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in his time with the Celtics. It is the birthday of former Boston small forward Scott Wedman (born in 1952), who came to the team in a trade with the Cavaliers for center Darren Tillis and draft assets in 1983. The Harper, Kansas native would play five seasons for the Celtics, with whom he won two championships in 1984 and 1986. In 1987, Wedman was dealt with Sam Vincent to the Seattle SuperSonics for draft assets and retired immediately afterward. He averaged 6.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and an assist per game in his time with the team. Ex-Celtic small forward Terry Duerod shares his birthday, born in Royal Oak, Michigan in 1956. Duerod joined the Celtics in free agency in December 1980 and would play 53 games over two seasons before being waived by the team. The Detroit Mercy alum logged 2.8 points per game while wearing green and white. Former Celtics guard Sidney 'Sonny' Hertzberg shares the birthday with them as well, born in 1922 in Brooklyn, New York. Spanning Boston's days in the Basketball Association of America (BAA -- a predecessor league of the NBA) into their first season in what became the NBA, Hertzberg played two seasons with Boston. Traded to the team from the Washington Capitals for center Chick Halbert, Hertzberg put up 9.4 points and 1.8 assists per game as a Celtic. This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Bremer, Sundov traded, Wedman, Duerod, Hertzberg born
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Craig Breslow isn't shy about dealing Red Sox top prospects. Here's who may be next
MINNEAPOLIS – With a deep prospect pool and a desire to hold onto their young big-league core, the Boston Red Sox may opt to trade from their farm system this week. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has shown in the past he's willing to do so. On the final day of Winter Meetings, Breslow swung the Garrett Crochet trade, sending the club's two most recent first-rounders at the time in catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery, both top 100 prospects, to Chicago as part of a four-player package for Crochet. It marked a deal that's shaped their 2025 season in many ways. Advertisement That same December day, he sent one of Boston's top-20 pitching prospects, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, to the Yankees in exchange for catcher Carlos Narváez, who at the time was a little known rookie. Narváez has had a breakout season and become Boston's starter behind the plate. At the deadline last summer, Breslow traded multiple Rule 5 eligible players, including 2020 first-rounder infielder Nick Yorke. Even with Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell graduating from prospect status, the Red Sox system is still viewed by many evaluators as one of the league's strongest. Meanwhile, Boston's trade-deadline strategy may have shifted in recent days. Though the club has a surplus of young, big-league outfielders, there's some debate whether the team is still willing to trade from that group, particularly now that infielder Mayer's wrist injury has forced outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela to second base. That has made Jarren Duran, whose name has been popular in trade rumors, even more valuable to the Red Sox, with one National League evaluator suggesting an offseason trade of Duran may be more likely. The Red Sox had been rolling with wins in three of their last four games before a walk-off, 5-4 loss to the Twins on Monday in a rain-delayed game. What they acquire at the deadline remains to be seen, but they are likely to trade from their minor-league pool between now and Thursday at 6 p.m. Here's a look at who might in the mix: Tolle, Boston's second-round pick in 2024, has emerged as the best arm in the system, and owns a 1.96 ERA in five games, four starts, since being promoted to Double A earlier this year. In High A, he had posted a 3.62 ERA across 11 starts. A big, physical lefty, Tolle is the type of pitcher the Red Sox would love to further develop and have in their rotation for years to come. But Breslow has noted the desire to make the postseason this year. If trading Tolle can help get the Red Sox a proven, big-league controllable starter, it's something they'd have to consider, but likely the only situation in which they'd consider trading him. Advertisement Likelihood: low If the Red Sox are hesitant to trade from their group of big league outfielders, Garcia has little pathway to the majors. But as the No. 46 prospect in baseball per The Athletic's Keith Law, he's likely to garner significant interest from teams. The 22-year-old has an OPS close to .900 in roughly 50 games since being promoted to Triple A. He may be Boston's biggest trade chip for any team seeking a close-to-big-league ready position player. Likelihood: high Campbell could use more of a chance to prove himself after being demoted to Triple A in June, especially after signing a team-friendly eight-year, $60 million deal this spring. The Red Sox may still give him that chance. However, it was telling that they decided not to call him back up from Triple A when Mayer went on the injury list. Campbell wouldn't be traded easily, but as part of a package to a team looking for young, big-league ready position players, Campbell could fit. Likelihood: medium Law's No. 9 overall prospect, Arias is the highest Red Sox player in his current rankings. He has immense potential but is at least two or three years away from the majors. For a rebuilding team looking to sell, Arias would be a key trade piece. The 19-year-old is hitting .280 with a .714 OPS in 81 games between Single A and High A. Again, trading him wouldn't be easy, but with Mayer expected to be the shortstop of the future, the Red Sox could use Arias now to headline a package for a controllable starter. Likelihood: medium Early is another promising young starter in the system, drafted in the fifth round in 2023. After posting a 2.51 ERA in 15 games, 12 starts, with a 32 percent strikeout rate, he was promoted to Triple A this week. If the Red Sox don't want to budge on Tolle, there's likely to be plenty of interest in Early. Likelihood: medium Similar to Early, Sandlin was promoted to Triple A this week after posting a 3.61 ERA in 17 games, 13 starts, with a 25 percent strikeout rate at Double A. The caveat here, though, is that Sandlin is Rule 5 eligible this offseason, meaning he would have to be added to the 40-man roster or be subject to the Rule 5 Draft. He's the type of pitcher the Red Sox are likely to add to the roster for pitching depth – if they don't trade him this week. Advertisement Likelihood: medium Though the Red Sox have needed first base help much of the season since Triston Casas' injury, they've yet to promote Jordan, which suggests trading him is on the table. That's especially the case since he's Rule 5 eligible this winter. Jordan is known for his raw power, but his offense dropped off a bit when promoted to Triple A earlier this year. He had posted a .928 OPS in 44 games in Double A but has an .808 OPS through 43 games in a very hitter friendly Polar Park at Triple A. Likelihood: high As a Rule 5 eligible outfielder, Bleis also seems likely to be traded. Injuries have interrupted his career at multiple points, but he once was a top 5 player in the system. He's still just 21 and in High A, but could be part of a big package for a team looking to take a flier on a player with equal parts risk and potential. Likelihood: high (Top photo of Kristian Campbell: Eric Canha /Imagn Images)
Reuters
a day ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Reports: Rays deal C Danny Jansen to Brewers, get Marlins C Nick Fortes
July 28 - The Tampa Bay Rays got younger at catcher Monday, using a pair of reported trades to swap Danny Jansen out for Nick Fortes. The Rays dealt Jansen to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for infield prospect Jadher Areinamo, and The Athletic reported. Separately, the Rays are acquiring Fortes from the Miami Marlins for minor-league outfielder Matthew Etzel, according to multiple reports. Jansen, 30, was in his first season in Tampa Bay after spending the first seven years of his career with American League East rivals Toronto (2018-24) and Boston (2024). Due to a 2024 Toronto-Boston game that was suspended due to rain and rescheduled, Jansen became the first player in MLB history to play for both teams in a single game. Jansen was batting just .204 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs in 73 appearances for the Rays. Fortes, 28, is under club control through 2028 via three years of arbitration. He will join his second MLB club without having to leave the state. In parts of five seasons with Miami, Fortes has batted .225 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs over 363 games. That includes a .240 batting average with two homers and 10 RBIs in 59 games in 2025. Areinamo, 21, is a Venezuela native who joins Tampa Bay's system after batting .297 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs over 94 games this season for High-A Wisconsin. Etzel, 23, has spent the season at Tampa Bay's Double-A affiliate in Montgomery, where he has batted .230 with five home runs and 34 RBIs in 56 games. He has played all three outfield spots in the minor leagues. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canadiens: Another Solution For the Second Center Conundrum?
Kent Hughes has had an active Summer so far. Before the draft, he acquired Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders to address one of the Montreal Canadiens' pressing needs. While some were arguing that Logan Mailloux could fill the void left by David Savard's retirement, the GM wanted a proven commodity to strengthen his lineup. Additionally, his decision to trade Mailloux might have already been made. The young defenseman was sacrificed to acquire some help up front in Zachary Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues, a 22-year-old with scoring upside.
