Dylan Cease throws a no-hitter. The trade deadline is underway and we’ve got two trades and a ton of rumors. The life of an A’s superfan.
Just so you know, most of this column could be out of date by the time you read it. Things are starting to move.
- Here’s one you might not have heard yet. Late last night, the Rays dealt outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Mariners for two minor leaguers: outfielder Aidan Smith and right-handed pitcher Brody Hopkins. The Rays are also getting a player to be named later. As always, it was very cruel of that guy’s parents to let him grow up to be old enough to play professional baseball and still not give him a name.
- The Diamondbacks got reliever A.J. Puk from the Marlins for minor league infielder Deyvison De Los Santos and outfielder Andrew Pintar.
- Josh Norris has an evaluation of the players involved in the Puk deal.
- Normally this would be the lead story of an OTC, but breaking trade news beat it out today. Dylan Cease threw the second no-hitter in Padres history against the Nationals.
- Some “remarkable” facts about Cease’s no-no.
- David Schoenfield wonders if the past three games are the greatest three-game stretch by a starting pitcher in history. Cease has allowed two hits total over his last three starts, so Schoenfield compares it to similar stretches by other pitchers.
- Gabe Lacques notes that the Padres are fighting for a Wild Card spot even after trading away one of the best players in the game in Juan Soto.
- The next several links are all about the trade deadline. Will Leitch has five “fascinating storylines” heading into the deadline.
- Ken Rosenthal shares what he’s hearing about the deadline. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- And Russell Dorsey passes on what trade rumors he’s come across.
- Jesse Rogers asks MLB executives what six bubble teams should do at the deadline. (ESPN+ sub. req.) The Cubs are one of those teams.
- The Yahoo baseball writers have five deals they’d like to see happen by the deadline.
- Dan Szymborski lists some trade proposals of his own.
- Mark Feinsand has the best “trade match” for each MLB contender.
- Tom Verducci lists the six teams that will make the biggest splash at the deadline.
- One player from each team (or organization) that will get traded. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- R.J. Anderson has eight “under-the-radar” candidates to get traded.
- Mark Feinsand has the “best-case scenario” for every MLB team at the deadline.
- White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet announced that if he gets traded, he wants to start and he wants a contract extension before he pitches in the playoffs.
- R.J. Anderson ranks the possible landing spots for White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
- One guy who probably won’t get traded now is Athletics closer Mason Miller, since he broke his left (non-throwing) pinky slamming it against a table in frustration.
- You may want to consult this as the deals come in. Keith Law has updated his Top 60 prospects. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- In non-trade news, the Red Sox have agreed to a three-year extension with manager Alex Cora. The deal makes Cora the second-highest paid manager in the game. You know who’s number one.
- Buster Olney offers his thoughts on what Cora’s extension means for the Red Sox’s future.
- Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw made his season debut yesterday.
- Adam McCalvy reports that Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich will attempt a non-surgical rehab from his back injury. Surgery would have ended his season.
- Michael Baumann examines what Yelich’s absence means for the Brewers.
- In case you’re already looking forward to next year’s draft, Kiley McDaniel has a “way-too-early” ranking of the top draft prospects for 2025. (ESPN+ sub. req.)
- Dayn Perry explains why there is no baseball or softball at the Paris Olympics. But there will be in 2028 in Los Angeles.
- For cord-cutters, you can now get MLB Network for $5.99 a month. And yes, that includes games broadcast on MLB Network. (Subject to blackout, I’m sure.) You can also get it as a part of MLB At Bat for $6.99 a month (sounds like the better deal to me) and current MLB.tv subscribers will get it for free for at least the rest of 2024.
- And finally, Sam Blum spends the day with Will MacNeil, the Athletics superfan known as “RF Will,” (The Athletic sub. req.) These are sad days for MacNeil, of course.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.