Author: alaskaadmin

To recap: Tarik Skubal is now a Dodger, Freddy Peralta is a Ray, Kevin Gausman is a Cub, Casey Mize is a Padre, Luke Weaver is a Pirate, Adley Rutschman is the Red Sox’s catcher, Luis Arraez is a Phillies infielder and … well, just take a look below for more. In this week’s post-deadline Power Rankings reshuffle, we’ll highlight every team’s biggest move or moves. (And you can find the winners and losers of the trade deadline here and our trade grades for the biggest moves here.) The Angels got a lot worse at the deadline, which is … actually refreshing! This organization wasn’t ready to contend anytime soon and was in need of an overhaul. The infusion of nine prospects to the system — even if it meant parting with controllable pieces, including starter José Soriano and outfielder Jo Adell — was a necessary move. They now have a new top position player prospect in shortstop Arjun Nimmala, a top-50 prospect in baseball. Remember when the A’s were 38-38? Me neither. They’ve lost 29 of their past 36 games and nothing really changed with their outlook at the deadline. Their biggest move was trading 2022 third-round pick Colby Thomas, a corner outfielder who has been a below replacement level player in his brief MLB tenure, for 2019 first-round pick Seth Johnson, a reliever from the Phillies who has also been a below replacement level big-league player. Much like the Athletics, this was a team that needed to sell but lacked the talented rentals to bring back impact pieces. They held onto controllable arms Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo and sold low on injured starter Kris Bubic — to, guess who, the Dodgers — after an All-Star season last year. Their biggest move was getting pitching prospect Lucas Braun as part of the Lane Thomas trade to Atlanta. This had a chance to be a bigger deadline for the Rockies, considering the interest in All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman and the lack of available outfielders for contending teams. But Goodman stayed, as did outfielders Jake McCarthy and Mickey Moniak, who reportedly signed a two-year extension amid the deadline chaos. The Rockies did trade outfielder Brenton Doyle and relievers Antonio Senzatela, Victor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen to add mostly arms to the farm system. The Giants weren’t able to move any of their long-term deals, but they did what they had to do, trading most of their rentals. Ramon Marquez (acquired in the Luis Arraez trade), Henry Lalane (acquired in the Heliot Ramos trade) and Miguel Mendez (acquired in the Robbie Ray trade) immediately become three of the best pitching prospects in the system, and it will be interesting to see if a change of scenery can unlock more out of former top prospect Marcelo Mayer. They needed to sell, and they did. The only surprise was that they held onto Luis Robert Jr., who maybe didn’t have the market we expected. Their returns were more quantity over quality, though infielder Jefferson Rojas — acquired in the Clay Holmes deal with the Cubs — immediately became their top prospect. The Mets also clearly think highly of shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura, a 2023 second-round pick who’s mashing at High-A, as they acquired him straight up for one of the top relievers on the market in Luke Weaver. Huh? This was a confounding deadline for the Reds, who traded Nathaniel Lowe and Caleb Ferguson but held onto rentals Brady Singer, Tyler Stephenson and Brock Burke. With as many contenders as there were out there in need of catching help, I have no idea how or why Stephenson in particular is still on the team. The Adley Rutschman era is over with unfulfilled promise and zero playoff wins. The O’s received a significant haul of prospects in dealing away their franchise catcher to a division rival — Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon are now two of their top arms on the farm. It’s very possible they win that trade, but at what greater cost? It’s another year in which the fan base has to think toward the future instead of the present. Taylor Ward, Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells were also part of the deadline sale. After trading Tarik Skubal two days before the deadline, the Tigers were a fascinating team to watch to see what they did next. They were still within striking distance of a wild-card spot, so they could have gone either way — tear it down and look to the future, or convince the fan base that even after dealing Skubal there were still enough pieces in the rotation to contend. But by trading Casey Mize at the buzzer, while holding onto other pieces (including a rental in Gleyber Torres), this felt more like a half measure. When you’re a team withstanding an unexpectedly poor first half after coming two outs away from winning the World Series a year ago, you can understand the desire to thread the needle at the deadline. The Blue Jays did that arguably more than any other team, adding starters José Soriano, Spencer Arrighetti and Jameson Taillon and infielder Josh Smith while trading starter Kevin Gausman, outfielder Daulton Varsho and former closer Jeff Hoffman. The 2026 magic might have run out for a youthful St. Louis club. After losing each of their first five series to start the second half, the Cardinals traded Dustin May, JoJo Romero and Lars Nootbaar at the deadline. The deal with the Brewers netted two legit outfield prospects in Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale. This was not a deadline about capitalizing on unexpected success. A recent sweep of the Phillies, and moving just a couple games out of a playoff spot, didn’t cause the Marlins to change direction. They were light sellers, trading one of their best hitters this year in Liam Hicks and a starter in Braxton Garrett to look toward the future, but they held onto Sandy Alcantara. What a difference a week makes. Last Tuesday, the Rangers were two games up in the division and seen as potential buyers. Then they lost six straight and basically sat out at the deadline. They did, at least, grab a couple relievers in Chase Silseth and Adam Macko, but it was quiet in Arlington. The Nationals have lost six straight and are unsurprisingly looking to the future after trading their best pitcher, Foster Griffin, to the Guardians and one of their top hitters, Luis Garcia Jr., to the Yankees. They needed an infusion of arms into the system, and that’s what they got. Some should quickly assist what is one of the worst bullpens in baseball. The trade for starter Connelly Early already looks like a big win. A year after selling off every big piece in their bullpen, the Twins used this deadline to try to patch it back up by adding Jeff Hoffman and AJ Minter. They needed a right-handed bat and found one in Taylor Ward. They also traded from their excess of starting pitching and got Luis Castillo’s contract off the books in a deal with the White Sox, adding an intriguing catching prospect (Boston Smith) and a piece who can help their bullpen now (Seranthony Domínguez) in the process. Their deadline looks better when you consider how little the other AL West contenders did to improve. They’ve won 11 of 13, just swept the Rangers to move into first in the AL West … and got little help from the front office at the deadline to back up their strong start to the second half. The Astros picked up Daulton Varsho to help a lackluster Houston outfield, but they traded Spencer Arrighetti to get him when they could really use more, not less, starting pitching. The Guardians needed to add more pop to their lineup (who would have thought?), and the additions of Jo Adell and Nathaniel Lowe should do that. The more unexpected move was their trade for All-Star Foster Griffin, which adds depth to an already solid rotation. Relief pitching was the obvious area of need, and the Pirates completely rebuilt their bullpen by adding Luke Weaver, Camilo Doval, Lake Bachar and Kirby Yates. The Weaver acquisition was one of the best moves any team made at the deadline. I was all set to put Arizona in the top 10 … and then they snoozed at the deadline. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar could be a nice addition, but this was a disappointing deadline for the D-backs, who could have used both first base and pitching reinforcements and whose play to start the second half deserved more. With both the bats and the team heating up, GM AJ Preller managed to fix the biggest problem area of the club by acquiring starters Casey Mize and Robbie Ray. Whatever you think of Preller’s body of work, you have to give him credit for always finding a way to surprise at the deadline regardless of how depleted the farm system might be. The White Sox needed pitching help and got it, but I’m not a huge fan of the Luis Castillo trade. He has a 5.06 ERA, his strikeout rate is plummeting, and he has been a below replacement level pitcher on the year. I wish they would have added more of a sure upgrade to the rotation. We’ll see if Castillo can turn it around with a change of scenery. I liked the Huascar Brazoban addition for the bullpen, and Brenton Doyle provides more outfield depth. This will be one of the most interesting teams to watch after the deadline. The addition of Luis Arraez gives the offense a needed boost and an element it has been missing, but he also completely reshuffles the defensive alignment. Surely that won’t be a problem, right? The additions of Brooks Raley and Caleb Kilian were important moves for the bullpen. It was a bit of an odd deadline for the Yankees, who didn’t address their needs at catcher or the bullpen but did manage to upgrade the offense with the additions of Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos. Garcia might be the best bat moved at the deadline, but I’m still surprised Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, at the very least, isn’t on this team. “Adley Rutschman, Boston Red Sox catcher.” Imagine saying that when Alex Cora got fired in April. Or in May, when Boston was 23-33. Or in June, when Boston was 32-46. The Red Sox have won 28 of 33 games, and after sweeping the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, Craig Breslow went all-in at the deadline. Now, we wait to see if the Rutschman gamble was worth it. The Cubs needed pitching help across the board. How about Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Braxton Garrett and Ryan Zeferjahn? That do anything for you? Jed Hoyer needed a big deadline if he wanted the Cubs to contend, and he delivered. The Braves failing to get an impact starter was one of the biggest swings and misses of the deadline. Lane Thomas, Tyler Mahle and Brent Suter might be useful pieces for them, but their start to the season deserved more than depth. They lose a spot on this list for their inaction. They raised the ceiling of the rotation by adding Freddy Peralta, acquired a useful bullpen arm in Tyler Wells, and while everyone was penciling in Luis Arraez as the logical bat to add, the Rays instead made an unexpected big swing to upgrade at catcher by trading for Liam Hicks. Don’t be surprised if we look back on that Hicks move as one of the biggest of the deadline. Dustin May, JoJo Romero and Antonio Senzatela will all help the Brewers. But none of those pitchers are Tarik Skubal (or even Casey Mize, Clay Holmes, Foster Griffin or José Soriano). That is worth remembering if they flame out in October again. The trade for Tarik Skubal has distracted a bit from the fact that the Dodgers have not been playing good ball. They’ve now lost six of their past eight games after running into the buzz saw that is the Red Sox over the weekend. But, who are we kidding? On Tuesday, Skubal will make his Dodgers’ debut, Blake Snell is throwing what will likely be his final rehab start, and Tyler Glasnow heads out on assignment. Also, lest we not forget, they have Ben Rortvedt again. It’s full speed ahead in L.A.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

After an eventful offseason in the NFL, the real drama is about to resume. Pressure is everywhere, as star players are trying to get their respective teams over the hump, get their careers back on track, reach their potential, live up to big contracts, earn new ones and everything in between. So, with all of that considered, who’s under the most pressure ahead of the 2026 NFL season? We ranked 15 players who must deliver big this year. Bucky Brooks: The departure of Micah Parsons left a huge hole in the middle of the Cowboys’ defense. Despite the team’s commitment to replace Parsons’ production, the unit misses the All-Pro’s sideline-to-sideline playmaking prowess. Overshown has shown flashes as a disruptive defender (see: five sacks, an interception, forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 2024 as a 12-game starter), but he has missed more games (32) than he has played (19) due to multiple knee injuries. As he enters the final year of his rookie deal, Overshown is trying to carve out a long-term role and ideally earn a contract extension by season’s end. Meanwhile, the Cowboys need all they can get from the fourth-year linebacker. They’ve missed the postseason two years in a row, and their beleaguered defense is the primary reason for it. A healthy and productive Overshown could change their fortunes. Brooks: The 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year has the unenviable task of replacing a future gold jacket playmaker with a pair of Defensive Player of the Year awards and the single-season sack record. Verse not only steps into the role previously occupied by Myles Garrett, but he must anchor a defense that is transitioning under a new defensive coordinator. Given the lofty standards and expectations within the “Dawg Pound,” the third-year pro must provide a disruptive presence on the frontline to enable the defense to continue suffocating opponents. Moreover, Verse must deliver massive sack production to help compensate for the loss of a destructive force who posted eight straight seasons with at least 10 sacks. Considering the stellar performance and production of his predecessor, the Browns’ trade acquisition is on the hot seat to put up blockbuster numbers to justify the surprising trade. It’s a huge challenge for a player who has earned two Pro Bowl selections in his two seasons yet recorded just 12 career sacks. Eric D. Williams: The fifth-year running back recently earned Super Bowl MVP honors with the Seahawks. Now he’s the potential X factor for his new team to get back to the big game. After signing a three-year, $45 million deal with the Chiefs, he will be counted on to serve as the bell-cow running back for an offense that has become a bit stale and whose all-world quarterback is coming back from a torn ACL. For years, Patrick Mahomes has compensated for Kansas City’s mediocre running game. In fact, the Chiefs haven’t had a single back eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in Mahomes’ eight seasons as a starter. The 31-year-old version of Mahomes will need more help, and Walker is more than capable of providing it. The bigger question is whether he can stay healthy. He struggled to stay on the field in Seattle, despite often sharing lead back duties. Brooks: The big-play specialist averaged 20-plus yards per catch in back-to-back seasons as the secondary option in the Indianapolis Colts’ passing game. With a promotion to the No. 1 role after Michael Pittman’s departure, Pierce must show that he can win against elite corners and double coverage tactics. Just as important, Pierce must validate the Colts’ $114 million commitment to a former WR2 transitioning to the featured playmaker spot. Although his position coach (Reggie Wayne) successfully made the transition when his Hall of Fame teammate (Marvin Harrison) retired, the student must apply his mentor’s lessons to handle his new role and responsibilities as a go-to guy with the Colts desperate to get back to the playoffs. Williams: Pickens has taken the high road in terms of his contract negotiations with the Cowboys, signing his franchise tender. So, he’ll make $27.3 million on a one-year deal for the upcoming season. But another strong season from Pickens could lead to an even greater payday, as evidenced by the recent extensions for Zay Flowers and Chris Olave. If Pickens matches the numbers he put up in a career year in 2025 (93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns), he should be looking at a long-term deal that pays him over $30 million annually while also potentially serving as the catalyst to a deep Cowboys playoff run. If Pickens falls well short of that, though, he could miss out on a major payday and might have to prove his worth again in 2027. Brooks: If the former Pro Bowler cannot win a quarterback competition against a young, inexperienced passer with an extensive injury history, his days as a QB1 are over. Tagovailoa steps into a situation where he is surrounded by blue-chip talent on the perimeter, with a solid offensive line in front of him that will enable him to wheel and deal from the pocket. As a quick-rhythm thrower who perfectly matches Kevin Stefanski’s quarterback profile, the seventh-year pro has the requisite “3Ps” (play caller, playmakers and protectors) needed to play at a high level. Considering he has led the league in completion percentage (72.9% in 2024) and passing yards (4,624 in 2023) at various points of his career, Tagovailoa enters the “no-excuse” zone in Atlanta. Williams: Garrett finally got his wish in the blockbuster trade of this offseason, with Browns general manager Andrew Barry moving the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to a team built to win now in the Rams. Now, the expectation is the NFL’s all-time single-season sack leader will elevate a Rams defense that underperformed in the bright spotlight of the postseason. Specifically, the Rams had trouble closing out offenses at the end of games. It was a surprise given that they finished the regular season tied for sixth in the league in sacks (47) and fifth in pressure rate (38%). But they finished with just one sack in three postseason games. Enter Garrett (and perhaps Aaron Donald?), who was brought in as the final piece for L.A.’s Super Bowl puzzle. Brooks: The two-time Pro Bowl selection has been lauded as a fringe top-five quarterback, but a résumé still void of a postseason win (and big moments in general) has critics questioning whether Herbert is a clutch performer capable of sparking a Super Bowl run. Despite his record-breaking success as a gunslinger during the regular season, including the most passing yards and completions in NFL history through the first five seasons of a career, the seventh-year pro has plenty to prove with a new offensive coordinator at the helm. Mike McDaniel not only brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a playcaller, but a quarterback-friendly scheme that transforms a simple game of “pitch-and-catch” into a pinball session that lights up the scoreboard. If Herbert is unable to lead the Chargers on an extended playoff run, the football world will continue to view him as a talented underachiever who gives off Cinderella vibes in the postseason. Williams: After getting traded to the team he preferred and a coach he respects in Mike Vrabel, there should be no need for Brown to partake in the theatrics that defined the end of his tenure in Philadelphia (see: reading a book in-game on the sidelines). It’s time for Brown to let his play do the talking in New England. Brown’s playing with perhaps the best young quarterback in the game in Drake Maye. Moreover, the Patriots need Brown to play like a No. 1 receiver, particularly in the red zone where he should receive plenty of 1-on-1 matchups. New England has a much tougher schedule after a surprising run to the Super Bowl last season, and the addition of Brown should help add more explosive plays to this offense. Williams: The lightbulb seemed to turn on for Young in 2025 after struggles in his first two seasons, when he was benched for Andy Dalton after the Panthers took him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He led Carolina to the playoffs last season, helping the Panthers win the NFC South. Specifically, Young played clutch in critical moments of the game, as evidenced by leading the Panthers to six game-winning drives last season and pushing the Rams to the limit in a close playoff loss. But Young has to continue improving if he’s going to command a long-term deal. The Panthers exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal for the 2027 season, but he’s not getting a big extension until he can prove he can play at a high level on a consistent basis. This year is the ultimate test. Brooks: After making a blockbuster trade to acquire Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jaguars are counting on their prized acquisition to make his mark in 2026 as a full-time cover corner and part-time offensive playmaker. Although Hunter flashed big-play potential as an offensive weapon as a rookie prior to his season-ending injury, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound dynamo is expected to step into the CB1 role this season to upgrade a turnover-obsessed defense with his ball-hawking presence. While questions persist about his athleticism and explosiveness after his ACL injury, the second-year pro must play like an elite defender and pass-catcher from Day 1 to silence the critics doubting his impact potential as a two-way pro. Williams: Just three years ago, Stroud posted one of the better rookie QB seasons en route to leading the Texans to a surprising postseason appearance (and victory). But the former No. 2 overall pick has failed to play to that level since, throwing just 39 touchdowns compared to 20 interceptions while taking 75 sacks (tied for sixth-most in the league). That regression is why Houston didn’t sign him to an extension this offseason, something that seemed like a lock two years ago. During that charmed rookie season, Stroud threw for over 4,000 yards with 23 touchdown passes and just five interceptions, posting a 100.8 passer rating. The Texans have a championship-level defense but need Stroud to return to form to make a legitimate run at a title. Williams: Nacua would be wise to let his play do the talking as he heads into a contract year. The BYU product has been one of the best receivers in the league since entering the NFL as a fifth-round selection in the 2023 draft. However, immaturity and off-field issues led to Nacua checking himself into a holistic care facility this offseason. McVay said Nacua’s situation has not risen to the level where he’s no longer in the Rams’ long-term plans. But the extension that seemed inevitable when last season concluded still has to be earned. On the field, Nacua deserves to be paid among the top receivers in the league. But given the natural concerns surrounding his behavior coupled with how the Rams traditionally handle contract extensions, he will have to not only wait for a new contract but prove he’s good for it. Williams: After a disappointing 2025, the Ravens opted to move on from longtime head coach John Harbaugh, and Jackson had a say in who replaced him. Baltimore ultimately hired Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to replace Harbaugh, and he brought in 29-year-old Declan Doyle from the Chicago Bears to be the team’s offensive coordinator, which will undoubtedly bring a new approach to the Ravens. Now, it’s up to Jackson to make it work. The 29-year-old, two-time NFL MVP had an underwhelming season himself last year, in which he struggled to stay healthy and didn’t play to his elite potential when he was on the field. That led to the Ravens missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021, as questions about Jackson’s ability to perform in big moments continue to linger. And, oh yeah, Jackson is seeking a new deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the league. How’s that for pressure? Williams: A.J. Brown has been traded to New England, so there’s no excuse for bad vibes in Philadelphia. And although Hurts has his sixth offensive coordinator in seven seasons in Philadelphia with Sean Mannion, he must prove to doubters that he is an elite signal-caller in the league. Armed with one of the best offensive lines, one of the best runners in Saquon Barkley and a talented receiver room led by DeVonta Smith, along with some intriguing newcomers, Hurts has the weapons and system in place to create an explosive offense. Now he must go out and make it happen. Brooks: The rhetoric around the former Super Bowl MVP is alarming, given his individual success and the Eagles’ status as a perennial contender. Despite leading the franchise to a pair of Super Bowl appearances where he outplayed Patrick Mahomes in each contest, the Eagles’ sagging passing game with Brown as the featured playmaker has raised concerns about Hurts’ long-term effectiveness as a pocket passer. With his sixth playcaller in place since arriving in Philadelphia, Hurts must adapt to another system while dealing with outsized expectations from a fan base growing increasingly frustrated by the Eagles’ inconsistent offense. Hurts needs a strong 2026 campaign to silence the boo birds and naysayers — and perhaps save his head coach’s job, if not his own. Hurts has seen firsthand in Philly how this could all play out.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Now that the chaotic frenzy of MLB’s trade-deadline day is over, we have a better idea of where some contenders stand. The Dodgers landed Tarik Skubal, stole the deadline and sparked fresh debate about baseball’s impending labor negotiations. Fringe clubs like the Mariners, Guardians, Padres and Pirates decided to buy and make their push for the postseason. Teams that we expected to be more ambitious — like the Yankees, Braves and Brewers — ultimately disappointed. But we’ve still got some questions. Here are 10 that we’re curious about as we enter baseball’s stretch run. While it’s true that adding a two-time Cy Young award winner to an already stacked rotation gives the reigning back-to-back champions a ceiling that no other team can match, Skubal’s addition doesn’t guarantee a Dodgers three-peat. Health and matchups still decide what happens in October, and we saw the Dodgers get pushed to the brink by a red-hot Blue Jays team just last year. The rest of the league is motivated to dethrone the Dodgers, and this might all come down to who gets hot at the right time. Skubal and the Dodgers, while staggeringly dominant, are not indestructible. Boston surrendered the deadline’s biggest prospect haul, dealing Carlos Narvaez and top prospects Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Enddy Azocar and a player to be named later or cash considerations for Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. The three-time All-Star has been sidelined with a wrist injury since July 20, his fifth stint on the injured list in a 14-man span. It’s not great that the Red Sox seem to have no idea when Rutschman will make his debut, and he’ll hit free agency after next season, creating an even shorter window for Boston’s return on its investment. The Red Sox paid a steep price, to be sure, but Rutschman addresses their roster flaw, and you have to appreciate Boston going all-in — even if this might end up not working out for the club long term. The departure of Rutschman reminds me of the impactful loss of Pete Alonso in Queens, and how letting the Polar Bear walk to Baltimore still and might forever distress the Mets’ fan base. It’s hard for the Orioles to say no to the massive package the Red Sox pushed across the table. After all, Rutschman’s Baltimore tenure did not even feature a single playoff win. But you have to feel sorry for O’s fans, who are dealing with major heartbreak after the blockbuster in-division trade. The Phillies have one of the worst offenses in baseball, with their 92 wRC+ tied with the Mets and Rockies for 26th in the majors. Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez is a fantastic who should help improve their offensive numbers. But I still would’ve liked to see Philly add more, particularly a right-handed-hitting outfielder. The club’s recent October failures have come down to situational execution, and second baseman Arraez’s addition will require a defensive realignment, with Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm moving positions. That will present more challenges to a Phillies team with the worst Defensive Runs Saved (-47) in MLB. All eyes will be on the dozen starting pitchers who found new homes on deadline day, including Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes to the Cubs, Robbie Ray and Casey Mize to the Padres, Freddy Peralta to the Rays, José Soriano to the Blue Jays, Foster Griffin to the Guardians, Luis Castillo to the White Sox, Dustin May to the Brewers, Tyler Mahle to the Braves, and of course Skubal to the Dodgers. This one will be answered by the end of September, but the Cubs might experience the biggest benefit here. The Yankees, Braves and Brewers were all considered losers this deadline after failing to meet their needs and add in the significant ways that they were expected to. New York didn’t get any bullpen or catching help. Atlanta didn’t make a splash on the starting-pitching market even though it was flooded with solid options. And Milwaukee refused to part with top prospects in their loaded system. The Yankees face the most pressure to win a championship, and they should be the most nervous about neglecting their checklist. It’s not Skubal. The Dodgers, better than anyone, can afford to ease him in without sacrificing their winning ways. So the answer here has to be Arraez in Philly, Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos in the Bronx, and Peralta in Tampa Bay. A lot is hinging on Garcia and Ramos being the answer to New York’s offensive problems, but at least they’re under team control beyond 2026. Arraez and Peralta are free agents after this year, plus they carry huge stakes for the success of their new clubs. Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and, given the news from the Bronx today, Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe. Both of these bats don’t have a ton of value right now, and the Mets tried hard to trade Robert, to no avail, likely because rival executives balked at the $20 million he’s owed next year. Volpe was demoted to Triple-A hours after the deadline, and with Yankees No. 1 prospect George Lombard Jr. called up to replace him at shortstop, it’s hard to see how Volpe fits into their long-term plans. And, with so few shortstops available, New York probably could’ve addressed their bullpen or catching needs by moving him. The AL East is going to be popcorn-worthy from now until the final day of the regular season. The Red Sox, of course, were the most aggressive of the divisional contenders, and they’ve been playing really well as of late. The Rays whiffed on Skubal but still bolstered their rotation with Peralta, and they’ve been the team to beat all season. The Yankees stayed relatively quiet and passed on major upgrades, which could end up hurting them. New York is in second place, 3.5 games behind the Rays. Boston is in third place, 5.5 games behind Tampa. It will be fascinating to see how much that race changes over the next two months. Without doing a full-on deep dive that can be reserved for the offseason, when front offices will again try to use some of the prospects they just gained as leverage in trade deals, it seems like the Blue Jays and Cubs took the biggest hits. Toronto parted ways with its top prospect, shortstop Arjun Nimmala, in order to gain a controllable arm in José Soriano, which addressed one of the team’s biggest current needs. And the Cubs dealt their No. 2 overall prospect, infielder Jefferson Rojas, to the Mets in order to get Holmes. These were big blows to their farm systems, even though it might help them in the short term.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports