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We’re grading the deals ahead of Monday’s MLB trade deadline. How do these moves impact the pennant chase and which ones are going to move the needle for the postseason contenders? Let’s get into it: Dodgers: A+Tigers: C+ Who else is involved: The Tigers received three prospects” outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handed pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith The rich get richer as the two-time defending champions acquired the prize of the deadline. The Dodgers kept all starters in their rotation and each of their two top (and arguably three) star outfield prospects and still managed to land Skubal. The reigning back-to-back Cy Young Award winner joins the reigning back-to-back world champions, whose strong chances of winning a third straight World Series title get even stronger. How could they possibly receive another grade? Their ability to outbid goes beyond their seemingly endless pocketbooks; clearly, it extends to their prospect capital, despite their annual triumphs preventing them from accessing the top picks in the draft. And now, through the help of their thriving farm system, they have added Skubal to an already star-studded rotation that didn’t need the help nearly as much as some of baseball’s other top contenders.They did it because they could. And because their desire to three-peat knows no bounds. Skubal joins Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP and a proven October ace, in a rotation that includes All-Star Justin Wrobleski and by season’s end could also include two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, 2024 All-Star Tyler Glasnow and four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani. Snell, Glasnow and Ohtani are currently sidelined (at least as a pitcher, in Ohtani’s case), but all of them are either nearing a return or expected back before season’s end. Snell said he’s feeling the best he has felt in three years after his elbow procedure and is only expected to need one more rehab outing before returning to action. Ohtani’s knee is keeping him off the mound for now, but he’s still healthy enough to be in the Dodgers’ lineup and is expected to pitch in October. Glasnow is about to start his rehab assignment. None of that includes Emmet Sheehan or Roki Sasaki, who seems to be figuring things out with a 2.25 ERA over his last four starts. Wrobleski, Sheehan and Sasaki are helping to hold down the fort as the injured stars work their way back. Many assumed it would take at least one of Sheehan or Wrobleski to headline a Skubal package. Somehow, the Dodgers got it done without any of them, with two days left to spare before the deadline. Somehow, no other team offered better. To be clear, it’s not that this is a bad return. Hope, who has 23 homers and 18 steals at Double-A, is a tremendously gifted prospect, arguably one of the top 25 in the sport. Ryan is one of the Dodgers’ top pitching prospects, though he’s also about to turn 28, missed last season recovering back from Tommy John surgery, and has barely pitched this year due to lingering hamstring issues. Smith has racked up strikeouts this year between Low-A and High-A. All of them bring upside.But, even for a rental, I expected more. This is Tarik Skubal we’re talking about. Brewers? Rays? Braves? Where you at?The rich get richer. The rest of the baseball world weeps. – Kavner White Sox: C-Mariners: BWho else is involved: The Mariners received right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez, outfielder Nolan Jones and catching prospect Boston SmithThe White Sox need more reliable starting pitching. This…was not the veteran pitcher I expected them to land. Castillo is a three-time All-Star who was an important piece helping end Seattle’s 20-year playoff drought when the Mariners traded for him in 2022. He was productive over his next three seasons with the Mariners, as well, registering a combined 3.50 ERA from 2023-25 while throwing more than 175 innings in each of those seasons. This year…has not gone the same. Castillo, 33, has been a below replacement level player in 2026 with a 5.06 ERA and the lowest strikeout rate of his career. He was making $24.15 million this year and is due the same amount next season. He also has a $25 million vesting option in 2028 if he reaches the 180-inning mark next season. The White Sox are reportedly taking on the full amount. That’s a lot of money for a pitcher whose numbers — both real and underlying — are trending in the wrong direction. Castillo can eat innings, so maybe they have something else up their sleeves to raise the group’s ceiling as it attempts to end a four-year playoff drought. They’ll at least get some relief by moving the contract of Dominguez, who was making $7.5 million this year and is due $10.5 million next year.The Mariners already have five other reliable starters in Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo, Bryce Miller, Emerson Hancock and have top prospect Kade Anderson knocking on the door. They did not need Castillo, and they got his contract off the books. Dominguez helps fill a bullpen need, and Smith immediately becomes one of the more interesting position player prospects in Seattle’s system. The 2025 sixth-round pick is a left-handed-hitting catcher with an OPS over 1.100 at Double-A. This move doesn’t exactly help lift the Mariners in 2026, however, so it’ll be interesting to see how much help they add over the next few days. A right-handed bat certainly wouldn’t hurt. -Kavner Braves: B+Royals: BWho else is involved: Braves also acquire LHP Bailey Falter; Royals received RHP Lucas Braun and LHP Carter HoltonThe Braves are enjoying a bounce-back season from Michael Harris II in center field, but right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr has been on the injured list twice with a hamstring injury and Atlanta’s left fielders have produced a .646 OPS this year, the second-worst mark in MLB. In addition, the offense had a .692 OPS against lefties in July, a total that ranked 21st in baseball. Thomas, who has an .800 OPS against lefties and can play both corner spots, is a logical fit in a market short on right-handed bats. At the very least, he can platoon against lefties and has a patient approach, strong arm and speed. Falter, meanwhile, has spent most of the year at Triple-A and can help add depth in a swingman or long relief role. Braun, who was ranked the Braves’ No. 8 prospect by MLB (and a top-20 prospect in the system by most outlets), projects as a back-end starter. He doesn’t miss many bats, but he has been durable and effective at the upper minors. He had a 3.67 ERA in 149.2 innings last year between Double-A and Triple-A and has a 3.53 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 94 ⅓ innings between the two stops this year. Holton was the Braves’ second round pick in 2024 and has a 5.08 ERA at low-A. It would’ve been nice to get a little more upside when there are so few right-handed hitters available, but it’s an acceptable return for a veteran rental. – Kavner Pirates: C+Yankees: B-Who else is involved: The Yankees received two prospects, C Omar Alfonzo and OF Luis CruzPittsburgh needs relief arms arguably as much or more than any other contender, so this one’s hard to grade until we know how much more bullpen help it acquires over the next few days. As it stands, the Pirates are buying low, hoping they can extract the upside out of Doval that the Yankees couldn’t after New York traded for the hard-throwing Dominican right-hander at last year’s deadline. Doval was a below replacement-level arm in the second half for the Yankees last year and is again through the first half of this season, registering a 4.63 ERA during his time in the Bronx. Three years ago, Doval looked like one of the game’s most promising relievers. An All-Star at 25 years old with the Giants in 2023, he featured a cutter that averaged close to 100 mph and recorded an NL-best 39 saves. But he was unable to consistently replicate that form or maintain his control in the ensuing years and was recently relegated to lower leverage duties with the Yankees. Doval hasn’t walked as many batters this year, he still throws hard, he keeps the ball on the ground, and his expected ERA (3.61) is about a full run better than his actual mark of 4.54, but his strikeout rate continues to plummet, and he is allowing the highest hard-hit rate and average exit velocity of his career. There are clear tools here, though, so the “+” on the Pirates’ grade is in part because Doval is still under team control for another season. But the fact that the Yankees — who are also in need of bullpen help — were willing to just move on after Doval’s disappointing tenure is telling.That said, it wasn’t particularly surprising. Doval clearly wasn’t figuring it out with the Yankees, who at least turned him into a prospect at a position of need in Alfonzo, a left-handed-hitting catcher who was a top-20 Pirates prospect according to MLB’s rankings and has a .757 OPS at Double-A. Cruz is a dart throw, but the 18-year-old had an .856 OPS for the Pirates’ Dominican Summer League team. I’d expect the Yankees to look for another high-leverage arm, in addition to their offensive needs. — Kavner​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The New York Yankees reportedly traded relief pitcher Camilo Doval to the Pittsburgh Pirates, per Jeff Passan. Doval has a 3-1 record, one save and a 4.54 ERA over 39.2 appearances for the Yankees in 2026. This is the second straight time Doval has been moved at MLB’s trade deadline, as the San Francisco Giants shipped him to the Yankees last July. The Pirates are sending minor league prospects Omar Alfonzo and Luis Cruz to New York in exchange for Doval. Both New York and Pittsburgh are vying for MLB playoff spots. The Yankees (62-48) sit atop the American League wild card race and 2.5 games back of Tampa Bay in the AL East. The Pirates (55-56 are 2.5 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL wild card race.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Aaron Donald’s potential return to the Los Angeles Rams will not be decided while they are in training camp, but coach Sean McVay said the defensive lineman’s status is “going in the right direction.” “If there’s an arrow, it’s trending upwards,” McVay said Friday following the Rams’ first practice in full pads. The Rams are currently working out at Loyola Marymount University through Aug. 6, but McVay indicated any decision on Donald possibly ending his retirement would not come until they return to their facility in the San Fernando Valley. “That’ll be something that, I think, once we get back to Woodland Hills, we’ll have a better idea of what that timeline looks like. There won’t be any decision and anything in terms of Aaron’s situation while we’re here. That’s kind of already been set out when we’ve talked for the past couple weeks,” McVay said. Our Eric D. Williams reported in late July that Donald was leaning toward returning after multiple months of speculation. However, Williams added that Donald’s decision wasn’t imminent, and that the Rams didn’t place a time frame for him to determine whether he wants to return. A three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Pro, Donald retired in March 2024 as the Rams’ career leader in sacks with 111 in 154 games. One of the most disruptive linemen in league history, he helped Los Angeles win a title following the 2021 season. Donald made game-ending defensive plays in both the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. However, the Rams’ trade for defensive end Myles Garrett has seemingly tempted Donald to at least consider a return. The 35-year-old Donald was photographed working out at the team’s complex, and McVay has repeatedly expressed the organization’s interest in welcoming him back. “Heck of a player, Hall of Fame player, one of the best to ever do it at his position,” said tight end Tyler Higbee, who was Donald’s teammate for eight seasons. “So, you know, we’ll see. I hope he does [return], but we’ll see. We’ll see.” Garrett, on the other hand, passed on making a pitch to Donald when he spoke with reporters earlier in the week, but expressed a willingness to play with him. “If he’s here, I’m going to be excited to be his teammate, his partner in crime,” Garrett said on Wednesday. “I think we’re going to do great things. But it’s a difficult thing, coming back. “I think there’s a lot we can learn from each other. I’d love to pick his brain on the kind of things he does to attack his matchups, and I think the same could be said vice versa.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

As NFL teams open training camps this week, there are significant football numbers being unveiled. Yes, EA Sports celebrated “Madden NFL 27 Ratings Week,” with a few elite players earning the rare 99 rating and everyone else complaining. The target of their disappointment is former Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco Johnson, who made six Pro Bowls in a colorful 11-year NFL career and has found a second chapter as a “ratings adjuster” for EA Sports, traveling to games and scouting players in person for his role in choosing their rating. Johnson took a few minutes to talk with me about the seriousness and silliness of football video game ratings and his readiness to back up his numbers when players take issue. Chomping on a cigar and wearing an MLS soccer jacket, he talked about everything from a penchant for generous tipping to his favorite receivers to the World Cup and his love of McDonald’s. What is your phone like on a day like today when players find out their ratings for the year? Johnson: In the past, when they didn’t have someone that was in charge of the ratings, they could be upset. They could complain. You can’t complain to me, because I can pull up and show you exactly what you are. I can show you why you’re an 82. You see, this game, where you disappear because you’re playing against one of the better players in the NFL. That’s why you’re rated where you are. Can you do it week in and week out against the best? You disappear; that’s why you’re not rated high. There’s a reason Myles Garrett is a f—ing 99. I’m a former player that played at a very high level and was elite at what he did. This is why you’re rated where you are: you disappear in f—ing games. I don’t want you to name specific names, but is there a position that might complain the most about ratings? Johnson: Every position complains. I’m not going to call out names, but especially skill-position DBs and receivers. Oh man, yeah. The funny thing about this is a great thing: You have 17 weeks to show me otherwise. You have 17 weeks to show me and don’t disappear. Listen, I understand you’re going to drop the ball as a defensive back. You’re going to get beat. It happens. I don’t care who you are; it shouldn’t happen often. But you can appreciate how much these numbers actually mean to players. Johnson: It meant something to me, because I’m a huge gamer. That’s a reflection of who I am. Your ratings numbers are a reflection of what you do on the field. That’s why it means so much. Your title is ratings adjuster. How much adjusting can you do based on your own opinion? Up or down a point? Two? Johnson: Yeah, I would say so. I think my input when it comes to adjusting, outside of those who are above my pay grade, my input matters, because I actually played the game. Not saying they’re not worthy of being able to analyze and make decisions based on what they can also see. Our eyes are one and the same. Even if you haven’t played the game, you can see: You know what? This guy, he’s not really what he thinks he is, and this is why. Having me in there to give that input, it pays dividends. Everything is fair, based on where everyone is rated right now. If you don’t like where you’re rated, show me on Sunday. You get to take very seriously something that’s still just a video game. Do you enjoy how seriously some people take it? Johnson: Absolutely, because it’s more than just a video game. Your production is based on how you get paid, so we base your production on your rating as well. It might just be a video game to some, but to some, it’s a serious matter. I know the 99s are elite, and you’re careful in how you give them out. Who is someone who doesn’t have a 99 this year, but is closest? Johnson: Easy, the quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes (93 rating this year). [Matthew] Stafford and [Josh] Allen are the only two [99s] this year. Mahomes, Lamar Jackson (94 overall), of course. Can you get it done in the playoffs where it matters most? Some receivers should very well be back in the conversation. Justin Jefferson (94 overall), now you have a quarterback. The inconsistency at play at the quarterback position is why you’re not rated where you once were. Puka Nacua (98) has a chance this year to be a 99 at some point because he is really good. His body of work is phenomenal. You’re on the road for 18 weeks straight during the season. Your schedule isn’t set yet, but what’s that like for you? Johnson: I’m ready for it. I’m excited. I love it, because it allows me to still be around the game. It still allows me to be integrated into the game in some sort. Anyone who follows you on social media knows how generous you are, leaving $1,000 tips at nearly any restaurant. When did that start, and why is it still so important for you to help people out like that? Johnson: That started for me back in 2001, when I first came into some money. I remember at times not being able to tip as much as I’d like in high school, going to IHOP, going to Denny’s, hearing their stories on how the service industry or minimum wage wasn’t enough. It wasn’t a livable wage in general, and everybody, they say, ‘Well, get a better job,’ not understanding how difficult it is for certain people based on their circumstances to for one, have transportation for a better job. Everybody’s in unfortunate situations they can’t control. What I can control is the man upstairs being able to bless me in abundance, and me being able to make sure I’m going to make this individual’s day. I started the $1,000 tipping in 2001, and I’ve been doing it now for the past 25 years. Shannon [Sharpe] and I had a funny argument on “Nightcap” about this. He tips based on service, and a lot of people jumped on me about, “Well, if the service is bad, I’m not tipping.” The first thing I say is we’ve lived in this world a very long time, and we’ve all dealt with some goddamn idiots. So there’s no telling what this server had to deal with before you. I’m always tipping $1,000 because you never know what the person had to go through, had to deal with before you got there. Do you think servers know who you are now? Are they fighting to get your table at places? Johnson: I like when they’re not aware, but sure, especially when I’m in Miami and when I’m in Cincinnati, I go to restaurants, and they already know what’s coming. I just left Charlotte after two days. They had no idea, but they knew once I left. It’s something I will always continue to do as long as the man upstairs continues to bless me. I will always do that. I know you’re a huge soccer fan, and you make a point to get to the biggest games. If I give you a chance to brag, who are the elite soccer players you’ve been able to meet in person? Johnson: That’s easy. Multiple times, obviously the two best in the world, the GOATs, depending on who you ask, would be Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. I’ve met them since Messi was a baby. Not a literal baby, but at Barcelona, I was there when he debuted. Ronaldinho and I have met. We’re friends now. Cristiano and I are friends since he was at Sporting Lisbon. [Mario] Balotelli, [Paul] Pogba, [Gerard] Piqué, Marcelo. Oh, my goodness! The list goes on and on. Son Heung-Min, meeting one of my favorite South Korean players who played for Tottenham. Sol Campbell, Thierry Henry, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic. Oh, my goodness. Samuel Eto’o. Let me think. Neymar, obviously. Brazilian Ronaldo, who I’ve met twice; he doesn’t speak good English, but “That’s Ocho, I know his face.” Kaka and I became friends when he was here at Orlando City. Antoine Griezmann, who played at Atletico and for the French national team, he’s now at Orlando City and I know him extremely well. Just to name a few. Every offseason, as soon as the season ends, I just leave and go to Europe and I hop from city to city. Because of me being with Reebok or when I was with Nike, they bridge the gap to meet the players easily. How proud were you of how the United States handled hosting a World Cup? Johnson: It was beautiful. It was beautiful. The fact that we did such a phenomenal job, Gianni [Infantino] having the World Cup here in the U.S. and all the parties and power that be were involved, converted a lot of people into loving the game of soccer. It’s so difficult for us to appreciate here because we have so many other sports to choose from, but getting a better cultural aspect on how good and how awesome those games could be, especially for those able to attend matches in person. Listen, we love our sports here. We think we’re crazy about them. They went crazy in New York about the Knicks winning a championship. Go to a regular game in Europe. We got a small sample size, an appetizer of what it’s like for them culturally when it comes to the beautiful game. I think it was a great thing and we converted a lot of fans. I think the MLS will take over from here, continuing to grow the game here in the States. Unrelated: How many days out of 365 in a year are you eating at McDonald’s? Johnson: Honestly, maybe 362. I just call that a fasting day. Always the same McDonald’s? Johnson: Any time I’m in Miami, it’s the same McDonald’s. When I’m in Cincinnati, it’s the same McDonald’s over in Covington. When I travel, it’s a little bit different. Wherever the closest one is to the hotel, that’s where I frequent. I do eat other things. What do you think of this year’s Bengals? The offense will be great, but what about the defense? Johnson: That’s the problem. With the concerns, I’m hoping those voids are filled. Having Brian Cook come in, Dexter Lawrence to help with the run, we have some young linebackers who played somewhat well, had their ups and downs as rookies. I’m looking for them to make that next step. I’m excited for us. I’m not worried about us offensively. I’m worried about us defensively, and our defense has been our Achilles heel for a very long time. If we can have a good year defensively and we score 35 or 30 a game like we already did, if we don’t allow the other team to score 40, I’m happy. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I know we made the improvements necessary to give us the best chance to win. You had one year with the Patriots. What’s your favorite Tom Brady story? Johnson: My favorite Tom Brady story, I can’t even tell. It’s just personal. Athletes confide in you in a way that it would never get out, and that’s something that you would never tell. But Tommy, Tommy is awesome, man. He’s one of those guys you see on TV. To see him as a quarterback, it’s like if God said, “You know what, I’m going to make the perfect person.” Not only a person, the perfect football player that people can look up to. It is him, man. Words can’t describe what Tom means to me, not as a teammate but as a friend. Who are your top five receivers in today’s NFL? Johnson: That’s easy. I’m always putting Uno first. Ja’Marr Chase always goes first. Justin Jefferson would be 2. Three is tricky. I’m going to slash it between Puka Nacua and JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba). The four and five get tricky because there are so many people worthy of that slot. We could go CeeDee Lamb. The way George Pickens played last year, we could put George there as well. What about A.J. Brown? What about DeVonta Smith? You know, it’s so tough. I’m just going to name those four, because there are so many others that are worthy, and I’m not trying to piss anybody off. Last year, you were way ahead in picking the Panthers to win their division. Who are your breakout teams for 2026? Johnson: That’s a great question. Can I go out on a limb and say the New York Jets? I’m not sure that limb is as sturdy as it was last year when I said the Bears and Panthers and stood on a table and beat my chest about them. They did exactly what I said they were going to do. I want to say the Jets. I think Aaron Glenn, in his second year, has a tremendous amount of change offensively, having a quarterback in Geno Smith with the arm talent like no other up there with Matt Stafford and Aaron Rodgers, regardless of what people may think about it. Garrett Wilson should have a year, and then for them to steer that ship, changing some of the bad tastes people have had in their mouths over the years.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The Madden 27 ratings began to roll out this week, and, as usual, there’s no shortage of controversy, confusion or surprises. So let’s get into what we’ve learned from Madden’s reveals, mostly regarding the top 10 ratings. I’m not surprised to see the Los Angeles Rams are the best team in the game. That was an obvious choice. But it felt notable that the New England Patriots were tied for fifth in overall rating with the Denver Broncos at 86. Those teams are also tied for second in the AFC behind the Baltimore Ravens (87). Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks were tied for ninth at 84 overall. They are ranked fifth in the NFC. Where’s the respect for last year’s Super Bowl squads? Even as the Patriots added star receiver A.J. Brown, among others, this offseason, they couldn’t crack the top four. Even after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, they barely made the top 10. I can’t help but be surprised, even considering Seattle’s offseason departures (Kenneth Walker III, Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen). Both teams should be elite yet again. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles rated an 88 score and the Detroit Lions were third with an 87 rating. Nos. 2 through 4 weren’t what I expected. And the Chicago Bears — who might be the NFL’s most polarizing team — didn’t make the top 10. I’m frankly upset that there were no offensive linemen in the “99 Club.” Namely, that Lions perennial All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell and Bears guard Joe Thuney, who won the NFL’s inaugural Protector of the Year Award, were excluded. Heck, even San Francisco 49ers legend Trent Williams was a 96. It’s crazy to think that there isn’t a single offensive lineman who made the club. I suspect it’s more about the position itself (often underappreciated and unheralded) than about the players themselves. There was one 99 that surprised me: Rams QB Matthew Stafford. I get it, he is coming off an MVP season. But Stafford is QB2 in my quarterback rankings. His top MVP competitor, Patriots QB Drake Maye, was a 92. Bills QB Josh Allen also rated a 99, while Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow ranked third among QBs at 97. That’s actually where I think Stafford should’ve landed. Maybe I’m splitting hairs, but it feels like the “99 Club” should be reserved for the NFL’s truly elite players. So I was surprised to see the 38-year-old Stafford. I love the two 2026 NFL Draft picks Madden graded highest. On defense, there’s Cowboys safety Caleb Downs at 82. And on offense, there’s Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, also at 82. On the other hand, I was stunned to see Chargers linebacker Akheem Mesidor get the same rating as Giants LB Arvell Reese (79). There were two grades that seemed — at least to me — to be downright disrespectful. And Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles landed all the way down at 78. He could have easily been an 82 with Love and Downs, Styles’ former Ohio State teammate. Seahawks running back Jadarian Price is a 75. (A 75!?) The first-rounder out of Notre Dame isn’t going to let that grade stand for long. It’s hard to take the rookie QB grades too seriously, because they’re always low. Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, is a 74 and Ty Simpson, whom the Rams selected at No. 13, is a 71. Mendoza’s rating is higher than last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Titans QB Cam Ward (72), but lower than that of 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams (76). It’s on par with Drake Maye’s rookie year 74. Not only were the Baltimore Ravens atop the AFC, but their QB landed fourth at the position with a 94 rating. It seems — unlike NFL players — Madden’s creators will not fade Lamar Jackson after a bad year. This is seemingly a thing for Madden, which rated Jackson at 79 as a rookie (which is very high!), even after he slipped to the final pick in the first round back in 2018. Meanwhile, Jackson slipped to 68th on the 2026 “NFL 100” list. His status among the NFL’s elite QBs seems to be in jeopardy, depending upon whom you ask. And that’s because his production dipped in 2025 due to injuries. It seems like Madden has faith that Lamar is going to get back to his MVP-caliber ways. When Madden released the top 10 QBs in the “throw power” category, it wasn’t Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes or even Aaron Rodgers atop the list. No, it was Cowboys backup quarterback Joe Milton. You might be wondering: Who the heck is that? He was a sixth-round pick by the Patriots in 2024. But the truth is that you don’t really need to know who Milton is. You just need to know that his arm is genuinely the strongest in the NFL. It’s a surreal thing to watch in person. So the Madden creators got it right when they put Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs at 98 for speed — second-fastest player in the game. But I take some offense at Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy’s rating as the No. 1 speedster in the league. Sure, he ran the fastest 40-yard dash time in the history of the combine. So when it comes to the underwear Olympics — and a straight line — he’s fast. But look at Next Gen Stats. Worthy didn’t crack the top 20 among the fastest plays by a ball carrier in 2025. And he landed at 20th in 2024. Worthy might’ve been the fastest guy at the combine, but in the NFL, his speed isn’t all that competitive with the best of the best. Playing speed isn’t the same as sprinting speed. Prime example: Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ran the fastest among all ball carriers last year, hitting 22.38 mph. And yet he did not rank in the top 10 in speed. Make that make sense.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

NFL training camps might be underway, but some teams still have plenty of work to be done on the contractual side of things. Thursday saw a few contract matters dominate the headlines around the league. While Baker Mayfield isn’t holding out, he expressed his displeasure with what went down during extension negotiations with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. Elsewhere, a star wide receiver received an extension that made him one of the highest-paid players at the position, while another notable wide receiver signed a deal to reunite with his former team. That’s just some of what you need to know from Thursday’s NFL news. Baker Mayfield revealed that contract extension negotiations with the Buccaneers have not met his expectations. Mayfield, who is entering the final year of a three-year, 100 million deal, expressed disappointment after Tampa Bay offered him a two-year contract, stating that he is seeking a long-term commitment from the organization. The Tampa Bay signal caller added that the two sides remain far apart financially, as Mayfield is aiming for an extension in the $50 million annual range as training camp gets underway, but told ESPN that the Buccaneers were “pretty far” from offering him that. After spending the season proving he can lead the New Orleans Saints’ offense, Chris Olave is being rewarded like a true star. The two sides have agreed to a four-year extension worth $132 million with $90 million guaranteed, ESPN reported. The payday comes after Olave flourished and became the go-to target in first-year head coach Kellen Moore’s offense. Olave was able to haul in 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns to secure his third 1,000-yard season since entering the league. Olave, 26, was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He has yet to play a full season, but a lot of his recurring injuries appear to be behind him as Olave is heading into training camp fully healthy. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to work his way back from injury following the torn ACL and LCL injuries he suffered last December. Cleared for full participation ahead of training camp, Mahomes appeared to be able to scramble without issues during Thursday’s practice session. He made multiple throws on the run and even scrambled downfield as he progresses toward potentially playing in Week 1 of the regular season. Mahomes is coming off a 2025 campaign where he threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 14 games before his injury. Back in with the old? That’s how it is in the Bay Area, at least for Thursday. The San Francisco 49ers are reuniting with Deebo Samuel, reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal worth up to $7 million. San Francisco’s decision to bring back Samuel came a day after the team’s concerns about wide receiver Ricky Pearsall’s knee became public. Pearsall is dealing with lingering knee swelling connected to the PCL injury that limited him during the 2025 season, and the Niners are concerned that he could miss the entire 2026 season, NBC Sports Bay Area reported Thursday. Pearsall, who the 49ers took in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has been an asset to the team’s offense when healthy. He’s logged 67 receptions for 928 yards and three touchdowns, but has only played in 18 games over his career. Now, Samuel becomes the third notable addition the 49ers have made to their wide receivers room this offseason. They made one of the biggest splashes in free agency when they signed former Buccaneers star Mike Evans and used their second-round pick on Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. Samuel, who played six of the first seven years of his career with the Niners, put up a respectable stat line with the Washington Commanders in 2025. He had 72 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns with starting quarterback Jayden Daniels out for much of the season. Now, the 30-year-old Samuel will look to make some magic happen in San Francisco again. He was a key part of four 49ers teams that reached the NFC Championship Game, earning an All-Pro and a Pro Bowl nod during that time.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Chicago — Just like that, talking season has officially reached its conclusion. After patiently waiting its turn while other conferences around the country took the spotlight, the Big Ten assumed center stage at the Hilton Chicago for a three-day preview (July 28-30) that served as an unofficial beginning to the 2026 campaign. Storylines were aplenty: from defending national champion Indiana to Michigan’s never-ending drama. From a handful of potential Heisman Trophy candidates to more than a few coaches who are occupying increasingly hot seats. Here are our biggest takeaways from the week in Chicago: 1. Curt Cignetti Is The Conference’s Biggest Star Michael Cohen: If there were any doubts surrounding whether Indiana, the defending national champion, could maintain the supreme focus it displayed across the first two seasons of an incredible rebuild, consider this quote from Cignetti on Thursday — more than a month before the Hoosiers’ opener against North Texas: “Yesterday morning we flew in here, right?” Cignetti said during a breakout session. “I was working on opponents yesterday morning until I had to leave to go to the airport, you know? Because I like to know opponents like the back of my hand before we go to camp. It gets a little more difficult now with the portal, a lot of new faces.” Despite everything Cignetti has accomplished since taking over Indiana — the 27-2 overall record, the back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, the Big Ten championship, the national title, the fairytale turnaround of a perennial conference doormat — he’s using every last minute to grind through tape in late July before his mandatory media responsibilities get in the way. National champion or otherwise, he refuses to deviate from what works. At an event that is traditionally dominated by two of college football’s biggest brands in Ohio State and Michigan, Cignetti arrived in Chicago with the grandest profile. He captivated a national television audience during his quip-filled address from the main stage at the Hilton Chicago. And when he migrated to a smaller podium across the room, riffing and rolling for an additional 30 minutes, reporters who have covered this event for years were stunned by the size of the crowd. Only Cignetti — whom Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson describes as a “unicorn” — could dwarf the attention Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day captured earlier this week. And in trademark Cignetti fashion, the zingers flowed: On the rigors of the Big Ten compared to the SEC: “The Big Ten is the best league in football. A lot of really good football teams, very physical football teams, very well-coached. It definitely prepares you for the playoffs, there’s no doubt about it. The numbers speak for themselves. We don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest. We believe everything is earned, not given. When we fall short, we say: ‘We fell short.’ We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. That’s why we’re the best.” On the Hoosiers’ success during his tenure: “I’m a firm believer in our blueprint. Our Monday morning meeting will be very similar to what it was eight years ago. It’ll be about an hour long. There’s certain things we’ll do in there, there’s certain things I’ll say in the team meeting Tuesday night that I said eight years ago. It’s not word for word, but it’s pretty damn close. The way we practice, pretty similar to what we did eight years ago. We have a way of doing things. We’ve got guys that have been together, and all we do is win.” On why he’s excited for the 2026 season: “I’ve been on vacation long enough. I’m tired of being bossed around by my wife. I’m ready to boss somebody else around and develop a football team.” The Hoosiers, which welcomed 39 newcomers, finished third in most of the unofficial Big Ten preseason polls released earlier this week. Indiana returns 10 starters from the group that won a national championship in January and retained virtually everyone on Cignetti’s highly respected coaching staff — most notably, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, both of whom received large raises. Program-wide continuity is fueling Cignetti’s confidence that this team can make another run despite new starters at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and edge rusher. At this point, who could possibly doubt him? “I think part of the key to the drill is getting everybody to think alike,” Cignetti said. “That’s where my messaging is important in upholding a standard and having accountability. But look, you’ve got to have the right people in place. You’ve got to have a process and people in place. We have the right people in place, upstairs and downstairs. I feel very strongly about that. I’ll be stalking complacency. I know that question is coming. But I like what I’ve seen so far.” 2. Kyle Whittingham Aims To Stabilize Michigan Football Cohen: In addition to the coaches and players, there are also plenty of athletic directors eager to mingle with reporters at Big Ten Media Days. Some of them, like Josh Whitman from Illinois and Ross Bjork from Ohio State, are highly visible. They linger around the perimeter of the main interview room, offering friendly smiles when approached. Others might travel with their school’s contingent to engage in meetings with colleagues from around the conference, but avoid engaging with reporters. Warde Manuel, Michigan’s athletics director, has almost always portrayed the latter. And that was certainly true this time around, at the Hilton Chicago, amid a tumultuous summer in which Manuel’s future with the Wolverines has been hotly debated. It was announced earlier this month that Manuel, whose tenure has been strewn with scandals and national championships alike, will voluntarily step down later this year — in exchange for a hefty buyout. “That’s one thing about the players at Michigan right now,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said, “they’re hungry and ready to get back in a season, get some football. They’ve been through a lot in the last four or five years. Hopefully we can put the drama to bed and just get back to being student-athletes and having a great college experience.” With Manuel nowhere to be seen this week, Whittingham, the Wolverines’ new coach, fulfilled the role he was expected to play when Michigan plucked him from Utah last December: the adult in the room. Whittingham, 66, ran a successful and squeaky-clean program at Utah for two decades before coming to Michigan after Sherrone Moore was fired for cause. In addition to outperforming Moore on the field — the Wolverines have lost eight games over the previous two seasons combined — Whittingham is tasked with providing some much-needed ballast for a program where embarrassing personnel issues and running afoul of the NCAA are regular occurrences. How quickly the mess can be cleaned was a question Whittingham faced time and again on Thursday in one form or another. “There has been a lot of drama,” Whittingham said. “We hope that we’ve come to the end of that, and we’re ready to proceed with the business of playing football and winning football games and graduating players and putting the emphasis on things that should have the emphasis. “There were some unfortunate things that happened. It’s not my place to really speak out on it. I wasn’t there, I was not involved. I can tell you [that] now we have a very hungry and willing group of players that have worked their tail off for the last seven months and are eager to get the season started. Very good leadership as well. I’m just excited to make the first thing first, which is graduating and winning football games.” 3. QB Dylan Raiola Is Expected To Stick At Oregon RJ Young: With Dante Moore’s decision to forgo the NFL Draft and return to Oregon this season, the arrival of former Nebraska starting quarterback Dylan Raiola to Eugene created what seems like a natural transition from Moore to Raiola in 2027. Raiola also provides the Ducks with a former starting quarterback as their backup — with 22 total starts across two seasons, over 4,800 passing yards, and 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. But given the unpredictability of players entering the transfer portal at season’s end, most coaches would worry about the possibility of seeing both his QB1 and QB2 leave. Not Lanning. “I think there’s always a looming threat. But not with Dylan. I believe Dylan chose Oregon knowing in advance what it looks like at Oregon,” Lanning said on Wednesday. “He wanted to sign up for an opportunity to be with us. We were transparent throughout the process that there’s a great chance that Dante could be back. Dylan has done an unbelievable job changing his body, working really hard. He has unbelievable talent, a smart player, that has the opportunity to get exposed to our system. “You’re only as strong as all your players. You need everybody to be a part of that. Dylan is a big part of the success we’ll have this season, as well as every other quarterback in that room.” 4. Jeremiah Smith Expects Kenyatta Jackson Jr. To Have A Huge Season Young: Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith, arguably the best college football player in the country, believes Buckeye defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. has the same ability former Ohio State defensive end Chase Young displayed. “He’s a leader on the defense,” Smith said Wednesday. “Hopefully, he’ll have a big year, and that’s just somebody I believe in. I won’t say he’s Chase Young yet. I’m always telling him you can take over the game. You’re [six-foot-six], 260 [pounds] — like you’re kind of like Chase Young, and hopefully he shows that this year.” Jackson notched 6.5 sacks and 16 tackles last season, ahead of a potential breakout campaign in 2026.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

TAMPA, Fla. — Disrespected. Undervalued. Very disappointing. Those were the words Baker Mayfield used to describe how he feels his current team has treated him as he seeks a contract extension beyond the upcoming season. And with that, Tampa has solidified its status as the drama capital of the NFL, wrapping up an offseason of major departures, uncertainty and now two big and public contract squabbles. “To feel disrespected a little bit, that’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after, you know, thinking you earned it,” said Mayfield, 31, who is entering the final season of a three-year, $100 million contract. “This is not a ‘poor me’ thing. There’s a lot of other people that have it way worse off. I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that I deserve to be compensated for that. “I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down here. So to not have a deal done is very disappointing.” It’s about as pointed a criticism as you can make publicly about your employer, all said with an even voice and framed in the context of him being grateful for the opportunity the Buccaneers have given him. It would have taken compromise, but this could have been a very different story, with Tampa Bay handing out the biggest contract in franchise history to find some stability in the franchise’s future. Instead, both sides are taking on significant risks in 2026. The Buccaneers know their best scenario — Mayfield returning to his 2024 form, when he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdown passes to lead them to 10 wins and a division title — is now an outcome that will cost them more financially to keep Mayfield around. And Mayfield, who was with three teams in one year before he found solid ground in Tampa, risks losing the firm grip he has on the Bucs’ future at quarterback. What if he gets hurt? What if the team continues to struggle as they did in losing seven of their last nine games last year? What if Todd Bowles isn’t back as coach, or Jason Licht isn’t kept as general manager? Could new leadership possibly have the same interest in keeping him? We don’t know the exact figures offered or sought in this negotiation, other than that the Bucs offered Mayfield a two-year deal, he told ESPN. It’s hard to imagine the Bucs offering less than the $44 million a year the Colts gave Daniel Jones, coming off a half-season of success and a torn Achilles. It’s hard to think Mayfield and his agent want more than maybe $55 million a year, on the cusp of the top 10 at his position. And the uncertainty around the Bucs is hardly limited to Mayfield. Linebacker Lavonte David retired after 14 seasons, all in Tampa, and more stunningly, receiver Mike Evans took less money to leave in free agency for the 49ers, saying they gave him the best chance to win another Super Bowl. Defensive tackle Vita Vea, who Mayfield called “the anchor of our defense” on Thursday, recently asked for a trade, unhappy the Bucs won’t give him a raise and a new contract beyond his current deal. That’s not even counting a fan base divided over the decision to keep Bowles after a collapse that saw the Bucs go from 6-2 to 8-9, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. It all adds up to put an incredible amount on the line in the upcoming season, which could have the Bucs back in the playoffs, or facing a complete overhaul. Even the long-term compromises look difficult.  In theory, if the two sides can’t work out a deal after the season and before free agency in March, the Bucs could use the franchise tag on Mayfield at a cost of about $50 million. They would also incur about $30 million in dead money from his current deal if they couldn’t reach a long-term extension, resulting in a cap hit of about $80 million in 2027. “Franchise tag isn’t exactly in play for them,” Mayfield said. “There will be a lot of dead money. So it is what it is.” Three years ago, Mayfield had bounced to three NFL teams in a year, from the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers to the Los Angeles Rams, and he landed in Tampa on a one-year, $4 million contract after Tom Brady’s retirement. He re-established himself as an NFL starter, and he hasn’t missed a game in three seasons. He started his comments by reiterating how much he appreciates the home he and his family have found in Tampa and the stability that comes with that. “I’m very, very thankful for the chance they gave me. Do not get me wrong on that,” Mayfield said. “But I also know, I really know what I brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and even play-wise. It’s been some of the best years of my career, and I think it’s only going to trend upwards.” Can the Bucs push through the outside noise and stay together as a team, talented enough to be the oddsmakers’ favorites to win the NFC South after losing to Carolina on a tiebreaker last season? Mayfield said he’s confident the locker room remains close-knit and he’ll be focused on having the best season — for himself and his team — to set up whatever happens after that. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, in a really good place, and feeling really confident with the staff Todd [Bowles] has put together, that we’re going to have a really good team,” Mayfield said. Both sides have expressed a consistent desire to keep Mayfield in Tampa — that hasn’t translated to an offer he’s willing to accept, saying Thursday their last offer was “not appealing whatsoever.” The cost of keeping him around could be even higher if he has a great season in 2026, but he said he won’t be motivated only by financial things like that. “Money should never be the motivation,” Mayfield said. “It’s ‘How do I help this team win?’ It’s never going to be the motivation for me when it comes to the kind of chip on your shoulder. It just puts me in the mindset of betting on myself, and that’s something I’m pretty familiar with. It’s a good place to be as a high competitive guy. Sometimes you have to back yourself into a corner and fight your way out. I have a lot of guys and a lot of staff around me that are with me, so I’m not alone in it. We’re fighting for the same goal.” Fans are divided on Mayfield – the franchise was starved for any kind of franchise quarterback for most of its first 50 years, but the second half of last season wasn’t the kind of play you want to reward with a huge contract. So, as strange as it seems, you have Mayfield essentially threatening to have a great season, to make the franchise he wants to settle in with pay by having to write a bigger check to keep him. And reiterating it’s still where he wants to play. “If you’ve waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that’s too bad because it’s only going to get worse from here,” he said. “I’m going to have a really big year.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Desperation makes for great baseball drama. With Monday’s trade deadline fast approaching, contenders are ready to mortgage their futures for a ring and a single blockbuster deal could shift the balance of power overnight. July’s trade deadline is baseball’s ultimate high-stakes gamble. Over the years, some moves have delivered World Series MVPs, while others fell short and left teams with nothing to show for the blue-chip prospects they traded away. Here are the 10 most impactful MLB Trade Deadline deals since 2000: The Rangers swung for the fences at the 2010 deadline. They traded Justin Smoak, Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke, Matthew Lawson and $2.25 million in cash to the Seattle Mariners for Lee and Mark Lowe. Lee proved to be the ultimate missing piece for the Rangers, leading them to its first World Series appearance in franchise history. The Impact Lee was everything the Rangers traded for and more. He tore through the American League playoffs, posting three double-digit strikeout starts and putting on an absolute clinic with a 1.26 ERA and 3-0 record. The Rangers lost the World Series to the San Francisco Giants in five games, but Lee’s heroic postseason run won’t ever be forgotten. The Houston Astros pulled off one of the unique trade deadline deals in recent memory through a three-team blockbuster. The Astros acquired Beltrán in the deal, while the Kansas City Royals landed a pair of prospects in John Buck, Mike Wood, and Mark Teahen. The Oakland Athletics rounded out the deal by acquiring Octavio Dotel. The Impact Beltrán’s impact was short-lived with the Astros. He played well during the playoffs, hitting eight home runs during their playoff run, but he ended up leaving just a few months later in free agency after signing a seven-year, $119 million deal with the New York Mets. Still, it wasn’t the last time fans would see him in an Astros uniform. Beltrán returned to the Astros more than a decade later and helped them win their first-ever World Series in 2017 when they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sabathia is viewed as one of the more underrated starting arms acquired at the deadline in history. The Brewers traded Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson, and Michael Brantley to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) for Sabathia. Even with Sabathia being a true rental, his impact goes well beyond the stat sheet. The Impact After the Brewers traded for Sabathia, he went on an absolute clinic on the mound, posting an 11-2 record and 1.64 ERA in 17 starts. He also pitched seven complete games and three shutouts, while throwing a complete game against the Chicago Cubs in game 162. With that win, the Brewers ended a 26-year postseason drought to secure a National League Wild Card spot. Most relievers have a limited impact on a postseason run, but trading for Aroldis Chapman was a game-changer for the Chicago Cubs. By sending Adam Warren, Gleyber Torres, Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford to the New York Yankees. With the deadline deal, the Cubs got the elite closer they desperately needed to win their first World Series for the first time in 108 years. The Impact The Cubs already had the best record in baseball, but his playoff pedigree was unmatched with how well he was able to close games. He ended the playoff run with a 2-0 record and 3.45 ERA, but he also recorded four saves and threw 15.2 innings. Chapman pitched multiple innings during his appearances and fought through severe fatigue from manager Joe Maddon to help secure the World Series win. He will forever go down as one of the key reasons the Cubs slayed the Curse of the Billy Goat. Soto has been traded multiple times, but the return that the Washington Nationals received for him might never be seen again. The Padres were able to land Soto and Josh Bell, but gave up James Wood, CJ Abrams, Mackenzie Gore, Luke Voit and Robert Hassell III. Wood, Abrams and Gore have all been All-Star selections, while Soto only played two seasons with the Padres. This trade was the start of the Padres unloading their entire farm system as they pushed to remain competitive with both the Dodgers and Giants consistently in the NL West. The Impact The ultimate impact of this deal was how little the Padres got out of Soto before trading him to the Yankees two seasons later. Wood, Abrams and Gore became part of the National young nucleus, with Wood becoming one of the brightest young stars in the league. Losing Ronald Acuña Jr. to a torn ACL in 2021 should have ended the Braves’ season. Instead, aggressive mid-season trades for Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, and Jorge Soler saved their outfield and in many ways sparked a World Series run. However, there might not have been a more impactful deal than acquiring Soler from the Kansas City Royals. For the type of impact that Soler made, the Braves only had to give up minor league prospect Kasey Kalich, who never made it to the major league level. The Impact Soler capped a dominant postseason by winning World Series MVP and leading Atlanta to its first title since 1995. With six hits, three home runs, and six RBIs in the Series, he proved just how much one hot bat can transform a championship run. The Dodgers are no secret to making deadline deals, especially when they’re making a World Series push. One of the biggest deals was when they acquired Scherzer and Turner from the Nationals for Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey. By bringing in Scherzer and Turner as short-term options, the Dodgers pulled off one of the biggest ‘all-in’ moves in recent memory. The Impact Scherzer was a true rental, but Turner still had a year of team control, but the impact on both teams was evident. After giving up the amount of young talent that the Dodgers did, they didn’t even make a World Series and lost to the Braves in the NLCS. The 2015 Mets were a red-hot Royals team away from a World Series title, and that iconic run was all about Yoenis Céspedes. Giving up just Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa to get him remains one of the best deadline steals in recent memory. The Impact Céspedes made his impact known for the Mets during the 2015 playoffs, finishing with 12 hits, two home runs, and eight RBIs. While his postseason performance fluctuated, he remained one of the league’s most dynamic threats and entered October fresh off a Gold Glove-winning season. Lee’s impact has been so special that he made the list twice. This time was when he was traded to the Phillies at the 2009 deadline. The Phillies were able to acquire Lee and Ben Francisco from the Guardians for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, Lou Marson, and Jason Donald. The Impact The Phillies’ rotation became one of the most feared in the league during a dominant 2009 postseason run led by Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martínez, and Joe Blanton. Lee went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA to help them reach the World Series before they ultimately fell to the Yankees. Verlander being traded from the Detroit Tigers after 13 seasons to the Astros was one of the most impactful deadline deals in league history. He’s not just a Triple Crown winner and one of the most dominant arms the sport has seen, but he also helped the Astros win the World Series. The Astros traded away Daz Cameron, Jake Rogers, and Franklin Perez for Verlander and cash considerations. On top of spending five seasons with the team, Verlander won the 2019 AL Cy Young award and took home another World Series ring in 2022. The Impact During the Astros’ 2017 postseason run, Verlander went 4-1 with a 2.21 ERA and a franchise-record 38 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched. Along with winning the World Series, Verlander added a major individual accolade to his resume with the ALCS MVP.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Get ready for a wild weekend ahead. As the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches, a plethora of teams still remain on the bubble between buying, selling or doing a little of both. That’s what happens when only nine teams are more than three games out of a playoff spot. The other 21 clubs are all jockeying for position. Over the next few days, though, they’ll all have to make their decisions. As teams figure out what direction they want to go, below is each contender’s biggest need and one possible target who could fit the mold. (For the purposes of this exercise, all teams within three games of a playoff spot entering Thursday are included.) THE TOP CONTENDERS Biggest Need: … None Possible Target: LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers They don’t need to do anything at the deadline. Edwin Díaz and Kiké Hernández are back.  Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are working their way back. Will Smith has resumed baseball activities. And yet…can you really see them standing pat, especially if Skubal becomes available? As much as the Dodgers are publicly downplaying their desire to add, they have everything they need — the surplus of outfield prospects, the big-league depth and the motivation to win a third straight title — to get this done. Biggest Need: Starting pitching/impact talentPossible Target: RHP Freddy Peralta, New York Mets Last year’s NLCS should be a deadline wake-up call, and the Brewers should absolutely push the chips in to add a star, be it in the rotation to pair with Jacob Misiorowski or in the middle of the lineup to better contend with the elite arms they’ll see in October. Tarik Skubal? CJ Abrams? Zach Neto? They should all be options…Only, that’s not the Brewers’ usual way of operating. So, even though my heart says Skubal to the Brewers, my brain does not. Perhaps a reunion with Peralta is in the cards. They would at least have as good of a chance as any team to get him back to his productive ways. Biggest Need: Starting pitching Possible Target: RHP Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays Atlanta’s rotation exceeded expectations through the first couple months of the season, but the group has fallen back down to earth since. Braves starters have an ERA close to 5.00 since the start of June, a tally that ranks 25th in MLB over that stretch. Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach remain out, and while AJ Smith-Shawver returned from injury, it’s hard to know what to expect there. They could really use another starter that they can trust alongside Chris Sale in October. They should at least be placing calls for all of the top arms on the market. Biggest Need: Impact batPossible Target: 2B Luis Arraez, San Francisco Giants Tampa Bay might be the most interesting buyer at the deadline, considering both its playoff position (they have the best record in the American League) and its needs at multiple spots. The Rays could use an upgrade offensively at every spot up the middle. They might want another starter to ease workload concerns and raise the October ceiling. They might look for another high-leverage reliever to help a bullpen that has an ERA over 4.00. The AL is there for the taking; why not seize this opportunity? Biggest Need: CatcherPossible Target: C Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds The Yankees could use help anywhere while Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton are down, but they’ve needed more offensive production behind the plate all season. The catching market will be interesting to monitor. Just a week ago, it seemed robust. Now, the options are dwindling. A’s All-Star Shea Langeliers is done for the year. Ryan Jeffers is a rental that seemed to be a perfect fit in the Bronx, but the contending Twins could choose to keep him. The Reds’ Tyler Stephenson or the A’s Jonah Heim are among the other rental options. Stephenson’s hot last couple months — entering Wednesday, he had an .842 OPS since the start of June — could make him one of the more appealing candidates for the Yankees, unless they’re willing to pay up for someone like Colorado’s Hunter Goodman, who leads all catchers in home runs and is under team control for three more seasons. Biggest Need: Pitching Possible Target: RHP José Soriano, Los Angeles Angels Are you a productive big-league pitcher? Congrats, the Cubs should be interested. They have four starters and seven relievers on the injured list. The good news is that most of them are expected to return in some capacity in the second half. Still, it’s hard to know what to expect from those injured players. The Cubs could use immediate help to bolster a middling rotation and bullpen for the stretch run as they try to cut into the Brewers’ sizable division lead, but they could also use a more reliable option to start games in October. Someone like Soriano, a groundball pitcher who can also miss bats and benefit from the Cubs’ elite defense, would make a lot of sense. Biggest Need: Right-handed outfielder? Reliever? Starter? All three? Possible Target: OF Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels You could make the case that a high-leverage reliever or another depth starter is more important in Philadelphia, but it’s hard to feel great about an offense that entered Wednesday with a lower OPS than the Rays and the Reds. Phillies outfielders have the lowest wRC+ in baseball, and that’s despite Brandon Marsh being an All-Star this year. They could use another right-handed bat to feel more comfortable about this offense against the elite arms it will see in October. HERE THEY COME Biggest Need: Infield bat Possible Target: SS Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels Boston is surging, but the Red Sox are already 0-for-1 at the deadline. Curtis Mead, acquired over the weekend in exchange for pitcher Connelly Early, fractured his wrist in his first game with his new club and is now on the injured list. That should only increase the urgency for the hottest team in baseball to find more infield pop. The Red Sox seem to be interested in finding a right-handed-hitting shortstop, but the best ones potentially available (Neto, Otto Lopez, Jeremy Peña) are controllable and would cost an exorbitant amount. If they’re not willing to pay up but still are seeking an infield bat, maybe they won’t care as much about handedness or position and pivot to a rental such as Gleyber Torres. THE TURNAROUNDS Biggest Need: Starting pitching Possible Target: LHP Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels It’s a party on the South Side. Chicago’s young, powerful offense has slowed down a bit in July, but there’s enough pop in place to envision the White Sox holding on for their first division title in five years…as long as more pitching help arrives. The White Sox rank 17th in starters’ ERA, and their best pitcher this year, Davis Martin, has a 6.00 ERA in July. Sean Burke has helped pick up the slack, but they need another arm if they want the festivities to continue to and through October. With Kyle Teel hurt again, it also wouldn’t be surprising to see them add a catcher. Biggest Need: Relief pitching Possible Target: RHP Luke Weaver, New York Mets The Pirates have gone from the worst offense in baseball last year to one of the best this season. Their rotation, while not quite performing to expectations, has two All-Stars in Paul Skenes and Braxton Ashcraft, plus talented arms behind those two. The clear need is in the bullpen, and they should be shopping at the high end of the market as they attempt to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015. Biggest Need: Relief pitching Possible Target: RHP Ryan Zeferjahn, Los Angeles Angels The upstart Nationals’ offense leads MLB in slugging and home runs. The pitching…is another story, and this is a team that still could end up selling despite the unexpectedly strong start. All-Star Foster Griffin and Cade Cavalli give the rotation a solid starting point, but their starters rank 24th in ERA as a team. The bullpen, which ranks 28th in ERA and has the lowest strikeout rate in MLB, is an even bigger problem that needs to be addressed if Washington wants to buy and capitalize on an auspicious start to the Paul Toboni era. THE WILD WEST Biggest Need: Relief pitching Possible Target: RHP Huascar Brazobán, New York Mets The Rangers have yet to recapture the offense that guided them to their 2023 World Series title, but the bats have been better compared to the last couple years. They need to keep Wyatt Langford healthy and get Corey Seager and Josh Jung back on the field, but the biggest need is another relief arm to help fix a bullpen that has an ERA close to 6.00 in July. They already made their first move of the deadline, acquiring catcher Logan O’Hoppe and reliever Chase Silseth from the Angels. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see them get another right-handed high-leverage reliever to pair with lefty All-Star closer Jacob Latz. Biggest Need: Right-handed batPossible Target: OF Tyrone Taylor, New York Mets The Mariners could use another high-leverage reliever, too, but they entered this week last in MLB in OPS against left-handed pitching. Unfortunately for them, there aren’t many right-handed impact bats on the market. If the Marlins decide to sell, Heriberto Hernández could be a fit here. If not, Taylor or the Dodgers’ Alex Call could be platoon options against lefties. If the Mariners want to go bigger, they could trade some of their surplus of starting pitching. Whatever they do at the deadline, though, their biggest problem is that their best players aren’t producing consistently enough. That needs to change quickly. Biggest Need: Outfield Possible Target: OF Jake McCarthy, Colorado Rockies In the final season under contract, general manager Dana Brown is going to look for any reason to buy. Yordan Alvarez, the MVP frontrunner, has provided one all year. Now, the rest of the team is, too, with better play to start the second half. The rotation could use more help, but the bigger need might be an outfield that entered Wednesday with the lowest OPS in MLB. A match with Colorado, either for McCarthy or Mickey Moniak, would seem to be an obvious fit. CENTRAL CHASING Biggest Need: More offensePossible Target: OF Luis Robert Jr, New York Mets Another year, same story. Rookies Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana have given Cleveland a lift, yet the Guardians still have the lowest OPS in MLB as a team. Getting Jose Ramirez back is obviously huge, but this team still needs to find more offense if it wants to do anything of note. Biggest Need: Relief pitching Possible Target: LHP Brock Burke, Cincinnati Reds A couple of weeks ago, everyone was trying to concoct Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton deals (no matter how many times Buxton, who has a no-trade clause, has made it clear he wants to stay). Now, the Twins, on the cusp of the wild-card picture, have declared themselves buyers. That’s unfortunate news for the catching-needy teams who could have used Ryan Jeffers. Maybe the Twins ultimately do a little buying and selling, but after last deadline’s reliever sell-off, there’s a lot of work ahead to repair a bullpen that ranks 26th in ERA. WILD-CARD HOPEFULS Biggest Need: First base Possible Target: 1B Luis Garcia Jr, Washington Nationals Wait, not pitching? Sure, the D-backs could use help both in the rotation (4.27 ERA) and bullpen (4.15), but the most glaring weak spot on the team is first base, where they rank last in MLB in both OPS and wRC+. The problem is there aren’t many impact players available at the position. Perhaps someone like Nathaniel Lowe will be the answer…or, maybe they can convince the Nationals to part with Garcia, who would represent a significant upgrade and is under team control for one more season. Biggest Need: Starting pitchingPossible Target: RHP Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners The Padres are one of the toughest teams to figure out. Their star hitters are finally starting to perform, but they still have a lot of needs and entered Wednesday with 21.9% odds to make the postseason, according to FanGraphs. Then again, this is AJ Preller we’re talking about. It wouldn’t be surprising to see both some buying and some selling. If they do the former, starting pitching has to be a priority. Maybe they find a way to use some of their bullpen arms to get rotation help and a bat. ON THE BUBBLE Biggest Need: Third base/bullpen Possible Target: UTIL Nick Loftin, Kansas City Royals It seems more likely after that historic 12-game losing skid that the Marlins will sell. But if they choose to buy, or do a little of both, the Marlins’ bullpen has an ERA over 6.00 in July while their third basemen entered Wednesday with an MLB-worst .548 OPS on the year. Helping either spot would make sense. Biggest Need: Lineup depth Possible Target: 3B Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants Because the Cardinals’ unexpectedly strong start was driven by a bevy of young talents — Jordan Walker’s breakout, JJ Wetherholt’s production, etc. — it felt like there was no ceiling to where the offense might go. I guess there was no floor, either. The Cardinals’ offense has the lowest OPS in baseball this month. When things start to spiral, as they are now, sometimes a veteran in the clubhouse can help. While it seems more likely that the Cardinals would lightly sell rather than buy, someone like Chapman could help lead the next wave of St. Louis talents. Biggest Need: PitchingPossible Target: LHP Brooks Raley, New York Mets Considering their pitching injuries, both the rotation and bullpen have helped up quite well this month. That said, with Ryan Helsley down and Felix Bautista’s return date uncertain, the Orioles could use another reliable high-leverage arm. If they decide to sell, rentals Taylor Ward, Trevor Rogers and Andrew Kittredge could help a lot of teams. So would Adley Rutschman, if they’re willing to deal controllable players. Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports