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CHICAGO — Beginning with commissioner Tony Petitti, every leading figure who addressed reporters from the primary stage at Big Ten Media Days has been flanked by the last three national championship trophies. These shimmering, cylindrical showpieces symbolize the conference’s climb toward college football supremacy. Their visual prominence is simple: For the first time since World War II, the Big Ten has won three straight national championships. In an era when the Big Ten and SEC keep jockeying for the unofficial title of preeminent conference in collegiate athletics, any opportunities to poke and prod must be taken. “In addition to winning three consecutive titles,” Petitti said during his opening remarks on Tuesday morning, “the Big Ten has dominated the first two seasons of the expanded College Football Playoff. Seven Big Ten teams [have] combined for the nation’s-best 11 wins, more than double the next closest league.” Consider the message delivered and the knife twisted. If Michigan’s national championship victory three seasons ago finally wrested college football’s biggest prize away from the southern states, whose representatives had hoisted the trophy 17 times over the preceding 18 years, then subsequent wins by Ohio State and Indiana became the tipping point in the sport’s balance of power. Regardless of whether the Big Ten can add a fourth consecutive championship in the coming months, the conference will have another opportunity to upstage the SEC in this year’s Heisman Trophy race. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza snapped a run of 18 consecutive winners from outside the Big Ten, dating to former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith in 2006. With a glut of high-end players returning for the upcoming season — many of whom spoke at the Hilton Chicago this week — the league could retain the award for a second straight year. That hasn’t happened since the mid-1970s. “Having big-time players on the stages that they are right now is so healthy for them and the conference,” Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck when I asked him about the impact of potentially stringing together Heisman Trophy wins. “Because there’s a lot of people here that are going to be Heisman candidates as we talk through the whole year in the Big Ten. And I think the Big Ten is in the best spot it’s ever been.” So who are this year’s leading candidates? According to the most recent odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, which were updated earlier this week, four of the top eight betting favorites in the 2026 race will play for Big Ten schools: Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (+1000), Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (+1200), Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover (+1300) and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (+1400). It’s worth noting that Sayin and Smith finished among the top 10 in last year’s voting, too, as the conference claimed three of the six leading vote-getters overall. The Big Ten winning a second consecutive Heisman Trophy would continue to shift the mantle atop college football. Two years ago, the Big Ten ranked third in NFL Draft picks produced (42) behind both the SEC (60) and the old Pac-12 (43). By 2025, however, the Big Ten ascended to second with the help of absorbing some of the leading programs from the Pac-12. When coupled with the Big Ten’s current run of national championships, an overall narrowing of the gap seems clear — even as the SEC finished plus-19 in draft choices earlier this year. “I don’t think people see that as reflective of where the league is — or any league is,” former Indiana, LSU and Vanderbilt head coach Gerry DiNardo told me on Wednesday, in between his duties as a Big Ten Network analyst. “Now, if a Big Ten player win it [again this year], there are going to be people saying, ‘We’ve won three championships in a row and two Heisman Trophies.’ So I think people will tag that onto it and make the narrative there. But I don’t think it reflects the league.” Legitimate reflection or otherwise, completing such a rare achievement would be attention-grabbing. Only three times in the history of the Heisman Trophy, which has been awarded annually since 1935, has the Big Ten ever produced consecutive winners, according to FOX Sports Research. There were three straight Big Ten recipients from 1939-41, including Nile Kinnick (Iowa), Tom Harmon (Michigan) and Bruce Smith (Minnesota); there were back-to-back winners in 1954-55 with Alane Ameche (Wisconsin) and Howard Cassady (Ohio State); and former Ohio State tailback Archie Griffin remains the award’s only two-time winner after finishing first in both 1974 and 1975. Beginning around the turn of the century, however, quarterbacks have dominated the Heisman Trophy race. A victory for Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne in 1999 now feels like the unofficial end to an era with 21 signal-callers lifting the trophy across the ensuing 26 years, including Mendoza last winter. The only non-quarterbacks to win the award during that span were CB/WR Travis Hunter (Colorado), WR DeVonta Smith (Alabama), RB Derrick Henry (Alabama), RB Mark Ingram II (Alabama) and RB Reggie Bush (USC). Exploring what a wide receiver must do to win the award became a popular topic of conversation inside the Hilton Chicago when Ohio State’s contingent addressed the media. Smith, a unanimous All-American, finished sixth in last year’s voting after catching 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. Many coaches, analysts and scouts believe that he was, and still is, the single best player in college football, worthy of being selected No. 1 overall in the 2027 NFL Draft. Smith faces far longer odds of winning the Heisman Trophy based on his position alone. When asked about that conundrum on Wednesday afternoon, Smith said he’s never quite understood the voting requirements. Because of that, Smith told reporters he’d be happy to wind up on stage as a finalist come December. “I always felt it was a quarterback award unless you have a crazy season,” Smith said. “I don’t really know the criteria of what they look at. Is it the best stats? Is it the best player? I don’t really know. But we’ll see this year.” Smith or not, perhaps the answer will still reside in the Big Ten.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

It is all too easy to get caught up in the hype of first-round picks in the immediate aftermath of every NFL Draft, but history proves that the greatest impact is often made by players selected after Day 1. Case in point: The two best defensive rookies in the NFL last year — Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori — were both Day 2 steals. The players listed below might not be the biggest names today, but they are clean schematic fits for their respective teams and appear to have a relatively clear path to playing time. It’s why they’re primed to make big contributions in 2026. And only a few of them were drafted in the first round. With training camp now underway, here are my NFC rookies to watch. NFC EAST Okay, this is just too obvious to ignore. Downs was the easiest evaluation of this draft class, as his tape was filled with instinctive, athletic and physical plays that should translate into immediate NFL success. This Cowboys’ defense desperately needed a sheriff and Downs is him. Between Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton and Calvin Austin — not to mention free-agent tight end Isaiah Likely — the Giants already boast plenty of playmaking wideouts for Jaxson Dart. The pass-catchers are relatively small by NFL standards and certainly not indicative of the team’s Giants moniker. The nearly 6-foot-5, 218-pound Fields, on the other hand, is a legitimate big-bodied X receiver who wins above the rim. I think he’ll quickly become one of Dart’s favorite downfield targets. No tight end in the NFL caught more touchdowns last year than Dallas Goedert (11), but I think this is both a function of his talent and a byproduct of defenses being lured to the line of scrimmage in an attempt to slow down the Eagles’ dynamic running game. Stowers won’t likely challenge Goedert in 2026, but he does immediately diversify a Philadelphia offense that no longer includes star wideout A.J. Brown. There is no doubt that rookie linebacker Sonny Styles will make an immediate impact for the Commanders. However, I’m also really intrigued by Williams, who plays bigger and faster than his measurables suggest. Williams reminds me a bit of former Seattle standout Doug Baldwin with his sneaky change of direction and knack for making big plays. NFC NORTH Protecting Caleb Williams is obviously Chicago’s top priority, and Jones — the reigning Rimington Award winner as the nation’s top center — was an excellent choice to do that. His 50 career starts for an Iowa program well known for producing plug-and-play blockers makes this technician a smart bet to start immediately. If there was a cornerback in this class perfectly suited to play for Dan Campbell, it was Abney — a scrappy defender who plays much bigger than his size. The Lions currently list free-agent addition Roger McCreary as their starting nickel. Don’t be surprised when Abney wrestles that role away as a rookie. The Packers wisely addressed one of their biggest positional concerns with their top pick. Cisse has first round-caliber traits and tape and provides the club with a contingency plan should fellow young corner Carrington Valentine continue to struggle. Plus, with Keisean Nixon a pending free agent, Cisse offers a cheaper, younger alternative. It might sound funny to see Orange in purple, but opponents won’t be smiling when the Vikings’ third-round pick emerges as a key starter as a rookie. Orange doesn’t offer much in the passing game, but he’s powerful and tenacious against the run and will be counted on to contribute immediately, with Minnesota cutting ties prior to the draft with veteran defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. NFC SOUTH Branch will almost surely start the season as the Falcons’ primary punt and kick returner. But it is his ability to create in the quick game as a receiver and rusher that most intrigues me. Any offense that boasts the likes of Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts is going to stress defenses and create easy one-on-one opportunities. Branch should bloom in a complementary role. Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan is more of a glider than a true vertical threat, which is precisely where Brazzell excels. His ability to stretch the field should open up Carolina’s passing game for others, though Brazzell isn’t just a deep decoy. I really like his body control and sticky hands, as well. Toolsy wideouts Jordyn Tyson and Bryce Lance will draw most of the attention among the Saints’ draft class, but Miller mind upo being their best pick. A rugged run-stuffer who I think is just scratching the surface of his potential as a pass-rusher, Miller should step in and be a key contributor as a rookie before truly emerging in 2027 as current starters Davon Godchaux (32 years old) and Nathan Shepherd (31) are aging and in the final year of their respective deals. Growing up an NFL legacy has left Trotter uniquely prepared to handle big expectations, and he’ll be confronted with them immediately given franchise legend Lavonte David’s recent retirement. Trotter has the speed, physicality and alpha mentality to star right away. He’s also stepping into a terrific situation given the Bucs boast two massive defensive tackles in Vita Vea and A’Shawn Robinson to keep him clean. NFC WEST The jump from the FCS to the NFL is massive, but Proctor performed well against top competition, including against LSU and at the Senior Bowl last year. His combination of quickness, length and strength should give the Cardinals much-needed depth and flexibility up front. I see him contributing as a rookie and emerging as a starter within a year or two. The Rams may have found a future starting blocker in the middle rounds with Trost, whose burly frame projects best inside to guard after spending virtually all of his college career outside at tackle. Trost won’t get nearly the attention as first-round quarterback Ty Simpson, of course, but he should play a key role as the Rams’ sixth man on the offensive line as a rookie. The 49ers were ravaged by injuries a year ago, and that is the most obvious reason the club finished last in the NFL in sacks (20). Their depth could look much different in 2026 with the return of DEs Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, and the additions of rookie DE Keion White and free agent Osa Odighizuwa. While it all might leave few opportunities for Halton, I love his slipperiness. Even if he doesn’t start a single game this season, don’t be surprised if he carves out a significant role and matches his collegiate career high of five sacks as a rookie. I’ve been covering the NFL draft for over a quarter-century now, and I can’t recall a prospect being selected in the first round that never started a college game. That is the case with Price, who stuck it out at Notre Dame despite playing behind Jeremiyah Love. Seattle’s selection was bold, and I believe it will pay off handsomely for the defending champs. Price’s tape suggests he’ll be an ideal fit in their wide-zone scheme. In fact, I expect Price to not only be Seattle’s leading rusher in 2026 but vie for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in the process.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

We’re only in the opening week of training camp practices, but things are already heating up in the NFL, literally. Wednesday saw our first scuffle of training camp, with a star being at the center of a skirmish at Cincinnati Bengals practice. A pair of contract stalemates were also at the forefront of Wednesday’s practice news, while some quarterback uncertainty is emerging in Atlanta. Here is what to know from Wednesday around the NFL: Cincinnati Bengals training camp opened with high physical intensity on Wednesday, resulting in a skirmish during team drills. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was at the center of the incident, as he and cornerback Jalen Davis were seen arguing facemask to facemask before an assistant coach intervened to separate the players. During the brief skirmish, Chase also could be seen throwing a helmet which presumably belonged to cornerback DJ Turner II. Should the early physicality not lead to setbacks, the competition level between the revamped defense and an established offense is exactly what the Bengals hope will push them back into the championship picture this season. Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs reported to their respective training camps on time but did not participate in team practice drills. Both players are seeking new contract extensions following three productive seasons. By physically reporting to team facilities, Robinson and Gibbs avoid daily mandatory fines required under the collective bargaining agreement while contract negotiations continue. Extensions for Robinson and Gibbs are expected to compete with or surpass the top of the running back market. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined Wednesday due to what head coach Kevin Stefanski described as a “flare-up” of an undisclosed injury. While the team did not officially specify the nature of the issue, ESPN reported that Tagovailoa is dealing with back tightness. Third-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., meanwhile, remains out as he continues to rehab from his ACL tear. With Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. both sidelined, the Falcons have signed veteran quarterback Cooper Rush to bolster depth in the quarterback room. The Cleveland Browns opened training camp on Wednesday with an ongoing quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Watson handled all first-team snaps on the opening day of practice but threw 12-for-22 and two interceptions with zero touchdowns during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, according to ESPN Cleveland. According to ESPN, Watson threw both interceptions on back-to-back pass attempts during 11-on-11 drills, with cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Damarri Mathis securing the turnovers. Shedeur Sanders had more completions than Watson during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, finishing 16-for-19, but was unable to find the end zone, despite not throwing any interceptions. New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers took part in individual drills on Wednesday after avoiding the physically unable to perform list to start camp. Nabers is recovering from a right knee ACL tear suffered in late September. Despite offseason additions at the position, Nabers was back on the field working through individual drills, though the team has not set a formal timeline for his return to full-contact drills or game action. Nabers needed a full meniscus repair in October. He needed a second surgery earlier this year to clean up scar tissue, which set his timeline back a bit and put Week 1 against the Cowboys in jeopardy.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

CHICAGO — The college football world, according to Ohio State, is volatile. The schedule it plays this season, including road games at Texas, Indiana and Iowa, makes winning uncertain. The fixes required in-game and, especially, at the end of the season grow more complex. There are already clear examples of ambiguity that demand clarity. At Big Ten Media Days at the Hilton Chicago, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said he’s coaching his team and organizing his staff to affect an outcome based around those four challenges: volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity — VUCA. VUCA is a framework adopted by the U.S. Army War College to help the United States navigate the world at-large in the post-Cold War era and develop foresight in moments of great stress. VUCA — sounds like a mind trick rather than a paradigm shift. But that’s what it means, as Day is chasing details in hopes of winning another national title. “In order to attack those times, you have to make decisions quickly,” Day said Wednesday. “You have to be decisive, you have to then identify what’s gone right, what’s gone wrong, then continue to adapt over time, not throw up your hands and get frustrated.” The Buckeyes and their fans were frustrated at the end of 2025. After defeating Texas in Week 1, Ohio State played the next 12 weeks as the No. 1-ranked team in the country, finishing the regular season undefeated only to lose back-to-back games to the two teams that played for the national championship. No one spends three months as the No. 1 team in the sport by accident, and after a 12-win season, to ask for a massive change in philosophy or personnel would be too harsh. But it does put the Buckeyes in an unenviable situation: hunting for small margins of success as opponents continue to strengthen. “I think when you’re chasing small margins like you are, you have to identify the things that need to get fixed and fix them,” Day said. “The easy thing is to do nothing or overreact. Where the real work is identifying what needs to get fixed and then make that change. I won’t get into all those things.” No sweat, Ryan, I will. Against ranked opponents last season, the Buckeyes rushed for more than 100 yards in a game just once in five opportunities. In its only losses of the season, to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship and to Miami in the College Football Playoff, Ohio State was held to 58 rushing yards and 45 rushing yards, respectively. And until the postseason, the Buckeyes did not allow a single sack of quarterback Julian Sayin — only for him to get sacked five times in each game against IU and Miami. Sayin threw just five interceptions in the regular season, before throwing a combined three against the Hoosiers and Hurricanes. In part, Sayin’s at fault for the increase in sacks, but much of it falls on pedestrian offensive line play in December after appearing powerful throughout the regular season. Sacks are one thing. The rushing attack against good teams is another. Ohio State depended on running back Bo Jackson, a true freshman who was so unexpected to play a pivotal role in the 2025 season he didn’t even touch the ball against Texas. But had he not emerged, the Buckeyes’ ground attack would have been even worse. So, going into the 2026 season, Day identified running back as a paramount position. “To me,” Day said during a breakout session on Tuesday, “a position group that’s got to have a great preseason is the running back room. I know we have Isaiah [West] coming back, we have Bo [Jackson] coming back. We’ve added Ja’Kobi [Jackson]. We have Legend [Bey]. We have Turbo [Rogers]. OK, we have these pieces. But like, if we’re gonna get to where we need to go, we need a high level of play to run in that game. So this is critical. And both those guys did practice in the spring. So that’s one that I got my eye on big time.” Day and the Buckeyes are also still tinkering with their offensive line alignment. Maximizing the experience of Carson Hinzman, Josh Padilla and Austin Siereveld will depend mostly on how Ian Moore and Phillip Daniels develop in preseason. “It’s all those guys, because if all of a sudden, Phil or Ian give us some high-level of play that we’re seeing in practice, that gives us the opportunity to have some flexibility,” Day said. “If Josh is playing at a high, high level at guard, let’s say, well then we can keep Austin over here at left tackle. We’re going to play the best five.” He hopes to have that lineup set by preseason practice No. 10. But improving the rushing attack and protecting the quarterback are priorities for the Buckeyes. What remains is how Day and Ohio State approach teams with a ranking next to their names? Can they recognize when a game is volatile? Can they remain calm when the defense is wavering, when their opponent is in the midst of a 10-play drive creating uncertainty? Will the complexity of an opposing scheme unravel Ohio State? Will doubt follow when ambiguity forces Day to call a defensive timeout? Is VUCA really going to serve the 2026 Ohio State Buckeyes or serve as a punchline to the folly of coaches and their affinity for acronyms? At the margins, it just might.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

LOS ANGELES — At least publicly, despite the Dodgers’ looming presence in any potential Tarik Skubal deadline sweepstakes, the team’s front office continues to downplay its need or desire to add high-end starting pitching. Even with Shohei Ohtani’s timeline to return to the mound uncertain, Dodgers executives point to the production of young starters Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki and the anticipated second-half returns of Blake Snell (who is on a rehab assignment) and Tyler Glasnow (who is expected to start one soon) as reasons for that confidence. “We talk about this a lot, of doing everything we can to win a World Series in that current year but also continuing to develop our young players,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told me on Tuesday. “It’s difficult to both try to do everything you can to win in that current year but also be able to develop young players, because there is no replacement for the major-league level and the reps that it takes to get there. “So, it’s a delicate balancing act that we’ve been doing for years, and hopefully our system continues to produce high-end players that we’ll continue to have to [balance] in the future.” That balancing act won’t get any easier over the coming year. At some point soon, perhaps at the Aug. 3 trade deadline, the Dodgers will have to address their surplus of outfield prospects, whether that means dealing some of them for other prospects or using them to upgrade the big-league roster with a difference-making piece (or pieces). There simply won’t be room for all of them in Los Angeles. “This is far and away the deepest, most impressive group of outfielders I’ve ever seen,” Friedman told me. “Fortunately, right now it’s in Low-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A, so there hasn’t been any real friction yet. But, it’s coming. And whether that’s this July or this offseason, there’s going to be a time where we’re going to need to redistribute that a little bit.” Josue De Paula, the No. 4 prospect in baseball according to MLB’s Top 100 rankings, is the most highly regarded of the Dodgers’ crop of minor leaguers. The Dodgers will have to put the 21-year-old on the 40-man roster after the season to avoid him getting plucked in the Rule 5 Draft, which he most certainly would. De Paula has 16 home runs, 27 steals and a .928 OPS at Double-A Tulsa. On his team are two other top-25 MLB prospects in outfielders Mike Sirota, who sports an OPS over 1.000, and Zyhir Hope, who has 21 homers and 18 steals. At Triple-A, outfield prospects James Tibbs III (who also plays first base) and Zach Ehrhard have been two of Oklahoma City’s most productive hitters. Meanwhile, 20-year-old outfielder Eduardo Quintero, another top-20 prospect according to MLB’s rankings, is hitting over .300 at High-A Great Lakes. He plays on the same team as outfielder Charles Davalan, a 2025 first-round pick who has a .960 OPS over his first two minor-league seasons. They all happen to be in an organization with no immediate runway. Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages is a 25-year-old All-Star. Right fielder Kyle Tucker received a four-year, $240 million deal (with 2028 and 2029 player options) before the season. Left fielder Teoscar Hernandez is also signed through at least next season. The Dodgers don’t necessarily have to sort out their excess of outfielders over the next week, but the deadline tends to spark action. “This time of the year sets up well for it because all teams are talking,” Friedman acknowledged. “But it’s also one of those things that doesn’t necessarily have to tie into the major-league team. It can, but it doesn’t have to. It may also go to the offseason. But at some point, figuring that out both for our guys that we end up going with and the ones that we move, for them to have opportunity, is important.” It’s a nice problem for Friedman to have, and it’s one of the many reasons the Dodgers could logically make a push for Detroit Tigers ace Skubal or any piece they want. After years of spending exorbitantly, Friedman has built a team that doesn’t necessarily have to buy. In fact, the Dodgers could even do some selling and still be in prime position to win a third straight World Series title. “The goal in the offseason is to be as aggressive as we can be to go into July with no real acute need,” Friedman said. “Fortunately, right now, we feel really good not only about the talent of this group but also the way it meshes together.” And yet, this is the same front office that sounded content to sit out of the top end of the free-agent market over the winter only to then sign the top player (Tucker) and closer (Edwin Díaz) available. This is also the same front office that made deadline moves for Yu Darvish in 2017, Manny Machado in 2018 and Trea Turner and Max Scherzer in 2021. So, it’s hard to count the Dodgers out on any player who would significantly increase their odds of becoming the first team since the 1998-2000 Yankees to win three straight World Series championships, a desire that might be insatiable, especially with the uncertainty regarding the next collective bargaining agreement. In other words, even if the Dodgers don’t need Skubal, they’re as equipped as any team to acquire the prize of the deadline. That is, if he becomes available. The Tigers, despite a 51-57 record, entered Wednesday just five games back in the AL Central and 3.5 games back of a wild-card spot. In each league, only four teams are four or more games out of a playoff spot. With only days left until the deadline, a plethora of clubs have yet to pick a lane. “It does feel like there are a lot of teams who are trying to both buy and sell,” Friedman said. “That’s great in theory, but it’s harder in actuality, and I think has a chance to create a real logjam in the typical flow of transactions. So, I do expect [most of the action] to be closer to the deadline, but I caveat that with saying I think I feel this way every year. And, I guess for the most part, they do go down to that last 24 hours.” Ohtani’s Biceps Also “Not 100 Percent” It remains to be seen if Ohtani’s continued absence on the mound becomes the tipping point for the Dodgers to make a deadline splash, but there’s more to his pitching hiatus than lingering knee discomfort. The two-way superstar hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3, primarily due to a left knee issue that required an injection over the All-Star break. However, Ohtani acknowledged on Tuesday that his biceps is also “not 100 percent” and is another reason he has been limited to hitting for most of the month. “Just, similar issue with the knee,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “Do we consider pushing this? It is still July. So, I think the conversation would be a little different if we’re in August or September.” In the same game as his last pitching start, Ohtani tweaked his right biceps on a swing and was replaced by a pinch hitter. He returned to hitting two days later on July 5 and has remained a mainstay in the lineup since, but the issue with his biceps popped up again during a bullpen session last Wednesday in Philadelphia. He hasn’t thrown another bullpen since. “It just wasn’t responding, nor was his knee,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “There is an effect on the lower half to the compromising of the upper half, the arm. So, trying to mitigate that, we stopped the throwing, stopped the bullpens.” Ohtani was hitting just .184 with no home runs in his first nine games to start the second half before homering as part of a three-hit day to start the Dodgers’ homestand on Tuesday. As of now, there are no plans to shut him down as a hitter to give his ailing body more rest. He said his knee is getting better, and his goal is to focus on hitting until the knee is feeling 100 percent. Right now, he said it’s closer to 90 percent, and there’s no need to force the issue by having him pitch through the pain. The Dodgers are tied for the best record in baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers. They have an 11.5-game lead in the NL West, with reinforcements on the way. Kiké Hernández was activated on Tuesday, about a month ahead of schedule from his grade-3 oblique strain, and will provide depth primarily at third base and in left field. Meanwhile, Díaz is slated to return Wednesday, Snell (elbow) is wrapping up his rehab assignment, Glasnow (back spasms) could be back next month, and catcher Will Smith (neck) has resumed baseball activities. But the longer Ohtani doesn’t pitch, the more time he’s going to need to build back up. Given Ohtani’s importance to the lineup, have the Dodgers considered keeping him strictly as a hitter in October? “Everything that I’ve heard, that’s not the option,” Roberts said. “I guess anything’s possible, but for me, it’s highly unlikely. We’re doing all this, No. 1, to make sure that he’s in a good spot health-wise. But given where we’re at in the calendar, if the knee continues to get better, the arm continues to feel better, I would expect him to pitch.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Here’s the thing: San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller would improve and be a fit for 29 teams. If he’s available for the right price — which figures to be a commanding one, as the star reliever is under contract through 2029 — at the MLB trade deadline, it’s more about who needs the premier reliever more and who can justify giving up a haul to do so with respect to how close they are to World Series contention. Those teams are out there, though. Granted, just one of them will end up with Miller. And with that, here are the three best trade fits for Miller. The Cubs are in the thick of things – Chicago has possession of the No. 1 National League wild-card seed at 61-46 – but they have holes on their pitching staff, and acquiring Miller would emphatically fill one of those voids. Chicago’s bullpen is tied for 22nd in opponent batting average (.247), tied for 14th in WHIP (1.31) and 14th outright in ERA (3.97). Moreover, they’ve collectively blown 17 saves, Jacob Webb leads their staff with just five saves and the Cubs have had 12 different pitchers record a save. Plug Miller in the closer role for the Cubs, and the likes of Webb, Daniel Palencia and Trent Thornton, who are all having successful 2026 campaigns, serve as the bridge to the ninth inning. Miller has been sensational for the Padres this season. The right-handed reliever is 27 for 27 in save situations, while owning an 0.81 ERA, an 0.81 WHIP, a 515 ERA+ and totaling 83 strikeouts and 2.6 wins above replacement over 44 ⅔ innings pitched. What could halt a Miller pursuit by the Cubs, though, is them potentially feeling it’s more prudent and needed to acquire a top-of-the-rotation arm before trading a considerable package for a reliever; Chicago’s starting rotation has been a roller-coaster this season. The White Sox are five wins away from matching their 2025 win total (60), as they stand atop the American League Central at 55-51. Do they make a move to fortify the late innings with the aim of complementing an emerging starting rotation (Davis Martin and Sean Burke continue to progress, with Anthony Kay emerging this season)? Now, Chicago’s bullpen has held its own, as it’s currently eighth in MLB in opponent batting average (.231), 11th in ERA (3.94) and tied for 17th in WHIP (1.32). At the same time, the White Sox have been operating on a by-committee approach in the ninth inning. Moreover, they’ve blown 20 saves, which is tied for third-most in the sport. Acquiring Miller would give the White Sox their undisputed closer, taking the burden off younger/less experienced relievers like Bryan Hudson and Grant Taylor to shut the door. Plus, veteran Seranthony Domínguez, who owns a 4.21 ERA and is 12 of 17 in save situations for Chicago, previously found more success in a setup role with the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. Miller, who leans on his slider and four-seamer, ranks in the 100th percentile of MLB in whiff rate (47.8%) and average fastball velocity (101.4 mph), the 98th percentile in opponent average exit velocity (84.9 mph) and the 97th percentile in chase rate (37.6%), according to Statcast. He has also recorded four-plus outs in six appearances. All that said, one could argue the White Sox should firmly establish themselves as a contender, rather than just an emerging force, before making a trade of this magnitude for their bullpen. For the first time in a decade, the Pittsburgh Pirates — who are one game out of the third NL wild-card seed at 55-53 — are definitively moving in the right direction and have merit to make a move to tie up a loose end. That move could be trading for Miller. For starters, the Pirates have struggled when they go to the bullpen. To date, their relief unit is 24th in ERA (4.41), tied for 23rd in WHIP (1.40) and 17th outright in opponent batting average (.241). Left-hander Gregory Soto has held his own as the team’s primary closer, but he has also blown five saves, and Pittsburgh has collectively blown 19 saves, which is tied for sixth-most in the sport. Where the logic in the Pirates trading for Miller differs from the White Sox — who are in a similar situation with being in playoff contention after a prolonged stretch of not being in that mix — is that Pittsburgh plays in a deeper and more challenging division; the NL Central has three teams with a winning record this season, whereas the AL Central has underwhelmed and sent just one team to the AL Championship Series since 2017. Elsewhere, second baseman Brandon Lowe and first baseman/right fielder Ryan O’Hearn have been impactful veteran complements, while rookie Konnor Griffin (prior to going on the injured list with a finger injury) and fellow former top-10 pick Nick Gonzales have made strides, while outfielder Bryan Reynolds is having a bounce-back season en route to Pittsburgh being second in runs scored (563) and first in hits (980). Sure, the Pirates’ starting rotation has slumped some, but Paul Skenes is the defending NL Cy Young Award winner, Mitch Keller is a proven commodity and Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones are still getting their feet beneath them; this is a starting staff with high-end upside. Pittsburgh could base a trade package for Miller around outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, 2025 first-rounder Seth Hernandez and right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, among other assets. You have to give to get. One could argue it’s not worth trading a trio of top-10 prospects or a similar trade package in value for a pitcher, regardless of how elite they may be, who only pitches a fraction of the innings of a starting pitcher, especially when compared to an All-Star-caliber one, based sheerly on usage. That being said, if you’re going to make such a move for a closer, Miller is on the shortlist of relievers you would do it for — and he could be what pushes the Pirates into the playoffs for the first time since 2015.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

CHICAGO — With pen in hand and talking points rehearsed, new Penn State head coach Matt Campbell introduced himself to the Big Ten and the throngs of reporters attending the conference’s annual media days event in a manner that mimicked his polished predecessor, James Franklin. Campbell’s handy writing utensil provided a callback to Franklin taking notes during weekly news conferences in the Lasch Building. His reverence for Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi and athletics director Pat Kraft could have been cut and pasted from any number of Franklin’s comments in recent years. As could Campbell’s line about the Nittany Lions’ continuing to lead with “character, integrity, class and excellence,” all while chasing the program’s first national championship since 1986. But if everything unfolds according to plan — if Kraft gets validated for dismissing Franklin last October, less than a year removed from reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals, before hiring Campbell in December — then the similarities between his new coach and his old one must stop with their public personas. Campbell is tasked with nudging Penn State over the line Franklin failed to reach at a time when several Big Ten rivals have entrenched themselves atop college football. So for Campbell and Penn State, the Big Ten Media Days represent a comparison between Campbell’s perceived ability to do more with less at Iowa State, and Franklin’s perennial struggle to convert high-end resources into signature wins; between a regime that always seemed to shy away from heightened expectations — especially in public settings like this one — and a group that is now speaking openly about contending for a national title this fall. “If we were ever going to leave Iowa State,” Campbell said, “it was going to have to be a school and an institution that really fit how I believe and what I believe [is the right way to] build culture, how you build a team and how you build forward. I think for the last six months, we’ve been reminded why it was such a great fit for us at Penn State.” The Nittany Lions contention hopes this fall originate with the players’ unwavering belief in Campbell, starting with quarterback Rocco Becht, who followed Campbell from Iowa State. On Tuesday, Becht compared Campbell to Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti when asked to predict the immediate impact he expects from the new staff. When Cignetti jumped from James Madison to IU ahead of the 2024 season, he added more than 30 players via the transfer portal, including 10 who had started for the Dukes. Campbell signed 24 former Iowa State players in a 39-man transfer class, tied for the sixth-largest haul in the country and second-biggest in the Big Ten behind UCLA. Becht described Penn State’s group of former Cyclones as “some of the best players that we had at Iowa State,” a place where Campbell won 19 games over the previous two seasons and reached the Big 12 title game in 2024. Since arriving at Penn State, which lost 18 of 22 starters from last year’s team, those who followed Campbell have become invaluable conduits between the coaching staff and the holdovers from Franklin’s roster who remained with the program. “We’re able to help the transition with other players,” Becht, one of three players representing Penn State, said on Tuesday. “We’re able to help lay that foundation that Coach Campbell wants to build. We won games at Iowa State. Building that over here, we just have the same mindset [while] blending in with the Penn State players. We just want to win, no matter what it looks like.” Campbell, 46, is a consistent winner. Beginning in 2012, he led three nine-win campaigns in four full seasons at Toledo, the last of which earned him MAC Coach of the Year. Then he took home the same award from the Big 12 three times in his first five years at Iowa State. Campbell’s name almost always circulated when marquee jobs became available in college and the NFL. His four wins against top-10 opponents — the same number Franklin amassed in more than twice as many attempts — helped that case. Almost immediately, the former Cyclones who transferred to Penn State offered a discrepancy in Campbell’s approach to the high-leverage moments that eroded Franklin’s standing with the fan base. The Iowa State transfers said Campbell believed a team should prepare the same way each week, regardless of whether the opponent was ranked or winless. The Penn State holdovers described Franklin’s tendency to add more walk-throughs, meetings and details for players to memorize when facing elite competition. Their nerves tightened. “It would be more draining toward us,” Rojas said. “And I think Coach Campbell is going to do a great job, you know, just treating each game like it should be, treating each game opponent like any other. So yeah, I think it was a thing [we struggled with]. But that’s something that we’re going to overcome this year.” Becht, a three-year starter at Iowa State, will be heavily leaned upon as a leader. Entering the 2026 season with more career victories (26) than any active FBS quarterback, he embodies Campbell’s system. Becht became a unifying force for a roster in flux this past winter, lobbying prospective teammates considering a transfer to remain at Penn State. He helped form a group chat with more than three dozen players designed to outline the team’s goals this fall. The expectation, they said, is to win at the highest level. And Campbell is the reason for their confidence. “Being around that guy for four years now,” Becht said, “what he’s been able to build culturally, the standards that he’s been able to build, the expectations that he has for his players, it’s something that I really wanted to be a part of for my last year because we have a special relationship. “And I wanted to bring it somewhere else, I wanted to have a reset, and blending that with Penn State’s rich history — the historic program that it is — is something that I’m super excited to be part of now.” Life after Franklin has begun.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Every year, we see established NFL players bounce back from prior injuries or on-field struggles to deliver standout seasons. The players who produce the biggest bounce-back performances are recognized as nominees for AP Comeback Player of the Year. Recent winners of the award include San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco. Who are the top candidates to make big comebacks in 2026? In descending order, here are my top 12: Coming off a torn Achilles, there’s no telling exactly when Jones will be 100 percent or if he can get back to the level he was playing at in the first half of last season. Remember, mobility is a big part of his game. But Jones, who signed a two-year, $88 million extension with the Colts in March, says he’s a full-go for training camp. Plus, this will be his second year with coach Shane Steichen, whose offense suits the veteran QB. On the downside, longtime Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to Pittsburgh during the offseason and returning wideout Alec Pierce faces a months-long recovery from ankle surgery, so the receiving corps around Jones may not be as potent. Kraft was enjoying a breakout 2025 season before tearing his ACL in Week 9. Once healthy, the former third-round pick has a great chance to continue his ascension. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs’ departure in free agency should open up more opportunities for Kraft in Green Bay’s passing game. Kittle tore his Achilles in January, which would suggest he’ll miss most of the 2026 season. But the five-time All-Pro tight end is hoping for an early return based on the medical feedback he’s received. If that happens, it would be a major boost for a 49ers team that should be among the NFC’s top contenders once again. The Broncos won 14 games with Nix under center last season, and he led all quarterbacks in game-winning drives. His adversity was missing the AFC Championship Game after fracturing his right ankle against the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. He had surgery and later underwent a follow-up procedure to remove bone spurs, but he is expected to be a full-go without limitations in training camp. The 2024 first-round pick could make a big third-year leap with the acquisition of former Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle. After Bosa suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 3 last season, the Niners’ pass rush fell apart. San Francisco ranked last in sacks, second-to-last in pressure rate and third-to-last in pressures in 2025, according to Next Gen Stats. So the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is positioned to make an outsized impact in 2026. Warner has had a full offseason of work after suffering a season-ending right ankle injury last October, so the four-time All-Pro has a good chance of picking up from where he left off. With the return of OLB Dre Greenlaw, who spent last season with Denver after six years with the 49ers, a healthy Warner could be even more difficult for opposing offenses to contain. The Giants hope to have Nabers, who tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 4, ready for the start of the season. With a promising young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, the former LSU star receiver could put together a season that rivals or exceeds his standout rookie campaign in 2024 (109 catches, 1,204 yards, 7 TDs). Parsons will likely miss the start of 2026 after tearing his ACL in December. But he’s expected to be 100 percent for what the Packers expect to be a deep playoff run, elevating Green Bay into the contention conversation with his ability to wreak havoc. After ranking third in receiving yards as a rookie, Thomas went through a sophomore slump in 2025, finishing with just 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns. All signs point to the ex-LSU star getting back on track in 2026 after dealing with wrist, shoulder and ankle injuries last season. He’ll also be in his second season in Liam Coen’s offense. During OTAs, a healthy Thomas displayed his growing chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Murray missed the final 11 games last season due to a foot injury and signed with the Vikings in March after his release by the Cardinals. In Minnesota, he has a quarterback-friendly head coach in Kevin O’Connell and the best supporting cast of his career, positioning him to have a Pro Bowl-caliber season. After Mahomes tore his ACL and the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in his career, look for the two-time NFL MVP to return in 2026 with a vengeance. He’s been cleared for full practice participation after his December knee surgery. If WR1 Rashee Rice — returning from his own knee procedure — is healthy, Mahomes has a promising skill group around him. The addition of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City backfield will take pressure off Mahomes in the pass game, too. Daniels missed 10 games in 2025 due to a dislocated left elbow, a knee sprain and a hamstring strain. As a result, the Commanders won just five games after making the NFC Championship Game the season prior. A healthy Daniels is capable of producing like an elite quarterback, making Washington a dark-horse contender in the NFC.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

More than three weeks have passed since the U.S. men’s national team crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a resounding 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16, and for USA greats Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, the lopsided defeat still stings. “I haven’t even watched the game back,” Altidore, the program’s third all-time goalscoring leader behind only Dempsey and Landon Donovan, told me after the tournament was over. “It’s difficult to swallow.” “It’s a little bit deflating, the way they crashed out of the World Cup,” Dempsey added when we caught up last weekend. Dempsey and Altidore were teammates on the Stars and Stripes 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads. The Americans won their group, ahead of England, in 2010, before an extra-time loss to Ghana in the round of 16. The U.S. survived the Group of Death over Ghana and Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal in 2014, losing in extra time to Belgium at the same stage. Playing in a home World Cup for the first time in 32 years, the expectation for the 2026 version was to reach the quarters for the first time since 2002, or at least match their predecessors with a respectable showing in the round of 16. That’s not how it played out. Despite multi-goal group stage victories against Australia and Paraguay and a round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, coach Mauricio Pochettino’s high-risk, high-reward style was exposed against a Belgian side that methodically targeted U.S. frailties in goal and along the back line. “We conceded too many goals — that’s what I was worried about,” Dempsey said. “Look at Spain — not to say that we are Spain, but they only conceded one goal throughout the whole World Cup.” The two American soccer legends are finally getting a break after a breakneck last two months spent broadcasting sports’ marquee event, Dempsey as an analyst with FOX Sports and Altidore with Spanish-language network Telemundo. On site for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on July 19, the decisive match was a homecoming for the New Jersey-born Altidore, who began his professional career with the New York Red Bulls. “I used to get dropped off at Giants Stadium by my mom in our Toyota Camry when I was 15, and now I’m back in this same place, but it’s for a World Cup final,” he said. ‘New Faces’ For USA’s Squad Altidore and Dempsey’s post-World Cup rest won’t last long. They’ll both be paying close attention to the players returning to action at their clubs, especially the MLS-based contingent. Following a two-month World Cup break, the domestic league returned to action in mid-July and is hoping to capitalize on the unprecedented explosion of interest in soccer within the broader American public. Later this week, the top 18 MLS teams from last season will also embark on the latest edition of the Leagues Cup, joining all 18 squads from Mexico’s Liga MX in a World Cup-style tournament. The schedule features as many as seven inter-league matches a day during the 10-day first round — many of them in prime time. Two youngsters who just missed out on Pochettino’s World Cup roster – Real Salt Lake duo Zavier Gozo and Diego Luna – will be in action on opening night on Aug 4., when RSL hosts Mexican powerhouse Tigres. “Hopefully, there’s some young bloods coming up in the national team to push these starters and give them a run for their money,” Dempsey said. “The best teams in the world, they have that mix of quality right now, but also younger players who have no fear that are coming up and chomping at their heels.” Altidore was more succinct: “We need new faces,” he said. The harder the games they play as young pros, the better. The 2026 Leagues Cup, which for the first three years of its existence was hosted entirely in the U.S., will also feature games in Mexico. Dempsey’s former club, the defending champion Seattle Sounders, visit Toluca on Aug. 5, while San Diego FC faces mighty Club América at the iconic, 88,000-seat Estadio Azteca in Mexico City the following night. Those experiences will help battle-test the next generation of Americans, many of whom were no doubt inspired by what they saw from the USA during its first four games at the World Cup before the wheels fell off against Belgium. “There a lot of positives you can take away from how they performed in the three games that they won,” Dempsey said, noting that the Los Angeles Olympics are just two years away and possibly another U.S.-hosted Copa América, too. “I’m a fan, so I have rose-colored glasses on. But I’m excited about this team. There is a little bit of a ‘back to reality’ when the World Cup is over, but there’s so much to look forward to.” That goes with whoever the coach is, Dempsey said. Pochettino is out of contract and has not yet agreed to the extension through 2030 that U.S. Soccer has on the table. “Under Pochettino, I saw a team that had an identity and made me excited about watching them play,” Dempsey said. “If he can continue moving things forward, and he’s passionate about being here, then that’s what’s up. And if he’s not, it’s the next man up. I don’t know what the situation is. I figure the ball’s in his court, and he can decide what he wants to do.” Either way, the big picture is bright. Soccer is already more mainstream than it was two months ago. The 2026 World Cup was a cultural phenomenon in this country, one that will have a lasting impact on the sport for decades to come, despite the disappointing exit for the co-hosts. “You can feel the tide turning in a real way,” Altidore said. “I can’t stress enough how important it is for MLS teams in every city to really be on the front foot here. People are watching, they’re listening, their eyes and ears are open to something different. It creates an opportunity to take advantage of.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

We can expect a flurry of moves to take place ahead of Major League Baseball’s trade deadline on Aug. 3 – and before we do, let’s make some predictions on where the top trade candidates will land. It was tough to narrow down the list to just eight players with so many trade chips potentially available this summer, so we focused on the most intriguing names that, at the very least, have a greater than zero chance of being dealt. Let’s dive in. Teams Interested: Dodgers, Yankees, Brewers, Rays, Cubs, Phillies, Braves (Everyone) Player breakdown: The two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner is the deadline’s unquestioned top prize. He returned from an early May bone chip surgery by the middle of June, and has since looked every bit like himself, which is to say, a dream deadline acquisition contenders are fawning over. Skubal struck out 12 Royals and allowed one run over 7.1 innings in his most recent start, dropping his season ERA to 2.70. Even post-surgery, his fastball still nearly touches 100 mph, and he’s one of the most accessible and friendly superstars in the game, so there’s no need for any contender to worry about how he’ll fit into a winning, tight-knit clubhouse in a pennant race. And if you think the buzz surrounding Skubal right now is extreme, just wait until the upcoming offseason. The 29-year-old southpaw is on the cusp of free agency, so any interested team will be renting a true ace for their postseason run, which is why the price will be enormous. The deadline opens up the opportunity for smaller-market teams to push all their prospect chips in for Skubal. In free agency, those same teams will be unable to afford him. Alas, there’s always a complicated factor with Detroit’s own standing. The Tigers sit four games back of the final AL Wild Card spot with five teams ahead of them after dropping their last three games. If they believe they can make a run for an AL playoff spot, they’ll hang onto Skubal, relinquishing their prime opportunity for a massive haul. Explanation: I’m not fully convinced that they’ll really go for it, but here’s why they absolutely should. Tampa Bay has the best record in the AL at 62-43 and multiple reports suggest the Rays could be the deadline’s biggest surprise buyer. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2023, FanGraphs has them ranked as the top farm system in MLB, and their 2.5-game lead over the Yankees is shrinking. The Rays have both the motivation and the young, talent-rich farm system to put together a package Detroit’s front office would find hard to refuse. That said, this is genuinely a coin flip. Per reports, the Dodgers will remain engaged on Skubal if he’s truly available. The Brewers have also been connected to the ace. And if Detroit gets hot over the next few days and claws back into a wild-card position, all of this could change and Skubal may not move at all. Teams Interested: Yankees, Mariners, Pirates, Brewers Player breakdown: Miller is the most electric arm in the bullpen market this year — if San Diego decides to make him available. He enters the stretch run with a 0.82 ERA, NL-leading 27 saves, and 80 strikeouts in 43.2 innings this season, but it hardly matters at this point just how dominant he’s been. As long as he’s healthy, Miller is extremely appealing because he’s not just a rental. The 27-year-old is under team control through 2029, making him a rare deadline target who combines elite talent and long-term value. Still, any team acquiring him would need to pay a premium far beyond a typical two-month reliever rental. We can’t rule anything out with AJ Preller. Explanation: The Padres would have to be blown away by an offer for Miller, and I just don’t see the desperation being that high for contenders who are looking to add a bullpen arm, particularly when there are more affordable options on the market. The Mets’ expected wide-ranging sell-off includes four relief arms on the trade block, with Luke Weaver representing the best of the bunch. Weaver is another right-handed, high-leverage reliever like Miller. Although not as elite, he’s also under team control for another season. Plus, the Padres might end up being buyers at the deadline after winning their last three games, bringing them just 1.5 games out of the final NL wild card spot with four teams in front of them, which lessens the odds that Preller will part ways with Miller. Teams Interested: Yankees, Brewers, Red Sox, Rays Player breakdown: Say hello to the best offensive shortstop in baseball this season. Abrams’ breakout year has been terrific to watch unfold after the former first-round draft pick is finally putting together the elite performance the Nationals expected when they traded for him three years ago. Abrams, who has easily surpassed his career mark in home runs with 27 so far this year, leads MLB with 82 RBI and his 156 OPS+ leads all major-league shortstops. Abrams took his talent to another level this year, which makes him the best hitter on the market — if he’s actually available. The Nationals already dealt one of their infielders in Curtis Mead, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re full-on sellers at this deadline. Since Washington is listening to offers for Abrams, he would be a great match for the Yankees, who have a shortstop problem, though I remain skeptical New York is willing to move on from Anthony Volpe. The Brewers tried trading for Abrams over the offseason, per a report from The Athletic, but they balked at the Nats’ high asking price. The Red Sox have reportedly checked in on Abrams, but it seems more unlikely they’ll make another infield trade with Washington after acquiring Mead. The Rays, who are expected to be aggressive buyers, are in the market for help on offense and Abrams would be an excellent match for Tampa. Explanation: Abrams is still just 25 years old with two more years of team control before he hits free agency. That timeline lines up with the Nationals’ contention window over the next couple of years, and Abrams is a potential franchise cornerstone. Much like they handled this over the offseason, the Nats will want a major haul for Abrams if he does move, but I just don’t believe they’ll really go through with it, sitting one game behind the final NL wild card spot with just two teams in front of them. Why not give Abrams the chance to experience what it takes to make an impact in a meaningful pennant race? Washington is better off resisting tempting offers and focusing on their future offensive potential fueled by Abrams and his close friend and teammate, left fielder James Wood. Teams Interested: Yankees, Rays, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Pirates, Padres Player breakdown: The market for catchers itself is thin since few true contenders have an obvious hole behind the plate right now. Colorado’s Hunter Goodman is less likely to be traded than Jeffers, who’s in the midst of a career year at the plate, batting .293/.395/.535 with a 158 OPS+ in 46 games despite his season being briefly interrupted by a hamate fracture. That Jeffers has bounced back from his stint on the injured list is great news for Minnesota, since this is now the club’s best chance to cash in before he hits free agency this winter. Jeffers’ defensive growth makes him more than just a bat-first trade chip. Now in his seventh year in the big leagues, Jeffers has developed into a roughly average defensive catcher, which removes the concern some contenders may have about him being only a DH. He also brings real power to be a threat at DH even on days he isn’t catching, underlined by his .557 slugging that’s ranked fourth among all qualified MLB hitters, which widens his appeal and lets a team plug him in almost anywhere in the lineup. Explanation: The Yankees’ production from their catchers this season has been abysmal. The combination of Austin Wells, Ali Sanchez and J.C. Escarra has produced a .186 batting average and a 58 wRC+ that are both ranked 28th in the majors. Any reservations Yankees general manager Brian Cashman might have about bringing in an external catcher who would have to learn a whole new pitching staff should be cast aside right now. The Yankees not only need more thump from their catchers, but they also need a right-handed offensive bat to help carry the lineup while Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and now, Cody Bellinger, remain sidelined with injury. Jeffers is a pure rental with his control running out at the end of the season, which would give the Yankees something like a trial run to see whether he could be a fit for their long-term solution at backstop. Teams Interested: Rays, Nationals, Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, Guardians, Pirates Player breakdown: Arraez has quietly become one of the most improved trade chips in baseball this year. He was considered a defensive liability at second base as recently as three years ago, but his glove work there under Ron Washington’s tutelage has turned into a genuine strength, changing how teams could value him. His lack of power and speed had previously been offset by concerns about where he could play defensively. Now that the glove has caught up — and the power, too, to some extent — interested teams are looking at a more complete player than the one who hit the open market a year or two ago. Arraez’s bat, of course, was never really in doubt. He remains one of the toughest hitters in the league to strike out, and that bat-to-ball skill is crucial in October when contact becomes more valuable against dominant pitching staffs. Throw in his ability to shift over to first base when needed, and he gives any contender real lineup flexibility. Explanation: Tampa Bay makes sense as a fit for nearly every top trade candidate this year, and it’s easy to see why. The Rays are playing like a legitimate contender for the first time in a few years and, as previously mentioned, they have the prospect depth to add without touching their long-term core. A high-contact, defensively sound infielder like Arraez slots naturally into a Rays team built on athleticism and situational hitting, and his ability to cover either second or first gives them flexibility. Arraez is set to hit free agency after this season, so he won’t command a package built around years of control, which is right up the Rays’ alley. Teams Interested: Cubs, Braves, Rays, Dodgers, Brewers Player breakdown: As we inch closer to the Mets’ long-expected deadline sell-off, Peralta has been the name on everyone’s minds for months now. The only problem is, he hasn’t kept up his end of the deal. The 30-year-old is in the midst of his worst career season, registering a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts this year after posting a 2.70 ERA in 33 outings for the Brewers last year. The silver lining is he’s been healthy, tied for the most games started in the majors this year. Peralta is the ultimate change-of-scenery candidate for any contender who believes he’s close to returning to the Cy Young-caliber player he represented just one year ago. Explanation: Chicago needs a frontline starter, and more arms in general, arguably more than any other contender. They could make a serious push for Peralta and even fellow Mets starter Clay Holmes, who was pitching like an ace before he was hit by a comebacker and broke his fibula. Holmes is working his way back from that injury in time to be traded at the deadline, and Peralta has familiarity with Cubs manager Craig Counsell from their years together in Milwaukee. Chicago already engaged in a trade with the Mets for a starting pitcher last month, but David Peterson has coughed up 15 earned runs in 26.2 innings since joining the Cubs. Even if the Cubs prefer to look elsewhere than Queens for pitching, it’s hard to ignore how much of a match the Mets are when it comes to an abundance of arms, including in the bullpen. Teams Interested: Yankees, Rays, Braves, Red Sox, Blue Jays Player breakdown: The Angels have been out of contention for most of the year, and the front office is finally showing some willingness to look forward and listen to offers on their best trade chips. Even the attempt to listen is a departure from how the Angels have typically operated. The organization has a long history of holding onto talent past the point it made sense to sell — remember that they absurdly held onto Shohei Ohtani until he reached free agency — so any real movement here would be a genuine shift in approach. And even so, whether that approach includes Neto is anyone’s guess. Neto’s appeal for contenders is straightforward. He’s a young, talented shortstop under team control through 2029. The 25-year-old has quietly been steady at the plate since he made his major-league debut, flashing a 117 OPS+ since 2024, and that kind of consistent production is not readily available on the trade market. Neto’s long-term value is also why any deal would likely require a substantial package. Explanation: Despite being mentioned as a trade chip, the more plausible outcome is that Neto stays in Anaheim, at least for now. Ownership has historically been reluctant to fully commit to a rebuild, and moving a controllable, everyday shortstop is a much bigger step than dealing arms like Jose Soriano or Reid Detmers. If the Angels do eventually decide to shop Neto, the return would be steep enough that a deal within a single trade-deadline week seems less likely than a slower-developing conversation that could carry into the offseason. Teams Interested: Cubs, Braves, White Sox, Rangers, Twins Player breakdown: The Blue Jays haven’t been able to get going all year, and even though they could convince themselves they’re back in the race following a strong winning streak, time is running out with several expiring contracts to justify standing pat. And since they’re still in between sellers and buyers, Gausman represents their best trade bait. His signature splitter remains one of the better weapons in the league when he’s locating it, and even in a down year (4.51 ERA in 22 starts, paired with a more encouraging 3.58 FIP), he still brings experience and swing-and-miss ability that belongs in a playoff rotation. Plus, he’s a rental. Acquiring Gausman doesn’t necessarily mean a contending team would need to tap into the top of their farm system. For a Blue Jays front office weighing whether this is still the year to compete or the year to start retooling for next season, Gausman represents one of the easier decisions on the roster. Explanation: Gausman’s veteran presence makes sense in a Braves rotation that just needs healthy starting pitching. His destination is already somewhat narrowed because he can block trades to eight teams, which, according to reports, include the White Sox, Pirates, Brewers, Tigers, Mariners, Mets, A’s and Reds. We can most likely throw the Yankees and the rest of the AL East into that mix, since Toronto is unlikely to deal him to a division rival. I think this will come down to the Braves or Cubs, who we know are in need of arms, with Atlanta as the frontrunner. Other Names To Watch: Clay Holmes (RHP/Mets), Robbie Ray (LHP/Giants), Luke Weaver (RHP/Mets), Luis Robert Jr. (CF/Mets), Reid Detmers (LHP/Angels), Foster Griffin (LHP/Nationals), Casey Mize (RHP/Tigers), Jeremy Peña (SS/Astros).​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports