July 17, 2025
Despite spending a combined $107 million in free agency on relievers
Tanner Scott,
Blake Treinen (forearm) and
Kirby Yates, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to pursue bullpen help at the trade deadline this summer, according to sources briefed on their plans. Scott has allowed eight home runs and has a 4.09 ERA after allowing just three homers and posting a 1.75 ERA in 2024 with the Marlins and Padres. In addition to Scott's struggles,
Evan Phillips (elbow) had Tommy John surgery on June 4 and Treinen,
Michael Kopech (knee) and
Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) are all on the injured list. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman tried to build the bullpen with an embarrassment of riches in terms of depth, but it just hasn't worked out in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
July 17, 2025
Miami Marlins catcher
Rob Brantly cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and was outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. Brantly will remain in the organization after missing almost three months earlier this season with a strained right lat and a knee injury. The 36-year-old veteran backstop only played in three games before his injuries this year for Miami and went 3-for-7 with an RBI and a strikeout. For now, he'll remain on the farm to provide catching depth behind
Agustin Ramirez and
Nick Fortes at the major-league level. In parts of 10 big-league seasons with six different teams, Brantly has a career slash line of just .226/.286/.323 with seven home runs, 38 RBI and 32 runs scored in 140 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 17, 2025
Miami Marlins third baseman
Connor Norby (hand) had surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his left hand on Wednesday in Arizona, according to Craig Mish of Sports Grid. Norby is expected to miss six to eight weeks. The 25-year-old won't be able to return until at least late August, leaving him little time to help fantasy managers the rest of the way in 2025. In single-year fantasy leagues, managers must weigh the cost of holding the former second-rounder into the second half of the season if they have other roster needs. In 253 at-bats in the first half for the Fish, Norby slashed .241/.289/.364 with a below-average .653 OPS, only six home runs, 26 RBI, 33 runs and seven stolen bases. Heading into the second half without Norby at the hot corner, expect the Marlins to mix and match at third base with
Graham Pauley and
Javier Sanoja.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Grid - Craig Mish
July 17, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
Taj Bradley showed off a high ceiling during a dominant stretch last season, but the promising righty has struggled this season. His strikeout rate has dropped from 26.6% to 20.4% while his ERA has ballooned to 4.60 with a 1.27 WHIP. His FIP, SIERA, and xERA indicate he has gotten a little unlucky to give up so many runs with the quality of contact against him, but he hasn't been able to really find a good groove. He was a top prospect at one point and still has an extremely high ceiling, so if the Rays are willing to move him at a reasonable price, many teams will be interested in his high upside. The raw potential is there for Bradley, but he may need a new team to get him to find the consistency to be a front-line starter.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Bob Nightingale
July 17, 2025
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. got a late start to the season after recovering from his knee injury, but he showed he still has amazing upside in his limited playing time before the All-Star break. In 45 games, Acuna hit .323 with 12 homers, 39 runs scored, 22 RBI, and a .437 wOBA. His 52.3% hard-hit rate and 18.3% barrel rate back up his good power numbers. The one category that has understandably been a little slower to return to form is his stolen base production. He is a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts, but has been less aggressive than pre-injury so far in his return. As he gets more comfortable, he should pick that up in the second half and continue to be one of the top producers in fantasy baseball. He'll try to help the Braves save their season, but they start the second half 9.5 games out of the third and final Wild Card spot, so there's lots of work to do.
--Zach ThompsonSource: FanGraphs
July
17,
2025
Chicago
White
Sox
outfielder
Luis
Robert
Jr.
is
getting
plenty
of
attention
ahead
of
the
MLB
trade
deadline
and
could
be
one
of
the
best
bats
available
to
teams
shopping
for
offense.
MLB
Network's
Jon
Heyman
reported
read more...
July 17, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Bryan Reynolds is one of the biggest bats available for teams looking for an offensive upgrade as we approach the trade deadline. Not all teams can get in on the action, though, since the outfielder has a no-trade list that includes the Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants, and Padres. The 30-year-old righty has been extremely consistent over the last few seasons with at least 24 home runs in four straight years while hitting over .260 with a wOBA over .335. This year, though, he's hitting only .225 with 10 homers and a .287 wOBA. His underlying metrics have been coming around lately, and he looks like he could have a bounce-back second half, but it remains to be seen what uniform he'll wear the rest of the way. Reynolds comes with a hefty contract and is owed over $77 million through the 2030 season with a club option for 2031.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Noah Hiles
July
17,
2025
The
Miami
Marlins
have
exceeded
expectations
this
season,
but
are
still
expected
to
be
sellers
at
the
trade
deadline
to
some
extent.
The
team
is
listening
to
offers
for
starting
pitchers
Sandy
Alcantara
and
read more...
July 17, 2025
Cincinnati Reds third baseman
Noelvi Marte is entering the second half swinging a hot bat and could continue to find success. Marte has dealt with injuries this season, but has been effective when on the field. Over his final seven games of the first half, Marte went 7-for-22 with a double and three home runs. He swiped one bag, tallied four RBI, and scored four runs. Through 28 total games this season, Marte has posted a .284/.337/.547 slash line with five doubles, six home runs, and five stolen bases. Under the hood, the former top prospect has generated a .335 xwOBA, .464 xSLG, and a 73.8 mph bat speed, which are all above the average marks. Additionally, he ranks in the 93rd percentile in sprint speed. Marte is worth adding in all category formats as he has the skill set to contribute to all five standard categories. If he continues to see consistent playing time, he could push for a 20/20 season.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
July 17, 2025
Washington Nationals third base prospect
Brady House enjoyed a strong conclusion to the first half and could be poised to continue to improve in the second. Over his final nine games, the No. 81-ranked prospect in baseball on MLB.com posted an impressive .297/.316/.514 slash line with two doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI. During his first 14 games in D.C., House carried a modest .232/.267/.286 line with just three doubles and no home runs. The 22-year-old has generated an impressive .291 xBA with an above-average 35.2% LA sweet-spot rate, which suggests he should continue to enjoy success. However, his power has yet to fully translate to the big leagues. Earlier in the season, House hit 13 home runs and held a .519 SLG through 65 games with Triple-A. House is worth adding in all standard leagues as he could be a viable corner infielder with power upside during the final months of the season.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
July
17,
2025
Chicago
Cubs
third
baseman
Matt
Shaw
is
in
danger
of
losing
playing
time
during
the
second
half.
Shaw
was
able
to
break
camp
with
the
MLB
roster
but
struggled
during
his
first
look.
Through
his
first
read more...
July
17,
2025
Tampa
Bay
Rays
right-handed
pitcher
Joe
Boyle
could
have
a
very
limited
role
when
the
Rays
open
the
second
half
with
a
weekend
series
against
the
Baltimore
Orioles.
During
the
final
two
weeks
of
the
first
read more...
July 17, 2025
Boston Red Sox infield prospect
Marcelo Mayer has begun to find his swing and could be poised to break out in the second half. Over his final five games before the All-Star break. Mayer has held a .313/.353/.500 slash line with three doubles, two RBI, and three runs. Before this recent surge, the former fourth overall pick held a .217 AVG over his last eight contests. In addition, Boston recently noted that Mayer will be the primary second baseman going forward with
Alex Bregman back in action. This is a great sign for the top prospect as he is beginning to find his swing and is not in any danger of losing playing time. Under the hood, he has generated an elite 52.5% hard-hit rate with a 74.2 mph bat speed. Despite his slow start, he is worth rostering in all 12-team formats in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July
17,
2025
Houston
Astros
infield
prospect
Brice
Matthews
has
struggled
to
find
his
footing
during
his
first
taste
of
the
major
leagues.
Matthews
made
his
MLB
debut
on
July
11
but
has
gone
0-for-7
during
his
first
two
read more...
July 17, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher
Bobby Miller spent most of the 2025 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he has struggled. Across 64.2 innings at Triple-A, Miller owns a 5.15 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and just a 2.4 percent strikeout minus walk rate. The latter mark is the fourth worst among all starters at Triple-A this season with at least 50 innings. It's been a frustrating couple of years for the flamethrowing right-hander, as he's made just one start in the majors this season at home against the Rockies, and coughed up six runs in three innings. After looking like one of baseball's brightest young starters in 2023, it's been a nightmarish two years to follow. Only 26 years old, he'll look to bounce back in the second half and generate some positive momentum.
--Kyle McCarthySource: FanGraphs
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