RADIO
Sonny Gray Unlikely to be Dealt at Trade Deadline
There are complications in Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray's contract that make it unlikely he'll be dealt at this year's trade deadline, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan. For one, Gray has a no-trade clause. Secondly, on top of the $10 million he'd be owed in salary for the final two months of the season, his restructured contract after his trade from the St. Louis Cardinals includes a $10 million buyout on a $30 million mutual option for 2027. It makes Gray a pretty pricey deadline pitching acquisition, which makes it unlikely that he's dealt unless Boston is willing to pay down a significant portion and convince Gray to accept a deal. Despite below-average velocity, the 36-year-old veteran continues to find ways to get hitters out with his cutter-shaped fastball as his primary weapon. His deep arsenal has allowed him to have a fantastic first year in Boston in 2026, going 10-1 with a 2.61 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings over his 16 starts. If Gray were to be traded, his best fits would be with the Braves, Padres, Cubs, Brewers, or White Sox.
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Is Ryan Sloan the Next Mariners Pitcher to Debut?
Seattle Mariners right-handed pitching prospect Ryan Sloan has spent the entire 2026 season at the Double-A level but has been overshadowed by his teammate Kade Anderson. While Anderson has recently jumped Sloan on the team prospect board (on MLB.com), Sloan possesses nearly as much upside, sitting as MLB.com's No. 8 overall prospect and the team's No. 2 overall prospect. Through the first half of the 2026 season, the 55th overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft has posted a 4.04 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over his first 62 1/3 innings at Double-A. He has struck out an impressive 77 hitters and walked only 12. During the 2025 season, Sloan made his professional debut and tossed 82 innings with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over stints in the lower levels. Given Sloan's previous professional experience, the Mariners could turn to him first, rather than Anderson, when they need depth down the stretch. For now, Sloan is worth close monitoring, as a promotion to Triple-A could be imminent.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Luis Arraez as Good as Gone at This Year's Trade Deadline?
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan believe there is a 90% chance that the San Francisco Giants will trade infielder Luis Arraez at this year's deadline. Despite being 29 years old and primarily a batting average asset, Arraez "has done more to improve himself in the eyes of teams" than most other big trade candidates around the league. His defense at second base in San Fran has been among the best in the league. The three-time All-Star and three-time batting champion is going to lead baseball in strikeout rate for the fifth straight season. His versatility -- he also has experience at first base -- will only expand his trade market, making it likely he'll join his fifth different team in five years. Arraez's MLB-best contact ability combined with newfound defensive value will have more teams interested in him than they were when he was a free agent in the offseason. The Rays, Nationals, Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, Guardians, and Pirates could all be in on him. Arraez is currently slashing .327/.364/.462 with an .826 OPS, four homers, 34 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 45 runs scored in 86 games with the Gigantes.
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Tarik Skubal Given 85 Percent Chance of Being Traded
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan list the chances of Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal being traded at this year's deadline at 85%. Many were wondering if Skubal's trade value would tank after he had surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow, but he returned swiftly and is already hitting 99.9 mph with his fastball, so those concerns have been answered. Considering the hole the Tigers have dug for themselves -- they are 6.5 games back in the American League Central division and five games back of the final AL wild-card spot -- "they are far more likely than not to move Skubal." The two-time AL Cy Young winner (in back-to-back years) is the "dream deadline candidate" as an ace who has the potential to carry a team in the playoffs. But whoever lands Skubal will "pay an enormous price." Despite his elbow setback, the 29-year-old southpaw is still the same elite pitcher who relies on a mid-to-high-90s fastball with one of the best changeups in the league. ESPN lists Skubal's best fits as the Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, Brewers, Blue Jays, and Rays. Through 12 starts and 70 2/3 innings this year, Skubal is 5-4 with a 3.06 ERA (3.13 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 84 K's and 10 walks.
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Cooper Ingle Remains a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target Despite Slow Start
Cleveland Guardians catcher/outfielder Cooper Ingle has gotten off to a slow start since making his MLB debut on June 26, logging just two hits in his first 24 big league plate appearances. However, Ingle is one of the highest-rated prospects in the Guardians system and was having an excellent year at Triple-A before his promotion, hitting .284/.416/.551 with 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 33 runs scored, and one stolen base across 221 plate appearances. Cleveland has deployed Ingle exclusively in either left field or at designated hitter since calling him up, which gives him more playing time upside than a typical fantasy catcher. The 24-year-old also demonstrated elite plate skills during his time in the minors, posting more walks (86) than strikeouts (85) across 510 plate appearances in 2025. Despite his early struggles, Ingle remains a priority waiver wire candidate for fantasy managers in search of power upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer Emerging as a Batting Average Asset on the Waiver Wire
Athletics infield prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer has gotten off to a hot start since making his MLB debut on June 29, logging 12 hits in his first 27 big-league plate appearances. The 23-year-old opened 2026 in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A in mid-May, hitting .323/.367/.478 with seven home runs, 44 RBI, 76 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases across 365 plate appearances split between the two levels. Kuroda-Grauer has gotten near-everyday run since his promotion and has a chance to emerge as the Athletics' primary third baseman if he can continue to produce. His power upside for fantasy managers is minimal, as he logged a 2.2% barrel rate at Triple-A this season. However, Kuroda-Grauer owns elite contact skills and stole 27 bases across 121 minor league games in 2025. For fantasy managers looking for some batting average and speed upside, Kuroda-Grauer could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Anthony Seigler Emerging as a High-Floor Waiver-Wire Target
Since being promoted to the big leagues in early June, Boston Red Sox infielder Anthony Seigler is hitting .298/.375/.456 with one home run, three RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 27-year-old has emerged as Boston's near-everyday second baseman and leadoff hitter in recent games. Seigler may not carry much power upside for fantasy managers, as he owns a 2.2% barrel rate across 137 career MLB plate appearances. Still, he logged a 16.4% walk rate across 159 Triple-A plate appearances before his promotion this season and a 16.9% walk rate across 307 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. Seigler also stole 23 bases across 72 minor league games last season, so he carries some speed upside to go along with his stable batting average and on-base production. In deeper league formats, Seigler could be a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Logan Henderson to Come Off Injured List and Start on Thursday
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Logan Henderson (back) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list and start in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Henderson will be making his first start for the Brew Crew since landing on the 15-day injured list in late May with a back strain. He made two minor-league rehab appearances and threw 6 2/3 innings while giving up two earned runs, striking out 11, and walking two. Henderson should be considered a priority waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers in all leagues who are searching for some rotation upgrades. He's currently rostered in just 46% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2021 out of McLennan Community College will be a shaky option for starting lineups on Thursday, though, just because he might not be stretched out enough for a full workload in his first game back. Henderson threw only 68 pitches in his final rehab start. Since debuting with Milwaukee in 2025, he's been solid, going 5-1 with a 2.23 ERA (2.73 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 63 K's and 14 walks in 48 1/3 innings across 10 starts.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Is Elvis Alvarado a Worthy Deep-League Saves Stash?
Across 25 1/3 innings (24 games) in 2026, Athletics right-hander Elvis Alvarado has recorded a 5.33 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 32 strikeouts, and two saves. While Alvarado's surface-level numbers are not amazing, he's averaged 99.1 miles per hour on his fastball and owns a 31.1% strikeout rate. The Athletics have largely operated with a committee approach in the ninth inning so far this season, and Alvarado has not recorded a save since mid-June. Still, the 27-year-old's electric stuff makes him a higher-upside option for the A's than left-hander Hogan Harris, who currently leads the team with six saves. Alvarado is not a guaranteed source of production for fantasy managers, but he may still be worth stashing off the waiver wire in deeper leagues for his second-half breakout potential.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Max Muncy a Worthy Power Target for Deep-League Managers?
Across 175 plate appearances so far this season, Athletics infielder Max Muncy is hitting .227/.303/.396 with five home runs, 20 RBI, 24 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The 23-year-old opened the year as the near-everyday third baseman for the Athletics, but he suffered a fractured hand in late April that sidelined him until early June. Since his return, Muncy has been limited to more of a part-time role and is currently behind infield prospect Joshua Kuroder-Grauer on the A's depth chart at third base. Still, Muncy owns an 11.1% barrel rate and a 48.5% hard-hit rate this season. If Kuroder-Grauer runs into some early-career struggles, Muncy could work his way back into a regular role for the Athletics. In deeper league formats, fantasy managers may want to consider targeting Muncy on the waiver wire for his power upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Kahlil Watson an Emerging Power/Speed Threat on the Waiver Wire?
Across 62 plate appearances since making his MLB debut on June 18, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Kahlil Watson is hitting .233/.258/.333 with one home run, nine RBI, three runs scored, and six stolen bases. With Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) currently on the injured list due to a fractured foot, Watson has emerged as a near-everyday player for Cleveland. The 23-year-old's underlying plate skills are concerning, as he's logged just a 3.2% walk rate while striking out in 35.5% of his plate appearances. However, Watson owns a strong 10.5% barrel rate, and he posted a 49.7% hard-hit rate across 254 plate appearances at Triple-A this season before being promoted. Watson also stole 15 bases in the minors, so he carries some power/speed upside for fantasy managers. In deeper league formats, Watson could be worth taking a flier on as a waiver wire pickup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elmer Rodriguez Strikes Out Six in Latest Start, Back on Stash Radar?
New York Yankees pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez struck out six in his latest start at Triple-A, though he also yielded eight hits (one home run) and a pair of walks across 6 1/3 innings pitched. The Yankees' third-ranked prospect is biding his time at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre until he is needed again in the big leagues. The team has already called him up twice this season, and the results were not great. The right-hander made four starts and pitched to a 4.76 ERA (6.11 xFIP), 1.76 WHIP, and walked more batters (11) than he struck out (10) in 17 innings of work. The 6-foot-4 hurler is slated to pitch for the RailRiders again on Thursday, though the Yankees also do not currently have a starter announced for their Thursday matchup against Tampa Bay, so perhaps Rodriguez could be an option. Nevertheless, fantasy managers desperate for pitching help should monitor the situation as the 22-year-old could be in line for another call-up shortly, even if it doesn't come Thursday, though there is little reason to stash him in most leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ryan Jeffers Continuing his Rehab Assignment
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (wrist) will continue his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on the Saints' road trip to Triple-A Iowa, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Manager Derek Shelton said that Jeffers is likely "going to be with them for at least the next three or four days" as he ramps up his catching workload. The Twins most likely want to see Jeffers catch in back-to-back games before reinstating him from the 10-day injured list. At this point, with the All-Star break coming on July 13-16, it seems unlikely that Jeffers will rejoin the Twins before the end of the first half of the season this Sunday. He's gone 6-for-13 with two home runs in his four rehab games, so he's already looking good with the bat. Jeffers is recovering from surgery in late May to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand, but this is a reminder to check whether he's available on your waiver wire if you need catching help. He was hitting .295 (36-for-122) with seven homers, 26 RBI, and 26 runs before his injury as the Twins' starting catcher. Jeffers is rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Quinn Mathews Trending Up, is He a Stash Ahead of Eventual Debut?
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has been pitching well all season for Triple-A Memphis, but has really been making the case for a major league debut since late May. Over his last seven starts, the Cards' sixth-ranked prospect has pitched to a 2.23 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 21.4 percent K-BB% with 46 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings pitched. The southpaw's opponent batting average is just .178 on the year, but he has been prone to allowing home runs this season, with a gaudy 24.0 percent HR/FB%, and together with a 15.2 percent walk rate, it has likely factored into why he hasn't already made his debut in the majors. But with zero walks allowed in his last start, perhaps he's finally ready for the jump. The 25-year-old could be up by August, and with his strikeout potential, he could be a worthwhile stash option in deeper 12+ team leagues for managers looking for pitching help.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Hagen Smith Worth Stashing Despite Injury?
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Hagen Smith (shoulder) was placed on the injured list back on June 16 with a shoulder impingement that was expected to keep him out for at least a month. That puts a return to the mound in late July looking like the most optimistic of scenarios, though a more realistic scenario may point to an August return. Even though his last start before the injury was his worst of the year (seven earned in 4 1/3 innings pitched), the southpaw had been showing well at Triple-A Charlotte before that, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts in 47 2/3 IP over the 12 starts prior to the last one. The White Sox even considered calling him up to make a start in June, so he could make his MLB debut later this season if he can get back on track upon his return. There is real strikeout upside here, with a career K% in the minors of 33.2 percent, although the walk rate of 16.2 percent still needs work. Even so, with an opponent batting average of .183, the former first-rounder could be a worthy stash option in deeper leagues once there is a clearer timeline for his return.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
