RADIO
Dodgers Acquire Injured Lefty Kris Bubic in Trade With Royals
The Los Angeles Dodgers are adding another left-handed starting pitcher at the trade deadline by acquiring left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow, shoulder) from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-hander Carlos Duran on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. It pales in comparison to L.A.'s blockbuster deal to land two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night, but the addition of the 28-year-old Bubic will give their rotation even more depth for the stretch run if he can bounce back from elbow and shoulder injuries that have kept him sidelined since all the way back on May 18. Even if Bubic makes it back at the tail end of the second half of the season, he probably won't have a spot in the Dodgers' suddenly crowded starting rotation once lefty Blake Snell (elbow) and right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back) return. Bubic, a former first-rounder, was a first-time All-Star in 2025 with a career-best 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 116:39 K:BB in 20 starts. He wasn't fully healthy, though, and he's made only nine starts in 2026 while dealing with more arm injuries, which has tanked his fantasy value. Currently, Bubic is only rostered in 34% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Red Sox Acquiring All-Star Catcher Adley Rutschman From the Orioles
The Boston Red Sox are acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. It's unknown what the Red Sox are sending to the division-rival Orioles in return for the former first overall pick. Most likely, the O's will receive some young, controllable pitching from the BoSox. Rutschman is currently on the 10-day injured list, but the 28-year-old switch-hitter is making progress towards a return and will be Boston's primary backstop over both Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong when he returns. Rutschman has struggled to get going in 2026 in his fifth year in the majors, slashing just .251/.331/.433 with a .764 OPS, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 30 runs scored in just 67 games and 284 plate appearances. Injuries have gotten in his way for sure, and the Red Sox are banking on the talented catcher bouncing back after he was an All-Star in back-to-back seasons in Baltimore in 2023 and 2024. In Baltimore, it's now clear that Samuel Basallo (shoulder) is the team's catcher of the future.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Gavin Cross has Rare Combination of Power and Speed
Kansas City Royals outfield prospect Gavin Cross had a stretch in late July when he hit a home run in six straight games for Triple-A Omaha. Altogether, he finished the month of July with seven homers and 23 RBI while hitting .337. It was a big month for the former first-round pick out of Virginia Tech. The left-handed hitting outfield prospect is the No. 26-ranked prospect in the Royals' system and has 11 homers and 42 RBI this season at Omaha in 337 at-bats. He's added 22 stolen bases and 50 runs scored while hitting .243 overall. The 25-year-old could be looking at a shot to man the outfield for the Royals this season and is worth a look in fantasy leagues. His 50-grade power and 50-grade speed make him an intriguing stash as someone who could produce given an opportunity this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Rays Acquire Catcher Liam Hicks From the Marlins
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired catcher/first baseman Liam Hicks from the Miami Marlins on Monday in exchange for third base prospect Brayden Taylor, High-A shortstop Adrian Santana, and High-A pitcher Jacob Kisting, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Hicks will give the Rays an immediate upgrade at the catching position over both Hunter Feduccia and Nick Fortes for the remainder of the year, but he can also spend time at first base and designated hitter if Tampa wants to get creative with their lineup. The 27-year-old Canadian left-handed hitter will continue to be a lineup regular with his new squad after breaking out in 2026 with the Fish to the tune of a .282/.363/.432 slash line, a .795 OPS, 14 home runs, 62 RBI, 54 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 354 at-bats in just his second year in the big leagues. Hicks stayed hot in July, batting .280 (26-for-93), although he had only one homer and a .692 OPS in 25 games. The move to Tampa should be at least a slight boost for Hicks' run-production opportunities.
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Hagen Smith Works in Relief Over Last Five Outings at Triple-A
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Hagen Smith worked one out in relief in his latest outing for Triple-A Charlotte. Since he returned from the IL on July 19, Smith has worked solely in relief and hasn't started a game in his last five appearances. Saturday was his shortest outing in relief since his return as he has lasted at least 1 inning in each of his other four appearances. In his relief outings, he has only allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings pitched. The switch to relief in Triple-A could foreshadow a similar move at the big-league level. Smith is a high-strikeout pitcher with 86 strikeouts this season in 57 1/3 innings pitched. That could make him ideal for a high-leverage relief role with the White Sox if given the opportunity. That might not be ideal for fantasy but it is worth monitoring what the White Sox want to do with Smith for the rest of this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Padres Finalizing a Deal for Pitcher Robbie Ray
The San Diego Padres are finalizing a deal to acquire veteran left-hander Robbie Ray from the division-rival San Francisco Giants on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. It's unclear at this time what the Padres are shipping to the Giants in exchange. Ray will be an immediate upgrade for the Friars' starting rotation alongside right-hander Michael King while the team waits for the returns of both right-handers Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow). The 34-year-old Ray has gone 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA (4.36 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 107 strikeouts and 57 walks in 122 2/3 innings pitched in his 22 appearances (21 starts) for the Giants this year. Ray has been much better since the start of June, going 7-0 with a 1.65 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. The 13-year-old veteran won't gain much of a boost fantasy-wise with the move to San Diego, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect his strong run of form to continue through the rest of the season, especially with a walk rate over 10% and a strikeout rate that has fallen from 33.3% in 2024 to 20.9% this year. Ray will definitely give SD a better shot at sneaking into the postseason in a wild-card spot, though.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Zac Veen's Speed Makes him a Promising Pickup
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen is coming off a game in which he homered and added three hits to raise his batting average for the season with Triple-A Albuquerque to .317 and his homer total to 20. Altogether, he has 77 RBI, 73 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases this season at Albuquerque in 369 at-bats. Veen has demonstrated his five-category ability in the Pacific Coast League this year, making him an intriguing prospect for a shot with the big-league club. He's the No. 7 overall prospect in the Rockies' system and is a former first-round pick in 2020. The 24-year-old looks like a likely big-league call-up candidate and is therefore worth stashing in pretty much all fantasy leagues. His 55-grade speed makes him a five-tool-candidate worth taking a chance on now. When called up, he will reward the chance taken on him.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Hector Rodriguez Developing into Power Source at Triple-A
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez is coming off a four-hit performance at Triple-A Louisville, complete with a home run and three RBI. It was the latest power surge in a season-long display of power hitting for the outfielder. Rodriguez has turned in a season of 27 homers and 69 RBI with 72 runs scored in 405 at-bats with Louisville to go with a .274 batting average. At 22 years old, Rodriguez is the No. 3 prospect in the Reds' organization. Rodriguez has a 55-grade hit tool with a 55-grade run tool. He has become a consistent power source in Louisville, although he only has 45-grade power. The Reds could use a bat like his in the big league lineup, so it might be worth stashing Rodriguez and waiting for a call-up. If given an opportunity in Cincinnati, he could easily produce fantasy-relevant numbers.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Max Anderson A Steady Force At Triple-A
Detroit Tigers infield prospect Max Anderson started the month of August with two straight multi-hit efforts, bringing his batting average this season to .314. Anderson racked up five combined hits and raised his totals between Low-A Lakeland and Triple-A Toledo to .314 with 13 homers and 43 RBI to go with 50 runs scored over 283 at-bats as he missed some game time due to a left quad strain in April and May. Anderson, the No. 8 prospect in the Tigers' organization, has been back healthy for some time and thriving with the Toledo Mud Hens. Given a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power, Anderson is a former second-round pick out of Nebraska. The Tigers' direction as of now is up in the air, so it is hard to say how they will use Anderson to close out this season. However, with the ability to play second or third base, Anderson could give the Tigers a versatility boost as a utility infielder depending on how the trade deadline plays out. He's a name to monitor for a stash the rest of the way as the Tigers' direction becomes more apparent.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Angel Genao Demonstrating Consistency In Minors
Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Angel Genao started the month of August with two multi-hit games and added three combined RBI to his total. Genao put together a 2-for-4 effort followed up by a 3-for-4 effort, raising his batting average to .308 with Triple-A Columbus. Overall, the talented middle infielder is hitting .299 between Double-A Akron and Columbus on the season. The No. 2 overall prospect in the Guardians system, Genao has been consistent all season and is seeking a late-season look at MLB action. Genao has a 60-grade hit tool and a 55-grade run tool and could be a valuable piece for fantasy lineups should he get a shot in Cleveland. With the ability to play multiple infield spots, he has some versatility, but Cleveland is pretty set with Jose Ramirez at third, Brayan Rocchio at shortstop, and Travis Bazzana at second base. Nonetheless, Genao could be worth a late-season stash and could make an impact on fantasy rosters.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Mariners Land Taylor Ward in Trade With the Orioles
The Seattle Mariners are acquiring outfielder Taylor Ward from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday in exchange for right-handers Alex Hoppe, Harrison Kreiling, and Brock Moore, a source told Jake Rill of MLB.com. Ward will return to the American League West and give the Mariners some much-needed pop from the right side of the plate as they seek a return to the postseason in 2026. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder hit .246/.383/.346 with a .730 OPS, only seven home runs, 30 RBI, 64 runs scored, four stolen bases, and a league-high 87 walks in 111 games and a league-high 506 plate appearances in his lone season in Baltimore before being dealt. Ward is as patient as they come at the dish (perhaps too patient), and he's been a massive bust for fantasy managers this year after clubbing a career-high 36 home runs and driving in 103 runs in 157 games with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025. The M's are banking on positive regression in the slugging department for Ward in his return to the AL West. Ward's fantasy baseball value shouldn't change all that much with the move to Seattle and pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Red Sox Discussing Trade for Adley Rutschman
Even though catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) is currently on the 10-day injured list with a wrist injury, the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles are discussing him in a trade, sources tell Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Feinsand writes that "there is a feeling that a deal could be completed at some point" at the deadline on Monday, Aug. 3. With the Red Sox now in the thick of the playoff hunt in the American League, they have become buyers at the deadline and are looking to upgrade their catching situation from Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong. The 28-year-old switch-hitting Rutschman has had an injury-plagued and disappointing 2026 season, but the former first overall pick in 2019 from Oregon State University would still be an upgrade over both Narvaez and Wong. Rutschman is currently hitting .251/.331/.433 with a .764 OPS, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 30 runs scored in his 247 at-bats. If Rutschman is traded, Samuel Basallo (shoulder), who is also on the IL, would become Baltimore's clear catcher of the future. UPDATE: ESPN's Buster Olney reports the Red Sox and O's "have a deal arranged" for Rutschman.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Guardians Acquiring Jo Adell From the Angels
The Cleveland Guardians are acquiring outfielder Jo Adell from the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports that the Angels will receive minor-league catcher Jacob Cozart in exchange. The rebuild continues for the struggling Angels, as they've also traded catcher Logan O'Hoppe and right-hander Jose Soriano. The 27-year-old Adell will give the Guardians some more thump in their lineup. In his seventh year in the majors with the Halos, the right-handed slugger has hit .239/.287/.395 with a .682 OPS, 16 home runs, 62 RBI, 46 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 111 games across 456 plate appearances. Adell has been somewhat of a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2026 after he hit a career-high 37 long balls and drove in 98 runs in 152 games for the Angels a season ago. The move to Cleveland won't really be all that much of a fantasy boost, as the Guards rank dead-last in baseball with a .680 OPS, and Adell's swing-and-miss ways won't suddenly be cured by the move.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Rangers Have Spoken to Teams About Nathan Eovaldi
The Texas Rangers have spoken to teams about right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, according to the MLB Network's Jon Morosi. However, Eovaldi has a full no-trade clause, and he's under contract for $24 million next season, which could make any potential trade by Monday's Aug. 3 deadline hard to pull off. Eovaldi being moved on Monday doesn't make a whole lot of sense for the reasons listed above, and because the Rangers are still in the thick of the playoff hunt in the American League, just 2.5 games behind the Astros in the AL West and 1.5 games out of the final wild-card spot in the AL. The Rangers are going to need the 36-year-old veteran starting pitcher if they are going to get into the postseason this year. In his 15th year in the big leagues, Eovaldi has gone 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA (4.30 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 135 strikeouts and 30 walks in 127 1/3 innings pitched across his 21 starts. The two-time All-Star has managed to stay healthy for the most part, and he still has a useful 25.3% strikeout rate and 5.6% walk rate to make him relevant in all fantasy baseball leagues. UPDATE: In addition to Eovaldi, the Rangers are discussing left-handers MacKenzie Gore and Jacob Latz with other teams at the deadline, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Source: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
Source: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
Alec Burleson a Trade Candidate at the Deadline?
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman/outfielder Alec Burleson is one of "the most popular controllable bats on the trade market," a source told Jon Morosi of the MLB Network. There is still time for Burleson to get traded before Monday's Aug. 3 deadline, but it remains to be seen if a contending team will offer the Cardinals enough to get something done. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger is under team control for two more years after 2026, which makes him pretty attractive, especially since he goes into Monday's action with a .284/.347/.458 slash line, .805 OPS, 15 home runs, 71 RBI, 57 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 111 games and 472 plate appearances in 2026 in his fifth year in the majors with the Cardinals. Burleson needs only seven more home runs to set a new career high in that department, and his .805 OPS is a career best. The former second-rounder from East Carolina University hit .293 (31-for-106) with a .751 OPS in 28 games in July, but he's batting just .194 (26-for-134) with two of his 15 homers on the year against left-handers, and his future is likely as a full-time DH.
Source: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
Source: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
