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. 

Fernando Mendoza became the first Big Ten player to win the Heisman Trophy in almost 20 seasons. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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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.

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2025. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)

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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. 

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There is always baseball happening — almost too much baseball for one person to follow themselves.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help you by figuring out what you missed but shouldn’t have. Here are all the best moments from last night in Major League Baseball:

A Tale Of Two Tigers

Oh Tigers, what could have been. Tarik Skubal, in what very well might have been his final start with Detroit — as a pending free agent on a team that is half-in, half-out of postseason contention, it really depends on what the offers are — threw 6 ⅔ innings of one-run ball with the Tigers up 7-1… and then the bullpen arrived on the scene.

Earlier, Skubal recorded the 1,000th strikeout of his MLB career, and received a standing ovation for hitting that round number.

And the Tigers scored their first runs due to sloppy Orioles’ defense, which felt pretty in line with the previous day, in which Detroit won 14-0 against Baltimore.

Things all fell apart in a hurry, however. Skubal allowed a run on a single by outfielder Leody Taveras, and then was removed from the game for reliever Kyle Finnegan. He entered with two of Skubal’s runners still on, and failed to strand either of them despite there already being two outs.

Finnegan walked second baseman Jeremiah Jackson to begin, then gave up a single to pinch-hitter Jackson Holliday that scored both of the inherited runners. Holliday then stole second base and Finnegan gave up another RBI single to left fielder Taylor Word — 7-5, Detroit. Drew Anderson then relieved Finnegan and got the final out of the inning, but the O’s weren’t done yet.

Shortstop Gunnar Henderson walked and then pinch-hitter Dylan Beavers reached on a fielder’s choice. The runners were moved over on a ground out by third baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and then Mayo blasted a triple to score both runners and tie the game.

The game would end up in extras, still 7-7, and it would take until the 11th for the Orioles to score — Baltimore put two on the board, but the Tigers’ offense once again woke up when first baseman Spencer Torkelson hit the 100th homer of his career and No. 20 of 2026 to force a 12th inning.

Ward began the 12th on second, and reliever Drew Sommers managed to retire first baseman Pete Alonso and Henderson, putting Detroit an out away from ending the inning. Instead, Colton Cowser, who had entered in the game as a defensive replacement earlier, ended up being the hero.

Detroit didn’t score in the bottom of the 12th, and the Orioles had officially come back from down 7-0 to win 10-9. The Tigers are 51-58, six games back in the AL Central and 4.5 back of a wild-card spot, and have to be seriously wondering if the risk of holding on to Skubal is worth it in a crowded postseason picture. The Tigers might be genuinely good after a rough start to the year, but they dug an early hole and have seven teams ahead of them in the wild-card standings and just four behind. Much to think about.

Marlins Sweep Phillies With Comeback W

What a rough week for the Phillies so far… but a great one for the Marlins. Fresh off a 12-game losing streak — the longest in franchise history — the Marlins are suddenly looking like they did when they were MLB’s best team back in June. Miami completed a sweep of Philadelphia on Wednesday, and did it despite being down 6-0 after the top of the fifth inning.

Shortstop Otto Lopez grounded out but drove in a run to get the Marlins on the board in the bottom of the fifth, then left fielder Heriberto Hernández donged dinger No. 16 to make it 6-3. In the bottom of the seventh, Lopez struck again with an RBI single, and then second baseman Xavier Edwards drove in Lopez and another runner to tie this thing up, 6-6.

In the bottom of the eighth — with his dad, Mr. Marlin himself, in attendance — Griffin Conine belted a go-ahead two-run homer 424 feet off Jonathan Bowlan. Miami had not just come back from down 6-0, but were now up, 8-6, and would win with that as the final score.

The Phillies have now fallen into a tie with the Diamondbacks for the NL’s second wild-card spot, with both teams just 1.5 games up on the Padres — also victorious on Wednesday in a two-game sweep of the Rockies — and two games ahead of the Marlins, Pirates and Nationals.

Red Sox Take It In Extras

The Red Sox used closer Aroldis Chapman in a tie game in the ninth inning, and were rewarded for the decision. Chapman allowed one Athletics hitter to reach base but otherwise had a clean inning, and it gave Boston a chance to come to the plate again. There, shortstop Andrew Monasterio came to the plate as the leadoff hitter, against new reliever José Suarez, and crushed a two-run homer to put the Sox ahead, 4-2.

The Sox didn’t go to Chapman again, but relieved him with Greg Weissert, who struck out two and retired the A’s in order for the extra-inning W. Boston is now 56-51, with a 19-4 record in July — it’s the only month in which the Red Sox don’t have a losing record, but it’s undone so much of the early damage of the season all at once.

Astros Get To .500

The Astros are another team that had a terrible start to the year but have since come around. While it’s been a slower burn than Boston’s, Houston managed to get to .500 on the season on Wednesday with a win against the Angels.

Los Angeles went up 3-0 in the first inning, but Houston scored a run each in the second and third frames. In the sixth, the Astros scored all they would need for the rest of the game. First on a two-run double by right fielder Cam Smith…

…and then another run on a wild pitch. Houston wasn’t done plating runs, though. And the next one was even more embarrassing than giving up a run on a wild pitch.

Houston is just one game back of both an AL wild-card spot and the AL West lead, as the Rangers lost on Wednesday to narrow the gap on the latter. 

White Sox Walk Off Yankees

It didn’t seem like things were going to go this way at first. It was Cam Schlittler vs. Davis Martin in a battle of top pitchers on the Yankees and White Sox, but Martin allowed four first-run innings to put Chicago into an early hole.

DH Andrew Benintendi knocked an RBI double to put the White Sox on the board in the seventh, and then back-to-back jacks in the eighth tied the game up, 4-4. Left fielder Sam Antonacci hit a two-run shot, followed by Munetaka Murakami hitting yet another dinger over 400 feet for his 23rd of the season.

The game would end up in extras, where the Yankees would score in the 11th, for the first time since that four-run first. Things took a turn in the bottom of the inning, however: a pickoff attempt at third by catcher Ali Sánchez went awry, allowing Murakami to score the tying run and force a 12th inning.

There, Edgar Quero — who had entered the game as a pinch-hitter earlier — drove in the winning run with a single.

The White Sox came from behind and walked the Yankees off, and now have a chance on Thursday for a series split. Chicago is 1.5 up on the Twins in the AL Central, owing to the two having the same number of wins while Minnesota is saddled with three more defeats.

Cardinals Avoid Cubs Sweep

The Cardinals were looking like a genuine threat for a postseason spot for a bit there, but after a 13-12 June, St. Louis is now just 10-16 in July. Sure, the Cards have only been outscored by a few runs this month, so there’s some bad luck involved, but a team can only have so much bad luck when the races are as close as they have been in 2026.

After losing the first two games of this series with the Cubs, St. Louis managed to keep Chicago scoreless through nine innings. The problem was that Chicago also had a shutout going through the first nine innings, so, on to extras the two went. There, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a 424-foot, two-run homer in the 10th, and it looked like maybe that would be it for St. Louis once more.

Not so, though! Right fielder Jordan Walker pushed the bonus runner across on a ground out, but managed to be safe at first himself, leaving two runners on. That setup the next batter, DH Iván Herrera, to win the game, and that he did with a two-run double to left.

The Cardinals are still in a tough spot, at 54-54, but while that has them 13 games out in the NL central, St. Louis is just 2.5 back for an NL wild-card spot. 

Braves Avoid Mets Sweep

The Mets and Braves played a doubleheader on Wednesday thanks to a rainout on Tuesday, and the first of those — like the first game in the series — went to the Mets. Which brought Atlanta’s record against New York this season — a year in which the Braves have been great and the Mets have, uh, not — to 3-6, as well as one more loss away from being swept.

Luckily for Atlanta, Chris Sale was there to do his part in keeping things from getting any worse on those notes. Sale shoved for six innings, with nine strikeouts without a walk and just two hits allowed, then handed things off to a Braves’ bullpen that kept the shutout going.

Christian Scott was great on the mound for the Mets, too, but slightly worse than Sale: first baseman Matt Olson hit a grounder up the middle in the sixth inning to drive in the one and only run of the game for either side, and that was that. The Mets have nothing to be ashamed of here, especially having won the first two games in the series, but that’s still a disappointing result for New York when a sweep was that close. And it’s a sigh of relief kind of W for the Braves, for obvious reasons, and good thing beyond those: next up on the schedule is a four-game set against the wild-card-contending Nationals, then three against the Marlins before taking on the Yankees.

The Dodgers Bent But Didn’t Break

The Mariners had the Dodgers’ number in the first two games of this series, but on Wednesday, Los Angeles finally logged a W against Seattle. The Dodgers went up 4-0 through six, with center fielder Andy Pages driving in two of the first three runs on a homer and a single, respectively, and then Shohei Ohtani doubling in the fourth one in the sixth.

Things got a little dicier from there, but only so much. With starter Eric Lauer out of the game after six shutout innings, the Mariners got to the Dodgers’ bullpen a bit, scoring a run off of Tanner Scott courtesy an RBI single by second baseman Cole Young, then first baseman Josh Naylor hit his 15th double of the year to plate another run in the ninth. That would be all Seattle could muster, however — on Thursday, the Dodgers will try to earn a series split, while the Mariners go for the series dub.

Salvador Perez Triple Alert

Here’s some news you can use before those afternoon games: Royals’ longtime catcher and DH Salvador Perez hit his first triple since 2022 on Wednesday, in a 4-0 win against the Twins.

Perez crushed this one, hitting it 411 feet to center and nearly 102 mph off his bat off starter Joe Ryan. Mercifully, the 36-year-old, 15-year veteran with miles and miles on his legs was driven in later in the inning, so all that running wasn’t for nothing.

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Only two months of the Major League Baseball season remain until the playoffs get underway. That means the races for MLB awards get more intense and interesting — specifically an award that has been neither in several years. 

The National League MVP has been a runaway in the two years Shohei Ohtani has been a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and it was looking to be that way again until just recently. The two-way star was having a dominant season on the mound, and a productive (even if slightly subpar by his standards) year at the plate. 

Early in the summer, the odds for Ohtani to win a fourth straight MVP, (third straight in the National League and fifth overall) were so astronomical that it was nearly off the betting menu, having to risk $100 to win $1 on the Dodgers’ superstar at some sportsbooks. Ohtani entered June with a sub-1 era as a pitcher, making him a strong Cy Young candidate in addition to seemingly being a lock for MVP. 

But since then, Ohtani gave up multiple runs in each of his next four starts, and has not pitched since July 3, as he battles knee discomfort.

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The betting odds now reflect what is thought to be a coin flip between Ohtani and Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. 

Crow-Armstrong leads Ohtani — and the rest of baseball — in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) with 6.5, with Ohtani currently at 6.0. Ohtani is still the slight favorite to win MVP at -130 odds (a $13 bet wins $10), while Crow-Armstrong is +100 (a $10 bet wins $10). 

It might be boring, but I still think, given the current odds, Ohtani is the bet to make. Maybe a couple of weeks ago, taking Crow-Armstrong at long odds was the right wager, but now I think the price has gotten low enough to back Ohtani to win once again. 

You will hear the case be made that “voter fatigue” favors someone new winning, that writers prefer not to vote for the same person year after year. However, in baseball, that doesn’t seem as prevalent as it might be in other sports. 

PCA is firmly in the running to put an end to Ohtani’s MVP streak (Getty Images).

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Baseball writers have not only continued to give Ohtani the MVP, but Aaron Judge won a close MVP race in the American League over Cal Raleigh last fall, despite Judge having already won the award multiple times. Last year’s AL and NL Managers of the Year were Stephen Vogt of the Cleveland Guardians and Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers, both repeat winners after also winning the award in 2024. 

Again, baseball writers have proven they will most likely vote for who they simply feel deserves the award and not punish candidates for prior accomplishments.

Ohtani has left the door open for someone else to win since he has not thrown a pitch in nearly a month. But he is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA as a pitcher, and has a .289 batting average with 23 home runs with the bat in his hands. 

Any return to the mound for Ohtani this season will make it hard for voters to ignore his two-way production, who, unlike PCA, is on a first-place team. 

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Straight-up: This season hasn’t been Freddy Peralta’s best work. But he’s also better than this.

In what’s his first season with the New York Mets, Peralta owns a career-worst — over a full season — ERA (4.99), WHIP (1.48) and ERA+ (83). At the same time, Peralta, a two-time All-Star, is just a season removed from the best year of his career (2.70 ERA, 5.5 wins above replacement and a 155 ERA+). While set to be a free agent at the end of the year, Peralta is capable of being a top-of-the-rotation force that moves the needle for a starting rotation and is worth making a trade for.

Here are the three best trade fits for Peralta.

Philadelphia Phillies

Freddy Peralta earned an All-Star nod in 2021 and 2025. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

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Bryce Harper said it himself: the Phillies, who have lost seven of their last eight games and now own a mere 1.5-game lead on the third National League wild-card seed, “need some help.” Acquiring Peralta would suffice.

Philadelphia’s starting rotation has been respectable this season. Cristopher Sánchez (2.73 ERA, a 165 ERA+ and an NL-high 5.6 wins above replacement among pitchers) will likely be a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award; Zack Wheeler (2.53 ERA and 0.92 WHIP) is on top of his game since returning from the injured list; Jesús Luzardo (157 strikeouts and a .230 opponent batting average) continues to be a sturdy force every fifth day.

After those three starters, though, the Phillies have received inconsistent performance from their rotation, with veteran Aaron Nola having a discouraging season (5.61 ERA) and former first-round pick Andrew Painter being sent down in June (7.06 ERA and 1.66 WHIP), among other shortcomings. Peralta, who averaged 204.7 strikeouts per season from 2023-25, would fortify Philadelphia’s postseason rotation, allowing it to move Nola into a long-relief role come October.

The 30-year-old Peralta tends to rely on his four-seamer and changeup, with an occasional curveball rounding out a base, three-pitch arsenal. Peralta’s slider usage has dipped over each of the last two years, with him throwing the offering just 5.6% of the time this season, according to Statcast.

All that said, the Phillies could potentially have to surrender more than fair value to acquire Peralta, given his playing for the NL East-rival Mets, and Philadelphia may also tell itself that Nola, who has traditionally pitched well in the postseason, will bounce back and be effective enough to remain in their rotation.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Freddy Peralta boasts a career 3.74 ERA and a 112 ERA+. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

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The D-backs are in possession of the second NL wild-card seed (57-52). They’re a team that, on paper, entered this season likely not good enough to contend for the World Series but also talented enough to compete for a playoff spot. And here we are: Arizona continues to find ways to win, and with a tweak or two, maybe it recaptures some of that 2023 magic when the D-backs went to the World Series as the third NL wild-card team?

Peralta could change the calculus for the D-backs. Yes, Eduardo Rodriguez (2.48 ERA, 173 ERA+ and 4.7 wins above replacement) is having a resurgent season, and Mike Soroka (3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 140 ERA+) was, as well, before suffering a glute strain that has sidelined him since mid-June. Concurrently, Zac Gallen, who’s on the injured list with elbow inflammation, is having an alarming season (6.34 ERA and .304 opponent batting average), while Merrill Kelly and Ryne Nelson (before suffering an elbow injury in mid-June) have struggled. In all, Arizona’s starting rotation is 26th in MLB in opponent batting average (.260), 21st in WHIP (1.33) and 14th in ERA (4.27).

This season is an anomaly for Peralta. The right-hander averaged a 3.30 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP per year with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2021-25. For the bulk of Peralta’s career, he has been a consistent front-line force who logs strikeouts at a high rate. Plus, sometimes a change of scenery, specifically a new pitching coach, can be the change that’s needed.

Arizona has seen multiple pitchers miss time due to injury and others just outright have underwhelming seasons. The D-backs have reason to be buyers. With a rotation boost and perhaps just better health, their starting staff will improve and can turn a corner, and it’s accompanied by an offense of proven commodities.

Despite all the optimism, though, the factor/question that could prevent the Diamondbacks from getting in a bidding war for Peralta is whether his arrival would make them an NL contender or merely give them a better chance to put up a fight in the NL Division Series Round?

Chicago Cubs

Freddy Peralta led the National League with 17 wins in 2025. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

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If the Cubs are going to contend for the NL pennant, they need to improve their entire pitching staff, but especially their starting rotation, and Peralta represents both a viable and affordable option. 

Chicago’s starting rotation is 16th in MLB in ERA (4.31) and 14th in opponent batting average (.243). Left-handers Shota Imanaga (3.72 ERA and 1.10 WHIP) and Matthew Boyd (3.41 ERA) have been reliable forces. Elsewhere, it has been a guessing game for the Cubs. Edward Cabrera, who owns a 5.10 ERA, has been out the last month with a leg injury after Chicago dealt for him this past offseason; Jameson Taillon (5.92 ERA) was recently designated for assignment; Colin Rea (4.67 ERA and .267 opponent batting average) has been a mixed bag; Cade Corton (season-ending elbow surgery) and Ben Brown (neck) have been limited by injury; Justin Steele hasn’t yet returned from his April 2025 elbow injury.

Peralta would join a Chicago team with lofty playoff aspirations, not unlike the Milwaukee club he was part of the first eight seasons of his MLB career (2018-2025). Sure, on one hand, one could argue Peralta would be another pitcher added to the mix for the Cubs that comes with a question mark. In this case, the concern is about his recent performance.

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On the other hand, it’s reasonable to think that at least one of Chicago’s injured starters returns and gets back on track (e.g., Cabrera or Brown), and Peralta would be arguably the most accomplished starter in the Cubs’ rotation. He would, undoubtedly, be part of their postseason rotation, joining Imanaga, Boyd and likely one of Cabrera or the recently acquired David Peterson.

Peralta would be a three-month rental, so trading for him isn’t going to gut the Cubs’ farm system, and it should cost less than what it would take to pull off a blockbuster move for Detroit Tigers superstar left-hander and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Granted, Skubal is also a free agent after this season.

Chicago could base a trade package for Peralta around emerging catcher/first baseman Owen Ayers and versatile right-hander Javier Assad, among other players.

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It was a tale of two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025.

The Buccaneers opened the year 6-2, sitting atop the NFC South heading into their bye week, with quarterback Baker Mayfield firmly in the MVP conversation.

From there, however, the season unraveled. Tampa Bay lost seven of its final nine games, finishing 8-9 and narrowly missing out on both the NFC South title and a playoff berth.

The question now is: Which version of the Bucs will show up this season?

Let’s check out their Over/Under win total odds for the 2026 season.  

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Over 8.5: +115 (bet $10 to win $21.50 total)
Under 8.5: -136 (bet $10 to win $17.35 total)

What to know: Before Tampa Bay’s Week 9 bye, Mayfield was playing at an elite level, throwing 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions. After the bye, though, his production dipped, as he threw nine interceptions over his final nine games.

Part of the Buccaneers’ second-half collapse can be attributed to injuries. Tampa Bay was hit hard throughout the season, with key players missing time, including Mayfield. 

This offseason, the Bucs saw some of their former franchise cornerstones depart, including Mike Evans, Jamel Dean and Rachaad White, who all signed elsewhere, and Lavonte David, who retired. 

Tampa Bay did bring in Alex Anzalone, Al-Quadin Muhammad and A’Shawn Robinson to improve their defense, along with Kenneth Gainwell on offense. 

Odds: This upcoming season, Tampa Bay is the +164 favorite to win the NFC South, the +2200 ninth choice to win the NFC and the +5000 18th choice to win the Super Bowl. 

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Who has the best defense in the entire NFL? Madden might have the answer.

The top 10 defenses in “Madden NFL 27” were unveiled by EA Sports on Thursday. As you’d expect, the Seattle Seahawks made the list after putting up a defensive masterclass in the postseason en route to winning the Super Bowl. But they might be lower than you expect, while their divisional rival, the Los Angeles Rams, surged up after their monster offseason. 

So, which 10 teams have the best defenses in the NFL? Here are the top 10 defenses in “Madden NFL 27,” ranked:

10.

The Seattle Seahawks made the top 10 among defenses with an 82 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” Seattle allowed the second-fewest points per game in the NFL in 2025. During the regular season, the Seahawks’ defense allowed 285.9 total yards per game and recorded 47 sacks last season.

9.

The San Francisco 49ers made the top 10 among defenses with an 82 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” During the regular season, the 49ers defense allowed 340.2 total yards per game and recorded 20 sacks last season.

8.

The Detroit Lions made the top 10 among defenses with an 83 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” Detroit maintained a heavy pass rush throughout the 2025 campaign. During the regular season, the Lions defense allowed 331.9 total yards per game and recorded 49 sacks last season.

7.

The New England Patriots made the top 10 among defenses with an 85 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” New England ranked among the top ten teams in points allowed during the 2025 season. During the regular season, the Patriots’ defense allowed 295.2 total yards per game and 18.8 points per game last season.

6.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the top 10 among defenses with an 87 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” Pittsburgh relied on a physical defensive front throughout 2025. During the regular season, the Steelers’ defense allowed 356.9 total yards per game and recorded 48 sacks last season.

5.

The Houston Texans made the top 10 among defenses with an 87 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” Houston’s defense was the stronger side of the field in 2025 as the Texans led the entire NFL in the fewest total yards allowed per game at 277.2.

4.

The Denver Broncos made the top 10 among defenses with an 87 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” Denver led the NFL in sacks behind a dominant pass rush in 2025. During the regular season, the Broncos’ defense allowed 278.2 total yards per game and recorded 68 sacks last season.

Giants could be playoff contenders, Lions ‘need to protect Goff’, Broncos a one-hit wonder?

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3.

The Baltimore Ravens are the third-highest rated defense with an 87 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” During the regular season, the Ravens defense allowed 354.5 total yards per game and 23.4 points per game last season.

2.

The Philadelphia Eagles made the top 10 among defenses with an 87 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” Philadelphia surrendered under 20 points per game in 2025. During the regular season, the Eagles defense allowed 314.2 total yards per game and recorded 42 sacks last season.

1.

The Los Angeles Rams lead all defensive units in this year’s edition with an 88 overall rating in “Madden NFL 27.” Last season, the Rams allowed 327.5 total yards per game and recorded 47 sacks last season. Los Angeles claimed the top defensive rating spot in this year’s game after the addition of two All-Pro talents in edge rusher Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffie.

The Los Angeles Rams sit atop the defensive rankings with an 88 overall rating. (Photo courtesy of EA Sports.)

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Desperation makes for great baseball drama. With Monday’s trade deadline fast approaching, contenders are ready to mortgage their futures for a ring and a single blockbuster deal could shift the balance of power overnight.

July’s trade deadline is baseball’s ultimate high-stakes gamble. Over the years, some moves have delivered World Series MVPs, while others fell short and left teams with nothing to show for the blue-chip prospects they traded away.

Here are the 10 most impactful MLB Trade Deadline deals since 2000:

The Rangers swung for the fences at the 2010 deadline. They traded Justin Smoak, Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke, Matthew Lawson and $2.25 million in cash to the Seattle Mariners for Lee and Mark Lowe. 

Lee proved to be the ultimate missing piece for the Rangers, leading them to its first World Series appearance in franchise history.

The Impact

Lee was everything the Rangers traded for and more. He tore through the American League playoffs, posting three double-digit strikeout starts and putting on an absolute clinic with a 1.26 ERA and 3-0 record.

The Rangers lost the World Series to the San Francisco Giants in five games, but Lee’s heroic postseason run won’t ever be forgotten.

The Houston Astros pulled off one of the unique trade deadline deals in recent memory through a three-team blockbuster. 

The Astros acquired Beltrán in the deal, while the Kansas City Royals landed a pair of prospects in John Buck, Mike Wood, and Mark Teahen. The Oakland Athletics rounded out the deal by acquiring Octavio Dotel.

The Impact

Beltrán’s impact was short-lived with the Astros. He played well during the playoffs, hitting eight home runs during their playoff run, but he ended up leaving just a few months later in free agency after signing a seven-year, $119 million deal with the New York Mets.

Still, it wasn’t the last time fans would see him in an Astros uniform. Beltrán returned to the Astros more than a decade later and helped them win their first-ever World Series in 2017 when they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Sabathia is viewed as one of the more underrated starting arms acquired at the deadline in history. 

The Brewers traded Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson, and Michael Brantley to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) for Sabathia. Even with Sabathia being a true rental, his impact goes well beyond the stat sheet.

The Impact

After the Brewers traded for Sabathia, he went on an absolute clinic on the mound, posting an 11-2 record and 1.64 ERA in 17 starts. He also pitched seven complete games and three shutouts, while throwing a complete game against the Chicago Cubs in game 162.

With that win, the Brewers ended a 26-year postseason drought to secure a National League Wild Card spot.

Most relievers have a limited impact on a postseason run, but trading for Aroldis Chapman was a game-changer for the Chicago Cubs. 

By sending Adam Warren, Gleyber Torres, Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford to the New York Yankees. With the deadline deal, the Cubs got the elite closer they desperately needed to win their first World Series for the first time in 108 years.

The Impact

The Cubs already had the best record in baseball, but his playoff pedigree was unmatched with how well he was able to close games. He ended the playoff run with a 2-0 record and 3.45 ERA, but he also recorded four saves and threw 15.2 innings.

Chapman pitched multiple innings during his appearances and fought through severe fatigue from manager Joe Maddon to help secure the World Series win. He will forever go down as one of the key reasons the Cubs slayed the Curse of the Billy Goat.

Soto has been traded multiple times, but the return that the Washington Nationals received for him might never be seen again. The Padres were able to land Soto and Josh Bell, but gave up James Wood, CJ Abrams, Mackenzie Gore, Luke Voit and Robert Hassell III.

Wood, Abrams and Gore have all been All-Star selections, while Soto only played two seasons with the Padres. This trade was the start of the Padres unloading their entire farm system as they pushed to remain competitive with both the Dodgers and Giants consistently in the NL West.

The Impact

The ultimate impact of this deal was how little the Padres got out of Soto before trading him to the Yankees two seasons later. Wood, Abrams and Gore became part of the National young nucleus, with Wood becoming one of the brightest young stars in the league.

Losing Ronald Acuña Jr. to a torn ACL in 2021 should have ended the Braves’ season. Instead, aggressive mid-season trades for Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, and Jorge Soler saved their outfield and in many ways sparked a World Series run.

However, there might not have been a more impactful deal than acquiring Soler from the Kansas City Royals. For the type of impact that Soler made, the Braves only had to give up minor league prospect Kasey Kalich, who never made it to the major league level.

The Impact

Soler capped a dominant postseason by winning World Series MVP and leading Atlanta to its first title since 1995. With six hits, three home runs, and six RBIs in the Series, he proved just how much one hot bat can transform a championship run.

The Dodgers are no secret to making deadline deals, especially when they’re making a World Series push. One of the biggest deals was when they acquired Scherzer and Turner from the Nationals for Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey.

By bringing in Scherzer and Turner as short-term options, the Dodgers pulled off one of the biggest ‘all-in’ moves in recent memory.

The Impact

Scherzer was a true rental, but Turner still had a year of team control, but the impact on both teams was evident. After giving up the amount of young talent that the Dodgers did, they didn’t even make a World Series and lost to the Braves in the NLCS.

The 2015 Mets were a red-hot Royals team away from a World Series title, and that iconic run was all about Yoenis Céspedes. Giving up just Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa to get him remains one of the best deadline steals in recent memory.

The Impact

Céspedes made his impact known for the Mets during the 2015 playoffs, finishing with 12 hits, two home runs, and eight RBIs. While his postseason performance fluctuated, he remained one of the league’s most dynamic threats and entered October fresh off a Gold Glove-winning season.

Lee’s impact has been so special that he made the list twice. This time was when he was traded to the Phillies at the 2009 deadline. The Phillies were able to acquire Lee and Ben Francisco from the Guardians for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, Lou Marson, and Jason Donald.

The Impact

The Phillies’ rotation became one of the most feared in the league during a dominant 2009 postseason run led by Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martínez, and Joe Blanton. Lee went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA to help them reach the World Series before they ultimately fell to the Yankees.

Verlander being traded from the Detroit Tigers after 13 seasons to the Astros was one of the most impactful deadline deals in league history. He’s not just a Triple Crown winner and one of the most dominant arms the sport has seen, but he also helped the Astros win the World Series.

The Astros traded away Daz Cameron, Jake Rogers, and Franklin Perez for Verlander and cash considerations. On top of spending five seasons with the team, Verlander won the 2019 AL Cy Young award and took home another World Series ring in 2022.

The Impact

During the Astros’ 2017 postseason run, Verlander went 4-1 with a 2.21 ERA and a franchise-record 38 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched. Along with winning the World Series, Verlander added a major individual accolade to his resume with the ALCS MVP.

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In 2025, the Panthers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record. 

It marked Carolina’s first division title and playoff appearance since 2017, as well as the franchise’s first season with more than seven wins over that span. The turnaround was especially impressive considering the Panthers won just two games only two years ago.

Now, the question is whether Carolina can build on last season’s breakthrough and take another step forward in 2026.

Let’s check out their Over/Under win total odds for the 2026 season.  

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Carolina Panthers

Over 7.5: +115 (bet $10 to win $21.50 total)
Under 7.5: -136 (bet $10 to win $17.35 total)

What to know: Despite finishing with a losing record, the Panthers nearly pulled off one of the biggest playoff upsets in recent memory, pushing the 12-5 Rams to the brink before falling 34-31 in the wild-card round. 

The biggest reason for Carolina’s turnaround was the emergence of quarterback Bryce Young. Just a year earlier, Young had been benched and his long-term future with the franchise was in question. In 2025, however, he took a major step forward, throwing for a career-high 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 63.6% of his throws. 

Carolina made defense its top priority this offseason, landing two marquee additions in free agency — Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. The Panthers also invested in protecting Young by selecting offensive tackle Monroe Freeling in the first round of the NFL Draft. 

Odds: This upcoming season, Carolina is the +310 third choice to win the NFC South, the +3800 14th choice to win the NFC and the +9000 25th choice to win the Super Bowl. 

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Get ready for a wild weekend ahead. 

As the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches, a plethora of teams still remain on the bubble between buying, selling or doing a little of both. That’s what happens when only nine teams are more than three games out of a playoff spot. The other 21 clubs are all jockeying for position. 

Over the next few days, though, they’ll all have to make their decisions. 

As teams figure out what direction they want to go, below is each contender’s biggest need and one possible target who could fit the mold. 

(For the purposes of this exercise, all teams within three games of a playoff spot entering Thursday are included.)

THE TOP CONTENDERS

Los Angeles Dodgers

Biggest Need: … None 
Possible Target: LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers 

They don’t need to do anything at the deadline. Edwin Díaz and Kiké Hernández are back.  Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are working their way back. Will Smith has resumed baseball activities. And yet…can you really see them standing pat, especially if Skubal becomes available? As much as the Dodgers are publicly downplaying their desire to add, they have everything they need — the surplus of outfield prospects, the big-league depth and the motivation to win a third straight title — to get this done.

(Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

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Milwaukee Brewers

Biggest Need: Starting pitching/impact talent
Possible Target: RHP Freddy Peralta, New York Mets 

Last year’s NLCS should be a deadline wake-up call, and the Brewers should absolutely push the chips in to add a star, be it in the rotation to pair with Jacob Misiorowski or in the middle of the lineup to better contend with the elite arms they’ll see in October. Tarik Skubal? CJ Abrams? Zach Neto? They should all be options…Only, that’s not the Brewers’ usual way of operating. So, even though my heart says Skubal to the Brewers, my brain does not. Perhaps a reunion with Peralta is in the cards. They would at least have as good of a chance as any team to get him back to his productive ways.

Atlanta Braves

Biggest Need: Starting pitching 
Possible Target: RHP Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays 

Atlanta’s rotation exceeded expectations through the first couple months of the season, but the group has fallen back down to earth since. Braves starters have an ERA close to 5.00 since the start of June, a tally that ranks 25th in MLB over that stretch. Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach remain out, and while AJ Smith-Shawver returned from injury, it’s hard to know what to expect there. They could really use another starter that they can trust alongside Chris Sale in October. They should at least be placing calls for all of the top arms on the market.

(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

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Tampa Bay Rays

Biggest Need: Impact bat
Possible Target: 2B Luis Arraez, San Francisco Giants 

Tampa Bay might be the most interesting buyer at the deadline, considering both its playoff position (they have the best record in the American League) and its needs at multiple spots. The Rays could use an upgrade offensively at every spot up the middle. They might want another starter to ease workload concerns and raise the October ceiling. They might look for another high-leverage reliever to help a bullpen that has an ERA over 4.00. The AL is there for the taking; why not seize this opportunity? 

New York Yankees

Biggest Need: Catcher
Possible Target: C Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds 

The Yankees could use help anywhere while Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton are down, but they’ve needed more offensive production behind the plate all season. The catching market will be interesting to monitor. Just a week ago, it seemed robust. Now, the options are dwindling.

A’s All-Star Shea Langeliers is done for the year. Ryan Jeffers is a rental that seemed to be a perfect fit in the Bronx, but the contending Twins could choose to keep him. The Reds’ Tyler Stephenson or the A’s Jonah Heim are among the other rental options. Stephenson’s hot last couple months — entering Wednesday, he had an .842 OPS since the start of June — could make him one of the more appealing candidates for the Yankees, unless they’re willing to pay up for someone like Colorado’s Hunter Goodman, who leads all catchers in home runs and is under team control for three more seasons. 

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

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Chicago Cubs

Biggest Need: Pitching 
Possible Target: RHP José Soriano, Los Angeles Angels 

Are you a productive big-league pitcher? Congrats, the Cubs should be interested. They have four starters and seven relievers on the injured list. The good news is that most of them are expected to return in some capacity in the second half. Still, it’s hard to know what to expect from those injured players. The Cubs could use immediate help to bolster a middling rotation and bullpen for the stretch run as they try to cut into the Brewers’ sizable division lead, but they could also use a more reliable option to start games in October. Someone like Soriano, a groundball pitcher who can also miss bats and benefit from the Cubs’ elite defense, would make a lot of sense. 

Philadelphia Phillies

Biggest Need: Right-handed outfielder? Reliever? Starter? All three? 
Possible Target: OF Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels

You could make the case that a high-leverage reliever or another depth starter is more important in Philadelphia, but it’s hard to feel great about an offense that entered Wednesday with a lower OPS than the Royals and the Reds. Phillies outfielders have the lowest wRC+ in baseball, and that’s despite Brandon Marsh being an All-Star this year. They could use another right-handed bat to feel more comfortable about this offense against the elite arms it will see in October.  

HERE THEY COME 

Boston Red Sox

Biggest Need: Infield bat 
Possible Target: SS Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels

Boston is surging, but the Red Sox are already 0-for-1 at the deadline. Curtis Mead, acquired over the weekend in exchange for pitcher Connelly Early, fractured his wrist in his first game with his new club and is now on the injured list. That should only increase the urgency for the hottest team in baseball to find more infield pop.

The Red Sox seem to be interested in finding a right-handed-hitting shortstop, but the best ones potentially available (Neto, Otto Lopez, Jeremy Peña) are controllable and would cost an exorbitant amount. If they’re not willing to pay up but still are seeking an infield bat, maybe they won’t care as much about handedness or position and pivot to a rental such as Gleyber Torres.

(Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

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THE TURNAROUNDS

Chicago White Sox

Biggest Need: Starting pitching 
Possible Target: LHP Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels 

It’s a party on the South Side. Chicago’s young, powerful offense has slowed down a bit in July, but there’s enough pop in place to envision the White Sox holding on for their first division title in five years…as long as more pitching help arrives. The White Sox rank 17th in starters’ ERA, and their best pitcher this year, Davis Martin, has a 6.00 ERA in July. Sean Burke has helped pick up the slack, but they need another arm if they want the festivities to continue to and through October. With Kyle Teel hurt again, it also wouldn’t be surprising to see them add a catcher. 

Pittsburgh Pirates

Biggest Need: Relief pitching 
Possible Target: RHP Luke Weaver, New York Mets 

The Pirates have gone from the worst offense in baseball last year to one of the best this season. Their rotation, while not quite performing to expectations, has two All-Stars in Paul Skenes and Braxton Ashcraft, plus talented arms behind those two. The clear need is in the bullpen, and they should be shopping at the high end of the market as they attempt to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015.

(Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

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Washington Nationals

Biggest Need: Relief pitching 
Possible Target: RHP Ryan Zeferjahn, Los Angeles Angels 

The upstart Nationals’ offense leads MLB in slugging and home runs. The pitching…is another story, and this is a team that still could end up selling despite the unexpectedly strong start. All-Star Foster Griffin and Cade Cavalli give the rotation a solid starting point, but their starters rank 24th in ERA as a team. The bullpen, which ranks 28th in ERA and has the lowest strikeout rate in MLB, is an even bigger problem that needs to be addressed if Washington wants to buy and capitalize on an auspicious start to the Paul Toboni era. 

THE WILD WEST 

Texas Rangers

Biggest Need: Relief pitching 
Possible Target: RHP Huascar Brazobán, New York Mets 

The Rangers have yet to recapture the offense that guided them to their 2023 World Series title, but the bats have been better compared to the last couple years. They need to keep Wyatt Langford healthy and get Corey Seager and Josh Jung back on the field, but the biggest need is another relief arm to help fix a bullpen that has an ERA close to 6.00 in July.

They already made their first move of the deadline, acquiring catcher Logan O’Hoppe and reliever Chase Silseth from the Angels. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see them get another right-handed high-leverage reliever to pair with lefty All-Star closer Jacob Latz.

(Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images)

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Seattle Mariners

Biggest Need: Right-handed bat
Possible Target: OF Tyrone Taylor, New York Mets 

The Mariners could use another high-leverage reliever, too, but they entered this week last in MLB in OPS against left-handed pitching. Unfortunately for them, there aren’t many right-handed impact bats on the market.

If the Marlins decide to sell, Heriberto Hernández could be a fit here. If not, Taylor or the Dodgers’ Alex Call could be platoon options against lefties. If the Mariners want to go bigger, they could trade some of their surplus of starting pitching. Whatever they do at the deadline, though, their biggest problem is that their best players aren’t producing consistently enough. That needs to change quickly. 

Houston Astros

Biggest Need: Outfield 
Possible Target: OF Jake McCarthy, Colorado Rockies

In the final season under contract, general manager Dana Brown is going to look for any reason to buy. Yordan Alvarez, the MVP frontrunner, has provided one all year. Now, the rest of the team is, too, with better play to start the second half. The rotation could use more help, but the bigger need might be an outfield that entered Wednesday with the lowest OPS in MLB. A match with Colorado, either for McCarthy or Mickey Moniak, would seem to be an obvious fit. 

CENTRAL CHASING 

Cleveland Guardians

Biggest Need: More offense
Possible Target: OF Luis Robert Jr, New York Mets

Another year, same story. Rookies Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana have given Cleveland a lift, yet the Guardians still have the lowest OPS in MLB as a team. Getting Jose Ramirez back is obviously huge, but this team still needs to find more offense if it wants to do anything of note.

(Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

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Minnesota Twins

Biggest Need: Relief pitching 
Possible Target: LHP Brock Burke, Cincinnati Reds

A couple of weeks ago, everyone was trying to concoct Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton deals (no matter how many times Buxton, who has a no-trade clause, has made it clear he wants to stay). Now, the Twins, on the cusp of the wild-card picture, have declared themselves buyers. That’s unfortunate news for the catching-needy teams who could have used Ryan Jeffers. Maybe the Twins ultimately do a little buying and selling, but after last deadline’s reliever sell-off, there’s a lot of work ahead to repair a bullpen that ranks 26th in ERA.

WILD-CARD HOPEFULS 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Biggest Need: First base 
Possible Target: 1B Luis Garcia Jr, Washington Nationals 

Wait, not pitching? Sure, the D-backs could use help both in the rotation (4.27 ERA) and bullpen (4.15), but the most glaring weak spot on the team is first base, where they rank last in MLB in both OPS and wRC+. The problem is there aren’t many impact players available at the position. Perhaps someone like Nathaniel Lowe will be the answer…or, maybe they can convince the Nationals to part with Garcia, who would represent a significant upgrade and is under team control for one more season.

(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

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San Diego Padres

Biggest Need: Starting pitching
Possible Target: RHP Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners 

The Padres are one of the toughest teams to figure out. Their star hitters are finally starting to perform, but they still have a lot of needs and entered Wednesday with 21.9% odds to make the postseason, according to FanGraphs. Then again, this is AJ Preller we’re talking about. It wouldn’t be surprising to see both some buying and some selling. If they do the former, starting pitching has to be a priority. Maybe they find a way to use some of their bullpen arms to get rotation help and a bat. 

ON THE BUBBLE 

Miami Marlins

Biggest Need: Third base/bullpen 
Possible Target: UTIL Nick Loftin, Kansas City Royals 

It seems more likely after that historic 12-game losing skid that the Marlins will sell. But if they choose to buy, or do a little of both, the Marlins’ bullpen has an ERA over 6.00 in July while their third basemen entered Wednesday with an MLB-worst .548 OPS on the year. Helping either spot would make sense. 

St. Louis Cardinals

Biggest Need: Lineup depth 
Possible Target: 3B Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants 

Because the Cardinals’ unexpectedly strong start was driven by a bevy of young talents — Jordan Walker’s breakout, JJ Wetherholt’s production, etc. — it felt like there was no ceiling to where the offense might go. I guess there was no floor, either. The Cardinals’ offense has the lowest OPS in baseball this month. When things start to spiral, as they are now, sometimes a veteran in the clubhouse can help. While it seems more likely that the Cardinals would lightly sell rather than buy, someone like Chapman could help lead the next wave of St. Louis talents. 

Baltimore Orioles

Biggest Need: Pitching
Possible Target: LHP Brooks Raley, New York Mets

Considering their pitching injuries, both the rotation and bullpen have helped up quite well this month. That said, with Ryan Helsley down and Felix Bautista’s return date uncertain, the Orioles could use another reliable high-leverage arm. If they decide to sell, rentals Taylor Ward, Trevor Rogers and Andrew Kittredge could help a lot of teams. So would Adley Rutschman, if they’re willing to deal controllable players. 

Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.

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