Samwise MLB Newsletter
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Pre-Deadline Deals Reshape Rosters Across Both Leagues
As the August 3 MLB trade deadline approaches, teams reshuffled rosters Friday with a flurry of deals. The Texas Rangers made the most notable acquisition, landing catcher Logan O’Hoppe and right-hander Chase Silseth from the Los Angeles Angels for prospect Angel Arredondo. The Chicago Cubs added veteran starter Aaron Civale from the Athletics for Aiden Moffett. The Minnesota Twins bolstered a surging bullpen by claiming left-hander A.J. Minter from the Mets for prospects Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick. The Baltimore Orioles acquired catcher Jake Rogers from Detroit for minor-leaguer Zane Barnhart. The White Sox, Red Sox, and Dodgers also completed deals as the deadline frenzy built Friday.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors, ESPN
Skubal Trade Viewed as Imminent; Dodgers Lead Crowded Field
Reigning two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is expected to be traded by the Detroit Tigers before the August 3 deadline, with a deal anticipated within days. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Friday that Skubal is poised to be moved imminently. The Los Angeles Dodgers are viewed as frontrunners among suitors that also include the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, and Philadelphia Phillies. The Brewers are considered the biggest threat to outbid Los Angeles, aided by a deep farm system. Skubal is owed approximately $9.5 million through season’s end on a record-setting $32 million arbitration salary.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Mets Scratch Freddy Peralta as Trade Talks Intensify Before Deadline
The New York Mets scratched right-hander Freddy Peralta from his scheduled Friday start against the Miami Marlins approximately five hours before first pitch as trade talks intensified. Interim manager Andy Green told reporters the decision stemmed from escalating interest with the August 3 deadline looming. Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Tampa Bay Rays have all expressed interest in the 28-year-old. Peralta owns a 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA across 22 starts this season. Sitting at 47-63 and 17.5 games behind Atlanta in the NL East, New York has shifted fully into sell mode, though asking price remains the sticking point.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors, FOX Sports
Sal Stewart Drives In 4 as Reds Rally Past Pirates 8-7
Rookie Sal Stewart hit a two-run home run and drove in four runs as the Cincinnati Reds rallied past the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 on Friday night in Cincinnati. Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes surrendered five runs in four innings, allowing Stewart’s 23rd homer and a solo shot by JJ Bleday despite striking out seven batters. The Pirates surged back to lead 7-5 in the eighth inning on three consecutive RBI singles, only for the Reds to answer with three runs of their own. Stewart’s two-run single off Wilber Dotel tied the game, and he scored the go-ahead run on a fielding error. Emilio Pagan (4-1) earned the win.
Sources: Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports
Lewis Homer, Keaschall Double Lift Twins Past Mariners 5-3
Royce Lewis hit a tying home run in the seventh inning and Luke Keaschall followed with a go-ahead double as the Minnesota Twins beat the Seattle Mariners 5-3 on Friday night in Seattle. Minnesota won for the seventh time in nine games and reached the .500 mark at 55-55, their first winning record since April 21. The Twins are tied with Cleveland for the final AL Wild Card berth, three games behind AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox. Seattle fell to 53-57 and has now dropped eight of its last 10 games, falling 2.5 games behind division-leading Texas in the AL West with the trade deadline complicating any potential roster moves.
Sources: ESPN, NBC Sports
Warren Deals, Rosario and Jones Homer as Yankees Blank Cubs 2-0
Will Warren turned in one of his strongest outings of the season as the New York Yankees blanked the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Amed Rosario launched his 10th home run of the year — a 450-foot blast to left-center in the fourth inning — and Spencer Jones added his fourth homer, a 418-foot drive to right-center in the fifth. New York’s pitching staff combined on a four-hit shutout, and the Cubs were blanked for the 10th time this season. The Yankees improved to 62-48, snapping a two-game losing streak, while Chicago dropped to 62-48 in a tight NL Central race.
Sources: CBS Sports, FOX Sports
Urias Delivers Pinch-Hit Single as Blue Jays Nip Cardinals 3-1
Pinch-hitter Luis Urias delivered a two-run single through the left side in the eighth inning to lift the Toronto Blue Jays past the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 on Friday night. Jordan Walker gave St. Louis the lead with a two-out RBI single in the fifth, but Toronto tied it in the sixth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kazuma Okamoto opened the inning with back-to-back doubles. Cardinals reliever Peter Strzelecki walked two batters to load the bases for Urias, who grounded through the left side for the decisive hit. Jeff Hoffman (6-7) earned the win and closer Louis Varland recorded his 24th save in as many opportunities.
Sources: CBS Sports, MLB.com
Marlins Top Mets 5-2 in Series Opener; Peralta Absence Looms Large
The Miami Marlins defeated the New York Mets 5-2 on Friday night at Citi Field, opening their series on a night defined by trade deadline circumstances. New York had scratched Freddy Peralta from his scheduled start hours earlier as trade discussions intensified ahead of the August 3 deadline, turning to bullpen pitching for the contest. The Marlins improved to 55-55 on the season, hovering at the edge of the NL Wild Card race. The loss dropped New York to 47-63, 17.5 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta Braves, cementing the Mets’ status as sellers. Miami’s series-opening win came as both clubs navigate the final days before the deadline.
Sources: MLB.com, FOX Sports
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 64–44, —
2. New York Yankees — 61–48, 3.5 GB
3. Boston Red Sox — 57–51, 7.0 GB
4. Baltimore Orioles — 53–56, 11.5 GB
5. Toronto Blue Jays — 50–59, 14.5 GB
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox — 57–51, —
2. Cleveland Guardians — 56–54, 2.0 GB
3. Minnesota Twins — 55–55, 3.0 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 51–58, 6.5 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 46–64, 12.0 GB
AL West
1. Texas Rangers — 55–54, —
2. Houston Astros — 55–55, 0.5 GB
3. Seattle Mariners — 53–57, 2.5 GB
4. Athletics — 45–64, 10.0 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 42–67, 13.0 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 64–45, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 57–52, 7.0 GB
3. Washington Nationals — 55–55, 9.5 GB
4. Miami Marlins — 55–55, 9.5 GB
5. New York Mets — 47–63, 17.5 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 67–41, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 62–47, 5.5 GB
3. Pittsburgh Pirates — 55–55, 13.0 GB
4. St. Louis Cardinals — 54–55, 13.5 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 51–57, 16.0 GB
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 69–40, —
2. Arizona Diamondbacks — 57–52, 12.0 GB
3. San Diego Padres — 55–54, 14.0 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 47–62, 22.0 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 42–67, 27.0 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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