22 hours ago
Another trade deadline has passed.
As has become customary in recent years — particularly with the expanded postseason making it more difficult to distinguish who should be buying and selling — most MLB teams waited until the final 48 hours to ramp up their trade activity. More than 40 trades were executed on deadline day alone, with another handful of deals completed in the week leading up to the final buzzer, including the seismic swap sending two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to the superteam known as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With the deadline behind us, it's time to conduct our annual exercise of ranking (nearly) all of the deals that went down since the All-Star break, when trade activity picks up around the league.
Let's get to it.
50. Dodgers acquire C Ben Rortvedt from Mets for RP Chayce McDermott
49. Dodgers acquire C Hunter Feduccia, RP Jacob Kmatz from Rays for OF Jack Suwinski, international bonus pool money
48. Dodgers acquire SP Kris Bubic from Royals for RP Carlos Duran
47. Dodgers acquire RP Seth Halvorsen from Rockies for OF Landyn Vidourek, SP Nick Frasso
#Dodgers #acquire #time
As has become customary in recent years — particularly with the expanded postseason making it more difficult to distinguish who should be buying and selling — most MLB teams waited until the final 48 hours to ramp up their trade activity. More than 40 trades were executed on deadline day alone, with another handful of deals completed in the week leading up to the final buzzer, including the seismic swap sending two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to the superteam known as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With the deadline behind us, it's time to conduct our annual exercise of ranking (nearly) all of the deals that went down since the All-Star break, when trade activity picks up around the league.
Let's get to it.
50. Dodgers acquire C Ben Rortvedt from Mets for RP Chayce McDermott
49. Dodgers acquire C Hunter Feduccia, RP Jacob Kmatz from Rays for OF Jack Suwinski, international bonus pool money
48. Dodgers acquire SP Kris Bubic from Royals for RP Carlos Duran
47. Dodgers acquire RP Seth Halvorsen from Rockies for OF Landyn Vidourek, SP Nick Frasso
#Dodgers #acquire #time
23 hours ago
The 2026 MLB Trade Deadline is finally behind us. It was a whirlwind day and a whirlwind week-plus since the first major domino fell on the trade market. In reality, we won't really know how teams did at this year's deadline until the World Series trophy is hoisted or some of the prospects who got dealt have more years of experience under their belt, but that's not a fun truth for this exercise. Instead, we're gonna talk about who won or lost the deadline right now, just after it all went down.
This was a super fun trade deadline. We had some out-of-left-field moves. We had some top 50 prospects get traded. We had some established veterans going to new teams, and we had some typically passive teams trying to be aggressive. It all made for an enjoyable trade deadline that I didn't see coming. Now don't ruin it by taking a whole year off from playing games.
Yes, Tarik Skubal is a winner even if people are suggesting that he and the Dodgers have broken baseball. He was traded to the odds-on favorite to win the World Series. That's a big win for any player, which I guess makes Kris Bubic a winner too.
We should also take a minute and call River Ryan a winner. The discourse about him online has been aggressively harsh and bordering on illogical. He didn't become a full-time pitcher until 2022, when he was 23 years old. He had a fully healthy 2023 and 2024 season, and even reached the majors in 2024 before he blew out his arm and needed UCL surgery. He missed the entire 2025 season recovering from that and then returned this season. He looked good in Triple-A before a hamstring injury sidelined him. I don't care that he's 27 years old. I don't think he's "injury ***** e"; he had one major arm injury and a hamstring injury. Is he a risk? Sure, but he's a talented pitcher, and he's eventually going to get to show it in Detroit.
Even if the Dodgers got Skubal, they might still have to go through the Boston Red Sox. Say what you want about how many prospects the Red Sox gave up today (and I will say some things later in this article), but they are certainly building a team to contend for this season. This team just swept the Dodgers on the road over the weekend and put together the best month of July of any team in baseball, so the front office decided they had to go for it. They added Adley Rutschman to provide a major upgrade at catcher for 2026 and 2027. They also added Eli White as a solid fourth outfielder who can defend and run the bases well, and then added Erik Miller as a solid left-handed reliever under team control through 2030, which the team really needed. Those are all solid pieces to add to a roster that is performing and plans to make a run in the playoffs. They gave up a lot of young players to get those pieces, but you certainly can't argue that the Red Sox are making a push to win in 2026.
#deadline #trade #major
This was a super fun trade deadline. We had some out-of-left-field moves. We had some top 50 prospects get traded. We had some established veterans going to new teams, and we had some typically passive teams trying to be aggressive. It all made for an enjoyable trade deadline that I didn't see coming. Now don't ruin it by taking a whole year off from playing games.
Yes, Tarik Skubal is a winner even if people are suggesting that he and the Dodgers have broken baseball. He was traded to the odds-on favorite to win the World Series. That's a big win for any player, which I guess makes Kris Bubic a winner too.
We should also take a minute and call River Ryan a winner. The discourse about him online has been aggressively harsh and bordering on illogical. He didn't become a full-time pitcher until 2022, when he was 23 years old. He had a fully healthy 2023 and 2024 season, and even reached the majors in 2024 before he blew out his arm and needed UCL surgery. He missed the entire 2025 season recovering from that and then returned this season. He looked good in Triple-A before a hamstring injury sidelined him. I don't care that he's 27 years old. I don't think he's "injury ***** e"; he had one major arm injury and a hamstring injury. Is he a risk? Sure, but he's a talented pitcher, and he's eventually going to get to show it in Detroit.
Even if the Dodgers got Skubal, they might still have to go through the Boston Red Sox. Say what you want about how many prospects the Red Sox gave up today (and I will say some things later in this article), but they are certainly building a team to contend for this season. This team just swept the Dodgers on the road over the weekend and put together the best month of July of any team in baseball, so the front office decided they had to go for it. They added Adley Rutschman to provide a major upgrade at catcher for 2026 and 2027. They also added Eli White as a solid fourth outfielder who can defend and run the bases well, and then added Erik Miller as a solid left-handed reliever under team control through 2030, which the team really needed. Those are all solid pieces to add to a roster that is performing and plans to make a run in the playoffs. They gave up a lot of young players to get those pieces, but you certainly can't argue that the Red Sox are making a push to win in 2026.
#deadline #trade #major
1 day ago
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired All-Star left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic in a trade with the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
In exchange for Bubic, the Dodgers sent right-handed relief pitcher Carlos Duran to the Royals, freeing up a 40-man roster spot.
Bubic is currently on the injured list, and hasn't pitched in an MLB game since May 14 due to an elbow injury. He began a rehab ***** ignment in June, posting a 10.38 over 4.1 innings pitched in Triple-A, though the Royals shut him down after a setback. He is currently on the 60-day injured list, but is expected to make a return before the end of the year.
Prior to his injury, Bubic had a 4.11 ERA through nine starts in the AL Central, striking out 51 batters in 50.1 innings pitched. Bubic made the All-Star Game in 2025, making 20 starts and posting a 2.55 ERA before a shoulder injury took him out for the rest of the season.
Bubic has pitched in parts of six MLB seasons for the Royals, and has a 4.14 ERA through 126 appearances on the mound.
#pitched #injury #star #currently
In exchange for Bubic, the Dodgers sent right-handed relief pitcher Carlos Duran to the Royals, freeing up a 40-man roster spot.
Bubic is currently on the injured list, and hasn't pitched in an MLB game since May 14 due to an elbow injury. He began a rehab ***** ignment in June, posting a 10.38 over 4.1 innings pitched in Triple-A, though the Royals shut him down after a setback. He is currently on the 60-day injured list, but is expected to make a return before the end of the year.
Prior to his injury, Bubic had a 4.11 ERA through nine starts in the AL Central, striking out 51 batters in 50.1 innings pitched. Bubic made the All-Star Game in 2025, making 20 starts and posting a 2.55 ERA before a shoulder injury took him out for the rest of the season.
Bubic has pitched in parts of six MLB seasons for the Royals, and has a 4.14 ERA through 126 appearances on the mound.
#pitched #injury #star #currently
1 day ago
If I had a nickel for every time the Royals traded a left-handed starting pitcher that some people felt was better in the bullpen on an expiring deal, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened twice.
It's sad to see Kris Bubic go. I still wonder if the Royals might try to bring him back on a one-year deal to a rapidly depleting pitching staff next year. There were strong rumors that the Royals had a deal worked out to send Bubic to the Angels for Taylor Ward this past offseason when Baltimore convinced them to take Grayson Rodriguez instead. Obviously, his value has diminished with a second straight season derailed by injury. Especially because no one seems to quite understand the nature of the injury. But he's no longer the Royals' problem.
Carlos Duran is a big right-handed reliever that the Dodgers added as a minor league free agent last year. He has struck out 12 batters per 9 innings but also walked nearly 6 per 9 in AAA for them this season. He still has a 3.38 ERA, though. He just turned 25 last week, and while he did make his major league debut last season, he only pitched 1/3 of an inning for the Athletics. You have to wonder if he could serve more as help in the Royals' bullpen this year than a prospect for next season.
Kris's true value seems like it's probably far less than their model indicates since he's currently on the 60-day IL and no one seems to know when he might return. If the Royals can turn Duran into a serviceable reliever, this would seem like a huge win for them.
#last #bubic #handed
It's sad to see Kris Bubic go. I still wonder if the Royals might try to bring him back on a one-year deal to a rapidly depleting pitching staff next year. There were strong rumors that the Royals had a deal worked out to send Bubic to the Angels for Taylor Ward this past offseason when Baltimore convinced them to take Grayson Rodriguez instead. Obviously, his value has diminished with a second straight season derailed by injury. Especially because no one seems to quite understand the nature of the injury. But he's no longer the Royals' problem.
Carlos Duran is a big right-handed reliever that the Dodgers added as a minor league free agent last year. He has struck out 12 batters per 9 innings but also walked nearly 6 per 9 in AAA for them this season. He still has a 3.38 ERA, though. He just turned 25 last week, and while he did make his major league debut last season, he only pitched 1/3 of an inning for the Athletics. You have to wonder if he could serve more as help in the Royals' bullpen this year than a prospect for next season.
Kris's true value seems like it's probably far less than their model indicates since he's currently on the 60-day IL and no one seems to know when he might return. If the Royals can turn Duran into a serviceable reliever, this would seem like a huge win for them.
#last #bubic #handed
1 day ago
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly acquired left-handed starting pitcher Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Bubic has been dealing with elbow and shoulder injuries this season and is currently on the 60-day IL. He hasn't pitched in the bigs since May 14.
The southpaw was an All-Star last season. Before getting hurt this year, Bubic had made nine starts. He tallied a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, striking out 51 batters in 50.1 innings of work.
Bubic is in the final year of arbitration and will be a free agent at the end of the season if he isn't signed to an extension.
The 28-year-old will provide further depth to the Dodgers down the stretch of the season. He started a throwing program in late July and is expected to pitch again this season, barring any setbacks.
#season
Bubic has been dealing with elbow and shoulder injuries this season and is currently on the 60-day IL. He hasn't pitched in the bigs since May 14.
The southpaw was an All-Star last season. Before getting hurt this year, Bubic had made nine starts. He tallied a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, striking out 51 batters in 50.1 innings of work.
Bubic is in the final year of arbitration and will be a free agent at the end of the season if he isn't signed to an extension.
The 28-year-old will provide further depth to the Dodgers down the stretch of the season. He started a throwing program in late July and is expected to pitch again this season, barring any setbacks.
#season
1 day ago
Dodgers acquire Royals left-hander Kris Bubic in intriguing deadline trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have added another potentially valuable arm to their pitching staff, although their latest acquisition comes with considerable uncertainty.
Los Angeles is acquiring left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The players heading to Kansas City were not immediately reported. Bubic is currently on the 60-day injured list after dealing with elbow soreness and a subsequent shoulder setback. He recently began a throwing progression, but there is no firm timetable for his return to a major league mound.
That makes this an intriguing deadline gamble for the Dodgers. Bubic went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over nine starts for Kansas City this season. He recorded 51 strikeouts across 50 1/3 innings before injuries interrupted his year. The 28-year-old is not necessarily an immediate solution for Los Angeles. If he can get healthy, however, he could provide the Dodgers with another experienced starting option for the stretch run and potentially the postseason.
Bubic last pitched for Kansas City on May 14, when he allowed five earned runs over four innings against the Chicago White Sox. He was initially sidelined by an elbow issue before later experiencing discomfort in his shoulder. Bubic began a throwing progression in late July, making 30 throws from distances between 45 and 60 feet.
#bubic #left
The Los Angeles Dodgers have added another potentially valuable arm to their pitching staff, although their latest acquisition comes with considerable uncertainty.
Los Angeles is acquiring left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The players heading to Kansas City were not immediately reported. Bubic is currently on the 60-day injured list after dealing with elbow soreness and a subsequent shoulder setback. He recently began a throwing progression, but there is no firm timetable for his return to a major league mound.
That makes this an intriguing deadline gamble for the Dodgers. Bubic went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over nine starts for Kansas City this season. He recorded 51 strikeouts across 50 1/3 innings before injuries interrupted his year. The 28-year-old is not necessarily an immediate solution for Los Angeles. If he can get healthy, however, he could provide the Dodgers with another experienced starting option for the stretch run and potentially the postseason.
Bubic last pitched for Kansas City on May 14, when he allowed five earned runs over four innings against the Chicago White Sox. He was initially sidelined by an elbow issue before later experiencing discomfort in his shoulder. Bubic began a throwing progression in late July, making 30 throws from distances between 45 and 60 feet.
#bubic #left
25 days ago
The Kansas City Royals have usually been bad for the past, oh, three, four decades for a litany of reasons, but one consistent contributing reason has been that they just don't know when to say goodbye to a player in service of the greater good. David DeJesus. Joakim Soria. Danny Duffy. Kelvin Herrera. Whit Merrifield. Scott Barlow. All those players were true premium trade pieces at one point, but the Royals didn't pull the trigger on leveraging any of them until after their value tanked. Add Kris Bubic and Cole Ragans to the list, while we're at it.
Why would teams want to trade their good players? It's pretty simple: good players have a lot of present value, and good prospects have a lot of future value. Depending on how talented your team is, you might want to exchange some of that future value for present value or vice versa. Trading big league players for prospects is a way for bad teams to make use of their talent in a way that works better for their timeline.
But just because it's simple doesn't mean it's easy. Have you ever had to go to your boss and explain that you and your team screwed up so badly that you're recommending your company lose money now with the hope that they make more in the future? That's what it's like for general managers to sell these decisions to ownership. Still, that's part of the job, and if you have players that could be interesting trade **** ets, it makes it easier.
Fortunately for the Royals, they have a few players who are could be trade **** ets. Chief among them are starting pitchers Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. Wacha has arguably been the singular most reliable starting pitcher in the American League for the last three seasons, while Lugo has pitched decently and is two years removed from being the Cy Young runner up. Kansas City is also a very bad baseball team who sealed its fate months ago; it simply doesn't matter if they lose 90 or 120 games this year because they're not making the playoffs and they can't guarantee any spot in the draft thanks to the lottery system.
Are the Royals thinking about trading either? The answer is, predictably, no; get off their lawn.
Why would teams want to trade their good players? It's pretty simple: good players have a lot of present value, and good prospects have a lot of future value. Depending on how talented your team is, you might want to exchange some of that future value for present value or vice versa. Trading big league players for prospects is a way for bad teams to make use of their talent in a way that works better for their timeline.
But just because it's simple doesn't mean it's easy. Have you ever had to go to your boss and explain that you and your team screwed up so badly that you're recommending your company lose money now with the hope that they make more in the future? That's what it's like for general managers to sell these decisions to ownership. Still, that's part of the job, and if you have players that could be interesting trade **** ets, it makes it easier.
Fortunately for the Royals, they have a few players who are could be trade **** ets. Chief among them are starting pitchers Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. Wacha has arguably been the singular most reliable starting pitcher in the American League for the last three seasons, while Lugo has pitched decently and is two years removed from being the Cy Young runner up. Kansas City is also a very bad baseball team who sealed its fate months ago; it simply doesn't matter if they lose 90 or 120 games this year because they're not making the playoffs and they can't guarantee any spot in the draft thanks to the lottery system.
Are the Royals thinking about trading either? The answer is, predictably, no; get off their lawn.
