Now Warming Up…

Let's start with the Opener.

***Josh Naylor became the unofficial “opener” for the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline when he was traded from Arizona to Seattle for two pitching prospects. The Mariners are making a playoff/division run and are upgrading their offense with a 28-year-old power hitter with a penchant for making contact while limiting his strikeouts.  Naylor has a mere 11 home runs with the Diamondbacks, and hitting them out of Safeco is not the easiest feat, but Josh is a proven run producer with 59 runs driven in already. This also signals to the league that other Arizona players are available, and those on expiring contracts, such as Suarez, Gallen, and Kelly, will most likely be moved. Suarez is currently killing it with 36 homers and 86 RBI. Who would you want for your team?

Now to the Set-Up Man.

***Sacramento A’s first baseman, Nick Kurtz, appears to be a budding star and may be the face of the Las Vegas A’s, once they get there in 2028.  Kurtz became the first rookie in MLB history to hit four homers in a game, while going 6 for 6.  The 22-year-old was the fourth pick in the 2024 draft and is establishing himself as an offensive force.  Conversely, Jac Caglianone, drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the 6th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, has yet to find his way with regular playing time.

Now the Closer.

***The Detroit Tigers are as cold as a beer should be served at a game.  They have led MLB in wins all season until this swoon began before the All-Star break.  Nonetheless, they currently maintain a comfortable lead over the rest of the division, with the Guardians 7.5 games back, and looking like sellers at the trade deadline.  Although Detroit is playoff-bound, expect the Tigers to be more aggressive than usual at the deadline to make this team more formidable in a 5- or 7-game series.

"In all my years of baseball, I have always expected to be traded. I never liked the idea."- Jackie Robinson