Catchers and Cash: Cardinals’ High Ask for Herrera Raises Eyebrows
The Cardinals are shopping backup catcher Ivan Herrera, but rival execs call their price tag "high"—especially with Herrera hitting just .222/.300/.333 in limited MLB action. St. Louis’s reluctance to deal could backfire if the market softens, but they’re betting on Herrera’s upside. With the deadline looming, teams like the Guardians and Rays might blink first—or walk away.
Tigers’ Mize Move Hints at Skubal Fire Sale
Detroit’s decision to start Casey Mize on Friday—despite his 5.40 ERA—screams one thing: Tarik Skubal is gone. The Tigers promoted top prospect Max Clark to clear a 40-man spot, likely for Skubal’s eventual trade return. Mize’s start is a placeholder; the real story is whether Detroit can land a haul for Skubal, who’s 2.58 ERA and 11.4 K/9 make him the best pitcher available since Max Scherzer in 2015.
Red Sox Go All-In After Mead Injury
Boston’s trade plans just got a jolt after rookie Curtis Mead tore his ACL in his first game. Now, they’re linked to three infielders:
- Former Yankees All-Star (unnamed): A big bat, but at what cost?
- Marlins’ .292-hitting infielder: Not Otto Lopez—think Jon Berti or Javier Báez (if Miami eats salary).
- 2026 targets: CJ Abrams and Zach Neto top their wish list, but don’t expect them to wait.
The Sox are done playing nice. After flipping Lucas Giolito and Kenley Jansen, they’re loading up for October.
White Sox Stay the Course—For Now
Chicago’s front office insists their trade deadline plans won’t change, even if it means holding Dylan Cease or Garrett Crochet past July 30. The White Sox are in no rush to trade their top pitching prospects, but with Crochet’s 3.06 ERA and Cease’s 4.15 ERA, they’re sitting on a goldmine. If they don’t deal now, they’ll regret it in 2025.
Skubal’s Trade Value: Can He Join the Elite?
Only 12 pitchers with a sub-3.00 ERA and 10+ K/9 have been traded mid-season since 1990. Skubal’s 2.58 ERA and 11.4 K/9 put him in rarified air—think CC Sabathia (2008) or Max Scherzer (2015). The Tigers know this. The bidding war starts now.