NFL

Lions sign OT Taylor Decker to three-year, $60 million contract extension

Smart organizations lock in good players, and that’s what Detroit is doing here. Good might be an understatement when describing Decker — the left tackle was borderline elite last season — as the 29-year-old and Penei Sewell combine to form arguably the league’s best tackle duo for the Lions.

Grade: B

NBA

Hornets sign PF Moussa Diabate to two-way contract

Diabate might be worth a look from the Hornets. The forward is a springy athlete that averaged a double-double last season in the G League. The hope for Charlotte is that production translates to the NBA, where he averaged 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 2024.

Grade: C

MLB

Cardinals receive: SP Erick Fedde and LF Tommy Pham

Dodgers receive: RP Michael Kopech and 2B Tommy Edman

White Sox receive: 2B Miguel Vargas, 3B Alexander Albertus and 2B Jeral Perez

John Mozeliak outdid himself here. The Cardinals entered this week with two obvious needs: starting pitching and a corner outfielder. This deal threads the needle for both spots and only costs St. Louis Tommy Edman, who posses a variety of skills, but doesn’t match the combined value of Fedde and Pham.

Speaking of Fedde, the 31-year-old has been a revelation this season with the White Sox, posting a 7-4 record and 3.11 ERA after returning from the KBO. Pham should help the Cardinals, too, receiving platoon at-bats on occasion.

The Dodgers gave up a bit more to receive a bit less than the Cardinals did, but this transaction strengthens Los Angeles’ depth for the stretch run. Kopech, in particular, still has some upside, even at 28.

The White Sox didn’t get enough here — there’s no way around it. If Chris Getz opts to move Garrett Crochet and/or Luis Robert, Chicago fans should be hoping for a much better return.

Cardinals Grade: A-

Dodgers Grade: B

White Sox Grade: D

Blue Jays receive: LF RJ Schreck

Mariners receive: 3B Justin Turner

The Blue Jays have wisely started to sell, and the 39-year-old Turner was as obvious a candidate as any to be moved. The third baseman isn’t the hitter he was at his peak with the Dodgers, but he’s still useful at the plate, as evidenced by his .254 batting average, six home runs and 31 RBI this season.

Schreck isn’t a highly-ranked prospect — the outfielder ranks No. 29 in Seattle’s system — but he’s a fair return, considering the Mariners will be paying the remainder of Turner’s salary.

Because of injuries and poor performance, there will be plate appearances available for Turner in Seattle, especially at first base and designated hitter.

Seattle has far and away been more active than the Astros in recent days, giving the M’s a leg up in the AL West race.

Blue Jays Grade: B-

Mariners Grade: C

Rangers receive: RP Walter Pennington

Royals receive: SP Michael Lorenzen

The Rangers, even at 51-55, are trading from a strong starting pitching group. Texas has several accomplished starters on the mend, allowing them to move Lorenzen, who’s a free agent after this season.

The problem, however, is that the Rangers aren’t getting enough for the 32-year-old. Lorenzen 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA thus far, and Pennington, a potential lefty-relief weapon, doesn’t meet what Texas’ asking price should’ve been.

For the Royals, Lorenzen deepens an already solid rotation. Kansas City is doing a great job of fortifying its roster for a late-summer push.

Rangers Grade: C-

Royals Grade: A-

Pirates receive: 2B Nick Yorke

Red Sox receive: SP Quinn Priester

The Pirates are selling low on Priester, a 2019 first-round pick, but this return wouldn’t tell you that. Yorke, Boston’s No. 6 prospect, is a contact specialist that’s close to being able to help Pittsburgh at the major-league level.

This is a hefty price for the Red Sox to pay for a reclamation project. Priester is still just 23, but has a 6.46 career ERA. Boston is betting on its player development here.

Pirates Grade: B+

Red Sox Grade: C-

Mariners receive: C Andruw Salcedo

Reds receive: 1B Ty France

Seattle designated France for assignment last week, so getting anything in return for the first baseman is a win. Salcedo is currently in the low minors and wasn’t ranked within Cincinnati’s system.

France has fallen off since being selected to the All-Star Game in 2022, seeing obvious regression in the power department. That can be reversed, though, as a change of scenery and move to a hitter-friendly park might come in handy for the 30-year-old. France’s inclusion on the roster adds to an already crowded Reds infield.

Mariners Grade: C+

Reds Grade: B