MLB

Rockies receive:
SP Griffin Herring
SP Josh Grosz

Yankees receive:
3B Ryan McMahon

A number of contenders, including the Yankees, were pursuing help at third base. This agreement checks that box for New York.

Colorado is tracking to have one of the worst seasons in MLB history, so it’s only right that it subtracts veterans in favor of prospects. In terms of players the Rockies will realistically discuss with rival clubs this month, McMahon is the most appealing. The 30-year-old boasts power that will play well at Yankee Stadium, and offers more than passable defense at third base. McMahon tends to leave you wanting more, but he won’t be the face of New York’s lineup. In that respect, at least, there’ll be less pressure on him. (There will obviously be more scrutiny placed on him in other ways.)

The Rockies are receiving a fair haul for McMahon. Grosz is a young starter at High-A that doesn’t project as a big leaguer. Herring, on the other hand, has a case for being one of the game’s top 100 prospects. A sixth-round selection in 2024, the southpaw has dominated the lower levels of the minors, earning him a spot among the Yankees’ top eight prospects.

Parting with Herring likely was a vexed discussion point for New York’s front office, but the franchise is a viable contender. Adding McMahon, not only for the rest of this year, but through 2028, makes the main club better. For a winning organization like the Yankees, that’s almost all that matters.

Rockies Grade: B+

Yankees Grade: B

Mets receive:
RP Gregory Soto

Orioles receive:
SP Wellington Aracena
RP Cameron Foster

We knew the Mets would be in the market for relief pitching, and the club found an ideal match in the Orioles. With this transaction, Baltimore has already dealt two relievers (Soto and Bryan Baker) this month. Don’t be surprised if more are to come.

In the midst of a disappointing campaign, the Orioles are wisely exchanging veterans for prospects. Aracena, in particular, offers interesting upside as a 20-year-old starter. In exchange for Soto, an impending free agent, that’s an exciting return.

It was probably difficult for the Mets to bite this bullet, but it had to be done. New York’s bullpen simply isn’t up to par for a contender. Soto won’t solve everything, however. Holding a 3.96 ERA on the season, it would be unreasonable to count on the 30-year-old in the late innings of a postseason tilt. With that said, expect David Stearns to continue canvassing the market for high-leverage relivers.

Mets Grade: B

Orioles Grade: B+

Marlins 5, Brewers 1

There will almost certainly be no postseason baseball in South Florida this fall, but that doesn’t take anything away from the overachievement of the Marlins this season. Expected to be at least a few years from contention entering this year, Miami is 49-53 and one of the better stories in the sport. The NL East should be a battlefield in the coming seasons, but the Fish should be disappointed if they don’t finish above .500 in 2026 — even if it’s unlikely.

The Brewers offense has manufactured 490 runs this season, thanks to timely hitting and excellent small ball, so it’s unfair to criticize the unit. However, there should be real concerns regarding how Milwaukee will score runs in October, when pitching and the overall environment tightens up. Does the club have an offensive star that can rise to the occasion and scare opponents in October?

Perhaps it can be Jackson Chourio. The outfielder homered in this defeat, his 17th of the year.

Diamondbacks 1, Pirates 0

The Diamondbacks were the pivot team of this season’s trade deadline. However, sending Josh Naylor to Seattle all but indicated which direction Arizona has opted to move for the next week.

There’s been rampant speculation pertaining to what’s next for the Snakes, but it all starts with Eugenio Suarez. Suarez, an upcoming free agent, should fetch a pretty penny for the franchise, making it wise for Arizona to drag his bidding all the way to July 31. The worst thing the club could do, though, is to get greedy, hold out for too much and not deal the third baseman.

Suarez drove in this game’s only run, his 87th of the year.

Pittsburgh’s offense is a joke. The unit ranks last in baseball with just 350 runs plated, a death knell for a squad that doesn’t even pitch well, save for Paul Skenes and a reliver or two. The Pirates must add at least one meaningful bat this winter, if only to become halfway respectable. The good news is that Pittsburgh boasts several talented position-player prospects.

Rockies 6, Orioles 5

In due time, this matchup will be known as the Holliday Bowl, but we’ll have to settle for just one Holliday brother for now. Expect the Rockies to promote this year’s No. 4 overall pick, Ethan Holliday, to the big leagues by around 2028. As a high-school prospect, the shortstop needs ample seasoning.

Ethan’s older brother, Jackson Holliday, is already here and finally somewhat coming into his own. The second baseman did the opposite of hitting the ground running as a rookie in 2024, but he’s shown substantial improvement in year two. In yet another loss for the O’s, Holliday finished 3-for-5 with an RBI.