Sports
Rosenthal: In a busy MLB trade deadline, quantity of deals overshadowed quality of players
Before calling for your general manager’s head, bemoaning the players your favorite team didn’t land, consider the bigger picture.
The three top left-handed starters discussed in trades – Tarik Skubal, Garrett Crochet and Blake Snell – did not move.
Hitters who might have shaken up the market – Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Luis Robert Jr., even Brent Rooker – also did not move.
It wouldn’t be fair to call it a “Dudline,” not when 60 trades were made in the final six days, including 32 on Tuesday before the 6 p.m. ET cutoff.
But think about it:
Who was the best starting pitcher traded? Jack Flaherty, who was not as big a prize as David Price was in 2014 and ‘15, Zack Greinke was in 2019 or Max Scherzer was in 2021.
The best relievers traded? Tanner Scott and Carlos Estévez, both of whom are enjoying fine seasons, but to many fans are relative unknowns.
The best hitters traded? Take your pick between Jazz Chisholm Jr., Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes, none of whom will be confused with Juan Soto, the prize of the 2022 deadline.
Some of this is luck of the draw. For whatever reasons, the crop of available players this season was just not all that stellar. But some of it also relates to the shift in trade dynamics that occurred when Major League Baseball adopted expanded playoffs in 2022. With 12 postseason spots available, more teams are in contention. And fewer teams are apt to be pure sellers.
MLB.com’s Mike Petriello put it well, saying on X, “I think we have to stop saying it’s a seller’s market, because with the expanded playoffs, there’s only a handful of teams really selling now, and it’s going to be like this every year.”
Call it an unintended consequence of the league’s decision to invite more teams to the October party. Some might argue the league should adjust by pushing the deadline to mid-August. The additional two weeks would allow more separation to occur in the standings and perhaps create clearer lines between buyers and sellers. But such a move would diminish the drama. Acquisitions would be less impactful. And for six weeks of a rental, teams would be even less reluctant to give up better prospects.
Isaac Paredes was one of the biggest names to move teams, heading from Tampa Bay to the Chicago Cubs. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
This deadline, for all of its oddity, did not lack intrigue. The Tampa Bay Rays made 10 trades, most of the sell variety, and still believe they might contend for a wild card. The Miami Marlins detonated their roster, also making 10 trades, starting with the Luis Arraez deal in early May. Their flurry resulted in 11 additions to their list of their top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com.
The Chicago Cubs’ trade for Isaac Paredes and the three-team deal between the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox qualified as stunners, if not blockbusters. And San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller was his usual frenzied self, trading 12 prospects from the Top 20 list The Athletic’s Keith Law released in February , including nine of the top 11. (Shortstop Leodalis De Vries, 17, did not make Law’s list, having only signed in January; Law ranked him the game’s 39th best overall prospect in his latest Top 60).
Yet, for all the bodies flying, many teams were left wanting more.
The Baltimore Orioles determined none of the players available merited the sacrifice of their top prospects, one of whom, second baseman Jackson Holliday, hit a grand slam Wednesday in his first game back from Triple A.
Even two players below Baltimore’s top tier, infielder Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers, were possibly too high a price for lefty Trevor Rogers. And the Orioles’ biggest addition, right-hander Zach Eflin, through his career mostly has been a league-average starter.
The Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers are practically mirror images in the game’s respective Central divisions, first-place teams with new managers and frighteningly thin starting pitching. Both had reason to be aggressive. Neither quite was, and not simply because of payroll considerations.
With a limited supply of starters available, the Guardians took chances on two pitchers coming off injuries who have yet to appear in a major-league game this season, lefty Matthew Boyd and righty Alex Cobb. The two starters the Brewers added, righties Aaron Civale and Frankie Montas, each had ERAs over 5.00 at the time they were acquired.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, too, did Pirates things, making a series of modest upgrades – infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, outfielder Bryan De La Cruz, lefty relievers Jalen Beeks and Josh Walker.
Ideally, they would have done more to capitalize on the ascent of rookie righty Paul Skenes, who gives them an excellent chance to win every five days. But again, the pool of available talent was not exactly teeming with difference makers.
Even certain high-revenue teams struggled to fill their needs.
The New York Yankees were left without a starting pitcher after failing to come to an agreement with the Tigers on Flaherty. The Boston Red Sox addressed their bullpen by adding Lucas Sims and Luis Garcia, but failed to acquire a right-handed hitting middle infielder and a starting pitcher in addition to James Paxton. The Dodgers settled for complementary offensive parts (Tommy Edman, Amed Rosario, Kevin Kiermaier) rather than land the impact hitter they desired.
On it went. The Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and Yankees were shut out in their quests to land one more hitter. The San Francisco Giants added only Mark Canha while subtracting Jorge Soler. Most contenders filled their bullpen needs, but it’s not as if the 2016 versions of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller were available. Some of the relievers, notably Estévez and Scott, should prove good additions. But the New York Mets, who kept their top prospects while adding four relievers as well as righty Paul Blackburn and outfielder Jesse Winker, were among the clubs that essentially just subbed out bodies in their bullpen.
This is not to make excuses for the teams that failed to do more. Preller, with his acquisitions of right-hander Dylan Cease in spring training, then Arráez in May, then relievers Jason Adam and Scott at the deadline, proved big moves are possible, if the head of baseball operations is daring enough.
Some teams, to be sure, warrant scrutiny. The White Sox, for failing to make a bigger score while parting with three major leaguers (Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech and Tommy Pham) in their deal with the Cardinals and Dodgers. The Oakland A’s, who could have exploited the hot relief market by trading Mason Miller, even after his pinky injury. The Minnesota Twins, for acquiring only Trevor Richards, a mediocre setup type. The Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies, both of which limited their activity mostly to trading relievers.
The Angels, under owner Arte Moreno, operate in their own insular universe, with their long-term plan extending only to the next day’s lineup. The Rockies are just as bizarre, seeming to take pride in being conscientious objectors at the deadline.
The acts of those teams are tired. But for most other clubs, the deadline offered limited opportunity, one way or the other. Time will tell if the Astros overpaid for lefty Yusei Kikuchi, if Preller did the same for relievers Scott, Adam and Bryan Hoenig, if other teams, in trying to fix their bullpens, also went too far. But the high prices simply reflected supply and demand.
Just this once, cut your GM some slack. There was only so much quality to be had.
(Top photo: Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who is facing two misdemeanor charges following a run-in with law enforcement just days ahead of the NFL Draft.
Branch, who is a projected second-round pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, and charged with two counts of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Nov. 28, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds.
The NFL Network obtained the police report from Branch’s arrest, which described an encounter over an alleged sidewalk incident with law enforcement, in which police alleged that the former Bulldogs star failed “to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands.”
“A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk,” the excerpt from the report read.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
TOP NFL DRAFT PICK ZACHARIAH BRANCH ARRESTED IN GEORGIA ON TWO MISDEMEANOR CHARGES
“Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business,” the report continued.
“Due to those actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.”
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown against Ole Miss during the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2026. (IMAGN)
Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
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His status as a projected second-round pick was bolstered after an impressive showing at the combine, where he clocked a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.
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For two-thirds of Sunday’s Long Beach Grand Prix, Alex Palou bided his time … waiting for the one break he needed.
It came in the form of a caution on the 58th lap, allowing him to overtake front-runner Felix Rosenqvist exiting pit lane and hold the lead the rest of the way, taking the checkered flag by 3.96 seconds for his third triumph in five IndyCar Series races this season and his first at Long Beach.
Right after being showered with applause and confetti at victory lane, the 29-year-old Spaniard thanked his crew, whose quick work on the last pit stop proved to be the difference.
“Everyone was coming in on that yellow and they did an incredible job,” he said. “We were either going to win it or not win right there.”
Rosenqvist settled for second and Scott Dixon, Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, was third.
It was the 11th win over the last 22 races dating to 2024 for the Barcelona native and the 22nd win of his career, tying Tony Bettenhausen and Emerson Fittipaldi. It also vaulted Palou to the top of the series standings as he chases his fourth series championship in a row and fifth overall. Palou won the opener March 1 in St. Petersburg (also a street course) and the fourth race March 29 in Alabama.
Palou led for only 32 of the 90 laps Sunday and acknowledged it would have been difficult to catch Rosenqvist if not for the stoppage.
“I wasn’t giving up but it would’ve been tough to get him today,” Palou acknowledged. “He was already three seconds ahead. I was happy with my car but I was struggling more on the soft tires than the hards so I’d say my chances were low. The feeling was great seeing all the open space coming out of pit lane because when you spend 60 laps behind a car it disturbs you. I tried to match him on soft tires but it wasn’t working.”
Alex Palou speeds through a curve of the track.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
In six starts at Long Beach, Palou never has finished lower than fifth.
There is little room to maneuver on the 1.968-mile course with 11 tight turns, but after starting in the third position next to defending champion Kyle Kirkwood, Palou managed to sneak past Pato O’Ward into second place heading into the first turn on Lap 2.
“Making that move on the straightaway was big because I knew it was one of our only chances to get a pass on Pato,” Palou said. “I got that good run on that last corner and he didn’t expect it.”
This year marked the 51st edition of the longest-running major street race in North America, which started in 1975 as part of the Formula 5000 Series, switched to the CART/Champ Car World Series in 1984 and joined the IndyCar Series in 2009.
The top four qualifiers started on softer, high-grip “alternate” tires to establish position while the rest of the grid started on harder, more durable “primaries” to manage degradation on the 110-degree track surface. Of the 25 starters, 24 completed the 177.12 miles.
“We were going to make the two-stop strategy work but didn’t know if it would be doable or not,” Palou added. “As soon as I saw I couldn’t get Felix it was all about patience, fuel and waiting for the right time. I owe this win to my team. Without that pit stop I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now. It only takes one mistake to go from second to seventh, but they’re great under pressure.”
Cars make their way down a straightaway during Long Beach Grand Prix.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.
The first 45 laps were caution-free as Rosenqvist, Palou, Kirkwood, David Malukas and O’Ward held the top five spots. Newgarden’s chances declined upon discovering a flat spot on his left front tire, and he dropped back to 14th.
Rosenqvist’s three-second lead was erased when debris on the track exiting the Aquarium Fountain drew the only yellow flag all afternoon and narrowed the gap. Capitalizing on favorable pit position, Palou emerged from the lane just ahead of Rosenqvist.
Rosenqvist. who won the pole position with a lap time of 1 minute 7.4625 seconds in qualifying, had mixed emotions as the runner-up after leading for 51 laps with no win to show for it.
“You want to win when you have an opportunity, but I’m proud of today,” Rosenqvist said.
“We weren’t as good as Alex on the blacks … the last pit cycle was the defining moment. We had to come around 14, he had more of an opening, and his crew nailed it. That happens.”
Kirkwood, who was vying for his third win in four years, finished right where he started in fourth.
“I had a good cushion and figured even with a bad stop I’d probably stay ahead but I knew there’d probably be a yellow at some point and there it came,” Rosenqvist lamented. “Considering Alex had primary [tires], also I think we would’ve been able to hold him off. It’s definitely disappointing when you can’t wrap it up.”
Dixon, who started in the sixth position, was third and earned his first podium this season and the 136th of his career.
Fans watch with two laps left in the race.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
“The race itself was a bit blah — I sat in the same position for most of it,” Dixon said. “Luckily for us we had it easy out of that last stop.”
Al Unser Jr. holds the record for most wins at Long Beach, chalking up six in eight years, including an unmatched four in a row from 1988 to 1991.
Tom Sargent is becoming a fan of street circuits after two wins this weekend. Driving the Porsche 911 Cup for GMG Racing in the Mobil Pro Class, the 22-year-old Australian led from start to finish in Race 1 of the Carrera Cup North America on Saturday. In Race 2 on Sunday morning, he again started from the pole and claimed a 0.965-second victory over Aaron Jeansonne to complete the double.
In his last bid at Long Beach three years ago, he hit the wall on Lap 2 but still finished second.
“Momentum in sports is critical and the past few weeks have been really cool for me,” Sargent said. “I didn’t do any street circuit racing before I came to the States. Maybe it fits my driving style.”
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LAS VEGAS – Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio were once brothers in arms in the Judgment Day. The two helped the faction run “Monday Night Raw” for several years.
As championships and opportunities came and went, the rift between Balor and Mysterio grew. It came to a head when Balor caused Mysterio to lose the Intercontinental Championship to Penta. Balor leaving the Judgment Day left Mysterio and Liv Morgan as the leaders with JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez sticking around.
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The latter four chose to ride with Mysterio and attacked Balor on one episode of Raw.
The bitter war led to a match Sunday night at WrestleMania 42. To make matters more interesting, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the match a street fight hours before the show was set to begin.
Balor had vowed to bring the “Demon” out and he certainly did.
JACOB FATU PUTS DREW MCINTYRE IN THE ‘REAR VIEW’ IN UNSANCTIONED MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA 42
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Balor made his way to the ring in his “Demon” gear, dripping with red and black paint. Mysterio was in a mask with other Mysterio supporters.
The two then proceeded to beat the crud out of each other.
Mysterio wrapped Balor’s head in between a chair and hit a 619 on him. He tried to pin Balor, but to no avail. At another point, Mysterio tossed Balor through a table set up in the corner.
As many have learned, it’s hard to keep your demons down. Mysterio learned the hard way.
Balor would not give up. Balor clotheslined Mysterio, hit him with a chair multiple times before wrapping his head in between the chair and drop-kicking him into the corner. Balor put Mysterio onto a table and hit the Coup de Grâce for the win.
Dominik Mysterio is introduced before his match against Finn Balor during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Balor excised his own demons, while Mysterio is still haunted.
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