Game Day: Thursday, July 23rd

What's going on in MLB today?  I read the headlines and it's a light day of news.  The boxscores are more interesting.

The Orioles avoid the sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.  It was a big win in Game Two of a double-header on Wednesday.  Kyle Bradish gets the win for Baltimore with a strong effort on the mound.  Bradish threw 6.0 innings, allowed only four hits and one earned run.  Bradish is seemingly earning his money.  The Orioles' rightly recently signed a 5yr/90M dollar extension.

It isn't the '26 season where he earns his money.  All the risk is stacked into the '28, '29 and '30 seasons.  How he pitches for the remainer of the '26 season and in the '27 season is for the most part inconsequential.  Bradish had a year of arbitration before he was to be a free agent in '28.  He won't truly earn his money until he throws a full season in 2028.

As far as the Red Sox and Orioles go, it's a hotly contested AL East.  The Red Sox are 6.5 games back of the Tampa Rays for first place in the division and 4.5 games back of the second place New York Yankees.  The Orioles are 3.0 games back of the Red Sox in fourth place and the Blue Jays, there are rumors of a Kevin Gausman trade being floated around.  They might be packing it in this season.

The Minnesota Twins continue to stun with a series win over the Cleveland Guardians.  They pick up a game on the Guards and are only 4.5 games back of the first place Chicago White Sox.  If the Twins are looking at their competition objectively, they have to feel like they are well within reach of winning the AL Central.  This complicates matters for the Twins some but it also clarifies the return for catcher Ryan Jeffers at the trade deadline.  

Jeffers is a free agent in '27 and is likely to be traded.  Can the Twins trade Jeffers for a player that can make an impact this season?  That trade likely sends Jeffers to the NL.  The Phillies and the Pirates are a really good fit and could offer an MLB ready player in return.

Lets look at the Phillies best offer.

Would the Phillies trade relief pitcher, Jonathan Bowlan, to add Jeffers down the stretch?

That would be a great trade for Minnesota but it weakens Philadelphia's bullpen to such an extent that I think it is unlikely.  Alex MacFarlane could be a nice return and he is pitching well.  MacFarlane has a full slate of team control and has potential to be in the starting rotation at some point.

Macfarlane, Kyle Backhaus and Braydon Tucker make for an interesting trade.  Three MLB ready pitching talents for a half season of catcher Ryan Jeffers.  Minnesota is definitely going to make a trade and with four or five teams looking for a catcher who can hit at the trade deadline, this trade for Minnesota could be very bountiful.

It is a very interesting situation.  Minnesota remained competitive this season without Jeffers in the lineup.  They could get a haul that improves their team down the stretch and the fact that they are only 4.5 games out of contention makes the Jeffers' trade one to watch for at this season's trade deadline.

That's it for today.  My phone battery is running low.  I'll likely pass on a pick tonight.  I don't have much in the tank to research the games.

I am getting eager to make a pick soon so it's top priority for tomorrow.  Stay tuned.

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