The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline.

The final hours of the MLB Trade Deadline saw a multitude of deals as teams jockeyed for talent before the stretch drive. Here’s a look at four trades involving big-league players and some intriguing prospects.

Trade No. 1: Cleveland Guardians acquire LHP Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals in exchange for LHP Will Dion, LHP Josh Hartle, RHP Kendeglys Virguez and OF Nick Mitchell

Foster Griffin has been unbelievable in his return from NPB, making him one of the best (if slightly undertold) stories of the 2026 season. Even though he’s a rental, I’m surprised all the Nats got was a package of fringe guys, with lefty Josh Hartle (No. 18) the top-ranked prospect heading back from Cleveland.

Griffin should be the favorite pitcher of every fan complaining about how all anyone does now is try to throw 98 with huge spin. He’s a cutter/sweeper/changeup guy now, having reinvented himself in three years in Japan, and Statcast has him throwing seven different pitches this year. He lives on the edges of the zone with everything but the cutter and four-seamer, and doesn’t walk anyone, with a 5.7 percent walk rate this year that’s lower than anything he posted in the minors. My colleague Tyler Kepner has been raving all afternoon in Slack about how much Griffin understands the craft of pitching, and it just makes me like him more. (Griffin, not Tyler. Jury’s still out on that guy.)

The Guardians’ current rotation has been a rock this year, making every start but one, so this wasn’t a clear need. Still, Griffin is an upgrade over Slade Cecconi and would slot into the playoff rotation ahead of Joey Cantillo.

Hartle is a polished lefty with a 55 changeup and an average slider, but he sits 90-92 mph with a fringy cutter and neither pitch misses bats. The formula can work if either of the first two pitches becomes a real out pitch, and if he can be a plus control guy, which he was as a sophomore at Wake Forest but really hasn’t been since. He’s walked 9.2 percent of batters this year, and probably would need to cut that by a third or more to be a big-league starter — kind of the way Griffin has become a plus control guy with his own marginal velocity.

Will Dion is a lefty reliever with a plus changeup, sitting 90-91 with below-average breaking stuff. He has faced 35 left-handed batters in the minors this year, and they have hit .469/.514/.750 against him. He was actually better against lefties in the majors, but it’s still not good.

Right-hander Kendeglys Virguez is a straight reliever who’s up to 100 with a slider that’s at least a 60; lefties have destroyed him this year, including a .434 OBP. Nick Mitchell is a slap-hitting outfielder who doesn’t chase or whiff much but has no power and puts the ball on the ground a ton. It’s a handsy swing, and he doesn’t rotate his hips well to try to get something from his lower half. He’s hitting .240/.358/.360 in Double A this year as a 22-year-old.

It just doesn’t add up to much for me; it’s hard to see any of these guys becoming more than a replacement-level big leaguer, although I could at least sketch out a scenario where that happens for Hartle. I was all in favor of the Nats trading Griffin on the assumption that they’d get more than this in return.

Trade No. 2: San Diego Padres acquire RHP Casey Mize and IF Gage Workman from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for LHPs Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf

Right-hander Casey Mize has finally fulfilled the potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick back in 2018; he missed most of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery, took a big step forward in 2025, and this year has shown plus control and command of a three-pitch mix where all three are above-average weapons. His calling card in college was a splitter, and he still throws one, although it’s not as filthy as it was at Auburn. He had a ton of trouble with it last year, while this year he’s getting more glove-side run to it and dropping some further below the zone. He might be the Padres’ best starter now, and with Michael King and Robbie Ray, they have a viable front three to compete in any playoff series if they get there. They also get Gage Workman, a plus runner who can move around the infield, lacking the bat to be more than a quadruple-A player.

Lefty Kash Mayfield was the Padres’ first-round pick in 2024 out of an Alabama high school but hasn’t had the same velocity in pro ball that he did as an amateur. He was up to 98 in his draft year, but is more 90-94 now, with a plus changeup and below-average breaking ball. He’s already 21, and has a 3.54 ERA in High A, averaging less than four innings a start while striking out 29 percent of hitters.

Lefty Jackson Wolf made one start in the majors in 2023, and has spent most of the past three years pitching in the hitter-friendly park of El Paso, with a 6.48 ERA at that level in his career. He’s a kitchen-sink guy with below-average velocity, probably an up-and-down guy, but I would certainly like to see what he could do pitching in a normal environment rather than in the elevated parks of the PCL.

Heliot Ramos hit nine homers with a .728 OPS in 74 games with the Giants this season. (Denny Medley / Imagn Images)

Trade No. 3: New York Yankees acquire Heliot Ramos from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for IF Kaeden Kent and LHP Henry Lalane

Heliot Ramos was an All-Star in 2023, when he broke through in his third stint in the majors, hitting 22 homers with a .269/.322/.469 line, but the little signs that he would have trouble making contact were telling us something and he has regressed each of the past two years. He’s also turned out to be a pretty poor defensive outfielder, which is the most surprising part of his rapid rise and fall. What he can do, however, is hit for power against lefties, and the Yankees have room for that given how their outfield and DH spots typically go to left-handed batters. He’s under team control through 2029 and will be arbitration-eligible this winter under the current rules.

Lefty Henry Lalane was Rule 5-eligible this December but went undrafted, as he barely pitched last year after returning from a shoulder injury and was sitting more 90-91. He’s sitting 93-96 again, touching 98, with a plus slider and above-average changeup. He’s 6-foot-7, and his extension can get up to 7.4 feet, but the delivery is still extremely inconsistent; he’s very gangly and looks like he’s still finding his coordination on the mound. To his credit, he hasn’t walked many guys at all when healthy, with an 8.4 percent walk rate this year between Low A and High A. He could be an above-average starter if he gets to consistent mechanics, especially if he finishes better out front so the four-seamer can play up to its velocity.

The Yankees also get Kaeden Kent, son of Jeff Kent, who is having a solid full-season debut in High A (.302/.359/.433) and looks like a future utility infielder. Needless to say, I think this is a pretty good return for the Giants given Ramos’ limitations.

Trade No. 4: Arizona Diamondbacks acquire OF Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals for RHP Daniel Eagen, LHP Sandro Santana and a player to be named later

Outfielder Lars Nootbaar has been a big stathead favorite for a while, but he hasn’t converted his strong batted-ball data into consistent power or enough other production to be an everyday player, especially with his wide platoon splits. He’s an upgrade over recently-signed Max Kepler, who’s also a left-handed hitter but hasn’t been productive at the plate since 2023.

Right-hander Daniel Eagen has had two problems this year: Lefties hit him hard, and he’s made half his starts at Amarillo, where the ball flies out to center. He’s 92-94 with a hammer breaking ball, however, and could be a good big-league reliever with no adjustments. Given the way the Cardinals develop pitching now, however, I would bet the house he’ll show up later this year or next spring with a kick-change, split or something else to try to give him the third pitch he’ll need to be a back-end starter.

Lefty Sandro Santana is already in the bullpen, pitching quite well so far in 15 innings for Amarillo. Left-handed batters are 8-for-64 off him with no extra-base hits, and he’s struck out 42.4 percent of them so far. He’s fastball/slider from a low three-quarters slot, up to 98, with nothing for righties, and I don’t think adding a pitch will be as simple with that slot or his “everything hard” approach. Lefty specialists aren’t a thing anymore, but that’s what he is right now. Anything to help him keep right-handers in check would make him a big leaguer.

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline.

Giants get: SS Kaeden Kent, LHP Henry Lalane

Yankees get: OF Heliot Ramos

Yankees need offense, and so they pay what they have to

Giants: A-
Yankees: C

Heliot Ramos can be a bit of a frustrating player. When he hits the ball, he hits it hard, with expected outcomes that exceed the majority of big league players.

The issue is that he doesn’t hit it often enough. The 26-year-old outfielder strikes out too much, hardly walks and isn’t a great defender. But the Yankees need offense. They rank in the bottom half of baseball in OPS and hits, and are outside the top 10 in runs scored. Their current lineup is missing Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger.

The Yankees are giving up two of their top 13 prospects, including 22-year-old lefty pitcher Henry Lalane and Kaeden Kent, son of recent Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Kent. That’s a steep price for Ramos, who has posted just 3.6 career WAR since first getting called up in 2022.

There is immense pressure in New York on general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone, who have largely led the Yankees to success, but not at the level required to avoid severe scrutiny. This feels like almost too steep a price for Ramos, who won’t be a free agent until 2030.

But the Yankees are doing what they can to complement a very good rotation and give themselves a shot at winning the American League East, and ultimately make a deep postseason run. — Sam Blum

Yankees get a bit more balanced with Ramos addition

Giants: A-
Yankees: B 

In Ramos, the lefty-heavy Yankees get a right-handed hitter who’s a proven threat against lefties. Ramos, who turns 27 next month, has a .279/.345/.501 career slash line against lefties.

He’s played all three outfield positions, though the vast majority of his games have been in left field. An All-Star in 2024, Ramos is not eligible for free agency until after the 2029 season.

Ramos — whose first name is pronounced “Elliott” — has his flaws; he strikes out a lot and his on-base percentage is just .304 this season. But he should get plenty of playing time with outfielders Judge and Bellinger on the injured list, and when (if) the Yankees are fully healthy, Boone should be able to deploy him more selectively, as a thumper against lefties.

Ramos missed six weeks with a quad strain, but he’s played regularly since returning at the end of June.

In Lalane, the Giants get a 22-year-old, Bronx-born lefty (with a really cool name) and some very nice stats this season: a 2.77 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 78 innings at two A-ball levels.

They also get Jeff Kent’s son, Kaeden, a third-round pick from Texas A&M in 2025 and a lefty hitter who’s had a very good season in his second visit to high-Class A Hudson Valley this season.

That’s a very strong return for a player with limited upside like Ramos. But the Yankees definitely needed him, so they were willing to pay the price. — Tyler Kepner

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers are now through five training camp practices. They will practice in pads for the first time Tuesday when the team heads south for two days at the University of San Diego.

Contact is limited when players are not in pads. Tuesday will serve as an important next step in the evaluation process, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines.

Here are four things I’ll be watching when the pads come on Tuesday.

1. The left guard battle

Over the first five practices of camp, the Chargers were attempting to give all the contenders exposure at left guard during team drills. For now, they have settled on five players who are in the mix for the starting spot: Kayode Awosika, Jake Slaughter, Trevor Penning, Trey Pipkins III and Branson Taylor.

Awosika and Slaughter split first team reps in the opening practice. Awosika and Penning split reps in the second practice. Pipkins got all the reps in the third practice. Taylor got all the reps in the fourth practice. On Monday, the Chargers returned to the beginning of the rotation, with Awosika and Slaughter with the first team. Awosika received the first two reps before Slaughter rotated in for the next two.

Who will be at left guard for these initial padded 11-on-11 reps? How do those players perform both in pass protection and the run game? The Chargers will also likely hold some one-on-one pass protection drills, offensive line versus defensive line. This is always a good barometer as far as who is up for the challenge in pass protection and who needs additional work.

This competition begins in earnest Tuesday.

2. How far along is Akheem Mesidor?

Chargers rookie edge rusher Akheem Mesidor has looked lively in team drills without pads on. Padded practices are a different level of competition. Tuli Tuipulotu has not participated in team drills through the first five practices while he remains in contract negotiations. That has cleared the way for plenty of first-team reps for Mesidor thus far. He should continue to see those reps if Tuipulotu sits out team drills again Tuesday.

I’ll be watching Mesidor closely in one-on-ones. He said Monday that he is “very excited” to match up with both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, two of the best tackles in the league. I also want to see how Mesidor’s violence matches up at this level in padded run drills.

3. Next test for Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt

Slater and Alt are both returning from significant season-ending injuries. Both have looked healthy so far in camp. How will they hold up and perform in these more physical and competitive situations?

Alt has not missed an 11-on-11 snap so far with the first-team offense. I have very little concern about where Alt is at. Slater, meanwhile, has rotated out at times in the later part of practices. Slater is coming off a torn patellar tendon he suffered in training camp last season. He is moving incredibly well. How he looks in pads will be a telling benchmark in his recovery.

4. Mike McDaniel’s run game vs. Chris O’Leary’s run defense

We have gotten a taste of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s run game through the spring and summer. The Chargers have been attacking more laterally on outside zone schemes and jet sweep actions. Without more contact, though, it’s impossible to fully gauge where the run game stands — and, by extension, where defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary’s run defense stands.

That changes Tuesday. McDaniel will be testing O’Leary’s defense with his deep bag of misdirection concepts. The Chargers will not be tackling to the ground, of course. But we’ll get a more defined look at the run blocking and the defensive block destruction with the pads on.

News and notes

• Rookie cornerback Avery Smith continues to stack days. On Monday, he broke up a Justin Herbert pass intended for receiver Brenen Thompson over the middle during seven-on-seven. Later in the period, he intercepted third-string quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. The coverage on the first play was more impressive, clamping down on Thompson on an in-breaking route. On the interception, Uiagalelei threw a pass intended for tight end Evan Svoboda. In the middle of the route, Svoboda collided with a defender and fell over. Smith was in the right place at the right time and picked off the throw.

• Chargers quarterbacks were aggressive attacking downfield in Monday’s practice. Some throws were successful. Some were not.

On the opening play of 11-on-11, Herbert found receiver Quentin Johnston wide open down the right sideline on a go route. Johnston got behind defensive back Derwin James Jr. In the next period, Herbert floated a moonshot down the right sideline to Thompson. Rookie cornerback Rodney Shelley was in tight coverage and knocked the ball away for a pass breakup.

During seven-on-seven, Uiagalelei attempted a deep ball to Thompson. Shelley, again, was in good coverage and forced the incompletion.

In 11-on-11, backup quarterback Trey Lance threw a deep ball down the left sideline to KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Cornerback Deane Leonard was in solid position. Lambert-Smith made an excellent adjustment as the ball was in the air to come down with the explosive gain.

Later in 11-on-11, Lance threw a jump ball to Johnston down the left sideline. Cornerback Cam Hart smothered Johnston the whole way and won that battle with a PBU.

Finally, Uiagalelei threw a go ball to rookie receiver Devonte Ross down the left sideline. Ross adjusted to an underthrown ball and made the catch.

It was a pretty even battle in the deep part of the field between receivers and DBs.

• Linebacker Daiyan Henley had a pass breakup in seven-on-seven, jumping in front of a flat route from running back Omarion Hampton.

• Rookie edge rusher Nadame Tucker batted down an Uiagalelei pass in 11-on-11. There was a low snap from rookie center Jacob Spomer on this play that disrupted the timing.

• Rookie safety Devin Grant had a diving PBU during a red zone period to close practice. He ran with Svoboda across the field and knocked the Uiagalelei pass away. The offense tried to manipulate the flow of the defense with a play-action boot. Grant was not fooled and showed solid recovery speed.

• Tight end Charlie Kolar and receiver Tre’ Harris both caught touchdowns from Herbert during the red zone period.

• Rookie tight end Jerand Bradley caught a touchdown from Uiagalelei in the red zone period.

• Veteran cornerback Donte Jackson broke up a Lance pass intended for Lambert-Smith over the middle during the red zone period.

• Two Chargers did not practice Monday: tackle Laekin Vakalahi and receiver Mante’ Morrow.