MLB trade deadline: Red Sox add Adley Rutschman, Phillies land Luis Arraez
The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies took big swings ahead of baseball’s trade deadline, with the Red Sox adding three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman a few hours after the Phillies picked up three-time batting champion Luis Arraez. The pair of aggressive moves was part of more than a dozen swaps that have happened before Monday’s 6 p.m. EDT deadline. Most of the biggest names are off the board, but some enticing options still remain, including Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho. The Los Angeles Dodgers woke up already looking like the deadline’s biggest winners after adding two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to a loaded roster Sunday.
Mauricio Pochettino stays as US coach, agrees to new 4-year contract through 2030 World Cup
Mauricio Pochettino is staying with the U.S. soccer team, agreeing to a four-year contract to coach the Americans through the 2030 World Cup. The 54-year-old Pochettino took over the national team in October 2024. He led the U.S. to the round of 16 at this year's World Cup, where the tournament co-hosts were eliminated in a 4-1 loss to Belgium. He still helped the seeded U.S. team to a pair of firsts in the expanded 48-nation tournament, clinching advancement from the group stage with a game to spare and winning three games in a single World Cup.
European soccer body UEFA warns FIFA of legal action over Infantino's failed World Cup sell-off plan
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — European soccer body UEFA has threatened FIFA with legal action over Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors. It also asked for potential evidence from at least 18 FIFA executives which it said should not be destroyed. Infantino’s secretive proposal to raise $4.2 billion from investors including the New York investment firm of Joshua Kushner was dropped Saturday. It followed days of a global furor since media reports revealed the plan and UEFA members said they would boycott FIFA events. The letter dated Friday from New York legal firm Dechert was seen by The Associated Press.
Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will be the next commissioner of the MLS, succeeding Don Garber
Larry Berg, co-owner of Los Angeles FC, will be the next commissioner of the MLS, the league said. Berg will take over for Don Garber, who has served as the league’s commissioner since 1999, on Jan. 1, 2027. The 60-year-old Berg. who will divest his ownership interest in LAFC, will be officially introduced Tuesday at MLS headquarters in New York City.
Judge clarifies NCAA eligibility order, which could blunt its impact on new '5 for 5' rule
DENVER (AP) — The judge who granted the right to play another year of college sports to some athletes whose eligibility ran out last school year issued a new order to make clear that does not include football players who signed pro contracts this summer then had a change of heart. That change comes after U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney responded to an NCAA request for clarity about her ruling granting a fifth year to athletes who were not included in the new rule that allows five seasons of eligibility for Division I players.
Red Sox get All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from AL East rival Orioles
The Boston Red Sox have acquired All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles for a package that includes three of their top prospects. The 28-year-old Rutschman is hitting .251 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs this season. He earned an All-Star nod for the third time but is currently on the injured list with left wrist inflammation. Baltimore also sent catcher Jake Rogers to the Red Sox. In return, the Orioles received minor league right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, minor league outfielder Enddy Azocar, catcher Carlos Narváez and a player to be named later. Eyanson, Witherspoon and Azocar were ranked among Boston’s top five prospects by MLB Pipeline.
Phillies' Bryce Harper will move to right field to make room for 3-time batting champ Luis Arraez
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper is now the Philadelphia Phillies right fielder after team president Dave Dombrowski swung a deal for three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants. Arraez is the proven bat Philadelphia’s lineup needed in its chase for a fifth straight trip to the playoffs and first World Series championship since 2008. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Arraez will play second base, triggering a defensive shuffle that switched up the corner positions. Bryson Stott will move from second base to third, and third baseman Alec Bohm will shift to first, where Harper has played since returning from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2023.
Cubs set to acquire pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from Mets, AP source says
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs are poised to acquire pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets for touted infield prospect Jefferson Rojas. The teams have agreed to the trade pending medical reviews, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move hadn’t been announced by either side. It’s the latest effort by the busy Cubs to replenish an injury-depleted pitching staff as they attempt to chase down first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central and hang onto the National League’s top wild-card spot.
Several big-name NFL players enter this season with something to prove
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Breece Hall has a new contract with the New York Jets and a strong desire to prove himself. Hall is among several NFL players with something to prove this season. Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield feels disrespected by the Buccaneers for not getting the contract extension he wanted. Meanwhile, quarterbacks such as Cleveland's Deshaun Watson, Minnesota's Kyler Murray, Miami's Malik Willis and Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. are trying to show they're the answer for their teams. Wide receivers such as New England's A.J. Brown, Buffalo's Keon Coleman and Kansas City's Rashee Rice also face pressure to perform.
Skubal joins Clemens and Martinez among a handful of reigning Cy Young winners to be traded
As the clock ticks down to Monday’s trade deadline, the biggest deal so far came courtesy of the Detroit Tigers. They sent left-handed ace Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Skubal is a free agent after this season, and Detroit is under .500. But even considering all that, trading away the 2024 and 2025 Cy Young Award winner couldn’t have been easy. The Tigers will be judged on how the three prospects they acquired perform. History shows that it’s possible to come out OK when trading a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber, but there are plenty of teams who got little in return.
