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Around Major League Baseball, there haven't been many teams that have dealt with the injuries like the Atlanta Braves have. As a baseball fan, it's unfortunate to see the setbacks the Braves have faced over the past few years, putting the team in a rough position.
Already dealing with multiple injuries on both sides of the baseball, the Braves will likely be in the mix for a starter or two at the deadline.
If everything goes as planned, and Atlanta is in a position to make the postseason, its front office has to do something.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report believes that move could be trading for left-hander Andrew Heaney, who was on the Dodgers in 2022.
"The big three of Strider, Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach could be all sorts of special when healthy. But having some combination of Grant Holmes, AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder filling out the rest of the rotation isn't particularly promising for a team that has gotten out to a brutal start to the year.
"We do still expect Atlanta to be in the postseason hunt in late July, but very likely searching to add at least one starting pitcher to the mix... Most likely, the team will be aiming a bit lower for a No. 3/4 starter type of rental, but we'll see how desperate it becomes over the next few months," Miller wrote.
Throughout his career, the 33-year-old hasn't been great, but he was excellent in a Dodgers uniform, posting a 3.10 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 16 appearances.
In the early stages of 2025, he's posted a 1.50 ERA and has struck out 12 hitters in 12.0 innings.
If that's the starter the Braves would get, he'd be a great pickup.
More must-reads:
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- The 'World Series single-game K leaders' quiz
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Five reasons why the Dodgers will three-peat as World Series champions
Game 7 of the World Series isn't even 24 hours old, and already the business of baseball has shifted to the 2026 season. Scores of players officially became free agents Sunday, while others are choosing whether to exercise or decline options for next season. But one thing is for sure: The Los Angeles Dodgers are the overwhelming favorite to win a third straight World Series. This might be obvious because the Dodgers will likely run MLB's highest payroll onto the field on Opening Day. But there is substance to go with the big bucks. Here are five reasons why the Dodgers will become the first team since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees to win three titles in a row: 1. The full Shohei Ohtani Shohei Ohtani didn't make his season debut as a pitcher until June 16, 73 games into the Dodgers' season, following his second major elbow surgery. Since it was impossible to send him out on a rehab assignment without removing him from the MLB roster, he rehabbed his way back by slowly building up. Well, that won't be necessary in 2026. Ohtani will be a full go right from Opening Day. He pitched just 47 innings over 14 regular-season starts, but was under no limits in the postseason, as we saw with the right-hander starting Game 7 on three days' rest. During the regular season, Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA with 1.7 walks and 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings. 2. Starting rotation is stacked Ohtani probably won't even be the Dodgers' Opening Day starter, however. That honor should go to Yoshinobu Yamamoto following his World Series MVP performance. From there, the starting five will be Tyler Glasnow, two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki. As always, health will be the key for the rotation, especially with Glasnow, but there is plenty in reserve in Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan, Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone. 3. Mookie Betts is completely healthy One reason the Dodgers finished with the third-best record in the NL this season was because of the health of shortstop Mookie Betts to begin the season. Betts had an undisclosed illness that took nearly 20 pounds off his already-slight 180-pound frame. He didn't hit above .258 in any month, with a low of .208 in July, before finally getting back on track in August and September. Betts finished with a slash line of .258/.326/.406 while playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at short, but still short of his career slash line of .278/.363/.505. There is nothing more dangerous than a driven Betts, so he could put up big numbers in 2026. 4. Room for more players While some pending free agents — think Enrique Hernandez and Miguel Rojas — will return, the Dodgers may be making free-agent additions and even a trade or two as they shed some contracts this offseason. A big outfield bat would be the biggest priority, likely a left fielder. A wild card in the outfield scenario would be whether the Dodgers opt to play Ohtani in the outfield on occasion. Ohtani had played in just seven games in the outfield, all coming in 2021, when he was in right field for six games and left for one. This could allow Ohtani to DH on the day before and after he pitches and give the other veterans a chance to just hit when he plays the outfield. 5. Dave Roberts at the helm Managing a superstar-studded roster like the Dodgers takes a unique skillset, one that Dave Roberts has navigated pretty well in recent years. He now has three World Series rings in six years. Roberts has shown the ability to adjust to circumstances, like last year with a bullpen-centric pitching staff, to this year with the bullpen a liability and the rotation a strength. Also, his feel for the game was on display with the insertion of Rojas into the lineup for Games 6 and 7 and putting Andy Pages in for defense in the ninth inning of Game 7 before his amazing catch.
Insider Warns Steelers Fans To 'Stay Tuned' Ahead Of Trade Deadline On Tuesday
The Pittsburgh Steelers are being watched closely as the NFL's trade deadline quickly approaches. The fan base wants to see the organization add another weapon on the offensive side of the ball, while the defense could also probably use some added depth and rotational pieces. General Manager Omar Khan already went out and acquired safety Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots, and that move proved to be a good one as Dugger played well in his debut on Sunday. Pittsburgh will look to add some more missing pieces, but it wouldn't be shocking to see the franchise stay put. Khan is always looking to improve the team, but Pittsburgh is in a tricky spot as it needs to build for the future while also attempting to win now. That means future draft capital is extremely valuable to Pittsburgh, and giving it up in order to win now is a move that will be highly judged if it does not work out. Team insider Gerry Dulac took to social media on Monday where he seemingly teased some fans about a potential move that could be coming for Pittsburgh ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Pittsburgh is certainly calling around the league at this juncture trying to find a good and effective way to upgrade the roster. That could mean bringing in a solidified star, or just rounding out some positions when it comes to depth and positional flexibility. That is every team's goal at the trade deadline, assuming it is a franchise that is trying to win now. Wide receiver has been the position of need for the Steelers for what feels like years, and there are some good ones around the league that could be moved. The pair of receivers for the New Orleans Saints could be intriguing options for Khan as Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed could be dealt, although New Orleans seems content to keep both players with the organization. Jaylen Waddle is another option as the Miami Dolphins could be looking to get rid of all of their best players to set up for a rebuild. The most talked about wide receiver has been Jakobi Meyers of the Las Vegas Raiders. He requested a trade ahead of the 2025 season, but the Raiders said they wouldn't be moving him. He has played throughout the duration of his trade request, while also doubling down on his desire to be moved. Las Vegas dropped to 2-6 on Sunday and are currently last in the AFC West division with every other team being above .500, so Meyers being moved elsewhere seems inevitable. A team like the Steelers should be considered a top option. Steelers Could Move Forward With Current Group At Wide Receiver Pittsburgh could move forward with the current group at wide receiver if a deal can't get agreed to. Calvin Austin III has returned to full health and was the team's most productive receiver on Sunday, and second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson is finally making strides and getting involved. Pittsburgh could still add some depth at the position, but the Steelers have more talent in the wide receiver room than initially thought throughout the 2025 offseason. An addition like Olave, Waddle, or Meyers would be nice, but all three of those players have contract questions that need to be answered in the near future. Giving up a pick for a half-year rental wouldn't be smart for Pittsburgh to do in its current situation, so any trade of that caliber would have to come with some financial commitment after the season concludes.
Matt LaFleur spills the beans on what the Packers really plan to do ahead of the NFL trade deadline
The Green Bay Packers don't tend to be the most active team ahead of trade deadlines. Since general manager Brian Gutekunst took over in 2018, he's never acquired a player in the week leading up to the deadline — on the other hand, he's sold Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Ty Montgomery, Rasul Douglas, and Preston Smith. However, Gutekunst did consider some trades — most notably, wide receiver Will Fuller back in 2020. Ultimately, the price requested by the Houston Texans wasn't right. This is mostly how the Packers will process things ahead of Tuesday's deadline. The roster is good enough The Packers already made two trades right before the season, acquiring Micah Parsons and Darian Kinnard. Asked about potential moves on Monday, head coach Matt LaFleur mentioned that the team doesn't need to add more players to be competitive, but the front office is making sure to evaluate opportunities. "I don't think so, not necessarily," LaFleur said about the need to add pieces. "I know Gutey and the rest of the guys upstairs are doing a great job of looking for things that could potentially help us, and if the right decision is there, I’ve got full confidence he’ll make it." Gutekunst and LaFleur have a close relationship, and the big roster decisions go through both of them, even though the GM has the final call. "We're in constant communication about everything," LaFleur added. While cornerback and defensive tackle were arguably the biggest needs on the roster, the tight end room also became thin with Tucker Kraft's season-ending knee injury. Right now, the only two TEs on the roster are Luke Musgrave and John FitzPatrick — Josh Whyle is on the practice squad and could be promoted or elevated. The trade deadline is at 3 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Don't expect big moves from the Packers, but something might happen — and as always, only if the price is right. This article was originally published on A to Z Sports Green Bay, as "Matt LaFleur spills the beans on what the Packers really plan to do ahead of the NFL trade deadline."
Maple Leafs get boost for the long term with latest roster news
The Toronto Maple Leafs perhaps did not expect to start the season like this, with a record of 6-5-1, but it's a result of the offensive adjustments the team has been forced to make. Head coach Craig Berube lost star Mitch Marner to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the summer, so he had to reorganize roles and defensive responsibilities, impacting players like winger William Nylander. Nylander, 29, who is entering his second year of an eight-season deal with a cap hit of $11.5M, said on Monday that he is ready to play again after suffering a lower-body injury. Nylander practiced in the right wing of the second line with prospect Easton Cowan and John Tavares, per TSN's Mark Masters. That is not only good news for the Maple Leafs' upcoming games, but also for the long term. Why William Nylander is so important in Craig Berube's system Since the departure of Marner, Nylander has absorbed more volume of creation, passes in the offensive zone, controlled zone entries and shooting threat from the half-walls. This is reflected in his numbers to date, as he boasts 15 points in nine games played. Berube has asked for more shot volume and quick decisions, which favors Nylander, who also generates a significant impact in five-on-five. His mix of controlled entries, patience in the low circles and reading of the weak side stretches rival defenses, which allows for creating routes for Tavares and Cowan. Furthermore, in the first power play unit, the threat of Nylander's one-timer forces the closure of pass lines towards the bumper and the backdoor, opening clean shots for Auston Matthews, another key player for Berube. The most probable scenario is that Nylander continues being a primary offensive engine and stabilizes the power play. If he maintains entry success and increases his shot rate, Toronto could compensate for the departure of Marner.
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