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The Cleveland Guardians have acquired right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard in a trade with the San Francisco Giants, via Shayna Rubin of The San Francisco Chronicle.
The Guardians will be sending cash considerations to the Giants in exchange for Howard.
The club posted an official release on the deal, as well.
A trade and subsequent roster move.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/SW5NQDdASt
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) July 5, 2024
Howard was designated for assignment by San Francisco recently. He made seven appearances and two starts with the Giants in 2024, going 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA while allowing 33 hits and registering 21 strikeouts over 24 innings of work.
The 27-year-old broke into the big leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2020 and was considered a top prospect at the time. He made six starts that season and went 1-2 with a 5.92 ERA.
The following year, Howard was traded to the Texas Rangers in the middle of the season. He had a miserable campaign overall, going 0-5 with a 7.43 ERA across 19 outings and 15 starts between Philadelphia and Texas. His peripherals also did little to help his case, as he logged a 4.72 FIP and recorded an awful 1.93 K/BB ratio.
The Rangers gave Howard another shot in 2022, but he continued to disappoint, going 2-4 with a 7.41 ERA through 10 appearances and eight starts. He then made three appearances out of the bullpen in 2023, surrendering four runs in 3.1 frames.
Perhaps Cleveland—which is in serious need of starting pitching—feels that it can resurrect the career of the former second-round pick.
Considering that the Guardians didn't actually give up anything of significance in this deal, one could say that it's worth a shot.
More must-reads:
- Yankees beef up bullpen by acquiring ex-Pirates closer
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Yankees beef up bullpen by acquiring ex-Pirates closer
Much-needed bullpen help has arrived for the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers are acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar in exchange for three prospects, with the full trade first reported by MLB Network's Jon Morosi. The Yankees entered play on July 31 with a 4.24 bullpen ERA, which ranked 21st in MLB. Therefore, David Bednar represents a significant upgrade for a unit that sorely needed one. It's been a remarkable in-season turnaround for Bednar, who is only a few months removed from posting a 5.14 ERA in nine April appearances and nearly being ousted as Pirates closer. Since then, the veteran reliever has excelled, with a 1.61 ERA from May 1 onward. Pittsburgh turns Bednar, who has one year of arbitration remaining, into three solid prospects, headlined by catcher Rafael Flores, the Yankees' No. 8 prospect. The Pirates also received 14th-ranked prospect Edgleen Perez, who receives high marks for his bat as a catcher. The third prospect heading to the Steel City is outfielder Brian Sanchez, who is unranked but currently at Single-A. The price for controllable relievers has been high, to be sure. But it was one the Yankees needed to pay with both Luke Weaver and Devin Williams struggling, while righty Fernando Cruz tends to injury. With Bednar now in the fold, New York can feel much more secure in closing out games, leaving the others to set up roles as the Yankees attempt to chase down the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. Meanwhile, this trade marks the second significant piece that the Pirates have moved leading up to the deadline, with third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes being dealt to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.
Final Fantasy Meets Dragon Quest In Legendary Crossover
What’s more iconic than Cloud wielding a Buster Sword? How about Cloud rocking Erdrick’s Armor and wrecking Dragon Quest monsters all in one event? That’s right, Square Enix has decided to gift us mere mortals a crossover between Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis and Dragon Quest Tact. This limited event runs from July 30 to August 6, and if you’re not hyped yet, you might want to check your gaming pulse. But what does this actually mean for you? Well, buckle up, because this crossover is more than just a gimmick. It’s packed with so much fan service that even Sephiroth might need a break from brooding to join in on the fun. The Chaos, The Loot, The Slimeocalypse First off, Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is about to host King Slime and his slimy gang because, apparently, even pixels deserve to meet their heroes. Players get to battle these absurdly charming enemies and earn event-exclusive gear worthy of both franchises. We’re talking Cloud stepping into Erdrick’s Armor and wielding what is unquestionably one of the most epic swords in gaming. Aerith, not to be outdone, is gracefully handed the Supreme Sage Garb because, you know, killing enemies and looking fabulous is her thing. And don’t even get me started on Sephiroth taking a cosplay detour as Psaro. Imagine one iconic villain dressing up as another. It’s meta. It’s chaotic. It’s everything we didn’t know we needed. Players, Prepare for Nostalgia Overload The crossover also throws in daily free draws, a boatload of loot, and arguably, a reason to ditch any other mobile games cluttering up your screen time. There’s something inherently rewarding about collecting crossover goodies that scream, “I was there when Square Enix decided Cloud needed an RPG glow-up with Dragon Quest-style flair.” Some highlights from the event include: Daily Free Ten Pulls (Spoiler Alert: Prepare for gacha heartbreak… and joy). Crossover Missions loaded with rewards like Red XIII’s Great Sabrecat Collar (think of it as drip for your furry companion). Event Bonuses that range from refined Mythril piles to rare crossover wallpapers that scream, “Yeah, I’m that gamer.” And, oh yeah, login bonuses stacked higher than a stack of pancakes at a chocobo-catered brunch. Why This Crossover Actually Slaps If you’re rolling your eyes at the idea of yet another crossover event, it’s time for a quick reality check. This isn’t just a lazy cash-grab with recycled assets and buzzwords. It’s a love letter to fans of both games, blending two legendary worlds into an experience that’s as ridiculous as it is satisfying. Think of it like a bizarre but beautiful RPG fever dream where Dragon Quest monsters challenge Final Fantasy heroes, and the only loser is anyone who missed out. Plus, when was the last time you saw King Slime try to flex on Aerith? Exactly. Is this Peak Mobile Gaming? Now, will this event cure all your gaming ailments? Probably not. Will it load up your plate with so much nostalgia and fan-service-packed chaos that even your backlog of unplayed games might get jealous? Absolutely. Square Enix’s crossover brilliance usually lies in its ability to unite wildly different fandoms and generate hype that turns even the most casual gamer into a midnight-grinding, loot-obsessed fan. And if that’s not peak mobile gaming, what even is? Final Thoughts Events like these are why gaming history has a vault packed with “Hype Levels Overload” moments. Whether you’re here for the loot, the cross-franchise cosplays, or just some good old-fashioned Dragon Quest monster smashing with your favorite FF cast, this event delivers on every front. Hot tip? Set your alarms. Grab your popcorn. And pray that RNG is in your favor for those 10 pulls. Trust me, you’ll want bragging rights when someone asks why Cloud suddenly looks like he walked out of a Dragon Quest cutscene. Remember, this party only lasts for a week. Don’t sleep on it, because King Slime certainly won’t. Be sure to visit Total Apex Gaming for more game-related news and content.
Closer David Bednar Acquired By New York Yankees In Blockbuster Trade
David Bednar is heading to The Bronx. That means the Yankees bullpen might finally have the edge it desperately needs heading into crunch time. Let’s break this trade down and see why the Yankees targeted Bednar and what they are giving up in return. David Bednar Career Summary After enduring a miserable start in 2024 that screamed, “Send me back to Triple-A,” Bednar recalibrated, introduced a filthy curveball, and essentially told everyone, “Yeah, I’m better now.” The guy has been lights-out since his mid-April return to the majors. Zero blown saves. He has converted 17 of 17 of his save opportunities. His 2.37 ERA and 51 strikeouts in just 38 innings say enough. What Did the Yankees Trade Away? Now, nothing in baseball comes for free, and the Pirates weren’t going to part with their two-time All-Star for pocket change. New York sent Pittsburgh Catcher Rafael Flores, ranked the Yankees’ No. 8 prospect, along with two promising youngsters, catcher/first baseman Edgleen Perez (No. 14) and Outfielder Brian Sanchez. The Yankees fanbase is likely feeling relieved that they did not have to cough up any higher-ranked prospects. Flores is a solid offensive catcher, so the Pirates took a calculated shot at adding depth to one of their weaker spots. Perez and Sanchez are still raw, but with enough seasoning, they could turn into valuable major-league pieces. Why Bednar? At this point, asking why the Yankees targeted Bednar feels rhetorical. Have you seen their bullpen lately? Their closer corps has been a revolving door of unpredictability this season. Devin Williams and Luke Weaver cannot be trusted in high-leverage situations. Every game feels like a cardiac event for Yankees fans. No one expects Bednar to wave a magic wand and fix all of their problems overnight, but adding a proven closer who does not flinch under pressure is a significant upgrade. Plus, his ability to handle late-game heroics and career-high 39 saves back in 2023 proves he thrives in high-stakes moments. The Yankees are banking on that being the case again. For Pittsburgh, Is This a Win Or a Loss? Losing Bednar, a hometown favorite from Mars, PA, is a gut punch. He had 100+ saves with the Pirates and gave the fans plenty to cheer for during some rough seasons. But the harsh reality is, the Pirates are dead last, and keeping a closer whose talent is being wasted in low-pressure games does not make sense. Flipping an elite reliever like Bednar for prospects could help the rebuild. Will Flores, Perez, and Sanchez be the keys to unlocking future success? That is a wait-and-see game, but moves like these can lift a struggling franchise. What’s Next for Bednar and the Yankees? For Bednar, the stakes only get higher from here. The pressure of wearing those iconic pinstripes comes with expectations that many players struggle to fulfill. Can he keep the zero blown saves streak alive? Will Yankees fans immediately crown him a hero, or will he be eaten alive by the Bronx Zoo? For the Yankees, this is as much about survival as it is about success. Their division is a slugfest, and the Wild Card race will be tough. Adding Bednar signals they know the bullpen could make or break their playoff ambitions. Final Pitch The Bednar trade encapsulates the chaos of the MLB trade deadline. The Pirates get their prospects, Bednar gets a shot at October baseball, and Yankees fans get some hope. Whether it is false hope or not remains to be seen.
Nolan Arenado Has Decision to Make After Cardinals-Mets Trade
The St. Louis Cardinals are tearing down their roster in a seller’s market with a clear goal of competing in the future after falling out of playoff contention. On Wednesday, St. Louis dealt All-Star closer Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets for three minor-league prospects: shortstop Jesus Baez and right-handed pitchers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt. With the Cardinals signaling a rebuild by acquiring players still years from the big leagues, third baseman Nolan Arenado recently met with President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak to discuss his future. The 34-year-old star holds a full no-trade clause in his contract, giving him the right to veto any deal, though he’s already named a list of acceptable destinations. Arenado now faces a decision: expand his list of acceptable destinations, request a move to a contender or remain with St. Louis as they reset their roster. “We’ll see. I’ve got some things to take care of first,” Arenado said via MLB.com’s John Denton. “It’ll probably be fine [without a trade], but we’ll let it play out and see where it goes.” Since joining the Cardinals before the 2021 season, he’s earned three straight All-Star selections to open his tenure. In 697 games in St. Louis, Arenado owns a .266 batting average, .779 OPS, 116 home runs and 415 RBIs. Arenado has two years remaining on his deal after 2025, making his choice one of baseball’s most substantial decisions this July. With the trade deadline fast approaching, his decision could accelerate the Cardinals’ rebuilding timeline.
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