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The Chicago Cubs have been in control of the National League Central this year, spending the last 70 days in first place. Entering play on June 13, their 42-27 record has provided them with a 5.5 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. However, the second place Brewers have a pitcher requesting a trade, which could shake up the division.
Cubs rivals starting pitcher requests trade
90 minutes up the interstate from Chicago, the Brewers pitcher Aaron Civale has requested a trade. The seven year MLB veteran has been a starter his entire career, but shortly after the team announced they were moving him to the bullpen he demanded to be traded.
Civale has a 4.91 ERA this year through five starts as a hamstring injury sidelined him early on this year. He is making $8.0 million in 2025 and will be a free agent at seasons end. A move to being a relief pitcher is not in his best financial interest as he prepares to hit the open market this winter.
How this trade request could shake up the NL Central
For the Brewers, trading Civale could be a great opportunity for them. Milwaukee has received minimal production offensively this year from shortstop and third base, meaning they actually could stand to improve their roster while dealing from a position of strength.
The Brewers pitching staff has recently gotten healthy, with guys like DL Hall, Aaron Ashby, and Jose Quintana recently returning from injury. If Milwaukee wants to catch Chicago in the standing this year, improving their offense will be one area of focus, and trading Civale could accomplish that goal.
Aaron Civale will be traded to a contender, but not the Chicago Cubs
Playoff contending teams are always in the trade market for starting pitchers, and for the Cubs this should be their primary area of focus. However, a deal between Milwaukee and Chicago is highly unlikely to happen. The Brewers aren’t about to strengthen a division rival in the middle of a division race, so fans shouldn’t hold their breath as Civale is one arm that won’t be heading to Wrigley.
With Civale being a starting pitcher unavailable for Chicago to acquire, they will have to focus their attention on other trade targets. Staying aggressive and making a deal may be necessary for the Cubs to maintain their lead in the division and enter the second half of the season with a deep enough rotation to propel them into the playoffs.
More must-reads:
- Why Brewers manager Pat Murphy continues to exceed expectations
- Why did the Orioles activate star player during last week of season?
- The 'Switch-hitter single-season HR leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
The 'MLB 400 home runs, 200 steals' quiz
Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are once again to miss out on the MLB postseason, but Trout will get to head into his 2026 campaign with a major milestone completed. Trout hit his 400th-career home run in the eighth inning of an Angels 3-0 win over the Colorado Rockies this weekend, making him the 59th MLB player to eclipse 400 homers. After the accomplishment, Trout met with the fan who caught his ball on the field for a quick game of catch (and some signed memorabilia) in exchange for the piece of history. Which brings us to today's quiz. While age and a history of injuries will likely keep Trout from ever returning to his MVP form again, he's one of the most accomplished all-around players in MLB history. With that being said, how many of the 15 players in Major League Baseball history to rack up at least 400 home runs and 200 stolen bases in their career can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Former HC does not hold back on Cowboys' atrocious defense
The Dallas Cowboys have played about as poorly as they possibly can on defense through the first three weeks of the NFL season. One week after needing a pair of late field goals from kicker Brandon Aubrey to outlast the New York Giants, 40-37, in overtime, the Cowboys dropped their second game in three weeks on Sunday in a 31-14 loss to the Chicago Bears, showing no signs of improvement whatsoever. Rex Ryan blasts Cowboys defense Simply put, Dallas just looks lost on defense, leading to former head coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan going off during Monday's edition of "Get Up." "Just when we thought it couldn't get worse, this defense comes up with even a worse performance," Ryan said. ... "You're so dumb. I can't stand it. Do something. I don't want to hear about you can't rush the passer. Then how about we send more players on the quarterback. We can't play zone coverage, then how about we play man coverage. You guys stink. Dumbsday defense." Dallas had no answers for the Bears and QB Caleb Williams on Sunday. After struggling to find a rhythm in the first two games, Williams was sensational, throwing for 298 yards and four TDs to pick up head coach Ben Johnson's first win in Chicago. As good as Williams was, though, the Cowboys defense certainly helped. Dallas (1-2) has given up 92 points through three games and is 28th in the league in opponent points per game (30.7 PPG), per TeamRankings. Something Ryan alluded to in his rant was Dallas' inability to stop Chicago on a 19-play, 76-yard drive in the third quarter that took 9:54 off the clock. It was a 24-14 game before then, and the Cowboys were picked off on each of their final three drives afterward to seal their fate. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been solid, accounting for 800 passing yards — fourth-most in the league — and three TDs. Before Sunday, he had only thrown one interception. The run game has also contributed four combined TDs between Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, providing a much-needed balance. That has ultimately not mattered with the defense unable to get stops and limit drives from opposing teams. To make matters worse, star wideout CeeDee Lamb suffered a left ankle injury in the loss on Sunday, and it sounds like he could land on injured reserve, which would put him out of action for at least four games. That is the last thing Dallas needs right now. The team will likely be without its best player for an extended period of time, in addition to having an abysmal defense, which does not sound encouraging going forward for a franchise that always seems to be in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Cowboys' Jerry Jones provides ominous injury update on CeeDee Lamb
As the Dallas Cowboys look to find their footing after a 1-2 start, their top offensive playmaker doesn't look like he'll be around to help. On Monday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones provided an update on wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle), telling reporters that the All-Pro could be moved to injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. Lamb suffered a high-ankle sprain during the first quarter of the Cowboys' Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, 31-14, but Jones attempted to remain optimistic afterward, saying, "Let's just keep our fingers crossed" when asked about his star receiver's health. CeeDee Lamb's absence would be near impossible to replace Lamb only played seven offensive snaps against the Bears and didn't record a catch. In the season's first two games, the four-time Pro Bowler had 16 receptions for 222 yards. His 13.9 yards per reception are tied for his career high, set in 2021. Lamb is by far Dallas' most dynamic and reliable playmaker, and his absence will certainly be felt. The Cowboys are heavily dependent on their passing attack, ranking first in the league in pass attempts, averaging 43.7 per game. Running back Javonte Williams, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, has been a pleasant surprise, but defenses will be able to put an added emphasis on stopping the run when game planning for Dallas without Lamb. Wide receiver George Pickens, added in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn't dependable enough to shoulder the load of the passing offense at wide receiver. On Sunday, he dropped a perfectly placed pass from Dak Prescott, with the ball bouncing off his hands and to Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds for an interception. Afterward, Pickens had an outburst on the sideline, slamming his helmet on the turf as Lamb and others watched. The Cowboys don't have a defense capable of stopping opponents either. Through three games, they've allowed 30.7 points and 397.7 yards per game while also ranking last in third-down defense, with opponents converting at a 53.7 percent clip. Lamb is one of the two players, along with Prescott, that Dallas can't afford to lose. He's indispensable to the Cowboys offense, which will likely have a hard time moving the football in Week 4 against the top-ranked Green Bay Packers defense. Games at the New York Jets (0-3) and Carolina Panthers (1-2) are more manageable, but the stretch ends with an NFC East showdown against the Washington Commanders (2-1). Regardless of the opponent, the next four weeks — if that is how long Lamb misses — will be a real test for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. And based on the Cowboys roster, he might be set up to fail.
NBA Rumors: Jonathan Kuminga, Quentin Grimes, Russell Westbrook, free agency
Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency continues to drag on, leaving the Warriors in limbo. Golden State recently made a new three-year offer to their 22-year-old forward, but his agent has already said that taking the $8 million qualifying offer remains a real possibility. Until this gets resolved, the Warriors are stuck. They’ve been connected to veterans Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II, along with names like Seth Curry and Cody Martin, but those deals can’t get finalized until Kuminga’s situation is clear. Golden State technically only has 10 players under contract — the fewest in the league — and still has two unsigned draft picks (Alex Toohey and Will Richard) along with two-way RFA Taran Armstrong hanging out there. Grimes and the Sixers Quentin Grimes is another restricted free agent still waiting. Unlike Kuminga, there hasn’t been much noise around his talks with Philadelphia lately. The Sixers clearly like him, but time is running short with the October 1 qualifying offer deadline looming. Westbrook and the Kings Russell Westbrook remains the most decorated unrestricted free agent still on the market. Sacramento has been his only real link so far, but the Kings have been hesitant to make other moves while they keep an eye on Kuminga’s RFA process. A resolution there could open the door for Westbrook. Achiuwa Watch Precious Achiuwa surprisingly remains unsigned. He turned 26 this summer and has been on the radar for both EuroLeague teams and NBA clubs. Panathinaikos showed interest before pivoting to Richaun Holmes, while Miami has been linked but is limited by the tax line. Other UFAs There are still a handful of familiar NBA names floating around: Ben Simmons (who has considered retirement), Monte Morris, Cameron Payne, Malik Beasley (still tied to a gambling probe), Alec Burks, Mo Bamba and Thomas Bryant. Training camps are less than two weeks away, and jobs are scarce.
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