Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Cubs rival pitcher’s trade request could shake up NL Central
MLB: Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers MLB: Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers

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


MLB: Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers MLB: Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers

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


MLB: Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers MLB: Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers

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.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

Yankees cannot afford to trade their 'left-handed Aaron Judge'
MLB

Yankees cannot afford to trade their 'left-handed Aaron Judge'

It’s been a busy summer for New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, having watched several pitchers and the team’s primary third baseman fall victim to lengthy IL stints. Cashman has at least three holes to repair, but who can the Yankees deal to land some worthwhile replacements? Among New York's trade chips that have been frequently mentioned as of recent is outfielder Spencer Jones. Whether for the Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suarez or Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller, several rumors have suggested a package involving Jones, the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect and purported “left-handed Aaron Judge.” Up until this season, Jones had struggled to live up to his monstrous expectations, which made him rather undesirable in prior trade discussions. But whereas many teams and writers saw him as a hard pass in trade talks over the offseason, Jones has now become a hot commodity. Off to a scorching start in Triple-A (.408/.470/.901 with 10 home runs in just 17 games entering Wednesday), Jones has compiled a head-turning .313/.412/.683 stat line with a career-high 26 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 246 at-bats across Double and Triple-A this season. With his awe-striking power finally producing some results, Jones has become a top-of-the-line trade chip. However, this doesn’t mean the Yankees should consider trading him. Why not? Center field-related uncertainty Yankees’ center fielder, Cody Bellinger, has played well in pinstripes this year which raises the topic of his player option for next season. In addition, since he is getting paid more than his option is worth next year, chances are he decides to try the free-agent market. If Bellinger does leave, center field will be wide open as Trent Grisham will also likely test free agency after this season. Unlike Jones, neither Judge nor Jasson Dominguez have displayed the aptitude necessary to capably play the position. The Yankees’ shallow depth will also prove to be a challenge for finding a replacement. If Bellinger does stay, he can slide into first base while Jones takes over at center. But whether he decides to stay or go, Bellinger will be a free agent after the 2026 season. Trade value Jones’ numbers are on fire, but his trade value has yet to catch up, due to his unstable track record. Nonetheless, using a prospect of Jones’ caliber (along with others) to land someone like Keller (career 4.43 ERA), for example, or any similar player would equate to mismanagement. Given his torrid stretch this year, there is a good chance Jones lives up to his stunning potential. Selling him for a fraction of his future worth would be regrettable. Yankees’ current situation The Yankees are without Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt for the year and many others sit on the IL alongside them. This deficiency could be offset by acquiring some rentals, namely Suarez. However, as the risk with all rentals, Suárez will likely test free agency at the end of the season. Unless the Yankees extend or sign him, he won’t share the same side of the field with Cole or Schmidt (while active). If they can land Suarez without trading Jones, all would be well for the Yankees. If not, this could be a case of mortgaging the future to improve a very gloomy present. In the end, it may be better to have Jones’ bat backing Cole over the next three years rather than Suárez’s bat backing Will Warren this year. If the Yankees are dealing for rentals at the deadline, it’s best to leave Jones out of it.

Lakers' Maxi Kleber Mentioned In Major Trade Talk As Mavs Ex Nearly On The Move Again
NBA

Lakers' Maxi Kleber Mentioned In Major Trade Talk As Mavs Ex Nearly On The Move Again

Lakers power forward Maxi Kleber was reportedly close to being involved in another trade with his new team. A former fan favorite of the Dallas Mavericks, Kleber spent eight seasons in Dallas before being part of one of the biggest trades in NBA history — heading to Los Angeles along with NBA superstar Luka Dončić. Now, after missing most of last season due to injury and playing just five minutes for the Lakers before re-injuring a right foot fracture he suffered in January, Kleber nearly found himself on the move again. The reason? The Lakers recently signed star guard Marcus Smart following his buyout with the Washington Wizards. To make room for the deal, Los Angeles needed to clear additional cap space. Their first move was to release point guard Shake Milton, freeing up about $3 million. But that still wasn’t enough. Initially, the Lakers considered trading away players like Dalton Knecht and another player on an expiring contract to bring back a single, more affordable option. Kleber was rumored to be that expiring contract player potentially involved in the deal. However, after exploring options, the Lakers ultimately chose a simpler route — releasing guard Jordan Goodwin to free up the remaining space and finalize the signing of Smart. Kleber has long been regarded as a valuable role player and depth piece, known for his versatility as a big man with the ability to shoot from the perimeter. Now, reunited with Luka Dončić — this time wearing purple and gold — Kleber hopes to make an impact in Los Angeles. But injury concerns remain: over the past few seasons, he has missed significant time, and that’s the last thing the Lakers can afford after spending nearly all of their cap space to acquire Marcus Smart. To avoid finding himself at the center of another major trade, Kleber will need to stay healthy, contribute consistently, and simply be available to help the Lakers in their pursuit of a championship next season.

Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
NHL

Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers

The Chicago Blackhawks, a crowded goaltending situation and trade rumors involving the Edmonton Oilers have fans wondering if the Stars' rivals could soon upgrade their crease before training camp. With training camp approaching, Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson has five goalies under contract, including Spencer Knight, Arvid Soderblom, Drew Commesso, newly signed Stanislav Berezhnoy, and veteran Laurent Brossoit. Only two NHL roster spots are available, which has fueled speculation that Brossoit could be moved to a contender, with Edmonton emerging as a leading candidate. For Stars fans, seeing the Oilers potentially bolster their crease should raise eyebrows. Edmonton, fresh off a deep playoff run, is looking to avoid the same issues that hurt them late in the postseason. "The Blackhawks have too many goalies and not enough spots, and Brossoit's contract and experience make him a natural trade chip for a team like the Oilers."-Julien Trekker Chicago's goalie logjam and Berezhnoy's recent signing are detailed further at NHL.com. Dallas could see its rival upgrade as Blackhawks explore trading Laurent Brossoit Brossoit, 32, carries a $3.3 million cap hit for one more season. Drafted by Calgary in 2011, he's appeared in 140 NHL games, including time with Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vegas, where he helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023. While Chicago decides, Drew Commesso continues to push for NHL time after posting a .911 save percentage over 39 AHL games. For a deeper look at Commesso's performance, his full profile is on Elite Prospects. I think if Edmonton lands Brossoit or even Commesso, Dallas may have to plan around a deeper Oilers team come playoff time, especially given how tight the Western race looks on paper.

Georges Niang On Celtics Fans: ‘You Took The Unicorn And Got A Minivan With Scratches’
NBA

Georges Niang On Celtics Fans: ‘You Took The Unicorn And Got A Minivan With Scratches’

The Boston Celtics added another floor spacer when they acquired forward Georges Niang in the trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks. But as Niang tells it, the reception in Boston hasn’t exactly been warm. “I then get traded for Kristaps Porzingis — which, you know how tough Boston fans are,” Niang said during an appearance on The OGs podcast, via HoopsRumors. “They don’t give a (expletive) if I’m from Boston or not. ‘You just took our Unicorn and replaced it with a Minivan. Get the (expletive) outta here.’ I’m like public enemy No. 1. They’re like, ‘What is this? This ain’t shiny. It’s got scratches on it, man.’” Some of the resentment may stem from a 2023 playoff incident in which Niang, then with the Cavaliers, grabbed Celtics star Jaylen Brown’s knee from the bench. That clip resurfaced after the trade. Others have speculated it’s about Niang’s $8.2 million expiring contract and whether Boston plans to keep him around. “You don’t want to be in Boston losing, that’s for sure,” Niang added. “What can I do this summer? Can I come in in the best shape, mentor, learn, and figure out how to win the day — and then win games.” Celtics Urged to Pass on Simmons Boston has been linked to free agent Ben Simmons, but not everyone thinks it’s a good idea. Matt Vautour of MassLive wrote that the Celtics would be better off exploring other options. Vautour noted that Simmons still brings some upside, but warned that the team can’t count on him to stay healthy. Along with that, things didn’t exactly work out for Simmons in Philadelphia or Brooklyn, either, Vautour opined. Bassey Drawing Interest From Overseas Big man Charles Bassey, who made a solid impression during three Summer League games with Boston, is on the radar of Italian club Virtus Bologna, per HoopsRumors. Bassey could still be in the mix for a training camp invite, but no decision has been made as the Celtics continue to evaluate their frontcourt depth. More NBA News Rumors