Red Sox, Mets front offices have a lot to prove, and that should start with trading two coveted arms
The trade deadline always has its headliners.
Tarik Skubal will be the coveted name leading into the Aug. 3. The Tigers (37-49) are expected to be sellers, barring a significant shift in the standings. Still, even if they do make a run, Detroit should strongly consider moving the two-time Cy Young Award winner, who is expected to be one of the most sought-after players on the market and is set to become a free agent at season's end.
But after Skubal, there's a second tier of starters who could prove easier to acquire while still moving the needle for a World Series contender. Sonny Gray of the Red Sox and Freddy Peralta of the Mets fit that bill.
Gray was sensational in his last start against the Yankees on Sunday, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Amed Rosario broke up the bid with one out in the frame. His 7 ⅓ scoreless innings, coupled with nine strikeouts, lowered his ERA to 2.69 through 15 starts this season.
He could certainly help a Braves club that has been riddled by injuries to its starting staff. The same goes for the Padres, who have dealt with their share of blows as well. The Cubs, too.
But will the Red Sox actually part ways with Gray? Well, there are a few factors at play.
For starters, the Red Sox (37-47) believe it is still too early to determine whether they will be true sellers at the deadline, though buying doesn't exactly feel like it's on their bingo card.
According to an industry source, the front office's internal models suggest Boston still has the club at a 50/50 chance of making the postseason despite being 10 games under .500. Boston is only 5 ½ games out of a playoff spot in the watered-down American League. But SportsLine's projection system gives the Red Sox only a 14.2% chance of making the postseason.
As things currently stand, five teams stand between Boston and the third wild-card spot, including division rivals Toronto and Baltimore.
Gray, who will turn 37 in November, also has a somewhat complicated contract situation. The righthander has a $30 million club option for 2027 that carries a $10 million buyout, adding another wrinkle to any potential deal. If the Red Sox do trade Gray, which at this point appears likely, the prudent move would be to absorb that cost. Additionally, Gray has a no-trade clause in his contract, though he has said he would be willing to discuss waiving it with the front office.
Gray has also publicly acknowledged that the Red Sox "aren't a good team right now," further fueling the notion that his days in Boston could be coming to a close only a few months after they started.
The return for Gray is unlikely to be massive. One industry source said the Red Sox should aim for a package centered around a top prospect and a big-league player. In-season deals, particularly those consummated close to the trade deadline, typically don't net the kind of blockbuster hauls seen during the offseason.
The Mets, meanwhile, have a clearer path to selling at the deadline after they continue to find ways to bottom out, sporting a 36-50 record in what is a less-forgiving National League.
The club has dealt with injuries throughout the season, including to members of its pitching staff and its two brightest stars, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns recently fired manager Carlos Mendoza after publicly backing him earlier in the season, when New York stumbled out of the gate.
Peralta was one of the Mets' bright spots for much of the season, but in two of his last four starts, the right-hander yielded six and 10 earned runs, respectively, ballooning his ERA from 3.63 to 4.53.
But when asked whether that should cause some trepidation or perhaps decrease Peralta's value, one high-ranking executive scoffed at the notion, suggesting that Peralta is a proven winner on the mound, one who finished fifth in Cy Young Award voting last season as the cornerstone of a Brewers rotation that might have been rewarded with a World Series berth had it not been for the mighty Dodgers.
"The Mets should get a good return on him," the executive said. "He just turned 30 and is proven."
The return, though, all depends on Stearns, a name across the industry that has, rightfully so, drawn some scrutiny. Rival executives look at the backing Stearns has received from owner Steve Cohen, and the amount of money Cohen has been willing to spend in pursuit of a winner, and wonder why, even with the second-highest payroll in baseball, Stearns' moves have yet to bear much on-field fruit.
"I say that slightly jokingly... He honestly has zero feel," one anonymous executive said of Stearns. "Relies solely on the model. He had a good supporting cast as with the Brewers and caught a wave. He's overmatched now."
There's a trend here. Oftentimes, Stearns and Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow have been described as value hunters -- executives who constantly weigh the value of the return in a trade against what is best for their current club.
Yet, as things stand now, both are convincingly on the outside of the playoff picture. And a sell-off, regardless of the value attached to it, appears increasingly likely.
"Generally speaking, it's pretty early for teams to start calling on specific names," said another league executive. "There's no reason for teams to act now when you can get more desperate teams to act closer to the deadline."
The Aug. 3 trade deadline is still more than a month away.
And when contenders begin searching for pitching, both Gray and Peralta are expected to be among the most sought-after names on the market.
Add CBS Sports on GoogleReds No. 1 Prospect Alfredo Duno Earns Major All-Star Week Honor
Reds No. 1 Prospect Alfredo Duno Earns Major All-Star Week Honor
It's the second year in a row that he will get to participate. Greg Kuffner|
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Cincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds will once again have one of their top prospect on display during All-Star Week.
Reds No. 1 prospect Alfredo Duno has been named to the Futures Game roster for the second straight season. The game will be played on Sunday, July 12, at noon ET at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and will air on NBC.
The honor comes just days after Duno earned a promotion to Double-A Chattanooga, another significant step in what has been an impressive 2026 season for the 20-year-old catcher.
MLB Pipeline recently praised Duno's overall development, writing:
“More athletic than you might think when looking at his strong 6-foot-2 frame, Duno should be able to stick behind the plate, especially if he manages his body well so he can remain agile, and the Reds were happy with his offseason work in this regard. Combine that with his plus arm strength, hard work in all aspects of his game, including learning English, and he has the makings of a big league starting backstop.”
Duno has certainly backed up the hype this season. Across 65 games, he's slashing .260/.390/.512 with 29 extra-base hits while continuing to show the offensive upside that has made him one of the top catching prospects in baseball. He's also handled a heavy workload behind the plate, catching 55 games while serving as the designated hitter in the other 10. However, his defensive production is still way behind his offense.
Sal Stewart Makes History in Tuesday's Loss to Brewers
In Tuesday's loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Sal Stewart hit a first inning home run to put the Reds on top 1-0. Stewart's 16th home run of the season continued his historic rookie campaign. Only Hall of Famer Frank Robinson has hit more home runs as a Reds rookie through the club's first 85 games, launching 20 in 1956.
Reds manager Terry Francona praised Stewart's ability to hit after the game.
“He’s just a really good hitter. He uses the whole field. A lot of times with young guys, they want to hit for power before they learn how to hit. He knows how to hit. And he’s strong enough and a good enough hitter that he gets rewarded when he goes the other way.”
The 22-year-old is slashing .257/.342/.467 with 35 extra-base hits and 11 stolen bases for the Reds this season.
You can hear Francona's comments on Stewart below:
Published 1 minute ago
GREG KUFFNERGreg Kuffner a contributor to Reds On SI. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati and worked for the Sports Information Department during his time as a student. He follows all things Reds year round, including the minor league system.
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Penn State Says it Has Guaranteed More Than $1 Billion in Future Athletics Revenue
Penn State Says it Has Guaranteed More Than $1 Billion in Future Athletics Revenue
Athletic Director Pat Kraft says Penn State has "one of the strongest financial foundations in college athletics."Mark Wogenrich|
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Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State has developed new business and marketing partnerships generating more than $1 billion in future athletics revenue, according to Athletic Director Pat Kraft. It also has one of the largest debt services in college athletics, the product of an ongoing $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium.
In a letter to Penn State fans recapping the 2025-26 athletics season, Kraft said that Penn State saw record attendance, fundraising and ticket sales during the year. Penn State generated record revenue during the 2024-25 fiscal year, topping $250 million in gross athletics revenue for the first time in school history. Figures for the 2025-26 fiscal year will be available early next year.
Penn State also spent more than $250 million for the first time, largely due to increasing NIL payments and the Beaver Stadium renovation. Penn State reported total athletics-related debt of $534.6 million, one of the nation's highest athletics deficits.
Still, Kraft in his letter painted a positive outlook of Penn State's total athletics health.
"Together, we’ve built one of the strongest financial foundations in college athletics, securing more than $1 billion in guaranteed future revenue while dramatically increasing philanthropic support for our student-athletes and programs," Kraft wrote. "Those aren’t simply milestones. They’re investments in championships. They’re investments in people. And they’re investments in the future of Penn State Athletics."
One chapter closes, another begins. Here's to what's next.#WeAre | A letter from Pat Kraft: https://t.co/z3QVD7RGGU pic.twitter.com/WV2rcLiSvi
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) June 30, 2026
Kraft's letter marked not only the begininng of Penn State's 2026-27 athletics year and budget but also his fifth year in charge of the department. Kraft has made sweeping changes during his Penn State term, including the new 10-year apparrel deal with adidas that took effect July 1.
Kraft said the deal, whose total value could reach $300 million over its lifespan, would set an "industry standard" in college athletics. Penn State on Wednesday unveiled its new adidas football uniforms and opened a campus pop-up shop featuring adidas merchandise.
Kraft has conducted a significant overhaul of Penn State's athletics department since becoming athletic director in 2022. He negotiated a 15-year, $50 million deal for the naming rights to the field at Beaver Stadium and signed contracts with a new media rights partner and a new ticketing partner, among many others. The adidas deal represents Kraft's most consequential change.
Penn State also reached a milestone in the Beaver Stadium construction, holding a "topping out" ceremony in June that placed the last beam atop the new West Tower. When complete, the tower will reach a peak of 195 feet.
"Every day, the future of West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium becomes more visible," Kraft wrote in the letter. "After more than 750,000 labor hours, thousands of tons of steel and the topping out of the final beam this June, we’re creating a game day experience worthy of the greatest fans in college sports.
'Expanded concourses, modern amenities, upgraded premium spaces, enhanced technology and improved accessibility will ensure Beaver Stadium remains one of the most iconic and intimidating venues in America for decades to come."
Built for the loudest crowd in college football. 🔊
— Beaver Stadium (@beaver_stadium) June 30, 2026
The new west side is on the way, and we already know the atmosphere is going to be next level.#WeAre pic.twitter.com/liDjE6PpJ3
Penn State also opened its new Jeffrey Field soccer complex last year as well as the bubble training facility that relieves scheduling pressure on Holuba Hall, which multiple programs shared with Penn State football.
"These investments aren’t simply about buildings," Kraft wrote. "They’re about creating an environment where the best coaches want to coach, the best student-athletes want to compete and where every member of our department has the resources to pursue excellence. They reflect
our belief that when you invest in people, extraordinary things happen."
On the field, Penn State finished 23rd in the Learfield Directors' Cup, the annual all-sports award of college athletics. Having publicly suggested Penn State could win four NCAA titles last season, Kraft setteld for one: the fifth straight NCAA team title for Penn State wrestling.
"As proud as we are of what we’ve accomplished together, we’re even more excited about what’s ahead," Kraft wrote. "The future of college athletics is being written today, and Penn State intends to help write it. We have extraordinary student-athletes. Outstanding coaches. Incredible staff. Unmatched facilities. And the greatest fans in college athletics.
"Most importantly, we have a community that believes in something bigger than itself. Thank you for believing in our vision. Thank you for believing in our student-athletes. And thank you for believing in Penn State. The momentum is real. The future is bright. And we’re just getting started."
We Are—and will always be...Penn State.#WeAre \\\ @adidas pic.twitter.com/FBl7qxTuwT
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) July 1, 2026
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Published 25 minutes ago
MARK WOGENRICHMark Wogenrich is the editor and publisher of Penn State on SI, the site for Nittany Lions sports on the Sports Illustrated network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs, three Rose Bowls and one College Football Playoff appearance.
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