A frontrunner for Robert? Plus, the market's most highly coveted reliever

Luis Robert Jr.’s recent renaissance at the plate has a number of contenders considering a move for the center fielder, though sources said Chicago’s asking price remains “very high.”

According to sources, the Mets have been one of the more aggressive teams in their pursuit of Robert, with one source taking it to another level by calling New York “the frontrunner.” The Padres and Phillies are among the other teams said to have interest in Robert.

Robert has struggled offensively for most of the past two seasons, but the 27-year-old (he turns 28 on Sunday) has looked like his 2023 All-Star self of late, hitting six home runs with 19 RBIs and an .853 OPS over his past 29 games dating back to June 10. My colleague Mike Petriello recently broke down some of the reasons for Robert’s resurgence.

Robert is owed $5 million for the rest of 2025, with $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027 ($2 million buyout). The White Sox are looking for a solid return for Robert, who remains an above-average defender in center field. Infielder Luisangel Acuña is one name being discussed in talks between Chicago and New York, a source said.

Helsley’s a hot commodity

Relief pitchers are always popular trade targets this time of year, and while a number of controllable bullpen arms are generating a lot of interest around the league, it’s a rental reliever who could be the most prized among contenders.

As we race toward Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline, Ryan Helsley is emerging as one of the most sought-after players on the market, giving the Cardinals an opportunity for a lucrative bidding war.

According to sources, at least a half-dozen teams – the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Blue Jays and Rangers – are interested in Helsley, though the list is likely longer than that.

An All-Star in 2022 and 2024, Helsley won last year’s Trevor Hoffman Award as the National League’s top relief pitcher after going 49-for-53 in save opportunities with a 2.04 ERA in 65 appearances. The 31-year-old hasn’t been as effective this season, successfully converting 21 of 26 save opportunities with a 3.00 ERA in 36 games, but his Statcast page offers some clues as to why contenders are so enamored with him.

Helsley ranks in the top 25 percent of the league in the following categories:

Fastball velocity (99.3 mph/99th percentile)
Chase percentage (34.3%/94th percentile)
Whiff percentage (30.8%/86th percentile)
Strikeout percentage (26.1%/77th percentile)

Helsley’s strikeout percentage has dropped in each of the past three seasons, but his slider remains one of the most effective pitches in the game; opponents are hitting only .092 against it with a .154 slugging percentage.

In an age when teams are placing great value on swing-and-miss ability, Helsley – who is owed about $2.7 million for the remainder of the season – could be a true difference-maker down the stretch. Based on the number of teams trying to pry him away from St. Louis, they seem to believe the same.

Another ‘tightrope act’ for Tampa Bay

The pair of trades the Rays made on Monday may best exemplify their approach leading up to Thursday’s Trade Deadline. They traded catcher Danny Jansen to the Brewers, shedding a veteran who will become a free agent this offseason, and acquired catcher Nick Fortes from the Marlins, bringing in a replacement with a different profile (more glove, less bat) and, most importantly, more years of club control.

They bought and sold, downgrading this year’s team somewhat while solidifying their situation behind the plate in the future.

“It's a tightrope act, right?” Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander told reporters, including MLB.com’s Adam Berry. “You recognize your position. You try to do right by the organization in the big picture. But you also try to do right by the season at hand.”

After falling to the Yankees on Tuesday night, the Rays are 54-54, 8 1/2 games back in the AL East and 3 1/2 games out of the third AL Wild Card spot. They were in a similar position last year and traded key players like Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Jason Adam and Isaac Paredes for a haul of prospects.

They’ve tumbled down the standings over the last month, but there’s no guarantee this week will bring a similar sell-off. They would have to fall further out of the Wild Card race or be completely overwhelmed by an offer to move their best players for Minor Leaguers, according to sources.

Club officials haven’t lost faith in this year’s team, and their expected record (60-48) indicates they’re better than they’ve played recently. The Rays’ most appealing trade candidates – closer Pete Fairbanks, designated hitter/first baseman Yandy Díaz and second baseman Brandon Lowe – have at least one more affordable year of club control remaining. Plus, the AL race is so crowded that it would only take one hot streak – like Tampa Bay’s 25-9 run in May/June – to shoot up the standings.