[ayaghmour2]

July 27th, 2029: Atlanta will be without LHP Bryan Batista for the year with a damaged elbow ligament. He had a nice 3.62 ERA and struck out 38 in 37.1 innings.

The Padres acquired RHP Eric Walker from the Rays for CF Luis Escobedo. I like this deal for the Rays.

The Rays also acquired RHP Nate Blind and RHP Jorge Saucedo from the Senators for 1B Phil Walker and C Murdock Deville. I like this deal for both teams, even though it's kind of a salary dump.

I made a blockbuster trade, sending 2B Jorge Aguilar, SP Pat Riely, SP Lucio Ottini, RP Ayden Hardemon, and C Jorge Moreno to the Phillies for SP Dusrsun Erbakan, C Rogelio Rangel, and CL Ethan Pistner.

Yep, it's a big one!

Erbakan, 25, is definitely the headliner. At 4/4.5*, he's 3-5 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 19 starts this season. He's struck out 148 and walked 37 in 113.1 innings. In his career, he's 24-16 with 4 saves in 99 games (70 starts). He has a 3.80 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and has struck out 531 in 403 innings pitched. A former 12th Round pick by Baltiomre, they pitchingless Orioles released him after draft day, and then he signed with the Phillies. He's really blossomed from there, and has turned into a young ace. He has elite 100 rated stuff with a elite fastball and perfect curveball and change up. He keeps the ball on the ground, throws 94-96 consistently with his fastball, and can pitch deep into games. He's basically everything you could ask for in a starting pticher.

Rangel, 23, is a decent 2* potential catcher who is plus as a defender with a great ability to avoid strikeouts. The Panamian native known as "Trashman" signed a $4.8 million bonus back in 2022, but hasn't really proved to be a valuable investment. He currently ranks as our 22nd best prospect and fourth best catcher.

Pistner, 21, is a southpaw that the Phillies selected 12th overall in 2026. He's got a four pitch arsenal, but only two of them are viable, is plus-plus fastball and plus splitter. His curve is below average and his change pitiful, and his stamina isn't quite where it's needed to become a starter. He does hit 96-98 with the fastball and keeps the ball on the ground. The 3* prospect has plus stuff and plus movement with average control.

I recalled Doug Parsons from New Orleans to replace Hardemon on the Active Roster, but he'd be optioned tomorrow to make room for Erbakan.

We'd start a three game series with the Padres as Juan Coira (8-8, 5.14 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) makes likely (hopefully) his last start of the season against former minor league Marlin Zach Linginfelter (6-6, 3.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP). Coira showed why I needed Erbakan, and we were topped 9-4 with 5 of the runs coming after the 7th.

Coira went 5 with 8 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Doug Parsons blew the save, an inning with a hit, run, and 2 strikeouts. Josh Brown got the loss, 1.2 innings with 2 hits, 2 runs, and 2 strikeouts. Luis Alcantra allowed 2 runs, a walk, and hit with a strikeout. Chad Scoels allowed a hit, run, and struck out 2.

Noah Smith was 3-for-4 with 4 RBI's. Gregorio Alvarenga was 1-for-3 with 2 runs and a walk. Jackson Miller was 1-for-2 with 2 walks. Chris Reid was 1-for-4 with 2 runs and an walk.

I optioned Parsons to AAA and purchased Erabkan's contract. He'll slot in as the ace in our rotation.

July 28th, 2029: The Padres lost southpaw Luis Mendiola for the rest of the year with bone chips in his elbow. He was 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 21 relif appearences.

Pilots righty Juan Gerrero is out for the season with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow. He had a 7.06 ERA in 21.2 innings with 30 strikeouts and 14 walks.

We looked to even the series back up with C.J. Jorgensen (6-7, 4.20 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) taking on Josh Ferland (8-6, 4.33 ERA, 1.41 WHIP). The pitching was great, and we dominated them 8-1.

Jarred Keleic left with back tightness and will hit the DL for likely the minimum. He was 3-for-3 with 2 runs, a double, homer, and steal.

Jorgensen went 7.1 innings with 5 hits, a run, and 8 strikeouts. The pen combined for 1.2 innings with a walk and 2 strikeouts.

Juan Simental was 3-for-4 with a walk and two solo homers. Eric Kisela was 2-for-5. Kelenic's replacement Gregorio Alvarenga was 1-for-2 with an RBI. Juan Ramirez was 1-for-4 with a double, sac-fly, and 2 RBI's. Jackson Miller was 1-for-4 with a solo shot. Chris Reid was 1-for-4 with a run scored and walk. Noah Smith was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Jon Reid had a pinch hit single and scored in the 8th.

Brewers 2B Andrew Benefiled hit his 300th career homer. A former 14th Round pick by the Crew in 2018, he's really blossomed as a big leaguer, recording 700 RBI's and a 24.1 WAR in 8 seasons with Milwaukee. The 29-year-old has a .254/.306/.518 career triple slash in 4,113 at bats.

July 29th, 2029: We looked to win the rubber match with Devon Peterson (7-6, 3.61 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) taking on Eric Walker (2-2, 6.04 ERA, 1.41 WHIP). I forgot to callup a 26th man, but it didn't matter, as we took the finale 8-4.

Peterson went 5.2 innings with 7 hits, 3 rusn, a walk, and 4 strikeouts. Jake Yearick, Gene Hall, and Luis Alcantra earned holds. Yearick went 1.1 innings with a hit and strikeout, while Hall allowed a run, walk, and 2 hits in 0.1 innings.

Mac Horvath was 2-for-5 with a run scored. Chris Reid was 2-for-5 with 2 RBI's and a double. Eric Kisela was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Jackson Miller was 2-for-4 with 2 runs, an RBI, and a double. Juan Ramriez was 1-for-2 with a run scored, RBI, double, and 3 walks. Sergio Tello was 1-for-3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Whlie Benefield may have 300 homers, Mike Trout hit his 600th today. He isn't the Mike Trout we know in real life, and has jsut a .286/.405/.553 slash with 601 homers and 1,596 RBI's. He has been worth 100.4 Wins Above Replacement, but the 37-year-old hasn't been "Mike Trout" since 2020.

A little late, but Giancarlo Stanton now has 768 homers, 6 more then what Bonds had. He broke it with a 2 home run game in Tampa on July 13th.

Off to Colorado for three games with the Rockies. We'll see Walker Buehler (1-3, 7.52 ERA), Luis Ardon (5-9, 6.44 ERA), and Shoehi Ohtani (7-9, 5.42 ERA), a trifecta of former Marlins!

July 30th, 2029: I activated LF Daylen Lile from the Disabled List.

Despite being injured, Jarred Kelenic was named NL Player of the Week. The 30-year-old was 12-for-17 with a homer and 5 RBI's. He's hitting .316 with 7 homers and 44 RBI's this season.

Speaking of injuries, Indians ace Mike Seig is out for the year with a torn flexor tendon. He was just 3-7 with a 4.17 ERA in 22 starts.

We remained 3rd in the Power Rankings. With the deadline tomorrow, our 65-43 record gives us a 9 games lead over the Nats and Mets.

And it looks like Buehler won't be pitching today, as the Rockies sent him to Arizona for C Nate Goldstein and CF Jim Hancock. Absolute steal for the Rockies. Absolute steal.

The Phillies continued their unload, sending LHP Cullen Dana to the Braves for LHP Jeff Dubas, C Juan Mendoza, and 2B Mike Shupe. I like this swap for both teams.

Prospect Watch: RHP Juan Cuevas (AA Jacksonville):

A 25-year-old, Juan Cuevas has had an excellent run in an excellent season with the Jumbo Shrip. In 20 starts, he may be 4-5, but he has a 2.91 ERA and 1.17 WHIP to go with 84 strikeouts in 105.1 innings. Origionally a 4th Round Pick by the Rockies in 2026, he was relaeased in 2028 before signing with Miami later in the season. He was excellent in 6 starts with Jupiter last year, 1-1 with a 2.83 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He did walk 10 hitters and strike out just 20, but he allowed less then a hit per inning. He's not a spectactualr prospect, but he has no single flaw. He's got plus stuff with average movement, control, velocity, and stamina. He has a nice three pitch arsenal and can start in the majors. Injuries have been a problem for Cuevas, but most was while he was at Le Moyne for college.

Dursun Erbakan (3-5, 3.34 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) will make his Marlins debut against spot starter Tanner Burns (3-1, 4.05 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) who is a tired reliever in disguise. He's made 37 appearences, and just 2 were starts. We locked up the position advatage at all 9 slots, with even back up catcer Jorge Tapia better then the corresponding 8th hitter in the Rockies lineup. Erbakan had a rough outing, and they edged us 5-4.

The new acquisition went just 3 innings with 7 hits, 4 runs, a walk, and 2 strikeotus. The pen went 5 innings with 5 hits, a run, 2 walks, and 6 strikeotus. Jake Yearick got the loss, an inning with 2 hits, a run, and strikeout.

Lile went 2-for-5 in his return to the lineup. Noah Smith was 2-for-3 with a homer, 3 RBI's, and a walk. Mac HOrvath was 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored. Chris Reid was 1-for-3 with a wlak and run scored. Juan Simental was 1-for-4 with a steal, walk, and run. Juan Ramirez was 1-for-5 with a double. Tapia was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

July 31st, 2029: Happy Deadline Day!

I should've pounced quicker on Alpha Quivers, as the Nationals sent him and RHP Dusty Schroeder to the Padres for SS Wander Samuel Franco and RHP Rogelio Funes. Steal for San Diego...

The Mets acquired LHP Jake Baker from the White Sox for RHP's Juan Milanes and Mike Fierst. I like this deal for the Mets.

The Tigers sent LHP Yoelvis Reyes to the Rangers for 1B Bert Robertson, RHP Juan Vargas, and SS Joe Vanderwal. Great deal for the Tigers.

The Phillies sent RHP Alan Taylor and 1B Deshawn Faggett to the Royals for SS Juan Blancas and 1B Jamie Herron. I like this for the Royals.

I hit the Phillies back up, sending SP Cho-yeong Hyoun and 1B Jon Carpenter for RP Steve Hudson.

Hudson, 30, has a 2.86 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 34.2 innings with the Senators and Phillies this year. Hes struck out 27 in 34.2 innings as well. The 4* reliever has elite stuff, plus-plus movement, and plus control. I optioned Yearick to AAA to add him to the active roster for today's game.

We looked to even the Rockies series up with Pat Saitta (9-6, 4.04 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) facing former Marlin Luis Ardon (5-9, 6.44 ERA, 1.63 WHIP) who has pitched nearly identical this year in Colorado as Miami (6.22 ERA vs. 6.65 and 1.64 WHIP vs. 1.63 WHIP with 36 strikeouts vs. 32) in 10 starts a piece. We rallied for 3 quick runs in the 1st and cruised to a 7-1 win.

Saitta looked good, 7 innings with 4 hits, 3 runs, and 10 strikeotus. Ignacio Hinojos didn't, allowing a hit, run, and 3 walks with a strikeout in the 8th. Luis Alcantra got a strikeout in the 9th.

Juan Simental was 2-for-4 with a run scored, 2 RBI's, sac-fly, and double. Mac Horvath was 2-for-4 with an RBI and double. Juan Ramirez was 1-for-3 with 3 runs, 2 walks, and a steal. Jackson Miller was 1-for-3 with a RBI and walk. Eric Kisela was 1-for-4 with a run scroed, RBI, walk, and triple. Gregorio Alvarenga was 1-for-3 with 2 runs, 2 walks, and a double. Saitta was 1-for-4 with a double.

Nationals starter Chris Dorman tossed a 6-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over the Expos. He struck out 10 and didn't walk a single hitter. The Nats only had 5 hits themselves, and Expos starter Joseph Jarneski was cruising before leaving the 7th with none on and 1 out with a strained hamstring.

August 1st, 2029: Michael Bauman was named American Confrence Pitcher of the Month. The New Orleans righty was 3-1 in July with a 0.59 ERA and he struck out 33 in 30 innings. He only allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in the whole month, and didn't allow a run until the 24th.

In Jacksonville, RF Rodolfo Ramirez was named Southern League Batter of the Month. The RF hit .321 with 7 homers and 24 RBI's.

We looked to take the series with Steve Paustian (9-4, 4.63 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) facing Eric Dawsosn (6-9, 6.06 ERA, 1.54 WHIP). Paustian in 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA against the Rockies this year. Despite late inning efforts, we blew by the hosts 7-2.

Paustian was great, 6.1 innings with 3 htis, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Steve Hudson made his Marlins debut, 2.1 innings with 3 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and 4 strikeouts. Scoles allowed a hit before finishing the game with a ground out.

Mac Horvath was 3-for-4 with 2 steals and a run scored. Gregorio Alvarenga was 2-for-5 with a run scored and 3 RBI's. Jackson Miller was 2-for-4 with an RBI and walk. Noah Smith was 2-for-5 with a run scored and triple. Jon Reid was 2-for-4 with a three run homer. Juan Simental was 1-for-4 with a run scored and walk.

We get tomorrow off before heading home to face the Cubs!