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Jaguars head coach Liam Coen was complimentary of TE Brenton Strange’s blocking ability.
“Strange had a strong offseason and will do multiple things in Coen’s system,” Jacksonville.com’s Juston Lewis said of Strange, who last season caught 40 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns, logging ten starts. “He’s been toted for his blocking ability, something Coen will lean heavily on in the rushing game.” It’s a good sign that Strange, entering training camp atop the Jaguars’ tight end depth chart, will see consistent playing time in 2025. Lewis said Strange will “likely see career highs in several statistical categories” in 2025 in the team’s revamped passing attack. Pro Football Focus last year graded Strange 44th among tight ends in run blocking grade out of 83 qualifying players. He was 17th out of 45 qualifying tight ends in yards per route, a key measure of pass catching efficiency.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Rays could trade closer Pete Fairbanks despite contending for a playoff spot.
It seems surprising that a team firmly in the mix for a playoff spot would trade its closer, but this is the Rays. Fairbanks “has a club option for 2026 that, with escalators, should wind up in the $10 million range.” The Rays could decide that’s too much to pay for a closer and ship Fairbanks off at the deadline for a nice package while also picking up a more cost-controlled reliever or turning closer duties over to Edwin Uceta. Passan lists the Dodgers, Phillies, Tigers, and Rangers as possible options in a trade.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan lists Cedric Mullins as one of the most likely players to be traded at the deadline.
The 30-year-old is a free agent at the end of the season, so it makes sense for an Orioles team that is falling out of the playoff race to see what they can get for him at the deadline. That would open up playing time for Heston Kjerstad, Ramon Laureano, and Dylan Carlson this season, but also Jud Fabian or Dylan Beavers in 2026. Mullins is hitting just .220/.306/.430 in 62 games but has 12 home runs and eight steals, which could provide some fantasy juice if he lands in a good spot.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan lists Ryan O’Hearn as one of the most likely trade candidates this season.
Passan gives O’Hearn an 85 percent chance to be traded at the deadline, which was the highest of any player. Baltimore has seemingly fallen out of the playoff race, while O’Hearn is on pace for a career high in homers while also hitting over .300. He could be a great platoon bat for a contender at the deadline, and Passan lists the Mariners, Red Sox, Giants, and Rangers as possible destinations.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan lists Eugenio Suárez as a likely trade candidate this season.
Passan gave Suárez a 50 percent chance to be traded, and that was before teammate Corbin Carroll was diagnosed with a fractured wrist. Now that Arizona is missing Carroll, Corbin Burnes, Justin Martinez, and A.J. Puk, it could be hard for them to separate themselves in the playoff race. Considering Suárez is a free agent after this season, and the Diamondbacks also have Jordan Lawlar in the minor leagues, trading the veteran makes sense. Passan lists the Tigers, Cubs, Yankees, Royals, and Mariners as possible destinations.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggests that the Marlins could decide to hold onto Sandy Alcantara at the trade deadline.
Despite Alcantara seeming to turn a corner lately, Passan believes that “the Marlins could hold on to [Alcantara] until the winter, when teams like Baltimore would be more inclined to acquire him and the final two years of his contract.” The 29-year-old finishing the season in Miami would dampen his fantasy value a bit, given his diminished likelihood for wins.