A tiny crested gecko with two heads is capturing attention far beyond Pennsylvania after surviving against the odds and showing signs of healthy development just weeks after hatching.
The remarkable reptile, affectionately named Simon and Garfunkel, emerged from its egg on June 29 at Rockstar Geckos, a reptile breeding business in northeastern Pennsylvania. The hatchling was an unexpected arrival, with the breeder revealing that it was only the second case of a two-headed gecko they had seen in years of breeding.
While animals born with two heads often struggle to survive because of severe developmental complications, Simon and Garfunkel have continued to grow, offering a rare glimpse into one of nature’s most unusual conditions.
A Rare Condition With Long Odds
The gecko’s condition is known as polycephaly, a rare developmental anomaly in which a single animal develops two heads. Scientists believe it can result from genetic or environmental factors that affect the embryo during development.
rockstargeckos/Instagram.
In polycephalic animals, each head typically has its own brain while sharing one body. This unusual anatomy often creates challenges because the two brains may attempt to control the same limbs and organs. Many such animals also suffer from malformed internal organs, making long-term survival uncommon.
Rockstar Geckos initially cautioned that most two-headed reptiles do not live very long. Even so, the breeder pledged to provide the hatchling with the best possible care.
Four weeks later, Simon and Garfunkel have exceeded expectations. According to the breeder’s latest update, the gecko weighs just 1.8 grams, roughly the weight of a small paperclip, yet both heads are eating independently without assistance.
The breeder also noted that neither head appears to dominate the other. Instead, the pair have become increasingly coordinated as they move, despite occasionally appearing to prefer different directions.
Winning Hearts Around the World
Another encouraging sign is that the heads are positioned in a way that prevents them from biting each other, avoiding one of the complications sometimes seen in two-headed reptiles.
Native to New Caledonia, crested geckos normally grow to between 8 and 10 inches in length and can weigh up to 45 grams as adults. Whether Simon and Garfunkel will reach adulthood remains uncertain, but each passing week marks an important milestone.
Their story has sparked an outpouring of support online, with reptile enthusiasts cheering every update. Many followers have described themselves as “obsessed” with the tiny twins, while others have expressed hope that the gecko continues to thrive.
Although polycephaly has been documented in turtles, snakes, fish, pigs, goats, and other animals, successful survival beyond the first weeks of life remains exceptionally rare, making Simon and Garfunkel’s progress all the more remarkable.
Some roles stay with actors long after the cameras stop rolling. For Denzel Washington, Malcolm X was one of them. While promoting Spike Lee’s 1992 epic, Washington described the civil rights leader as “a wake-up call,” offering a glimpse into how deeply the role affected him. More than three decades later, that perspective helps explain why “Malcolm X” is still considered one of the defining performances of his career.
What Did Denzel Washington Say About Playing Malcolm X?
Washington did not treat Malcolm as a historical figure to imitate, he treated him as someone still asking the audience an uncomfortable question.
He had already played Malcolm once, in a 1981 off-Broadway production, and returned to the role a decade later. Washington described the call-and-response preaching as something close to a drug once a crowd locks in with you. That kind of commitment is what separates a good performance from the one that redefines a career.
How Did Spike Lee Get the Film Made?
A bond company shut the film down in post-production and told Lee to cut it to two hours and fifteen minutes, so he picked up the phone and called Black Hollywood instead.
Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Janet Jackson, and Prince were among those who wrote checks. Lee told the New York Times the money was neither a loan nor an investment but a rescue, and he has since said half his own salary went in and left him broke. The finished cut ran 202 minutes.
Why Does It Still Matter?
Washington pointed out in 1992 that a speech Malcolm gave in 1962 still played over footage of someone being beaten, and that has not aged into irrelevance.
The Library of Congress added the film to the National Film Registry in 2010, nearly two decades after Washington lost the Best Actor Oscar to Al Pacino. Warner Bros. executives watched their first cut during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, timing no marketing team could have arranged. Black storytelling keeps building on the ground Lee cleared, right down to today’s prestige prequels.
Where Can You Watch Malcolm X?
Clear three and a half hours before you start this one, because Spike Lee fought too hard for that runtime to watch it in pieces.
The film streams on Philo and free with ads on YouTube, and rents on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango At Home. Availability shifts often, so renting is safer if you have the night blocked out. Criterion’s 4K restoration adds Lee’s commentary and the 1972 documentary.
Asics updates its best running shoes about once a year, and that cycle usually means the outgoing versions go on sale. Over the past couple of years, though, the brand has maintained a firm grip on online pricing, and we haven’t seen many discounts go over the 25% mark. But a new version of the Gel-Cumulus, one of Asics’ best running shoes, hit shelves earlier this year, and the previous model, surprisingly, is marked at almost 40% off on Amazon.
Usually priced at $140, the Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 Running Shoes are now selling for $90 at Amazon in multiple colorways, which is a 36% drop, and a much better deal than we had initially reported back in February. Thousands of them were purchased during the 2026 Prime Day sale, and that momentum has continued into August now that word of the price has gotten out, because it may be the most worth-it running shoe on the site.
Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 Running Shoes, From $90 (was $140) at Amazon
Midsole: FF Blast Plus foam paired with a PureGel insert at the heel
Outsole: FluidRide outsole
Closure: Lace-up
Best For: Neutral runners, extra-supportive shoes, everyday runners
The Gel-Cumulus 27s are built on an FF Blast Plus midsole that absorbs impact without feeling mushy, along with a PureGel insert at the heel that adds some extra give where most runners land first. The mesh upper trades a little of the 26s’ softer knit for a more structured weave, which holds its shape better over the long run, but gives up a little breathability in return. They’re finished with a FluidRide outsole for a comfy ride with solid traction.
The Gel-Cumulus is Asics’ go-to daily trainer for mostly neutral runners, and the 27s keep that profile with a slightly roomier toe box that also works well for wide-foot runners. If you wore the 26s, most of the changes are in the upper (redesigned mesh, a thicker tongue, a new heel pull tab), but the midsole and heel insert are carried over and mostly unchanged.
Asics dropped the Gel-Cumulus 28s earlier this year with a lighter foam setup, and that, too, is receiving a positive response.
One helpful reviewer wrote, “Right out of the box, they feel soft underfoot yet supportive, and the gel technology really helps absorb impact on longer runs.” This same shopper also praised the versatility you get: “I’ve used them for daily training and longer distance runs, and they stay comfortable throughout.”
The extra cushioning in these running shoes makes them a popular pick for those with mobility issues or foot injuries. One shopper who’s been seeing a podiatrist for their feet wrote, “I have worn them walking for a few days, and have absolutely no pain in my feet any longer.”
If you’re in the market for a pair of simple and effective running shoes you can always rely on, the Asics Gel-Cumulus 27s are well worth the $90 sale price. Just be sure to get a pair soon, because sizes are already running out.
When people discuss the greatest Olympic athletes of all time, Michael Phelps is always part of the conversation.
Fourteen years ago, on July 31, 2012, Phelps separated himself from the rest at the London Olympics by winning his 19th Olympic medal, becoming the most decorated Olympian in history.
He set the record after helping Team USA win gold in the men’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay, surpassing Larisa Latynina, whose record of 18 Olympic medals had stood for nearly 50 years
The U.S. relay team consisted of Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens, and Phelps, who swam the anchor leg. The Americans won the event in 6:59.70, finishing roughly three seconds ahead of France.
Phelps wasn’t finished, though. He continued his dominance for four more years, competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he won five gold medals and one silver. He finished his career with 23 gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals.
“I’ve been able to do everything I’ve ever put my mind to in this sport,” Phelps said in 2020. “After 24 years in the sport, I’m happy with how things finished.”
Fans React to 14-Year Anniversary of Phelps Making Olympic History
“How could it possibly be THAT long ago?? Seems like yesterday!” one fan wrote.
Someone else added, “My favorite athlete. He’s just amazing.”
Another person wrote, “Great memories.”
“I still believe he’s a shark,” another fan commented.
JetBlue is giving travelers more ways to buy the same seat—and more chances to pay for flexibility they may have assumed was included.
The airline is rolling out a redesigned booking structure built around four onboard experiences and as many as three fare tiers, according to JetBlue. The change arrives ahead of BlueFirst, JetBlue’s new domestic first-class cabin, meaning travelers will need to look beyond the cabin name before clicking “buy.”
Under the new system, customers first choose Main, EvenMore, BlueFirst, or Mint. They then select Base, Standard, or Flex, depending on the cabin. JetBlue’s announcement says the options will become available in the coming days.
Base is the cheapest and most restrictive tier. It does not include advance seat selection, and eligible cancellations produce a travel credit minus any applicable fee. Standard includes seat selection, no change fees, and travel credit for eligible cancellations. Flex adds refunds to the original form of payment.
Mint will not offer a Base fare. Customers who already booked will retain their original benefits, while TrueBlue Mosaic members and eligible JetBlue cardholders will keep their existing perks.
The important distinction is that “first class” will not automatically mean maximum flexibility. BlueFirst Base is expected to put travelers in the new premium cabin without including seat selection. JetBlue says BlueFirst will begin appearing later this year on aircraft and routes that do not offer Mint.
Reuters reported that the redesign follows a broader airline push toward segmented pricing. It can create a lower advertised entry price, but the final value depends on whether a traveler needs to pick a seat, change plans, cancel, or receive cash back instead of airline credit.
Main, formerly called Core, will still include JetBlue staples such as free Fly-Fi, seatback entertainment, snacks, and drinks. EvenMore adds extra legroom, early boarding, and dedicated overhead-bin space.
That makes the fare label—not merely the cabin label—the detail that determines what is actually included.
A months-long investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has ended with the arrest of a Florida man accused of relentlessly harassing a woman through thousands of anonymous phone calls and escalating the campaign by filing a false child abuse report against her family.
Authorities say 31-year-old Luke Herbert of Port Orange spent nearly a year targeting the Flagler County woman while attempting to conceal his identity through blocked numbers and internet-based phone services. Investigators say their extensive digital investigation eventually uncovered the source of the harassment, leading to felony charges.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the victim contacted detectives in February 2026 after enduring an extraordinary level of harassment that had stretched back to March 2025.
She reported receiving thousands of unwanted phone calls and messages from blocked or unknown numbers. On some days alone, she was bombarded with more than 50 calls. The constant stream of voicemail recordings and random audio clips repeatedly filled her voicemail box, making it difficult for legitimate callers to leave messages.
Detectives from the Major Case Unit worked alongside the Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit to trace the calls. Their investigation found that many of the communications originated from a network of internet-based phone numbers allegedly linked to Herbert.
Investigators also determined that during a single week in early February, Herbert’s personal cellphone placed 213 calls to the victim. Authorities say the calls were disguised so her phone displayed each one simply as “Unknown,” making it appear they came from unidentified callers.
False Child Abuse Report Added to Allegations
The investigation also uncovered another troubling accusation.
Detectives say Herbert used an internet-based phone number in December 2025 to submit a false report to the Florida Department of Children and Families, claiming the woman and her husband were abusing their children.
Child protective investigators responded to the report but found no evidence supporting the allegations. The case was ultimately closed as unfounded.
According to investigators, Herbert had no personal relationship with the victim beyond having previously been trespassed from the business where she worked.
Sheriff Rick Staly praised investigators for overcoming significant technological obstacles to identify the suspect, saying the case demonstrated the importance of the agency’s Cyber Crimes Unit and its ability to follow complex digital evidence.
Authorities also revealed that Herbert had faced similar allegations before. In an earlier Volusia County case involving harassing phone calls, he pleaded no contest, and a judge withheld adjudication.
On July 17, detectives obtained a felony arrest warrant charging Herbert with stalking, filing a false report of child abuse, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office arrested him at his Port Orange home. He was booked into the Volusia County Jail and was later released after posting a $12,500 bond.
During the 1990s, one of the most unique and influential rock bands of all time took the music world by storm and began building the legacy that would make them iconic. One of the reasons why Rage Against the Machine became so legendary is due to the stunning skills of its guitarist, Tom Morello. A song that featured some of his most iconic playing, “Killing in the Name,” went on to be named one of the best guitar solos ever.
Rage Against the Machine’s 1992 Song ‘Killing in the Name’ Was Ranked One of the ‘Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time’
The song “Killing in the Name” was the lead single off the band’s self-titled first studio album, which featured some of the most inventive guitar playing of that or any era. Tom Morello’s iconic solo was so unique that Rolling Stone focused much of the list’s entry on the track to reveal how the guitarist wrote the solo. The outlet quoted Morello providing the following origin story for the solo:
“I was showing this young man how to do drop-D tuning. And then I was like, ‘Hold on one second.’ I got my little cassette recorder, I pressed record, and saved that for myself.”
A guitar solo that sounds like it should have been recorded by a DJ operating a turntable, “Killing in the Name” is infused with immense energy thanks to a legendary performance. Arguably one of the most impressive parts of the solo is that it is more than thirty years old, but it still almost feels like it was a magic trick. Just as importantly, it isn’t showy since it perfectly fits the anger and energy of the still beloved track. Fortunately, Morello’s Rage Against the Machine bandmates, Tim Commerford, Zack de la Rocha, and Brad Wilk, could all keep up with his genius.
On this day in 1946, a little-known young woman named Norma Jeane Dougherty walked into a future she could scarcely have imagined. At just 20 years old, the aspiring model signed her very first motion picture contract with 20th Century Fox, accepting a modest salary of about $150 per week. It was a simple studio agreement by Hollywood standards, yet it marked the first official step in the extraordinary transformation of a woman who would later become known across the globe as Marilyn Monroe.
At the time, Norma Jeane was far from the glamorous screen goddess history would celebrate. Raised in foster homes and orphanages after a difficult childhood, she had married young during World War II while her husband served overseas.
She spent part of the war working in a California aircraft factory, where her life changed after a military photographer spotted her during an assignment documenting women supporting the war effort. Her natural charm in front of the camera soon led to modeling assignments, with her radiant smile and unmistakable presence earning growing attention from photographers and magazine editors.
Hollywood talent scouts noticed that same magnetic quality. Executives at 20th Century Fox believed the photogenic blonde possessed something difficult to define but impossible to ignore. Before offering substantial acting opportunities, the studio arranged a screen test, allowing producers to evaluate how she appeared and performed before motion picture cameras.
The footage revealed a young woman whose expressive face and warmth translated naturally onto film. Although she had little acting experience, studio executives sensed enormous promise. Around this period, Norma Jeane made another decision that would shape entertainment history forever.
She adopted the professional name Marilyn Monroe. “Marilyn” was inspired by Broadway performer Marilyn Miller, while “Monroe” came from her mother’s maiden name. The elegant stage name proved memorable and perfectly suited the glamorous image the studio hoped to cultivate.
The initial contract did not guarantee immediate stardom. Monroe’s early months in Hollywood included acting lessons, voice coaching, dance instruction, and countless hours refining her craft. She also faced setbacks, including losing her first Fox contract before later rebuilding her career with determination.
By the early 1950s, audiences had fallen in love with her unforgettable performances in films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, and The Seven Year Itch. Her blend of vulnerability, wit, and undeniable screen presence elevated her beyond movie stardom into the realm of cultural legend.
Looking back, that 1946 contract appears almost unbelievable in its modest beginnings. For just $150 a week, 20th Century Fox secured the services of a hopeful young model whose new name, Marilyn Monroe, would become one of the most recognizable in cinema history, forever symbolizing the glamour, ambition, and enduring mystique of Hollywood’s golden age.
The 2026 MLB trade deadline is approaching, and there will be teams buying and selling – and plenty of rumors about both – before then. Here you’ll find the latest rumors, news and trades from around the league. July 31 The Minnesota Twins appear to be buyers. Just hours after acquiring reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets, Minnesota acquired Baltimore Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer, the two teams announced. Minnesota is sending 18-year-old outfield prospect Jhomnardo Reyes to Baltimore in the trade; Reyes is now ranked as the No. 20 prospect in Baltimore’s farm system, per MLB Pipeline. Over seven starts this season, Kremer, who sports a career 4.37 ERA, owns a 6.50 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and a 65 ERA+ across 36.0 innings pitched. The Twins (56-55) have won seven of their last nine games and are now tied with the Cleveland Guardians for the third American League wild-card seed and three games behind the Chicago White Sox for first place in the AL Central. The Milwaukee Brewers appear to be putting their money where their mouth is. If Milwaukee were to acquire Detroit Tigers superstar left-hander Tarik Skubal, it would be willing to eat the remaining money on his 2026 salary, according to The Athletic. Skubal has roughly $9.8 million remaining on his salary for this season and is a free agent at year’s end. If Skubal lands in Milwaukee, he’d form a tantalizing, one-two rotation punch with Jacob Misiorowski and a Brewers starting staff that’s first in MLB in opponent batting average (.213) and second in ERA (3.38) and WHIP (1.08). The Brewers stand atop the National League Central at 67-41, good for the second-best record in the sport. AJ Minter may just be the first of many relievers on his way out of Queens. The Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates are among the teams expressing interest in acquiring New York Mets reliever Luke Weaver, according to The Athletic. Weaver, who’s in the first season of a two-year, $22 million deal, boasts a 1.88 ERA, an 0.84 WHIP and a 222 ERA+ this season, while totaling 44 strikeouts and 1.9 wins above replacement over 43.0 innings pitched. The Mets’ big offseason splash could be on the move. The Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are among the teams showing “strong interest” in acquiring Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta, per The Athletic. The report notes that the Mets are asking for a top-100 prospect, among other assets, in a trade. Peralta, who’s a free agent after this season, has a 4.99 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP and an 83 ERA+, which are each career worsts. That said, Peralta is a two-time All-Star who’s a year removed from posting a career-best 2.70 ERA and 5.5 wins above replacement. July 30 Cincinnati Reds star right-hander Hunter Greene is drawing “significant interest,” according to The Athletic. The report notes that the Reds aren’t necessarily looking to move Greene. Rather, if a team blows them away with a trade offer, a deal could then materialize. Greene, a 2024 All-Star, has made just four starts this season, as he recently returned from an elbow injury. Last season, across 19 starts, Greene posted a 2.76 ERA, an 0.94 WHIP and a 161 ERA+, while totaling 132 strikeouts and 4.2 wins above replacement. The 26-year-old Greene is under team control through 2029, with the Reds sitting in last place in the National League Central at 50-57. Detroit Tigers superstar left-hander and two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal “is going to be traded,” according to ESPN. Skubal, who’s a free agent after this season, has a 2.79 ERA, an 0.91 WHIP and a 154 ERA+, while totaling 116 strikeouts and 3.1 wins above replacement over 96 ⅔ innings pitched (16 starts). The Milwaukee Brewers “would love” to acquire San Diego Padres star closer and two-time All-Star Mason Miller, according to ESPN. Miller, who’s under contract through 2029, is 28 for 28 in save situations, boasting an 0.79 ERA, an 0.79 WHIP and a 525 ERA+, while totaling 85 strikeouts and 2.7 wins above replacement over 45 ⅔ innings pitched. If Miller lands in Milwaukee, he’d join a Brewers bullpen that’s fifth in MLB in ERA (3.68). July 26 With his future uncertain, right-hander Freddy Peralta held the Los Angeles Dodgers to three runs (two earned) and six hits while throwing 93 pitches in four innings Sunday before New York rallied with three-run homers by Tyrone Taylor and Marcus Semien in an 8-3 victory. It could end up being Peralta’s last start for the Mets. “I can’t hide that,” Peralta said. “I know it probably is, but I have to focus and keep giving the best of myself and if it happens, it happens. I’m just thankful and grateful to be part of this organization. I know that so far I let them down. I haven’t (done) what I was supposed to do, but I’m grateful to be here.’ Peralta can become a free agent after the season. The two-time All-Star was acquired from Milwaukee in January for youngsters Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat as the Mets gave up a pair of players rated among the game’s top 100 prospects in the anticipation Peralta would be the frontline starter they needed. Instead, he is 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts and has failed to complete five innings in four of his past five outings. He was 5-5 with a 3.90 ERA after beating Atlanta 8-1 on June 14 but is 0-4 with a 7.93 ERA in his last seven starts, including a June 20 dud when he allowed 10 runs and 10 hits over 2 ⅔ innings at Philadelphia. July 25 Could the starting shortstop for the National League in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game be on the move? While they’re “not shopping” the two-time All-Star, the Washington Nationals will “listen” to trade offers for shortstop CJ Abrams, according to The Athletic. The report notes that the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers are among the teams interested in acquiring Abrams. Abrams is under contract through 2028 and is in the midst of arguably the best season of his career. Through 100 games, Abrams has totaled 24 home runs, 76 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, a 148 OPS+ and 3.9 wins above replacement, while boasting a .288/.361/.544 slash line. Abrams leads MLB shortstops in home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage (.544) and OPS (.905). The Nationals are 52-52 and three games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the third NL wild-card seed. The Athletics got some pitching help. Dallas Keuchel has signed a minor-league deal with the A’s, according to ESPN. Keuchel, 38, will report to the team’s Triple-A affiliate. Keuchel, a two-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glover, last pitched in MLB in 2024 with the Milwaukee Brewers, making four starts. If the southpaw makes his way to the big-league club, the Athletics would be his eighth MLB team. Keuchel won the 2015 American League Cy Young Award with the Houston Astros, where he spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career (2012-18). The Athletics, who are 44-59, are 29th in MLB with a 5.22 rotation ERA, a 1.48 rotation WHIP and a .266 opponent batting average against their rotation. July 23 The Los Angeles Angels, who own the worst record in the American League (41-62), are “very open to trading controllable players if the right offers materialize,” according to ESPN. Those players reportedly include starting pitchers José Soriano and Reid Detmers — who are each under contract through 2028 — and shortstop Zach Neto, who’s under contract through 2029. Over 118.0 innings pitched (21 starts), Soriano has recorded a 3.43 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 122 strikeouts and a 122 ERA+; over 120.0 innings pitched (21 starts), Detmers has posted a 4.05 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, 136 strikeouts and a 103 ERA+. Neto has totaled an AL-high 69 runs scored, 19 home runs, 46 RBIs and a 117 OPS+, while sporting a .238/.326/.446 slash line. Granted, he also leads the AL with 141 strikeouts. July 22 If the Padres make flame-throwing closer Mason Miller available before the trade deadline, then the Yankees will attempt to bring him to New York, per the New York Post. There is no indication yet that the Padres are putting Miller on the block, as whether they buy or sell has a lot to do with the team’s record as the deadline nears, but the Yankees wanting Miller makes a lot of sense given his dominance. Miller is also under team control through 2029, so he would not be a rental – which also means he would not be cheap. The Padres acquired Miller last deadline in a package that included one of the top prospects in baseball, Leo De Vries, and while that might not be what San Diego gets back with a year less of team control left, Miller isn’t exactly being dealt away at rental prices. New York has David Bednar closing for it already, but Miller has a 0.86 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 41 ⅔ innings. He’s one of the most dominant arms in the game, is still 27 years old and could anchor the Yankees’ bullpen for the rest of the decade without an extension. San Diego, though, is two games back of a wild-card spot, with its struggling star hitters no longer struggling, so dealing Miller now to reload for 2027 might not be appealing given that much of the current core will carry over into next season. It all depends on what the Padres decide to do, however, whether it’s to buy, sell or a combination of both. Trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal for a deadline haul, and start working on 2027 and beyond? Hold on to Skubal and attempt to win in 2026 while he’s still a Tiger? Those were the options under consideration. Per the Athletic, though, a third path is being discussed by Detroit, and that’s dealing Skubal – a pending free agent – now in a package that will give the Tigers both a present-day replacement for him in the rotation, as well as help for the future. The plan would be to bring back a pitcher under team control who, while not being the pitcher Skubal is – few are – would productively fill in his innings as well as give them one less pitcher to have to acquire over the offseason. There are obvious risks to this – the American League is weak, and the presence of Skubal means a short playoff series could go the Tigers’ way if they can simply get to October – but with just two months maximum of the defending AL Cy Young winner in Detroit, the risk could be worth it if it helps to secure a better future. Especially since, through July 21, the Tigers are five games out of a wild-card spot and 6.5 out of the AL Central lead. Neither are impossible deficits, but the Tigers are looking at seven teams ahead of them in the wild-card race and three in the division; they aren’t alone in trying to secure one of these playoff tickets. The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in the American League, and that may spur an aggressive trade deadline. “I think the big surprise will be Tampa buying big,” one rival executive reportedly told The Athletic. “They’re everywhere scouting.” At 58-42, Tampa Bay, which hasn’t made the playoffs since 2023, holds a two-game lead on the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East and the best record in the AL. Even though he hasn’t pitched since May, Clay Holmes is attracting interest. There’s a “greater chance” the New York Mets would trade Holmes, rather than extend him, according to The Athletic. Coming off a 2025 campaign where Holmes posted a 3.53 ERA and a 116 ERA+ in what was his first season as a full-time MLB starting pitcher (Holmes was previously a two-time All-Star as a reliever), the right-hander boasts a 2.39 ERA and 175 ERA+ this season, but he hasn’t pitched since May due to a fractured fibula. Holmes is in the second season of a three-year, $38 million deal. The Mets are 43-59, good for last place in the National League East. Could one of the best free agent signings of the offseason be moved? Some teams feel it’s “inevitable” that the Washington Nationals trade left-hander Foster Griffin, according to The Athletic. Griffin, who signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Nationals after not pitching in MLB since 2022 (he pitched in Japan from 2023-25), boasts a 2.68 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, a 159 ERA+ and 3.7 wins above replacement across 117 ⅓ innings pitched (20 starts) this season, with him earning a spot on the NL All-Star roster. The Nationals are 51-51 and 1.5 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates for the third NL wild-card seed. July 21 The Giants have had a rough 2026, but there are pieces on the team that could be moved to try to build a better 2027 and beyond. Per the San Francisco Chronicle, two such players are outfielder Heliot Ramos and infielder Casey Schmitt. The Chronicle reports that scouts from the Mariners and Phillies were in attendance to see the Giants face the Royals on Monday. What makes Ramos attractive to other teams is also why the Giants might want to hang onto him, though, so it’s unclear if he would actually be moved: Ramos is batting .276/.310/.469, which is even better than it looks owing to Oracle Park’s pro-pitcher dimensions, and the 26-year-old isn’t even arbitration-eligible for the first time until 2027 – Ramos would not be a free agent until before the 2030 season. As for Schmitt, he is playing third, first, second base and shortstop for the Giants in ‘26, while batting .275/.304/.482 with 19 homers. Like with Ramos, that line is even better than it looks – his 120 OPS+ has him very comfortably above the league-average production at any of the positions he’s played this season. Also like Ramos, Schmitt isn’t eligible for arbitration until this offseason – any teams looking to pry Ramos or Schmitt from the Giants will be paying for the privilege, but they will also be getting far more than just a rental for the price. The Giants might be willing to hear those offers, though, as San Francisco is 20.5 back in the NL West even with the likes of Ramos and Schmitt on the roster, and has the third-worst record in the NL, putting it ahead of just the Mets and Rockies in the NL wild-card race. July 20 The Los Angeles Angels have the worst record in the American League (40-61). Is the inevitable coming at the trade deadline? “We are going to have to be very open-minded,” general manager John Mozeliak, who was promoted to the role last month in the wake of Perry Minasian’s dismissal, said about the team’s trade deadline plans, according to MLB.com. “Obviously, we’re not having the year we hoped to. When you think about the trade deadline, you think about the offseason. There are certain times when you have the ability to get better, and so understanding the market and where that’s going, that’s first and foremost my biggest thing.” Angels shortstop Zach Neto (AL-best 69 runs scored), ace José Soriano (3.43 ERA in 21 starts) and left-hander Reid Detmers (4.16 ERA in 20 starts), among others, are theoretically candidates to be moved. “I’m not going to mention names, but what I am going to stick to is we know things have to change,” Mozeliak said. “And what that looks like, who that looks like, that’s to be determined. But not going into this with an open-minded approach, I think, would be a failure on my part.” The Detroit Tigers have a losing record and arguably the best pitcher in the sport, Tarik Skubal, is a prime trade candidate given his looming free agency. But will the Tigers go against the grain and aim to make a playoff push? “We’ve been playing Game 7 since May,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said before the team’s 8-6 win against the Chicago Cubs on July 20. “We know what’s ahead. We know what the conversation around our team is. Tarik is in the news every single day because someone has a dream trade to make up — yet we have a game to win that night. … We’re taking it [trade buzz] with open arms, that it’s part of our identity. We’ve got to block out all the news of what’s ahead the next few weeks and get to winning games.” While 47-53, the Tigers are just 3.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox for the third AL wild-card seed and 6.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox for first place in the AL Central. They’ve also won 12 of their last 16 games. Colorado Rockies general manager Josh Byrnes orchestrated a trade with his former team Monday, sending right-hander Seth Halvorsen to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor league players. Halvorsen is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list after being placed on it earlier this month with inflammation in his right shoulder. He is 0-1 with a 4.74 ERA across 21 appearances this season. As part of the deal, Colorado picked up right-handed pitcher Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek from the Dodgers. Byrnes knows the Los Angeles farm system after spending more than a decade in the front office with the team. He left in December to join forces with Paul DePodesta, the Rockies’ president of baseball operations, in an effort to turn around a franchise that’s trying to break a string of three straight 100-loss seasons. The 27-year-old Frasso was 1-0 with a 4.74 ERA with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. He was picked up by the Dodgers as part of a deal with Toronto on Aug. 2, 2022. Frasso was ranked the 80th overall prospect in baseball before the 2024 season by MLB.com. He will report to Triple-A Albuquerque. Vidourek, a third-round pick out of the University of Cincinnati in 2025, is hitting .176 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs in the minors this season. He will report to Single-A Fresno. Colorado drafted Halvorsen in the seventh round out of Tennessee in 2023. The 26-year-old is 3-4 in 75 career games with the Rockies and has 13 saves. The Rockies entered the day 23 1/2 games behind Los Angeles in the NL West.
