Sports Express | August 4, 2026 MLB Trade Deadline: Dodgers Dominate, Red Sox Go All-In

1. MLB Trade Deadline Recap: Dodgers Are Biggest Winners, Red Sox Make Bold Bet

The 2026 MLB Trade Deadline officially closed at 6 p.m. ET on August 3, capping one of the busiest and most dramatic trading windows in recent memory. The Los Angeles Dodgers emerged as the undisputed winners — they landed two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers without giving up a single major-league player or any of their top five prospects. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said, "We were of the mind to be aggressive for one player this deadline, and fortunately we were able to line up." Skubal will make his Dodgers debut on August 4 against the Chicago Cubs.

The Boston Red Sox weren't far behind, acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman and backup catcher Jake Rogers from the Baltimore Orioles. Rutschman, an All-Star this season, has been on the IL since July 18 with wrist inflammation but is expected to return within two weeks. The Red Sox, fresh off a sweep of the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, have now positioned themselves as the new AL pennant favorites. The Cleveland Guardians also made noise, bolstering both their lineup and rotation as they battle the Chicago White Sox for the division crown.

2. Tarik Skubal Joins Dodgers, Responds to 'Ruining Baseball' Criticism

The trade sending two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers ignited a firestorm across baseball, sparking debate over whether Los Angeles is "ruining the sport." Skubal himself said he doesn't "sympathize" with those making such claims, arguing the team is simply using its resources to compete at the highest level. The Dodgers now boast a rotation of Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Justin Wrobleski, Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, and Emmet Sheehan. Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing called it "arguably the best rotation of all time."

Friedman pushed back forcefully against the "ruining baseball" narrative, saying, "This is about the partnership that we have with our fans who come out 50,000 large and the passion that they have for this team." Brewers manager Pat Murphy fired back at the notion Milwaukee didn't try to compete, stating, "To say we didn't try is simply incorrect." Skubal takes the mound in Dodger blue for the first time today against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

3. Phillies Land 3-Time Batting Champ Arraez, Harper Returns to Outfield

The Philadelphia Phillies made their own big splash at the deadline, acquiring three-time batting champion Luis Arraez, reliever Brooks Raley, and Caleb Kilian from the San Francisco Giants. The deal triggered a significant defensive reshuffle: Bryson Stott moves from second to third base, Alec Bohm shifts from third to first, and superstar Bryce Harper voluntarily returns to right field — his first time playing the outfield since injuring his right elbow in 2022.

Harper had signaled his willingness weeks before the trade, telling interim manager Don Mattingly and then texting president Dave Dombrowski late Sunday night to reiterate his commitment. "I know everybody thinks it's crap when I say it, but it's not," Harper said. "I think any chance that we have an opportunity to win, I'm all for it." The Phillies are pushing hard for a postseason run, and adding Arraez's elite bat to the lineup significantly deepens their offensive threat.

4. Blue Jays Navigate Buy-and-Sell Path at Trade Deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays charted a unique dual-track course at this year's trade deadline — selling expiring contracts including starter Kevin Gausman and outfielder Daulton Varsho, while simultaneously acquiring young starter José Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels. The Soriano deal cost Toronto top prospect Arjun Nimmala and others, but brought back a controllable rotation piece for years to come.

GM Ross Atkins said the moves position the team better for 2027 and beyond without entirely ruling out the current season. Departing players Gausman, Varsho, and Hoffman all expressed disappointment about the team's underperformance this year. For the remaining Blue Jays, the deadline sends a mixed but pragmatic message — the front office didn't tear everything down, but it didn't go all-in either. Blue Jays fans may feel conflicted about a season that was essentially lost long before the deadline arrived.

5. National Bank Open: Andreescu Falls in First Round, Cross Earns Maiden WTA Win

At the National Bank Open in Toronto, Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu suffered a disappointing first-round exit, falling 7-5, 6-4 to Czechia's Nikola Bartunkova. Andreescu jumped out to a commanding 5-2, 40-0 lead in the first set before her game dramatically unraveled. After the match, a dejected Andreescu said, "I feel like I'm letting my team down," as she continues searching for answers following her early Wimbledon exit.

There was a bright spot for Canadian tennis, however — wildcard Kayla Cross defeated Britain's Katie Boulter to secure her first-ever WTA main draw victory. Ranked just No. 174 in the world, Cross displayed remarkable resilience and composure on the big stage. She called the moment "a dream come true" for her career. The changing of the guard in Canadian tennis is unfolding in real time on home soil.

6. FIFA President Infantino Seeks Trump Support After World Cup Sell-Off Plan Collapses

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is urgently seeking backing from the Trump administration after his plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights collapsed on Friday, according to the New York Post. FIFA had aimed to spin off its commercial assets into a new entity and sell roughly 20% to private investors — unlocking up to $4.2 billion — with the deal anchored by Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The plan faced fierce resistance from UEFA and other stakeholders.

Reports indicate Infantino has repeatedly tried and failed to reach Trump by phone, feeling "isolated" amid an avalanche of negative media coverage. UEFA has threatened to boycott the World Cup if the plan proceeds, while England's FA and Wales' FA have publicly withdrawn support for Infantino's re-election. Infantino and Trump have cultivated a close relationship — the FIFA chief presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize last December. The controversy could jeopardize Infantino's bid for another term from 2027 to 2031.

7. Team Canada Bids Farewell to Glasgow Commonwealth Games with 62 Medals

The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games officially closed on August 2, with Team Canada finishing third in the medal standings with 62 total medals, including 19 golds — behind only Australia (171 medals, 70 gold) and England (110 medals, 29 gold). Judo champion Julien Frascadore served as Canada's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony, while Scottish rock legends Simple Minds performed their iconic hit "Don't You (Forget About Me)" to cap 11 unforgettable days of competition.

Canadian highlights at these Games included a dominant judo campaign yielding 4 golds, 2 silvers, and 1 bronze, and a silver medal from the women's 4x100m relay team. Sprinter Audrey Leduc declared after the relay podium, "The program of the women's relay in Canada is very strong, and we just proved it tonight. It's just the beginning of this amazing journey." The next Commonwealth Games will be held in Ahmedabad, India in 2030.

8. 2026 Fantasy Football: Five Wide Receiver Sleepers to Target

As the NFL season approaches, fantasy football draft season is officially underway. PFF analyst Nathan Jahnke has identified five wide receivers being drafted in the 11th round or later who could emerge as weekly fantasy starters. Topping the list is Indianapolis Colts slot receiver Josh Downs — with Michael Pittman Jr. traded to Pittsburgh and Alec Pierce on the PUP list with an ankle injury, Downs is poised to leap from a sub-60% snap-share role into the Colts' No. 1 receiving option. GM Chris Ballard said Downs will get "more opportunities than in the past."

Second on the list is Kansas City Chiefs speedster Xavier Worthy, the 2024 first-round pick who played through a shoulder injury all last season. Now healthy and named unofficial MVP of OTAs, Worthy benefits from the departures of Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Chiefs added only a fifth-round rookie at receiver, signaling full confidence in Worthy as a key piece of the passing attack. Three other names to watch: Jayden Higgins, Rashid Shaheed, and Adonai Mitchell — all carrying ADPs well below their projected output.

9. Toronto FC: Sargent-Mihailovic Partnership Provides Second-Half Hope

After enduring an 11-game winless streak, Toronto FC finally has reason for optimism. Josh Sargent and Djordje Mihailovic started together for the first time against NYCFC, and their chemistry produced an immediate result. In first-half stoppage time, Sargent pounced on a defensive error by Thiago Martins to surge into the box. Though his shot was blocked by James Sands, Daniel Salloi gathered the rebound and tested Matt Freese — and Mihailovic was there to slam home the equalizer into the bottom right corner.

This marked Mihailovic's first start since returning from a lengthy injury layoff, and his presence is transformative for a TFC attack that has struggled for creativity. With both designated players finally available together, head coach Robin Fraser can field something close to his first-choice lineup. While TFC still faces an uphill climb in the standings, the Sargent-Mihailovic connection gives fans legitimate hope for the second half of the MLS season.

10. Rays Bolster Roster at Deadline with Catcher Liam Hicks and Reliever Tyler Wells

The Tampa Bay Rays were aggressive at the trade deadline, first acquiring starter Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets, then landing catcher Liam Hicks from the Miami Marlins in exchange for three prospects including Double-A infielder Brayden Taylor. Hicks hit .282 with 14 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a .795 OPS across 101 games with the Marlins this season, providing a left-handed bat to complement Tampa Bay's lineup and a potential long-term solution behind the plate.

The Rays also added experienced right-handed reliever Tyler Wells from the Baltimore Orioles to strengthen their bullpen. Tampa Bay is not only competing for a playoff berth but also contending for the division title and a first-round bye. Hicks' contact-oriented approach fits well behind the "Big Three" of Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, and Junior Caminero, extending the lineup's threat. A 13-9 victory over the Rockies at Coors Field capped a productive and busy trade deadline for the Rays.