Straight-up: This season hasn't been Freddy Peralta's best work. But he's also better than this. In what's his first season with the New York Mets, Peralta owns a career-worst over a full season ERA (4.99), WHIP (1.48) and ERA+ (83). At the same time, Peralta, a two-time All-Star, is just a season removed from the best year of his career (2.70 ERA, 5.5 wins above replacement and a 155 ERA+). While set to be a free agent at the end of the year, Peralta is capable of being a top-of-the-rotation force that moves the needle for a starting rotation and is worth making a trade for. Here are the three best trade fits for Peralta. Bryce Harper said it himself: the Phillies, who have lost seven of their last eight games and now own a mere 1.5-game lead on the third NL wild-card seed, "need some help." Acquiring Peralta would suffice. Philadelphia's starting rotation has been respectable this season. Cristopher Snchez (2.73 ERA, a 165 ERA+ and an NL-high 5.6 wins above replacement among pitchers) will likely be a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award; Zack Wheeler (2.53 ERA and 0.92 WHIP) is on top of his game since returning from the IL; Jess Luzardo (157 strikeouts and a .230 opponent batting average) continues to be a sturdy force every fifth day. After those three starters, though, the Phillies have received inconsistent performance from their rotation, with veteran Aaron Nola having a discouraging season (5.61 ERA) and former first-round pick Andrew Painter being sent down in June (7.06 ERA and 1.66 WHIP), among other shortcomings. Peralta, who averaged 204.7 strikeouts per season from 2023-25, would fortify Philadelphia's postseason rotation, allowing it to move Nola into a long-relief role come October. The 30-year-old Peralta tends to rely on his four-seamer and changeup, with an occasional curveball rounding out a base, three-pitch arsenal. Peralta's slider usage has dipped over each of the last two years, with him throwing the off-speed pitch just 5.6% of the time this season, according to Statcast. All that said, the Phillies could potentially have to surrender more than fair value to acquire Peralta, given his playing for the NL East-rival Mets, and Philadelphia may also tell itself that Nola, who has traditionally pitched well in the postseason, will bounce back and be effective enough to remain in their rotation. The D-backs are in possession of the second NL wild-card seed (57-52). They're a team that, on paper, entered this season likely not good enough to contend for the World Series but also talented enough to compete for a playoff spot. And here we are: Arizona continues to find ways to win, and with a tweak or two, maybe it recaptures some of that 2023 magic when the D-backs went to the World Series as the third NL wild-card team? Peralta could change the calculus for the D-backs. Yes, Eduardo Rodriguez (2.48 ERA, 173 ERA+ and 4.7 wins above replacement) is having a resurgent season, and Mike Soroka (3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 140 ERA+) was, as well, before suffering a glute strain that has sidelined him since mid-June. Concurrently, Zac Gallen, who's on the injured list with elbow inflammation, is having an alarming season (6.34 ERA and .304 opponent batting average), while Merrill Kelly and Ryne Nelson (before suffering an elbow injury in mid-June) have struggled. In all, Arizona's starting rotation is 26th in MLB in opponent batting average (.260), 21st in WHIP (1.33) and 14th in ERA (4.27). This season is an anomaly for Peralta. The right-hander averaged a 3.30 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP per year with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2021-25. For the bulk of Peralta's career, he has been a consistent front-line force who logs strikeouts at a high rate. Plus, sometimes a change of scenery, specifically a new pitching coach, can be the change that's needed. Arizona has seen multiple pitchers miss time due to injury and others just outright have underwhelming seasons. The D-backs have reason to be buyers. With a rotation boost and perhaps just better health, their starting staff will improve and can turn a corner, and it's accompanied by an offense of proven commodities. Despite all the optimism, though, the factor/question that could prevent the Diamondbacks from getting in a bidding war for Peralta is whether his arrival would make them an NL contender or merely give them a better chance to put up a fight in the NL Division Series Round? If the Cubs are going to contend for the NL pennant, they need to improve their entire pitching staff, but especially their starting rotation, and Peralta represents both a viable and affordable option. Chicago's starting rotation is 16th in MLB in ERA (4.31) and 14th in opponent batting average (.243). Left-handers Shota Imanaga (3.72 ERA and 1.10 WHIP) and Matthew Boyd (3.41 ERA) have been reliable forces. Elsewhere, it has been a guessing game for the Cubs. Edward Cabrera, who owns a 5.10 ERA, has been out the last month with a leg injury after Chicago dealt for him this past offseason; Jameson Taillon (5.92 ERA) was recently designated for assignment; Colin Rea (4.67 ERA and .267 opponent batting average) has been a mixed bag; Cade Corton (season-ending elbow surgery) and Ben Brown (neck) have been limited by injury; Justin Steele hasn't yet returned from his April 2025 elbow injury. Peralta would join a Chicago team with lofty playoff aspirations, not unlike the Milwaukee club he was part of the first eight seasons of his MLB career (2018-2025). Sure, on one hand, one could argue Peralta would be another pitcher added to the mix for the Cubs that comes with a question mark. In this case, the concern is about his recent performance. On the other hand, it's reasonable to think that at least one of Chicago's injured starters returns and gets back on track (e.g., Cabrera or Brown), and Peralta would be arguably the most accomplished starter in the Cubs' rotation. He would, undoubtedly, be part of their postseason rotation, joining Imanaga, Boyd and likely one of Cabrera or the recently acquired David Peterson. Peralta would be a three-month rental, so trading for him isn't going to gut the Cubs' farm system, and it should cost less than what it would take to pull off a blockbuster move for Detroit Tigers superstar left-hander and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Granted, Skubal is also a free agent after this season. Chicago could base a trade package for Peralta around emerging catcher/first baseman Owen Ayers and versatile right-hander Javier Assad, among other players.

CM Punk and Roman Reigns defend their respective world titles, Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar collide inside Hell in a Cell, and Nick Aldis makes his in-ring debut in Minneapolis

SportsLine's Mike McClure, a daily Fantasy pro with more than $2 million in winnings, gives optimal MLB DFS lineup advice for Thursday, July 30

Rayo Vallecano's first home game of the new season is currently scheduled for Aug. 20 against Alaves

Welcome to the fresh season. The Shuffle Up series reflects how I tier positions as I get ready for my drafts. The salaries are unscientific in nature and meant to illustrate where talent clusters and drops off. Players listed at the same salary are considered even.Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL seasonToday well tackle the tight ends. Every so often theres a drumbeat for eliminating this position, but I hope the sounds are faint entering 2026. I see talent everywhere on the board young players, mid-career stars, Hall of Fame-bound veterans. There are plenty of adventurers to choose from.The Big Tickets$26 Brock Bowers$25 Trey McBride$22 Colston Loveland$21 Tyler WarrenBowers and McBride are both megastars who have to overcome their surroundings Kirk Cousins will likely be the Las Vegas quarterback for a while, and the Cardinals look like one of the two or three worst teams in football. McBrides volume was sturdy last year and his touchdown equity rose when Jacoby Brissett took over, but the Cardinals could really collapse if rookie Carson Beck gets some development snaps late in the year. The main reason Ill likely pass on the two vanity tight ends is respect for the overall board and the desire to load up my RB and WR rooms early. I dont like falling behind at those two key spots.Loveland was an unstoppable force in the second half of his rookie year, and I understand why hes become a helium pick in 2026, rising to a Yahoo ADP in the late 30s. Loveland was the TE2 over the final 10 weeks of the year (including Week 18), second to only McBride. To draft a tight end this early, you have to ask if the player can be his teams target dominator or touchdown-catch leader. Loveland isnt assured of either thing, but theyre both within his reasonable range of outcomes.Warren is also a rising sophomore, probably the most important part of the Indianapolis passing game on paper. Michael Pittman Jr. is gone to Pittsburgh and Alec Pierce is coming off ankle surgery and seems resigned to playing the season at less than 100%. Warrens 2025 haul (76-817-4) feels like his floor for 2026, with 140 or so targets an attainable goal. Go get him.Legitimate Building Blocks$17 Harold Fannin Jr.$17 Sam LaPorta$15 Tucker Kraft$14 Kyle Pitts Sr.$12 George Kittle$12 Isaiah LikelyFannin Jr. has a Yahoo ADP in the low 70s, and it makes sense. He finished as the TE6 last year, and fellow tight end David Njoku was not retained. But Cleveland significantly improved its receiver group this year (widening the passing tree), and the quarterback collection is still suspect. So much of fantasy success is tied to environment, and Im worried the uber-talented Fannin will have a difficult time overcoming his context this fall. The talent leaps off the screen, but hes not a cheap pick like he was last year.Has LaPorta already arrived at his boring-value veteran days? He was the TE1 as a rookie, then slipped to TE6 his second year (crowding) and TE26 last year (injury cost him eight games). But LaPorta was a sturdy TE7 in 2025 if we work off points per game, and the Lions have a lovely setup for the fresh season (solid QB, indoor-heavy and easy schedule, potentially leaky defense). LaPortas ADP has settled into the mid 60s, which feels like a buying opportunity.Kraft and Kittle are both ticklish risk-reward picks, uber-talented stars who are both coming off major injuries (ACL for Kraft, Achilles for Kittle). Krafts injury happened in the middle of his breakout 2025 season, while Kittle was hurt in the playoffs. Ill probably lean away from both of these guys, reluctantly, afraid that they might not be fully healthy until late in the 2026 season if at all. I also suspect Jake Tonges might be a sneaky-useful replacement for the Niners this year, with Kittle and WR Ricky Pearsall both dealing with physical challenges.Talk Them Up, Talk Them Down$10 Travis Kelce$10 Dalton Kincaid$10 Dallas Goedert$9 Mark Andrews$8 Jake Ferguson$8 Juwan Johnson$7 Hunter Henry$7 Chig OkonkwoKelces catch rate is almost always over 70%, the biggest guy on the field. But hes not the electric downfield weapon he used to be, and hes only caught 13 touchdown passes the last three years. Kelces reliable usage makes him a boring but helpful pick in any league with a PPR component, but hes floor-only as we build our 2026 rosters.Kincaid was an efficiency darling last year, making the most of a tiny 38% snap share. Dont hold that against the Bills, as they were handling Kincaid carefully as he navigated a pesky knee injury. The Bills did add DJ Moore to their receiver room, but this is still a passing game begging for players to step forward. If Kincaid can stay off the field, Josh Allen and friends can shoot him up into the second tier.I did a double take when I examined the tight end ADP charts of the past week is Johnson really the TE26? Thats a slap in the face for last years TE10. Sure, the Saints passing game is always going to focus on Chris Olave first, and New Orleans did spend an early pick on rookie WR Jordyn Tyson. But Im a believer in both head coach Kellen Moore and QB Tyler Shough, and lets remember the Saints made a financial investment in Johnson before last season. Johnson can give back some of last years stats and still be a fantasy value its fun to identify these Regress and Win candidates.Some Plausible Upside$6 Brenton Strange$5 Oronde Gadsden II$4 AJ Barner$4 Dalton Schultz$4 Greg Dulcich$4 T.J. Hockenson$4 Kenyon Sadiq$3 Gunnar Helm$3 Terrance Ferguson$3 Cade OttonMost of the Seattle pass-catchers get ignored after Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and that might be a mistake. Rashid Shaheed should be vastly improved in his first full Seattle season, and tight end Barner also offers sleeper value. Barner scored six times on a modest 68 targets last year, and he also picked up nine first downs (and one touchdown) on a surprising 10 rushing attempts. Perhaps Barner is still a wait-and-see option in standard leagues, but Ive been targeting him in deeper formats and in leagues where scoring is slanted to tight ends. You can land him around Pick 130 in Yahoo.Sadiq posted a 51-560-8 line in his final season at Oregon and was a combine smasher in February. Were seen rookie tight ends hit the ground running in recent years, and while no one expects a Bowers/LaPorta type of debut from Sadiq, he at least deserves to be a late-round flyer in most standard leagues.Bargain Bin$2 Pat Freiermuth$2 Colby Parkinson$2 David Njoku$2 Jake Tonges$1 Eli Stowers$1 Evan Engram$1 Mike Gesicki$1 Mason Taylor$1 Darnell Washington$1 Erick All Jr.$1 Theo Johnson$1 Michael Mayer$1 Tyler Higbee$1 Dawson Knox

Both WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney and mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis will be making tidy sums for their ordered title defense after Top Rank handily won todays purse bid with an $8,550,000 offer. Teofimo Lopezs Takeover Promotions, the sole other bidder, came just a we bit short at $2,350,000.October 3rd is the target date, with Barclays Center, State Farm Arena (ATL) and Michelob ULTRA Arena (Vegas) as potential locations.Per WBO regulations, Haney (33-0, 15 KO), who cruised past Brian Norman Jr to lift the belt last November, will get 75% of the bid. Thats a cool $6.4 million for him and $2.1 million for Davis (15-0, 10 KO), who makes his welterweight debut after a two-fight stint at 140 saw him outclass Jamaine Ortiz and Nahir Albright.Between this and Ben Whittakers eliminator against Conor Wallace, itll be a big day on DAZN. Well let you know when this show comes together.

US President Donald Trump (R) and FIFA president Gianni Infantino (L) wave during the award ceremony of the 2026 World Cup final (FRANCK FIFE)European football's governing body UEFA said Thursday it would boycott the World Cup should FIFA press ahead with its private investor plan."No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership," UEFA said in a statement."The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product... No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale."FIFA, football's world governing body, on Tuesday announced plans to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.Under the proposal, private investors would be allowed to acquire stakes in the company but would remain minority shareholders, FIFA said. The governing body hopes to raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative.If approved, the project could provide each of FIFA's 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million.FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday described the initiative as a "golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally".But UEFA, whose president Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final to show unhappiness with FIFA, argued that "this model has no place in world football"."Football's future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain."Europe's position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation."The FIFA proposal has drawn criticism from not only UEFA but also several leading European federations and European Union officials, who view it as another step in the commercialisation of sport and have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest.The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have also expressed concern that the proposal was made public before FIFA's 211 member associations were fully consulted.The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has called on its members to review FIFA's controversial plan.- Never for sale -UEFA, in its statement Thursday, said that the World Cup was "one of football's greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent"."It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game," UEFA said."This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA's duty as the custodian of world football."National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football's greatest competitions or bear the consequences."This is not a 'democratic decision', but governance by intimidation an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game."UEFA added: "Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination."There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments."Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale."lp/jc

Lechia Gdansk's 20-goal forward Bobek on Werder Bremen's radarPolish online portal, 'meczyki.pl', is suggesting that Werder Bremen are already in negotiations to sign Tom Bobek this summer.The striker is under contract with Lechia Gdansk until 2030, but could leave the club for an offer of 10million or more.Lechia president Paolo Urfer met with representatives from Werder Bremen this week to discuss a potential transfer.Bundesliga rivals Hamburger SV had also shown interest in the 24-year-old in the past, but now appear to have missed out.The relegated Ekstraklasa side would not stand in Bobek's way if a suitable offer came in for the player who provided 20 goals and 6 assists.He made his debut for the Slovakian national team in November 2025 and even featured off the bench in their 0-6 defeat to Germany.

HENDERSON, NEVADA - MAY 20: Ashton Jeanty #2 and Jordan Meredith #61 of the Las Vegas Raiders run during an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on May 20, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesLas Vegas Raiders football is back, baby! Kind ofWe still have a couple of weeks before the Raiders have their first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 13. But training camp is underway with the veterans reporting on Tuesday and the teams first practice of the summer on Wednesday morning. So, its time to start getting excited as were at the very beginning of a long marathon that is the 2026 NFL season, giving us some actual football to talk about for the mailbag column!As a reminder, Im not at training camp, so I cant answer any of the how is X player looking? questions. However, as always, anything Raiders-related is on the table and fire away with anything thats on your mind. Send your questions my way by either dropping a comment in the comments section below, tweeting at me (@MHolder95) or via email atSBPQuestions1@gmail.com. Ill follow up with another column in the coming days.If you dont have a commenting account already, youll need to create one but the steps are pretty easy and its a seamless process. Also, we have full-time moderators to enforce the Community Guidelines.