MLB trade deadline: Orioles reportedly trade slugger Ryan O'Hearn, Ramón Laureano to Padres

MLB trade deadline: Orioles reportedly trade slugger Ryan O'Hearn, Ramón Laureano to Padres

One of the more coveted power bats on the free-agent market has found a new home. Baltimore Orioles slugger Ryan O'Hearn was dealt to the San Diego Padres on Thursday, along with outfielder Ramón Laureano, per multiple reports. In return, Baltimore reportedly receives a slew of Padres prospects — six in total, perMLB Network's Jon Morosi. Pitchers Boston Bateman, Tyson Neighbors and Tanner Smith, infielders Cobb Hightower and Brandon Butterworth, and infielder/outfielder Victor Figueroa will all join the Orioles as part of the deal. It's the latest move in what has been a very busy trade deadline for Padres general manager and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller. Prior to picking up O'Hearn and Laureano, Preller acquired catcher Freddy Fermin, closer Mason Miller and starter J.P. Sears earlier on Thursday. BREAKING: The San Diego Padres are acquiring All-Star slugger Ryan O'Hearn and OF Ramón Laureano from the Baltimore Orioles, per@ByRobertMurrayand@JeffPassan.pic.twitter.com/1247MIpXCt — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports)July 31, 2025 O'Hearn, 31, is enjoying arguably the best season of his career. The slugging first baseman and designated hitter is slashing .284/.375/.452 with 12 home runs. That performance earned O'Hearn his first All-Star nod in July. He startedthe contestfor the American League, going 0 for 2 in the National League's win. It has been quite a road for O'Hearn to reach this point. After an excellent rookie season with the Kansas City Royals in 2018, in which he slashed .262/.353/.597 in 44 games, O'Hearn saw his numbers crater. He hit just .211/.282/.351 over his next four seasons, and it looked like his major-league career was in jeopardy. But a 2023 trade to the Orioles resurrected his bat. Utilized as a platoon player, O'Hearn hit .275/.329/.450 in his first two years in Baltimore, and his slugging numbers might've been better over that period if not for the Orioles' raised outfield wall in 2024. The team reverted that change for the 2025 season, and then O'Hearn's home slugging numbers took a big step forward. As for Laureano, this marks the third straight year the right fielder has been traded midseason. After time with the Cleveland Guardians and Atlanta Braves last year, Laureano signed a one-year deal with Baltimore in the offseason. The outfielder has a .290 batting average and .884 OPS in 259 plate appearances this year, putting him on pace for a career season. O'Hearn wasfar from the biggest name on this year's trade market. Eugenio Suarez, Josh Naylor and even Luis Robert Jr. have overshadowed O'Hearn's production in recent seasons. But of that group, only Suarez has a higher wRC+ in 2025. Because of that, O'Hearn could prove to be an underrated trade-deadline acquisition. If O'Hearn's production can carry over to the Padres, he stands to benefit quite a bit. He'll be a free agent at the end of this season and could earn himself a significant payday if he can continue to excel in the NL West. BASEBALL BAR-B-CAST@YahooSportsTRADE DEADLINE REACTION SPECIALGOING LIVE AT 5:30 PM ET ON THURSDAY(maybe they are waiting to do all the trades for our pod? thanks, baseball teams!)https://t.co/Ms0zE8RCtdpic.twitter.com/8N6H8jK7MB — Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ)July 30, 2025 AJ Preller has never seen a big trade he didn't like, and that continued Thursday. After acquiring closer Mason Miller and starter J.P. Sears at the beginning of the day, Preller took care of his team's other needs, adding both outfielder Ramon Laureano and first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn from the Baltimore Orioles. O'Hearn was one of the best hitters in the American League this season, and while he doesn't have the power of some other DHs, his strength is his ability to get on base at a high clip. He gives San Diego a player who can be extremely productive at the DH spot. And Laureano is the perfect fit in left field for the Padres. San Diego has been looking for anyone to take its left-field job, and finally they have a player who not only can field the position well but also has grown into a strong player offensively. The new Padres outfielder is a reverse-splits guy, ranking 13th in MLB with a .930 OPS against right-handed pitching. —Dorsey

byAlpha World

in

July 31, 2025

MLB trade deadline: Orioles reportedly trade slugger Ryan O'Hearn, Ramón Laureano to Padres

MLB trade deadline: Orioles reportedly trade slugger Ryan O'Hearn, Ramón Laureano to Padres One of the more coveted power bats on the fr...

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Joel Dahmen fires 61 to take Wyndham Championship lead

Joel Dahmen fires 61 to take Wyndham Championship lead

Joel Dahmen tied the lowest round of his career with a 9-under-par 61 to set the early pace at the Wyndham Championship on Thursday in Greensboro, N.C. Dahmen needs a strong showing at the regular-season finale in order to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs that begin next week. A win would vault him from No. 101 in the standings all the way to 48th, according to the PGA Tour. The top 70 in points after this weekend will reach the playoffs. Dahmen holds just a one-stroke advantage over Sweden's Alex Noren, who turned in an 8-under 62 at Sedgefield Country Club. Four players were tied for third at 63: Cameron Young, Mark Hubbard, Colombia's Nico Echavarria and defending champ Aaron Rai of England. Not far behind, as part of a large tie at 5-under 65, were Jordan Spieth and Australian Adam Scott. Spieth (No. 50 entering the week) is comfortably in the playoff field, but Scott needs a very high finish in order to jump from 85th into the top 70. Dahmen ranked fourth in the field Thursday by making 131 1/2 feet of putts. Six of his 10 birdies came on a sterling front nine, his second nine, where he shot 6-under 29. He made birdie at Nos. 7-9, including a 46-footer at the par-3 seventh. Max Homa shot a 4-under 66 as he clings onto hope of vaulting from No. 106 in the standings into the top 70. --Field Level Media

byAlpha World

in

July 31, 2025

Joel Dahmen fires 61 to take Wyndham Championship lead

Joel Dahmen fires 61 to take Wyndham Championship lead Joel Dahmen tied the lowest round of his career with a 9-under-par 61 to set the earl...

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Bessent tries to walk back comments suggesting Social Security could be privatized

Bessent tries to walk back comments suggesting Social Security could be privatized

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is trying to walk back his suggestion that the so-called Trump savings accounts for newborns could be a "back door" to start privatizing Social Security. Bessent made the comments in an interview with Breitbart while he was speaking at length about the importance of financial literacy. "But in a way, it is a back door for privatizing Social Security," Bessent said. In a social media post on Wednesday evening, Bessent sought to clarify his remarks. "Trump Baby Accounts are an additive benefit for future generations, which will supplement the sanctity of Social Security's guaranteed payments," Bessent wrote on X. "This is not an either-or question: our Administration is committed to protecting Social Security and to making sure seniors have more money." MORE: Social Security fund may run dry sooner than previously expected, trustees say The White House on Thursday, when asked about Bessent's comments, said Trump was "committed to protecting" Social Security. "What the secretary of treasury was saying, and what this administration believes, is that these Trump newborn accounts, which is an incredibly creative and great provision that was in the one big, beautiful bill for newborn babies and families and future generations of Americans, will help supplement not substitute Social Security," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. "The Trump administration is wholeheartedly committed to protecting Social Security. The president did it in his first term. He's doing it again in this term. But these newborn accounts are another revenue stream for young people, to watch their money grow throughout their lives and to one day be able to access those funds so they can hopefully build a home and live the American dream," she added. A spokesman for the Treasury Department also clarified Bessent's comments, saying that they are "additive" to Social Security, not a replacement for the benefit. "Trump Accounts are an additive government program that work in conjunction with Social Security to broaden and increase the savings and wealth of Americans. Social Security is a critical safety net for Americans and always will be. This Administration has not just fought tirelessly for seniors, but is also fighting for the next generation," the Treasury spokesperson said. The "Trump Savings Accounts" were part of his megabill agenda narrowly passed by congressional Republicans earlier this month. The policy will deposit $1,000 into a tax-deferred, low-cost index fund account that will track the overall stock market for each newborn. Additional contributions can go up to $5,000 annually. When the children reach adulthood, they can access funds to cover expenses such as college or a down payment on a home. If a child is born after December 31, children under the age of 18 will have one thousand dollars put in their accounts for investment purposes. The program is a new initiative to promote financial literacy among Americans. "And, you know, people can put in up to certain amounts every year for their child, and they can invest that stuff in the market, and they can learn how to do this," Bessent said in his interview with Breitbart. When asked if companies matching would be a good thing, Bessent responded positively, saying it would be a "great thing." "At the end of the day, I'm not sure when the distribution level date should be. Whether should it be 30 and you can buy a house? Should it be 60? But in a way, it is a back door for privatizing Social Security," Bessent said. "Social Security is a defined benefit plan paid out to the extent that if all of a sudden, these accounts grow and you have hundreds of thousands of dollars for your retirement, then that's a game changer, too." MORE: New head of Social Security, hired from Wall Street, tells staff he had to Google the job when he was offered it Several Democrats quickly criticized Bessent's comments. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, slammed the treasury secretary in floor remarks on Thursday. "Now, of course, Secretary Bessent had rushed to Twitter later to do a little cleanup, but the truth came out, the real truth," Schumer said. "Actions speak louder than words, and the actions Donald Trump and his gang are taking against Social Security speaks volumes." "Well, Republicans said the quiet part out loud: They want to 'privatize Social Security.' Your money. Your benefits. Sold to the highest bidder. So much for standing with seniors," Rep. Katherine Clark, the Democratic whip,wroteon X on Wednesday. "Today the Treasury Secretary said the quiet part out loud: Republicans' ultimate goal is to privatize Social Security, and there isn't a backdoor they won't try to make Wall Street's dream a reality," Rep. Richard Neal, the top Democrat the House Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement on Wednesday. "For everyone else though, it's yet another warning sign that they cannot be trusted to safeguard the program millions rely on and have paid into over a lifetime of work." AARP, an interest group that focusing on issues affecting those 50 and older in the U.S., alsopushed backon Bessent. "AARP condemns Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's endorsement of a "backdoor" to Social Security privatization. We have fought any and all efforts to privatize Social Security, and we will continue to," said AARP Senior Vice President of Campaigns John Hishta. "President Trump has emphasized many times that Social Security 'won't be touched,' and that he is 'not going to touch Social Security.' This must include any and all forms of 'privatization.'" ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.

byAlpha World

in

July 31, 2025

Bessent tries to walk back comments suggesting Social Security could be privatized

Bessent tries to walk back comments suggesting Social Security could be privatized Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is trying to walk back h...

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'When Black women run, they do win:' New report shows gains in Black women lawmakers

'When Black women run, they do win:' New report shows gains in Black women lawmakers

WASHINGTON ‒ The number ofBlack women electedto Congress has held steady in recent years, but a record number of Black women have served this year in state legislatures, often the pipeline to higher offices, according to a new report. A new report titled "Black Women in American Politics 2025," provided to USA TODAY shortly before its July 31 release, tracked the number of Black women serving in statewide offices, state legislatures and Congress over the last decade. The report found that at one point in 2025, 402 Black women were serving in state legislatures, up from 240 nearly a decade ago. "It's steady progress,"Chelsea Hill, an author of the report, said of the 2024 elections. Since 2014, there's been a 67% increase in the number of Black women in state legislatures, according to the report by Higher Heights, which works to expand Black women's political power, and the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey. State legislatures have long served as a path to Congress. In the more than 10 years since the first report, there's been an acceleration of Black women "moving along the pipeline,'' said Glynda Carr, president of Higher Heights. Last year also marked some firsts for Black women with Kamala Harris' historic bid for president. Harris, who became the first woman of African American and Asian American descent to run for president and the first woman to serve as vice president, announced July 30 that she would not run for governor in California. She didnot say if she had ruled out a presidential bidin 2028. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, both Democrats, also made history when they were elected thefirst two Black women to serve in the U.S. Senateat the same time. There were no Black women in the Senate when the report was first published in 2014, Carr said. "It's a reminder of why we do the work and a reminder of the program and the impact of the work,'' she said. There have been more opportunities over the years for Black women to run at the state level, said Carr and Hill. They pointed tomore programs to recruit and train womencandidates. "When Black women run, they do win,'' said Hill, director of data at the Center for American Women. "They have high win rates. At the congressional level, Black women have higher win rates than their counterparts.'' In the 2024 general election, 63% of Black women congressional nominees won their contests, outpacing the win rates of all female candidates at 49% and male candidates at 53% across race/ethnicity, according to the report. Many women serving in Congress are former state lawmakers. The number of Black women in Congress has nearly doubled from 17 to 31, including nonvoting delegates, since 2014, the report found. Hill called Harris' run for the presidency a "galvanizing force'' for all women, including Black women. Carr said Harris' presidential bid "shows the strength of a leadership pipeline for Black women." "Here's a woman who had run and won on every level of government," Carr said, noting that Harris served in the Bay Area and the state of California for more than a decade. Carr said Harris' calculated decision not to run for governor will continue to inspire women and Black women to run for office. "More importantly (it has) created a blueprint around 'how do you serve on a local level and continue to serve and run for higher office,'" Carr said. Meanwhile, the report found that there have been other gains. Eight Black women serve as mayors of the 100 most populous cities, including Karen Bass in Los Angeles, Muriel Bowser in Washington and LaToya Cantrell in New Orleans. Despite the gains, women candidates often face hurdles, including fundraising, experts said. Some Black women candidates have complained that party organizations have been slow to support their bids. While there are fewer of those barriers, Carr said there has been an increase in misinformation about candidates and Black women have been targets of political threats. Most Black women elected to Congress have been Democrats. GOP candidates must also deal with the tension of Republicans pushing back against diversity, equity and inclusion, which often includes women. There's only been one Black Republican woman, the late Mia Love of Utah, elected to Congress. "I certainly hope that I won't be the last one. I really do," Lovetold USA TODAY in 2022. And while there were a record number of Black women in state legislatures, there are five states with no Black women in their state legislatures, Hill said. They include Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. One place where there has not been a win for Black women is in governorships. In the last decade, several Black women have run for governor, such as Stacey Abrams in Georgia, but have not won. More are trying, including Republican Lt. Gov.Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running for governorin Virginia this year. Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, has announced plans to run for governor of Georgia in 2026. The landscape will be different from 2024 when there were 11 gubernatorial races, Hill said. In 2026, there will be 36 open seats. "Hopefully, we can all retire that factoid of 'there's never been a Black woman governor,'" Hill said. Meanwhile, Carr and Hill said there may be more opportunities for Black women to run next year. There were 73 statewide races in 2024. Next year, there will be 200. Hill said she's hoping to see Black women recruited, supported and running for some of those positions. There's also a push for more Black women to run in districts with diverse populations, not just majority-Black districts, Carr said. "In 2026, the work is to ensure that we are not losing ground and (that) there's an infrastructure in place for Black women to run for reelection, for Black women to run for higher office and for more Black women to run," she said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Black women reach record numbers in state politics, report finds

byAlpha World

in

July 31, 2025

'When Black women run, they do win:' New report shows gains in Black women lawmakers

'When Black women run, they do win:' New report shows gains in Black women lawmakers WASHINGTON ‒ The number ofBlack women electedto...

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Mason Miller trade grades: Who won stunning Padres-Athletics deal?

Mason Miller trade grades: Who won stunning Padres-Athletics deal?

If it's true that you can't predict baseball, there's probably a greater maxim contained within that: You can't predict what course theSan Diego Padreswill take at the trade deadline. The Padres provided a bolt from the blue of what was a largely rote trade deadline byacquiring dominant closer Mason Millerand back-end starter J.P. Sears from theAthletics, with a four-player package headed by elite prospect Leo De Vries off to Sacramento. The deal can't be fully assessed until the clock strikes 6 ET on July 31, since the Padres positioned themselves to both buy and sell – perhaps trading incumbent closer Robert Suarez – at a deadline in which they hold the No. 3 NL wild card spot but are also just three games behind theLos Angeles Dodgersin the West. Still, we'll attempt to assess this trade in a vacuum, even if the following grades are just a little bit incomplete: It's quite a coup getting both the game's most dominant closer and a guy with four years of club control remaining after this season. Miller, 26, is generally untouchable in the ninth inning and in two seasons as A's closer has nailed down 48 of 54 save opportunities, an 89% conversion rate on par with Hall of Famers Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. Miller has struck out 40% of batters in that span, and opposing batters are hitting .161 against him. That's merely lifting the lid on his overall dominance. In Sears, the Padres get a former Yankees prospect who's had to pitch toward the front of the A's rotation even as his stuff indicates he should be further down the pecking order. The expectations and the pitching conditions will be friendlier in San Diego, though the lefty with the 4.95 ERA this year (4.48 career) might see those expectations rise if the Padres turn and deal erstwhile ace Dylan Cease. The cost? It's huge. De Vries is the most significant international signing the Padres have had this decade, no small honor, and he's consistently been challenged – and succeeded – at levels where the average player is four to five years older than him. Put simply: Not many 17-year-olds flash power and speed in stateside A ball and go on to the Arizona Fall League, as De Vries did in 2024. While Miller's controllable years mean the Padres can flip him in future seasons for either immediate help or to galvanize their system, it still stings to trade a potential (likely?) franchise player for a reliever. The deal begs one dark question: Will any of their young stars make it to Las Vegas, should they ever complete their ballpark there? It's yet another step back at the big league level for the A's in a five-year cycle of utter desiccation that hastened their move from Oakland. And it's perhaps not a coincidence that Miller was dealt months before he entered the first of four years of salary arbitration. But man, what a return. Given De Vries' speed on the uptake wherever the Padres put him – he's got eight homers, eight steals and a .357 OBP at high A Fort Wayne this year – he has a shot to debut in the big leagues while still a teenager. And since it's the A's, he also has a shot to reach Sacramento/Las Vegas/Winnemucca by the time star rookiesJacob WilsonandNick Kurtzhaven't gotten too expensive for owner John Fisher's taste. As a cherry on top, the A's received right-handed pitchers Braden Nett, Eduarniel Nuñez and Henry Báez, ranked seventh, 14th and 16th by Baseball America in the Padres' system. Nuñez, 26, has already made his major league debut, making four relief appearances for San Diego, while Nett (23, 3.39 ERA in 17 starts) and Báez (22, 1.96 ERA in 20 starts) are with Class AA San Antonio. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Mason Miller trade grades: Padres-Athletics MLB deadline deal analysis

byAlpha World

in

July 31, 2025

Mason Miller trade grades: Who won stunning Padres-Athletics deal?

Mason Miller trade grades: Who won stunning Padres-Athletics deal? If it's true that you can't predict baseball, there's probabl...

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