AP Photo/Mark Elias

The Rundown: Stand Up for Ryno, Brewers Catch Cubs, Tons of Trade Rumors

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 21, 2025

“Oh, I’m a lucky man to count on both hands the ones I love.” – Just Breathe by Eddie Vedder

Jed Hoyer sat in the broadcast booth yesterday and talked about Ryne Sandberg after a makeshift weekend tribute at Wrigley Field that included Jon Lester and Kerry Wood donning Sandberg jerseys. The Hall of Famer is fighting prostate cancer and last week issued an ill-lit statement regarding its progress.

It was the third line of the announcement that left Cubs fans everywhere unnerved.

“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.”

There’s no doubt he counts all Cubs fans among both groups.

“I know Ryno watches our games — on behalf of everyone, I just wanted to say a really heartfelt thank you,” Hoyer said during the broadcast. “This atmosphere is so incredible right now. You look out at all these people and all this excitement, and I think the ’84 Cubs and Sandberg started all of that. Day baseball, WGN, and Sandberg. That’s how this fervor got going. He’s a superhero in this city.”

Everyone loves the Sandberg game and can watch it thousands of times on repeat and never get bored, but I have a different favorite memory of the Hall of Fame second baseman. I was 20 years old when the Cubs made the playoffs in 1984, ending a 39-year postseason drought, working at McCormick Place during Game 1 of the NLCS, which the Cubs won 13-0. I found a security guard watching a portable TV, so I hung around hoping to go unnoticed. Sandberg had two hits and an RBI but didn’t hit a home run.

It had only been five years since my father passed, and while dying, my father said, “At least you’ll live to see the Cubs win the World Series.”

When Sandberg first came to bat, I had goosebumps and unsuccessfully fought off tears before finally breaking down and bawling like a baby. Ryno lifted that team on his shoulders, and he and Rick Sutcliffe led them to that moment. I just wish my pops was watching with me. The North Siders should have played in the World Series that year, and to this day, that’s still my favorite Cubs team.

I don’t know if Sandberg reads Cubs Insider. I do know, however, that members of the team’s media department visit this site, so if you have a picture or favorite memory, perhaps you can post it in the comments section. You can also help by making a donation to Stand Up to Cancer. He doesn’t currently have a placard, but maybe the Cubs and MLB can add one if the Sandberg family allows.

You can also buy Sandberg shirts and jerseys here, here, here, and here to show your loyalty and support to the rest of the world.

Cubs News & Notes

Ball Four

What type of candy do we think Babe Ruth was giving away?

Central Intelligence

  • Milwaukee (59-40): The Brewers swept the Dodgers again and now share first place in the NL Central with the Cubs. Milwaukee technically remains in second place after dropping three of five games played in the season series between the two clubs so far, but with more than 60 games left to play for both teams (including eight against each other, with an epic five-game set at Wrigley Field starting August 18), hot times lie ahead.
  • Cincinnati (52-48): The Reds unveiled their “Built for Speed” jerseys ahead of this year’s Bristol Classic against the Braves on August 2.
  • St. Louis (51-49): Cardinals starters Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas still say they have no interest in leaving St. Louis, and would exercise their no-trade clauses to veto any potential deals.
  • Pittsburgh (39-61): The Pirates could be buyers at the deadline, but they’re looking for minor league deals to fortify positions that will be vacated at the major league level by the end of the month.

How About That!

The Phillies signed ex-Cubs reliever David Robertson to a one-year, prorated contract worth $16 million. That calculates to just over $6 million for the remainder of the season.

MLB is investigating a verbal altercation between Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Braves coach Eddie Perez.

Chris Sale has started playing catch and the Braves expect to activate him August 19 or shortly thereafter.

Do pitchers miss hitting? A lot of them said they do.

The White Sox earned their first sweep of the season, taking three straight from the Pirates over the weekend.

Beyond One’s Ken

Analyst Ken Rosenthal provided some inside dope ($) for subscribers to The Athletic.

A year ago, Athletics closer Mason Miller was untouchable. To this point, the A’s messaging this season — we’re not talking about him — is pretty much the same. But according to sources briefed on the team’s plans, that stance is subject to change. Still, the A’s asking price for Miller would figure to be exorbitant.

The A’s are also fielding calls about Luis Severino, JP Sears, and Jeffrey Springs.

The Nationals are averse to trading any of the team’s better young players — left fielder James Wood and left-hander MacKenzie Gore, both of whom were first-time All-Stars — as well as shortstop CJ Abrams and outfielder Dylan Crews.

What About Bob?

Here are some of the latest rumors that Bob Nightengale of USA Today dug up.

The Diamondbacks, who have wallowed in mediocrity all season, hold the most cards. They’ve got Eugenio Suárez, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly, first baseman Josh Naylor, reliever Shelby Miller, and outfielder Randal Grichuk all on the trade block. Suárez, by the way, has multi-homer games in three of his last five starts.

Only the Orioles could top them with their collection of available talent: Felix Bautista, Ryan O’Hearn, Cedric Mullins, Zach Eflin, Tomoyuki Sugano, Charlie Morton, Gregory Soto, Seranthony Domínguez, and Andrew Kittredge.

The Yankees and Red Sox have been scouting Gallen, Kelly, and Suárez.

The Yankees, Tigers, and Cubs have all checked in with the Pirates for third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.

The Dodgers are scouring the market for relievers. They’ve reportedly inquired about Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Twins and Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals, among others. David Bednar of the Pirates and Emmanuel Clase of the Guardians are also on their ever-growing list.

The Guardians are telling teams they plan to keep Clase, who is still under team control through 2028.

The Marlins are still hoping to bring in a haul of prospects for Sandy Alcántara.

The Athletics have told teams they’re not trading Miller.

It’s Life Jim, but Not as We Know It

Jim Bowden of the Athletic chimed in ($) as well.

The Tigers would like to add an impact closer. Bowden mentioned Raisel Iglesias of the Braves, a name I haven’t seen previously.

Hoyer’s top priority is acquiring a starting pitcher, and his targets include Kelly, Gallen, Morton, Sugano, and Alcántara, plus Mitch Keller and Edward Cabrera. Chicago would love to land one of Suárez or Ryan McMahon, among others, to play third base.

The Brewers are focused on improving the left side of their infield, either at shortstop or third base, with an impact bat.

The first-place Blue Jays are “all-in” at this year’s trade deadline, which means Toronto is interested in the same players that the Yankees and Cubs are.

The Phillies are looking to boost their outfield and bullpen and like Mullins, Luis Robert Jr., Kyle Finnegan, and Dennis Santana.

The Red Sox have been discussing Jarren Duran with several teams. They like Duran, but prefer an outfield of Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Roman Anthony.

Extra Innings

Stand Up for Ryno

They Said It

  • “[Craig Breslow] was a big part of the decision to trade away our core World Series guys. I think he saw the reaction fan-base-wise — there was real frustration and anger — but ultimately, we as a group made the decision that it was time. It was time to reset and bring in new talent and put the organization in a different direction. He saw that as the right thing to do at the time.” – Hoyer
  • “Matt [Shaw] has certainly played great defense for us. But I think that’s a position [to potentially add to]. And then obviously, just thinking about the position-playing group and just ensuring it. Adding depth is something we’ll look at as well.” – Hoyer
  • “The Brewers are a really good team. I don’t think they’re going to go away.” – Hoyer

One Last Thing

Happy National Junk Food Day to all who celebrate. I had a jumbo Usinger hot dog, an Iltaco Pizza Puff, and a Pepsi for breakfast.

Monday Walk-Up Song

There are two types of people in this world. Those who like Neil Diamond and those who don’t.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 21, 2025
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