Last season, the Cubs won their first World Series in 108 seasons. Now they're trying to become the first National League team to win consecutive World Series since the Reds in 1975 and 1976. The Cubs have restocked their roster, trading prospects for big league players. Earlier this month, they acquired pitcher Jose Quintana for the rotation and then got from the Tigers lefty reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila on Sunday. After the break, the Cubs identified their weaknesses -...

MIAMI - Michael A. Taylor began a rehab assignment with Single-A Potomac this evening, the first of several much-anticipated steps for the Nationals as they try to get their starting lineup healthy again. Taylor, who has been out since July 7 with a strained right oblique muscle, led off and served as designated hitter for the Potomac Nationals in his first game action in nearly four weeks. Taylor had just recently been cleared to resume full baseball activities after being limited to light...

It appears the Orioles added a solid starting pitching prospect today when they acquired 23-year-old right-hander Yefry Ramírez from the New York Yankees for international bonus slots. From Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Ramirez is having a good year for Double-A Trenton, going 10-3 with an ERA of 3.41 in 18 starts. Ramirez was added by the Yankees to their 40-man roster last winter in advance of the Rule 5 draft. He ended the 2016 season ranked as New York's No. 23 prospect by Baseball...

The Orioles have placed outfielder Mark Trumbo on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right ribcage and transferred shortstop J.J. Hardy to the 60-day disabled list. They placed pitcher Jeremy Hellickson on the 25-man roster and optioned pitcher Yefry Ramírez to Double-A Bowie. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said today that he spoke to the majority of contenders as the non-waiver trade deadline approached. He wanted to add to the club, however, believing it's still a contender...

MIAMI - As the clock wound down to today's 4 p.m. trade deadline, the Nationals were still in discussions with several teams over several late-inning relievers. "A lot of balls in the air," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "You've got a lot of options." When it came time to say yes to one of the deals on the table, the Twins' proposal to send Brandon Kintzler to Washington in exchange for Single-A left-hander Tyler Watson sat best with Rizzo. And so it was that in the final minutes...

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired infielder Tim Beckham from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league right-hander Tobias Myers. Beckham, 27, batted .259/.314/.407 (82-for-317) with five doubles, three triples, 12 home runs, 31 runs, and 36 RBI in 87 games with the Rays this season. He hit .247/.299/.421 (179-for-725) with 24 doubles, 12 triples, 26 home runs, 81 runs, and 90 RBI in 238 career games. In his career, he has appeared in 124 games at shortstop, 77 at...

In his first interview since being acquired from the Phillies, right-hander Jeremy Hellickson said he was surprised that the Orioles were the team that traded for him on Friday night. "I was excited," he said of when he heard about the deal. "Didn't really hear Baltimore too much, so was kind of a little surprised. But just playing these guys for four years in Tampa, looked like a fun group to be a part of and I was excited. "I'm ready to help. Didn't really follow the American League...

The Orioles completed a trade this afternoon that sends short-season Single-A Aberdeen pitcher Tobias Myers to the Rays for shortstop Tim Beckham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft. The deal was completed just prior to the 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline and announced 40 minutes later. Manager Buck Showalter declined to comment on the trade during his session with the media because it hadn't been made public. Beckham, 27, is batting .259/.314/.407 with five doubles, three triples, 12 home...

The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Brandon Kintzler from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Minor League left-handed pitcher Tyler Watson and international bonus pool money. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Jimmy Cordero has been designated for assignment. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Kintzler, 32, is in his seventh Major League season and his second with the Twins. A career 12-13 with a 3.24 ERA in 271...

MIAMI - The Nationals have pulled off a deadline deal for the Twins' Brandon Kintzler, adding another late-inning arm to their reconfigured bullpen for the season's final two months, according to a source familiar with the trade. In exchange for Kintzler, who converted 28-of-32 save opportunities with a 2.78 ERA this year, the Nationals are sending Single-A left-handed Tyler Watson to Minnesota, according to the source. Whether Kintzler takes over ninth-inning duties for the Nationals remains...