Steve Borthwick faces major headache before showdown
Alex Coles expected to partner Maro Itoje at second row
Ollie Chessum and Tommy Freeman are serious injury doubts for England’s clash with New Zealand, handing Steve Borthwick a major headache before the showdown at Twickenham on Saturday.
The two British & Irish Lions players sat out training on Monday and their participation against the All Blacks is in jeopardy. Chessum is struggling with a foot injury and was seen on crutches at England’s training base in Bagshot. He was replaced after 70 minutes of the 38-18 victory against Fiji last weekend and, in the likely event he is ruled out, Maro Itoje’s expected second-row partner would be Alex Coles.
Minnesota needs help at point guard if they are going to take the next step and reach the NBA Finals. Ja Morant is disgruntled playing in Memphis. That has led people to connect the dots and speculate about a Morant trade to Memphis.
It's not pure speculation, Minnesota has contacted Memphis to "test the waters" of a Morant trade, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. However, the sides are nowhere close to a deal, he added. This is something that would come together closer to the trade deadline. Here is what Krawczynski said (hat tip to SportsKeeda).
"There's no real point guard on the roster. They're asking Anthony Edwards to do it. They're asking Julius Randle to do a lot of point forward stuff. They certainly have checked in with Memphis on Ja ...
"They're testing the waters a little bit. I don't get the sense that there's anything real close. I do think that, if we get to late December and the Wolves are still treading water and that point guard position still has not solidified ... I do think that they could explore at least looking harder at Ja Morant."
A few thoughts about any potential Morant to Minnesota deal:
• This is not the first time the Timberwolves have been mentioned as a team with interest in Morant. That said, league sources have told NBC Sports the market for Morant league-wide is not that strong, at least not as strong as Memphis would want considering the haul it will ask for in a trade.
• Morant is a guy who sells tickets and sells jerseys in a small market in Memphis, trading him is a massive shift for the franchise (and would lead to questions about whether they should also trade Jaren Jackson Jr., who would have a strong market). If Memphis decides to trade Morant, it's going to want either another star player to sell tickets (could we see a your-problem-for-my-problem trade?) or a boatload of picks and young players to jump-start a rebuild. The market for that may not exist, at least not to the level Memphis hopes.
• Minnesota still has the No. 4 offense in the NBA this season. Even with Mike Conley no longer being the point guard they need, the offensive end of the floor has not been the issue behind a sluggish 6-4 start. The bigger concern is that last season's top-10 defense is now in the middle of the NBA pack, and Morant is not going to fix that.
• Is Morant's ball-dominant style really a great fit on a Minnesota team that needs more of a classic floor general?
• If a mid-season trade happens it will be after the calendar flips to 2026 and closer to the February trade deadline. However, the most likely outcome is a trade next offseason.
It's the Washington Wizards vs Detroit Pistons tonight on Peacock. Live coverage begins at 6:30 PM. See below for additional information on how to watch tonight's game and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
The Wizards (1-9) are off to their worst start since the 2012-2013 season, when they started 0-12. The team has now lost 8 consecutive games, most recently falling 111-105 to the Mavericks on Saturday. The Wizards currently have the worst scoring margin in the NBA (-16.9 per game) and are allowing the most points per game in the league (128.4).
Washington has the second-youngest team in the league, behind only the Brooklyn Nets. The Wizards roster includes eight first-round picks from the last three drafts, including four from the 2024 NBA Draft.
Detroit Pistons:
Detroit (8-2) is off to its best start since the 2005-2006 season. The Pistons defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 111-108 last night, earning their sixth straight victory, which is currently the longest active win streak in the league.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 26 points and 11 assists in the win, while Jalen Duren added 21 points and 16 rebounds. Duren leads the NBA in total offensive rebounds (43).
Cunningham struggled with turnovers early in the season, committing 24 turnovers in his first four games, but since then, he has found his footing. He is currently second in the NBA in assists per game (9.8) among qualified players.
"It's been a hell of a ride. There's been a lot of ups and downs, but it's still early." Cunningham said after the win. "I'm not [getting] above myself because we're 8-2. I think this is something that we all wanted, but we want something bigger than this. We just want to keep our heads down and keep working."
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
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What was it supposed to look like? Amid all the talk around Liverpool and their disappointing form at the start of this season, that is perhaps the hardest question of all to answer. What were they trying to do? If it had worked, how would this team have played?
The champions spent £424m (about $550m) on new signings in the summer, but if all had gone well, they would have spent an additional £40m ($53m) to land Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi. The England international would, at the very least, have given an extra option at the back (the injury to Giovanni Leoni has diminished their defensive options further), allowing Arne Slot to rest Ibrahima Konaté, whose poor form continued in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. An early City penalty was a direct result of Konaté getting in Conor Bradley’s way as Jérémy Doku cut in from the left.
This is an extract from Soccer with Jonathan Wilson, a weekly look from the Guardian US at the game in Europe and beyond. Subscribe for free here. Have a question for Jonathan? Email soccerwithjw@theguardian.com, and he’ll answer the best in a future edition.
Signing Bo Bichette as a pricey free agent doesn’t exactly jibe with David Stearns’ run prevention vision for the Mets' offseason. But adding the elite hitter to play second base certainly would enhance the club’s run production – wait until you see Bichette’s numbers with runners in scoring position – and jolt the core, if such a thing is top of mind in Queens.
So should the Mets look at bringing in Bichette, who turns just 28 in March, as a big-splash move? Or are there too many complications in what already needs to be a hyper-busy winter?
After all, there is much pitching work to be done, both in the rotation and the depleted bullpen, as well as finding more offense, figuring out center field, and retaining (or not) Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of signing Bichette…
PROS
Plain and simple, Bichette, who has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays, is a hitter. His .294 career average is fifth among active players and he batted .311 in 2025, second in the AL to Aaron Judge. He was one of only seven qualified MLB hitters to bat .300 or better. Bichette played in 139 games and had 181 hits, which was also second in the league. He’s led the AL in hits twice and finished in the top six in batting three times.
He’s got extra-base pop, too – he had 44 doubles (second in the AL) and 18 homers last season and has hit as many as 29 home runs in a season.
Bichette also appears to be evolving as a hitter, trimming his strikeout rate while increasing his walk rate. He had a down year in 2024, but got his strikeout rate down to 19 percent, at the time the lowest of his career. As he soared in 2025, he got his K-rate to 14.5 percent, by far the best of his career and well below the MLB average of 22.2 percent.
He’s below-average at walking, but his 6.4 percent rate in 2025 was the best of his career.
Whatever you believe about the clutch gene, Bichette seems to have it. Had Game 7 of the World Series ended differently, they’d be writing songs in Canada about Bichette’s early three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani.
In 2025, Bichette led all qualified MLB hitters in average with runners in scoring position (.381) and had a 1.053 OPS in those situations, which was third-best. Lifetime, Bichette has batted .330 with a .904 OPS -- a long track record of production.
For all the handwringing last year over the Mets and RISP, they batted .260 (eighth in MLB) with an .805 OPS (third). Adding Bichette, obviously, would figure to be a boost in that department, as well as the offense overall.
/ Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Bo Bichette (11) throws out Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) in the sixth inning during game six of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
Bichette was on a two-month heater when he hurt his knee in September, which kept him out of the postseason until the Fall Classic. He was hobbled in the World Series, but still produced, going 8-for-23 (.348) with six RBI. Give him points for clutch, give him points for grit.
He also showed a willingness to switch positions. With Andrés Giménez starting at shortstop, the only defensive position Bichette has ever played in the majors, Bichette played second base five times. He looked comfortable there, perhaps foreshadowing his next role.
CONS
Is second base really a need for the Mets? They seem to have plenty of options, including Jeff McNeil, who had 79 appearances there last season. Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio, and Brett Baty could figure into the position as well. Plus, one of the Mets’ best prospects, infielder Jett Williams, would fit nicely there, too.
Signing Bichette likely blocks the advancement of those players. But who knows what chain reactions could follow, should the Mets add Bichette.
If the Mets do want to change their core and they signed Bichette, they could move McNeil in a trade. But they could also switch up the core by letting Alonso depart as a free agent, which, theoretically, would also help run prevention, assuming their new first baseman is a better defender than Alonso.
Bichette got the $22.025 million qualifying offer from Toronto, which he is sure to reject, meaning the Mets would lose their second-and fifth-highest selections in the 2026 MLB Draft if they sign him (or another player who rejects the QO). Bichette has also said he wants to remain in Toronto and, while that could be the typical free agent-speak, he and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. --two homegrown stars taking another run at a World Series title -- is a narrative with a nice, ahem, ring to it, no?
Then there’s the cost. Bichette should get a big contract and the Mets have to spend first on pitching, don’t they? MLB Trade Rumors estimated Bichette would get $208 million over eight years, and ESPN predicted a five-year, $130-million deal. Both would be for $26 million per year.
VERDICT
Signing Bichette would be a bold stroke of roster construction by the Mets and also trigger other moves that would significantly reshape the team. That could be just what the Mets need after the crushing disappointment of the 2025 season.
Bichette’s mega-hits profile would add significant depth to a lineup that sometimes struggled beyond the "Fab Four" last year. That sounds pretty appealing, too.
Maybe it’s just fun to think about. But it’d be fun to see if the Mets could make it jell with run prevention.
The NBA is a results-based business. That applies on the court, with the scoreboard and standings, and it also applies off the court, in terms of fan loyalty and the amount of money they spend on tickets, jerseys, and more.
The Dallas Mavericks are 3-7 to start the season, which has stirred up frustration and resentment in the Dallas fan base that goes back to the Luka Doncic trade last season. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Doncic is averaging a near triple-double — 37 points, 10 rebounds and 9.5 assists a game — leading the Lakers to a 7-3 record and a top-10 offense in the league.
"With the Mavericks already in a significant hole when it comes to simply reaching the playoffs, league sources tell The Stein Line that the rising and virtually ceaseless negativity that surrounds the franchise is indeed wearing on and troubling ownership."
Part of the challenge for ownership is that "it is by no means clear at this juncture" to whom they would turn to run the team, Stein adds.
One major question hangs over this entire saga: Can owner/governor Patrick Dumont admit his mistake? Owners are notoriously poor at that, and firing Harrison would be a tacit admission that the Doncic trade was a mistake — a trade Dumont signed off on and backed.
Dallas picked up a road win over the lowly Wizards on Saturday, but now returns home for a tough stretch of games: the Bucks, the surprisingly strong Suns, the Clippers, and the athletic Trail Blazers. How much does the team's performance in this home stand impact ownership's decision?
One other interesting note from Stein: Despite the poor start to the season, Dallas has no plans at this point to trade center Daniel Gafford. That shouldn't be a huge surprise with third-year center Dereck Lively III having played just three games this season due to injury after playing just 36 games a season ago. Dallas signed Gafford to a three-year, $54.4 million contract extension this past offseason.
However, if Dallas continues to struggle after Christmas, the Mavericks might pivot — they control their 2026 first-round draft pick, which is considered a deep class at the top, and Dallas may instead consider adding another lottery pick to pair with No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. If that happens, Gafford might become available, but the Mavs are not yet close to making that decision.
And we're not sure who might be the GM making that decision.
Add another intriguing name to the list of high-end starting pitchers who will be available this offseason as the Mets seek to fortify their rotation.
Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai, 27, will be posted by the Seibu Lions, and his posting paves the way for him to ink a deal with an MLB club in December.
Imai is coming off a huge season for the Lions.
In 163.2 innings over 24 starts, the right-hander had a 1.92 ERA and 0.89 WHIP while allowing just 101 hits and striking out 178 -- a strikeout rate of 9.8 per nine.
Over eight seasons pitching for Nippon Professional Baseball, Imai has a 3.15 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. But he has reached another level over the last four seasons, posting earned run averages of 2.04, 2.45, 2.34, and 1.92.
Imai's stuff is considered plus. It includes a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and can reach 99 mph. He also has a splitter, slider, and cutter.
While he isn't viewed by evaluators as the kind of can't-miss ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto has become since making the transition from Japan to the majors, Imai is nevertheless expected to get a relatively massive payday.
Imai will be the crown jewel when it comes to pitchers coming from Japan. As far as the MLB free agents, they include Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Ranger Suarez, and Michael King.
Of those four pitchers, Cease -- a 29-year-old with swing-and-miss stuff who eats innings -- could be the best fit.
As New York decides which way to go this offseason as the rotation is bolstered, it's fair to believe they have three pitchers penciled into their rotation at the moment -- Sean Manaea, Nolan McLean, and Clay Holmes.
Other options include Kodai Senga (who could be a trade candidate), David Peterson (entering his final season of arbitration), Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong.
Another exciting week has come and gone in the Association. Giannis Antetokounmpo hit a game-winner on the Pacers last Monday, the Lakers kept finding ways to win, Oklahoma City remained dominant, and the Pistons moved into first place in the Eastern Conference.
Injuries, new opportunities and stellar play have given us a new group of preferred pickups heading into Week 4 of the NBA season. Here they are!
→ Watch the NBA on Peacock on Monday night, as the Washington Wizards take on the Pistons in Detroit. The action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET!
Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder (36 percent rostered)
Mitchell’s wildly productive run may come to an end once Jalen Williams and Lu Dort get healthy, but for now, we’re going to let the good times roll! To start the season, Mitchell has been electric with averages of 17 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 triples. He’s started each of Charlotte’s last three games, averaging 20/5/5 with a pair of steals, and fantasy managers need to be on high alert. Even when the Thunder are back to full strength, Mitchell has played far too well to be phased out of the lineup.
Jusuf Nurkic, Utah Jazz (35 percent rostered)
With Walker Kessler (shoulder) out for the season, Nurkic is expected to occupy Utah’s starting center gig moving forward. Over the last four games (all starts), Nurkic has averaged 5.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.5 dimes, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocked shots across 26.3 minutes. His production was a bit sporadic in those games as two of them were blowouts, so fantasy managers should be ready for some peaks and valleys.
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (34 percent rostered)
Over the last three games, the rookie has erupted with 24.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and four triples, and he now leads all rookies with 16.4 points per game. He posted a season-best 30 points on Saturday against the Heat, and he’ll look to carry momentum forward into Week 4. With Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton banged up, opportunities should continue to be available for Knueppel, making him a strong waiver wire add. Fellow Hornet Tre Mann has also made the most of his increased opportunities, but his fantasy value is more closely tied to the availability of Ball and Sexton. Knueppel will still see plenty of run even when both Ball and Sexton are healthy.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets (31 percent rostered)
Kalkbrenner hasn’t been electric as a scorer or rebounder this season, but he’s been tremendous as a defender. Over his last five, Kalkbrenner has recorded one three-block game and four straight four-block performances, averaging 1.2 steals and 3.8 blocks in that span while shooting 74.1% from the field.
Jake LaRavia, Los Angeles Lakers (26 percent rostered)
Over the last two weeks, LaRavia has shown why he was such an important offseason acquisition of the Lakers. Across his last six games, LaRavia has averaged 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.7 triples across 32 minutes. His numbers will likely take a hit when Austin Reaves (and eventually LeBron James) return, but even then, LaRavia should remain a key part of LA’s rotation off the bench.
Trendon Watford, Philadelphia 76ers (19 percent rostered)
Over a four-game stretch leading into Sunday, Watford was a beast with averages of 15 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and a triple. On Saturday, Watford recorded his first career triple-double, posting a monster 20/17/10 line across 36 minutes against the Raptors. He finished with just 7/3/2/1 on Sunday, but Philadelphia will likely keep starting him at the four or at least give him plenty of run off the bench until Paul George returns.
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans (18 percent rostered)
Over his last six games, the rookie has averaged a healthy 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.5 triples across 26.3 minutes per game. With Jordan Poole (quad) out for at least another week and Zion Williamson on the shelf for the same amount of time, expect Fears to see plenty of run for the foreseeable future.
Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets (10 percent rostered)
Cam Thomas is dealing with a hamstring injury that will keep him out for an extended period of time. Guys like Terance Mann and Tyrese Martin should see additional minutes, but Clowney looks like the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy standpoint. Clowney has started three straight games while averaging 17 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.3 triples. He should continue to pick up the slack for Thomas on offense.
Noah Clowney bullies his way to the rim and throws down a big-time dunk.
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (12 percent rostered)
With Zion Williamson out at least a week due to a left hamstring injury, Queen should see increased minutes until he returns. Over his last three with additional playing time, Queen averaged 12 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.7 blocks. He’s seeing minutes in the low 20s right now, but that should be enough to keep him viable in standard leagues. A bump in playing time would just be the cherry on top.
Tyson has scored in double figures in each of his last six games, averaging 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and a block in that span. He’s logged 28 minutes a game in that span with five starts, and while he may not stick in the starting lineup, the return of Darius Garland won’t knock Tyson completely out of the rotation. He’s done enough to remain a viable contributor off the bench, and he’s worth a look in standard fantasy leagues.
Others to consider: Tari Eason (36%), Zaccharie Risacher (23%), Isaiah Stewart (23%), Isaiah Jackson (17%), Jarace Walker (15%), Keaton Wallace (1%)
The New York Islanders snapped their two-game skid on Saturday inside Madison Square Garden, kicking off what’s to be a massive seven-game road trip through the heart of November.
For the final six teams on this road trip, it’s the first meeting of the season for the Islanders, all except against the Detroit Red Wings at the tail end of the trip. All six teams are at least two games above .500, and all but Detroit and Utah are in the top two of their division.
Starting strong against the struggling New York Rangers became almost a must-win for the Islanders, as the Blueshirts are currently the worst team they’ll face during this gauntlet away from UBS Arena.
Tonight, the first game will be against the New Jersey Devils, the last game in the Eastern Time Zone for 10 days for the Islanders.
The Devils have won three of their last four games, and will be a team that enjoys playing with speed in the same way the Islanders do. The key to surviving against them will be structured play, otherwise New Jersey can poke some serious holes in New York’s defense.
After tonight, the Islanders ship out west, beginning with a Thursday night game in Las Vegas, where the Golden Knights await. Through their first seven trips against Vegas, New York’s gone 4-3-0, with Vegas being a top team every year throughout their franchise’s history.
This year, Vegas added Mitch Marner, making a deadly team that much more dangerous.
The very next night, the Utah Mammoth plays host to the Islanders, kicking off what will be three-straight games against Central Division foes, all against teams with a record above .500.
It’s a quick turnaround for New York, bouncing between time zones for a road back-to-back against high-speed teams, something that could easily exhaust the Islanders.
Unfortunately for the Islanders, the road isn’t getting any easier after that. After just one off day, they’ll be in Denver for a Sunday night clash with Brock Nelson and the Colorado Avalanche. The game would be Calum Ritchie's first against the team that drafted him, too.
Colorado is 10-1-5 thus far, and on Saturday decimated the Edmonton Oilers 9-1. It’s not going to be easy by any stretch of the word.
In case you think it gets any easier, the Islanders close up the Western swing 48 hours later, squaring off with the Dallas Stars in Texas.
If you’re exhausted just thinking about playing Vegas, Utah, Colorado and Dallas, just remember those four games come in six days, with long travel dotting the way, including that time-zone switch between Vegas and Utah.
Every single point the Islanders can earn out west will be monumental, as the schedule is nothing less than a brutal gauntlet against some of the best teams in the NHL in an abbreviated trip.
It all ends next Thursday, when on the way back home from Texas, the Islanders fly northeast to Detroit, where the Red Wings host the Islanders. The Islanders pummeled Detroit 7-2 in UBS Arena on October 23, when Detroit came in on the second half of a back-to-back.
Last year, the Red Wings swept the Islanders, with all results coming in regulation.
Nothing’s a given about this road trip. If the Islanders can scratch a .500 or better record over the next six games, it’ll go a long way to keeping them in the fight.
During a compressed schedule due to the Olympics in February, survival over the long haul becomes the biggest key.
While obviously dominating on this road trip and going on a run would be the best-case scenario, it's a brutal stretch for any team. Just gritting out points to keep themselves afloat is the biggest key throughout this run.
After this stretch of games, the Islanders get rewarded with a seven-game home stretch, and 13 of their next 17 at UBS Arena, with the all 17 getting played inside the Eastern Time Zone.
It all starts tonight in New Jersey, with puck drop coming just after 7 o’cloc
Yankees GM Brian Cashman will head to the annual MLB GM Meetings, taking place in Las Vegas this week and speak to reporters for the first time since New York was ousted in the ALDS by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Many could see the 2025 season as a failure for the Yanks, after making it to the World Series a year prior, so Cashman and his front office will have plenty of questions to answer about how he plans to get New York its first championship since 2009.
It won't be easy, of course, as the Blue Jays and other American League upstarts like the Red Sox and Mariners are waiting to take their shots this offseason and in 2026.
Don't expect Cashman to lay his cards on the table at the GM Meetings. But we can glean something from when he speaks, whether it's about the needs of the team or where current players are on the depth chart.
Here are five questions Cashman should be asked this week...
One of the many questions Cashman received during his end-of-season news conference was about shortstop Volpe.
The third-year infielder had a difficult 2025, which -- whether manager Aaron Boone admits it or not -- was impacted by his injured shoulder. Volpe has since undergone surgery and will look to man the shortstop position when he returns sometime during the season. However, is Volpe's role as the starting shortstop in hand?
Cashman didn't commit to the shortstop position back in October, but he said he believes in Volpe and that there is still growing to do.
“I believe in the player, still. I think we believe in the player,” Cashman said. “It doesn’t mean that we don’t play with, on any level, all aspects of roster assessments. He’s 24 years old. I don’t think New York’s stage is too big for him, I just think he’s still finding his way. The age is something that there’s a lot of value to reminding yourself about.”
Jose Caballero is on the roster and probably has an inside track to break camp as the starting shortstop, but there are some intriguing options like Bo Bichette available.
Sep 3, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) runs to first base on a single during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Cashman has had some great trade deadline deals the last few seasons, and the addition of Chisholm in 2024 helped the team make it to the World Series. In Chisholm's first full season in pinstripes, he was even better, having arguably his best offensive season en route to an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger.
But does that mean Cashman has the stomach to have extension talks with his infielder?
Chisholm will enter the final year of his contract in 2026, but an extension could buy out his final year of arbitration and keep the 27-year-old in the Bronx for a long time.
Cashman, however, is not one to give out extensions. But he should be asked if Chisholm is an exception, especially after the production he's provided and how selfless he's been, playing third base whenever asked.
What's the plan for the outfield?
Aaron Judge is the only name Boone can write in as a starting outfielder next season. Cody Bellinger opted out of his contract and will explore free agency, and Trent Grisham's contract also expired -- though the Yankees extended him the qualifying offer.
Cashman needs to fill out left field and center field, so what is his plan for them this offseason? The qualifying offer shows the Yanks are willing to bring Grisham back, but it doesn't guarantee his return. And then, how hard are they going to try and re-sign Bellinger? The former NL MVP had a great first season in the Bronx and said he'd welcome a return.
There's also the bevy of free agent outfielders, like Kyle Tucker, who are available. We don't expect Cashman to give away which of the outfielders he wants the most, but perhaps a hint of where he's leaning could be gleaned.
New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones (78) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning during spring training at BayCare Ballpark / Nathan Ray Seebeck - Imagn Images
Speaking of the outfield, the Yankees have two youngsters who could fill one -- or both? -- spots to start the 2026 season. Dominguez made the team out of spring training in 2025, but the young switch-hitter had growing pains at the plate and in the outfield. Once a highly-touted prospect, Dominguez's first full season in the bigs did not go the way the team had hoped.
It also didn't help that Grisham simply outplayed the youngster, taking away precious at-bats while New York was in the midst of maintaining a playoff spot.
Cashman should be asked if Dominguez is a part of their plans and whether he has the stomach to deal him.
And then there's Jones. The young slugger burst out in the minors last season, going on a power tear through Double-A and Triple-A. Cashman said that Jones "put himself in the conversation" of making the Opening Day roster, but how true is that? Also, is Jones a trade candidate if the outfield spots are filled up with external signings?
This could be the best time to trade Jones, whose stock has never been higher.
Do the Yankees have enough pitching to withstand injuries?
The Yanks will be without Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt and Carlos Rodon to start the 2026 season. While the team has viable arms, do they have enough to get through a 162-game season?
Max Fried will anchor a starting rotation that will likely include Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Cam Schlittler. That's a lot of question marks that need to be answered.
The Yankees can sign a free agent starter like Dylan Cease, Michael King or Zac Gallen to help their bludgeoned rotation, which would possibly clear the way for them to trade some of their young arms.
Cashman is always candid when it comes to pitching, in that he can never have enough of it. Perhaps that's the case this offseason, and Cashman should answer that.
The Washington Wizards (1-9) go to Detroit to face the Pistons (8-2) on Peacock Monday night! it is a battle of two teams trending in different directions, but both with so much to prove.
The Pistons have won six consecutive games, including yesterday's 111-108 thriller over the 76ers in Philadelphia. This will be the third game in four days for the Pistons, which is the same for the Wizards, except Washington had Sunday off.
Washington has lost eight straight games and only two of those have come by single digits. The Wizards will have four nationally televised games, starting with this one, so I expect a hearty-effort from Washington after narrowly losing to Dallas on Saturday (111-105).
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup and find a potential sweat or two! We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff. Odds courtesy of DraftKingsrecent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to watch the Wizards vs. Pistons live
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Game odds for the Wizards at the Pistons
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Pistons (-650), Wizards (+470)
Spread: Pistons -11.5
Total: 235.5
That gives the Pistons an implied team point total of 123.5 and the Wizards 110.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups for the Pistons and the Wizards
Pistons
PG Cade Cunningham
SG Duncan Robinson
SF Ausar Thompson
PF Tobis Harris (OUT) — Isaiah Stewart is questionable
C Jalen Duren
Wizards
PG CJ McCollum
SG Kyshawn George
SF Khris Middleton
PF Julian Champagnie
C Alex Sarr
Injuries for the Pistons and the Wizards
Pistons
F Tobias Harris (ankle) was OUT for Sunday's game
C Isaiah Stewart (ankle) was OUT for Sunday's game and is listed as day-to-day
G Marcus Sasser (hip) was on the inactive list Sunday
G Jaden Ivey (surgery) is OUT for at least another week
Wizards
G Bilal Coulibaly (calf) is OUT for Monday's game
Important stats, trends and insights ahead of Wizards at Pistons on Monday.
Washington is an NBA-worst 1-9 ATS
Washington is 1-4 ATS as a road underdog
Washington is 6-4 to the Over, ranking tied 10th-best to the Over
Detroit is 7-3 ATS, ranking tied for 3rd-best
Detroit is 5-2 ATS as a favorite, ranking 8th-best
Detroit is 2-0 ATS as a home favorite
Detroit is 4-3 to the Under as a favorite
Detroit is 5-4-1 to the Under, ranking 5th-best to the Under
Rotoworld Best Bet
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Wizards to cover the first quarter spread in Detroit:
"Washington has trailed by 11 and 13 points in the last two games, but before that, led three straight first quarters over the Magic, Knicks, and Celtics. Teams don't get excited to play the Wizards, understandably, which means Washington sometimes gets out to quick starts.
Detroit is one of the worst ATS teams in the first quarter at 3-7 on the season, one spot worse than the Wizards (4-6). This is a nationally televised game for the Wizards, which is a bigger deal to them than the Pistons, since Washington will get less than five nationally televised games this season.
I expect Washington to come out, similar to the Nets on Peacock against the Timberwolves, and cover the first quarter spread of +3.5 to +4.5."
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pistons & Wizards game:
Moneyline: Pistons ML (high confidence)
Spread: Pistons -11.5 (medium confidence)
Total: Under 235.5 (low confidence)
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
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Back then, Stearns was blunt about how the Mets handled their in-season pitching woes (he said they should've done more) and repeatedly stressed the need for the club to improve its run prevention.
Stearns obviously won't lay out an exact blueprint regarding what the team plans to do this offseason, but his availabilities are generally candid and forthcoming, which makes his upcoming comments at the GM Meetings something to keep an eye on.
Here are five questions Stearns should be asked as things start to percolate...
Alonso and Diaz opted out of their contracts last week. And with free agency now open, they can sign with any team. In the case of Diaz, the Mets extended a qualifying offer that he will almost certainly reject.
The negotiation with Alonso last offseason was drawn out and didn't end until early February, when he agreed to a two-year deal worth $54 million that contained an opt-out after the first year of the deal.
First base options on the free agent market include Cody Bellinger, Josh Naylor, and Japanese stars Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto.
When it comes to Diaz, who opted out of the final two years and roughly $40 million on his deal, it's possible he can be brought back by in effect tacking two years onto that contract at a similar average annual value.
With the Mets not having an in-house closer option, bringing Diaz back makes all the sense in the world.
Sep 19, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Brandon Sproat (40) follows through on a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
What is the team's appetite for trading top prospects?
In Stearns' first year at the helm, which began during the 2023-24 offseason, he made it clear that the Mets trading any of their most prized prospects at that point was unlikely.
After struggling while getting sporadic playing time over his first two full seasons in the majors, Brett Baty got a long look at third base this past season. And he excelled.
In 432 plate appearances over 130 games, Baty slashed .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs, 13 doubles, and two triples.
If Mark Vientos remains with the Mets for 2026, it's safe to believe he would be viewed as mainly a designated hitter option. That would seemingly leave Baty as the starter at the hot corner. But are the Mets prepared to hand him the job?
Stearns spoke a bit during his end-of-season news conference about the possibility that the offensive core could be shaken up. If Alonso leaves, perhaps that shakeup comes at first base. If Alonso stays, the easiest way to jolt the offensive core could be by making a big addition at either second base (Bo Bichette?) or third base.
When it comes to third, free agent Alex Bregman could be a nice fit, with him able to bring a plus bat, plus defense, and leadership.
Carson Benge and Jett Williams / Imagn Images/Envato Elements/SNY Treated Image
What's the plan in center field?
The Mets had serious issues in center last season.
Jose Siri suffered an early injury that kept him out for most of the year (and was DFA'd shortly after returning), Tyrone Taylor was strong defensively but had the worst offensive year of his career (70 OPS+), and trade deadline acquisition Cedric Mullins hit .182 with an OPS+ of 62.
Taylor is arbitration-eligible in 2026 and slated to make roughly $3.6 million, so it's safe to think he'll be back. But he's better suited as a backup.
If the Mets view Carson Benge or Williams -- who both ended the 2025 season with Triple-A Syracuse -- as the future in center, it's possible that future will arrive at some point during the first half of the 2026 season.
If the Mets decide to go the free agent route for a short-term answer, options they could explore include Harrison Bader.
Will the Mets consider free agents who have qualifying offers attached?
As a team that exceeded the luxury tax in 2025, the Mets' penalty for signing a player attached to the QO would be relatively severe, with them losing their second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2026 MLB Draft as well as $1 million from their international bonus pool.
Bichette, Dylan Cease, Kyle Schwarber, Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez, and Ranger Suarez were all tagged with -- and will reject -- the QO.
Of those players, the ones who make the most sense for the Mets are arguably Cease, Bichette, and Schwarber.
And it's hard to make a case against the Mets chasing any of those players, even with the associated penalties.
McLaren driver holds 24-point lead with three races to go
British driver ‘not confident’ about next race in Las Vegas
Lando Norris has played down title expectations having taken a commanding lead in the world championship after the São Paulo Grand Prix, warning he had a long way to go and that he did not expect to be competitive at the next round in Las Vegas.
Norris won with a commanding drive from pole at Interlagos while his title rival and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri could manage only fifth. Max Verstappen delivered a magnificent performance in a Red Bull that was quicker than the McLaren to come back from 19th to third, but his heroics only limited the damage to his title hopes as Norris opened a clear gap on his two competitors.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sunday that Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and conspiracy to commit money laundering, for allegedly rigging bets through their pitching in MLB games.
According to prosecutors, the alleged victims of the fraud are sports betting platforms, the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball (MLB).
The charges follow similar ones recently brought against Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Hall of Fame player Chauncey Billups, and former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones, who have all been accused of participating in fraud tied to sports betting or poker.
According to an indictment unsealed by U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., for the Eastern District of New York, Clase began conspiring with an unnamed bettor in May 2023. Clase is accused of informing the bettor about the types of pitches he would throw in games—such as a slider on the first pitch or pitches slower than 95 miles per hour. The bettor allegedly relayed that information to others, enabling them to place bets and parlays based on Clase’s pitching. Clase then acted accordingly, including when the Guardians played the Minnesota Twins on June 3, 2023. In that game, Clase allegedly threw a slider into the dirt “well before home plate,” as described in the indictment, to ensure a bet was successful.
Clase, 27, is also accused of receiving kickbacks from the conspirators and violating MLB rules by using his cell phone during games to coordinate with bettors. The indictment details alleged texts sent by Clase and his co-conspirator during games, including messages where Clase asked if the bettor was “ready” before intentionally throwing a pitch into the dirt.
The indictment also refers to Clase electronically transferring money to a bettor. In addition, he was allegedly caught on camera by bank security withdrawing approximately $50,000 in cash from a bank on June 27, 2025.
Ortiz, who allegedly joined the criminal scheme in June 2025, faces similar allegations. Like Clase, the 26-year-old pitcher is accused of agreeing to throw certain pitches in exchange for payment. Ortiz also allegedly sent incriminating text messages and participated in electronic transfers of funds.
Further, Ortiz and Clase are depicted as coordinating the conspiracy. For example, on June 19, 2025, Clase allegedly sent Ortiz a photograph of a receipt for a wire transfer of approximately 90,000 pesos (roughly $4,900 under current exchange rates), along with an audio message instructing Ortiz to get his associates in the Dominican Republic to lie about the purpose of the funds.
Ortiz was allegedly directed to say, “this payment is for a horse. Payment for a horse. You got that?” to which he reportedly replied, “Okay, perfect.”
Clase and Ortiz are described as receiving $5,000 payments for throwing rigged pitches or arranging for them to be thrown—a modest sum compared to their salaries. In 2022, the Guardians signed Clase to a five-year deal worth $20 million. Ortiz earned $782,600 in 2025, per Spotrac.
Participating in bets is strictly prohibited by MLB, specifically under Rule 21, which calls for a lifetime ban of any player, manager, or coach who bets on their own team. Last year, MLB imposed such a ban on San Diego Padres third baseman Tucupita Marcano, whom MLB found had placed nearly 400 bets on baseball from 2022 to 2023. Clase and Ortiz had already come under MLB scrutiny for their suspicious pitches, with both being placed on non-disciplinary paid leave in July as the league investigated.
However, Clase and Ortiz are not in trouble with the Justice Department for betting or merely attempting to fix the outcome by throwing errant pitches. Their alleged crime focuses on fraud and advancing a fraudulent conspiracy through electronic transactions and communications, with betting platforms, the Guardians and MLB among the victims.
They allegedly engaged in wire fraud conspiracy by scheming to defraud betting platforms and obtaining money from those platforms through “materially false and fraudulent pretenses [and] representations.” Clase and Ortiz also allegedly used interstate and foreign wire communications to advance their scheme.
They’re further accused of honest services wire fraud, a noteworthy charge that has played an instrumental role in the sports world of late. The DOJ used this against parents in the Operation Varsity Blues case. There, colleges were deprived of their employees’ honest services because admissions staff and coaches accepted parents’ bribes. Analogously, Clase and Ortiz are depicted as defrauding the Guardians and MLB by denying them their honest services through bribery and kickbacks.
Clase and Ortiz are facing serious legal trouble. While every criminal defendant is innocent until proven guilty, data indicates a harsher reality. According to Pew Research, only 290 of 71,954 federal defendants (0.4%) in 2022 went to trial and were acquitted, while 89.5% pleaded guilty. The odds of acquittal in a federal criminal case are typically bleak.
If convicted, sentenced to the maximum for each offense, and if their sentences were to run consecutively instead of concurrently, Clase and Ortiz could theoretically face 65 years in prison each. In reality, they’re unlikely to receive sentences nearing that length, but they could face significant prison time. The risk of imprisonment could eventually lead them to try to negotiate plea deals.
In statements released to the media, the Guardians said they will “continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue.” MLB stated it “contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process,” and added that its investigation is “ongoing.”
Expect the Clase and Ortiz charges to ignite further debate about the availability of prop bets and similar forms of gambling, which can be difficult to monitor for integrity. Whether it’s a pitcher throwing a slow pitch in the sixth inning, a basketball player ensuring he doesn’t register more than three rebounds in the second quarter, or a tennis player making sure she deliberately hits the ball out when the score is 30-30 in the second set, all are vulnerable to athlete manipulation.
Vaughn Dalzell
Raphielle Johnson
