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Game Preview #6: Wolves vs. Clippers Game Thread

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 25: Rudy Gobert #27 and LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter during the home opener at Target Center on October 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Raptors 117-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a chance to right the ship. This is not a sentence I ever thought I’d be typing after such a promising 3-0 start to the 2026-27 season.

Game Info

  • Who: Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2) vs Los Angeles Clippers (1-3)
  • Where: Target Center – Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • When: Friday, October 30 at 7:30pm CT
  • TV: DAZN-MIN | KARE 11
  • Radio: 830 WCCO

Now sitting at 3-2, the Wolves welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to the Target Center for Minnesota’s second consecutive home game and Western Conference matchup of the season. Wednesday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors did not go as planned, though there were some signs of life in the second half that will ideally give the team some hope in the early throes of Anthony Edwards’ absence.

This is, of course, not to say that there are not issues for the Wolves to clean up. The increasingly fraught temperament of the fanbase could use a decisive victory over a far-inferior team to boost morale after two consecutive close losses. The pressure of the much-esteemed NBA Cup aside, the Clippers could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Friday will be my first game in the Target Center this season. Here are a few things I’m going to be looking out for.

C’mon, Do Something (Rudy Gobert)

I can think of a few clips that summarize Rudy Gobert’s performance over the last few games, but none seem more apropos than Nathan Fielder’s line: “I hope you’re hungry…for nothing.”

While he’s not known for his offense, Gobert is routinely among the league’s leaders in field goal percentage. Just last season he led the league by shooting 68.2% from the floor. That makes his zero for 13 shooting over the last two games all the more appalling.

It’s not like Rudy has had close misses, either. He’s throwing up layups that don’t even hit the rim. He’s launching three-pointers like he’s Karl-Anthony Towns. I excused his game against the Cleveland Cavaliers because he contributed a whopping 20 rebounds, but on Wednesday against the Warriors, he was a complete nonfactor. It feels like Gobert is beginning to lose the plot, and he needs to turn it around quickly if the Timberwolves are going to have a chance to stay afloat.

The only proven rim protection that Los Angeles offers comes in the well-aged body of Brook Lopez. Gobert is no spring chicken himself, though if there were ever a game for him to assert himself offensively it would be this one. 

I’d mentioned in my last recap following the Cavaliers that backup center Joan Beringer was making a case for more minutes and that they would likely come at the expense of Trey Lyles as the season drags on. If Gobert does not contribute positively, expect the noise surrounding his playing time to grow.

LaMelo needs to Ball

I write a lighthearted headline for this section, but I maintain a serious point: LaMelo Ball needs to be better.

Ball, like Gobert, started this season hot but has cooled off over the last two games. The highlight plays are less enchanting when they do not contribute to winning. While Ball is racking up close to his usual assist numbers (6.6 per game), he’s currently averaging a career high in turnovers (3.8, also in the 2023-24 season) and a career low in points (13.4). 

I’ll stop short of saying the trade naysayers were right – there is a lot of season left. Ball was not brought to the Timberwolves to be the guy, but with the void of Edwards hovering over the roster like a Halloween spectre Ball has to be the guy. It’s not like Minnesota doesn’t have other guys that can put the ball in the hoop, but Ball is the orchestrator of this team. With Ant out, the team will go as he goes. This is his time to prove something.

If Ball wants to rewrite his career narrative of not being a winning player, he has the next two months to produce wins and helm a team culture that showcases itself as sustainable and positive. There can’t be more arguments with Gobert on the sideline. There cannot be more silly turnovers in clutch situations. Ball has to become a more efficient scorer and limit his turnovers; he has to play like the veteran he is.

Against the Clippers, former Wolves legend Kris Dunn is likely to give Ball fits. Dunn plays a physical and aggressive defensive game, and if Ball lets that pressure get to him he may be in for another poor performance. The onus will be on Ball to remain composure and take care of the basketball.

Freedom and flair are inherently woven into Ball’s playstyle. If he can find more of a balance between the qualities that make him great and ones that are more up-to-par with the professional game, he will lead the Wolves to success over the next two months.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 25: Rudy Gobert #27 and LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter during the home opener at Target Center on October 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Raptors 117-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Live Up to the Hype

Multiple things have been working against Minnesota over the last two games: Ball and Gobert have executed poorly, the free-throw shooting has been abysmal, and the team looks like it hasn’t been able to close out clutch games.

Perhaps lost in the discourse about the two game losing streak (Edwards injury news aside) is that the Timberwolves have already played a ton of games this year. After Wednesday night’s matchup against the Warriors concluded, the Wolves had played five games in just seven days. That’s a busy start to a fresh season that has seen plenty of injuries accrue league-wide. It is fair to speculate that fatigue may have been playing a role in the recent performances.

With still legitimate championship aspirations, Minnesota cannot afford to have sluggish and tired halves like the first half of the game against Golden State. Fatigue can be an explanation, though it cannot be an excuse. With as deep as the Wolves bench is supposed to be, Chris Finch needs to be more attentive to rotating guys through the lineup in order to keep players fresh. This two-game homestand will do wonders for the team’s rest, though the results need to be shown in the win column.

As previously mentioned, there were signs of life in the second half against the Warriors. Finch deployed Jaylen Clark to stop the nuclear performance of Stephen Curry to great success (+8 in just seven minutes of play). Beringer had another efficient game with seven points (three for three shooting) and 10 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play. Bones Hyland had an efficient night scoring the basketball with 13 points (four for seven from the field, three for six 3P) in just 16 minutes of play. Hell, even Trey Lyles finished the game at a +7 across his 21 minutes. It’s not all doom and gloom.

For a Timberwolves team that is braggadocious about depth and roster flexibility, they have two months to prove that they can live up to this billing. They’ve gotten some tough losses out of the way.

As Calvin’s (from Calvin & Hobbes) dad would say, these losses build character. Now it’s time to put that character to work.

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Remembering the Washington Nationals 2019 World Series title seven years later

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: The Washington Nationals celebrate beating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 7 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Right now, the Brewers are having a parade for their first ever World Series title. This time seven years ago, it was the 2019 Nationals who forever put their names in the baseball history books. Late on the evening of October 30th, 2019, Daniel Hudson struck out Michael Brantley to give the Nats their first World Series championship.

As Nationals fans, I am sure most of you remember exactly where you were in that moment. For me, I was an 18 year old in the basement with my family, jumping up and down as my favorite team finally got over the hump. That night, we walked around Georgetown where there were honking cars and people celebrating in the streets. It was a truly beautiful moment that brought the city together.

This was a very interesting point in my life as well. As some of you know, I was battling cancer in 2019, and undergoing chemotherapy. Despite that, I was healthy enough to celebrate and even go to many of the games. My doctors gave me time off of the stronger drugs, so I could be present for that moment in Nats history. 

This is not meant to be a sob story, just more context about what that moment meant to me. That team provided me with joy in a very difficult part of my life. October 30th, 2019 was one of the greatest days of my life, up there with when I rang the bell at Johns Hopkins Medical Center and when I got this job to write about the Nats for Federal Baseball.

I did not go to Houston for game 7, but I went to the Wild Card game, and several of the World Series games. Those World Series games were amazing experiences despite the fact we lost every home game. Getting to share that with my family is a blessing I will never forget.

The game itself was such a tense and exhilarating contest. After the 6th inning, you were beginning to get this helpless feeling. I knew the Nats were not out of it, because the 2019 Nationals were never out of a game. However, Zack Greinke was rolling and the Astros were an elite team themselves.

That 2019 Nats team was impossible to kill though. In the 7th inning, the Nats struck. Anthony Rendon got things started as he did so many times that year. He took Greinke deep to cut the lead in half and get the boys on the board. His legacy outside of DC is pretty tarnished, but Nats fans will always remember how amazing Rendon was. He was so clutch and the moment was never too big for him.

Following a Juan Soto walk, Greinke was surprisingly done. It felt like a quick trigger at the time, and it did not work out for the Astros. As we all know, Howie Kendrick delivered the most memorable clang of my lifetime and gave the Nats a lead they would never relinquish.

That night was the peak of Nats baseball, and I truly hope we can get back to that one day. In that moment, the capital of the United States was the capital of the baseball world. After falling short so many times in the 2010’s, the Nats finally got over the hump.

The likes of Rendon, Kendrick, Juan Soto, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Trea Turner, Sean Doolittle, Daniel Hudson and everyone else on that roster will be heroes forever. It was a season that I will never forget, and I don’t think any Nats fans will. There were so many magical moments, and when the dust settled, the Washington Nationals were on top of the baseball world.

October 30th, 2019 is a date that will live in glory for the rest of my days. Baseball was my first love, and when I was at a difficult moment in my life, baseball made things so much easier. I have been cancer free for over 5 years now, and still follow the Nats as closely as ever.

Now that I have told my story about October 30th, I want you guys to share as well. What are your memories about the Nats winning the World Series? How did you celebrate and react when the Nationals won it all? This is a special day for all Nats fans. Hopefully this is not the last World Series title we see!

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Despite 0-5 start, Kings coach Doug Christie reportedly not on hot seat

The Sacramento Kings are off to a 0-5 start to the season, with a bottom-five offense and defense, and the second-worst net rating in the league (-15.7).

Does that mean coach Doug Christie is in trouble? Is his seat starting to get warm? No. Not even a little, according to reporting from Sam Amick at The Athletic.

Per the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because these matters aren't typically discussed publicly, there is an internal belief that Christie deserves a fair chance to be evaluated with a team that is much healthier than this current Kings lot.

On one hand, injuries certainly have hit the Kings. Maybe the most significant one, flying a little under the radar, is Keegan Murray being out with an ankle issue (the one he had operated on last May). There is also en Simmons (out for the season with a torn right Achilles, backup center Maxime Raynaud (knee) and Dylan Cardwell (calf).

On the other hand, Christie has now coached 138 Kings games across three seasons, at this point you know what you have in your coach. The other reality is that Christie reportedly has been a favorite of owner Vivek Ranadive and members of his family, who have influential positions in the organization.

The Kings were never going to win a lot of games this season with this roster, the question is whether Christie can develop young players like Darius Acuff Jr., who is putting up numbers, including 34 in a loss Thursday. He's just not been efficient doing it, shooting 37.4% on the season.

The other question: Is Christie building a culture that can maximize this team when they do add more talent and improve the roster? Has that happened yet?

Christie is going to get plenty of time to figure that out.

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Kevin Durant doesn’t need to be “The Guy” every night for Rockets to succeed

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 24: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets smiles during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 24, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Throughout Kevin Durant’s illustrious career, every team he’s been on has depended on him to win games. Durant is a former MVP, scoring champion, 18-time All-Star, and two-time NBA champion. With a resume like that, it is obvious he’s been, if not the best player on the team, then one of the top two wherever he’s played.

From entering the league with the Seattle Supersonics, who later moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder, to the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and now the Houston Rockets, Durant has carried the weight of the NBA on his shoulders. Even though it didn’t always end with a championship, Durant has been one of, if not the most consistent, players every season.

In fact, Durant has shot 50-40-80 every season since the 2011-12 season with the Thunder. That level of excellence comes with a lot of pressure. Over his 19 previous seasons, Durant has finished each season taking 17 shots or more a game except for one: his first year with the Warriors, who, of course, had players like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

What makes Durant special is that he never needed to take a lot of shots to impact a game. As mentioned earlier, when you are as efficient as Durant, you can have the same impact taking only 12 shots in a game as most players taking 20.

Of course, the more shots you take, the more energy you have to use to get open and get to your spot on the court. No matter how great a player you are, it takes a toll on you throughout a season, especially as you get closer to the end of your career.

When Durant first came to the Rockets as part of a blockbuster trade during the 2025 offseason, he expected he wouldn’t have to take on as much responsibility as he did with the Phoenix Suns. Those plans changed when the Rockets learned right before the season that their point guard, Fred VanVleet, had suffered a major injury before training camp.

That forced both Alperen Sengun and Durant to take on more playmaking responsibilities throughout the season. As the season went on, teams began to double, sometimes triple, Durant as soon as he crossed half-court and received the ball, which put a lot of pressure on him to create offense for the Rockets.

That also led to a stagnant offense at times, where defenses dared other players to beat them, and his teammates couldn’t take advantage of four-on-three situations after Durant gave up the ball. Since Durant had to be the main cog on the offensive end, he also played the second most minutes in the NBA last season, something Ime Udoka didn’t want to happen, but the lack of playmaking left him no choice. At times, Udoka could not hide his frustration.

This season, however, that has not been the case; even though it has only been Kevin Durant taking a career low in field goal attempts, and that is perfect for the Rockets, in five games, Durant has not had to be the Rocket initiating the offense every play or scoring 30-plus points for them to secure a victory.

Kevin Durant is taking a career low in field goal attempts, and that is perfect for the Rockets

The Rockets are off to their best start in over a decade, and a big part of that is the balance this year’s team has across the board. Sengun is off to the best start of his career, Jabari Smith has continued to improve in his fifth season, Amen Thompson is playing at an All-Star level, and, most importantly, Fred VanVleet is back at point guard, letting everyone slide back into their natural positions on the court.

So far through five games, Durant is taking only 12.6 shots a game, which is by far a career low, but the Rockets are still 5-0 because his teammates have stepped up from the above-mentioned starters to the role players like Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, and Bogdan Boganovich.

That doesn’t even include Marcus Smart, the Rockets’ other offseason addition, who has played only one game so far this season and will provide another ball-handling guard who can initiate the offense. Fewer responsibilities affect several areas for Durant.

Durant is currently able to play fewer minutes; he is averaging 34.4 minutes, two fewer than last season. It also lets him focus more energy on the defensive end, where he has been the Rockets’ best shot blocker so far this season.

That’s not to say Durant won’t have games where he takes 25 shots or even over, but they don’t need that every night. Some may feel that Durant has to be the leading scorer or take the most shots because he is Kevin Durant, but Durant and the Rockets understand that if they want to bring the first NBA Championship back to Houston since 1995, they need everyone to raise their game so that Durant doesn’t always have to be “The Guy”.

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Australia set 288 to win after South African centurions turn the tide

  • Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder hit hundreds for hosts

  • Australia face last-day chase to clinch Test and the series


It would be unfair to say that Australia let a winning position slip on the fourth day of the third Test at Cape Town, only because that would undersell how Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder prised it away. Australia’s vaunted four bowlers, owners of 1,674 wickets at day’s beginning, could only raise that to 1678 by day’s end. In the process, a lead of 40 became 287. South Africa had been 40 for 4 in the first innings at Gqeberha and bounced back to win; they were effectively 40 for 4 in the third innings here, and now have a great chance to do the same.

The unlikely basis was Rickelton, a franchise circuiteer who spends most of his year smiting runs or keeping wicket in 20-over blocks. In this series he was monstered in Durban by Josh Hazlewood, out for 0 and 2 while pinch-hitting as an opener, then made scant impression down the order with 31 in Gqeherha. He looked like a modern cricketer become anachronism in this ancient form.

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What kind of contract will Tarik Skubal sign in free agency?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts against the Atlanta Braves in game one of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tarik Skubal was the prize of the trade deadline, and will be a highly sought-after belle of the ball during free agency. He won American League Cy Young Awards in both 2024 and 2025 with the Detroit Tigers, then won a record $30 million decision in salary arbitration last winter.

After a strong season for both the Tigers and Dodgers, Skubal’s next salary will almost certainly exceed that $30 million. But what kind of contract might the left-hander receive this offseason?

Let’s look at some recent starting pitcher contracts at the top end of the market by average annual value (Cot’s Baseball Contracts has a great list of such things, if you’re interested).

PitcherTeamAgeYearsAvg. salary
Max ScherzerMets372022-24$43.3 million
Justin VerlanderMets402023-24$43.3 million
Zach WheelerPhillies352025-27$42 million
Framber ValdezTigers322026-28$38.3 million

Max Scherzer during the last lockout was one of eight executive-board members of the MLB Players Association, and signed his three-year, $130 million with the New York Mets on November 30, 2021, the day before the collective bargaining agreement expired. He took an active public role during the lockout.

Skubal now is one of eight executive-board members of the MLBPA as the alternate pension committee representative, and like Scherzer has Scott Boras as his agent.

The first three players on this list were at the team at least five years older than Skubal, who turns 30 on November 22. Framber Valdez last winter was two years older than Skubal is now but also didn’t have Skubal’s track record or hardware, plus Skubal has never had to fight off allegations that he hit his catcher with a pitch on purpose.

But Skubal is likely looking for a contract longer than three years, so let’s look at a few more recent longer deals on the high end of the market.

PitcherTeamAgeYearsAvg. salary
Jacob deGromRangers352023-27$37 million
Blake SnellDodgers322025-29$36.4 million
Gerrit ColeYankees292020-28$36 million
Stephen StrasburgNationals312020-26$35 million
Corbin BurnesDiamondbacks302025-30$35 million

Two Cy Young Awards were already on the mantel for Jacob deGrom by the time he was a free agent, but injuries cut into his final two years with the Mets before reaching free agency. Skubal missed six weeks this past season after arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, and has pitched six full seasons in the majors. Here are the final six years before free agency for Skubal and deGrom

  • deGrom: 133 games, 846 2/3 IP, 2.40 ERA, 2.58 xERA, 1,115 K, 29.4 bWAR, 29.9 fWAR
  • Skubal: 155 games, 893 1/3 IP, 2.92 ERA, 3.19 xERA, 1,038 K, 22.8 bWAR, 24.8 fWAR

It looks like deGrom has the edge in production, though was hurt by making only 26 starts over his final two years with the Mets. Plus, deGrom was five years older than Skubal is now, so it would be reasonable for him to seek a contract larger than the five years, $185 million deGrom got four offseasons ago.

The real question might be how much will Skubal’s 2026 surgery impact his free agency. He missed six weeks but was also quite productive in his 26 starts. He also had flexor tendon surgery that limited him to 36 total starts between 2022-23 with Detroit.

Blake Snell has an extensive injury history, and like deGrom and Skubal, also has two Cy Young Awards to his credit. When he first free agency, after the 2023 season he was coming directly off the second of his Cy Young seasons. Snell then was one year older than Skubal is now, so let’s look at their previous six seasons before free agency, which also includes both Snell Cy Young years (2018, 2023):

  • Snell: 148 games, 774 1/3 IP, 3.02 ERA, 3.60 xERA, 1,006 K, 19.6 bWAR, 17.9 fWAR
  • Skubal: 155 games, 893 1/3 IP, 2.92 ERA, 3.19 xERA, 1,038 K, 22.8 bWAR, 24.8 fWAR

Snell still had almost no market to speak of two offseasons ago, and he settled for a two-year, $62 million deal with the Giants and opted out after one season in San Francisco.

It’s Snell’s five-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers that is more of a thing for Skubal to shoot for than anything, but a market will have to develop. And the pending lockout adds a layer of uncertainty that at the very least might make Skubal have to wait a while before he finds his next deal.

Today’s question is how many years and guaranteed dollars do you think Tarik Skubal will sign for as a free agent this offseason?

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Prince Fielder has the best perspective on the Brewers World Series win

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images | Getty Images

There is nothing like a first-time winner.

Earlier this week the Milwaukee Brewers won the World Series and in the process earned the franchise’s first-ever championship. The Brewers are winners forever now and have the 2026 team to thank for that.

But just because it was this year’s club that crossed that threshold hardly means that elite baseball hasn’t been played in Milwaukee before. We are talking about one of Major League Baseball’s most prolific franchises that simply did not have the thing that many people believe you have to have.

Once upon a time Milwaukee boasted the thing in the big leagues at the time in Prince Fielder. Watching Brewers legends like Fielder live through this team’s experience from their perspective was interesting for baseball fans everywhere, and on Friday morning I was able to talk to him about that and a host of other things (including his once-upon-a-time commitment to play college baseball for Pat Murphy’s Arizona State Sun Devils).

At both the beginning and end of our conversation I asked Prince about this year’s team and about something he specifically said about them throughout the run. Prince was on local news and was asked about his contributions to the Brewers and how he was a part of the group who helped lay the foundation for what they just became. He, respectfully, told the interviewer that he had nothing to do with this year’s team. He said he obviously played a role with the franchise, but that he had his time and this time belonged to this year’s group.

It isn’t often that you see such powerful perspective like that in sports. It takes a high level of humility to be able to reach that point and I was really impressed with Prince’s thoughts for that reason. Near the end of our interview I wanted to know what he would take away from this whole run given his unique mindset and he said that he’ll recall how nice it was to be regarded by everyone as it unfolded. He said he appreciated the sentiment from Brewers fans, baseball fans at large really, and how they connected what he did during his time with the franchise to what Pat Murphy’s group just accomplished.

Memories are a powerful thing in sports and Prince helped a lot of fans create some new ones on Friday as the Brewers celebrated their title. He teamed up with Budweiser to help distribute some truly one-of-one pieces of memorabilia… this stuff is unreal.

Budweiser is launching MemoraBEERlia, an exclusive limited-edition collection of exactly 150 collectibles crafted from MLB authenticated 2026 World Series items, celebrating the brand’s 150th anniversary and the crowning of a first-time champion.

Budweiser will also host a celebratory “First Taste of Victory” event on parade day in Milwaukee. Legendary player Prince Fielder will join Milwaukee fans 21+ to celebrate the historic moment by raising a Budweiser to the newly crowned champions.

For fans 21+, to celebrate Milwaukee’s victory, Budweiser is creating Championship Tap Handles, featuring MLB-authenticated pieces of 2026 World Series baseballs woven into the tap handle, World Series Base Coasters, featuring MLB-authenticated pieces of game-used 2026 World Series bases, and Celebration Pint Glasses, created with MLB-authenticated pieces of Budweiser championship bottles used in the 2026 MLB World Series locker room celebration. Fans 21+ will have a chance to enter on Instagram, Facebook, X or TikTok using #BudMemoraBEERlia #Sweepstakes now through November 5.

Fans 21+ can enter now through November 5 on Instagram, Facebook, X or TikTok using #BudMemoraBEERlia #Sweepstakes. 

Imagine being a part of that and grabbing something from Prince Fielder himself. You would never forget it.

Thankfully Prince knows that nobody will ever forget him either.

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Blue Jays 40-Man Roster

Jun 6, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement (22) celebrates in the dugout with team mates after scoring a run against the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With eight Jays who have declared free agency (I wonder how many do it like Michael Scott declared bankruptcy?), I thought we would take a look at the 40-man roster as it is.

Pitchers (21)

  • Spencer Arrighetti
  • José Berríos (60-day IL)
  • Jake Bloss (60-day IL)
  • Dylan Cease
  • Brendan Cellucci
  • Chad Dallas
  • Braydon Fisher
  • Mason Fluharty
  • Bowden Francis (60-day IL)
  • John Klein
  • Chase Lee
  • Brendon Little
  • Spencer Miles
  • Cody Ponce
  • José Rodríguez
  • Tyler Rogers
  • José Soriano
  • Ricky Tiedemann
  • CJ Van Eyk
  • Louis Varland
  • Trey Yesavage

Catchers (3)

  • Alejandro Kirk
  • Shawn Ross
  • Brandon Valenzuela

Infielders (6)

  • Ernie Whitt
  • Andrés Giménez
  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
  • Charles McAdoo
  • Kazuma Okamoto
  • Josh Smith

Outfielders (8)

  • Addison Barger (60-day IL)
  • Brett Bateman
  • Jonatan Clase (60-day IL)
  • Nathan Lukes
  • Yohendrick Piñango
  • Anthony Santander (60-day IL)
  • Davis Schneider
  • Myles Straw

DH (1)

Sean Keys

That adds up to 39.

The players on the 60-day IL aren’t on the 40-man roster yet, but will have to be added in a couple of days.

And they have a club option to decide on with Myles Straw. My guess is they will decline it, but try to sign him to a cheaper deal.

And, of course, some will be DFAed when they need roster space. And some minor leaguers will have to be added to protect them from the Rule 5 draft (if there is one).

They will also have some decisions on players without options: Jonatan Clase, Brendon Little, and Jake Bloss. Well, Ernie Clements as well. And, the veterans, of course, Vlad, Kirk, Santander, Giménez, Cease, Berríos, Straw, and Rogers can’t be optioned.

By the time baseball rolls around again, presuming it does start again, the roster will look a fair bit different. It would be fun to guess how many of these 39 will still be on the 40-man opening day.

How the players were acquired:

  • Homegrown: 10
  • Free Agent: 7
  • Trade: 18
  • Waivers: 2
  • Rule 5: 1

Where they are from:

  • US: 27
  • Mexico: 3
  • Venezuela 3
  • Dominican Republic: 2
  • Puerto Rico: 2
  • Canada: 1
  • Japan: 1

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The Heat fixed their terrible Dwyane Wade statue, and it actually looks like him now

It’s hard to get the internet sports community to agree on anything these days, but the Miami Heat’s statue of Dwyane Wade brought about a rare level of consensus opinion. The Heat unveiled their Wade statue about two years ago as they were beginning the 2024-25 season, and absolutely everyone agreed it was terrible. The statue was so bad that Wade himself struggled to defend it, saying the statue didn’t need to look like him to capture an artistic moment. That’s a nice spin from a company man, but it didn’t stop anyone from getting their jokes off.

The Heat heard the slander, and years later, and they’ve finally done something about it. Miami updated the Wade statue outside of the Kaseya Center to actually make it look like D-Wade. The face on the statue was redesigned over the offseason, and it’s a big upgrade. Here’s a before and after photo of the Wade statue, with the updated version on the left and the old version on the right.

Heat fans admitted they were unreasonably angry about the initial version of the statue, and it makes sense. Wade put the team on his back to lead them to the 2006 NBA championship early in his career, and then helped recruit LeBron James and Chris Bosh to South Beach, which brought the franchise two more titles. The Heat did him dirty on the initial statue, but at least they cared enough to fix it.

Here are some more looks at the updated statue:

The Heat have had a rough start to the season, but it’s only been a few games. Miami finally got its first win of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era earlier this week, and fixing the statue feels like a good omen for the rest of the season. I wasn’t very high on the Heat coming into the season, but if they put the same care into their on-court product that they put into improving the Wade statue, they should be just fine.

Wade is the greatest player in Heat history, and I will accept no other argument. This man is the Miami Heat. He finally has a statue worthy of his ability as a player.

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Flames Recall Sergeev and Stromgren Following Wednesday's Injuries

The Calgary Flames have recalled two players from the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers ahead of Saturday night’s matchup against the Seattle Kraken.

Following injuries to goaltender Devin Cooley and forward Brennan Othmann during Wednesday’s Battle of Alberta against the Edmonton Oilers, the Flames announced Friday that goaltender Arsenii Sergeev and forward William Stromgren have been recalled.

Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Stromgren has been off to a strong start with the Wranglers, recording three goals and eight assists for 11 points through 11 games. His point total currently ranks tied for fourth in the AHL.

The Flames selected Stromgren in the second round (45th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut last season, appearing in three games during his recall.

Sergeev has also put together a solid start in the AHL, posting a 4-2-0 record with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage through six appearances.

Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

A seventh-round selection (205th overall) by Calgary in 2021, Sergeev made his NHL debut last season and picked up his first career NHL victory in the process. He turned aside 27 of 28 shots in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on April 16, 2026, in the Flames’ regular-season finale.

With Cooley’s availability uncertain following Wednesday’s injury, Sergeev could be in line for an opportunity with the Flames once again.

Calgary will look to get back on track Saturday night when they host the Seattle Kraken at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

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Mark Walter lays out vision for another decade of Dodgers dominance as lockout looms

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Shohei Ohtani receives his World Series ring from Mark Walter at Dodger Stadium, Image 2 shows Dodgers owner Mark Walter walks onto the field during a retirement ceremony for Vin Scully at Dodger Stadium, Image 3 shows Los Angeles Dodgers chairman Mark Walter speaks during a press conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles

In his exclusive interview with the California Post this week, Dodgers owner Mark Walter came armed with an alliterative saying.

“You’ve heard about the three strikes. But what about the 3 Ps?” the billionaire businessman quipped. “Our people, our passion and our practice.”

When it comes to the future of the franchise, that’s what he cited as the Dodgers’ guiding light.

In his chat with the Post this week, Walter tried to quash speculation about potentially selling the team (saying he would remain owner “no matter what”) and drew a distinction between the Dodgers and the Lakers (a club he ultimately did sell this summer, amid a federal investigation into his business empire, after receiving a staggering offer in a phone call from venture capitalist Josh Kushner).

However, those aren’t the only questions he faces as Major League Baseball enters an uncertain offseason.

This winter could represent a profound period of change for both the Dodgers and the sport.

Shohei Ohtani receives his World Series ring from Mark Walter at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, March 27, 2026. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post

For the former, an aging roster needs to be retooled after a failed bid for a third-straight World Series title. For the latter, a fraught labor negotiation is threatening an extended work stoppage, as owners and players fight over the league’s push for a salary cap.

Both dynamics could mark an inflection point for Walter’s baseball club. 

After a decade-and-a-half-long run of unprecedented success, the Dodgers are now trying to resurrect their dynasty after this year’s sweep to the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.

And, after raising their already gaudy payroll totals to record-setting levels over the last couple seasons, they might face stricter spending rules as they begin turning over the league’s oldest roster.

So, how does Walter –– who declined to state his stance on the salary cap issue –– feel about the team’s ability to remain an annual, legitimate championship contender?

“I think on any playing field, we’ll still be among the elite teams,” he said, while harkening back to his three Ps motto.

“I think our people and our passion and our practice really does matter,” he insisted.

Dodgers owner Mark Walter walks onto the field during a retirement ceremony for Vin Scully at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. Getty Images

That doesn’t mean the Dodgers are going to stop spending, either this winter (when Tarik Skubal will be the top free agent on the market) or beyond (when they’ll have to navigate the back end of long-term deals for gradually aging stars like Mookie Betts, Will Smith and even Shohei Ohtani). 

Walter said his Guggenheim group’s financial commitment “will be just like it has been in the past.”

On multiple occasions, he referenced his vision for at least another decade of dominance under his ownership.

“We’re just trying to win consistently,” he said. “And do so for not just next season, but for the next decade and decades beyond that.”

However, both Walter and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman –– who joined the team’s chairman in this week’s interview with The Post –– referred to other ways the Dodgers will have to adapt amid the sport’s ever-changing landscape.

They pointed to a crop of promising young prospects they hope to further integrate into the majors leagues next season. They highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong player development pipeline and highly-ranked farm system.

“Everything in the current system is designed for us to have a bottom-three farm system in baseball,” Friedman said, citing the draft pick penalties and limited signing bonus pools the Dodgers have incurred from their heavy roster spending in recent years. “[And instead], we’re top two.”

That, Friedman argued, “speaks to the people we have.”

“From our perspective, whatever the rules are, we don’t decide them, but we will do everything in our power to achieve the most success that we possibly can within those rules,” he added. “And I think, obviously, our spending in the last few years has been aggressive and also very fruitful in a lot of ways, but I think it diminishes a little bit from the great work by so many people on the scouting, player-development side, our baseball operations group, our coaches with the onboarding. 

Los Angeles Dodgers President and Owner Mark Walter speaks at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala on June 12, 2019, in Los Angeles. Getty Images for Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation

“Just for us to have the farm system that we have, I think is something that gives all of us confidence in our ability to work together within whatever rules exist to be as good as we can possibly be.”

In the short term, that could signal something of a youth movement.

Walter specifically praised the performances of recent big-league breakthroughs such as All-Star center fielder Andy Pages, slugging catcher Dalton Rushing and rookie sensation Josue De Paula. He noted how “we have a wealth of talent coming up behind them, too.” 

“One area we’re focused on is integrating our best young players into the major league team,” he said, before later adding: “It’s not just spending. Our farm system is pretty strong, and that and our player development are really big things for us.”

Friedman acknowledged the difficulties that still lie ahead for the club, describing the need to balance their expensive core of current veteran players with an infusion of younger talent as “way more art than science” –– especially given the uncertainties of what a new CBA will bring.

“We know the backside of these [long-term] deals oftentimes can be challenging,” he said. “So now the tricky part … is incorporating these young talented players onto our roster with our core, that we feel like will help contribute to us maintaining a very high level of play.”

One thing Friedman expressed confidence in was that, even amid the ongoing federal investigation into Walter’s non-sports businesses, the owner would continue to green-light bigger expenditures when the front office believes they are warranted.

Los Angeles Dodgers chairman Mark Walter speaks during a press conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. MediaNews Group via Getty Images

“The financial backing has always been there,” Friedman said. “But Mark also follows it up with a thoughtful question of, ‘What does this mean for the future?’ And I think all of us being in lockstep on that has contributed to the success we’ve had looking back, and I think keeps us well-positioned for future success.”

Exactly what that will look like, either this winter or in the future, is still unknown.

But, after reaffirming his commitment to the club, Walter was adamant about his belief in the organization’s ability to sustain what they have already built.

“We’re going to be winning for 10 years or more,” he declared. “And, you know, we don’t win every year, but we’re going to try to.”

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St. Louis Blues Assign Otto Stenberg To The Springfield Thunderbirds

Following their 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins, the St. Louis Blues assigned top prospect Otto Stenberg to the AHL.

Stenberg was recalled on Oct. 18 and played three games in his call-up stint. He recorded one assist, two shots on goal, three hits, and one block while averaging 10:31 of ice time. Stenberg last played on Oct. 24 against the Carolina Hurricanes, serving as a healthy scratch for the previous two games.

The 21-year-old has now played 35 NHL games, tallying three goals and 11 points.

Stenberg returns to the AHL, where he's scored one goal and four points in six games, tied for third on the team in points behind Aleksanteri Kaskimaki and T.J. Tynan, and tied with Justin Carbonneau.

 The return to the AHL was coming. Alexey Toropchenko returned from his injury on Oct. 27, and Ross Johnston is expected to be back soon. Not only would they not have the roster space, but sitting in the press box is not what's best for Stenberg's development.

He needs game action. In the AHL, he'll play higher in the lineup and in more goal-scoring situations than in the NHL, where he played on the fourth line in a checking role. 

The Thunderbirds are 3-3-2 to start the season and sit in sixth place in the Atlantic Division. However, they rank fifth by points percentage. 

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Comparing The Blackhawks To The Rest Of The Central Division After One Month

The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the National Hockey League after one month of play. At 4-9-0, they are in last place in the Central Division and second-to-last in the entire league. 

Chicago ranks dead last in goals for with 27. They've also allowed 48, giving them a -21 goal differential. Their defensive system forces them to step back before they step forward, and the players are getting hemmed in their own end as a result. Against good teams especially, they have a hard time breaking the puck out when they do get possession. 

Heading into the next month of NHL action, it is going to be incredibly difficult for the Blackhawks to gain any ground within the division. Their next five games are at the Boston Bruins, home vs the Colorado Avalanche, at the Florida Panthers, at the Tampa Bay Lightning, at the Carolina Hurricanes, and home vs the Buffalo Sabres. Those teams have a combined record of 42-18-7. 

The Central Division standings look as follows:

1. Minnesota Wild: 9-3-3, 21 points

2. Utah Mammoth: 9-5-0, 18 points

3. Colorado Avalanche: 7-5-1, 15 points

4. Dallas Stars: 7-5-1, 15 points

5. St. Louis Blues: 6-6-1, 13 points

6. Nashville Predators: 4-4-5, 13 points

7. Winnipeg Jets: 4-6-3, 11 points

8. Chicago Blackhawks: 4-9-0, 8 points

As you can see, the Blackhawks are four points behind the Jets after 13 games played. Winnipeg had a good start to the season, but are currently on a 3-game losing streak. The Blackhawks have a win against them, and it looks like they will be competing for last in the division all year. However, none of Winnipeg's losses have been as non-competitive as some of Chicago's losses. The Jets have a better goal differential by 11. 

The rest of the division already looks out of reach for Chicago. The Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues are solid teams, even if they aren't as good as the division's top four. 

The Minnesota Wild are obviously off to the hottest start of the bunch, but they have the Quinn Hughes issue hanging over their head. Is he going to stay, or is he as good as gone in free agency? Will they trade one of the five best players in the world if he doesn't commit to them by the deadline?

The Utah Mammoth came into the season with mixed expectations. They were less proven than the Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, or Colorado Avalanche, but they gave the Vegas Golden Knights (who ended up winning the conference) a tough test in the first round of the playoffs last year. Now, it looks like they are the real deal with a great young core. 

By their standards, Dallas and Colorado have been just okay so far, but the number of elite players who reside on those two rosters is unbelievable. By the end of the year, they are certainly going to enter the playoffs as Stanley Cup contenders. 

The Blackhawks are 2-2-0 within this division, but the two losses are against top-four Central teams (Utah, Dallas), while the two wins are against the lower half (St. Louis, Winnipeg). It may be difficult to find wins within the division early in the season, unless a change they make turns things around. 

Without Connor Hellebuyck and an aging roster, it is hard to see the Jets making much noise, but they are certainly better equipped than the Blackhawks. However, the rest of the division will play meaningful games until the very end. 

Both the Central and Pacific Divisions may send one Wild Card team each, but there could be a world where 5 of these Central teams make it. It likely depends on how the Seattle Kraken, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks finish their seasons. Overall, the Pacific is worse than the Central from top to bottom. 

When evaluating the Eastern Conference divisions, the Atlantic Division is the best in the NHL right now. The Metropolitan Division is not bad either, but the Central Division has been much better over the first month.

The Blackhawks are the team in the division that everyone is looking forward to playing, and that won't change until they make a change, whether it be roster, coaching staff, or front office-related. 

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Red Sox kick start offseason with two minor trades, dealing away Nate Eaton, Tsung-Che Cheng

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: Nate Eaton #18 of the Boston Red Sox looks on against the New York Yankees during the third inning in game two of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The culling has begun.

As Matt Gross pointed out yesterday, a weird quirk of the Red Sox 40-man roster is forcing Craig Breslow’s hand as the offseason gets underway: he has to cut four players loose before free agency even begins. With a couple of minor trades yesterday, he’s at two down with two to go, as utility man and speed demon Nate Eaton was sent to the Athletics, while Tsung-Che Cheng will head to Detroit.

It goes without saying that these are two players the Red Sox can afford to lose. Eaton is a useful player whose speed and versatility gives him the type of profile that often leads to becoming something of a fan favorite. And I wouldn’t be shocked if he finds a way to contribute to the A’s in the next year or two. But with limited-to-no power to go with otherwise meh contact/on-base abilities, he’s never going to be a starter on a 95-win team (which, of course, should the Red Sox’ target). He was out of options and likely be to released for nothing, so getting anything in return for him is nice. He’ll get a real shot at sticking on a big league roster with the A’s and I’m sure most Sox fans would be thrilled if he does.

It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to Cheng, too. That’s kind of a crazy thing to say about a player who only got 39 at-bats with the big league club but, improbably, Cheng was the starting shortstop during most of the team’s historic 15-game win streak. He even made arguably the biggest defensive play of the season: a leaping catch to end the game when the Orioles had runners on second and third in the 9th, sealing the 14th win a row:

As for the return, Cheng only brought back cash, while Eaton brought back the definition of a lottery ticket: an 18-year-old Nicaraguan pitcher named Jareth Rayo who put up an ERA in the mid-5s and walked 20 batters in 36 innings in the Dominican Summer League last year. There probably is something that the research fellows in Craig Breslow’s pitching lab like about him, but there’s a good chance that this is the last time you ever read his name.