While the assumption in many quarters was that the two NBA expansion franchises — one in Seattle, one in Las Vegas — would begin play for the 2028-29 season, that may not be a realistic timeline for Vegas. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hinted at this last month.
"There was not as much discussion around Seattle as there was around Las Vegas, largely because... it's not even clear what the site will be, let alone the arena yet," Silver said after the Board of Governors meeting. "Therefore, it's a much longer timeline before we can throw the ball up for NBA basketball. On the other hand, in Seattle, we have had operational groups out to Climate Pledge. You clearly have a state-of-the-art arena there. It may require some modifications for NBA basketball. If we were opening in five weeks, we could be ready in Seattle."
The league had initially hoped its new expansion franchises would begin play during the 2028-29 season — if it added ones in Las Vegas and Seattle — but it has explored whether a Sin City team could debut in 2029-30 instead. However, that is just a discussion at this point.
The NBA is expected to choose soon between three potential ownership groups in Las Vegas: Golden Knights owner Bill Foley and former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo; Nancy Walton Laurie and her husband, Bill Laurie, with Lauri being a Walmart heir and Bill having owned the St. Louis Blues; former Bucks owner Marc Lasry, former Turner Broadcasting president David Levy and Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos.
The issue isn't the ownership group, it's the arena. All three groups are looking to build a new arena, likely as an anchor for a resort/casino complex and entertainment district. Exactly where this new arena and resort would go is undecided, which is part of the delay. It takes time to design, get approved and build a state-of-the-art arena.
While Las Vegas has the T-Mobile Arena just off the Strip — home to the NHL's Golden Knights, the WNBA's Aces, and where the NBA has hosted the final rounds of the midseason NBA Cup the past two years — it would need up to $400 million in renovations to host an NBA team, according to the report.
The expectation is that the new owners will pay about a $10 billion expansion fee to the league for the rights to the team, then spend at least a couple of billion more building the new arena.
Silver said a formal decision on both Las Vegas and Seattle expansion and who will own those teams is expected by the end of the year.
Boozer earned AP Player of the Year honors behind averages of 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.0 “stocks” and 1.4 triples as he led Duke to a 35-3 record. His elite collegiate performance landed him at No. 3 in the NBA Draft behind AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.
Boozer was phenomenal in Summer League play, posting 18 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 “stocks” per game as the Grizzlies lost a tight contest to the Warriors in the Summer League Final.
"My game is just having elite feel... You can really put me anywhere on the court and I can succeed and help the team win games"
Of all the picks in this year’s draft, Boozer could see the highest usage, joining a Grizzlies team in desperate need of frontcourt help. Memphis has struggled to stay healthy at forward and center in recent seasons, and Boozer should see big minutes as a Day 1 starter. Thanks to his ability to rack up counting stats and shoot efficiently from the floor, Boozer projects as a multi-category contributor with mid-round fantasy value.
2. Caleb Wilson (F - CHI)
Wilson earned All-ACC first team and All-American second team honors with UNC last season, but a broken thumb in March cut his season short before the NCAA Tournament tipped off.
Wilson was a dominant force in Summer League with averages of 21.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 2.5 blocks and 3.3 triples per game. Lack of a long-range game was a major concern for Wilson coming out of college, but his shooting in Summer League allayed those concerns.
At 6’10 with a seven-foot wingspan, Wilson has the length to be a disruptor on defense, and his elite athleticism gives him upside as a paint protector who can rack up blocks and boards. The Bulls are still working through their rebuild in the post DeRozan-LaVine-Vucevic era, but they’re getting close to having the starting five of the future with Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Nic Claxton.
The Caleb Wilson three-point stroke continues to look better than advertised … pic.twitter.com/f6dSJu1fvp
Wilson is the highest-upside player on the roster, and he should be featured as a two-way menace right out of the gate. He’s co-favored to win the ROY with Cameron Boozer, and Wilson has major appeal as a Top-100 fantasy option with upside.
3. Darryn Peterson (F - UTA)
Peterson may be the best pure scorer in the draft, and he’ll get an immediate opportunity to contribute. Utah has dealt with numerous injuries in recent seasons, and the team has perennially been in the lottery since the Donovan Mitchell-Rudy Gobert era ended.
Utah’s poor records don’t reflect the talent on the team. Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Jazz sport a projected starting five of Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic and Peterson. Markkanen is a capable scorer, but Utah lacks a true “go-and-get-a-bucket” guy who can take over a game when needed. That’s where Peterson comes in. If not for the loaded roster around him, he would be higher on this list, but Peterson has the upside to end up as fantasy’s top rookie.
Jusuf Nurkić on Darryn Peterson: To be honest I've never seen in my 13 years a kid coming into the league and be that mature for his age. pic.twitter.com/Rit2F9JIp0
Everything finally blew up for the Clippers last season as the team dealt James Harden for Darius Garland and swapped Kawhi Leonard for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick. Ingram is dealing with a partial Achilles tear, and he won’t be available for the season-opener. It’s unclear when BI will return, but his absence creates a major void for an already-thin roster.
Wagler flashed a ton of upside at Illinois last season, showcasing his ability to score, rebound, facilitate, defend and hit triples. He’s got a high basketball IQ, and his size (6’6) gives him an advantage over others at his position. Wagler’s got a phenomenal mix of talent and opportunity that give him a Top-4 floor, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he finished higher by the end of the season.
Ty Lue said the Clippers are going to give Keaton Wagler a lot of on-ball opportunities.
“A lot of opportunities. Because he’s a great pick and roll player. Just mixing it up when he’s bringing it up the floor, when he’s catching the ball with a live dribble, running pick and… pic.twitter.com/Ey9cd56Dhv
Reliable frontcourt production is something the Warriors have lacked for years, and it will be more of the same for Golden State heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Jimmy Butler still isn’t ready to return from a torn right ACL suffered in January, and Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely due to an undisclosed health issue.
Longtime veterans Draymond Green and Al Horford are the next two guys up, but Horford is unlikely to play back-to-backs, and Green is far past his prime. Lendeborg was named Summer League MVP after leading the Dubs to the title and averaging 14.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.3 “stocks.”
Lendeborg has a clear path to immediate playing time, and his stat-stuffing abilities make him a rookie with tremendous upside.
Steve Kerr on rookie Yaxel Lendeborg: "He's clearly going to play a ton. He gives us the size and the versatility that we need...Whether he's a starter or coming off the bench, that will be determined the next couple of weeks."
Darius Acuff Jr. is an elite scorer and facilitator who should get the keys to Sacramento’s offense from Day 1. Viewed as a franchise cornerstone and highly touted by Kings’ leadership, Acuff Jr. joins a team that finished with the NBA’s fourth-worst record a season ago.
DeMar DeRozan is now with the Nuggets, and Sacramento is reportedly shopping Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine, two veterans with monster contracts. Even if the pair remain with Sacramento through the season, Acuff Jr. should see ample playing time.
7. AJ Dybantsa (F - WAS)
The No.1 pick in the draft doesn’t come in at No. 1 in my rookie rankings because there are simply too many mouths to feed in the nation’s capital. Assuming he’s a Day 1 starter, Dybantsa will have to contend with Trae Young and Anthony Davis in the first unit, and productive options like Bilal Coulibaly, Khris Middleton and Kyshawn George will all be vying for minutes.
"He’s got all the tools to be successful in this league... AJ has a special talent."
At Wizards Media Day, Anthony Davis praises rookie teammate AJ Dybantsa, and highlights his role as a mentor for the first-year player pic.twitter.com/53G1p2ALpZ
Dybantsa is a multi-level scoring threat who can rebound and defend effectively, however, so he’ll see enough court time to be an end-of-bench guy in standard leagues.
8. Morez Johnson Jr. (F - DAL)
New head coach Dusty May gets Johnson Jr. back after coaching him at Michigan a season ago, and he’s already talked about him joining the rotation as a rookie. Dallas’ frontcourt has been one of the most injury-plagued units over the last two seasons, and Johnson Jr. can fill a clear need. Johnson Jr.’s status is worth monitoring, as he’s dealing with lower-leg soreness, but the issue doesn’t appear to be serious.
Steinbach averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks and 0.6 three-pointers in his lone season with Washington. He led D-1 in rebound average and earned All-Big Ten team honors. The big man was selected 14th overall, and he’ll immediately compete with Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner to be the Hornets’ starting center, though he may see some run at PF.
Naz Reid will see plenty of run in the frontcourt too, but Steinbach’s draft capital and versatility as a four or five suggests he’ll see meaningful minutes right away. Even if he starts, Steinbach’s upside is capped in this crowded rotation, but he should see enough work to finish as a Top-10 rookie.
Hannes Steinbach, the 14th overall pick, in tonight's @NBASummerLeague action:
The Hawks kicked off the post-Trae Young era last season when they dealt the superstar guard to Washington for CJ McCollum. Atlanta exceeded expectations and made the playoffs thanks to strong contributions from McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.
Flemings joins an already-established backcourt, but McCollum and Alexander-Walker are score-first guys, and the rookie can earn playing time through his playmaking abilities as the true PG that Atlanta needs.
Asked Kingston Flemings At Media Day: You have such a high basketball IQ and a really good feel for the game. How do you balance making those creative playmaking reads while still taking care of the ball, especially as you adjust to the NBA? pic.twitter.com/WRK5BxxKOb
Carr was a standout in Summer League, averaging 17.4 ppg. The 24th pick out of Baylor is 6’5 with a seven-foot wingspan, and he can offer immediate 3-and-D production as a disruptor and floor-spacer. He’s gotten praise from JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka, and Carr has a chance to carve out a meaningful role for a new-look Lakers team in the post-LeBron era.
LaBaron Philon Jr. (G - PHI)
Philon Jr. has been turning heads at training camp, and he could play a key role off the bench for Philadelphia. The Sixers’ starting five is one of the best in the Association, but the team could opt to go lighter on minutes and heavier on rest days for LeBron James or Joel Embiid to make sure they’re healthy for the postseason. Philon Jr. is worth a late-round flier in deep leagues.
Aday Mara (C - OKC)
The 7’3 big man from Michigan will compete with Jaylin Williams for backup center minutes behind Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Given Hartenstein’s and Holmgren’s injury histories, it wouldn’t be surprising if Mara started multiple games and logged serviceable minutes off the bench.
It appears Kentucky is planning to have a surprise guest tonight who currently plays in the NBA.
Cullen Honohan, also known as Coach All Hail, appears to have been welcomed by Kentucky to gain some behind-the-scenes access and showcase the facilities in and around campus.
Honohan has posted videos from the Rupp Arena locker room, film room, players’ lounge, and Rupp Arena.
In one video, Honohan said a surprise NBA guest is coming to Big Blue Madness on Friday night.
“You guys are going to have to stay tuned, because apparently tomorrow there’s a special NBA guest coming on.”
EXCLUSIVE LOOK: Kentucky’s Rupp Arena (before the madness 👀🏀)
• Opened in 1976 • 20,500-seat capacity • Record UK crowd: 24,479 vs. Louisville in 2010 • Home to 4 national championship teams • $3.1M locker room renovation – with the actual 2012 championship floor
Many people have speculated on who the guest for this year’s Big Blue Madness could be. Following up Rick Pitino in year one and John Wall in year two is pretty tough shoes to fill.
My guess is that it will be someone in the group of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, or Tyrese Maxey. Obviously, there are many, many more names in the NBA world currently, but that group makes the most sense.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Coming off winning an NBA championship with the New York Knicks would be a perfect time to bring the big man back to Lexington. KAT has always been a fan favorite, but if he came back and maybe brought his new friend, the Larry O’Brien Trophy, with him, it would make for a magical night in Rupp Arena.
Anthony Davis
Davis is arguably the greatest to ever play in a Kentucky jersey and an NBA champion. Now heading into his 15th season in the association, making us all feel old, would be an awesome name and face to bring back in 2026, 14 years removed from his team cutting down the nets. Also, my favorite Kentucky Wildcat of all time, so that would make it even sweeter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
On the heels of back-to-back MVPs and a new Nike contract, SGA could be considered the face of basketball as of today. An NBA champion two years ago and named the best player in the world over the last couple of years makes for a great time to bring the man back to Lexington.
Devin Booker
Now that he has his new shoe line with Nike, Devin Booker has released a couple of Kentucky-themed shoes in the Book 1 and Book 2 models. He also chose to release the “Must Be The Denim” Book 2 early on campus during last year’s basketball season. Booker played for one of the most beloved teams in school history and had a ton of success here, so let’s bring him back.
No matter who it ends up being, there are a ton of reasons to be excited for tonight, with it being the unofficial start of the Kentucky basketball season!
– Final Four Wood Floors Throughout Locker Room – Wood Accents Everywhere You Go – Chanel Sofas – Drake Film Room lol – Love the vibe in here, feels blue blood
Of all the head-scratching, penny-pinching decisions Tom Dundon has made since buying the Portland Trail Blazers, lowballing longtime, popular play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Calabro — who left after what he called a "subprime" contract offer — ranks near the top of the list.
The guy announced to take over was Braiden Bell — who had the job for about two hours before the Trail Blazers fired him over racist and misogynistic social media posts, which were unearthed by NBC affiliate KGW 8 in Portland.
Bell, 29, posted the comments on X (then Twitter) back in 2012-13, when he was a teenager, but the account has recently been made private. By the time he had launched his broadcasting career, his posts were about sports. Bell was working as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Phoenix Mercury and the G League's Valley Sun (both part of the Phoenix Suns organization) before accepting the Portland job.
The Trail Blazers are now scrambling to find a new play-by-play voice less than three weeks before the season starts. Calabro (who had been with the team since 2016) isn't an option, he was hired as the new play-by-play voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Dundon and the Trail Blazers remain in negotiations with the City of Portland over nearly $600 million in renovations for the Moda Center and signing a long-term lease with the city. Those negotiations have a deadline of the end of the year, before some of the state money pledged to the renovation would go away if a deal is not reached.
To many modern fans, the Karl-Anthony Towns trade was a pivot point of their fandom.
I can speak to this myself as well. It’s hard for me to move on from a player who defined the era of Minnesota Timberwolves basketball to which I felt the most connected. I watched KAT battle with the reputation that Jimmy Butler had assigned to him, trying so hard to prove that he was, in fact, a winning, capable player who deserved the money he had just signed for.
I celebrated when he was reunited with draftmate and friend D’Angelo Russell in a pairing that would ultimately produce very little but was still incredibly fun. I spent evening after evening watching him blossom again, renewed in his vigor and joy, alongside Anthony Edwards, and you know what? It was fun!
I still remember where I was when that trade happened. I used to live in Washington Heights, at the very tip of Manhattan, and I remember walking down the streets of New York and seeing Towns stitched onto the back of a Dominican Republic national team jersey.
It was so weird to know that he would be so loved here, but still deeply miss him. I think it was even cooler, however, to watch him win his title this past year.
Now, time has come and gone, and while sentimentality never fails to cloud objectivity with nostalgia, it seems clear now that the Wolves lost that Karl-Anthony Towns trade pretty overwhelmingly. I know, who could have seen it coming when you trade an All-NBA center for a role player, a star that had outstayed his welcome, and a fake first-rounder (that turned out to be real)?
Still, it’s hard to blame the Wolves.
Managing money in the modern NBA is hard. The aprons are complicated and forever limit any type of sustainable build. That, more than any on-court problem, is why KAT is a Knick. He made too much money to retain.
If we break the deal down to its clearest bullet points, the Knicks were able to capitalize on a team that couldn’t pay one of their best players. That allowed them to bring in a star that they hoped would make the life of their offensively focused superstar easier en route to taking the team to an entirely different level.
In a weird way, that’s exactly what the Wolves did this off-season with the LaMelo Ball trade.
How’s that for a long intro? I can still hear my old editors leaving the note “shorten” in my submitted Google Docs.
The Charlotte Hornets have just had their most impressive season since Kemba Walker was in the fold. They did that behind a career year from LaMelo Ball and his maximization of Kon Knueppel, Moussa Diabate, and Brandon Miller.
While the heights that Charlotte reached are not nearly as high as the Western Conference Finals the Wolves managed to make just a few months before dumping KAT, it is still their current magnum opus to have created a lineup that was among the league’s best.
That was the type of thing that is usually a foundation, and yet the Hornets decided to abandon it.
LaMelo Ball was asked if he was surprised when the Charlotte Hornets traded him: pic.twitter.com/rfnojhwvJo
At this point in their respective careers, KAT was a much better player than Ball. One was a multi-time all-star and had been good enough to be an All-NBA player, while the other was known just as much for his poor driving and health concerns as he was for his massive talent level at doing cool things on bad teams (well, maybe that was more similar).
But the logic for the move was remarkably similar. Even now, the cult-like love that Donte DiVincenzo still has in New York is nearly the same level of care that Naz Reid will forever have in Minnesota. It’s safe to say there is some comparison to be made there, however aesthetically focused it might be.
As it was with the KAT deal, the Wolves included pick equity that may never really come to pass. While the Wolves got lucky that Detroit took a massive leap the year that Minnesota owned their pick, it is still uncertain whether Minnesota will fall below the Hornets in total record over the next 7 years when those pick swaps would convey.
That may be a lot to understand so let’s simplify it:
The Hornets built a foundation like the Wolves did. The Hornets moved off of the most mercurial and unreliable piece of that lineup, in their eyes, by selling high and trying to make sure that their build was sustainable in doing so. They gave up a talented player that could certainly reach another level, just as he could prove to be unworthy of his current contract.
Towns proved he was capable of reaching that new superstar benchmark. He has made that deal look ridiculously stupid. It may not be the worst in franchise history, but it’s not like Minnesota got even an adequate return on their former number one overall pick unicorn big man who was a near-perfect fit alongside their best player.
For their part, the Hornets’ outlook is now far murkier without said star in the fold. Although they did get some decent pieces back in Naz Reid and a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, they now have a team of shooters with no one to set them up.
Interesting wrinkle of the LaMelo trade:
According to an analysis I'm running for a future article, LaMelo ranked second in the NBA (behind Jokic) in raising his teammates TS%
Expect everyone on the Hornets to shoot a little worse next season, and the Wolves to shoot better
— Jeremias Engelmann (@JerryEngelmann) June 27, 2026
One team will try to retool with their young core already in place, while the other is bringing in that other star to try to push a core beyond what seemed to be the logical limit of where they could end up to a new zenith.
Maybe Minnesota will win a title in the next few years. Maybe they will instead completely crumble to dust, like many expected New York to do after making that move for a star that many could not stand.
However, the truth remains that just a few years after Tim Connolly closed the Wolves’ window with an ill-thought-out KAT trade, he has tried to open one up by being on the opposite end of the very move he made three summers ago.
The door to a title run is flapping open and closed just like a saloon door. Trade after trade for a star player coming in or going out is constantly changing team makeup and resulting expectations.
Would it be better to still have KAT on the roster? Hard to say (yes), but if LaMelo can do for Anthony Edwards what KAT did for Jalen Brunson, then Wolves fans will likely no longer have to be sore about the move that sent out yet another franchise legend to win their first championship somewhere else
Hopefully you all follow along and have seen the Game 162 Heroes and Goats and you already knew how the final standings ended up, at least at the top and bottom. Kudos to you if you knew by the end of the first inning on Sunday that Alex Bregman had likely secured the Rizzo. In reality, it was probably the second homer that did it. But either way, Bregman wins the closest finish in the 13-year history of the award.
For a reminder of that history of this award, here are the previous 12 years of Rizzo Award finalists. Alternatively titled: “Tom doesn’t make clearly readable/decipherable charts.”
And with that, here are the final H&G standings for 2026. Bottom to top, the way it should be done.
Heroes and Goats: (full/final standings)
Nico Hoerner -18
Caleb Thielbar -17.5
Dansby Swanson -17
Seiya Suzuki -17
Jameson Taillon -13
Edward Cabrera -12.5
Phil Maton -10
Ryan Zeferjahn -8.5
Jacob Webb -8
Ethan Roberts -8
Pedro Ramirez -8
Ryan Rolison -7
Corbin Martin -5
Michael Busch -4
Jordan Wicks -3
Jake Woodford -3
Justin Dean -2.5
Matt Shaw -2
B.J. Murray -2
Antoine Kelly -2
Hunter Harvey -2
Hobie Milner -1.5
Colin Rea -1
Miguel Amaya -1
Gabriel Arias -1
Drew Pomeranz -1
Scott Kingery -1
Tyler Ferguson -1
Moises Ballesteros -0.5
Clay Holmes 0
James Triantos +0.5
Ty Blach +1
Braxton Garrett +2
Bryse Wilson +2
Cade Horton +2
Gavin Hollowell +2
Daniel Palencia +3
Kevin Alcantara +3
David Peterson +4
Matthew Boyd +5.5
Tyrone Taylor +8
Ian Happ +8.5
Trent Thornton +10
Aaron Civale +10
Michael Conforto +10
Javier Assad +11
Carson Kelly +11.5
Ben Brown +13.5
Shōta Imanaga +15
Pete Crow-Armstrong +25.5
Alex Bregman +26
At a quick glance here, Alex Bregman was obviously able to make the most impact among free agents, Pete Crow-Armstrong among returning players, Ben Brown was the most unfortunate of the injuries, Javier Assad the most impact of the Iowa shuttle players, Aaron Civale the most impact of the in-season acquisitions, Tyrone Taylor of the deadline day acquisitions, Bryse Wilson the most of the in season waiver wire pickups (and eligible to be on the Milwaukee Brewers postseason roster).
So there you have it. It was a thrilling chapter to add to Heroes and Goats. We’ve had a few boring finishes, but 2026 becomes the year of the last game being decisive and the smallest ever margin of victory. It is fitting and enjoyable to me that the two men most responsible for the on field performance of this team finished number one and two. That doesn’t mean it is homogenous. There are a number of players near the bottom of the standings who I think are largely irreplaceable on this team. And if you go back up and browse history, some amazing Cubs have graced the bottom three in the past.
It feels safe to say that PCA will emerge once again as the favorite to capture this award in 2027, but here’s to hoping that Bregman keeps him honest again and that a few pitchers get more actively into the race.
Thank you everyone for reading. Thank you everyone who took the time to comment. We tend to have a very insightful group here and I appreciate that.
The AL East takes center stage as the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays face off in the American League Division Series.
For all the familiarity the Rays and Yankees have during the regular season, this is only the second time they have faced off in the postseason. The first time being in the 2020 ALDS, but the major caveat to that matchup was that all the games were played at Petco Park in San Diego as part of MLB's pandemic-era neutral-site postseason. It's going to be a totally different atmosphere in front of home crowds in Tampa Bay and New York.
Here's everything you need to know about the series:
When is the Yankees vs. Rays 2026 MLB Division Series?
The Yankees and Rays begin a best-of-five series on Saturday, October 3.
How to watch Yankees vs. Rays: TV channel, live stream
The entire 2026 Yankees-Rays ALDS will be nationally televised on TBS and truTV, with HBO Max providing the live stream. Spanish-language coverage is available on UniMás.
Yankees vs. Rays 2026 MLB Division Series full schedule
Game
Date
Location
Time
Game 1
Sat., Oct. 3
at Tampa Bay
6:30 PM
Game 2
Mon., Oct. 5
at Tampa Bay
8:00 PM
Game 3
Wed., Oct. 7
Yankee Stadium
8:00 PM
Game 4*
Thu., Oct. 8
Yankee Stadium
8:00 PM
Game 5*
Sat., Oct. 10
at Tampa Bay
8:00 PM
Where will the Yankees vs. Rays Division Series be played?
The 2026 Yankees vs. Rays AL Division Series will be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida for Games 1, 2, and 5 (if necessary), and Yankee Stadium in the Bronx for Games 3, 4 (if neccesary). Tampa Bay has home-field advantage.
Yankees vs. Rays probable starting pitchers
The only confirmed probable starters are for Game 1. That will be Yankees' Gerrit Cole facing off against Rays' Drew Rasmussen.
The Yankees are expected to throw Cy Young-favorite Cam Schlittler in Game 2, but the Rays' starter is still TBD.
Yankees vs. Rays 2026 season series results
The Rays won the 2026 regular-season series against the Yankees, 7–6, but New York finished strong, winning four of the final five meetings.
Yankees vs. Rays playoff history
The 2026 ALDS is only the second postseason series ever between the Yankees and Rays. Tampa Bay won their only previous meeting, so the Rays enter this series with a 1–0 postseason series advantage over New York.
How does the MLB Division Series format work?
There are four Division Series—two in each league. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds receive byes through the Wild Card Series, while the winners of the two best-of-three Wild Card Series advance to face them in the Division Series.
For Yankees-Rays in 2026, that means Tampa Bay, as the higher seed, hosts Games 1 and 2, New York hosts Games 3 and 4 (if necessary), and the series returns to Tampa Bay for Game 5 (if necessary).
There is no reseeding after the Wild Card round; the postseason bracket determines which Wild Card winner faces each division winner.
NBA Champions — like the Knicks heading into this season — preach continuity.
Continuity is boring. At least to many NBA fans it is — player movement is the lifeblood of the sport for many, especially on social media. The more, the better. It's what drives ratings and draws eyeballs. This offseason saw a host of name players switch teams, but which of those moves will matter? Who are the players who changed teams and will have the biggest impact? Here are seven names to watch.
Jaylen Brown/LeBron James (76ers)
While these were separate moves — with the 76ers trade for Brown influencing LeBron's decision to sign there as a free agent — we're grouping them here, and their combined impact has them at the top of this ranking.
Landing Jaylen Brown was a coup for new head of basketball operations Mike Gansey. This is the 2024 Finals MVP coming off his best season as a pro — 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game — and he steps right into the rotation next to Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid. Brown brings more shot creation, defense and leadership — Brown has won a ring. He has been where the 76ers want to go.
So has LeBron James, who at age 41 last season showed he knows how to fit into a team, be the glue that binds different stars together, and take over when needed. LeBron steps in at four and will be asked to body up some bigger bodies on defense while also serving as a facilitator on offense, picking and choosing his spots to score. At this point in his career, this role is a great fit for LeBron on the court.
The question in Philadelphia isn't talent (although there are legitimate defensive questions), and it's not even all about health (even though they obviously need LeBron and Joel Embiid on the court in the postseason). Rather, the question is whether everyone makes the sacrifices to their own games needed to make this all work. LeBron and Brown have done that before and will lead the way.
"In order for us to be great, we have to do things that are just not comfortable. We have to be comfortable being uncomfortable," LeBron said at media day. "That is the best way to expedite being great. You have to fall in love with doing things that's uncomfortable, and if we can do that, then we can be a great team. If we don't do that, then we be like, oh man, it was a great team on paper... I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round. I know that for sure."
One other thing worth monitoring: Playing with LeBron means playing in his shadow. He is the biggest NBA brand, a national and international superstar who draws massive amounts of attention, and his presence changes a team beyond the court. Embiid is used to being the face of the 76ers. Brown savored being the star — and the No. 1 option — in Boston last season. Maxey is a rising star who should have the ball and the postgame mic in his hands a lot. All of those stars are going to have to sacrifice, and not just in touches on the court.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Heat)
This simple fact has gotten overlooked: Giannis Antetokounmpo was the best player to change teams this offseason.
While he battled injuries last season (and health is a concern in Miami), Antetokounmpo remains a force of nature on the court, an NBA champion and two-time MVP who averaged 27.6 points and 9.8 rebounds a game last season in the 36 games he did play. Pairing him with Bam Adebayo gives Miami a foundation to build on and a path to contention in the East.
That's the bar for Antetokounmpo in Miami. LeBron came there and won rings. More recently, Jimmy Butler came to South Beach and got the Heat into two NBA Finals. That's the expectation over the next four years, and the pressure will start this season, even though most pundits don't see this Heat team on that level yet (*nods in assent*). The front office has work to do. However, just landing Antetokounmpo puts the Heat on a road to being a contender after a couple of seasons spinning their wheels. Antetokounmpo changes everything in Miami.
LaMelo Ball (Timberwolves)
Better players switched teams this summer, but no team made a bigger bet on a player than the Minnesota Timberwolves did on LaMelo Ball.
The Timberwolves surveyed the West landscape and realized they needed to shake things up, and they needed to find another playmaker to take some of the load off Anthony Edwards. They found what they wanted in LaMelo's dynamic passing and playmaking, but it came at a steep cost, and that is one of the challenges — gone are the rock-solid Julius Randle and the valuable Naz Reid. Reid's floor spacing in particular will be missed and filling in for the former Sixth Man of the Year will be challenging.
Ball also is untested on the league's biggest stages, and his style of play could lead to turnovers as defenses clamp down. Does coach Chris Finch try to rein him in a little, or are they all in for the full Ball experience? Also, his lack of defense could be an issue (even with quality defenders around him and Rudy Gobert back in the paint) when facing the best, deepest teams.
It's a radical shift in playing styles and a complete gamble by Minnesota, making them one of the more interesting teams to watch this season.
Kawhi Leonard (Raptors)
Kawhi Leonard got everything he wanted this summer. Get away from the imploding Clippers? Check. Get to a city and fan base that adores him, minimizing the impact of the Los Angeles scandal? Check. Get a massive new extension in Toronto that he wasn't going to get in LA? Check, to the tune of two years, $115 million.
He also comes to a Toronto roster that has quietly become a team to watch in the East, a plug-and-play addition. Toronto was the No. 5 seed in the East last season and pushed the Cavaliers to seven games, and now adds Leonard coming off an All-NBA season where he averaged 27.9 points and 6.4 rebounds a game and played elite defense. Leonard next to Scottie Barnes — who played at an All-NBA level but just missed the team — plus Jamal Shead form the basis of what could be an elite defense, and then they have quality players around them like RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles.
We won't see them much on national television, but if Leonard is healthy, he could have as big an impact on winning as any player switching teams this summer.
Tobias Harris (Spurs)
If you watched the Spurs in the playoffs and thought, "all they need is a little more maturity and a little more shot creation as an outlet," it's time you met Tobias Harris. The veteran jumps over from Detroit, where he played the same role as a rock-solid four who averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds a game. Come the playoffs, when defenses focused on Cade Cunningham and made his life difficult, Harris had more scoring responsibility and averaged 18.1 points a game.
He won't be asked to take on that kind of role with a team coming off an NBA Finals appearance and featuring Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. If he's just himself, the threat of his scoring, cutting out of the corner, and some shot creation are exactly what the Spurs need, and Harris is a proven playoff performer. San Antonio got better this summer, and that should scare the rest of the league.
Walker Kessler (Lakers)
One way or another, Walker Kessler is going to have a massive impact on the Lakers this season.
The Lakers paid a steep price to pry Kessler out of Utah, believing he can be the big pick-setting, rim-rolling, alley-oop finishing, and shot-blocking force in the paint Los Angeles needs to maximize Luka Doncic's skill set. Kessler has done all those things — for stretches. The Lakers are betting that the guy who has played in 63 games total over the past two seasons can stay healthy, and that a player untested in meaningful games while in Utah can rise up on the biggest stages. On paper, Kessler is exactly the kind of big the Lakers need, he just needs to show he can do that on the court consistently and under pressure.
If he does, the Lakers become threatening in the West. If he doesn't… they don't have the players or picks left to easily pivot. There is a lot on his young shoulders.
\n\n\n\tATLANTA, GA - JULY 12: Sebastian Walcott #1 of the Texas Rangers looks on prior to the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game at Truist Park on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images\t\n\n
The 2026 Arizona Fall League schedule kicks off tomorrow, October 3. There are six teams involved in AFL play, and all three teams will be playing on Saturday. The Surprise Saguaros — the team that the Texas Rangers’ prospects will be playing for — play their first game at 5:30 p.m. Central against Scottsdale in the middle game of the tripleheader.
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You can see the full Surprise roster here. We did a write up back in mid-September when the initial rosters were announced, and the Rangers contingent that was announced at the time was fairly underwhelming. The best prospect out of the eight members of the organization announced at the time was either pitcher Jacob Johnson, pitcher Mason McConnaughey, or outfielder Paxton Kling.
Walcott was briefly part of the 2025 Surprise Saguaros squad, but appeared in just one game before being sidelined with an elbow injury. He ultimately ended up undergoing elbow surgery in February, which put him on the injured list for the majority of 2026, and limited him to DH duties for most of the year. Having just logged 187 plate appearances in the minors in 2026 (with a .325/.401/.590), primarily at AA Frisco, this gives Walcott the opportunity to make up some of the reps that he missed.
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Something to keep an eye on is where in the field Walcott plays for Surprise. Walcott has primarily played shortstop in the minors, with some games at third base, though he played just two of his 41 games this past season at DH, with two appearances at shortstop.
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Walcott could be ready to be a major league regular at the start of the 2027 season, in which case, the Rangers will have to decide where in the field he would play. Corey Seager is the team’s shortstop, and is still quite capable there, so Walcott would presumably not be an option at shortstop unless Seager is trade this offseason (which I sadly acknowledge is not out of the question). Third base and right field, however, are viewed as Walcott’s most likely long-term home in the majors.
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The Rangers have Josh Jung at third base, though his defensively metrics have not been good at the position, particularly in 2026. Putting Jung at first base, with Walcott taking over at third, would seem to be the most viable solution. The Rangers could then decide if they wanted to keep Jake Burger around in a DH role or as depth — and given Jung’s injury history, it isn’t unreasonable to think that they need a quality Plan B behind Jung, regardless of what position he plays.
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Alternatively, the Rangers could look at putting Walcott in right field, where Brandon Nimmo played in 2026. That would allow them to either have Nimmo get the bulk of his plate appearances at DH, while also picking up some playing time in the outfield when one of the regular outfielders sits or gets a DH day, or put Nimmo in left field, with Wyatt Langford moving to center field.
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Where Walcott gets his playing time won’t necessarily tip the Rangers’ hand in regards to their 2027 plans with Walcott — shortstop is the most challenging defensive position (other than catcher) in the field, and moving from there to another position farther down the defensive spectrum is easier than the other way around. If Walcott gets most of his reps there, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Seager is gone, or that Walcott is destined to start the 2027 season at Round Rock.
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However, if we see Walcott getting a bunch of starts at third base or right field, it would potentially hint at where the Rangers view him most likely contributing in 2027.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 28: Bub Carrington #7 of the Washington Wizards poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards are in the middle of training camp, where fans were in long lines to attend an open practice at Capital One Arena yesterday. Before that practice, Bub Carrington was interviewed on WUSA-TV where he said that the Wizards were “held back because [they] were trying to get AJ Dybantsa. That’s no secret.”
Watch the video below.
Bub Carrington says the Wizards held back to try to draft AJ Dybantsa 👀👀
"We haven't been told to be the best version of ourselves. We were held back because we were trying to get AJ Dybantsa. That's no secret" pic.twitter.com/yASjsgnUWD
Given the vision of Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger, I’m not surprised the Wizards prioritized youth over a competitive record. From that standpoint, the Wizards are held back. But of course, it’s not like Winger or General Manager Will Dawkins will tell the Wizards players explicitly to lose games.
The Wizards have less incentive to lose games this season because they have Dybantsa now as their presumptive franchise player. A new lottery system that takes effect for next year’s draft penalizes the bottom three teams in the standings.
Do I think Carrington had to say this out loud? No. That’s simply because the Wizards’ actions indicated their direction quite clearly over the last several seasons.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: Dylan Crews #3 of the Washington Nationals scores a run in the third inning during the game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, September 27, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Dylan Crews’ first two seasons with the Nationals fell short of the expectations that followed him into professional baseball. He hit .218 with three home runs in 31 games after his 2024 debut, then posted a .208/.280/.352 line with 10 home runs in 85 games in 2025. There were flashes of power and speed, but little sustained production from a player expected to become a cornerstone of the rebuild.
There were circumstances worth considering. His 2024 season was a brief introduction to major league pitching, while a left oblique strain cost him nearly three months in 2025. Those interruptions made development difficult, but they did not erase the concerns surrounding his bat.
Entering his third major league season, 2026 offered a fresh start. Blake Butera took over as manager, and a new hitting staff led by Matt Borgschulte, with Andrew Aydt and Shawn O’Malley, brought different perspectives to a young lineup. Crews seemed like an obvious candidate to benefit from the new perspective of the analytically minded coaching staff.
The preseason optimism made sense. A healthy season and new coaches offered hope that the former second overall pick could begin translating his talent into consistent production. After two disappointing years, a breakout would have helped establish his place alongside the Nationals’ emerging core.
It was clear from the beginning that a Dylan Crews breakout wasn’t going to occur right away, as on March 20, the Nats optioned Crews to Triple-A Rochester after he hit .103 through his first 12 spring games. A season that was supposed to establish him in the majors would begin with him trying to earn his way back. The decision was controversial, but the fact of the matter was Crews had areas he needed to improve if he was going to have consistent success as a big league hitter.
His time in Rochester eventually produced encouraging results. Crews hit .258/.345/.432 with five home runs in 41 games. Over his final 17 games there, he hit .308 and slugged .585 while lowering his strikeout rate to 22.5 percent. He earned himself another opportunity in the bigs, getting called back up in mid-May.
Through his first 25 games back with the Nationals, Crews hit .189 with a .567 OPS. The return to the majors did not immediately bring the breakthrough fans had hoped for, and his offensive struggles continued. He was hitting the ball harder than ever, but also swinging and missing at a career-high clip.
July finally offered a glimpse of a more complete hitter. Crews drew 14 walks and finished the month with a .372 on-base percentage and an .801 OPS. The improved patience was significant. He was finding ways to contribute beyond hits, giving himself better opportunities to reach base and do damage.
Then August brought another reversal. His OPS dropped to .558, and he hit one home run in 28 games. Just when his approach appeared to be coming together, the production disappeared again.
September supplied some renewed encouragement. By September 9, six of his previous seven hits had gone for extra bases, including five doubles. He also homered and scored three runs in the Nats’ September 25 win over the Mets.
Crews finished with a .223 average, 13 home runs, 44 RBI, 12 stolen bases and a .663 OPS. It was a slight improvement over his 2024 and 2025 numbers, but nowhere near close enough to guarantee Crews a starting spot on the 2027 Nationals, a team that in all likelihood will be aiming to compete for a playoff spot.
So where do the Nationals go from here with Dylan Crews? The draft pedigree and the flashes of success make him a tantalizing player that you want to give regular playing time to see if he’ll break out, but the struggles, especially against right-handed pitching, make it difficult to play him every day when better options may be available.
The Nationals coaching staff showed a lot of faith in Crews in the back half of 2026, hitting him near the top of the lineup even against righties, who he struggles mightily against. Paul Toboni has also said they view Crews as a key piece of their competitive rosters in the future. But through 225 big league games over the course of 3 seasons, Crews is not growing at a rate that suggests he can flip a switch and be an above-average regular one day, and he is creeping closer and closer to reaching arbitration, where he will receive a sizeable pay increase compared to his current salary.
I’d like to see the Nats give Crews one more shot to prove himself as a big league regular in 2027, but if they were to consider other options, such as a trade this offseason or turning him into a platoon hitter only against lefties midseason, I wouldn’t be opposed. If the Nats plan on taking another leap in 2027 into contention, they need to be maximizing value everywhere they can on the roster, and that starts with Dylan Crews proving he’s worth giving everyday at bats.
TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks speaks to the media during New York Knicks Media Day at the Knicks Training Facility on September 28, 2026 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
My brain melted yesterday, thought it was Sunday, not Thursday.
Anyway, today’s Friday. I guess.
Here’s the latest from Tarrytown as we keep hearing from different Knicks.
Mike Brown tells a story from over the summer about how he was riding his motorcycle and was recognized by a family of Knicks fans that followed him home pic.twitter.com/xSfvK355ok
On Josh Hart’s injured finger and the toughness it reflects:
“Josh, he’s a handsome young man. But that finger is ugly. So, I don’t look at it. But it adds to his toughness. Josh is a tough son of a gun, man. I can’t even watch when he [shakes his hand], because I’m just like, oh, my gosh I can’t imagine having a finger like that.
“But it just shows who he is. He’s tough but, more importantly, there’s dedication there to wanting to be a great shooter, and you’ve got to put it into work. And he puts in the work, even though his finger’s bothering him. And even though it’s a little crooked, he’s putting in the work to get it right. [Shooting coach] Pete [Patton] and the rest of the coaches are helping him out, and it shows that he can shoot at a high level with the dedication he has in the first place.”
On OG Anunoby’s playoff performance boosting his All-Star case:
“It should help him a ton because guys that are quiet naturally, they have a hard time getting the necessary publicity and promotion toward being an All-Star, unless you’re doing something extraordinary and people start talking about it — like OG in the playoffs. So doing it in the playoffs and having people talk about it should have carryover, in my opinion, since he helped us win the championship.
“And he was in the conversation for [NBA] Finals MVP. That should definitely help create calls for him to have a case to be an All-Star this year. He’s still got to go earn it, but he should be in everybody’s conversation from the beginning.”
On Anunoby’s shooting ability:
“He’s not [at Stephen Curry] or [Klay Thompson’s] level but the next tier. He’s way better than I thought.”
On Anunoby’s confidence, shooting and the Knicks’ spacing:
“His confidence is really high. And I thought during the playoffs we did a really good job of touching the paint and taking the right 3s. With OG being 6-foot-7 with long arms, if you’re closing to him with a smaller guy or a guard, it’s going to be good for us because they try to put their best player on Jalen, and sometimes, their best player is a bigger perimeter defender.
“So that means OG may have a smaller guy [defending him]. That’s not impacting him when he shoots the basketball.
“So I think first starts off with him, yes; he’s way better than what I thought. I would categorize him as a great shooter. But more importantly, I thought our spacing and our ability to touch the paint and spray it helped out a lot.”
On his plans for the preseason games:
“We’ll try to ease them in. The last game is always a dress rehearsal, but we’ll try to build them up leading to that game.”
On the Knicks’ conditioning entering camp after a short summer:
“All the guys look like they’re in pretty good shape, especially for a short summer. We have a conditioning test that we did last year and this year that the guys have to pass to get into camp and they all passed it.”
On James Wiseman’s presence at training camp:
“Fantastic human being, fantastic young man…. Good to see him in the gym. When you’re that long and that athletic, with skill – he has skill – there’s a place for you in this league. Sometimes it takes the right moment, the right team, the right situation, all that stuff, to be able to fit someplace and grow. We have a lot of great guys in camp that have potential of impacting us in a lot of different ways throughout the course of the year. He’s definitely one of the many guys that we have that we’re excited about.”
On Tony Bradley after his training camp signing:
“We’re looking for bigs. Tony’s a veteran guy that’s still in his prime and has a good feel for the game, knows how to play the game the right way and he’s hurt us in the past. To be honest, when a guy hurts you in the past, you tend to remember him more than others. So to be able to add him to camp was a positive for us because again, I said this last year, (Karl-Anthony Towns) has one of the most (challenging positions) out of everybody because I want to move him around when I play him at center. I want to play him at power forward; (when he’s at) power forward 1-4 is interchangeable. Same with OG (Anunoby). OG we put him at the 5 last year. We probably will do it a little bit more this year as well.
“But to be able to do that, you’ve gotta have enough centers around on the team, so having Tony here with his skill set and feel is definitely a blessing because we’re looking at that position heavily.”
Question for Josh Hart on Jalen Brunson: "Was there a moment this summer where you were like, 'Holy crap, my best friend from college is so freakin' famous now?'"
“The only option for my finger at this point, because of how damaged it is, is a full joint replacement. With a joint replacement, you can’t have the banging, grabbing a rebound, palming it, shooting, catching the ball, doing all that. You can’t do that. So if I did a joint replacement, then I wouldn’t be able to play. So I guess it’s either wrap it until I retire or cut it off. I guess that’s the other option. That’s really the only alternative: either joint replacement, let it go, or, I guess, amputation.
“I mean, there was a lot of stuff that I had to get checked, and that was one of them. It was just with how it deteriorated, the joint and the bone and everything, that’s what it’ll be. So I’ll do that probably when I retire. Hopefully, they can make it straight. You know, it’s a little off center if y’all didn’t realize. So I’m hoping after that joint replacement it can kind of get a little straighter.”
On how the pain in his finger varies from day to day:
“Some days, it’ll be good. Some days it’ll hurt to catch the ball. It varies. I wish I could tell you when I wake up what’s gonna be good, what’s gonna be bad. Somedays it’s good, like a regular functioning finger. And other days it hurts to just close my hand, to make a fist.”
On why a joint replacement would prevent him from playing basketball:
“You can’t have the banging, you know, repetitive, grabbing a rebound, palming it, shooting, catching the ball, doing all that; you can’t do that. It was just with how it deteriorated — the joint and the bone and everything — that’s what it’ll be. So I’ll do that probably when I retire. Hopefully they can make it straight. You know, it’s a little off center if you know y’all didn’t realize.”
On the appearance and functionality of his injured finger:
“I mean, it’s it’s not the prettiest to look at. I would love to have a straight finger, but you know, it works.”
On the physical toll of an NBA career and what fans don’t get:
“I think people think money is everything, and for me, obviously, you want to be compensated fairly for your performance and all that. But at the end of the day, just because you get paid, be blessed in a position to get paid well and take care of our families, [it’s not like] we’re not humans at the same time. I’m sitting here thinking, my knees are aching a little bit, but I want to leave the game and be able to run around and play with my kids when they’re you know 10, 11,12-plus. So that wear and tear, it’s significant to a certain point. If you’re in this league for 14, 15, 16 years, and you see some of these guys that are older, they they got limps, knees are barking, those kind of things. So I think that definitely gets overlooked. But that’s also why I don’t think I’ll play till I’m 40.”
On OG Anunoby’s increased recognition helping his All-Star chances:
“It’s extremely impactful. Obviously, you have to be a gifted and good player to make an All-Star team, but also you have to have the press and all that kind of behind you, bolstering it. So it’s good for people to see how talented he is, how impactful he is on both sides of the ball in the game. So hopefully that recognition will continue throughout this year, and hopefully we’ll be able to get him in.”
On Jalen Brunson’s increased fame following the Knicks title:
“He’s not LeBron, let’s relax.”
On planning to attend Yankees Game 3:
“I think I’m going to be able to get to Game 3. We have a preseason game the next day. So I’m excited, man. I’m excited for New York. Excited for that team.”
"I learned on the fly. When I watched the video after, they said you can leave the ball in the backcourt but your body can be in the frontcourt – I didn't know it was a thing until then. I'm glad it worked out."
On OG Anunoby’s playoff success boosting his confidence:
“That’s definitely a boost of confidence going into this year. OG knows how good he is, and we know how good he is. So he’s gonna continue doing what he does.”
On learning the backcourt rule during his late Game 4 possession:
“I learned on the fly. When I watched the video after, they said you can leave the ball in the backcourt but your body can be in the frontcourt – I didn’t know it was a thing until then. I’m glad it worked out.”
On what has allowed the Knicks to embrace their roles:
“We care for each other, we compete, we want to get each other better”
On whether he always planned to return to the Knicks before signing his extension:
“In my mind, yeah. ‘I want to stay here, I want to stay home.’ We had a chance to do that, and we did it.”
TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 27: Max Scherzer #31 of the Toronto Blue Jays salutes the crowd before pitching against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning in their MLB game at Rogers Centre on September 27, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This is a slow time of year for baseball news, if your team isn’t in the playoffs. MLB doesn’t like teams to make news during the playoffs, because they want the focus to be on the playoff teams, which is fair.
Jameson Taillon is going to have elbow surgery next week. He’s had Tommy John twice but says ‘there is a good chance’ he can get by with the internal brace this time. He’ll be a free agent this off-season, and likely won’t be getting the $18 million he got last year.
And Ross Atkins talked to the press the other day. I used to be interested in the ‘end of season’ questions and answers thing, but I’ve come to realize that they don’t tell you anything. I used to make fun of Alex Anthopoulos talking a lot and saying nothing. I figured he knew the longer he talked the fewer questions he would have to take.
But Ross said all the things you have to say, Ernie Clement isn’t guaranteed the second base job. They are putting together a plan for Vlad. They need to find some power. And they need to find some starting pitchers who can make 30 starts a year. And “everything needs to be assessed”.
Anyway, use the thread to talk about the Wild Card round or the Jays off-season or anything you’d like.
Eight teams remain in the hunt for a World Series title after the conclusion of the wild-card round, with best-of-five matchups on tap to determine which teams make the American and National League Championship Series later this month.
MESA, AZ - MARCH 23: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics bats during the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium on Monday, March 23, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Brendon Baranov/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The long offseason is upon us. The A’s have lots to do this offseason. First things first, the team needs to decide on a new General Manager, one that’ll lead the team into Las Vegas and hopefully build a winning playoff team before long. Whoever gets the job will be given the bones of a quality position player group, but with lots to fix on the pitching side of things. It won’t be an overnight fix and the new voice will want to build the team in his or her imagine, but the sooner we pick a person to lead us the better.
Turning to the schedule this offseason, there’s a few critical dates that we should all have on our calendars. A lot of this will obviously depend on the possibility of an impending lockout. If the owners and players can’t agree to a new deal before December 1st (which seems likely), then that’ll throw a huge wrench in the plans of every team in the league, including the A’s. Nothing we can do about that though.
End of the World Series
The day after the Fall Classic is over, the rest of baseball is technically able to begin trades and sign their own players to contracts or extensions. There isn’t usually any big moves or news during this time but it’s always a possibility. Teams and agents can talk to each other during this time, but only the previous team can come to terms with an official contract.
During this time teams and players also need to decide on their options for next season. This year the A’s have a couple decisions to make, both of which should be easy. Jeffrey Springs and Jeff McNeil will both see their options for next year declined, sending them to free agency. On the other side of the coin starter Luis Severino is almost certain to pick up his $22 million option for next year, rejoining the club for a third year.
Five Days After The World Series: Free Agency Begins
Once the shock of the World Series subsides, the rest of the league can begin turning their attention back to their own organizations. Free agents are now able to sign with whoever they want but unlike in other sports there’s not usually a sudden rush of signings. Still, this is the day where any big contract announcement can come at any moment the rest of the winter.
Mid-November: Award Season
Once baseball is over it’s time to start handing out the end-of-year awards. The A’s won’t have anyone take home any trophies this offseason but there might be some honors. Langeliers could win the Silver Slugger for AL catcher even with the missed time. And while he won’t win the award, it’ll be interesting to see where Henry Bolte finishes in Rookie of the Year voting.
Friday, November 20th: Non-tender Deadline
This is a big date for the Athletics this offseason. The team will need to decide which players they want to keep paying, and which they’re comfortable cutting and letting hit the free agent market. Cornerstone guys like Shea Langeliers and Zack Gelof are clearly not going to be non-tendered, but there are players under the knife. Is it time for the A’s to move on from guys like Darell Hernaiz and Joey Estes instead of giving them raises? Lots of decisions to make before this date.
Second Week of December: Winter Meetings
If there is a deal in place, this year’s Winter Meetings would likely take place between December 7th and 10th. During this time there’s lots of deals and trades being made, as well as plenty of groundwork for later deals and trades that come later on. The A’s haven’t been especially active at these meetings and that’d be unlikely to change with a the new GM still likely getting their sea legs under them.
Another event that usually happens during the Winter Meetings is the Draft Lottery. The A’s are tied with the Rockies and Angels for the best odds to win the top pick at 16.5%. The lottery hasn’t gone the Athletics’ way in recent years but they’ve made it work (Jacob Wilson, Nick Kurtz, Jamie Arnold). One way or another there’ll be a lottery, it just may be delayed if there’s no deal.
Last Day of Winter Meetings: Rule 5 Draft
Again, this could be one of the first casualties of a lockout. The 2022 lockout didn’t cost games but delayed the season and the Rule 5 draft was cancelled altogether. That’s an entirely possible outcome again this time around, which is especially disappointing for the teams at the bottom like the A’s. Since we ended the year with one of the worst records the Athletics would have one of the top picks. No guarantee of getting a good player, but the A’s need all the opportunities to add talent and the Rule 5 draft being cancelled would deprive them of one more path to adding a potential piece.
January 15th: International Signing Period Begins
The A’s have always dipped their toes into the international market but have yet to have much success on that front. Lots of teams and players have already come to handshake agreements for contracts but this would be the date they put pen to paper. The A’s will likely have around $7-8 million to spend on a lottery ticket so to speak.
Arbitration deadline: Mid-January
Assuming all goes normally this offseason (a massive hypothetical), the deadline for arbitration-eligible players and teams to file their proposed salary figures is roughly around this time. The A’s have a small arbitration class this year headlined by Langeliers. The other four are Zack Gelof, lefty Hogan Harris, and righty Luis Medina. The A’s should be able to wrap those four contracts up without the need to go to a hearing.
February 9th/10th: Pitchers & Catcher Report
While it hasn’t technically been announced, pitchers and catchers generally arrive to camp 10 days before the first spring training game. That’d mean we’re looking at around February 9th or 10th for when the first players arrive to camp.
February 14th/15th: First full squad workout
Five days later the position players will arrive to camp and the full team will be together for the first time. They’ll be with these guys for the better part of the next seven months.
February 19th: First Spring Training Game
And then we finally get our first game action on the 19th, a Friday afternoon matchup against the Chicago Cubs. Only 140 days to go!
Eric Samulski
