While Father Time has been unable to stop LeBron James, the NBA rules have found a way to do it.
LeBron James has been ruled out for LA’s upcoming game against the Spurs, meaning he will not reach the 65-game threshold needed to be eligible for NBA awards.
Tonight will be LeBron James’ 18th missed game, which will stop him from reaching the 65-game threshold to be eligible for season awards. His All-NBA streak will end at 21 seasons. https://t.co/0DudWfcZNO
This means that LeBron’s All-NBA streak will be coming to an end. LeBron holds the NBA record for most All-NBA selections at 21, but he won’t make a 22nd team this season, regardless of his production, due to missing too many games.
Since that extended absence, LeBron has been relatively healthy. However, given his age and recent injury history, he’s only played both legs of a back-to-back once and with no wiggle room left, it was inevitable that he’d ultimately become ineligible for end-of-season awards due to this restriction.
LeBron is having a season that certainly warrants All-NBA consideration. He is averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game.
The NBA began this 65-game rule for NBA awards began during the 2023-24 season. How fair it is that players who are worthy of such accolades miss it due to injuries has always been a point of contention for fans and media alike.
This season, with superstars like Nikola Jokić set to miss significant time and now LeBron being ineligible, the rule has come under even more scrutiny.
We’ll see if the NBA makes another change in the future, but for this season, James will not be eligible and his potential spot will go to someone who played in enough games, regardless of whether they had a better year than LeBron or not, which is definitely the point of these awards.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a former Yankee in his own right, said on Tuesday that the Toronto Blue Jays were "a lot happier" to face the Yankees instead of the Boston Red Sox in their 2025 American League Division series matchup.
“I don’t know if people were expecting Boston to get in last year. But I know in Toronto we were happy they lost because we weren’t ready for (Garrett) Crochet and all those guys,” said Kiner-Falefa, via Lauren Campbell of MassLive.com.
“One-hundred percent,” he answered when asked if that was truly a topic in the Jays clubhouse. “We thought it was a better matchup for us the other way. We were watching Crochet just dice up. ... We definitely felt like it was a tougher matchup for us. So, once we saw the other team (win), we were a lot happier. It was definitely a topic.”
Now a member of the Red Sox, the 30-year-old Kiner-Falefa played two seasons in the Bronx from 2022-23, slashing .253/.311/.333 with 10 home runs, 85 RBI, and 105 runs scored. He was the starting shortstop in 2022 before serving in more of a super-utility role in 2023, when Anthony Volpe won the starting job out of spring training.
IKF played with Toronto in 2024 and ended up back with the Blue Jays late in 2025, as Toronto went on to beat the Yankees in the ALDS in four games before eventually having its dreams crushed in Game 7 of the World Series by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kiner-Falefa went 0-for-6 with a strikeout against the Yankees in the ALDS.
The Yankees, of course, defeated the Red Sox in the Wild Card Round, despite losing to Crochet and the Red Sox in Game 1.
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 5: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors walks to the dressing room after their NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena on February 5, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brandon Ingram, the Toronto Raptors’ leading scorer this season, has been named an injury replacement in the 2026 All-Star Game. With Stephen Curry out for Team USA, Ingram has been called up to take his spot, and will be playing for the “Stripes” squad , adding some valuable length to the notably centre-absent roster.
The newly minted two-time All-Star has season averages of 22 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game in this bounce-back year from him, after playing only 18 games in the 2024-25 campaign. The Raptors are currently 5th in the Eastern Conference, seemingly destined for the playoffs, sitting 3 games above the 6th seeded Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors have already surpassed the 30-win mark they achieved last season, when they finished well outside of the postseason, in large part thanks to Ingram’s efforts.
His prowess has elevated the Raptors’ offence, bringing tough shotmaking and consistent scoring to the fold, while allowing his fellow All-Star teammate Scottie Barnes to focus on defence and playmaking. This split of responsibilities has raised Toronto to heights that have not been reached since the early 2020s, and has begun the ushering in of a new identity to replace the last remnants of the championship squad.
Sharing the floor with other scorers like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley has resulted in a slight dip in production for the Notorious B.I.3, but he still stands head and shoulders above the rest of the Raptors squad. Sharing those responsibilities has come hand-in-hand with fantastic team chemistry. William Lou of the Hello and Welcome Podcast posted footage of the team’s joyous celebration upon learning of Ingram’s award.
Ingram’s last All-Star season was in 2020, where he made the roster, as well as being named Most Improved Player in his first year with the New Orleans Pelicans. Ingram was 22 that season, and six years later, approaching 30, he is having a renaissance outside of the Big Easy. What Ingram has done to dig the Raptors out of a seemingly hopeless pit following the Raptors’ collapse in 2024 has already made him a part of Toronto history, but he has truly cemented himself as a team legend by being just the 10th Raptor named to an All-Star Roster.
The tandem of Ingram and Barnes look poised to lead the Raptors for years to come, and the duo ending up as All-Stars this season is a solid foundation for those ambitions.
Sep 23, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guards Egor Demin (8) and Nolan Traore (88) speak at Media Day. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Back when they were drafted and even into the season, there were doubts — a lot of them — about the Nets top two picks: Egor Demin, the 19-year-0ld Russian guard selected with Brooklyn’s first lottery pick in 15 years, and Nolan Traore, an even younger French guard, selected with a mid-first round pick. Both were seen as stretchs.
Many — how about most — pundits thought both were taken too high or worse. Demin couldn’t shoot, the narrative went, and he was coming off a plantar fascia issue that had put him a wheelchair for a while. Traore was seen as a long-term project at best who needed a lot of time in the G League. There were concerns about whether he was even an NBA player. Oh yeah, he couldn’t shoot either, said the pundits.
Fast forward to this week and a lot of those concerns now seem to have been exaggerated or maybe even foolish. After all., they were very young — the 11th and sixth youngest of 540 NBA players — and needed time to develop. Bottom line, as Tom Cruise told Renee Zellwegger in “Jerry Maguire”, it’s about making each other better.
“Yes, we complete each other, and we play great [together],” Traore told Brian Lewis of The Post. “He is a good shooter, and it is always good for me to play with good shooters.”
For his part, Demin has said that Traore’s ability to fly past defenders and open things up on the perimeter is a big help to his shooting. And while they haven’t played a lot minutes together — including Monday night when Demin rested and Traore had his best game: 13 points and an equal number of assists — the numbers are catching up to the eye test. We’re no longer in small sample theater.
Look at the six games that Demin and Traore have started since January 29. Demin has averaged 11.7 points on 43/38/83 in those games while Traore has put up 11.0 points on 49/37/78. Those are not huge numbers but for teenagers, they’re more than solid.
Indeed, they go a long way to justifying the Nets decision-making back in June. Within that stretch, Demin has twice broken his career highs in points with games of 25 and 26 plus once in rebounds at 10 and registered his first NBA double double. Traore also notched his first double-double within that stretch and had career highs in points — 21 twice — and assists at 13. Moreover, Demin set an NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in consecutive games and Traore became the youngest player in Nets history to register 10 assists in a game. Together they became the two youngest rookies in franchise history to register 20 points in the same game vs. the Magic.
For Traore, it has to be particularly encouraging considering his slow start.
“Each time you improve, and when you go out and improve a level it shows progress. It’s hard in the beginning, and then it becomes easier,” Traore told Lewis, adding of his improved finishing, “I think it’s just the work; the work I put in every day. And then I’m just getting used to the speed of the game.”
Their coach is also encouraged by how they’re progressed as individuals and teammates.
“I like the creation,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “Nolan is able to get into the paint early in possessions, whether it’s to finish or spray it out. We’re starting to see us play earlier, which is good.
“He and Egor can both create. … The next step is the level of physicality. Them being rookies will never be an excuse. They’ve got to use those minutes to improve their technique and learn how to play with more physicality right now.”
That said, he told Lewis he sees the potential.
“I don’t see it as one guy covering for the other: I like the shooting from both of them. Nolan’s not shy when he’s open. We’ve seen Egor shoot at a very high level. Nolan’s speed, his paint touches and pick-and-roll playmaking, same with Egor. … They have clear goals, short-term things they need to do on both ends. As long as they keep taking those steps they’re doing a great job and that’s what matters.”
What also will matter in June, as Lewis notes, is how the Nets will see the 2026 Draft with its plethora of guards. Darryn Peterson, Kingston Flemings and Mikel Brown Jr. all are “on-ball dynamos.” With a little luck, the Nets could have their choice and Sean Marks & co. always professes that it’s about best pick available. We shall see.
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 8: The sneakers worn by Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the New York Knicks on February 8, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training is no longer the only early sign that baseball is around the corner. Now, the year might as well officially begin with fans figuring out what subscriptions they need to stream MLB games.
In 2026, the answers are more complicated. Starting Tuesday, ESPN manages MLB’s out-of-market streaming package for the first time, as MLB.TV went on sale for $150/season or $30/month. However, as the local sports TV industry crumbles, the league is handling in-market rights for more than a dozen teams, leading to a split of viewing—and purchase—opportunities across MLB and ESPN apps. Add in the transition of numerous bundle and discount offers, and at least some confusion is nothing to be ashamed about.
Here are the most common questions fans might have and what we know for now…
I’m an existing MLB.TV subscriber. What changes this year?
Potentially nothing. MLB will continue handling billing for fans whose accounts are set to renew normally. This year, viewers can still watch games in the MLB app, or they can authenticate their subscription to watch in ESPN’s app as well.
“The proposition here for this year and moving forward, we believe, is pretty simple,” ESPN direct to consumer SVP John Lasker said. “We’re creating more flexibility, more accessibility and enhancing the entire experience for baseball fans.”
Do I need ESPN Unlimited to access MLB.TV?
No, despite what you may have read. Again, existing subscribers won’t need to do anything to continue accessing MLB.TV. And for a service that’s been around for two decades, that’s likely most viewers.
Those existing MLB.TV subscribers who auto-renew their accounts through MLB platforms will also receive the option to sign up for a one-month free trial offer for ESPN Unlimited.
New MLB.TV subscribers or those who didn’t auto-renew, meanwhile, will be signed up for an ESPN Unlimited account, including a free month to start, before purchasing MLB.TV. People can immediately cancel their Unlimited subscription before being billed, without impacting their MLB.TV access, though they can’t opt-out of being enrolled in the first place, much to the chagrin of a few online posters.
Ifnew MLB.TV users already have ESPN Unlimited, which is included in many cable packages or costs $30/month, they can get a 10% discount on MLB.TV ($135/year). That means if you have a cable subscription and are an annual MLB.TV buyer, it’s worth looking into turning off that auto-renewal so you can get the discount via ESPN.
Those currently paying for Unlimited need to end their membership and wait for their current pay term to end if they want to get a free month of ESPN’s all-in-one product along with MLB.TV.
(I warned you this might get complicated!)
ESPN has also promised to continue offering discounted MLB.TV subscriptions beginning mid-season. In those cases, fans will similarly be enrolled for ESPN Unlimited, with a free month to start, as part of the checkout process. As for future years, ESPN has not yet announced whether the free Unlimited month promotion will carry over into 2027, or whether fans would need to have ESPN Unlimited at that point to either renew or sign up for MLB.TV.
What about T-Mobile’s free MLB.TV promotion?
Still around! After activating T-Mobile’s offer, fans can watch in the MLB or ESPN app. As in the past, that deal does not include MLB Network access, which otherwise comes with the MLB.TV all-team product. MLB will still allow fans to buy standalone MLB Network access. MLB.TV won’t be available on other platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video.
Any other changes to be aware of?
One downside of the new agreement is that MLB.TV apparently no longer offers a free game each day. Instead, ESPN Unlimited subscribers will be able to watch one game each day, even without an MLB.TV subscription. The same is true for Peacock subs.
Several cable replacement services, such as YouTube TV, are integrating ESPN Unlimited content into their platforms. All of MLB.TV likely won’t be available within those interfaces, though the daily free game could potentially flow through, alongside traditional TV channels.
MLB.TV handles my team’s local streaming rights. How’s that going to work?
With Main Street Sports on the brink of collapse—again—MLB now handles the in-market broadcast and streaming rights for 14 teams and counting. Local fans can subscribe to watch those games online for $20/month or $100/season within the MLB app. That will still be the case this year, though ESPN hopes to offer those local packages starting next year. If and when ESPN sells the full suite of local and out-of-market packages, it’s unclear what will become of the league’s own app offering.
For now, MLB will also directly sell bundled packages of local and national streaming rights. For example, fans in San Diego can watch every MLB game, including Padres contests (but still excluding blacked out nationally televised games), for $200 via MLB.
ESPN VP of programming and acquisitions Ashley O’Connor said ESPN is not actively involved in conversations with local teams such as the Atlanta Braves that are currently determining their local media futures. However, the company’s deal with MLB accounts for any new teams whose rights might fall under league control.
Why is ESPN/MLB doing this?
ESPN’s takeover of MLB.TV emerged from rights talks last year after the company opted out of its Sunday Night Baseball deal, leading to new agreements between MLB and ESPN, NBC and Netflix.
Lasker said ESPN’s goal is to both extend the distribution of MLB.TV to more fans—links to watch games are already live on ESPN’s baseball schedule and scores pages—while also generating additional engagement with the six-month-old ESPN Unlimited product.
“Our streaming ambitions are to make sure that ESPN is serving sports fans in the best possible way with the most valuable and comprehensive offerings,” Lasker said.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 16: Andre Granillo #65 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees at Busch Stadium on August 16, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With one day before pitchers and catchers report to camp, Paul Toboni made a move. He traded the recently DFA’d George Soriano for Cardinals reliever Andre Granillo. This is just an exchange of two players on the fringes of 40 man rosters, but it is one the Nats did well in. Granillo has some interesting traits as a slider heavy reliever.
This is an interesting trade because the Cardinals could have waited to claim Soriano, but wanted to jump the line. They probably gave Toboni the choice of a few players on the edge of the 40 man roster and gave him a choice. Granillo might have been the one the Cardinals DFA’d if they decided to just claim Soriano.
Granillo is a 25 year old reliever who has some intriguing qualities. His primary pitch is his slider, which he just spams. In the MLB, he threw the pitch 65% of the time in his 14 outings. At the AAA level, he threw it 55% of the time. Despite the heavy usage, the pitch was still dominant.
MLB hitters only batted .245 against the pitch with an expected batting average of .188. Granillo also got whiffs at nearly a 35% clip. The slider was even more dominant in the minors with a .139 expected batting average and a 47.5% whiff rate. Here is a look at the pitch.
While Granillo is very slider heavy, his fastball has enough life for hitters to respect it. He averaged 94.6 MPH on the pitch, but his fastball shape is not very good. It can be used as a pitch to keep hitters off guard though.
Granillo had a 4.71 ERA in 14 outings at the MLB level, but he showed some promising flashes. He only struck out 19.8% of hitters, but his whiff rate was excellent at 31.5%. Granillo also limited hard contact well with an average exit velocity of 86.7 MPH and a hard hit rate of just 27.7%. These are some things for the 25 year old to build on.
While the results in the MLB were mixed, he was dominant in AAA. He posted a 1.29 ERA in 42 innings with 58 strikeouts. Getting a pitcher that is that productive, who is still pretty young is a major win for Toboni.
Andre Granillo at Triple A in 2025 -42 IP, all in relief -1.29 ERA -2.42 FIP -27.3 K-BB% -91st percentile xwOBA -92nd percentile whiff rate -94th percentile strikeout rate Acquired for a guy picked up off waivers a few days ago? That’ll play. https://t.co/ds8S6QgLXY
I am also interested to see what Toboni can do with Granillo. He might try to diversify Granillo’s pitch mix. There is an intriguing changeup that Granillo threw that could be used as a third pitch more frequently. He also experimented with a sinker, which could be a good idea given his lack of ground balls and sub-optimal fastball shape.
It feels like Toboni may have fleeced his former boss Chaim Bloom here. Granillo is not likely to ever be a closer, but he looks like a solid medium leverage option who is young and has options.
The corresponding move to this was sending Trevor Williams to the 60-day IL. This is unsurprising given that Williams is coming back from elbow surgery. It also underscores the Nats need for starting pitching.
The Nats will be able to open up at least one more 40-man spot with DJ Herz likely to start the year on the 60-day IL. Hopefully that spot can go to a starting pitcher. Picking up Granillo is a nice move, but the Nats still need more pitching.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is being evaluated for a stress reaction in his left hand.
Lindor experienced some soreness in the area around his left hand and wrist over the past couple days. David Stearns, the president of baseball operations for New York, said Lindor is going to visit a hand specialist on Wednesday to check his hamate bone.
“It is possible this will result in hamate surgery. If it does, that's a six-week recovery, which puts us right at opening day,” Stearns said. “So at this point, even if it does require surgery, we would remain optimistic that Francisco would be back for opening day.”
Lindor, 32, hit .267 with 31 homers, 86 RBIs and 31 steals in 160 games with New York last year. The five-time All-Star was left off Puerto Rico's roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage.
Stearns also announced that Juan Soto is going to shift from right to left field. The change was finalized after discussions between the slugger and manager Carlos Mendoza.
Soto also is going to play left for the Dominican Republic in the WBC.
“Over the last month or so, as Mendy and Juan were talking about the season, Juan was working out in left field because he's going to play left field for the D.R. in the WBC,” Stearns said. "As they had their conversations, he felt really comfortable there.
“It made sense for us from a roster perspective, so we're going to go forward with it and everyone's on board with it.”
New York's pitchers and catchers are scheduled to have their first spring training workout Wednesday. The team’s first full-squad workout is Monday.
Soto, 27, agreed to a record $765 million, 15-year contract with New York in December 2024. The four-time All-Star batted .263 with 43 homers, 105 RBIs and 38 steals in his first season with the Mets.
Soto also played left field at the beginning of his career with the Washington Nationals. Mendoza said the conversations about moving to left started in late December.
“I just asked him, ‘How would you feel to play left field for us?’” Mendoza said Tuesday. “And he was like ‘I’m willing to do whatever, you know. If you want me to pitch, Mendy, I’ll pitch.’ Kind of like with that smile, right? And then I was like, ‘Now seriously speaking here, is that something you will consider, if it makes sense for both?’ He's like, 'Absolutely.'"
Francisco Lindor has a stress reaction in his left hamate bone, New York Mets president David Stearns said Feb. 10, and the All-Star shortstop is expected to miss six weeks, putting his status for Opening Day in doubt.
Lindor, 32, had already been ruled out of competing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic due to insurance concerns regarding past offseason surgeries, but Stearns said this injury emerged recently and wasn't part of the WBC decision. Lindor will see a hand specialist Feb. 11, says Stearns, which should determine whether Lindor requires surgery.
Hitters often have surgery to remove the hamate bone once it fractures, with recoveries ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months. Lindor is coming off his fifth All-Star season, and the fourth consecutive year he's finished in the National League's top 10 in MVP voting.
"Knowing Francisco, I’m optimistic, even if he has to go the surgery route," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said on a video call with news reporters. "Found out a couple days ago and didn’t think much of it because this is a guy who’s played through a lot. For him to say something this early, I was like, hmm.
"But if he has to go that route, I’m optimistic he’ll play shortstop for us on Opening Day."
Meanwhile, Mendoza confirmed that Juan Soto will move from right to left field this year, a move that evolved from conversations they had about him playing left for the Dominican Republic in next month's WBC.
The Mets acquired Luis Robert to play center field, and Soto − in the second year of a 15-year, $765 million contract − might be better suited for left, anyway. Former center fielder Tyrone Taylor and rookie Carson Benge are, for now, expected to command most of the playing time in right field.
"I asked him, 'How would you feel playing left field for us?" Mendoza said. "He said, 'I'm willing to do whatever. If you want me to pitch, Mendy, I'll pitch.' I asked if it made sense for both.
"He said, 'Absolutely.'"
The Mets won 83 games but missed out on a playoff berth by one game last season.
If you are wholly unfamiliar with how Major League Baseball arbitration cases work, this headline could sound somewhat ominous. The reality, though, is that MLB’s arb system is something of a binary system if salaries for eligible players are not hammered out and finalized by a certain date, and an independent arbiter simply gets to pick which side – the player, or the team – has a number that is most deserved.
That’s precisely what went down today between Tyler Stephenson and the Cincinnati Reds. The team’s veteran catcher had submitted a $6.8 million request for the upcoming 2026 season, and the Reds had come in with a $6.55 million number, and despite those two being incredibly close (by baseball salary standards) it was up to an arbiter to decide between the two. And, as MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relayed, they picked Stephenson’s $6.8 million mark.
The $250K is even less significant in the grand scheme given that the 2026 season will be Stephenson’s final year of team control before he reaches free agency. Since arb salaries become benchmarks on which future year salaries are built, a difference of even that amount in a first year of arbitration could end up escalating further in each of the subsequent trips through the process, but in Stephenson’s case, this is obviously the last time he’ll be doing that.
It remains to be seen whether this February will also be the final time he reports to Goodyear, Arizona as a catcher in a Reds uniform. The Reds went out and acquired Jose Trevino this time last winter to augment the catching mix and immediately signed him to a contract extension through at least 2027 (and potentially 2028), and top catching prospect Alfredo Duno has rocketed up the rankings after his monster 2025 in the minors. That means the writing may be on the wall for Cincinnati’s 1st round pick from back in 2015, but it could also be the right kind of fuel for him to do everything he can to have a monster platform season in 2026 before hitting free agency.
Regardless, one final, major piece of the roster puzzle for 2026 has been adjudicated.
Vancouver's hockey scene has lost a legend, as former Canucks play-by-play broadcaster Jim Robson has died at the age of 91. Robson has been a staple in Canucks history, as he called the team's games from their NHL induction in 1970 and beyond (beginning in 1956) to his retirement in 1999.
Robson was behind the calls for many of the Canucks' most iconic moments in franchise history, most notably those from Vancouver's Stanley Cup run back in 1994. Even so, his list of accomplishments extends past the Canucks. Robson also called various Stanley Cup Finals (1975, 1980, 1982), NHL All-Star games, as well as lacrosse, football, and baseball.
Despite his retirement in 1999, Robson remained a fan of the Canucks and could occasionally be seen attending games. His contributions to the sport resulted in him being named to the BC Hockey Hall of Fame (1998), BC Sports Hall of Fame (2000), CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame (2002), and more.
Mar 2, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Sports broadcaster Jim Robson is honored during the first period as the Vancouver Canucks host the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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February 9 is a big date in Montreal Canadiens history, not only is it the date of Martin St-Louis’ hiring, but it’s also the date on which 31 years ago, then GM Serge Savard made one of the worst trades of his tenure.
On that date, Savard, keen to acquire some real star power, made a big trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. He traded Mark Recchi and a third-round pick in 1995 (who became Martin Hohenberger, an Austrian player who never made the NHL) for John LeClair, Eric Desjardins, and Gilbert Dionne.
At the time, Recchi was 27 years old, had won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and had registered three 100-plus-points seasons (one in Pittsburgh with Mario Lemieux and two in Philadelphia with Eric Lindros). He was already an established NHL star.
Meanwhile, John Leclair was 25 years old, had never scored more than 19 goals in a season, and his most productive season had yielded 44 points, but he did contribute 10 points in the Canadiens’ run to the 1993 Stanley Cup.
As for Eric Desjardins, the right-shot defenseman was also 25 years old, and a key element of the Canadiens’ blueline. He had registered 45 points in his most productive season. He contributed 14 points in 20 games during the 1993 Stanley Cup conquest, including a hat trick in game two of the final, the game that is now known as the turning point of that series because of the illegal stick penalty.
Finally, Dionne was 25 years old and had played only two and a half full seasons in Montreal, during which he had scored 21, 20, and 19 goals. He had also produced 12 points in 20 games during the 1993 playoffs, but he could be a frustrating player to watch at times.
Recchi went on to play parts of five seasons in Montreal, never putting up more than 80 points on a Canadiens’ team that didn’t feature a Lindros or a Lemieux. Vincent Damphousse, Brian Bellows, and Patrick Roy were Canadiens at the time, but not for much longer for the last two. Bellows left in June 1995, and Roy in December. Pierre Turgeon was also acquired later in 1995 but was traded in October 1996.
Recchi led the Canadiens in points in the shortened 1994-95 season with 43 points, three more than Damphousse. The following season, he was third with 78 points behind Turgeon (96) and Damphousse (94). In 1996-97, he was second with 80 points behind Damphousse, who had 81 points. In 1997-98, he was the team's highest scorer with 74 points; no one else cracked the 60-point mark, with Damphousse second at 59 points. Finally, in 1998-99, he had 47 points in 61 games before being traded back to the Flyers. The years that followed the Roy trade in Montreal were a very dark time. There were three seasons in which the Canadiens made the playoffs with Recchi, but they never got very far.
It’s not that Recchi didn’t play well for the Canadiens, but he wasn’t surrounded well enough to have the same kind of impact he had with his previous teams. Meanwhile, John LeClair became a three-time 50-goal scorer in Philadelphia, adding another two seasons with 40-plus goals. He was a third of the famous Legion of Doom line alongside Lindros and Mikael Renberg, a line that has marked the Flyers’ history and that took them to the Stanley Cup Final in 1997.
The power forward spent nine and a half seasons in Philadelphia and was one of their key players, just like Eric Desjardins. The blueliner spent 10 and a half seasons in Pennsylvania, finishing his career with the Flyers, reaching new heights in points production, including three 40-plus-point seasons and two 50-plus-point campaigns, and all the while remaining a stabilizing presence on the blueline, very rarely finishing the year with a negative differential (twice).
As for Dionne, he never managed to establish himself as an NHLer in Philadelphia and played only 27 NHL games after being traded from Montreal, the last five with the Florida Panthers.
In the end, that trade helped the Flyers become Cup contenders by giving them two of their key pieces while the Canadiens were on the verge of entering a very dark age with Roy’s departure. Recchi was an important piece of the Canadiens during his stay, but he didn’t make the kind of impact LeClair and Desjardins had in Philadelphia. For younger fans, he remains the Boston Bruins player who made questionable comments on the Max Pacioretty-Zdeno Chara incident.
With Soto shifting to left field, that leaves right field as Benge's spot to potentially win.
Benge has plenty of experience in right field, including 26 games last season. And he was primarily a right fielder during his college career with Oklahoma State.
"We've been consistent throughout the offseason that Carson's gonna come to camp with a chance to make our team -- that remains the same," Stearns said. "He's played a lot of right field during his time in the minor leagues. We're confident with him out there. We also think Brett (Baty) is gonna be able to adjust out there just fine. Tyrone Taylor we're confident is a very quality right fielder. So we feel like we've pretty good options to work through there. MJ Melendez, who may become official here shortly, could potentially be another option."
Benge was tremendous last season across three minor league levels, ending the year with Triple-A Syracuse.
Regarding how the Mets will determine whether Benge makes the team or not, Stearns said the decision will be layered.
"I think evaluations in spring are always a little bit fraught, and we know that," Stearns noted. "We want to see quality at-bats, we want to see him handle the outfield. It's also gonna depend on what some other guys do, right? It's not all going to be dependent on how Carson looks.
"We're not gonna get too preoccupied with surface line results one way or the other, and we'll make the best decision that we can on Opening Day -- recognizing that Opening Day is one day, and rosters can change pretty quickly."
Jul 10, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) delivers during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. / Mitch Stringer - Imagn Images
Will Mets use a six-man rotation?
As things currently stand, the Mets have six major league starting pitchers -- Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, David Peterson, and Kodai Senga.
To Stearns, that's a good "problem" to have.
"I think we'll cross that bridge if we get to it," Stearns explained about utilizing a potential six-man rotation. "We've got six healthy guys feeling really good right now. If we have six healthy guys feeling really good on Opening Day, I will gladly work through that challenge at that point.
"And we may decide at times to go with a six-man, or we may not. We'll figure that out. That's a really good problem to have if that's where we are on Opening Day."
New York's other rotation options include Tobias Myers (who is stretching out as a starter), Jonah Tong, and Christian Scott.
A.J. Minter's timeline
The expectation all winter has been that Minter, who is recovering from season-ending lat surgery, will not be ready for Opening Day.
Speaking on Tuesday, Stearns said a "realistic return" date for Minter is early May.
Minter is at camp, and was throwing on the field on Tuesday.
Brooks Raley is the only left-hander viewed as a lock to make the Opening Day bullpen.
The Mets added depth there earlier Tuesday, acquiring left-handed reliever Bryan Hudson from the White Sox in exchange for cash considerations.
Hudson, 28, had a 4.80 ERA (5.34 FIP) and 1.86 WHIP in 15.0 innings last season for the Brewers and White Sox.
He was tremendous in 2024 for Milwaukee, during what was his first full big league season. In 62.1 innings over 43 games, Hudson had a 1.73 ERA (3.60 FIP) and 0.72 WHIP while striking out 62.
Standing at 6'8", Hudson gets elite extension from a low-angle delivery (he was in the 99th percentile last season). He featured mainly a four-seam fastball and sweeper in 2025. In 2024, he also relied heavily on a cutter, which he threw 24 percent of the time (Hudson threw the cutter just three percent of the time last season).
Hudson is out of minor league options, which means the Mets cannot send him to the minors without exposing him to waivers.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Juan Soto is moving across the field.
After spending his first season in Queens as the right fielder, the franchise player has agreed to begin playing left field full-time, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday.
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Soto is slated to play left field for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. It led in recent weeks to conversations between Soto and manager Carlos Mendoza about a switch to left field for the Mets, according to Stearns.
“It made sense for us from a roster perspective so we’re going to go forward with everyone on board with it,” Stearns said. “It’s not something we really contemplated coming into the offseason, but as we had conversations over the last month it made sense.”
With Soto in left field and Luis Robert Jr. in center, right field is now the unclaimed outfield position. Candidates for the spot include Carson Benge, the organization’s top prospect among position players, Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez, who was signed to a major league contract Sunday.
“We have got a lot of athletic outfielders at or near the major league level, so having right field available to them isn’t a bad outcome,” Stearns said. “[Soto] is comfortable in left and it fits our roster.”
Juan Soto JASON SZENES/NY POST
Soto has considerable left field experience — he last played there regularly with the Padres in 2023. He was also the starting left fielder for the Nationals in his first two major league seasons. All told, he’s appeared in 460 games as a left fielder and 603 in right field. Soto has started 22 games as a DH in his career, but has previously indicated that spot is not preferable to him.
“Early in the offseason we didn’t know how rosters for the WBC were going to shake out,” Mendoza said. “Once we started [getting] closer to the teams announcing their rosters … the left field conversation came up and he took me down the road of when he first came up [playing left]. He also mentioned that with the Yankees, they had him playing left field when they were playing the Red Sox at Fenway Park. He was very honest and very genuine about it, so that is how I decided.”
Soto was among MLB’s worst defenders last season, when he ranked in only the first percentile for range, at minus-12 outs above average, according to Statcast. He rated better in arm strength, landing in the 66th percentile. But his arm value was only in the 18th percentile.
But the Mets signed Soto to a record $765 million contract over 15 years mainly because of his bat, and in that regard he produced: Soto finished third in the National League MVP voting (behind Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber) after posting a .263/.396/.525 slash line with 43 homers and a career-best 38 stolen bases (which led the NL).
The Mets roster overhaul this winter made the possibility of Soto switching positions more palatable: Brandon Nimmo was traded to Texas for Marcus Semien, leaving the vacancy in left field.
Semien, a Gold Glove winner last season, should improve the Mets defensively at second base. The larger questions are whether Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco, who are set to start at third base and first base, respectively, will seamlessly adapt. Bichette, a former shortstop, has not played third base in the major leagues. Polanco has one inning of major league experience at first base. But Stearns has indicated the infield’s athleticism has improved, leaving him optimistic that the unit will bolster the team’s run prevention. Robert, a former Gold Glove winner with the White Sox, will also potentially boost the team’s defense.
Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign gets underway in Colombo on Wednesday, facing Ireland at R. Premadasa Stadium for the first of four group-stage matches.
