Over the summer, the Ottawa Senators traded their captain, Brady Tkachuk, to the Florida Panthers following a trade request. Of course, Brady joined his brother Matthew, who had already been with Florida for a couple of years.
On Wednesday, Brady returned to Ottawa as a road player for the first time in his career. He was met with an incredibly negative reception, which he was expecting. Whether it was passive-aggressive comments by both sides pregame, boos during his tribute video, R-rated chants during play, booing him every time he touched the puck, or extra physical play against him, there is noticeable resentment between Tkachuk and his old team and fans.
At 10:00 of the first period, Brady Tkachuk continued his showman routine by scoring the first goal of the game. From there, it was all Ottawa. They scored 5 unanswered goals and sent Brady home with a whimper.
The Chicago Blackhawks organization hasn’t dealt with a situation like that recently, as most of the returning star players received loud ovations from a crowd that adores them. Examples include Jonathan Toews with Winnipeg and Patrick Kane with Detroit.
However, there was one notable instance where a returning player received a similar negative reception as Tkachuk did on Wednesday. That came on April 17th, 1999, when Chris Chelios returned to Chicago as a member of the Detroit Red Wings.
Earlier that season, the Blackhawks traded Chelios to their bitter rival, and the fans let him have it in his return. Chelios wasn’t a Blackhawks lifer, as he was a Montreal Canadiens draft pick before playing there for 7 seasons. However, he is the Chicago-raised, Mt. Carmel native son who did play for the Blackhawks for parts of 9 years, so the fans felt a connection to him before he left.
In that game where Chelios returned to Chicago with Detroit, Red Wings head coach Scotty Bowman took him out of the game and sent him to sit with Michael Jordan in the press box. He finished the game with just 3:19 of ice time. Bowman felt that Chelios being involved kept the Chicago crowd in the game.
He may have been right, because the Blackhawks hung on to win 3-2 thanks to Tony Amante’s 44th goal of the season during the third period. JP Dumont and Ed Olczyk were Chicago's other two goal scorers in the win.
Although fans didn't love Chris Chelios that night or for many years after, those hard feelings have since melted. Not only did the Blackhawks retire his number, but he is also an official Team Ambassador here in 2026.
Is Brady Tkachuk’s departure for a division rival going to end the same way that Chris Chelios’ did? Probably not, but he had a good run as a star player in that market.
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 26: Jacob Latz #67 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Saturday, September 26, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Ritter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Morning, all!
The Brewers and the Rays have gone to the World Series on a budget, but there are ways the Rangers can change their approach on the field to get more out of what they have.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 07: Matt Borgschulte#72 and manager Blake Butera #10 of the Washington Nationals look on against the Minnesota Twins on May 7, 2026 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This morning, Spencer Nusbaum broke the news that the Nationals will be retaining their entire coaching staff. After an 11 game improvement from 2025, this is not much of a surprise, but I wanted to break things down. The hitting coaches enter 2027 under no pressure after an exceptional offensive season. However, the pitching coaches need to show results.
The Nationals plan to bring back all 12 coaches who ended the season on Blake Butera’s staff, but did not renew the contracts of five of the big-league team’s training and strength coaches, per sources.
In my opinion, the pitching coaches are the more interesting talking point here, so I will start with them. The pitching braintrust consists of assistants Dustin Glant and Sean Doolittle, as well as the main man Simon Mathews. Doolittle was the only one who was in the organization before 2026.
This season was a mixed bag for them. The surface level stats were not pretty, with the Nats 4.67 team ERA ranking 5th worst in baseball. Infamously, the Nats bullpen set the all time blown saves record in 2026 as well. While the offense took a massive step forward, progress for the pitching staff was slower.
However, there was some progress that took place. The Nats team ERA went from 5.35 in 2025 to 4.67 in 2026. This took place without a massive leap in team talent as well. Even the bullpen, which set the wrong types of records, had a lower ERA in 2026 than 2025.
There were also a few pitchers who took major strides, most notably Cade Cavalli. The Nats right hander was a popular breakout pick due to his stuff, but he still exceeded all expectations. He posted a 3.02 ERA with 200 strikeouts in 169.2 innings. The sweeper that the pitching coaches taught him played a large role in that success.
Getting the best out of Cavalli is a big feather in the cap for Simon Mathews and company. It shows that they can have success when the requisite talent is at their disposal. However, 2027 will be a big prove it year for the pitching coaches.
With Cavalli, Connelly Early and Andrew Alvarez in the rotation, the talent is beginning to come together. Now, Simon Mathews will need to prove that he is the right guy to get the most out of these arms. He enters next season with a little bit of a target on his back. If the pitching improves, that target will go away though.
While there are some questions on the pitching side, the Nats hitting coaches are riding high. The Nats offense blew past expectations this season, finishing as a top 5 unit in most metrics. Matt Borgschulte, along with his assistants, Andrew Aydt and Shawn O’Malley did a remarkable job in 2026. I wrote about what made this Nats offense special, and the coaching staff played a big role in creating this offensive monster.
The Nats offense was an absolutely elite unit in 2026. I broke down what made this offense special https://t.co/sY3oVEtjya
So many Nats hitters made huge improvements, and did so in tangible ways. Keibert Ruiz became an air pull machine, while Jacob Young elevated the ball more to get to another level. Stars like James Wood and CJ Abrams were also better than ever. There is really nothing to complain about here.
Another coach who I want to shout out is Bobby Wilson. The Nats catching coach helped turn Keibert Ruiz from arguably the worst defensive catcher in baseball to an above average backstop. Whenever I was at the ballpark, I saw Wilson working with the catchers on the finer details.
Overall, I have zero issues with running back this staff. The pitching coaches will have some pressure on them, but they earned a shot at working with more talented arms. At the end of the Davey Martinez era, the coaching staff was a massive issue. However, I have plenty of confidence in Blake Butera’s staff entering their second season.
Inglewood, CA - February 13: Ronnie Singh, known as Ronnie 2K, who is a content creator, podcaster, and brand ambassador for NBA 2K Video Games, prepares to throw a signed ball into the crowd during the 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at The Kia Forum in Inglewood on Friday, February 13, 2026. Team Giannis, coached by Giannis Antetokounmpo defeated Team Anthony, coached by Anthony Anderson, 65-58. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks are some seasons removed from their best lineup. In fact, this season’s lineup is among the worst in the league—at least in the eyes of NBA 2K. But just how will their season pan out? To answer that question, I ran two separate NBA 2K27 season simulations: the first an AI-controlled affair, with 2K having full control over trades, signings, and player minutes, and the second a more user-controlled one to get a more realistic idea of what Bucks fans can expect in terms of lineups, minutes, and potential trades. So, hit your cross buttons and let’s get started!
Start of the Season
To kick off this simulation, the Bucks waive Pete Nance to clear up roster space (this is the only user-made choice). Their starting lineup is as follows:
PG: Kevin Porter Jr. (Editor’s note: Well, this is awkward.)
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: Kyle Kuzma
PF: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
C: Kel’el Ware
Not exactly what Bucks fans would be hoping to see on opening night, right? Other notes are that Nate Ament isn’t even able to crack the initial rotation, while Jericho Sims and Brayden Burries find themselves at the end of it, earning a measly seven minutes per game apiece. Across the league power rankings, the Bucks are twice ranked as the 28th-best team and once placed as the 16th-best team.
All-Star Break
The Bucks roll into the All-Star break 18-41 on the season, sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference. They have a great turnaround to get there too; after starting the season 3-21 they steady the ship on the back of a 15-20 run. At this point, Milwaukee holds the 20th best offence in the NBA, averaging 115.8 PPG, and the 23rd worst defence, conceding 123.3 PPG. As a result of their upward trajectory, they rank 26th, 25th and 23rd across the three league power rankings. All in all, I would be happy to be in this position come All-Star Break this season. But this isn’t the only news. Prior to the trade deadline, the Bucks move on from Myles Turner, trading him to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Draymond Green and his expiring deal.
Statistically, there isn’t too much that jumps out. Kasparas Jakucionis is the only Bucks player to feature in All-Star weekend, being selected for the World Team in the Rising Stars challenge. Otherwise, Kevin Porter Jr. is a bright spot for the team, averaging 14.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.4 APG, and 1.5 SPG, with good efficiency off the bench.
The Bucks’ key stat leaders are as follows:
Points: Tyler Herro (18.4 PPG)
Rebounds: Kel’el Ware (10.4 RPG)
Assists: Ryan Rollins (4.4 APG)
Steals: Ryan Rollins (1.6 SPG)
Blocks: Kel’el Ware (1.8 BPG)
End of Regular Season
The Bucks continue their 180 compared to their start of the season, going 13-10 to end the season and finishing 31-51, one win short of their 2025-2026 season record. They finish 11th in the East and make a late push for the 10th spot to make the play-in tournament. Statistically, they end with the 28th-ranked offence in the league, averaging 111.7 PPG, but grind their way to the 16th-ranked defence in the league, conceding just 105.7 PPG—the gritty, defensive-minded team many Bucks fans want. By the end of the season, the team leaders are:
Points: Tyler Herro (16.0 PPG)
Rebounds: Kel’el Ware (10.5 RPG)
Assists: Tyler Herro (3.1 APG)
Steals: Kevin Porter Jr. (1.2 SPG)
Blocks: Kel’el Ware (2.1 BPG)
Unsurprisingly, there are no awards to mention and no one makes any All-NBA, All-Defensive, or All-Rookie teams either. As disappointing as it is, Brayden Burries and Nate Ament see very limited action (damned 2K undervaluing youth!).
And that wraps up the regular season.
Offseason
The Bucks kick off the offseason by quickly moving on from Taylor Jenkins and promoting Darvin Ham to head coach, an interesting move after such a successful end to their first season under Jenkins. They then use their second-round pick to draft a 2K-generated player.
In free agency, the Bucks are very active. First, they let Caris LeVert walk. He signs with the Los Angeles Lakers. Others follow suit: Kam Jones signs with the Chicago Bulls and Draymond Green signs with the Houston Rockets. Interestingly, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. both sign with the Miami Heat. But the moves don’t end there.
Ryan Rollins—yes, you read that correctly—signs with the Atlanta Hawks, and after just one homecoming season Tyler Herro joins Jones with the Bulls. In total, seven players depart, many who were thought of as key parts of the team’s future core. But why did Jon Horst let all of these players walk for nothing?
Giannis Antetokounmpo is why!
That’s right, Milwaukee’s greatest player of all time signs a 4-year, $265m deal to return to Wisconsin. Many Bucks fans felt like they were wearing tin foil hats when they hypothesised that Giannis would return after bolstering the team with the acquisitions in his trade package, but here he is back in Milwaukee! The Bucks also welcome an OG (no, not Anunoby)—Donte DiVincenzo, along with a few other league-minimum signings.
Heading into the 2027-2028 season, the starting lineup thus looks like this:
PG: Kasparas Jakucionis
SG: Brayden Burries
SF: Ousmane Dieng
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Kel’el Ware
Now that is a very interesting lineup that has the potential to be scary. How many games do you think this new starting five would win?
What do you make of 2K’s simulation of the Bucks’ season? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for Part 2, coming soon!
In the midst of a most disappointing season, the Royals received some hope in the form of catcher Carter Jensen.
Jensen, the 23-year-old local kid out of Park Hill, emerged as the team’s primary catcher in 2026 and looks to play even more games behind the plate going forward. This year, he started 97 games at catcher while appearing in another nine. His bat played so well that he appeared in an additional 42 games as the DH, of which 40 were starts.
While he won’t win the Rookie of the Year Award, he gives the Royals another building block for the future, another piece of the core around which the front office can build. No longer will the Royals have to rely on the aging Salvador Perez to suit up every day. Instead, it’s the young man with the fresh legs and lively bat. He’s a piece of the lineup for years to come, joining Bobby Witt Jr., Jac Caglianone, Maikel Garcia, and (probably) Vinnie Pasquantino.
Only five players in MLB history have met the following thresholds in their rookie season…
Jensen picked up a cup of coffee in 2025, but he made the team out of the gate in 2026. He had some issues during the season, of course, including allowing a league-leading nine passed balls. As of June 6, which was the 80th game of the season, his batting average dipped to an ugly .211. His other numbers weren’t a whole lot better—.288 on-base percentage, .368 slugging, add that up and what do you get, why it’s an abysmal OPS of .657.
After that, though, he improved, first gradually, then suddenly. He finished the season by capturing the September American League Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month. He broke the Royals record for home runs by a rookie with 27, which also led the team. With 64, he broke Witt’s record for most extra-base hits by a Royals rookie. In the midst of that, he set a team record for most consecutive hits for extra-bases with a cool dozen.
Double the honors! 🤩
Carter Jensen has been named the American League September Rookie of the Month AND the American League September Player of the Month! pic.twitter.com/tqYV2UICst
Kevin Gausman was acquired by the Cubs, ostensibly, because of his extensive postseason experience and in particular, how he starred for the Blue Jays in 2025.
Gausman’s regular season numbers for Toronto this year weren’t that great, though some of his peripherals suggested he could return to his 2025 form.
Welp. That didn’t work out too well, did it? In nine starts for the Cubs Gausman was measurably worse (4.83 ERA, 1.232 WHIP) than he was for the Jays (23 starts, 4.38 ERA, 1.288 WHIP). In particular, Gausman fell victim to the same thing many other Cubs pitchers did in 2026 — the long ball. In 50.1 innings for the Cubs, Gausman allowed 11 home runs. He’d allowed 15 homers in 127.1 innings for the Jays.
Whatever’s causing that for Cubs pitching, they need to get it fixed before 2027.
Gausman started Game 2 of the Wild Card Series and it did not go well, as he allowed five hits and three runs in 3.1 innings.
Gausman is an unrestricted free agent — no options of any kind. He turns 36 in January. He loved playing in Toronto:
The Gausman family full of gratitude and love for Toronto and the Blue Jays ❤️ pic.twitter.com/V2fQSIQ5nr
Seems possible, if the right-hander wants to continue playing, that’s the likely landing spot.
It was, I think, a worthwhile attempt, the deal bringing Gausman to the Cubs. Brett Bateman, the key piece in the deal, played 41 games for the Jays and batted .329/.402/.424, producing 2.2 bWAR. That’s quite good. But Bateman was blocked in Chicago by Pete Crow-Armstrong and so this was a good opportunity for him. The other player in the deal, Ty Southisene, is only 20 and has yet to play above A ball.
We should all wish Gausman well. I don’t think the Cubs should bring him back, though.
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, who played with Dončić in Dallas before the current Los Angeles Lakers’ star was traded, commented on an Instagram post featuring Lendeborg’s postgame remarks on Thursday. Marshall wrote, “80 ball next time they play never speak on the DON”
“80 ball next time they play never speak on the DON 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭”
The warning follows a heated NBA debut for the Warriors rookie. Lendeborg and Dončić traded verbal blows throughout Wednesday’s 127-105 Golden State loss at Crypto.com Arena, with Lendeborg picking up a technical foul before halftime. Afterward, he did not soften anything.
“I was telling him he sucks,” Lendeborg said. “He can’t score on me.”
“Being in there firsthand, just watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect, man,” Lendeborg said.
The numbers back up part of his case. Dončić scored 28 points on 7-of-18 shooting, but he shot 1-of-5 with Lendeborg as his primary defender and committed two turnovers in those matchups. Dončić also went 6 of 6 at the free-throw line with Lendeborg on him, which fits Lendeborg’s own complaint about the whistle. Lendeborg said Dončić’s only basket against him was a half-court banker at the end of the first half.
Draymond Green on Yaxel Lendeborg going at Luka Doncic: “Everyone will say the rookie learned his lesson. What he learn? The next time he see him, go at his ass again.”
Marshall’s comment reads as a playful dare, but the rematch is already circled. The Warriors host Dončić and the Lakers in San Francisco in less than two weeks on Oct. 30.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 20: Umpire Stu Scheurwater #85 argues with manager Mark Kotsay #7 of the Athletics after Kotsay was ejected during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on September 20, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Thursday everyone!
The World Series is nearly upon us. Just one more day before baseball fans are treated to Game 1 of the Fall Classic between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. Neither team has won the World Series so one way or another, one organization is going to taste the sweet feeling of hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy within the next two weeks.
And for A’s fans, there aren’t any major former Athletics on these teams (sorry Jorge Mateo and Chad Patrick). Still, there is a sense of comradery among the fanbases. Tampa and Milwaukee have been low-spenders for the majority of their existences, much like the Athletics. Getting to watch one of these low-payroll franchises lift that final trophy will be awesome to watch for A’s fans. A remind that even against the highest-spending teams like the Dodgers and Yankees, any team can win on any day in baseball.
Anyway, now that the A’s have their top voice in the front office, it’s time for Taylor Smith to begin staffing that office. And that’s something that the team is starting on immediately. And based off the comments from yesterday’s presser, it sounds like Smith will be hiring a GM to work under him. That’s not a shock considering that’s how most front offices work in baseball these days. Now we have to see who Smith will tab as his second-in-command.
Furthermore, from that same presser it sounds like manager Mark Kotsay’s job is safe, at least for now:
Taylor Smith and A’s manager Mark Kotsay will have dinner tonight in Vegas. Smith: “From my conversations with Mark so far, he seems like a great guy. Someone who's hungry for all the information we can get [the coaching staff], and I think it'll be a great partnership.”
That doesn’t sound like someone who is getting ready to make a change in the dugout. There wasn’t a huge expectation that Kotsay would be given his walking papers after the hiring of the next POBO but it was still a possibility. Based off those comments we can expect to see Kotsay in the dugout this spring. How long he lasts will depend on how quickly the team can begin turning things around.
No baseball today but the World Series tomorrow! Have a great Friday Junior A’s fans.
The 1st name that came out of Taylor Smith’s mouth when talking about the pitching staff was Jacob Lopez.
He was more deliberate when mentioning the other guys on the staff, but the way he blurted out ‘Lopez’ with that kind of enthusiasm was definitely interesting
Oct 18, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brent Honeywell (40) reacts during the fourth inning of game five of the NLCS against the New York Mets during the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Wednesday was light in Dodgers action in the Arizona Fall League, as the Glendale Desert Dogs were shut out in a game shortened by rain to only six innings. Against the Peoria Javelinas, Glendale managed only four hits, all singles, one of them by second baseman Charles Davalan.
So let’s expand our offseason minor league scope a bit, and turn to the Dominican Winter League (or LIDOM, if you prefer). As far as I can tell, shortstop Emil Morales is the only Dodgers minor leaguer currently active in the league, which started its season last Friday. Morales, who by season’s end was ranked the No. 22 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline and ranked 29th by Baseball America, did not play on Wednesday, but has played in two of five games thus for for Gigantes del Cibao.
Morales, who turned 20 in September, has a single, double, and two walks in his seven plate appearances thus far. He’s the second-youngest player on the Gigantes, with Rockies prospect Ronny Brito, a switch-hitting infielder/outfielder five and a half months younger than Morales.
Honeywell for the Gigantes on Wednesday pitched a scoreless sixth inning in relief. This is the second time in his career the 31-year-old right-hander has played in a winter league, having also pitched in seven games and 28 innings for Escogido in the 2022-23 season.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ty Jerome scored a career-high 45 points as the Memphis Grizzlies used a third-quarter rally enroute to a 123-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.
The game featured two of the top rookies in the current class: Utah picked Darryn Peterson of Kansas No. 2 overall right before Memphis selected Cam Boozer from Duke.
Peterson had nine points; Boozer finished 11 rebounds, seven points and five assists but was 2-of-15 shooting, 0 for 6 from 3-point range.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome (2) shoots against Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey, center, and guard Svi Mykhailiuk (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. AP Photo/Brandon Dill
Jerome connected on 17 of 25 shots including 5 of 10 from 3-point range. The 45 points were the most by a Memphis player in an season-opener, eclipsing the 44 by Ja Morant in 2020.
Jerami Grant, obtained in an offseason trade with Portland that sent Morant to the Trail Blazers, scored 15, Jaylen Wells and GG Jackson scored 12 each.
Keyonte George led the Jazz with 22 points Lauri Markkanen added 18 points.
Jaren Jackson Jr. made his return to the FedExForum court after eight seasons with the Grizzlies and scored 15 points before fouling out in the fourth.
Jaxson Hayes had a career-high six blocks for Utah.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome (2) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Memphis led by as many as 15 in the first half, carrying a 64-51 advantage into the break.
The Grizzlies used an 18-4 run opening the third to stretch their lead to 82-55.
Memphis led by as many as 27 points and the Jazz trailed by at least 15 points throughout the fourth quarter.
The reigning champions must deal with the absence of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for some time, while fans at Anfield were thrilled by Rio Ngumoha
Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 4-2 on Tuesday, but the reigning champions lost the best player in last season’s tournament, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. This autumn has seen much lobbying for the Ballon d’Or, with the Georgian a popular choice, despite his absence from the World Cup. He is expected to be out for six months, although Rodri’s comeback from serious injury – he was rested by Barcelona on Tuesday until coming off the bench in the 60th minute – shows it can take far longer than that for players to rediscover their highest level.
Fans of the Silver and Black will see a lot of those two colors this season. The uniform matchups are set for all of San Antonio’s regular season games except for the two TBDs that are part of the Emirates NBA Cup. You can see the full sartorial schedule at NBA LockerVision.
The Spurs will wear their traditional black uniforms (known as the Icon edition) in a team-high 26 games, with 10 of those at home. The traditional whites (known as the Association Edition) also make 10 home appearances — including the opening night loss to the Thunder — and will show up 22 times overall.
The good guys will wear silver in 19 games; 11 will feature their second-year silver jersey with the “San Antonio” wordmark (Statement Edition) while eight will feature the new Classic Edition throwbacks. Both sets will appear at the Frost Bank Center five times. The Spurs will don their fan-favorite “Fiesta” jerseys (City Edition) for 13 games, with six of those at home.
The most noteworthy jersey quirk on the schedule involves that City Edition set. We won’t see the Fiesta jerseys until after the New Year, but they’ll be featured 13 times in a 39-game stretch. They will make their season debut across the pond in Manchester City when the Spurs play the Pelicans in mid-January. The Spurs will be in white for their Paris game against the Pelicans three days later.
Folks traveling to Austin will see the black Icon Edition in two of those three games, including this Friday’s showdown with the Rockets. The other Austin game will be a Classic Edition clash with an orange-clad Denver Nuggets squad.
San Antonio doesn’t have any “don’t adjust your TV set” matchups like last year’s color explosion in Charlotte. The Spurs’ most colorful game hits on February 7 when the Fiesta jerseys will be paired with the Grizzlies’ baby blues in Memphis. For the Christmas Day rematch in New York, the Spurs will be in black and the Knicks will be in white, a combination we saw three times during the NBA Finals in June.
Which jerseys do you hope they pick for the Spurs’ two yet-to-be-determined NBA Cup games?
San Diego Padres reliever Adrian Morejon (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Offseason media speculation has suggested the San Diego Padres are leaning toward extending Adrian Morejon a qualifying offer. The lefty pitcher earned consideration with a dominant second half. No question, Morejon should be brought back for the 2027 campaign.
It is rare for a setup reliever to receive a qualifying offer, but this news should not come as a big surprise. Morejon is considered the top left-handed reliever in this winter’s free-agent class, and should command plenty of interest on the open market.
What is a qualifying offer?
Every organization has five days after the World Series ends to extend a qualifying offer to an impending free agent. It is a one-year contract offer, and this year’s price tag is $23.15 million.
However, all players must have spent the entire season on the club’s roster and have never received a qualifying offer in their career. If they decline the contract offer and sign elsewhere, their former team receives a compensatory draft pick.
Why extend a qualifying offer
Re-signing Morejon should be the Padres’ top priority this offseason. The club has no internal left-handed bullpen option to replace him. In fact, it is hard to find a reliever who can take on his workload: he averaged over 70 appearances over the last three seasons.
In 2025, Morejon posted a 2.83 ERA over 86.0 innings pitched. Pairing an outstanding 30.4% strikeout rate with a solid 8.0% walk rate, Morejon struck out 107 batters. Perhaps his most impressive underlying metric, Morejon surrendered just four home runs last season.
If he rejects the offer, his suitors will have to consider the cost of pursuing him. Fortunately for the Friars, they receive compensation if their premier setup reliever signs with another team.
If accepted, Morejon would receive a massive salary increase from his $3.9 million mark a year ago. San Diego keeps its late-inning bullpen tandem for another season.
Extending the qualifying offer puts the ball in Morejon’s court.
Morejon has a life-changing decision
At 27, Morejon is in the prime of his career. Most free agents would decline the qualifying offer to seek a multi-year, big-money deal. Morejon’s potential suitors do not need a reminder of his value to the bullpen.
Still, a conflicted decision looms. While accepting the qualifying offer is a foolish business decision, Morejon has openly expressed a desire to remain in San Diego. A deep-seated loyalty to the franchise could play a role in his decision.
To extend a qualifying offer, the Padres have to be confident Morejon is open to a long-term extension. It would not be a surprise to see the Padres and Morejon come together on a new deal.
Time will tell what occurs.
Padres News:
Ramon Laureano was supposed to be the answer in left field for the Padres in 2026. Unfortunately, a pre-existing injury and a corresponding surgery cut his season short and now San Diego has to decide if it wants him back.
Ron Duguay, a 12-year NHL veteran most famous for his paparazzi-and-celebrity-filled time as a Ranger, died on Thursday after a battle with colon cancer, according to his girlfriend Sarah Palin. He was 69.
Drafted 13th overall by the Blueshirts in 1977, Duguay was a speedy and skillful offensive-minded forward whose feathered curls made him easily identifiable on the ice.
His six seasons in New York were highlighted by a run to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final, where the Rangers lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. Over 499 games with the Rangers, Duguay finished with 164 goals and 176 assists for 340 points.
New York Rangers hockey player Ron Duguay is seen on the ice during a game against the Los Angeles Kings in April 1981. Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images
“The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history,” the team said in a statement on X. “Ron’s signature skating style — with his hair flowing as he moved down the ice — captivated The Garden Faithful, and his skill, tenacity, and charisma earned him the admiration of all New Yorkers. We join the hockey community in sending our condolences to Ron’s friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time.
To this day, Duguay is still tied for the franchise record for the fastest goal scored from the start of the game, having netted one just nine seconds into a matchup against the Flyers on April, 6, 1980.
Madison Square Garden brought the best out of Duguay, whose widespread appeal made him a New York sensation.
Sarah Palin posted this photo asking for prayers for Ron Duguay. Sarah Palin/Instagram
“As soon as I stepped on the ice, I could feel the energy. You then become more than a hockey player,” he told TVA Sports in 2023. “You become an artist, because you entertain and you have an opportunity to make spectators jump out of their seats every time you make a check.”
Duguay was so much more than a hockey player during his time in the NHL. The boy from Sudbury, Ontario redefined the possibilities for professional hockey players and, in turn, boosted the league’s popularity.
The Sasson jeans commercial – in which Duguay and his Rangers teammates Phil Esposito, Anders Hedberg and Dave Maloney modeled the brand and memorably jingled “ooh la la” – is a notable intersection of sports and pop culture. Now, it’s just a fun piece of Rangers lore.
Duguay receiving cancer treatment in a photo shared by his daughter, Shay Thomas, earlier this year. Shay Thomas / Instagram
Duguay’s Hollywood look, Studio-54 lifestyle and fervor for life opened doors no other NHL player had walked through at the time.
In 1980, Rod Gilbert introduced Duguay to famous artist Andy Warhol, who went on to put No. 10 on the cover of his magazine, “Interview“, and featured his portrait in his “Athletes” series alongside the likes of Muhammad Ali, Mets great Tom Seaver, NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and more.
Ron Duguay, center, of the New York Rangers is in front of the net during a game against the New York Islanders in April 1982. Getty Images
The introduction to Warhol led to a meeting with filmmaking royalty Steven Spielberg, who considered Duguay for the lead role in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” He didn’t get the part, but actress and model Farrah Fawcett reportedly came over to introduce herself at another event some time after.
He got remarried in January 1993 to Kim Alexis, spending two decades with the fashion model before divorcing in 2016.
Duguay, a pillar of the Studio 54 legacy (to the ire of former Rangers coach Herb Brooks), transcended his status as an NHL player.
“Ron is the type of player who hustles a lot out there and turns on the fans,” current Blue Jackets president and general manager Don Waddell said in 1991 when he was at the helm of the San Diego Gulls of the International Hockey League, per the Los Angeles Times.
“Doogie” began his hockey legacy playing for his hometown team, the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, from 1973 to 1977.
Posting 134 points in 61 games during the 1975-76 campaign, Duguay helped the Wolves win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the best team in the regular season. The club ultimately lost in the J. Ross Robertson Cup finals to the Hamilton Fincups.
The Wolves retired Duguay’s jersey as part of the team’s 35th-anniversary celebration in September 2006.
Duguay represented Canada on the international stage twice. In addition to competing in the 1977 World Junior Championship, Duguay also donned the Maple Leaf at the 1981 Canada Cup.
Making stops in New York, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles, Duguay racked up 864 games in the NHL. His final season in the league came with the Kings in 1988-89, which wrapped up his NHL career at 274 goals and 346 assists for 620 points.
Though it wasn’t the end of his hockey career. Duguay bounced around the minor leagues for a bit before retiring at the age of 41 in 1999. But hockey continued to call to Duguay into the early 2000s.
Arriving in Jacksonville to compete in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League in 2002, Duguay joined an injured Barracudas team. He appeared in six games as a player before the Barracudas fired their head coach Kurt Wickenheiser, which led to Duguay taking over behind the bench.
For four seasons, until 2006, Duguay served as the team’s head coach. He led the Barracudas to a championship during his first full season as bench boss in 2003-04. It was Jacksonville’s first hockey championship team.
“If it wasn’t for Ron, the Barracudas would not be here today,” Barracudas majority owner Steve Croskrey said when Duguay moved into an advisory role in 2006, per OurSports Central.
Duguay simply couldn’t stay off the ice.
Ron Duguay and his wife, American actress and model Kim Alexis, and their children, at a promotional event for ‘The Gym Source’, with both Alexis and Duguay wearing t-shirts bearing ‘The Gym Source’ logo, circa 1995. Getty Images
In March 2009, nearly six years after playing his final professional game, a 51-year-old Duguay signed a two-day, two-game contract with the Brooklyn Aces and the Jersey Rockhoppers in the Eastern Professional Hockey League. He pledged his earnings to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit organization associated with Madison Square Garden.
That same year, Duguay competed in the inaugural season of CBC’s Battle of the Blades skating competition. He was partnered with Barbara Underhill and skated for World Vision Canada, a Christian relief, development, and advocacy charity organization.
It was his eight years in New York, however, that made Duguay one of the most well-known hockey players of all time. His love of Manhattan was obvious. The lifestyle. The culture. Everything about it.
Sarah Palin aids Ron Duguay in an Instagram video. Shay Thomas / Instagram
He relished playing inside MSG. He relished being a Ranger.
“I’d rather have Duguay the way he plays than [Mike] Bossy the way he plays,” former Rangers head coach Fred Shero once said.
From 2007 to 2018, Duguay was also an analyst for MSG Network’s broadcast coverage of Rangers games.
Duguay is survived by his daughters Shay Thomas and Amber Stavros, and son Noah Duguay, as well as his grandchildren Aiden, Jayden, Cole, Nora and Ranger.
