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Was the 2026 Red Sox season a success?

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Interim Manager Chad Tracy #17 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with champagne in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff berth following a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 20, 2026 at at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

…………………………………………………………No. No, it was not a success. Of course it wasn’t.

Was the comeback we saw in late June and July incredible? For sure. It gave me something to believe in again heading into the dog days of summer, and I’m thankful for that. The guys in that clubhouse deserve the respect they got for not lying down and for clawing their way back into the picture. I think it’s a big win for the clubhouse culture of a franchise that had been starved of that sense of culture for a while.

Last time I checked, though, they don’t hang banners for improved culture and for fighting back in the face of adversity. They don’t give out rings for great summers in this league.

It’s real simple: This is Boston, and in a season like this where you were looking to build upon your first playoff appearance in a few seasons, another Wild Card exit cannot possibly be considered a success. I think the future can be bright for this franchise, but a season ending in a second straight elimination at the hands of the Yankees early in the playoffs (before the calendar year even flipped over to October, technically!) should never ever ever ever ever be considered a success for the Red Sox.

— Fitzy Mo Peña

HELL NO!!! If you string together the last four games played against the Yankees (the two in the Wild Card series and the two at the end of August with the head-to-head tiebreaker on the line), Boston got annihilated by a combined score of 43-5. This was a season bookended by unmitigated disasters, and nothing — not even the best 37 game stretch in franchise history sandwiched in-between — can change that.

But it actually gets even worse when you zoom out. Not only did this season end in calamity, but the year as a whole gave us pretty terrible news on the array of critical building blocks the team has moving forward. Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony have legit and potentially long-term injury concerns surrounding them. Marcelo Mayer flamed out and got flipped for a middle reliever. Kristian Campbell never found his was back from Worcester. Tristian Casas hasn’t played in over 300 games. Connelly Early was swapped for a largely unproven Curtis Mead. Brayan Bello continues to prove he’s completely untrustworthy in a pressure packed spot. Jarren Duran’s value shriveled so much you’re not going to get anything useful for him in a trade going forward. And Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Enddy Azocar, and Harold Rivas were all shipped to Baltimore in exchange for Adley Rutschman, who has just one year of control left.

Do you see what’s happening here? The wave of young talent that was supposed to set up a run of many October nights at Fenway over the next handful of years has taken a massive hit over the last seven months, and we really have nothing to show for it. It’s not just 2026 that failed, but also the fact that many of the season’s worst elements threaten to linger into 2027 and beyond.

—Matthew Gross

This is going to be unpopular but, yes, this was a successful season. While the goal to some extent every year is to win the World Series, only one team can do that. Thirty teams each play 162 games, minimum, every year. Half of the comments on this site called for a fire sale in May. The big media evaluators called for gutting the roster by June for draft position. But it’s a long season. And, yes, some seasons will be bad. 2014 and 2015 were a huge drop off from the miracle in 2013. The 2019 season was a crash from 2018. If the team had kept losing through the deadline, sure, make some moves. But that’s the time to evaluate. Not May. That’s “fire a coach” or “replace the manager” time (mainly because these positions are easier to move than players).

Pace is not prophecy. We got to enjoy one of the best runs any team has ever gone on in baseball history. Without Garrett Crochet. Without (pretty much) Roman Anthony. The same people cheering Tolle for giving a hug would be calling him unserious if they’d lost 120 games.

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Three players are near locks for Gold Gloves. Caleb Durbin showed everyone you can play with only 4 fingers sometimes. Payton Tolle had fun that was contagious. Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras rallied around their homeland with homers. The Scots visited and brought a new energy to the oldest ballpark in the league. Don’t throw away a season because there wasn’t a trophy.

—Mike Carlucci

No. My answer might have been different if the Sox had put up any kind of a fight against the Yankees in the Wild Card.

—Maura McGurk

No. Thinking back to a few weeks ago, I asked for our Question of the Day: “What would make this Red Sox season a success?” I was stunned by the number of responses who felt that it was already a success by making the playoffs. As I stated then, “It’s been five years since the Red Sox won a playoff series, and expectations need to be higher around here.”

And that was before the team was swept and embarrassed over two nights in the Bronx, not even making it to the first day of October. When there should have been urgency in a four-game series in New York in late August, with the chance to host the Yankees in the playoffs, the team got run out of the building. In the playoffs, the same thing happened.

Watching the remainder of the playoffs these past couple of weeks, what has stuck with me is how far away the Red Sox appear to be from hanging with these teams in a playoff environment. From putting the ball in play against high velocity, to hitting for power, to first-year players stepping in and appearing to be ready for the moment.

As memorable as the one-quarter of the season was for all of us, if you turn the clocks back to March and were told “Two fewer wins than last year, another five seed, and a sweep from the Yankees by the combined score of 18-2,” I can’t think of how I could have spun that as a success.

—Bob Osgood

Yes. I believe the team is in a better position than it was when the season started, which you can only do for so long before things begin to break right at the right times. That’s to say nothing of the team’s utterly iconic summer, which turned the narrative about the entire franchise 180 degrees on its axis back to pointed straight forward, where the arrow remains today. Losing two games in October by 10 billion runs doesn’t change that.

The Sox should enter next year having taken no steps backward, which is a lot harder to do than it sounds. Be happy about what we have; don’t mourn what we don’t. The dynasty was never going to last forever. This is what the climb looks and feels like. We may be hungry, but as Taylor Swift said, you’re starved until you’re not. As long as we get closer to the feast, and I believe we did, I’m happy about it.

— Bryan Joiner

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Australia collapse in chaotic fashion to leave South Africa in sight of victory

  • Tourists all out for 99 and forced to follow on

  • Batters left to conduct desperate rearguard on last day

There it was, another entry in Australia’s hall of infamy against South Africa. There was 47 all out, in the innocent days when the 2011 Test was the worst humiliation in Cape Town. There was 85 all out in Hobart, 2016, that led to half the side being sacked. Now there is 99 all out in Gqeberha, one day after the home team blew past 400, only for the visitors to follow on halfway through day four. At 156 for four, still 170 behind, Australia could yet save the second Test on its final day, but another batting failure has left the door wide open to defeat, and the table laden with defeat’s favourite snacks.

When Nic Maddinson’s first innings lasted four balls on the third evening, nobody would have predicted that his second innings would be done an hour after lunch the next day. Between times, nine other Australian wickets fell in 38.3 overs. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada bowled spells of ferocity, cranking up the speed gun while beating edges with the ball pitched up, and peppering batters when it wasn’t.

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Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder has built an excellent staff by developing reclamation projects

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Bryan Baker was an inconsistent reliever in Baltimore. He became a dominant closer in his first full season in Tampa Bay.

Drew Rasmussen had a 5.01 ERA in 1 1/2 seasons in Milwaukee. He developed into an elite ace with the Rays.

Freddy Peralta struggled with the Mets before he was traded to Tampa Bay in August, turned his season around and was MVP of the AL Champions Series.

Nick Martinez signed with the Rays a couple days before spring training and made his first All-Star team in July.

Cam Booser had a 5.52 ERA last season, came to Tampa Bay and cut it to 1.98.

The common theme for those reclamation projects is pitching coach Kyle Snyder.

Under Snyder’s direction since 2018, the Rays have consistently had one of the best pitching staffs in the majors.

That stellar staff helped Tampa Bay become American League champions for the third time in the franchise’s 29 seasons. The World Series begins Friday night in Milwaukee.

The Rays led the league in WHIP (1.14), were fourth in batting average against (.229) and seventh in ERA (3.70) this season. Snyder has earned a reputation for consistently developing pitchers.

“I don’t know if I could put into words right now the impact and importance he’s had to the pitchers here at the major league level, the entire pitching department throughout the organization,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I’m certainly biased, but I think he’s the best in baseball at what he does, the care that he shows each individual pitcher, whether it’s in the offseason, spring training and obviously during the season — the way that he builds relationships and creates that trust within each individual pitcher.

“And I think the way he’s evolved. I mean, we’ve seen pitching — there’s a lot of information out there right now about pitching. There has been for quite some time. I think Kyle’s always at the forefront of being very curious to try to understand what that information is providing or saying. And he’s the best at implementing it with individual pitchers.”

The 49-year-old Snyder spent less than a decade pitching in the majors, posting a 5.57 ERA in 93 games with the Royals and Red Sox between 2003-08. He won a World Series with Boston in 2007 and began his coaching career with the Rays in 2012 as the pitching coach for Low-A Hudson Valley.

With Snyder leading the way, the Rays have embraced new technology. They began using markerless motion capture technology before other teams, helped introduce the opener concept and have emphasized the value of catcher pitch framing.

Snyder goes out of his way to build relationships with his pitchers and has prioritized face-to-face conversations instead of texting since he became a coach.

“You build the relationship strong enough so that it can bear the weight of trust, but if you show them enough that you care and you happen to be in their living room let’s say in January, it’s a lot easier to deliver a hard and direct message in May because they know the care factor is there,” Snyder told MLB Network recently.

Peralta said Snyder helped him learn to trust himself again after his midseason trade to Tampa Bay.

“The information and the way he communicated to me, it was the right way to do it,” Peralta said. “When I got here, everything changed.”

Baker had moments of success with the Orioles. The Rays saw his potential and figured Snyder could get the best out of him. He did. Baker had a 1.44 ERA in 65 appearances this season and has been nearly unhittable in the playoffs, allowing one hit in seven innings.

“It’s been awesome to get to work with such a good baseball mind and somebody who has got a lot of feel for the game, especially pitching side, that you don’t see too often,” Baker said of Snyder. “So I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

The Rays throw more change-ups than other teams because of Snyder’s influence. Baker said learning to throw a change-up in the strike zone is the biggest factor that has led to his success.

Catcher Liam Hicks, who was traded to the Rays in August, said Snyder helped him transition smoothly to handling a new pitching staff.

“I think he does a really good job of just keeping things simple,” Hicks said. “He does a really good job of giving you enough information but not overwhelming you with it as well. I feel like back there, every game, I’m completely prepared for what to call. He helps me between innings, planning for the next few hitters. And then just seeing the way all the pitchers respect him as well, it’s really cool. And I feel like I’ve learned a ton this year with him.”

All that’s missing from Snyder’s coaching resume is a World Series ring. The Rays are four wins away from securing it.

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Hal Steinbrenner pins 'unacceptable end' to Yankees' season on position players

The Yankees suffered another disappointing finish in the postseason, and while there's plenty of blame to go around, owner Hal Steinbrenner pinned it directly on the players -- specifically the offense.

Speaking alongside GM Brian Cashman in the team's end-of-year news conference Wednesday, Steinbrenner on numerous occasions talked about the position players' failure to perform as a reason the Yankees have not been able to get over the hump, while defending his GM and manager.

"I don't think you can pin the season and the unacceptable end to it on Aaron [Boone]. I don't think you can pin it on [Cashman]," he said. "I was disappointed, quite frankly, with the offense throughout the course of the year…as a whole, they were very inconsistent when it came to run scoring. And that made it difficult to catch the Rays and win the division. Winning the division is a big deal in this playoff format. This has been twice now that the offense has not lived up to their end of the bargain."

Steinbrenner added:

"When you look at the subpar season, that certainly ended in an unacceptable way, is [Boone] really responsible? In the end, the majority of the responsibility, I’ll say it for the fifth time, in my mind, in my opinion, lies with the position players and the inability to score on a consistent basis throughout the course of the entire season, for the most part, and not on the shoulders of Aaron Boone does the blame lie.” 

The Yankees (93-68) finished with the second-best record in the American League, but failed to capture the division. Despite injuries to various players throughout the year, including long-term IL stints to Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, which Steinbrenner cited, the Yanks finished 11th in MLB in OPS (.720) and second in home runs (223), but were 26th in average (.235), 24th in OBP (.311), and 29th in hits (1250). 

That inconsistency permeated into the postseason.

New York scored a combined 18 runs on 26 hits in the two-game sweep of the Red Sox, but just five runs on 12 hits in the Rays' three-game sweep in the ALDS.

New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice (22) celebrates with outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium.
New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice (22) celebrates with outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Cashman was asked about the inconsistencies and whether it's a clubhouse or personnel issue.

"Every day’s different. Every play can cascade into something. We were perfect for two days in the Wild Card Series against a formidable opponent. A few days later…it didn’t happen for us for a lot of different reasons," Cashman explained. "You have to be consistently playing your best baseball on all sides of the ball, or you’ll be sent home. And that’s what happened that day.

"Our players are prepared, they are wired the right way and they care. Every year is different. The environment in Tampa, we did not perform."

Boone saw the same inconsistencies this season, and likened it to past seasons. He liked the way the team was playing going into the ALDS, but the bats simply disappeared.

"There’s years where we were at times in the year one of the best teams in baseball and you get to the finish line and you’re not that same team," Boone said. " At different times this year, the run scoring was a problem for us and proved to be a problem in the Tampa series, too. The Red Sox series we played our best baseball at any time all year, but then got shut down, unfortunately, in three games by the Rays."

The 2027 season could be make-or-break for Boone and the Yankees. The longtime skipper will be managing on an expiring contract, and there will be potentially hard decisions to make regarding certain position players like Stanton.

But Boone remains confident the organization will continue to work towards the goal of winning the Yankees' 28th World Series.

"The ending always, obviously, hurts, but that’s being in the arena," Boone said. "There’s one happy team at the end of the year. That’s what we’re working hard to get back to that point."

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Adam Silver says LeBron's helicopter deal 'perfectly appropriate' if 76ers not involved

It's raised a few eyebrows around the league that LeBron James took a steep pay cut — playing for the veteran minimum — to come to Philadelphia, then commutes from New York to the team's New Jersey practice facility and games in Philly via helicopter. Specifically, a Fantatics-branded helicopter from the sports apparel company. Pablo Torre of the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast — which blew the Kawhi Leonard/Clippers/Aspiration story up — said NBA owners have sent him messages asking what is going on, and he is looking into it.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver downplayed the concern in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, saying if it's part of LeBron's endorsement deal with Fanatics it's fine, as long as the 76ers aren't part of it (quote via ESPN).

"He has a deal with Fanatics. It's perfectly appropriate if part of his deal is they're going to supply a helicopter to him as long as it's just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved; there's no rules issue there whatsoever."

Front Office Sports’ Daniel Roberts and TMZ Sports investigated LeBron's helicopter rides and endorsement deal with Fanatics, and both confirmed that LeBron isn't paying for the helicopter out of pocket. That said, LeBron has had a deal with Fanatics for several years — one that will extend beyond his playing days — and the use of the Fanatics helicopter is part of that long-term deal. Here is what a spokesperson for James told Front Office Sports:

"The deal we signed with Fanatics almost three years ago includes access to their corporate aviation. It's a feature in many of their deals with their largest athletes and we appreciate their partnership as LeBron splits his time between New York and Philadelphia."

Beyond that, the idea that LeBron needed a sweetener financially to take the minimum and play for Philadelphia was always a little ridiculous. Putting aside the fact that LeBron has earned more than half a billion in salary before this season ($583 million), Forbes also estimates he will make about $85 million in endorsements this year. LeBron always had the money to make the best basketball choice for himself and not stress about the payday.

If the 76ers had their hands directly in LeBron's helicopter deal, that would be one thing, but it appears they don't.

LeBron, for his part, recently blew all of this off, saying it was "just another way of transportation."

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Knicks WAGS share behind-the-scenes look at ring night

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Tyler Kolek and his girlfriend Lexi Sousa pose with his new Knicks championship ring on Wednesday night. , Image 2 shows Shannon Hart and Josh Hart do a game day fit video together before the Knicks' ring night. , Image 3 shows Ali Brunson shares a photo of her and daughter Jordyn at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks' home opener agains the 76ers.

It was as if it was June again back inside Madison Square Garden as the players and their families soaked up championship ring night at the Knicks’ home opener.

The wives and girlfriends of the beloved championship team, who brought home a first NBA title to New York in 53 years, gave a behind-the-scenes look at the celebratory night Wednesday that saw two new banners go up into the rafters and 22-carat rings put on fingers.

Lexi Sousa, girlfriend of Tyler Kolek, and Shannon Hart, wife of Josh Hart, both shared videos of their partners walking out to receive their rings from Walt Frazier on the court.

Tyler Kolek and his girlfriend Lexi Sousa pose with his new Knicks championship ring on Wednesday night. Instagram @lexi.sousa

“My champ!!” Sousa wrote over the video in an Instagram story, while Shannon inserted three smiling crying emojis in her post.

Sousa also shared a photo of her and Kolek posing with the new bling following the Knicks’ 106-100 season-opening loss to the 76ers.

The backup guard wore a Knicks bomber jacket with jeans and loafers while Sousa, who wore the ring, sported a shirt with No. 23 on it paired with jeans, black heels and an orange bag.

Shannon Hart shares a video of her husband Josh as he walks out on the Madison Square Garden court to receive his Knicks championship ring. Instagram @shannondesiree_

“Ring szn,” she wrote.

Ahead of the game, Shannon posted an outfit video on TikTok alongside Hart.

“We are back with this game day fit series. Today is the first game of the season, which is super exciting, right?” Shannon said as she looked back at Hart, who said “Yep!”

Shannon wore a Skims bodysuit and Mugler leggings under a Isabel Marant leather jacket paired with her blue Hermès bag.

Hart sported a white Skims tee with a brown Acne Studios jacket, Amiri jeans and Hermès loafers.

“Lets’s go Knicks!” Shannon said at the end of the video before the couple shared a kiss.

Ali Brunson was also in the house to support husband Jalen Brunson alongside their daughter, Jordyn.

Shannon Hart and Josh Hart do a game day fit video together before the Knicks’ ring night. TikTok @shannondesiree_
Lexi Sousa posts a video of Tyler Kolek walking out to get his Knicks championship ring. Instagram @lexi.sousa

The 2-year-old was seen hanging out with grandfather Rick Brunson pregame, and later the Knicks captain and NBA Finals MVP picked her up and gave her a kiss while a smiling Ali could be seen in the background.

Ali, a Pilates instructor and licensed physical therapist, posted a photo of the back of her and Jordyn while looking at the Madison Square Garden court.

The high school sweetheart couple was spotted in the building two times during the offseason for a pair of Harry Styles concerts, including one where the major pop star shouted out Brunson and his NBA championship.

Jordyn Woods-Towns, wife of Karl-Anthony Towns, was also in attendance and debuted her new gold bag — the same bag, just in a different shade than what proved to be her lucky orange Knicks bag last season — of her Woods by Jordyn clothing line.

The Tux Clutch Mini in ‘Trophy Gold’ is a limited edition of the bag and retails at $155.

Tuesday’s game swung back-and-forth often throughout the first half until the 76ers went on a 29-18 run in the third quarter that helped them leave New York with a win.

Ali Brunson shares a photo of her and daughter Jordyn at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks’ home opener agains the 76ers. Instagram @alibrunson11

The Knicks travel to Boston on Friday before coming back home for two games against the Magic and Pistons.

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Dodgers position player outlook heading into offseason

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 14: Teoscar Hernández #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammate Josue de Paula #95 after scoring during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 14, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers head into the offseason with their planned 2026 lineup all signed for 2027 as well. Then again they had those nine players all start in the same game only three times this season — September 23 vs. the Padres, NLDS Game 1 against the Braves, and NLCS Game 2 against the Brewers.

Timing of injuries were the culprit here, with Tommy Edman recovering from ankle surgery and not making his season debut until June 17. By then, catcher Will Smith was two weeks into a injured-list stint that would last three months. By the time he returned in September, Shohei Ohtani was resting before his own IL stint.

Then again, that’s what happens when, as Teoscar Hernández jokingly noted before the Dodgers celebrated their Division Series triumph, “We’re dinosaurs.”

Eight of the nine regulars from the 2026 team will have an age that starts with a three during the 2027 season, everyone but center fielder Andy Pages.

Dodgers regulars

  • Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, age 32 next season
  • Catcher Will Smith, 32
  • First baseman Freddie Freeman, 37
  • Infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman, 32
  • Shortstop Mookie Betts, 34
  • Third baseman Max Muncy, 36
  • Left fielder Teoscar Hernández, 34
  • Center fielder Andy Pages, 26
  • Right fielder Kyle Tucker, 30

Others on the 40-man roster

  • Catcher Dalton Rushing, 26
  • Outfielder Josue De Paula, 22
  • Infielder Alex Freeland, 25
  • Outfielder Alex Call, 32
  • Infielder/outfielder/pinch-runner Hyeseong Kim, 28
  • Catcher Hunter Feduccia, 30
  • Catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, 27

De Paula has played outfield throughout his stellar minor league run, but the Dodgers only called him up when Ohtani went on the injured list, giving him a runway at designated hitter. He only played two games and six total innings in left field during his first 11-game stint in the majors.

“He handled himself and did as well as he could possibly do. Right now we view him as a DH, and Shohei’s back and going to take the DH at-bats,” Dodgers president of operations Andrew Friedman said on September 23, when De Paula was optioned back to the minors. “The improvement that Josue had in the outfield from ‘25 to ‘26 is real, and for us it’s about taking another big step going into ‘27. He’s got the tools and ability to do it. I think he worked really hard going into this year and had real improvement. The experience he being got up here and watching what our guys do on a daily basis connected some dots for him.”

Obviously the Dodgers would ideally love for De Paula to step right into left field. But whether he makes the defensive improvements necessary to do so, and whether the team makes the roster move(s) needed to clear playing time for him are the next two obstacles to hurdle.

Hernández with one year and $21 million remaining on his deal logically is the player most likely to be traded to open up a spot for De Paula.

But other than that, what avenues remain to augment and improve this position player group that otherwise isn’t getting any younger? Do they acquire a second baseman and move Edman to more of a semi-regular utility role? Free agents at the position include Jazz Chisholm and Brandon Lowe. A trade for the Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte and his five years, $87.5 million remaining on his contract would be hoping that a change of scenery could turn things around, but then again Marte will be 33 next year and wouldn’t help the team get any younger.

Assuming the Dodgers wouldn’t keep De Paula on the active roster unless he’s playing at least semi-regularly, the current roster configuration has a likely bench of Rushing as the backup catcher, Freeland and Kim as the utility infielders, plus Call as the fourth outfielder. Safe to figure that improvements will be made to improve this group as well.

I’m also skeptical they last too long into the offseason with four catchers on the 40-man roster. Having a third catcher with an option year remaining in Feduccia is a nice luxury to have, especially given his experience with the staff. But don’t be surprised if they try to sneak Alfonzo through waivers this fall like last offseason’s Ben Rortvedt travels.

Today’s question is what roster move(s) would you make this winter to improve the Dodgers’ position player group?

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Matvei Michkov Makes Perfect Sense For Blackhawks To Consider

The Chicago Blackhawks are always looking for ways to improve the team outlook. They could make moves that help them now and years down the line. They are not close to making any “win-now” moves by mortgaging the future, but they can look into young players who fit the current mold. 

One of those players is Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov. He is a young player who has had an up-and-down start to his career, and the Flyers may be looking to move him so both sides can get a fresh start. There are no guarantees that Michkov is traded, but there are whispers. 

Philadelphia, one year removed from making the playoffs and winning a round over their arch rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, has had a disaster of a start. They are currently 2-6-3 after winning two straight. When they were 0-6-3, it was clear that changes could be coming one way or another, despite it being so early in the year. 

If they are looking to shake things up, moving on from Michkov may not be the wisest decision, but it's a rumor that keeps coming up. He is off to a good start this season, despite his team's performance. 

In 11 games played, Michkov has 6 goals and 1 assist for 7 points. Two of those goals came in their most recent win. He is finding the back of the net, but it's hard to say that every other aspect of his game has been up to par. There have been questions about his motivation and love for the game, but he has come into this year in shape and ready to play. 

Why would the Blackhawks want to trade for a risky player like this? Well, if they did, the answer is simple: he is incredibly talented. Michkov was the 7th overall pick by the Flyers in the 2023 NHL Draft. The only reason he fell to 7 was his contract situation in the KHL. Eventually, he found his way to North America, making some teams worry that they made a mistake by passing on him. 

The Blackhawks were actually one of the teams that technically passed on him when they selected Connor Bedard with the first overall pick. For a while, Michkov was expected to rival Bedard at the top of the draft, but his situation pushed him down the board. That, and the evolution of other prospects like Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli, and Will Smith. 

Chicago, with Bedard and a plethora of other young talent, could afford to give Michkov a great opportunity. He has a knack for scoring goals and making plays, but he needs a fresh start. He is at the proper age in terms of fitting in with the current group, and he has a skill set that would play well with what they have in place. 

There is no shortage of playmakers in Chicago. Michkov knows how to find the back of the net, and the Blackhawks could use more of that skill to play with their setup men. Would it solve any of their defensive issues as a team? No, but it would help them be more lethal when they do have the puck. 

The Blackhawks also have Roman Kantserov in the mix who, like Michkov, has experience coming over from the KHL. They would be able to help each other, as they are both supremely talented Russian players trying to make an impact at the highest level. 

What would it take to get Michkov? Well, you'd think that multiple draft picks or prospects would be involved. Could a late first-round pick get it done? The Blackhawks have a lot of draft capital, and they are unlikely to just use it all on selections.

Sometimes, a risky trade like this could be what gets the rebuild to the next step. If Michkov came in and found instant chemistry with Connor Bedard or Anton Frondell, showed incredible commitment to getting better, and put up big numbers, it would make acquiring him look like genius. Other GMs are going to be involved if he's available, but only time will tell. 

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Canadiens Fans Want Larkin But He Still Doesn't Want Them

The Montreal Canadiens' biggest need right now is an upgrade at their second-line center spot. Because of this, they have been viewed as a prime fit for disgruntled Detroit Red Wings star center Dylan Larkin.

Canadiens fans also recently made it clear that they want Montreal to acquire the Red Wings star, as they chanted "we want Larkin" during their recent matchup.

However, Larkin still does not want to join the Habs. 

According to The Athletic's Max Bultman and Pierre LeBrun, Larkin has now expanded his trade list to 10 teams, and the Canadiens are still not among the clubs he is willing to be traded to. 

Per Bultman and LeBrun, the teams on Larkin's updated trade list are the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche.

It is certainly disappointing news for the Canadiens that Larkin has expanded his trade list, and they are still not on it. He would be a perfect pickup for their second-line center spot and could the final piece that makes the Canadiens legitimate contenders. However, even with the Canadiens being one of the NHL's most exciting teams on the rise, Larkin still is not interested in joining them. 

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Collin Sexton may be more important to the Lakers than expected

If you wanted proof that absence makes the heart grow fonder, look no further than how much of a void Collin Sexton left in the Lakers’ preseason. 

When he signed with Los Angeles over the summer, the expectations for Sexton were simple. Get buckets, get downhill and spell Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves from having to bring the ball up the court every possession. 

Those duties haven’t changed. But their importance may have been undersold given the other options on the roster. 

With every audacious Jaden Hardy pull-up and Bronny James’ Herculean attempt to create space against an end-of-the-bench defender, it became clearer that Sexton’s skillset on the team isn’t a luxury, but rather a necessity. 

It is unfair and unwise to expect Sexton to replicate the caliber of offense that walked out the door with LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. But he will have to be a facsimile of what they brought to the table. 

At 6’3”, Sexton may not look like he has the stature to take on such a large responsibility, but make no mistake, he’s a basketball-playing pitbull. He dribbles with a snarl. He dashes with a snarl. He defends with a snarl. He’s the living embodiment of a snarl. 

Sexton’s bite can also back up his bark.

The combo guard weaves and tunnels around and underneath the defense thanks to his quick first step and plethora of inside-and-out dribbles. He attacks and asks questions second. 

This aggressive approach is why Sexton averaged 12.9 drives in just 23 minutes per game. For context, that number would have ranked third on the Lakers last season behind only Dončić and Reaves. 

It’s not just his ability to get downhill. He also has the bulk and craft to get shots up when he touches the paint.

Sexton bulldozed his way to 271 attempts within five feet last season, according to the league’s tracking data. That number is more than notable players like James Harden, De’Aaron Fox and Jalen Brunson.

These drives should help start the blender next to the stars and create advantages for second units devoid of shot creation.

He is not the athletic runaway train that James was, but he can help ensure the north and south dimension of the offense is not absent altogether.

Unlike who the Lakers trotted out in the preseason, Sexton is also simply a professional who has done the job the team requires before. 

With eight years of reps under his belt, Sexton has finished in the 80th percentile or higher in usage rate six times and in the 82nd percentile or higher in assist % at his position the last three seasons.

Beyond his credible on-ball juice, Sexton’s outside shooting should also boost his functionality and viability in any lineup. Despite being known more for the ferocity of his drives, Sexton has quietly been one of the steadier shooting guards since entering the league. 

Although he is not going to shoot off pindowns or flare screens like Kennard, Sexton is not a player defenses can willfully ignore either, especially in standstill situations. 

Last season, Sexton converted 44.6% of his 175 catch-and-shoot threes. It’s a number that will definitely play next to two of the best drive-and-kick players in the league. 

Like any other role player, Sexton is also not without his warts. 

His aggressiveness will lead to turnovers. His defense is often more performative than impactful. And he has yet to prove himself on a team with actual postseason aspirations. 

All that said, the Lakers ultimately do not need Sexton to be James, Smart or even Kennard this season. That would help, but it is not realistic. Instead, they need him to be exactly who he has been throughout career with hopefully a little fine-tuning along the way.

How successful he will be is still unknown as it remains to be seen when Sexton will finally make his debut. As of this piece, the guard is listed as questionable for the Lakers’ season opener against the Golden State Warriors.

If the preseason was any indication, Los Angeles can not afford Sexton to miss any considerable amount of time this year. His importance is due to, yes, his underrated talent, but also the uninspiring caliber of the Lakers’ alternatives.

For the team’s sake, Sexton’s value this season will be derived from the former.

All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social 

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Fantasy Basketball Week 1 Injury Report: Deni Avdija questionable, AJ Dybantsa out for opener

DeniAvdija popped up on the injury report as questionable to play against the Suns on Wednesday with an ankle injury. The expectations for Avdija this season are high, especially after a strong preseason. Even with all the guards that need minutes, Avdija should still be made a priority.

He’s also going to be difficult to replace. The Trail Blazers have plenty of guards and solid depth down low, but outside of Avdija and ToumaniCamara, they don’t have much proven depth. If he isn’t available for the opener, first year coach Micah Nori could opt to start Damian Lillard, JaMorant and JrueHoliday together, though it would be an undersized lineup against a Suns team that has plenty of size on the perimeter. There are reports that Morant could end up coming off the bench, but that may change if Avdija is out.

The other option is turning to either VítKrejčí or SidyCissoko in the starting lineup. The opportunity may be decent for either player if they get the nod, but on a day with 11 games, neither is worth streaming, especially since this could be just a one-game absence for him, if he misses time at all. The three-guard starting lineup is likely the better option and would be really intriguing to keep tabs on.

Here are the other injuries around the NBA that could alter your fantasy league’s landscape.

Nic Claxton, C, Chicago Bulls

The most recent update on Claxton’s hamstring is that he will be re-evaluated in early November. Head coach Tiago Splitter estimated it would be another two weeks before Claxton’s re-evaluation, but he really emphasized that it was merely an estimate, and he’ll be constantly evaluated during that period. So, when will Claxton actually make his Bulls debut?

That part is unclear, but Jalen Smith should get at least six starts. If he’s available in your league, he’s worth streaming to start the season. Zach Collins (quad) and rookie TobeAwaka (knee) are both probable for the season opener and should see the backup center minutes. Smith is the priority, but the other two are worth keeping tabs on.

Kon Knueppel, G, Charlotte Hornets

Knueppel missed the preseason with a hamstring injury, which resulted in his ADP dropping significantly in drafts. It’s a big if, but if he’s able to return rather quickly and stay healthy throughout the year, he should be one of the best value picks in fantasy basketball. He isn’t the only Hornet dealing with an injury, as CobyWhite (calf) also missed the entire preseason. Both players progressed to individual on-court work, but they have been ruled out for the season opener.

Dennis Schroder and Grayson Allen should be the starters on opening night if I were guessing, with SionJames also playing a significant role. James is a solid player, but he hasn’t been a great fantasy option. Schroder and Allen are strong streaming options that could start for at least a few games, and they’re both rostered in fewer than 20 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Tobias Harris, F, San Antonio Spurs

Harris missed the season opener against the Thunder on Tuesday with a calf injury. Now, I know everyone is hoping the three-guard starting lineup sticks in San Antonio, but maybe it won’t? Could head coach Mitch Johnson have rolled that out simply because Harris was sidelined?

We can’t say for sure, but we’ll get more clarity whenever Harris makes his debut for the Spurs, which could be on Friday against the Rockets or in Dallas on Saturday. There’s also a scenario where it’s DevinVassell that is pushed to the bench for Harris, but I don’t find that one to be as likely.

Mitchell Robinson, C, Boston Celtics

Robinson injured his ankle in the season-opening loss to the Pistons. He was able to finish the game, and head coach Joe Mazzulla downplayed it after the game, but Robinson was reportedly seen with his foot in an ice bucket after the game. He played 18 minutes in the season opener, while NeemiasQueta played 22 minutes off the bench and LukaGarza played eight minutes.

If Robinson didn’t get hurt, it may have been closer to a true split between Robinson and Queta, with Garza as the odd man out. If Robinson ends up missing Friday’s game against the Knicks, Queta would likely slide into the starting unit, with Garza filling out the backup minutes and AmariWilliams and Chris Cenac Jr. available as depth options.

AJ Dybantsa, F, Washington Wizards

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a little longer to see the No. 1 pick make his NBA debut. KyshawnGeorge was already going to start, but he will see an uptick in usage with Dybantsa sidelined due to an ankle injury.

As far as who could slide into the starting lineup, TreJohnson, BilalCoulibaly and KhrisMiddleton are all options. Coulibaly would provide defense, Middleton is a proven scorer, and Johnson is the exciting young shooter. Johnson would be my preference for fantasy purposes. Hopefully head coach Brian Keefe will agree.

Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors

Curry tweaked his right ankle during practice on Sunday, but head coach Steve Kerr said he was able to practice on Monday, and the expectation is that he will play against the Lakers on Wednesday. He’s officially listed as probable, and with BrandinPodziemski (back) out for the opener, Curry should see plenty of usage to start the year on a high note.

Ben Simmons, F, Sacramento Kings

Despite all the hype around Simmons’ return to the NBA, the former All-NBA forward suffered a torn Achilles in practice just a few days before he was set to make his regular season debut for the Kings. Simmons may have been an important playmaker for Sacramento this year, and, as of now, DariusAcuffJr. and MalikMonk are the primary playmakers on the roster, with rookie EmanuelSharp as another option. Monk is worth keeping an eye on.

Brandon Ingram, F, LA Clippers

In case you missed it, Ingram underwent heel surgery in May, and while that procedure was going on, they discovered he had a partially torn Achilles. And then the Clippers still went and traded for him. It has been a crazy summer in LA, and there isn’t much clarity as to how long Ingram will be sidelined.

Until he returns, Derrick Jones Jr. and Rui Hachimura will likely be the starters in the frontcourt. Jones is a strong defensive presence, but Hachimura's offense will be vital for the Clippers until Ingram returns.

Jimmy Butler III, F, Golden State Warriors

In case you’re just trying to get caught up on injuries, Butler tore his ACL last January, and the expectation is that he won’t return until 2027. Until that happens, rookie YaxelLendeborg and GuiSantos will be the starting forwards for Golden State. Lendeborg already has a ton of hype behind him, but Santos was productive last season and could be an intriguing option to start the season.

Kristaps Porziņǵis, C, Golden State Warriors

This is a murky situation. Porziņǵis has had numerous issues with illnesses over the last few years that have severely limited his availability. As of last week, he is out indefinitely due to an illness. There really isn’t much clarity as to how long he could be out, but until he’s back, DraymondGreen will likely start at center, with AlHorford as the primary backup and CharlesBassey in the rotation as well. Bassey is intriguing, and Horford has a history of production, but Green is the only one worth rostering at this point.

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MMBets Game of the Week: Mavs launch new season in Space City

MACAU, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Cooper Flagg #32 of Dallas Mavericks drives the ball during NBA China Games 2026 between Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena on the Cotai Strip on October 11, 2026 in Macau, China. 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 Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After six long months, your Dallas Mavericks are once again back on the floor playing real NBA basketball tonight. In a weird quirk, they’ve got the Houston Rockets, who they just played twice in Macau just a couple weeks ago. So, even with the newness of Dusty May and company taking over, the Rockets have already seen some of it.

It’s the start of a new season, and just like these teams, we here on the game of the week picks have wiped the slate clean. But, just for housekeeping’s sake, here’s how we did last season.

Last year’s results

David: 31-30 (+$223)

Tyler: 26-37 (-$987)

Overall: 57-67 (-$764)

For me, this clean slate can’t be a more welcome sight. After our feed debut yesterday, in which we each hit our best bet, vibes are high! Lets get into the cap.

Game intangibles

Dallas Mavericks (0-0) at Houston Rockets (0-0)

Tipoff: We’re set for tip just after 7:40 p.m. from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas

How to watch: MavsTV, KFAA Channel 29, or NBA League Pass for those out of market will have you covered on this one

Game lines

Spread: Rockets -9.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Dallas is +315 to pull off the upset

Total: Over/Under is set at 230.5 points (-106/-114)

David’s plays

DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 16: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to an officials call during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
  • Cooper Flagg over 21.5 points (-106)
  • Game total over 230.5 (-106)
  • Kyrie Irving over 20.5 points (-104)
  • Zaccharie Risacher under 8.5 points (-108)

I think there will be points tonight. Lots of them. These teams just played two incredibly high-scoring preseason games and I do not expect anything different tonight. The lines for Flagg and Kyrie are simply too low. They will be the team’s leading scorers most nights and I expect around 25 from each of them against Houston. Risacher had a terrible preseason and I think he plays minimal minutes with Max Christie back tonight.

Tyler’s plays

MACAO, CHINA – OCTOBER 11: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks and Marcus Smart #36 of the Houston Rockets look on during the game as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 11, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
  • Marcus Smart over 6.5 points (-106)
  • Reed Sheppard under 9.5 points (-136)
  • Cooper Flagg over 1.5 3’s made (+162)
  • Rockets first quarter -3.5 (-102)

The Smart and Sheppard plays are sort of correlated for me. Ime Udoka loves him some Marcus Smart, that even goes back to the Boston days. Ime Udoka also hates him some Reed Sheppard, as that guy can’t ever seemingly earn a role on a team that desperately needs shooting. I agree with David that Flagg, despite likely seeing a ton of Amen Thompson, will get his. I think that he will get those points by knocking down some outside shots. And finally, this first quarter will be simple. One team knows exactly who they are and what they want to be, while the other is breaking in a new coach, several new pieces and trying to reintegrate Kyrie Irving. Almost seems too easy.

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How the Pistons’ pulled off the NBA’s biggest opening day comeback ever

(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

DETROIT — Jalen Duren looked like a heavyweight boxer who had just gone three rounds 45 minutes before the Detroit Pistons faced the Boston Celtics for the NBA’s 2026-27 season opener on Tuesday afternoon. Duren, wearing white cutoffs and black Pistons sweatpants, was already dripping with perspiration as he put in extra work on his driving and pull-up mid-range shooting with an assistant coach prior to tip-off. The rare 3 p.m. local start time didn’t take away any of the intensity from a meeting between two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and it was clear even before jump ball that neither side would be easing into the new season.

It felt like the Celtics landed a knockout punch midway through the third quarter when Paul George ripped the nets for another three-pointer to put Boston up 22 points. The Pistons appeared to have the same structural problems that tanked a 60-win team in the playoffs last season: not enough shooting or creation next to star Cade Cunningham, and too many lineups that lacked two-way balance. That’s when Detroit subbed Javonte Green into the game for the first time, and immediately flipped the switch.

The Pistons beat the Celtics, 121-113, for the biggest opening night comeback in league history. Detroit was fueled by a 23-0 fourth quarter run where its defense held the Celtics scoreless for five minutes in crunch time.

“I think the comeback just embodied the culture and what we’re trying to build here,” Duren said after the win. “We’re a team that’s known to be gritty, known to get it out the mud, known to never quit.”

Duren needed to get off to a good start after missing the first week of training camp with a lingering contract dispute that caused hurt feelings on both sides. That storyline can be put to rest now after he finished with 22 points and nine rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting, an excellent performance that almost felt quiet in real time because of how he accumulated his numbers. Everything was in the flow of the offense on lobs, putbacks, and dunker’s spot finishes, and his best work might not have even showed up in the box score.

The Celtics optimize every aspect of the game under Joe Mazzulla, with shot location and generating extra possessions being paramount to their success. Boston crashes the offensive glass as hard as any team in the league, and it added perhaps the single greatest offensive rebounder alive this side of Houston’s Steven Adams by inking Mitchell Robinson to a three-year deal over the summer. Well, Robinson was mostly invisible in this game, with Duren and his teammates boxing out hard on every possession. Yes, Robinson did turn an ankle in the first half before returning, but that’s both part of the game and a major part of the deal with Robinson in particular. The Pistons out-rebounded the Celtics with a 49-39 edge on the glass.

“It’s not only their bigs, but their smaller players, too. They’re known to crash from the corners. My mindset tonight was whether I get the rebound or not, I just got to keep them off the glass,” Duren told me after the game.

This will be remembered as the Javonte Green game for good reason. Green didn’t play in the first half, but head coach JB Bickerstaff knew he needed a spark in the third quarter as the Celtics were turning it into a rout. Part of Boston’s game-plan is ignoring non-shooters on the perimeter, but they didn’t get the memo that Green has turned himself into a viable outside threat in recent years. Green knocked down 5-of-8 threes, most of them wide open, to give Detroit new life. His defense was just as important by getting into the gaps and helping make Jayson Tatum settle for tough jumpers that he was consistently bricking. Tatum finished 6-of-23 from the floor.

Green ended the night +21 in 18 minutes. The Pistons looked far more formidable in his minutes than they did with John Collins or Ron Holland on the floor, and it makes sense. Green doesn’t hesitate to shoot from three on offense, he has active hands and tons of bounce on the defensive end, and he consistently plays a team game by moving the ball to the open man. He’s everything you want out of a role player, and he’s one of the few Detroit reserves who actually offers a two-way game when his shot is falling like it did Tuesday.

Duncan Robinson was also excellent. He knocked down 5-of-9 threes by sprinting around screens and firing with just a sliver of space. When he didn’t have a clean look, Robinson would hit the brakes, go into his shot, and get fouled by Celtics defenders who were rushing to close out on him. With Robinson, Isaiah Joe, and Kevin Huerter, the Pistons actually have some options to improve their spacing around Cunningham this season, though building lineups that can actually compete defensively with viable three-point shooting will continue to be Bickerstaff’s biggest challenge.

The Pistons won 14 games three seasons ago. They made a massive jump to 44 wins two years ago, and another big leap to 60 wins and the No. 1 seed in the East last season. Detroit doesn’t really have much room to improve in the regular season, but there’s still tons of upside left in their playoff approach. The Pistons would have been the victims of a 1-8 first-round upset if Franz Wagner didn’t get hurt for the Magic. Duren was out-played by an inferior player in Wendell Carter Jr. in the series, and he didn’t look much better in round two as Detroit was eliminated by an uninspiring Cavs team.

“We’ve seen the bottom, so we’re not afraid of it,” Duren said of his team’s slow start through the first three quarters. “I’d never say we were scared or worried. We knew we had to pick it up, and we did.”

It’s not obvious where the Pistons’ next step is coming from yet, but that’s okay. It’s a long season, and Detroit will discover plenty of things along the way, just like they did on opening night with Green’s unexpected explosion. The East is better than ever, but the Pistons aren’t going to be scared of anyone. The Knicks’ opening night loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the very next game only reinforced the idea that the conference is wide open. New York deserves to be the favorite as the defending champs, but there’s about seven other East teams that can realistically dream of making an NBA Finals run, and Detroit is one of them.

The early tip-off time didn’t feel like a nuisance in and around the arena. Before the game, fans decked out in Celtics and Pistons gear embraced each other outside to welcome back NBA basketball. It was nice to see a mutual respect from both sides at the start of a long season. When the top-8 of the East is as bunched up as it appears to be entering the new year, every game matters, and for one afternoon the Pistons got the better of the Celtics.

While it’s just one night, this game did give both teams plenty to chew on. The Celtics were “guarding” Ausar Thompson with a big man who roamed off him 15-feet away from the perimeter, daring him to shoot. Thompson still found a way to make an offensive impact even with arguably the league’s ugliest jump shot by cutting to the rim, spraying out quick passes for three-point attempts, and getting out in the open floor. His 360 scoop layup in the first half was a thing of beauty. He finished the game +12 in his 33 minutes, and harassed Tatum with his all-world perimeter defense. Other teams will have to wonder if playing off him to that degree is really worth it.

George looked unreal in his Celtics debut after coming over in the controversial Jaylen Brown trade. He finished with 38 points, five rebounds, and five steals on 7-of-12 shooting from three. He’s going to be a natural fit in the Celtics’ system if he can stay healthy. Tatum looked great in the first half and terrible in the second. I thought Boston needed more Payton Pritchard to loosen things up offensively. Why is Joe Mazzulla bringing him off the bench? Hugo Gonzalez, the king of Time Decay RAPM, was dreadful in his 10 minutes, finishing -15. I thought Baylor Scheierman looked great, and the Neemias Queta minutes were more promising than Robinson’s.

An 82-game regular season is just too damn long, but there’s nothing like NBA games that actually feel meaningful. Duren called it a playoff atmosphere after the game, and it really did seem like it. I was exhausted just watching his pre-game workout before he went out and dunked everything at the basket while winning the battle on the boards that truly dictates wins and losses. Overreact to this game if you want to. I’m not going to judge you. For one sunny fall afternoon in the Midwest, it just felt so nice to be back in the gym.

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The Rays and Brewers both rely heavily on trades, which is a guide for the Washington Nationals

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - SEPTEMBER 27, 2026: Connelly Early #19 of the Washington Nationals smiles and laughs while talking with Cade Cavalli (not pictured) in the dugout prior to a game against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on September 27, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. The Nationals beat the Mets, 6-4. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

This World Series matchup is truly a treat for the baseball nerds out there. It may not get massive ratings, but the Brewers and Rays provide a guide on how to build a winning team without a big budget. These two clubs have a lot in common, but one thing that ties them together is their ability to make a savvy trade.

When you look at the WAR breakdown of these two teams, it is easy to see how important trades are to these clubs, especially the Rays. Out of the 47.1 WAR that Tampa generated this year, 31.2 of those came from trades. Stars like Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz and Drew Rasmussen all came to Tampa via trade. It is not as extreme for the Brewers, but they also made plenty of big moves as well.

Being active on the trade market and constantly looking for ways to upgrade the roster is how these small market teams stay competitive. It is a formula the Nats have used in the Toboni era and under Mike Rizzo. After all, the Nats two best players came over in the Juan Soto trade. Sometimes these tough and painful moves are what sets a team up for long term success.

At the trade deadline, the Nats made some unpopular moves that signaled the team was punting on the 2026 season. They traded Foster Griffin, Luis Garcia Jr., and Curtis Mead despite being within shouting distance of the playoffs. Those moves were made with an eye on turning the Nats into a sustainable winner like the Rays and Brewers. It is too early to say if those moves will work out, but that is what the plan is.

While the Brewers lean more on homegrown players than the Rays, they made a couple painful moves which helped them in the long term. Josh Hader and Corbin Burnes were both stars in Milwaukee, but they were approaching free agency. The Brewers decided to trade both, which gave them multiple pieces which have been valuable in the playoffs. Here are some of the players the Brewers acquired via trade.

Robert Gasser has stepped up in a big way this postseason. The Brewers acquired the lefty from San Diego in the Hader deal back in 2022. Gasser missed time with injuries, but now he is showing why the Brewers wanted him. The Corbin Burnes trade netted Milwaukee Joey Ortiz and DL Hall. Ortiz is a defense first player who has been a solid starter while Hall is part of the Brewers stacked bullpen.

One thing I like about how the Brewers operate is that they don’t trade their stars until they are about one year away from free agency. That allows them to get the most out of their homegrown talents while still netting value. They still got plenty of great years out of Hader, Burnes, Devin Williams and Freddy Peralta, but they also did not lose them for nothing. 

The Rays are even more trade heavy than the Brewers. In fact, most of the Brewers core pieces are homegrown and the depth of the roster is built by trades. On the other hand, much of the Rays core has been built by trades, as we have mentioned. These trades are both big and small. 

One thing the Rays are masters at is finding hidden gems in deals that nobody pays attention to. Junior Caminero is the best example of this. The Rays traded Tobias Myers to Cleveland for an 18 year old Caminero. At the time, this was a minor move, but it had massive consequences. Caminero blossomed into a superstar in the Rays system and is now the face of the franchise.

Rays mainstay Yandy Diaz is another case of Tampa fleecing Cleveland. The Rays do not spend much money at all, even compared to the Brewers. That means they need to be creative on the market. They have mastered the art of being a small market team over the past 18 years. In addition to Caminero and Diaz, Bryan Baker, Liam Hicks, Freddy Peralta, Drew Rasmussen and Victor Mesa Jr. all came in trades.

With how active Paul Toboni has been on the trade market in his first year on the job, this is certainly a model that he follows. You will not win every trade, not even the Rays do, but if you make enough smart moves, they stack up. The Nats should be spending more money than the Rays, but that model is one that has proven to be effective.

Hopefully the likes of Connelly Early, Harry Ford, Will Dion and minor leaguers like Devin Fitz-Gerald can play big roles on the next great Nats team. This offseason will also be an interesting one to follow. Toboni has a tough decision to make with CJ Abrams. Will he trade him with two years of control like he did with MacKenzie Gore or will he hold onto his star. 

Those are the types of decisions that shape the future of your franchise. It seems like the Nats are following a Brewers and Rays type model. Fans have looked at that pejoratively, but now these are the two teams in the World Series.

It turns out that formula works and it starts by making smart trades and developing talent. The two smartest teams in the league are squaring off in the World Series, which is very fun to see. Hopefully the Nats can be among the league’s best and brightest soon. Under Paul Toboni, they at least seem to be headed in the right direction.