“Into the unknoooooown, into the unknooooooooooooooooown”
Francisco Renteria – 68 Gabriel Rincones – 49 Moises Chace – 24 Matthew Fisher – 13 Griff Burkholder – 5 Keaton Anthony – 5 Cade Obermueller – 4 Carson DeMartini – 4 Jean Cabrera – 1 Mavis Graves – 1
It’s hard to remember the last time the Phillies had signed an international prospect of this much acclaim. The ill fated Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez (RIP) signing was the closest comparison and that wasn’t really anything compared to this.
The fact that Renteria was this highly rated and that the team was able to land him should reverse some of the criticism that should be levied at the international scouting department. They haven’t landed much of consequence lately and questions should have been raised about their continued lack of production in the area they are supposed to be experts. However, if Renteria should pan out, maybe some of that criticism can be waylaid to another time.
Renteria earned comparisons from one evaluator to Konnor Griffin, the Pirates’ 2024 first-round pick who ascended to No. 1 overall prospect status in his first year of pro ball. Others see even more in the tank for Renteria’s right-handed hit tool due to his advanced offensive approach and considerable bat speed. He’s presently a contact monster, which when coupled with his excellent understanding of the strike zone and his plus-plus raw power, leads to him having one of the highest offensive upsides in the 2026 international class.
Players who command significant signing bonuses and attention on the international scene are often physically ahead of their peers, a truism that Renteria fits to a tee. Scouts think the 6-foot-3 outfielder has the actions and all-around athleticism to stick in center field long-term. An above-average runner, Renteria impacts the game on the basepaths and utilizes those wheels and his long strides to run down the ball from gap-to-gap.
With each new post, we’ll reveal who won the voting for that particular slot, then post new players for you to vote on, adding another one to the list each time until we get to our final tally of 20. Once we get to 20 top prospects, we’ll do an honorable mention post at the end. If a player gets traded to another team, we’ll just chuck him right on outta here and all the players will move up a spot. If a prospect gets acquired, we’ll ask where he should go on the list.
Probably the most important thing about this whole process – please vote. Give us a few minutes of your time, just click a button and then we can discuss other players and things in the comment section, but don’t forget – VOTE!
Spring training: when the sunlight is bright and falls upon certain players more than others. A new pitch, a new swing, or a fresh face can all capture the attention of fans and writers alike eager to emerge from the cold tyranny of a baseball-less winter.
At Blue Jays spring training in 2022, Yosver Zulueta was that sensation, the buzziest pitching prospect that spring thanks to his big fastball and mysterious origins, having missed the first part of his career with a devastating back-to-back slate of injuries: first, Tommy John and then immediately after that recovery, an ACL tear. But his big fastball captivated crowds, especially on a Blue Jays staff of underwhelming velocity; MLB.com Blue Jays reporter Keegan Matheson described clusters of fellow pitchers gathering to watch his bullpens, the deepest sign of respect for a fellow pitcher.
But spring training attention burns hot and fast. Zulueta, having missed such a significant chunk of developmental time, went to the low minors as a 24-year-old. Toronto promoted him aggressively up the minor-league ladder in 2022, jumping him from A ball clear up to Triple-A, but his command just never kept pace. He spent 2023 struck at Triple-A, never getting the call up for a Blue Jays bullpen that was one of the stronger units in baseball. A move to Cincinnati didn’t aid his command woes.
The Mariners will be the next team to try to help Zulueta (zoo-loo-etta) rein in the immense potential in his right arm. For all the talk about his big fastball, it’s the slider that has been more of a whiff-getter in the upper levels. It moves like a curveball, which Zulueta also throws, with some very late glove-side break that’s especially tough on righties.
TOR RHP Yosver Zulueta is debuting in High-A tonight. Still bumping upper-90’s easily and he just uncorked this slider. Filth. pic.twitter.com/djAzqpXfv4
With lefties, there’s a little bit of risk that slider can get right into the lefty loop zone. That puts a little more pressure on Zulueta’s sinker, which comes in around 96-97 but not always where he wants it to go.
A 9⃣7⃣ millas por hora la sinker de Yosver Zulueta para recetar ponche a Bryson Stott esta tarde 2/28.
El #cubano 🇨🇺 Zulueta tiró un entrada, con un abanicado y enfrentando al mínimo de bateadores.
If all this is giving you big time Carlos Vargas flashbacks, you’re not wrong. Vargas, also with primarily a sinker-slider arsenal, was a similarly stuff-y prospect the Mariners picked up in the Eugenio Suárez salary dump trade with Arizona, dazzling with high-velocity potential but very little sense of the strike zone. Like Zulueta, Vargas came with an option, and the Mariners banished him to work on his command in Triple-A Tacoma before giving him a longer look this season.
As Ryan pointed out in his 40 in 40 on Vargas this year, though, Vargas’s great stuff on paper has so far not translated to consistent success in the big leagues. But there is a key difference between the two. Vargas’s strikeout rate tanked in Triple-A with Arizona, and didn’t improve after a move to Seattle, even if his walk rate did calm down. Zulueta has reliably struck out 25-30% of hitters over his career. If the Mariners can successfully put him in The Machine and get him in the zone more, the upside to Zulueta is significant. And because of the delayed start to his career, Zulueta, despite being 27, still has a minor-league option.
And all of this hasn’t looked at the thing that brought Zulueta to the Blue Jays’ attention in the first place as an international free agent out of Cuba: his 98 mph four-seamer. The problem with the pitch is despite its plus velocity, it has meh characteristics: an IVB of under 10” and a horizontal break of under 13”, meaning it’s a fairly straight fastball. The sinker has less velo but more of a wrinkle in movement, which is why it’s his primary fastball, but the big four-seamer is certainly a pitch to dream on.
Zulueta will have another chance for a moment in the sun this spring. The Mariners preach being in the zone fervently, with pitch decks that present the statistics of being in advantage counts alongside testimonials from current players. How quickly Zulueta adapts to his new environment will play a key role in how much the sun shines on him this spring.
Santiago Espinal is fresh off a -1.4 bWAR season that saw him hit .243/.292/.282 overall in 328 PA with the Cincinnati Reds. Garrett Hampson, meanwhile, went just 3 for 19 in his short stint with Cincinnati last season as part of a three-franchise year where he hit .143/.250/.169 overall. Then, there’s Michael Chavis, who hasn’t had a single PA in Major League Baseball since 2023, and he hit just .242/.281/.341 with the Washington Nationals back then.
Espinal, who elected free agency after being outrighted at season’s end, was the primary utility infielder for the Reds in 2025. While Elly De La Cruz played just about every single inning at shortstop, Espinal got some time there (as well as at 2B when Matt McLain slid over to play short). So, that’s what’s gone from last season. Hampson played exactly one game at shortstop in his short stint with the Reds despite not having started a game at that position since his 2023 season with Miami, while Chavis – who spent 2025 in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons – has never played an inning of short at the big league level at any point.
That’s where the state of Cincinnati’s middle-infield depth sits right now, both in terms of what’s absent from last year and what’s been added to the fold since – a pair of 31 year olds who, truly, don’t have any business playing shortstop ever, and whose overall value defensively has never been jaw-dropping at the less important infield roles. Add in that none of them have ever really hit, and you begin to wonder what the hell the Reds are doing here.
We know the Reds want to get Elly a bit more rest in 2026, be it time off during day games or through rotating him at DH. The plan, I suppose, is to let McLain play short on those days, though that a) discounts that McLain looked like he needed plenty of days off last year and b) opens a hole at 2B that doesn’t have an obvious replacement (unless Sal Stewart suddenly becomes more capable defensively).
That sure doesn’t seem to vibe with the emphasis on defense the front office has espoused since acquiring glove-only 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (and his long-term contract) last summer. It seems obvious, then, that there’s a pretty decent need for a glove-y guy who can add value defensively up the middle, and it’s always a boon to the roster construction when that player can also switch-hit.
And, since you know where I’m going with this, there’s Edwin Arroyo right there on the 40-man roster who literally does all of that.
He’s right there! On the roster!
He’s also fresh off a short stint with the Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rican Winter League play where he went 22 for 62 in 16 games (.355/.429/.468). That’s after he hit .284/.345/.371 on the whole with AA Chattanooga last year after losing 2024 to shoulder surgery, though he hit .296/.356/.402 from June 11th (the day he finally socked his first homer) through the end of the year – doing so with a minuscule 13.0% K-rate.
Arroyo is about as known a quantity defensively as it gets, a guy whose overall talent landed him on Top 100 prospect lists for three consecutive years before his shoulder injury and lost 2024. His glove was tabbed as the best in the 2024 edition of Arizona Fall League play by MLB Pipeline’s Sam Dykstra as he emerged from his otherwise lost year. There’s a reason why, at the time, there was question whether it was Arroyo or Noelvi Marte who was actually the prize in the deal that sent Luis Castillo to the Seattle Mariners years ago.
He lacks any time at AAA, which is likely something working against him in this Reds organization. Plenty of other teams – particularly Atlanta and Arroyo’s old club in Seattle – have made habits of promoting players to the majors directly from AA, though that’s not typically Cincinnati’s style. Still, he’s a year older right now than Elly was when he debuted and four months older than Sal – with over 250 more professional PA than Sal right now – so it’s not as if he’s too young and lacking any experience.
There’s a good argument to be made that sending him to AAA to begin 2026 is the prudent move, a move that continues to get him plenty of PA every single day as he continues to shake any and all rust off the totally lost 2024 season. I get that, and I know it’s what’s almost certain to happen. Still, we aren’t too far removed from the Reds suddenly deciding to get aggressive with Jonathan India for an Opening Day, and while everyday PA seem unlikely right now, it’s pretty clear that there’s a role available right now on the 26-man roster where Edwin profiles almost perfectly even if he never shows the world he’s any better – and, if he does, that’s another weapon the Reds have at their disposal from the first game of the season onwards.
Barring another move to cement the roster with an established utility infielder, it sure looks as if Arroyo will head to camp in Goodyear in two weeks with a chance to really show the club that he’s ready. And if he does, there’s no one more well suited than him who’ll be there to challenge for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
MONTREAL (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens fired goaltending coach Eric Raymond on Wednesday.
They made the move 53 games into the NHL season despite sitting in a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Goalies Jakub Dobes, Samuel Montembeault and Jacob Fowler have combined for a save percentage of .884 that ranks 28th among the league’s 32 teams.
Marco Marciano was promoted from the same job with the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket to fill the role on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. Raymond had served in the job since 2021.
Montreal is the second team to make a goalie coach change this season. The New York Islanders fired Pierre Greco six games in and gave the job to Sergei Naumovs, who has an extensive history coaching starter Ilya Sorokin.
Since making the move, Sorokin and backup David Rittich have combined for the fourth-best save percentage in the NHL at .907 over the past 46 games. They were 25th at .880 before that.
The people have spoken and hyper-athletic outfielder Kahlil Watson is our No. 11 Cleveland Guardians prospect. Watson earned 30.6% of the vote, beating out Daniel Espino (20.4%), George Valera (16.7%) and Jace LaViolette (13.0%). Watson returns to the prospect rankings after missing out last year and being No. 18 in 2024.
Watson originally was drafted by the Miami Marlins 16th overall in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest High School in North Carolina. The season he was drafted, Watson made an immediate impact, slashing a ridiculous .394/.524/.606 over 42 plate appearances spanning nine games, good for a 199 wRC+.
In 2022, he debuted at full-season Single-A as a 19-year-old and he struggled, slashing .231/.296/.395 over 83 games with a 96 wRC+. Watson notably earned a suspension after he was ejected from a game for pointing his bat at the first-base umpire like it was a gun following a check-swing called third strike. He again struggled after being promoted to High-A in 2023 before Miami decided they were done with him, trading Watson to Cleveland in the Josh Bell deal.
In 2024, Watson spent his age-21 season at Double-A Akron, where he was slightly above average, slashing .220/.305/.407 with a career-high 16 home runs as Cleveland gave up on Watson as an infielder and transitioned him to a new position in the outfield. He repeated the 2025 at Akron, and finally started to break out, slashing .247/.337/.461 with a 134 wRC+ and earning a midseason promotion to Triple-A.
Perhaps most impressively, Watson continued to be above average despite his promotion to Triple-A, actually dropping his strikeout rate and increasing his walk-rate while improving his power while slashing .255/.358/.477 and stealing 10 bases in 43 games. He’s now knocking on the door to the MLB and was added to Cleveland’s 40-man roster this past November. He has a great chance of making his MLB debut at some point this season should Chase DeLauter or George Valera falter or get hurt (knock on wood).
Now, it’s time to determine who is number 12 in the Guardians’ loaded farm system and you now have a whopping 10 players to choose from! Your options are below:
Impressed at the complex league, then hit the ground running in a late season promotion to Single-A before running out of steam late in his age-17 season. Loaded with potential.
Daniel Espino, RHP (Age 25) 2025 (AAA): Threw 0.2 innings in one start for Columbus at the end of the season. 2025 (AFL): 4 G, 4.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2.14 FIP, 33.3 K%, 14.2 BB%, 1.50 WHIP
Espino has long been an object of wistful dreaming for Guardians’ prospect aficionados with his upper 90’s fastball and slider that might be even better than the heater. The question is whether he can ever be healthy enough to make the big leagues, where his path is probably now as a reliever.
One of Cleveland’s top performers in the Arizona Complex League in 2025. Undersized, but makes solid contact and doesn’t strike out often. Earned a small taste of full-season ball at the end of the year.
Venezuelan prospect who broke out in with increased velocity in 2025, putting up nearly identical numbers at both High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron. Gomez was added to Cleveland’s 40-man roster.
Acquired from Pittsburghin the Spencer Horwitz trade, Hartle was one of Cleveland’s most successful starting pitchers in its minor league system in 2025. Stands 6-foot-6, but doesn’t have a ton of velocity.
Cleveland’s first round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the 6-foot-6 LaViolette instantly becomes one of the top power hitting prospects in the system. Strikeouts and contact have been an issue, however.
Cleveland’s 3rd round pick in 2024 out of high school, Oakie got off to a rough start in the Complex League, but then absolutely dominated when promoted to Single-A Lynchburg with a pair of 11 strikeout performances.
Absolutely dominated Double-A to begin 2025 looking well on his way to repeating his tremendous 2024 season, but then struggled after an early-season promotion to Triple-A. Remains on the 40-man roster.
One of Cleveland’s most impressive hitters in its minor league system during his stint at High-A Lake County as a 20-year-old. Rosario has a unique combination of speed and power, but will need to overcome his strikeouts.
Former top prospect returned from a torn knee and put up good enough numbers to finally make his MLB debut with Cleveland in 2025. Hit a memorable home run against the Detroit Tigers in the playoffs.
Our list so far: 1. Chase DeLauter, LHH OF 2. Travis Bazzana, LHH 2B 3. Parker Messick, LHP 4. Ralphy Velazquez, LHH 1B/RF 5. Angel Genao, SH SS 6. Braylon Doughty, RHP 7. Cooper Ingle, LHH C 8. Khal Stephen, RHP 9. Juan Brito, SH 2B/1B/RF/3B 10. Jaison Chourio, SH OF 11. Kahlil Watson, RHH OF
Like any number of baseball nerds across the globe, Amazin’ Avenue Managing Editor Chris McShane and I often play Immaculate Grid. We try to top each other’s rarity score and we, as you might expect, only allow ourselves to use Mets and former Mets. The best players to use are the ones who either logged an inning or two at an unusual position (thank you Gary Carter in right field or David Wright at shortstop) or players with cups of coffee for the Mets who you can recall at least one other stop along their journeys.
In that sense, José Azócar is a gift from the Immaculate Grid gods.
Azócar was claimed off of waivers by the Mets in September of 2024 and remained in Syracuse for the remainder of that season. After Spring Training in 2025, Azócar was outrighted to Syracuse again. When Jose Siri broke his tibia in May, Azócar was called up to the majors, appearing in 12 games for the Mets, collecting five hits and one stolen base in 20 plate appearances.
After his brief tenure, he was designated for assignment, elected free agency, and signed with the Braves. After one at-bat with Atlanta, he was DFA’d again, and the Mets snatched him up again, stashing him in Triple-A for the remainder of the season. He elected free agency after the season and signed, again, with Atlanta.
While his Mets tenure didn’t exactly light the world on fire, his tenure on the Mets, Padres, and Braves, while logging innings at all three outfield positions for New York makes him a prime Immaculate Grid answer.
In fact, as I’m writing this, there is a Mets column and a ‘Born outside US 50 States and DC’ row. Using Azócar was a clutch move, as his rarity score is 0.003%. Suck it, McShane.
On what needed to improve after the last meeting with the Kings:
“Everything. They punched us in the mouth, and we didn’t respond well.”
On sticking with a KAT-Out closing lineup late:
“I know at the end of the game, we had a group out on the floor that’s playing well, and it’s a tight ball game so I just rode that group to the end of the game, which I’ve done before. We had Deuce out there, who’s not a starter, and Mitch out there, who’s not a starter. So again, we need to get the win, and the biggest thing was Mikal was at 37 minutes, but other than Mikal, everybody was at decent minutes especially knowing we’ve got a game tomorrow.”
On riding an alternative lineup for the final minutes vs. Sacramento:
“During the flow of the game, you find a group of players that you feel are playing well together. And you roll with it as long as you can.”
On Mitchell Robinson’s defensive impact:
“He brought a level of energy to us tonight, especially on defense. That got us over the hump.”
On self-inflicted turnovers on Tuesday:
“I thought the turnovers were self-inflicted. That’s not taking anything away from Sacramento. I thought we didn’t do a great job of playing off of two feet. Whenever you play off of one foot, you’re gonna get yourself in trouble. If you leave your feet with no place to go, you think somebody is open, there’s a good chance that the defense is gonna rotate and take that away and now you’re in trouble. We just have to do a better job of playing off of two feet.”
On grinding out the win defensively:
“It was an ugly game, but our defense stayed solid throughout.”
“It was an ugly game. It wasn’t pretty, but we were able to grind it out and find a way to win, and I think that’s very important for us.”
On focus and attention to detail leading NYK to a win vs. Sacramento:
“Our attention to detail, our focus, those are big components for us. We have the ability to be a really good team if we do those things. The little things have to be important.”
"[Mike Brown] saw what he saw. We've got to win. That's the most important thing. That's all I care about, New York cares about, this team cares about – is wins"
– Karl-Anthony Towns on not playing down the stretch in tonight's win over the Kings pic.twitter.com/GHd1LuGpHK
On being removed from the closing lineup once again:
“[Brown] saw what he saw. We got a win. That’s the most important thing. That’s all I care about. That’s all this team cares about is the win.”
On beating Sacramento after the previous loss:
“It’s good to win any game. We beat a team that had our number the last game and against whom we showed one of our worst versions of ourselves. It was good to come out here and find a better version of ourselves and find ourselves winning.”
Mitchell Robinson said missing games as part of Knick medical staff’s plan for him was “rough at first.”
“I want to play every game. And with this plan…I kind of just have to embrace it…So I put my pride & ego to the side (and)… it’s working out.” pic.twitter.com/KaeZwUmjDV
“It was rough at first. I want to play every game. This plan we have in place for me. I just kind of embrace it and roll with it. I put my pride and ego to the side and just stick with the plan and it’s working out. Why fix something that’s not broken?”
On the Knicks’ turnaround:
“It’s all about coming out with the right mindset. And being ready to go.
“It feels great. We’re really making a turn and we’re really getting our s–t together.”
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday signed veteran defenseman Ben Chiarot to a three-year contract extension worth $11.55 million.
Chiarot will count $3.85 million against the salary cap from when his new deal kicks in next season through 2028-29.
Chiarot, who turns 35 in May, is past the midway point of his fourth season with the Red Wings after time with Winnipeg, Montreal and Florida. He has played in all 54 of their games, averaging 21 minutes of ice time, and ranks ninth in the NHL with 113 blocked shots.
Detroit is in second place in the Atlantic Division and on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
With nine games on the board, it’s a jam-packed Hump Day of basketball action, which means a ton of NBA player props to bet on.
I’ve found my three favorites for today, which include a continuously undervalued Immanuel Quickley as he goes against his former team, and LaMelo Ball will create a buzz with the 3-ball when the Hornets take on the Grizz.
Those and more NBA picks for Wednesday, January 28.
Jalen Smith has been a bit of a revelation for the Chicago Bulls lately. The big man has taken advantage of extended minutes, averaging 11.8 points and 8.9 rebounds over his last 14 games.
That stretch includes five of his seven double-doubles this season, and I’m betting he has another big night against the Indiana Pacers.
It’s been a tough season for the Pacers, particularly on the glass. Indiana has the fourth-lowest rebounding rate and surrenders the third-most rebounds per game.
So, with a rebounding prop of 8.5, a double-double looks like a much better bet.
The Raps’ guard has looked like his best self for a while now, but sportsbooks are still undervaluing his ability to get buckets.
Quickley is averaging 19.4 points while shooting 37.6% from 3-point range over his last 17 games. However, oddsmakers are still setting his point total at 16.5, a number he’s eclipsed 13 times over that stretch.
Defending guards have been a huge problem for the New York Knicks. The Knicks have surrendered the most points per game to opposing guards this season.
After a start to the season that was hampered by multiple injuries, Ball has now played 21 games in a row and is shooting a crazy good 41.3% from 3-point range on a whopping 9.6 attempts from deep per game.
Melo will let it fly against a declawed Memphis Grizzlies team. Not only are the Grizz dealing with a ton of injuries, but their perimeter defense has been putrid all season, resulting in the fourth-most opponent made threes per game.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FDSN Southeast-Charlotte, FDSN Southeast-Memphis
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
LeBron James is slowing down at age-41, and it’s becoming clear that his NBA career is reaching its conclusion. James will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. The Los Angeles Lakers are now Luka Doncic’s team, and James doesn’t fit his timeline. James could retire this summer, but it’s hard to imagine one of the greatest players of all-time will walk away from the NBA without being celebrated for his contributions to the game.
It sure feels like the LeBron James retirement tour is coming for the 2026-27 season, and there’s only one team that makes sense to host it.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are open to James returning to the team this summer, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The report comes as the Lakers visit Cleveland on Wednesday night for the final time this season. Will this be the last game James ever plays in his hometown? It could be, but probably not.
This was supposed to be an NBA Finals-or-bust season for the Cavs, and it sure looks like they will go bust. Cleveland isn’t even in the top-3 challengers in the lowly Eastern Conference at the midway point of the season. The Cavs have struggled for a variety of reasons, but it’s easy to blame injuries. Darius Garland hasn’t been right all year as he’s battled a toe injury, Max Strus hasn’t played a game, and almost everyone else has been dinged up at times.
The Cavs may have to make some moves to bring in James depending on what type of salary he’s looking for. It’s possible Jarrett Allen could be sent packing, and the team finally commits to Evan Mobley as a full-time center. It’s also possible James would play on a smaller salary and try to maximize his chances of getting a storybook ending.
There will be other suitors for LeBron this summer. The Golden State Warriors would love to get involved, and more teams will come calling. It just feels like the LeBron retirement tour has to happen in Cleveland. It sure seems like that’s the way the wind is blowing right now.
After the victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked to assess what he saw from Anfernee Simons on the defensive end.
“Just his continued growth,” Mazzulla said firmly. It was a simple answer, but one layered with meaning. As the season has unfolded, Simons’ development has become harder to ignore. Mazzulla underscored that evolution, noting that he is “really starting to see the two-way player” emerge.
Before the season began, Simons shared a moment with reporters that offered insight into the foundation of that growth. Mazzulla, he recalled, reassured him about his defense, telling him, “You’re not as bad as people think you are.” Simons later added that the felt “pretty excited about being pushed to a new level.”
Fast forward to Simons’ 39-point performance in a win over Miami, and the tone shifted from reassurance to affirmation. Mazzulla was direct in his assessment: “I think he’s taken it to another level with his defense.”
That growth hasn’t lived only in postgame quotes. It’s been unfolding on the floor, in moments that don’t always make the box score, but stand out on film.
Simons has continued to show that he not only possesses the tools, but also the want-to, to give the game what it demands on that end of the floor. His physicality at the point of attack has taken a significant leap this season, and he’s consistently walling off straight-line drives, which is super important.
On this first play, Simons shuts down the initial drive before contesting Caleb Love’s shot. Stopping drives is crucial for any team, of course, but on this roster, it’s especially important because it allows the new swarming-to-the-ball defensive scheme to function at its best.
Once a player turns their back on the Celtics or is forced to reset after being stopped, multiple defenders swarm to the ball, as you can see here. Rayan Rupert quickly gives up the ball as Hugo Gonzalez and Payton Pritchard converge.
Here, Simons makes multiple efforts. In transition, he stops the ball, and Baylor Scheierman follows trying to contest the pass.
Then Simons uses the baseline as his ally, staying chest-up to contain the drive. This appears to be a tactic the coaches are emphasizing, as Scheierman has employed the same technique frequently this season. He even pokes the ball loose as Rupert tries to spin.
Here, Simons fights around two off-ball screens to get back to Love at the opposite wing. I really want to credit Mazzulla and the staff for instilling this mindset in Simons.
When we traded for Simons, I watched a bunch of his defensive possessions with Portland. From that tape, I can say with confidence that the level of defensive aggression and the want-to simply didn’t seem to present itself.
Here is how he graded out as a perimeter defender last season per Bball-Index.
But when you take a look at his numbers this year, the improvement is shown.
The conversation about mindset comes into focus when watching how aggressively he defends when going over screens. Using his quickness to get over, Simons then defends with his chest forward, effectively stopping the ball in its tracks.
In a post training camp interview, Simons shocked most Celtics fans when he admitted that he had “never really worked on or been taught” when speaking about the defensive playmaking drills, he started doing when he got to Boston.
Here, he shows good effort trailing the play and ends up knocking the ball off of Love, giving the Celtics the final possession of the half.
The fight is evident on this play.
Simons was often tasked with guarding the much taller Jerami Grant, listed at 6’7”. On this play, the Blazers feed him in the post, giving him space and anticipating a mismatch.
Simons does an outstanding job playing with the physicality the Celtics require on defense, giving up very little ground in the post. He even puts his defensive playmaking drills into action, poking the ball loose and nearly forcing a steal.
Mazzulla talked about this play postgame and said, “We may have been able to challenge that one, but we were down a timeout and we couldn’t risk it.”
Next, we see Simons against Grant again showing the aggressiveness going over the screen. Pass goes to Clingan and he misses it.
The Blazers go to their own version of the Killer Whale Pick and Roll trying to go at Simons. He passes Rupert to Gonzalez and has to move his feet quickly to contain Jrue Holiday on the drive. He plays with his chest as Holiday euro-steps then nicely contests the layup.
Lastly, the aggression going over the screen pays off once more as this time he stabs at the ball and goes the other way. Celtics end up getting a three off the nice steal.
Most fans had very valid questions about whether Simons could improve an overall underwhelming defensive career with the Trailblazers. The Celtics’ coaching, culture, and insistence on accountability has helped reshape his game.
Where once his defense lacked bite, he now approaches possessions with purpose, body and mind aligned. He doesn’t just guard the ball; he challenges it, contests it, and forces the game to respect him. Simons hasn’t just grown; he’s exceeded expectations, emerging as the player coach Mazzulla thought he could be.
LeBron James returns to his hometown when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight.
James has helped Los Angeles win four of its last five games, contributing in various ways. Tonight, my Lakers vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks call for a packed stat sheet from LeBron, focusing on his assists and rebounds.
Lakers vs Cavaliers prediction
Lakers vs Cavaliers best bet: LeBron James Over 12.5 rebounds + assists (-105)
At this point in his career, every trip to Cleveland could be LeBron James' last. Does that shrinking window make tonight’s game extra important to the former face of the franchise?
Maybe.
Since signing with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2018, James has only played in Cleveland six times. On his first few trips back home, he put on a show with great effort.
But James’ role on the Lakers has changed in the past two seasons, becoming a complementary piece to Luka Doncic that does the little things.
That’s been especially true over the past month, as James worked his way into form after missing the start of the season. So far in January, he’s averaging 6.9 assists and 7.3 rebounds over 13 games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers come into Wednesday with a patchwork rotation, missing some key players on both ends of the floor. Cleveland’s trademark defense of past seasons is absent, with the team sitting in the middle of the league in defensive rating.
The Cavs are 23rd in opponent assist-to-FGM ratio and have also struggled to keep foes off the glass, rated 22nd in rebounds allowed. That’s compounded by the loss of leading rebounder Evan Mobley (8.8 rpg) for the next week (ankle).
James’s player projections for this homecoming call for another busy box score, with my numbers at 6.9 assists and 6.9 rebounds. That should have his combo prop of rebounds + assists priced at Over 12.5 -145.
Lakers vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
The Lakers are rolling on this road trip and face a Cavs lineup that is getting shuffled due to injuries.
LeBron will let it fly from outside. While he’s not shooting well, he’s still taking 4.5 attempts from beyond the arc.
Lakers vs Cavaliers SGP
Lakers moneyline
LeBron James Over 12.5 rebounds + assists
LeBron James Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: The King has returned!
In six games in Cleveland as a Laker, James has posted a triple-double twice.
Lakers vs Cavaliers SGP
Lakers moneyline
LeBron James to record a triple-double
Lakers vs Cavaliers odds
Spread: Lakers +3 | Cavaliers -3
Moneyline: Lakers +115 | Cavaliers -150
Over/Under: Over 235 | Under 235
Lakers vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
The Lakers are 5-2 SU and ATS in non-conference road games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Lakers vs Cavaliers
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Lakers vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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As we know, Chris Antonetti is the master of non-answers and question dodging – but there was a surprising amount of information that he divulged to a crowd of primarily fans and Rubber Ducks’ employees on Friday, January 23rd. If you are more interested in a brief summary, I released a short overview of the event which you can read here. Lots to talk about so lets dive right in:
Travis Bazzana
Antonetti spoke a little bit about the former #1 overall draft pick — mostly regarding his 2025 season in the minor leagues. The Guardians POBO highlighted that Travis had a perfectly good first full season in the Minor Leagues (137 wRC+ between AA and AAA) but also acknowledged that it was perhaps not the season that Bazzana wanted for himself. The message was clear: the adversity Bazzana faced along the way has set a goal for what the second basemen needs to do in order to reach his lofty potential. Antonetti concluded by confirming that Bazzana will be starting 2026 in AAA, which was already expected.
Bullpen – Primary Area of Concern
As reflected in the Guardians offseason moves, Antonetti called bullpen depth the most crucial part of their offseason agenda. The Guardians so far in the offseason have acquired Pedro Avila (MiLB deal), Codi Heuer (MiLB deal), Shawn Armstrong (MLB Deal), Colin Holderman (MLB Deal), Peyton Pallete (Rule 5), and Connor Brogdon (MLB Deal).
As a general rule, I implicitly trust this team when it comes to bargain bin reliever signings. Shawn Armstrong was certainly not one of these signings coming off a season where he posted a 2.31 ERA in 71 games. The contract signed was for 5.5M with a mutual option for 2027.
The endeavor of acquiring bullpen pieces has seemingly been a success for the Guardians Front Office, though there is definitely questions about the left handed options out there. With only Sabrowski and Herrin on the MLB roster, and no lefty relievers currently slated to be in AAA, the lefty reliever market could definitely be an area that Guardians are still active.
The Hitting Group is Set
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The Cleveland Guardians will not be bringing in any Major League bats for the upcoming season. The clear area of concern that we fans wanted the Guardians to address was a RHH option in the OF, and once again all signs point to another season with that as a weakness coming up.
Antonetti did not put any blame on payroll when asked about this topic, instead he attributed it to the lack of interest from free agents when it came to the playing time that they would be afforded here in Cleveland. Lane Thomas was brought up as someone that the team was interested in bringing back, but with DeLauter, Valera, and Kayfus all vying for outfield reps there was simply not an everyday role for Thomas. Lane Thomas opted to sign with the Royals for 5.25M.
Poor Eddie Rosario caught a stray from Antonetti as an example of why signing fringe free agents is not always in their best interest.
Austin Hays and Miguel Andujar still remain unsigned but Antonetti was about as definitive as you will see him, they will not be Guardians come Spring Training. There are a few players still out on the market that might make sense to join Stuart Fairchild as MiLB deals, but my hopes aren’t very high for them either.
Manzardo
Guardians young slugger Kyle Manzardo was a topic broached in the discussion. Antonetti shared that he has gained some muscle this offseason, claiming 13lbs of lean muscle added to his frame. That sounds a little generous… but sure we will take any good news we can take at this point.
ABS Challenge System
Chris Antonetti was seemingly very on board with the new ABS system being integrated to MLB games. He remarked that Guardians Pitchers will not be permitted to use those challenges claiming that Tanner Bibee would run out of challenges in the first inning. Having watched Tanner, you can see how his competitive edge might lend himself to hoping for a few too many calls. Another player mentioned in this discussion was Austin Hedges, who is going to be gaming the ABS system as much as he can behind the plate — as always Hedgey is our pitchers’ greatest ally.
Golden Batter Rule
Rob Manfred has recently started peddling a “Golden Batter” rule, which would allow a team to pick one spot per game where they can put their best hitter up at the plate. Chris Antonetti, who was part of the group that brought baseball the pitch clock and larger bases, is not enthused with that idea. I agree wholeheartedly, as most fans and people in the game do.
Cozart and Ingle – Catcher Defense
The Guardians two prevalent catching prospects were touched on briefly during the discussion. Jacob Cozart, who posted a 108 wRC+ between A+ and AA in 2025, had his defense lauded as near Austin Hedges levels. Fangraphs has Cozart rated as the Guardians #26 prospect — though Longehagen clearly doesn’t think as highly of his defense.
Cooper Ingle had the opposite said of him, the defense needs a lot of work. His bat was praised by Antonetti, coming off a 139 wRC+ season between AA and AAA, but there is certainly some doubt in the glove. This is a sentiment that has been shared by many in the Guardians organization for a little while now. With Ingle’s bat being as attractive as it is, I would not be surprised to see him start to get reps in other positions this upcoming season.
2025 Draft Comments
Antonetti was asked by a fellow attendee about last years draft, asking if first round pick Jace LaViolette was a sign of a new approach to hitting in the organization. Antonetti summarily shut this down by claiming that the organization did the same thing they always do: draft the best player available.
I call BS on this personally, LaViolette, Curley, and Schubart are not players I would have expected the team to draft when you take their draft history into account. Antonetti played it as he always does, with a non-answer keeping his cards close to his chest.
2016 Game 7
I’m not sure if this has ever been shared before and I missed it, but incase you needed another reason to dislike Rob Manfred Antonetti shared a story about that fateful game.
While the rain delay was happening Antonetti, Manfred, and Cubs GM Theo Epstein were gathered into a room where Manfred suggested postponing the game until the next day. I could not imagine how ridiculous of a decision that would be and despite how the game ended up, I am glad it was finished that night.
That’s the gist of what Guardians POBO Chris Antonetti shared at the Akron Rubber Ducks’ Hot Stove Banquet. As usual, he kept his cards close to his chest, but there was some substance to discuss and capture my attention during a dry spell of the offseason. Hopefully there was something interesting for you in this write-up!
Herrera turned 22 a few months ago, but he has been a professional for over six years, having been signed in August 2019 out of Venezuela by the Brewers for only a $10k bonus. Due to the pandemic, Herrera didn’t throw a pitch in affiliated ball until 2021 and he didn’t come stateside until the next year. Indeed, the 6’3” right-hander was Rule 5 eligible after the 2023 season but not selected. I don’t blame teams, as Herrera truly didn’t pop up on the prospect radar until 2024. He seemed like a strong candidate to be added to the Rockies’ 40-man roster after the 2024 season, but unfortunately he underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2024 and missed the 2025 season.
Herrera began his breakout 2024 back in Low-A Carolina for the third-straight year (though he was still 1.6 years younger than league average), where he quickly showed that he was ready for a new challenge with 17 innings of 2.12 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 14.3 K/9 rate ball over four games. A promotion to High-A Wisconsin followed, where he was 3.1 years younger than league average. In 12 games there, Herrera threw 51 innings with a 3.18 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 8.8 K/9 rate, and 3.0 BB/9 rate.
That was enough for the Rockies to acquire Herrera as part of the Nick Mears trade (along with Bradley Blalock) in July. After the trade, Herrera made six starts with Spokane, throwing 32 2⁄3 innings with a 3.31 ERA (3.41 xFIP), 1.13 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 rate, and 3.0 BB/9 rate. Those were strong results that pointed toward an upper minors placement before his arm injury scuttled those plans.
Here is Herrera being dominant in April 2024 in the Brewers system:
Yujanyer Herrera was flat out dominant Friday for the Mudcats 😤
4IP / 1H / 0R / 0BB / 9Ks
Only three minor league SPs have pitched to that stat line in a game this season, and Herrera led them all with a 50% CSW#ThisIsMyCrewpic.twitter.com/lNaf2HZBGS
— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) April 15, 2024
The 6-foot-3 right-hander has three pitches in his arsenal that he was just starting to really learn how to use effectively when he went down. He typically throws his fastball in the 92-94 mph range and uses his hard above-average slider with bite as his go-to pitch. He misses plenty of bats with the pitch, showing the ability to backfoot lefties with it. He has a changeup, but it’s behind the other two offerings.
Because of that slider, Herrera’s strikeout rate took a nice step forward in 2024 and he uses the two-seam variation of his heater to get a lot of ground-ball outs. He threw a lot more strikes as well last year, but the Rockies will have to wait until 2026 to see if that sticks and if he can refine a third pitch so that he can stick in a rotation.
Herrera is listed at 175 pounds but is more like 250. He’s a below-average athlete who has struggled to throw strikes at various points during his career, and he still looks like he has below-average command despite his reasonable walk total from 2024. Herrera’s best pitch is his slider, a tight mid-80s hellraiser with late bite and good length for how hard it is. Still, too many of his sliders back up on him right now. He has a well-demarcated four-seam/two-seam fastball mix, but no cogent third pitch yet. Herrera’s velo keeled off at the very end of the year and he was put on the IL with elbow inflammation in September (he also had a hamstring issue last season); the Rockies left him off the 40-man roster. There’s a little too much development needed here to comfortably project Herrera as a starter, but he should be a fine sinker/slider middle reliever in time.
Herrera represents the kind of pitching prospect the system needs more of and I’m excited to see how he reacts to the challenge of Double-A once he is fully recovered from the Tommy John surgery — at least, that’s where I assume he will be. If his stuff is still there and he does well against upper minors batters, Herrera could be a rotation option for the Rockies soon and will be a no-brainer 40 man roster add this off-season. Due to the uncertainty, I couldn’t rank Herrera higher than a 35+ FV player, 25th on my list, though I love his potential to stick in the rotation and the quality of his slider.
If I were to name every championship team from Yankee history and ask you to name some players from that year, any fan worth their salt could probably get at least a couple. The lore of the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and plenty others is large enough that their names echo through even to Yankees’ fans born decades after any of them played.
However, just a couple stars does not a team make. Every Yankee team, successful or no, had players whose names you might only know in passing. Lyn Lary might be one of those names, who was a very solid player who helped the Yankees to the 1932 World Series title.
Lynford Hobart “Lyn” Lary Born: January 28, 1906 (Armona, CA) Died: January 9, 1973 (Downey, CA) Yankee Tenure: 1929-34
Over a century before a 6-foot-7 fella from Linden would first make his mark on the Fresno State baseball team, Lary was born and raised in the Fresno area of California. His family later settled in Long Beach, where he was a multi-sport athlete in high school and planned to attend the University of Southern California. However at the last second, he instead opted to sign with a local semi-pro baseball team.
In 1925, he began his career in organized baseball when he was picked up by the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League at just 19 years old. Lary had a breakout season two years later, playing shortstop and helping the Oaks win the PCL pennant, as he finished second in league MVP voting. He had caught the eyes of several major league teams, and the Yankees decided to pick up him, as well as middle infield partner Jimmie Reese.
Over in the majors, the Yankees were come off a historically good 1927 season, so they elected to let the pair play another year with the Oaks in 1928. After another good year in the PCL in 1928, the Yankees brought Lary over for 1929. He mostly spent his first MLB season playing second fiddle to future MLB manager Leo Durocher, but Lary showed his potential, with his season grading out at a 113 OPS+ and 2.2 rWAR in only 80 games.
That led to the Yankees trading Durocher to the Reds ahead of 1930 (aided by the Babe’s annoyance with “Leo the Lip”) and letting Lary take the full-time reins at shortstop. Lary’s early career at the position wasn’t the smoothest defensively, but he showed plenty of potential at the plate. That eventually shone through with a career best year in 1931.
Appearing in every game for the Yankees in 1931, Lary hit .280/.376/.416, with 10 home runs (the only season in his career where he cracked double figures) and 107 RBI. He put up 4.9 WAR according to Baseball Reference and 4.7 according to FanGraphs.
The one thing the Yankees hadn’t managed to do in Lary’s career to that point was win the World Series, but he would help them there the following year. The 1932 Yankees are arguably the most underrated team in franchise history, as they went 107-47 and then swept the Cubs in the World Series. Hampered a bit by injuries, Lary only appeared in 91 games and put up a 86 OPS+, although he did win a ring as a member of the team, seeing time at all four infield positions and left field as well.
However, 1932 also ended up being the beginning of the end of his Yankees’ career. Yes, injuries partially limited Lary to 91 games, but so did the emergence of another young shortstop from California. Frankie Crosetti joined the Yankees in 1932, and seized the most of his opportunity, taking the full-time shortstop job from Lary, who — while solid — had never quite lived up to the potential he had shown in his PCL days.
The Yankees held on to Lary in 1933, hoping he could return to 1931 form, but his hitting stats never quite got back. After appearing in just one game at the start of the 1934 season, the Yankees decided to deal Lary to the Red Sox.
Over the rest of his career, Lary played for a variety of team and had some ups, but also some downs. He played through 1940, and performed well enough to get MVP votes in two different seasons (pacing the AL in stolen bases in 1936 with 37 for the St. Louis Browns), but never ended up living up to his full potential. A large part of what doomed him was mental mistakes. As mentioned, his fielding could be a bit sloppy, but miscues didn’t stop there. In one 1931 game, he apparently ran into the dugout instead of touching home on a game-tying, ninth inning home run from Lou Gehrig, leading to Gehrig passing him on the basepaths and instead only being credited with a triple with Lary being ruled out. Neither run scored and the Yankees lost. Lary claimed that the ball had bounced back into play after going over the fence, and he believed the ball had been caught, but that’s still a bad mistake.
Lary was a bit of a character off the field too. Babe Ruth had given him the nickname “Broadway,” and he tried to act accordingly, dressing snappy and driving flashy cars. Amusingly, he married actress Mary Lawlor, who had been in the play “No No Nanette” of Babe Ruth trade and “Curse of the Bambino” fame.
After his playing career, Lary returned to his native California, and passed away from heart failure in 1973.
You might only know the name Lyn Lary from looking at old Yankees’ stats, but as usual, the story goes far deeper than that.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
Jalen Smith
Immanuel Quickley
LaMelo Ball
