SGA fights back tears during interview after Jalen Williams' gruesome injury
Thunder star Jalen Williams was taken off the floor on a stretcher Sunday night after apparently suffering a leg injury with under two minutes remaining in Oklahoma City’s 108-101 win over the Clippers.
The gruesome injury had Williams’s left foot bending unnaturally after he awkwardly landed on it while being fouled. Thunder medical personnel quickly covered Williams’s leg with a towel as he and other players on the court reacted in shock.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jalen Williams (8) gives a thumbs up to the crowd while being carted off after an injury during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Getty Images
The injury had such an impact on star teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that he fought back tears in his postgame interview.
“I don’t even know,” Gilgeous-Alexander said when asked what was going through his mind after the game. “I just feel bad for him. Nothing more than that.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to Nick Gallo after the game against the LA Clippers on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty ImagesShai Gilgeous-Alexander fights back tears after Jalen Williams’ leg injury. NBA
Gilgeous-Alexander continued and said the team will keep fighting without Williams.
“It’s obviously going to be tough without a player like that,” he admitted. “But he’s not gone forever. He’ll be back better than ever, and we know it. We’ve just got to hold the fort down until he comes back.”
Williams, 25, has already been named an All-Star and All-NBA player since being drafted 12th overall by the Thunder in 2022. He played a big role in the Thunder’s championship run in 2025, but missed 49 games last season due to multiple injuries, including a hamstring and recovery from right wrist surgery.
The Thunder did not immediately diagnose Williams’s injury, and head coach Mark Daigneault said postgame that the team will be updated on Monday morning.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams suffers an injury to his left leg in the second half of the game. NBA
“We’re not doing great,” Daigneault said.
The Thunder play the second half of a back-to-back on Monday night against the Suns at home.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) lays injured on the floor after getting injured during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
For nearly two full years, Tim Hill was one of the most reliable relievers in baseball. From when he joined the Yankees on June 20, 2024 until May 19 of this year, he made 128 appearances, 11th most of any pitcher in baseball. Of the 10 relievers who threw more innings, only two managed to best his 2.48 ERA. Trading on a 68.3-percent groundball rate — nearly five percentage points higher than any other pitcher — the southpaw held his own against righties while completely neutralizing lefties.
Hill’s mid-30s career renaissance was a boon to the Yankees, who picked him up from the worst team in baseball for nothing and leveraged him in various roles as a key piece of their bullpen formula. “He’s a gamer,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s a dog. He is fearless. He’s really competitive and just an awesome teammate, someone that’s been a lot of fun to be around.”
Largely a one-pitch pitcher, Hill occasionally mixes in a cutter and four-seamer but relies on his sinker more than 80 percent of the time. But what happens when opposing batters figure out a one-pitch pitcher’s one pitch? Beginning with a May 22 appearance in which he allowed four runs (three earned) to the Rays without recording an out, Hill lost his Midas touch.
Entering that game, he had a sparkling 1.37 ERA on the season. From that day on, it was an untenable 6.23. Hill’s trademark ground-ball rate was more than halved, and after allowing 11 homers through nearly two years in pinstripes, he allowed another 11 down the stretch. Eight of those came against his sinker, a pitch whose calling card is its ability to keep the ball in the yard. The 36-year-old’s implosion culminated in his being left off the Yankees’ Wild Card roster, a stunning turn of events considering his importance to the ‘pen just a few months earlier.
“That was the one we deliberated on,” Boone said at the time of the decision to carry fellow lefty Ryan Yarbrough over Hill. “Going with 10 pitchers, Yarbs gives us a little more versatility and some length coverage. How their lineup sets up, there are some better runs for Yarbs in this series. I expect Tim to play a big role if we’re able to move forward.” It was the kind of pabulum that rankles much of the fanbase about Boone’s approach to the media; when the Yankees did indeed move forward and had to select their ALDS roster, Hill remained in exile.
When the World Series concludes, Hill will be a free agent. He’ll turn 37 in February and, given his sudden unraveling this season, it’s fair to wonder where his future lies. Perhaps some team will see the elite ground-ball rate that was his hallmark before the collapse and take a flier to see if they can unlock it again; reliable lefty relievers are always a hot commodity. Don’t expect a reunion with the Yankees, though. They got a lot of mileage after what was a reclamation project for them, as well, when they claimed him off waivers from the White Sox back in ‘24. If they couldn’t help the veteran hurler get back on track for the last few months of last season, it’s time to give someone else a try.
See more of the Yankees Roster Report Card series here.
New York Yankees SP Luis Gil (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres have plenty of work to do this winter. Team president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller will need to revamp the team’s roster. His main concern is upgrading the starting rotation. Depending on the outcome of club/player options, Preller may need to fill all five starting rotation spots.
Luis Gil’s time in New York may be ending
One potential trade candidate is New York Yankees starter Luis Gil. He appears to be the odd man out in their starting pitching depth. At best in 2027, Gil ranks eighth on their depth chart.
The right-hander is not that far removed from winning the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year Award. Gil won 15 games in 29 starts; he struck out 177 batters in 151.2 innings pitched.
At the time, the Yankees thought Gil would become a mainstay in the rotation. Instead, his career has gone downhill after suffering several severe arm injuries that limited his availability. Since 2024, he has made 20 major league appearances.
Gil’s injury timeline includes Tommy John surgery in May 2022 that sidelined him for the entire following season. This spring, he suffered a right lat strain that sidelined him for the majority of the first half. His time in the majors was limited; Gil was placed on the injured list later in the season with a right shoulder strain.
Niebla could revive Gil’s career
The Padres are one of several teams linked to the starter. Preller has a track record of acquiring struggling starting pitchers and letting the Friars’ pitching coach, Ruben Niebla, work his magic.
He creates an environment that allows them to reach their true potential. Niebla might recommend tweaking their delivery mechanics, altering their grip, or adjusting their pitch usage during a start. San Diego has become a destination for starters looking to revive their floundering career.
Typically, Gil throws four pitches: four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and sinker. The lat strain injury might have caused a mechanical flaw in his delivery that has sapped his velocity and pitch location.
Gil’s four-seamer velocity dipped from 97 mph to 94 mph. Compounding his troubles, subpar command drove his walk rate up to 5.9% from 4.5% while lowering his strikeout rate from 10.1% to a dismal 5.6%. This lack of execution forced Gil to leave pitches high and hittable in the strike zone.
Niebla can solve his pitching issues. Who knows, maybe Gil recaptures his rookie-of-the-year form and becomes a top-of-the-rotation pitcher again.
Nothing is a guarantee, but the Padres and Yankees are ideal trade partners.
For San Diego, Gil represents a low-risk, high-reward trade option. He is the perfect fit for the Friars
Padres News:
Griffin Canning had a couple of bright spots this season, but he underperformed for much of 2026. What grade did he get from Gaslamp Ball’s Lincoln Zdunich?
Baseball News:
The Tampa Bay Rays have work to do if they want to get the World Series back to Milwaukee.
Walker Kessler had a subpar performance in his first game against his former team, the Jazz. NBAE via Getty Images
Kessler was coming off of looking like one of the best big men in the league after the first two games of the season, entering the matchup against the Jazz with averages of 24 points (84% shooting), 8.5 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
But the 7-foot-2 center had a dud in his first game against his former team, finishing with more fouls (four) than points (two) in 28 minutes.
Walker Kessler wasn’t as sharp as a rim protector on Sunday. AP Photo/Bethany Baker
He grabbed seven rebounds, but shot just 1-of-2 from the field and didn’t provide his usual rim protection, finishing with just one blocked shot.
“Definitely let my emotions get the best of me,” Kessler said. “But you gotta learn those moments and move on.”
Luckily for the big man, his teammates picked up the slack, with Luka Doncic leading the Lakers with 52 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds en route to a victory.
Austin Reaves chipped in an efficient 29 points on 7-of-12 shooting (11-of-13 on free throws), with the Lakers having five players score in double figures.
“I’m just glad we got the win,” Kessler said. “I mean, I’ve got a lot of thanks to give to my teammates, I mean, all of them. They all played their roles and did a great job, even though it wasn’t my best night. So I really, really appreciated them.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) of the Utah Jazz scored against Walker Kessler (14) of the Los Angeles Lakers off the dribble multiple times on Sunday. NBAE via Getty Images
The No. 22 pick in the 2022 NBA draft spent the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Jazz.
He was an integral part of the team’s rebuild after the franchise traded All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers during the 2022 offseason before the Lakers acquired him via sign-and-trade from the Jazz in July.
The transaction included a four-year, $130 million contract for Kessler, with the Lakers sending the Jazz unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030.
The Lakers are confident Walker Kessler will bounce back. NBAE via Getty Images
The former Auburn Tiger could feel the emotions take over as he was arriving to the arena he used to call home.
“Obviously Utah was the first four years of my career,” Kessler said. “It’s a special place for me. Kind of jumpstarted my career, a lot of good memories. Just letting my emotions get the best of me and kind of hype myself up more than I usually do and kind of got too amped.
“And then just couldn’t find the ball, couldn’t find the rhythm, just kind of was off a couple fouls that were tough, a couple blocks I usually [make] – it’s one of those nights. But fortunately basketball is not a one-man sport. I’ve got really good teammates and I’m very thankful.”
Despite Kessler’s subpar performance, the Lakers moved to 3-0 on the season after coming back from down 18 points.
“He didn’t have the best game,” Reaves said. “But for him to not have a good game and us still get a win shows the versatility of our team.”
Kessler was glad to get his first game back in Utah out of the way this early in the season.
“I knew I’d have some emotions naturally just because it’s my first place I ever played,” he said. “But yeah, definitely good to get out of the way and be excited for next time we play them.”
The Yankees need to make some changes to the roster, and the free agent market may not provide what GM Brian Cashman needs.
Cashman may have to dive into the trade market to find a third baseman, second baseman and other pieces to try to get the 2027 Yankees to the World Series.
It's been a while since Cashman made a substantial offseason trade, but the longtime exec usually surprises the baseball world, like he did when he picked up Juan Soto from the Padres ahead of the 2024 season. With Hal Steinbrenner putting a heavy emphasis on the team's offensive woes this past season, Cashman may need to wade into the trade waters to do it.
He does have a surplus of major league ready starters and former prospects that can entice a team or two, but which players should he target?
Here's a list of five players the Yankees could consider in a trade this offseason...
Isaac Paredes
Paredes is one of the more underrated players in baseball, but Cashman should really consider bringing the 27-year-old in this offseason.
Houston has a club option to retain Paredes for just $13.35 million, which they certainly will, but that makes him all the more affordable as he enters the final year of his deal. And while the Astros won the AL West, they should consider moving the infielder when they can maximize his value, especially with what the Yankees can offer.
The Yankees have starting pitching to deal in Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, or Clarke Schmidt, and can potentially package Carlos Lagrange in a deal.
Paredes slashed .262/.360/.447 with an OPS of .807 to go along with his 25 home runs on an objectively bad Astros team. He was an All-Star in 2025, but had a better year in 2026, posting career highs in batting average, OBP and games played (155).
Paredes' defense is below average, though. He had a -3 OAA at second base in 2026, while being a -4 in 2025 and a -2 in 2024. Paredes is young enough to be coached up to play the position better in 2027, so there is potential upside if the Yankees could pry him away from Houston.
Zach McKinstry
Another infield option is McKinstry, who doesn't have the offensive ceiling that Paredes has but gives manager Aaron Boone a ton of versatility.
McKinstry has started at third base (four), shortstop (19), second base (28) and in all three outfield positions, with 49 starts in right field. If there's a downside, McKinstry is a left-handed bat, making him redundant at third base, and potentially second base if Luis Garcia Jr. becomes an option at the position. (It would give the Yankees the option to trade Garcia to another team). But it's hard to overlook his ability to play multiple positions and is just one year removed from being an All-Star and a Silver Slugger.
While he slashed just .199/.288/.294 with an OPS of .582 -- to go with just four home runs -- his All-Star season saw him slash .259/.333/.438 with an OPS of .771 and 12 home runs, all career highs.
Could McKinstry bounce back and be a good platoon option? It may not take much to get him from the Tigers, especially if the Yankees can dangle Jasson Dominguez, a young outfield prospect.
Jul 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) rounds the bases on a two run home run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
CJ Abrams
The Yankees reportedly checked in on Abrams at this past deadline, and they should ask the Nationals for his services again.
Abrams is coming off a career year where he slashed .261/.336/.497 with an OPS of .833, to go with 33 home runs and 106 RBI. But this deal would only work if Abrams plays second base, which Washington began to transition him to at the end of 2026. He finished playing 14 games (12 starts) at the position and made every play hit to him.
He would be Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s replacement, and while not as good defensively, he was better offensively and hit better against left-handers. He batted .240 with eight home runs and 63 strikeouts in 192 ABs facing southpaws. It's better than Chisholm's .218, five home runs and 56 strikeouts in 147 ABs, but would continue to make the Yankees lineup susceptible to southpaws.
Abrams is still an intriguing option, especially since it looks as if the marriage between the Nats and the infielder is heading toward a divorce.
Royce Lewis
Another intriguing name.
Lewis, a former No. 1 pick, has seen a lot of ups and downs with the Twins, and that continued this past season. Lewis was moved to first base, off of third, to improve the overall defense of the team, and that may have affected him at the plate. He hit .227 with 15 homers, 57 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .667 OPS in 125 games, but he struggled so much at the start of the 2026 campaign that Minnesota demoted Lewis.
To Lewis' credit, he bounced back, batting .280 with 28 extra-base hits and an .842 OPS in his first 59 games following his call-up. But he hit .187 over his last 35 games with just six extra-base hits and a .468 OPS.
But it wasn't that long ago (2023 to be exact) that he batted .309 with 15 home runs in just 58 games.
With experience at third and first base, and being a right-handed bat to complement Ryan McMahon and Ben Rice/Garcia Jr., the Yankees should see whether he's available. He has two more years of team control and could be a viable "buy-low" option for Cashman, to see whether they can get the 27-year-old back on track.
Twins could use starting pitching and outfield help, both the Yankees can provide.
Nolan Arenado
What is this, 2024?
Feels like forever ago that the Yankees were connected to Arenado. Of course, New York went with internal options and eventually McMahon to play the hot corner the last couple of years, but the perennial All-Star could be available again.
The Yankees need a right-handed third baseman to pair with McMahon, and while Arenado isn't the Gold Glover at the position he once was, he's still very good. The last two seasons, he had a 2 OAA, the lowest of his career, but is still in the top 79th percentile, according to Baseball Savant.
But the biggest development in a potential pursuit of Arenado is that his offense has rebounded.
In 152 games, he slashed .255/.331/.475, a big jump from his .237/.289/.377 in 2025. His .806 OPS and 30(!) home runs are Arenado's highest since 2022.
Should the Yankees expect the same production? No, but he's an upgrade over McMahon. And with Arenado in the final year of his contract, the Diamondbacks could look to sell high on the veteran and look to retool for another crack at the postseason.
Spinner believes defeats are useful learning experiences
Liam Dawson has revealed England’s disappointment after the two agonising defeats to Sri Lanka and Pakistan that have left making the ODI tri-series final is in serious doubt. “That changing room is gutted, we’re desperate to win,” he said.
To reach the final, England need Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday and then they have to thrash Sri Lanka on Thursday, but Dawson is optimistic the losses can be help them in the World Cup in 12 months’ time in southern Africa.
Ultimately, NBA fans won’t know who “won” the Brown trade for a few years when the draft picks involved in the deal convey, unless the Sixers or Celtics win a championship before that happens. What’s already clear is there are still some hurt feelings for the players involved, and it’s leading to one of the most embarrassing war of words possible to start the new season.
Tatum and Brown both commented on the beef that isn’t a beef on Saturday after an emoji on social media added more fuel to the fire. Here’s the timeline of events here:
Jaylen Brown commented with the “cap” emoji — indicating someone is lying — when Tatum said he was surprised by the trade like everyone else in an Instagram video.
Tatum gave a long response about Brown’s emoji after the Celtics beat the Knicks on Friday, saying there’s “no beef” between the two and said he’s disappointed it’s turned into a drama rather than appreciating what the two accomplished together.
Brown responded to Tatum’s comment after the Sixers beat the Bucks on Saturday, and gave a couple memorable quotes. Let’s get into those below.
Brown said he agreed with Tatum that there’s no beef. Then it got interesting.
“Jayson comes from a wonderful family. We’ve accomplished some great things. He’s a hell of a basketball player. He’s got a great PR team. There’s no beef but there might be a little lamb chops and gravy. He should stay ready at all times.”
Jaylen Brown on Jayson Tatum: “It’s no beef, but it might be little lamb chops and some gravy, you know what I mean?
Brown liked the “lamb chops and gravy” line so much he said it twice. He really thought that one was going to bang, but in the humble opinion of this nearly 40-year-old blogger, it reads as pretty cringeworthy. I wish someone would have followed up on the last line about Tatum needing to stay ready. What does that mean?! I actually really like that line from Brown, it’s so ridiculous and opaque that it hits that just right. That’s how you do it when you want to go viral.
Here’s Tatum’s long quote on Brown’s emoji. Tatum said he’s too old for the drama, and that he and Brown need better communication. Watch his full response:
And here’s the screenshot of Brown’s cap emoji that started it all. Shout-out to Tatum for rocking the backwards red fitted cap in this video. I assume it’s a Cardinals hat for the St. Louis native, but that will always remind me of Fred Durst.
Jayson Tatum on the Jaylen Brown trade in a recent interview:
"I was just as much caught off guard as the rest of the world."
Here are some quick takes on the state of the Tatum-Brown relationship right now:
I could be wrong about this, but … the Celtics *probably* told Tatum they were going to trade Brown just to make sure he didn’t have a bad reaction to it. In that sense, Brown likely isn’t wrong for using the cap emoji in response to Tatum saying he was totally caught off guard.
Tatum’s response is far more mature, and this situation is clearly eating away at him a little bit. I’m sure he enjoyed his years with Brown. They won so many games, and that 2024 championship banner will hang forever.
Brown seems to be using that trade and Tatum’s comments as motivation, which basically every athlete does.
This should be a non-story, but that’s never going to happen because fans love drama. Brown is probably going to keep leaning in, and Tatum is probably going to continue to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. This is all very silly, but whatever. Get back to me in 2035 and we’ll see who really won the Jaylen Brown trade.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has been named the recipient of the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award.
"This is something when our kids grow up, they’re gonna look back and say my mom and dad were very cool because they were blessing others and helping others," Lindor said about receiving the award.
Lindor will be formally presented with the award before Game 3 of the World Series between the Brewers and Rays on Monday night at Tropicana Field.
The Roberto Clemente Award is "the annual recognition of a major league player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field."
The concept of honoring players for their philanthropic work was created in 1971 as the "Commissioner's Award." It was renamed to the "Roberto Clemente Award" in 1973 to honor the MLB legend who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Monica McNutt is still “mystified” by her viral hot mic Taylor Swift moment and how that got put out into the world during Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
During a recent episode of “The Pivot” podcast hosted by former NFL stars Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor, the ESPN basketball analyst gave her take on the incident in which she was heard taking a shot at the mega popstar while on the Knicks radiocast.
“Epitome of a hot mic situation. We weren’t even up yet. I’m still mystified and would love someone to explain how that got to the masses. But, we’ll leave that there,” McNutt said.
Monica McNutt explains her experience behind her viral Taylor Swift shot during the Knicks playoff run. X @Realrclark25
Upon spying Swift in a courtside seat at Madison Square Garden, McNutt was caught saying, “She’s not a Knicks fan. Get out of here, girl.”
By the time Game 4 ended with the franchise-defining OG Anunoby tip-in, McNutt had no idea she had gone viral and was receiving a ton of heat from Swift fans on social media.
She explained a PR staffer said to her, “You know you’re doing viral?”
“Dude I don’t care, did you just see that?” she responded. “I don’t care.”
On the podcast, McNutt defended what she said about Swift and said it was a “throwaway comment.”
We all know why Taylor Swift shows up at NFL stadiums, but Monica McNutt had questions when she appeared at Madison Square Garden during the NBA playoffs.
In this business, they say, “The mic is always hot,” and that night, it certainly was! The Swifties went into full attack… pic.twitter.com/JI27MjOTUO
“You gotta be able to read a little colloquialism because ‘Girl get out of here’ isn’t literally ‘Get out of here,'” she said. “But I had just seen you at a Knicks game with your man in no Knicks gear, and all the celebrity Knicks fans I am familiar with, blue and orange down baby, it ain’t no question. So, literally it’s a throwaway comment RC, that like please, congratulations you have built an empire, you have an incredible fan base, like I do not care.”
“Again, people that have never had our jobs, you don’t know how a hot mic works, and if you don’t speak with any of the flavor that I speak with, you probably took that comment to heart and it wasn’t even that deep,” she added. “And that’s on you, not me.”
Singer Taylor Swift sits on celebrity row during the second quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
No one approached McNutt about the comment in person other than a reporter from TMZ, who asked to talk to her about the situation. She later apologized to Swift in the street interview between Games 4 and 5.
Monica McNutt attends the Art Arena and CULTURED launch of their first collaborative issue celebrating women shaping the worlds of art and sport, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in New York. BFA.com / BACKGRID
“The internet is not real….Baby I can close my phone and go on about my business. I am living literally my best professional life right now. What are y’all talking about?” she said.
However, one person did come to McNutt’s defense during the Knicks championship celebrations after taking Game 5 in San Antonio.
Taking her MSG microphone, Jalen Brunson said, “I just want to say something to the Swifties: She’s a really good one, cut her some slack. It’s all good. I promise.”
Taylor Swift, wearing a shirt that reads “Stevie Knicks”, walks on the court to her seat and greets Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller before Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
McNutt explained she did not know the NBA Finals MVP was going to defend her.
“Jalen is just — he’s so thoughtful. He’s an incredible leader,” McNutt said. “I think his sense of what is happening around the people that — not that he is responsible for me but like — he is the king of New York and I’m in the New York orbit if you will. Tip of the cap to him for sure. I was not expecting that. It was really cool.”
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 29: Cam Sanders #73 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Athletics in the bottom of the eighth inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on August 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Take one walk around Camden Yards and you will see plenty of Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso jerseys. Fans love superstars and for good reason. There’s been plenty of talk about how the Orioles cannot get where they want to go unless Henderson returns to form. Alonso arrived in Baltimore and immediately delivered in the first year of his big contract, and the O’s will need that type of production if they hope to compete moving forward
At the same type, everyone knows that good teams require production from role players. Albert Suárez has been an unsung hero for the Orioles over the last few seasons. Aside from the stars, fans often gravitate toward players that were born around their hometown, attended the same college, or made an impact at their local minor-league affiliate. But every once in a while, supporters develop an irrational appreciation for a guy that doesn’t really move the needle for anyone else. That’s me with Cam Sanders.
The Orioles purchased Sanders from the Pirates on July 13 after Pittsburgh designated the righty for assignment. Shortly after the move, I reached out to a friend of mine that follows the Pirates closely. He was not exactly sad to see Sanders go. “If he can’t make it in this bullpen, he’s not going to make it anywhere.”
Baltimore optioned Sanders to Triple-A but recalled him less than a week later. The 29-year-old proceeded to earn his first career win and first career save in his first two appearances. Sanders recorded a pair of outs in a 3-2 victory over the Astros and closed out a dramatic 4-2 win in extra innings the following night. I became president of the Cam Sanders fan club overnight.
Baltimore optioned Sanders after his pair of decisions but brought him back on August 10. He went on to post a 2.40 ERA over 19 appearances in an Orioles uniform. Sanders struck out 27 and walked 10.
Sanders arrived in Baltimore with only 17 major league innings under his belt. He had signed with Pittsburgh as a minor-league free agent before making six appearances in 2025. It’s easy to see what the Pirates liked. Sanders averages 96 MPH with his fastball, and his strong slider leads to plenty of swing and miss. He pitched to a sub-3 ERA over 22 appearances at Pittsburgh’s Triple-A affiliate but failed to deliver at the big league level.
Sanders arrived in Baltimore with a golden opportunity to establish a role. The team entered the season with few established relievers, and both Keegan Akin and Ryan Helsley missed significant time with injury. Baltimore shipped Tyler Wells to the future American League champs, and Félix Bautista did not return until the end of the season.
Yennier Cano earned an extension, and Rico Garcia turned some heads, but there were plenty of innings to go around. Sanders, like teammates Grant Wolfram, Anthony Nunez and Josh Walker, set out to prove that he belonged in the big leagues.
The Orioles gave Alex Hoppe the same opportunity after acquiring the reliever and a pair of pitching prospects for outfielder Taylor Ward. Hoppe held a 5.79 ERA over 24 games with Seattle at the time of the deal.
Hoppe arrived with a triple-digit fastball, a slider, and a sinker. Baseball Savant also credited him with eight changeups in 2026, but the heater was the headliner. He demonstrated high-leverage potential with a 1.84 over 18 appearances with the Orioles. He recorded four holds, one save, and one win in Baltimore.
The Orioles will likely enter 2027 with at least some level of uncertainty in the bullpen. It’s unclear what Garcia will have for a sequel or if guys like Sanders and Wolfram can take another step forward. Hoppe and Nunez probably fit into a category of their own though. Both boast the type of high-leverage ceiling that could make an impact for years to come.
Hoppe will enter next season with two minor league options. He’ll head to Sarasota with an inside track on a bullpen spot but nothing guaranteed. The 27-year-old could grab the job and never let go. At a minimum, he’ll be an optionable reliever with high upside. Sanders also holds one minor league option.
Relievers are volatile from year to year. Baltimore’s front office liked both of these guys enough to add them to the mix. The front office has earned plenty of criticism over the years, but they’ve also identified several diamonds in the rough. Will either of these relievers qualify as another success story?
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: Curtis Mead #25 of the Boston Red Sox walks to the locker room after being hit by a pitch against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Before we begin looking ahead to 2027, OTM is looking back at 2026, highlighting some of the biggest, strangest, and most memorable moments of a memorable season. Today, we look at one of the most deflating trade deadline acquisitions of all-time.
The July version of the Red Sox were magic. Even in a harsh media city like Boston (I’ll admit it!), the “vibe” around the team was a stark departure from even a few weeks earlier. You’d have been hard pressed in the beginning of June to find anyone who’d justify trading future roster pieces for anyone who’d help the team compete, because it was clear the team could not compete.
That obviously all changed with the historic 15-game win streak. By the middle of the month, the team was squarely in “buy” mode, as a deep October run was, with the right pieces, very conceivable.
But we’ve seen this song and dance before. Just 12 calendar months earlier, Craig Breslow had “gotten uncomfortably aggressive” with his fellow front offices. The cynic in me would have loved to be a fly on the wall to see what Craig Breslow would classify as “uncomfortably aggressive,” but alas, the fruits of the deadline ended at Steven Matz and Dustin May. The Red Sox’s season would end at Yankee Stadium, and neither acquisition would be back to begin 2026.
The previous time the Sox had made the playoffs, the team acquired Kyle Schwarber, a deal that looked vastly less impressive after the team failed to acquire his services long-term in the offseason. The other acquisitions in 2021 were Austin Davis and Hansel Robles, which dims the shine of the Schwarber deal even further. The following year, with a playoff spot within reach, the team did a weird half-buy, half-sell stance, dealing longtime catcher Christian Vazquez and Jake Diekman and bringing in Reese McGuire (a notable downgrade behind the dish), Eric Hosmer and Tommy Pham. The team finished accordingly, in the cellar of the division. Point being, calls to win were met hollowly.
Then, at almost midnight three days prior to the 2026 trade deadline, that notion was turned on its ear. Connelly Early, a guy the team had in its rotation prior to some elbow inflammation, a guy on many top 100 prospect lists before the season started, a guy who very much fit the organization’s archetype of big lefty with velocity and bite on his fastball, and, truth be told, a guy who wasn’t pitching too badly (3.44 ERA, 93 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings) was heading to Washington, a team who played two hour drive north of his Virginia hometown and a team fighting for a playoff spot in their (much more competitive) league. The return for this guy? Australian infielder Curtis Mead.
It seemed absurd at first glance. Until, that is, one remembered that Curtis Mead, after some early struggles (putting this lightly) in his career, had been hitting out of his mind with the Nationals to start 2026. He had 17 home runs and a .852 OPS. He had struggled with being patient at the plate but was getting better, and already didn’t strike out much. His arm strength is lower than average, but he had experience playing second base, which was a position of need for this team. If that didn’t pan out, there were a few different permutations the team could try out, which isn’t ideal for a team also in the middle of a playoff chase, but having everyday players to field who are plus bats is a good problem to have. Simply put, at the time, Early was 1) injured and 2) at a surplus, and Mead was 1) performing at a level where the team could be as “aggressive” as they’ve prided themselves on being to win baseball games and 2) played a position, maybe even two, of need.
Fast forward two nights. Sacramento against the Athletics, 9:40 first pitch for us over on the east coast. Curtis Mead is in the lineup. He’s batting second. He’s playing second. The team looked to have an everyday player. Enter the fourth inning. Mead against Jack Perkins. Perkins, a player who has a noted lack of command in his short career, lost control of his fastball, and Mead took it just shy of 95 miles per hour to the wrist. His bat flew away in reaction and Mead took his base. It was a scary moment, but it was also assuring to see Mead not exit immediately. The lurking cynic, though, wondered if this could be the start of a recurring issue. An inning later, Mead clearly looked uncomfortable in the field, and he exited the game. Initial imaging showed no fracture, but an MRI showed that Mead’s wrist, was, in fact broken. Mead went on the 10-day IL, but it was a foregone fact that he’d be gone for most of the rest of the season.
Make no mistake: this injury put the Red Sox at a new crossroads of the season and gave a Craig Breslow an even bolder challenge to put his money where his mouth was than the one he had accepted just three days earlier. He couldn’t throw his hands on and say “aw, shucks, we tried!” as the team was still in contention, and now, he didn’t have the luxury of using a surplus chip of an extra young rotation piece. He would have to get creative, and fast. It was, to be fair to Breslow, absolutely a raw deal. But how he reacted, and how the team gelled from that moment, could likely define the future of the season.
The Red Sox would upgrade their catcher position by trading for Adley Rutschman (and Jake Rogers) in exchange for Carlos Narvaez and a plethora of budding prospects. They’d also grab Erik Miller by dealing another injured everyday player in Marcelo Mayer, and would bring Eli White into the fold, a move I was convinced at the time would spell the end of Jarren Duran’s time with the organization, but Duran punched at his class to finish 2026. Breslow, though some debate on the effectiveness of deals lingered after a second consecutive postseason run would end at the hands of the Yankees, put a clear “bought” symbol next to his organization for the first time in almost a decade.
And it’s easy to imagine that at least some of this influence between throwing caution to the wind on the Rutschman deal especially was because of this perceived – and very tangible – urgency.
As with most moves the Red Sox have made in the last year or so, this move will effect them not just for this year, but for some time after. The myriad ways that sentence can be construed is intentional. It will, in Boston fashion, be evaluated with every gem Early pitches (and there will be plenty) and it will be maligned with every errant throw Mead makes over the course of the next five years. Because, yes, Mead is under team control until 2031. These transactions also don’t exist in a vacuum, and so it’s entirely possible that this deal will benefit both teams in the long run, just as the teams simply not ever picking their phones up might have, as well. It’s natural to think of what would have been, and just as natural to say that this trade was of little consequence in 2026, and that goes for either team, as Early made exactly one appearance with his new team following coming off of that injury. But the move, at the time, was absolutely of high consequence for Craig Breslow and his future with the Boston Red Sox.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 14: Sebastian Walcott #12 of the Texas Rangers stands on deck during a game between the Peoria Javelinas and Surprise Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on October 14, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB Trade Rumors’ AJ Eustace writes about how an improved changeup helped Jacob Latz ascend to become an unexpected All-Star closer in 2026.
And, if you happen to know players who played with Mike Minor or who finished top 5 in saves during the 2000s, you might do well at today’s Rangers Daily Walkoff!
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm #28 is shown during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers on September 23rd, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the World Series headed into its final week, the look ahead at the postseason is starting to clear up. Teams have probably about wrapped up most of their offseason meetings in preparation for this offseason where they decide which route they plan on taking for the season to come. That means decisions on tendering contracts and making qualifying offers.
For the Phillies, the biggest decision they have is whether or not they should be offer Alec Bohm a qualifying offer. If you aren’t sure, a team can offer a qualifying offer to a player that, should he accept it rather than go into free agency, entitles him to a large one-year deal before going back into free agency the following season. This year, that number has crested $23 million, which is insane to think about. Should the player not take the deal, he heads into free agency with something of an anchor on his back. Any team that signs that player will be forced to take on some penalties, those penalties varying depending on who signs him. The Phillies then would be compensated with some extra draft picks, presumably to spend them on low cost college relievers that don’t have great strikeout rates.
Seems like an easy decision until one thinks about the amount of money it would cost. While it’s mostly true there is no such thing as a bad one-year deal, there is a bad way to spend that money included in a one-year deal. Handing over $23 million to Bohm is probably one of those bad ways, but that’s where the question comes into play today: should the Phillies offer Bohm a qualifying offer this offseason? It would be nice to have that draft pick compensation once July rolls around, but the idea of tying up that much money on a player with a limited skillset seems not the best way to spend that much money.
Welcome to our weekly Monday Morning NBA notebook, a quick hit of NBA news and injuries from around the league to catch you up on last week's action. Let's get into it.
Jalen Williams injury
This was gut-wrenching to watch Sunday night.
Late in Sunday's Thunder win over the Clippers, Jalen Williams drove hard to the rim and was met there by Derrick Jones Jr. in front and Kris Dunn in back. Williams went down at an angle, about to land on his back, but his left leg curled back under him and then was bent at an angle legs don't bend. Williams stayed on the ground for several minutes, with teammates around him, and the entire arena fell silent. Williams was lifted onto a stretcher and taken out of the arena.
While there are no details on the injury as of this writing, it looked very much like it could end his season. Williams had gotten off to a fast start this season after only being able to play in 33 games last season — and missing much of the playoffs — due to injury. This is a real blow to the Thunder.
Paolo Banchero out 4-6 weeks
The Orlando Magic just can't catch a break with health.
Paolo Banchero is out 4-6 weeks after suffering a Grade 1 high ankle sprain in a loss to Minnesota. Orlando will be without the All-Star who dropped 35 points with 10 assists in the opener against Atlanta. The offense now runs through Franz Wagner, who has struggled with his 3-point shot to open the season.
Jalen Suggs left Sunday's game following a non-contact knee injury, which is very concerning.
Injuries to their stars have been an ongoing issue for Orlando. Last season, Banchero and Wagner played in just 24 games together, mainly because Wagner missed considerable time with his own high ankle sprain. In the 2024-25 season, the duo played just 40 games together as both dealt with matching torn obliques.
Jalen Duren out at least two weeks
Detroit's All-NBA center and anchor in the middle on both ends of the court, Jalen Duren, is out at least two weeks with a strained right hamstring, the team announced on Sunday.
Duren left Detroit's game against Miami in the second quarter after a drive to the rim against Giannis Antetokounmpo, where he instantly grabbed at the back of his leg and asked to be taken out of the game.
After a summer of contract drama, Duren started the season fast, with 22 points and nine rebounds in the Pistons' season-opening win against Boston. He will now miss games against the 76ers, Knicks and others.
Warriors exploring Kristaps Porzingis trade
Kristaps Porzingis' health concerns — his postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, has flared up again — and appears to have reached the point that he is seriously considering his future in basketball, according to the latest report.
With that, the Warriors, who gave Porzingis a two-year, $40 million extension last summer, are starting to explore the trade market for him (which is more about his salary only having $3 million guaranteed next year, making him an expiring deal). Not that they have a lot of options. This is terrible for Porzingis, first and foremost, but it also adds to the Warriors' rough start in Golden State, they were counting on KP. "You can't deny the fact that Kristaps was plugged in our starting lineup," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "Super talented guy, and his absence is definitely a blow."
Cooper Flagg injures shoulder
Cooper Flagg missed Saturday's Dallas home opener — a loss to San Antonio — and will miss more time with a mild left shoulder sprain, the team announced.
Flagg was injured and left Friday night's game against the Pacers after this foul by Aaron Nesmith. The good news is that Flagg avoided serious injury on what was a dangerous play. Flagg, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, had 32 points in the Mavericks' season-opening loss to Houston.
Brandon Miller, Charlotte agree to $209 million extension
The Hornets already made a big bet on Brandon Miller when they traded away LaMelo Ball, now they're putting their money behind it. Miller got the second-biggest rookie scale extension of the offseason, surpassing All-NBA center Jalen Duren in Detroit and All-Defense wing Amen Thompson in Houston (only the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama got a larger deal).
Miller, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has an All-Star-level game. He is a three-level scorer who averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game last season, while shooting 38.3% from 3-point range. He is also an improved and respectable defender. However, if he's going to live up to this contract, he needs to be more physical and put more pressure on the rim, and he needs to limit turnovers. To start the season, Miller is averaging 19.3 points per game.
Other News and Notes
• No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa missed the Wizards' first three games recovering from an ankle sprain, but is expected to return soon. Just not soon enough for Wizards fans, or basketball fans in general.
• The Timberwolves and Jaden McDaniels agreed to a one-year, $40 million contract extension that will keep the two-way forward in Minnesota through 2030. The Timberwolves see him as part of their core and needed defensively (especially with LaMelo Ball getting heavy minutes).
• Pelicans starting center Yves Missi is out with a left knee bone bruise, and while the team hasn't put a timeline on it, expect him to miss at least 2-3 weeks and potentially longer. While not ideal, that's much better than what was feared when he had to be carried off the court. Hopefully this opens the door for more Derik Queen (and Karlo Matkovic).
• Charlotte was without Kon Knueppel (hamstring), Grant Williams (hamstring) and Coby White (calf) in their first two games.
• The Lakers waived former No. 17 pick Dalton Knecht last week to get down to 15 players for the season, and the Knicks stepped in and signed him to a two-way contract. Knecht showed his potential early with the Lakers, but after they traded for Luka Doncic, what the Lakers needed from their wings changed, and that didn't fit Knecht as well. He was the odd man out in Los Angeles but deserved a shot somewhere.
• Speaking of injuries, the Pacers could use to get T.J. McConnell back from his hamstring strain.
• NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is good with LeBron James using a Fanatics-branded helicopter to commute from his home in New York to the 76ers' practice and training facilities.
"He has a [endorsement] deal with Fanatics," Silver said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "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."
• Dallas signed guard Walter Clayton Jr. to a two-way contract. Smart roll of the dice. Memphis waived Clayton before the season, but last season, his rookie season, he averaged 7.8 points and 4 assists per game, splitting the season between the Jazz and Grizzlies.
• While they wanted to keep him for culture reasons, financial reasons won out and the Dallas Mavericks waived veteran big man Dwight Powell, who had been with the Mavericks for the past 12 years.
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, District of Columbia, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
A five-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glover, four-time Silver Slugger winner and a runner-up in both Rookie of the Year and MVP voting, Francisco Lindor is familiar with the spectrum of awards that are handed out late in the year.
For several reasons, the hardware he received in 2026 means a bit more.
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“To me this honor, this award, it’s probably one of the most important awards in MLB,” said Lindor, the recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award. “Just because it’s not about myself. It’s about my family, my parents, how much they have instilled in me to give and share the blessings that I have had.”
The Roberto Clemente Award is bestowed upon the player “who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field,” MLB says. The Mets’ star shortstop had been nominated for the humanitarian award in every year since 2023, and his fourth nod brought recognition that is particularly resonant for a Puerto Rico native.
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, District of Columbia, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The accolade is earned, with Lindor pouring time and money into endeavors from education to leadership in communities in Queens, his high school alma mater in Florida and his home island.
Through a partnership with New Balance, he annually provides hundreds of students with backpacks and school supplies. He has donated more than $1 million to Montverde Academy in Florida. New this season was “Lindor’s Leaders,” a leadership initiative for Bayside High School’s Sports Medicine Program.
“I didn’t go to college,” Lindor said over Zoom late last week. “My education comes through the lower school, middle school, high school, and through the people I’ve met in my life that have put me in conversations, that have put me in rooms to gain knowledge. And that’s kind of the thing I do with the high school and the Lindor Leaders.
“I have conversations with young people that are growing and going to be the next fathers, the next mothers of the world and the next engineers, doctors, and just having conversations with them.”
Francisco Lindor wore 21 on Roberto Clemente Day in 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Among his other charitable efforts: financial support for Puerto Rico following hurricanes; a partnership with Dairy Queen and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in support of Miracle Treat Day, helping raise money for local children’s hospitals; “Lindor Smile Tuesdays,” which educates local kids about dental hygiene; a collaboration with Seen, a nonprofit that aims to help families affected by disability and medical hardship and is especially personal for Lindor, who has a disabled stepsister.
With the award, Lindor follows in the footsteps of Clemente, a Puerto Rican star who died in a plane crash while trying to deliver aid to Nicaragua.
“I remember going to history classes in Puerto Rico for second, third, fourth grade,” Lindor said. “And you learn about the Indios, the Taínos, which are natives. You learn about Roberto Clemente, and you learn about Spaniards and Christopher Columbus. It’s so cool to sit here and to be recognized for going out there to the communities.”
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates his two-run home run by trying to catch sunflower seeds in his mouth in the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Lindor is the first Met to win the award since Curtis Granderson in 2016 and fifth ever (also joining Carlos Delgado, Al Leiter and Gary Carter).
“To be part of a fraternity, a community that of all the recipients that have won this award, guys like Delgado, [Carlos] Beltrán, Edgar Martínez, guys that I grew up idolizing — the Molinas,” said Lindor, who was set to receive the award before Monday’s Game 3 of the World Series. “There’s so many big names that represented the game the right way on the field, but off the field they were even greater. And to be part of this community, it means the world.
“I’m super excited. I’m blessed. I’m honored. I’m humbled by it.”
