The Yankees made a roster move on Wednesday, claiming outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez off waivers from the Colorado Rockies.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-handed pitcher Dom Hamel for assignment.
Fernandez, a 23-year-old corner outfielder, made his major league debut with the Rockies this past season. He appeared in 52 games overall, slashing .225/.265/.348 with four home runs, 11 RBI, and a 62 OPS+.
Hamel's stint with the Yankees didn't last very long, as the team had just claimed him off waivers from the Texas Rangers on January 27. The former Mets prospect -- who turns 27 in March -- made his major league debut with the Mets last season, pitching just 1.0 inning while allowing three hits and walking a batter, though he was not charged with an earned run.
He was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles last September and then claimed off waivers yet again, this time by the Rangers, a week later.
The Blues announced the trade that they acquired forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Bjugstad, 33, was signed by the Blues as a free agent last July when he signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract that carries a $1.75 million average annual value. He played in 35 games this season and had seven points (six goals, one assist). Bjugstad has played in 795 NHL games and the Devils will be eighth club; he has 337 points (163 goals, 174 assists).
Bordeleau, 24, was playing at Utica of the American Hockey League and will join Springfield; he has played in 35 games for the Comets this season and had eight points (two goals, six assists).
Bordeleau has experience in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks; he has played in 196 AHL games (115 points; 49 goals, 66 assists) but has also made 44 NHL with the Sharks and had 18 points (six goals, 12 assists). Bordeleau was drafted by the Sharks in the second round (38th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.
The NHL Olympic roster trade freeze was set for 2 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday and runs through 10:59 (CT) on Feb. 22.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
If Les Bleus click, the results could be spectacular against a much-altered Ireland with umpteen questions to answer
The Six Nations is kicking off on a Thursday this year to avoid a direct clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. In at least one key respect, even so, the two events are perfectly aligned: one early stumble for France or Ireland and a potentially painful descent awaits.
Despite the possibility of first‑night nerves and some Parisian drizzle it should still make for more intriguing viewing on ITV1 than the alternative of Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice on BBC One. Unless, of course, France are so far out of sight inside 40 minutes that they cannot be caught and the audience are free to switch over in good time to watch Sir Alan Sugar say: “You’re fired!”
April 4, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte (46) throws a pitch in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
“Back in Pinstripes and on Mound, but Only for Fun.”
So read The New York Times’ headline when word got out that Andy Pettitte — winner of 240 big league games, five-time World Series champ, and the man who had started more games as a Yankee than anyone but Whitey Ford — was making his way to spring training in 2012. The 39-year-old, who had retired after the 2010 season, was the latest in a long line of legends transitioning gracefully into an elder statesman of the game. Pettitte had gamely volunteered to throw some batting practice to the current team, a role that everyone understood as more tongue-in-cheek than consequential. “I’m not looking to coach anybody or anything,” said the retiree. “If guys want to ask me questions or anything, then obviously I’ll be more than happy to talk to guys. I’m here to hang out and mess around.”
A couple of weeks later, Andy Pettitte was no longer messing around. Instead, he was putting pen to paper and signing on for his 14th season in pinstripes.
Andy Pettitte Signing Date: March 6, 2012 Contract: One year, $2.5 million
As one of the most famous Yankees in modern memory, the average fan probably already knows the story of Andrew Eugene Pettitte. But before getting to March 2012, we’ll offer an abridged refresher.
Born in Baton Rouge in 1972 and raised just outside Houston, Pettitte performed well enough at Deer Park High School to catch the eye of the Yankees, who selected him as a draft-and-follow pick in the now-defunct 22nd round of the 1990 MLB Draft. After spending another year pitching for San Jacinto College North, Pettitte signed with New York in 1991, beginning a long and deeply fruitful partnership. The southpaw rose quickly through the ranks, excelling at each level of the minor leagues until earning his promotion to the Yankees in 1995. He was effective immediately, winning 12 games and posting a 4.17 ERA in 175 innings en route to a third-place Rookie of the Year finish—and the first of 44 career playoff starts.
If 1995 was an encouraging debut for Pettitte, ’96 was his coming out party. The 24-year-old went 21-8 with a 3.87 ERA, finishing second to Pat Hentgen for the Cy Young and helping the Yankees to their first championship in nearly 20 years, a run that included one of the signature performances of his career. Fresh off a seven-run drubbing at the hands of the defending champion Braves in Game 1 of the World Series, Pettitte rebounded to outduel future Hall of Famer John Smoltz, twirling 8.1 innings of scoreless ball on the road to win a crucial Game 5 in Atlanta.
Pettitte remained a key cog in the Yankees’ rotation throughout their dynasty run, starting 276 games between 1995-2003 while maintaining a sub-4.00 ERA in an era of high-flying offense. When he became a free agent after the ‘03 season, however, the team’s front office slow-played negotiations, failing to make a formal offer during their window of exclusive negotiations with their homegrown starter. “He’s come this far,” GM Brian Cashman said matter-of-factly. “He’s going to go out and find out what his market is first. He’s going to elect free agency.”
Pettitte’s camp expressed bewilderment at the lack of momentum towards a long-term deal. He was hearing very little from owner George Steinbrenner too, which was a bit insulting with the owner not hesitating to try to woo the likes of Gary Sheffield. “They keep saying he is their No. 1 priority,” said Tom Pettitte, Andy’s father. “’We’ve been hearing that since that day we left. If 14 days goes by before you even call someone you’re interested in, you’re dragging your feet. That doesn’t seem like a whole lot of interest to me.”
Whether due to this breakdown in negotiations or an interest to return home to Texas, on December 11th Pettitte agreed to sign a three-year, $31 million deal to join the Astros. The Yankees had reportedly scrambled to make a higher offer, but by then, Pettitte had already given his word to Houston. By way of explaining his decision, in clear contrast to his view of the Yankees’ negotiations with him, the newest Astro said simply, “They really wanted me here.”
While injuries limited Pettitte in his first season in Houston, he had a monster year in 2005, posting a career-best 2.39 ERA in 33 starts while helping lead the team to their first-ever National League pennant. After a strong follow-up campaign, the veteran was once again on the open market. Upon evaluating his options—including returning to Houston and retiring—Pettitte made the decision in December 2006 to rejoin the franchise with which he’d found his greatest success, signing a one-year deal for his age-35 season with a player option for the following year. That turned into four years back in New York, a renaissance during which he secured his fifth ring in 2009 while winning the clincher in each round of the playoffs.
Following the 2010 campaign, Pettitte hung up his spikes, ostensibly content to leave baseball behind. There was even a press conference to announce his retirement in February 2011.
But the door never fully closed.
Cashman engaged Pettitte in December 2011 about a possible comeback, reportedly offering him between $10 million and $12 million. He demurred until spring training, by which point contractual commitments limited Cashman’s offer to a $2.5 million, minor-league deal. But, after spending time with the team at spring training and some encouragement from Mariano Rivera — who, upon seeing his longtime teammate in Tampa, reportedly “pinned him against a wall and implored him, ‘Let’s go!’” — Pettitte threw a secret bullpen session. The itch was back.
YES Network’s Jack Curry reported the news of the stunning un-retirement, causing a social media stir:
The Yankees have signed Andy Pettitte to a 1-year minor league deal worth $2.5 million. The team is thrilled to have 240-game winner back.
“I expect to be as good as I was,” Pettitte said when combatting concerns about his age and long layoff. “I don’t think I’m going to fail.” His GM expressed similar confidence. “I know what a healthy Andy Pettitte from the left side can do,“ said Cashman. ”We’re all in, and he’s all in.”
The other reviews on Pettitte’s return were mixed. With CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Freddy Garcia, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda, and Phil Hughes already slated for rotation spots, adding the aged Pettitte seemed likely to block the ascent of young starters in favor of what, to some extent, was an unknown quantity. As The New York Times’ Tyler Kepner wrote at the time, “grooming young starters for sustained success is tricky enough as it is. Adding another veteran, no matter how revered, could make it even harder.”
Some of Pettitte’s new teammates seemed to agree. In light of the new competition created by the franchise icon’s signing, Hughes somewhat dejectedly said, “I worry about things I can control. What’s going to happen is going to happen. It is what it is.” When asked if he thought the signing would be good for the Yankees, Pettitte’s fellow veteran Garcia said, “I don’t know. Ask the people. I don’t know. I guess.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Of course, as the old saying goes, you can never have too much pitching. Pineda would miss the whole season (and the next one) with a shoulder injury. Garcia saw his ERA balloon to 5.20 as he lost his spot in the rotation. And Pettitte himself would be limited to 12 regular-season starts after beginning the year late as he stretched out in the minor leagues and subsequently missing time with a broken fibula sustained on a Casey Kotchman comebacker. Still, when on the field, he was sharp as ever, using his pitching smarts and guile to post a 2.87 ERA that was his best mark as a Yankee.
May 13, 2012 Andy Pettitte makes his 2012 debut after coming out of retirement pic.twitter.com/2RMGTwzFMw
— NY Yankees Throwbacks (@yankeethrowback) March 1, 2023
Pettitte returned in time to make two more playoff outings, both of which were quality starts at age-40, though the team was swept out of the postseason by the Tigers in the ALCS.
Pettitte returned for one last ride in 2013, making 30 starts and ending his career once and for all with yet another homecoming, tossing a complete-game victory over the Astros in Houston in his final start. That year was about Mariano Rivera’s farewell tour, but Pettitte’s fate was unclear until he broke the news in September that he’d be walking away as well.
Pettitte’s legacy in pinstripes begins with his incredible model of consistency, both in the regular and postseason, over 15 seasons in baseball’s toughest market. But surely, too, a part of his legacy is his multiple reunions with the Yankees, first from Houston and then out of retirement. They paint a picture of a tenacious competitor who charted his own path, with love for both his home state of Texas and his adopted city of New York.
The Yankees retired Pettitte’s No. 46 in 2015, cementing that legacy among the greatest players in their franchise’s history. His 2012-13 comeback was just another fun chapter in his remarkable journey — the cherry on top.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28: Cody Bradford #61 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game at Surprise Stadium on February 28, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rangers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
As things currently stand, the Texas Rangers have four spots in their Opening Day rotation filled, with Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore and Jack Leiter.
The fifth spot is a question mark currently. The Rangers no doubt hope that Cody Bradford will be healthy and ready to join the rotation at some point in May, but even if things going as well as could be hoped with Bradford, and even if everyone else stays healthy all spring, someone will have to man the fifth starter spot in the interim.
So in our Rangers Reacts Survey today, we want to know…who do you think should be the team’s fifth starter?
Nov 12, 2019; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Chaim Bloom speaks during media availability at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
It is with much happiness that I say out loud that we are now only days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. That means we can now look at what St. Louis Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom was able to accomplish. What grade would you give him for his first real offseason of work?
Chaim got an early jump on the winter months by trading Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox. That was followed by convincing Willson Contreras to also waive his no-trade clause and accept a trade to Boston. He also signed free agent pitcher Dustin May to a one-year deal. Chaim also managed to find a home for Nolan Arenado as he was traded along with several briefcases of cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a low-end prospect. Finally, this week the St. Louis Cardinals only all-star last season Brendan Donovan was traded to the Seattle Mariners for 3 prospects and 2 draft picks.
While I am more interested in your take on Chaim Bloom’s many offseason moves, I’ll kick in my two cents. My grade for Chaim Bloom would be an A-. He accomplished nearly everything he said he wanted to do when the offseason began. He moved veteran players that were impeding play time for young talent along with big chunks of their large salaries and he acquired young players, some with a very high upside. Why not a perfect score? As of this moment, the St. Louis Cardinals still have JoJo Romero on their staff which isn’t a bad thing, but he’s likely a valued trade option for many teams needing a left-handed relief arm. In the press conference explaining the Brendan Donovan trade, Chaim Bloom did say that he would not be turning his phone off if other teams wanted to make additional moves so maybe that perfect A grade is still attainable.
Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or not), what is your opinion of the St. Louis Cardinals offseason moves? Would you give Chaim Bloom a high grade or is there something about the trades and acquisitions that trouble you?
The Philadelphia Flyers’ 4–2 win over the Washington Capitals wasn’t loud, or flashy, or emotionally overwrought, and that was precisely the point.
After a stretch where Philadelphia too often looked disconnected from its own identity, Tuesday night felt like the course correction they needed. It was the first of four meetings between the teams this season, and a notable one considering the Flyers were swept in all four matchups by Washington last year. This time, however, the game unfolded on Philadelphia’s terms.
1. The Flyers Fixed Their Start, and Everything Flowed From There.
For weeks, the Flyers’ biggest problem has been pacing and timing. Poor starts have forced them into reactive hockey that see them chasing games more than shaping them. Against Washington, that pattern was broken.
Owen Tippett’s opening goal—his 19th of the season—gave the Flyers an early boost, and their direct, fearless waves of attack on the Capitals reflected that early confidence. Philadelphia played straightforward hockey early, won races, and established inside positioning before Washington could settle.
Tippett, who now has six points (4G, 2A) in his last six games and 10 points (5G, 5A) in 15 career games against the Capitals, continues to thrive when the Flyers play decisively rather than desperately.
“We knew we needed to have a good start,” Tippett said postgame. “I think that’s what hurt us a little bit in the past… getting the first [goal], doesn’t matter who it is. It goes a long way and gets everyone going and then builds confidence, for sure.”
The key factor is that the Flyers didn’t overextend for offense after scoring. They didn’t abandon structure when Washington pushed back. Instead, they smartly layered their game—forecheck pressure supported by responsible tracking, offensive zone time paired with smart changes. It was professional hockey, and it set the tone for everything that followed.
2. Dan Vladar’s Night Was About Leadership As Much As Goaltending.
Dan Vladar was insanely sharp against Washington. But more importantly, he was commanding.
He gave the Flyers crucial stability in moments where Washington threatened to tilt the ice, and he did so with elite instincts, puck tracking, and athleticism. Rebounds were controlled, and there was an unmistakable calm to his game.
Rick Tocchet made it clear afterward that Vladar’s value goes well beyond the crease.
“He doesn’t have a letter on his jersey, but he could,” Tocchet said. “He does have one for me, in my head.”
Rick Tocchet on Dan Vladar: “He doesn’t have a letter on his jersey, but he has one to me, in my head.”
Said Vladar skated to the bench during a break and said to his teammates to not hang their heads and get it going, presumably after the Capitals tied the game up.
Tocchet pointed to Vladar’s offseason as evidence of why his voice carries weight, recounting a story where Vladar identified a weakness in his game, hired a coach to address it, and arrived at camp in top shape.
"That's being a leader," Tocchet said.
But it was an in-game moment that best captured his leadership.
“When he came on our bench [during a break in play], he said, ‘Guys, why are you holding your head down? Let’s go here,’” Tocchet said. “And I love that. It’s good to hear that. He’s been like that all year.”
Matvei Michkov (39) and Dan Vladar (80). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
3. The Offense Was Not Just Effective, But Balanced.
Philadelphia scored four goals, and none of them required the Flyers to break character.
Carl Grundstrom’s eighth of the season came from effort and positioning. Jamie Drysdale’s fourth, a power-play goal, showcased his growing confidence and leaves him tied for second among Flyers defensemen with 22 points. Rasmus Ristolainen capped the night with an empty-net goal, his first of the season and first multi-point game, extending his point streak to two games.
Travis Konecny, playing in his 700th NHL game and becoming just the 13th player in franchise history to reach that milestone with the Flyers, didn’t score, but he controlled pace and extended his point streak to four games with two assists. He now leads the team with 15 multi-point games and has 15 points (8G, 7A) in his last nine outings.
Trevor Zegras recorded his 28th assist and has points in back-to-back games. Travis Sanheim picked up his 18th assist and continues to lead Flyers defensemen with 24 points. Matvei Michkov added his 16th assist and now has six points (3G, 3A) in five career games against Washington. Even Nic Deslauriers found the scoresheet with his first assist of the season.
This wasn’t a top-heavy night. It was a functional lineup, with contributions arriving organically throughout all four of the Flyers' lines.
Travis Konecny (11) celebrates with Rasmus Ristolainen (55). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
4. The Flyers Carried Belief Through the Entire Game.
Perhaps the most encouraging part of the night wasn’t any single goal or milestone, but the absence of panic.
The Flyers have had wins this season where confidence appeared suddenly and vanished just as quickly. Against Washington, it held. When the Capitals pushed, Philadelphia didn’t retreat into survival mode. When they had a lead, they didn’t stop playing. Fundamentals—puck support, gap control, disciplined changes—stayed intact from the opening minutes through the final horn.
That’s what made this win different. It didn’t feel like a temporary spike. It felt repeatable.
“It’s a long year,” Vladar said afterwards. “It’s not easy, especially with the Olympics and you’re taking those days off, but I think everybody’s doing the best we can to just be ready.”
The Flyers obviously didn’t solve their season in one night. But they re-established a baseline built on structure, leadership, and collective responsibility. As they head toward the Olympic break, that's a valuable outcome, and one they can absolutely build on after their time off.
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 01: Andrés Giménez #0 of the Toronto Blue Jays turns a double play after tagging out Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at second base in the seventh inning during Game Seven of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Andrés Giménez is a 27-year-old, left-handed hitting, middle infielder.
The Jays picked him up in trade from the Guardians in early December 2024, along with Nick Sandlin for Spencer Horwitz and minor leaguer Nick Mitchell. Horwitz was quickly flipped to the Pirates.
Horwitz hit .272/.353/.434 with 11 home runs for Pittsburgh, playing first base with a 1.6 bWAR. Not bad.
Mitchell played 85 games across three levels (rookie, A, A+) hitting .273/.386/.370 with 30 steals. FanGraphs has him #36 on their top 46 Guardian prospects.
Giménez hit .210/.285/.313 with 7 home runs (3 of them came in our first 5 games), for a 1.1 bWAR in 101 games. He was slowed by injuries, missing 23 games due to quad tightness and 31 due to an ankle sprain. It was his first time on the IL since 2020, when he was a Met. Unfortunately, the injuries slowed him when he came off the IL.
The bat wasn’t great, but the defence, on the other hand, was great. FanGraphs has him at 10 Outs Above Average (second best in the majors) at second base, which is amazing considering he only played about half a season worth of games at the position.
The first few games, when the team decided, against all logic, to have Giménez cleanup, were surreal, especially when he homered in the first game (and third and fifth). Of course, after those first five games, he hit .169/.247/.200 in the cleanup spot. Using him in that spot was the most puzzling lineup decision of the season (and there were several puzzling lineup choices).
This year, he’s going to be a shortstop. I guess there is a question of whether he’ll be as good at short as he is at second. We watched him play short in the playoffs, and he looked good there to me. He has plenty of arm, generally middle infielders play second because they don’t have the arm for short, but Giménez doesn’t seem to have any issues there. I think he has a good shot at being a Gold Glover at short.
The other question is, ‘Will he hit any better next year?’ That one I can’t answer, though I’d like to think that, without the leg and ankle injuries, he’d have to hit better. And he’d likely steal more bases (he had 12 steals last year, 30 in each of the two previous seasons).
The real answer is ‘He couldn’t hit much worse than last year.‘
Andrés hit much better vs. RHP (.221/.301/.329) than against LHP (.175/.233/.263). We platooned him some at second base; I doubt he’ll be platooned much at short.
Steamer thinks he’ll play in 134 games this year, hitting .253/.311/.384 with 12 home runs and 18 steals. Yeah, that won’t make us forget Bo, but then I’m hoping he’ll make up for it on defense.
SURPRISE, AZ - NOVEMBER 05: Seaver King #5 of the Scottsdale Scorpions bats during the game between the Scottsdale Scorpions and the Surprise Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Baseball America released their farm system rankings, and they are not the only outlet to do so in the past week or so. ESPN and The Athletic have also put out their rankings. The general consensus is that the Nats farm system is in the middle of the pack, though that feeling is not universal.
BA is the lowest of the three outlets on the Nats farm, ranking them 16th. The Nats have been in this range for them over the past few years. Last year, the Nats were 14th and in 2024 they were 15th. The system was at its strongest in 2023, ranking 7th. This makes sense, given that it was right after the Juan Soto trade.
🚨 NEW FARM SYSTEM RANKINGS 🚨
The @Pirates have baseball's best system entering 2026.
The reason the Nats system is lower is because of graduations and some regression. At this time last year, Dylan Crews was still prospect eligible. He was regarded as a top 10 prospect in the game. Brady House, Cade Cavalli and Daylen Lile all graduated as well.
The Nats 2024 draft class also struggled in their first taste of professional action. Seaver King and Luke Dickerson were very disappointing in 2025. Caleb Lomavita was fine, but did not exceed expectations either. With none of those guys emerging as top 100 caliber prospects, the Nats were unable to replace the guys they graduated from within.
Paul Toboni saved the Nats from being ranked deep into the 20’s with his moves. BA noted that the Nats acquired half of their top 20 prospects within the last year. The additions of Harry Ford, Gavin Fien, Luis Perales and others have made the Nats system deeper than ever.
The biggest reason why they are not higher is the lack of a true blue chip prospect. Eli Willits is the closest thing the Nats have, but BA has him ranked at 30th overall. He is not a top 10 prospect in the game like the Nats have had with Wood and Crews. Prospects like Travis Sykora, Jarlin Susana, Harry Ford and Gavin Fien are all very good, but also come with plenty of risk.
Keith Law of The Athletic really sees the promise in these guys. That is why he has the Nats system ranked as the 6th best, by far the highest I have seen. He noted that the Nats have done an impressive job restocking their system under Paul Toboni and in the 2025 draft.
The #Nationals have the 6th best farm system as ranked by Keith Law of The Athletic. The #Nats are ranked by him in his Second Tier. https://t.co/1g6rOrWKCB
However, he also notes the risk in a lot of these players. Law said that a lot of the talent the Nats have picked up is underperforming talent, based on where they were drafted or when they emerged as prospects.
I am not sure I agree with the underperforming part, but I do think a lot of the top guys have questions. Susana, Sykora, Perales and Alejandro Rosario have injury concerns. Harry Ford has some defensive issues and young infielders like Eli Willits and Gavin Fien are years away. There is no Konnor Griffin or Kevin McGonigle in the Nats system.
In the past, the Nats system has been very top heavy. They had a couple blue chip prospects, but not a ton else beyond that. Now the Nationals system’s strength is its depth. The question now is whether some of these promising pieces become top prospects.
Kiley McDaniel over at ESPN is one of my favorite prospect evaluators going back to his days at Fangraphs. He has the Nats system ranked as the 14th best. Last year, McDaniel had the Nats at 12. That was on the back of the top end guys like Dylan Crews. This year, the strength comes from the depth.
and here's my ranking of each farm system 1 through 30 with dollar values so you can see how quickly your team can rise https://t.co/TIUtsK5MOk
According to his write-up, the Nats acquired four of his top 200 prospects this winter. He pointed out Landon Harmon as a prospect to watch. I like that shoutout a lot. Harmon is quite similar to what Travis Sykora was coming out of high school a couple years ago. Both are 6’6 righties with upper 90’s heaters.
Sykora had a more filled out frame, but Harmon’s fastball might be even better. Harmon’s heater has good shape, while Sykora’s was more velocity dependent. However, Harmon’s secondary pitches are not as advanced as Sykora’s were.
At this time next year, I would be pretty surprised if the Nats did not have a consensus top 10 system in baseball. We wrote about what the system could look like at the end of the year, and Paul was very optimistic.
There are so many breakout candidates in this system. The reason the Nats system is not top 10 right now is that not a ton of these guys have done it yet. Once the Nats youngsters prove themselves, they will rise in the ranks. Even if the ranking is lower, the Nats farm is as healthy as it has been in a long time under Paul Toboni. Finally, the Nationals prospect pool has depth.
The American has earned the trust of Luciano Spalletti in Italy, but his role with the USMNT remains an open question
Juventus have tried to get rid of Weston McKennie. They even succeeded once, sending him on loan to Leeds United only for the American to return six months later. When he got back to Turin, as US coach Gregg Berhalter told the story at the time, Juve had emptied his locker and given away his parking spot. Despite this, McKennie stuck around.
It’s just as well for the Old Lady that he did – McKennie is now in the form of his life. The 27-year-old has scored four times in just eight games since the start of 2026. He has become one of Juve’s most important players and arguably the biggest driving force behind their recent upturn in form. Luciano Spalletti – among the most big-name coaches currently working in Italian football – has used McKennie to mould the team in his own image.
Kiner-Falefa, 30, is a versatile defender with big-league experience at every position except first base. He has primarily played shortstop (450 games), third base (234 games) and second base (90 games) in his eight-year MLB career.
Last season, Kiner-Falefa played in 119 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates before being claimed off waivers by the American League champion Toronto Blue Jays. In 138 games between Pittsburgh and Toronto, he slashed .262/.297/.334 with two home runs and 40 RBI.
The Red Sox aimed to improve their infield defense this offseason, and Kiner-Falefa should help in that department. He was a Gold Glover in 2020, when he primarily played third base for the Texas Rangers. Last season, he recorded two Outs Above Average as a third baseman but -3 OAA at shortstop and 0 OAA at second.
Kiner-Falefa should spend most of his time at second and third base for the Red Sox in 2026. Since the organization prefers to play former top prospect Marcelo Mayer at the hot corner, Kiner-Falefa will likely primarily be used at second. He could also see some time in the outfield when needed.
While Kiner-Falefa checks two boxes for Boston as a right-handed hitter and solid defender, he isn’t the upgrade the lineup needed. The Red Sox should still look to add an impactful right-handed bat before Opening Day.
Jul 12, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) laughs with broadcaster Rex Hudler before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Royals will once again air ten games on free, over-the-air television, including the home opener on March 30 against the Minnesota Twins. The team is renewing its partnership with Gray Media and will air ten home games on KCTV5 in Kansas City. They are:
March 30 – vs. Minnesota Twins
April 3 – vs. Milwaukee Brewers
April 24 – vs. Los Angeles Angels
May 22 – vs. Seattle Mariners
June 12 – vs. Houston Astros
June 19 – vs. St. Louis Cardinals
July 17 – vs. San Diego Padres
August 7 – vs. Chicago Cubs
August 21 – vs. Detroit Tigers
September 7 – vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
This does not include the season opener against the Braves, as was previously reported. The home opener on Monday, March 30 has a 3:10 CT start time. It is the first time the home opener has aired on free TV since 2007.
The games will be a simulcast of the Royals broadcast on Royals.TV with the same broadcast that includes Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler. For fans outside of Kansas City, those games will still be available on Royals.TV or MLB.TV.
“We know that KCTV5 helped bring the personalities and talents of our exciting team to a broader audience, so we’re thrilled to continue and grow our partnership,” siad Royals President of Business Operations Cullen Maxey in a statement. “We want to build those connections with fans, and we’re thrilled they can continue to access our games on cable, streaming, and local TV.”
Last year, the Royals also aired ten games on over-the-air television on either KCTV5 or KSMO-62 in Kansas City.
Other Royals games will air on Royals.TV, a new venture as the team ended their relationship with Main Street Sports, the company that owns FanDuel Sports Kansas City. Those games are available for a direct-to-consumer streaming option, and will be made available for certain cable and satellite providers, to be announced at a later date.
The Maven admits it; Last Fall I picked the Rangers to make the playoffs. (Fool that I was.)
Then again, so did The Hockey News' experts who tabbed the Blueshirts to wind up fourth in the NHL's Metropolitan Division.
ERROR!
So did virtually every friend and seer I quizzed because in October picking the Blueshirts to make the postseason made sense, for these reasons:
1. A new coach, Mike Sullivan, who once helped the Penguins to a pair of Stanley Cups, would be the Miracle Worker.
2. A couple of fresh defensemen – Vlad Gavrikov and Will Borgen – looked very promising at Training Camp.
3. Promising AHL (Hartford) grads – Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann as well as collegian
Noah Laba – added rookie enthusiasm.
4. The best one-two goalie combination in Igor Shesterkin and Jon Quick figured to guarantee success.
And there were plenty more so-called goodies.
But there remained a precious few who saw through the Rangers fog.
One was the Blue Collar Blue Shirt Bulletin's Sean McCaffrey who maintained even before training camp that the then new model (2025-26) Ranger sedan would break down out of the show room. That it would not make the postseason, 2026.
"The Rangers appear to be a giant jigsaw puzzle with the pieces spread all over the floor," wrote McCaffrey last August. "Drury has tried to re-shape this team to show more grit and muscle.
"And Sullivan's biggest challenge will be to get this team to play faster, meaner and more consistent."
Devils radio play by play ace Chico Resch said the Rangers "didn't have enough difference-makers." Vic Morren, author and co-host of the podcast NHL Wraparound, pointed out other flaws.
A half year later the Rangers are slower, softer and even less consistent than they were under the inconsistent Peter Laviolette!
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Toronto Raptors have been rumored to be looking to bolster their respective rosters ahead of tomorrow’s trade deadline.
For now, they’ll battle in The Six tonight, with the Timberwolves listed as short road chalk. With this expected to be a close matchup, my Timberwolves vs. Raptors predictions take a hard look at the Under.
That and more NBA picks for this matchup set to tip off at 7:30 pm ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Timberwolves vs Raptors prediction
Timberwolves vs Raptors best bet: Under 227 (-110)
This is a matchup between two Top-10 NBA defenses.
The Toronto Raptors rank fifth in defensive rating and do a particularly good job of guarding the perimeter, where the Minnesota Timberwolves spend a lot of their time. Meanwhile, Minnesota is seventh in defensive rating.
Toronto isn’t the most efficient at getting buckets, ranking 21st in offensive rating.
For Minnesota, the problem is injuries. Both Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle are a little banged up and listed as questionable tonight.
This should be an intense game, and the Under is a great way to target it.
Timberwolves vs Raptors same-game parlay
A low-scoring game bodes well for the home underdog, a role the Raptors have thrived in, winning four of the eight games outright at home when getting points this season.
With the Timberwolves' best players banged up, bet on the Raptors to take advantage and pull out the win.
One of the players who could fuel that win is Collin Murray-Boyles. The rookie has shown flashes of his potential since becoming a regular starter, averaging 9.6 points and 7.2 rebounds over his last 12 starts.
CMB’s point total is sitting at 8.5, a number he’s eclipsed in six of his last eight games.
Timberwolves vs Raptors SGP
Under 227
Raptors moneyline
Collin Murray-Boyles Over 8.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Dimes in the Six
How do you beat good defenses? By passing the rock.
Timberwolves vs Raptors SGP
Scottie Barnes Over 5.5 assists
Immanuel Quickley Over 5.5 assists
Jaden McDaniels Over 2.5 assists
Rudy Gobert Over 1.5 assists
Timberwolves vs Raptors odds
Spread: Timberwolves -1.5 | Raptors +1.5
Moneyline: Timberwolves -125 | Raptors +105
Over/Under: Over 227 | Under 227
Timberwolves vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have hit the Game Total Under in 29 of their last 45 games for +11.40 Units and a 23% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Raptors.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN North, TSN
Timberwolves vs Raptors latest injuries
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
In the latest acknowledgement of a mistake made in the February 2025 Luka Dončić trade, the Dallas Mavericks have shipped the centerpiece of their haul in that deal, big man Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards.
The Wizards will also get Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. In return, Dallas will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, as reported first by ESPN on Wednesday.
For the Mavericks, it’s another indication that the franchise is rebuilding with No. 1 overall rookie Cooper Flagg as its clear leader. Dallas has been uneven this season, going 19-31, which ranks 12th in the Western Conference. With his size, versatile skill set, ability to handle the ball and create and comfort in transition offense, Flagg has flashed plenty of potential, and Dallas is signaling that its plan is to build around Flagg.
Davis, 32, has faced constant injury concerns throughout his career, and has already missed several games this season with lower leg and hand issues. In fact, since the Mavericks traded for him February 2, 2025, Davis has played only 29 games for the franchise.
When on the floor, he provides a reliable defensive and rebounding presence, though his offensive numbers have declined since he arrived in Dallas. Across 20 games this season with the Mavericks, Davis averaged just 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
By comparison, his career scoring average is notably higher, at 24 points per game.
Now with the Wizards, Davis provides a veteran low-post presence and one capable of the occasional big game. Still, given his age and given his durability concerns, it’s clear that Davis’ days as a consistent offensive force are no longer here.
