“One of the things that we’ve got to figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim, and I think we do need to add to our team to do that,” Stevens said.
Translation: The Celtics will be in the market for big men this summer.
What form that frontcourt pursuit takes is unclear. If Boston wants the most talented big man on the market, it could pursue Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom Milwaukee has made available via trade. But a deal for the two-time NBA MVP almost certainly would require the Celtics to part with superstar Jaylen Brown.
On a new episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix made the case for Boston keeping the Brown-Jayson Tatum duo intact in its pursuit of a big man.
“I don’t think there’s a need to reinvent the wheel here,” Mannix told host Chris Forsberg. “We’re two years removed from winning a championship in Boston, and we’re coming off the most improbable season that I can remember, where your second star (Brown) played like a first-level star.
“So, I think the focus should be on adding to where this team has the most glaring weaknesses, and that is the frontcourt.”
With Nikola Vucevic set to hit unrestricted free agency, the Celtics’ frontcourt currently includes Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and 2025 draft pick Amari Williams. Boston could look to upgrade that group via trade, where it can use a $27.7 million traded player exception created by the Vucevic-Anfernee Simons deal to acquire a big man without having to match salaries. (We explored a few potential TPE options here.)
If the Celtics prefer the free-agent route, they could utilize the taxpayer midlevel exception, which is valued around $15 million. And while this year’s free agent class is relatively thin on big men, there’s one intriguing name in that group: ex-Celtic Robert Williams III.
“You know who’s the one free agent outside of LeBron (James) who was talked about the most when I was in Chicago last week (for the 2026 NBA Scouting Combine and Draft Lottery)? You know who that player is? It was (Robert Williams),” ESPN’s Bobby Marks told Forsberg on Celtics Talk.
“Is he a guy who’s going to play 70 games and give you 30 minutes a night? No. He played 59 games in Portland, 22 minutes (per game). He basically is a specialist as far as what he can do for you, whether that’s protect(ing) the rim, points in the paint.”
The biggest red flag with Williams is his health. He appeared in just 26 games total for the Trail Blazers between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons before appearing in 59 games this past season. He’s never played more than 61 games in a season (2021-22 with the Celtics) and will turn 29 years old in October.
Williams can be a difference-maker when he’s on the court, though: He averaged 6.7 points, a career-high 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game for Portland this season and tallied double-digit points in four of the Blazers’ five first-round playoff games against the San Antonio Spurs while holding his own against Victor Wembanyama on the defensive end.
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 21, 2026
Williams should draw interest from a handful of teams that need big men. But if his next contract is below $15 million per year, the Celtics may want to at least explore reuniting with Time Lord as a frontcourt depth piece while maintaining their ability to make other moves elsewhere.
“He’s in a perfect world for a lot of teams out there: Atlanta, the Lakers, some of those other teams,” Marks added. “But I think that’s a priority for you as somebody from a free agent standpoint — if you can do that, it would be in a perfect world, you get another year of development from some of your younger players.
“You’re going to have two picks (in the 2026 NBA Draft), 27 and 40. Is there an opportunity to move up in the draft? Are you content staying there? So, I do think there’s some optionality as far as some of the trimming around the edges without making a bold type move.”
Williams obviously would come with risk, and his addition alone wouldn’t constitute a successful offseason. But for a team that clearly needs frontcourt help, Time Lord is a known quantity who is worth considering as the Celtics look ahead to the summer.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 20: Andy Pages #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 20, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Over the course of the first 50 games of the season, Andy Pages has emerged as the most dynamic player within the Dodgers offense. Among a lineup with a trio at the top that has combined for nine World Series rings and six MVPs, Pages has been one of the main leaders in terms of counting stats and averages on the team.
Pages may have struggled over the six games on this current road trip— .231 average vs. Angels, .091 average vs. Padres— he managed to have plenty of highlight plays defensively on Saturday and had arguably the most competitive at-bat for the Dodgers this year against Mason Miller on Tuesday.
Justin Wrobleski, who started against the Angels on Saturday, shared his reaction to Pages robbing a hit against Nolan Schanuel to get him out of the inning, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Freddie Freeman also gave his thoughts on Pages’ battle against Miller on Tuesday that gave the Dodgers the deciding run over the Padres.
Justin Wrobleski, after Pages laid out for a jaw-dropping catch that saved a run on Saturday night: “I thought it was a hit, and then I thought he might get there and then I was like, “Oh he’s going to try.’ And then he dove and he caught it, and I was like, ‘That was the coolest thing ever.'”
Freddie Freeman, after Pages’ epic nine-pitch at-bat against vaunted Padres closer Mason Miller on Tuesday night: “It was one of the greatest at-bats I’ve ever seen in person, and I’ve been playing a long time. That at-bat was incredible. … To hit 95 [mph] is hard, to hit 100 is even harder, to hit 102 is even probably the hardest thing to do, and to foul off 102s back to back, sliders at 87, 88 — one of the best at-bats I’ve ever seen.”
While Miller has been one of the best relievers in all of baseball this year, Pages simply views him as a “pitcher who throws hard.”
“He’s a good pitcher, but to me, he’s simply a pitcher who throws hard, and if you’re able to get on time against him, you can do damage against him.”
Links
Shohei Ohtani was in the lineup during a start day on Wednesday for the first time since April 8 against the Toronto Blue Jays, and he delivered by tossing five shutout innings after beginning the game with a leadoff home run on the very first pitch.
There is still no concrete long-term plan as to how Dave Roberts will decide whether Ohtani will be in the lineup when he pitches or not, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
“I think he understands that it’s fluid,” Roberts said. “I don’t think that there is one model. It should be a read and react thing. I don’t know how the week is going to look after this off day.
“I could change my mind and have him not hit in his next outing, but that’s more on workload and how he feels.”
Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register has a very insightful piece about Justin Wrobleski’s path from struggling at Clemson University, toiling between Triple-A and the big leagues the past two years, to becoming one of the best young starters in baseball today.
May 15, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales (3) in the batting cage before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Pirates were initially seen as failures in the offseason when they weren’t able to add a player to be their everyday third baseman. The Ke’Bryan Hayes trade that the team made at the deadline in 2025 left more questions than answers and admittedly I thought the Pirates were foolish to trade Hayes away in the first place. I’m happy now to eat crow and admit that the gamble to this point has paid off, and Nick Gonzales has been a welcomed presence at the hot corner.
Gonzales overall has put together a nice campaign in the early parts of the 2026 season. It was fortuitous for Gonzales that Jared Triolo landed on the injured list at the beginning of April with right knee injury, but the former has made the most of his opportunities as a starter. This year the New Mexico State product is hitting .319/.379/.363 with a .741 OPS. Gonzales has scored 21 runs of his own and has batted in 21 as well with 51 total hits at this point in the season. Gonzales is also hitting .364 with runners in scoring position.
Not only is Gonzales proving to be a valued asset for Pittsburgh, he’s shown that the Pirates sticking with the core of defenders that they have was the smart move. While a long term upgrade at the position could still be on the horizon, the interim has worked out just fine. As a matter of fact, Gonzales has the highest WAR amongst all other qualified National League Central third baseman.
Just Nick Gonzales things. His 2nd RBI of the night.
Considering he is essentially serving as a replacement for Hayes, it’s incredible how much better Gonzales has been performing in comparison to the former Bucco. Gonzales’ 1.2 WAR on the season speaks volumes within the division, especially considering the fact that Hayes’ has a lowly -0.2 WAR with an ugly .142/.195/.225 slash line. Gonzales is also outperforming Alex Bergman who has a 0.8 WAR, Nolan Gorman who has a 0.5 WAR and Luis Rengifo who has a -0.5 WAR.
To put it plainly, Gonzales contributes to winning baseball games. Despite the fact that the Pirates sit at fourth in the tightly contested NL Central, their 26-24 record has been a major improvement from how the team looked last year. Gonzales doesn’t provide a ton of pop at the plate, but he is a sure contact hitter, and having him in the lineup more consistently has contributed to more scoring opportunities.
Gonzales is back to splitting time with Jared Triolo at third base now that he’s healthy, but manager Don Kelly has stuck with the hot bat for the most part since the latter’s return. Both make meaningful contributions to the team, but Gonzales is having a special year at the plate and really affects winning for this Pittsburgh ball club in a way that Triolo has not been able to to this point.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 21: Angel Martínez #1 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field on April 21, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland leads 2-0. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Guardians just swept a four-game series from the preseason presumptive division favorite Tigers and now they head to Philadelphia to play a hot Phillies team.
Zack Meisel has a pop quiz about what has stood oit about the Guardians so far, and he and Cody Stevenhagen wrote about how they continue to own the AL Central.
The Guardians completed another 13 games in 13 days stretch on Wednesday against the Nationals and then they have more regular days off until June 16th where they begin 19 games in a row. You may have properly guessed, then, that their off-days are regularly interspersed through the rest of the season. If they can survive that long, that should help them finish strong.
Check out the latest episode of Disgusting Baseball Podcast with myself and Nick Karavolos here.
AROUND MLB:
Blue Jays shutout the Yankees and now the Guardians are a half-game behind New York in win-loss record, which is fun.
Mar 7, 2026; North Port, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Maverick Handley (98) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning during spring Training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
In light of the numerous injuries, the Atlanta Braves have continued the roster shuffle; this time, catcher Maverick Handley was claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles before being optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. To open a spot on the 40-man roster, righty Hurston Waldrep was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
The #Braves today claimed C Maverick Handley off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred RHP Hurston Waldrep to the 60-day injured list.
28-year-old Handley made his major league debut in 2025 and has since appeared in just 17 big league games. In the minors this season, he’s logged six games, averaged .333, and spent 30 innings behind the plate. The O’s designated him for assignment earlier this week, and the Braves jumped on the opportunity to replenish catchers while Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy are both dealing with injury.
SEATTLE - JUNE 8: Shortstop Juan Castro #17 of the Minnesota Twins just misses a ground ball in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners on June 8, 2006 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. The Twins defeated the Mariners 7-3. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an up-and-down start to the 2006 campaign, the Minnesota Twins hoped to settle in and recapture the AL Central crown. Alas, through May and into one fateful June night in the Pacific Northwest, the endeavor looked more bottoming-out than regrouped-contender.
Heading into a Twinkie Town After Dark ™ contest with the Seattle Mariners on 6/7/06 (more on that momentarily), not much outside of the always-solid Johan Santana, metronomic Joe Mauer, and newcomer Luis Castillo was working.
Remember the guys meant to inject some pop into the lineup after ‘05’s punchless group? Well, Tony Batista was sitting at a .241 BA & .398 SLG, while Rondell White was somehow even worse—perhaps historically so: .193 BA, .436 OPS, 0 HR despite everyday play.
Cristian Guzman SS heir-apparent Juan Castro was another lineup liability at .238 BA & .576 OPS. Touted power prodigy Justin Morneau did have 11 bombs, but with a less-than-stellar .236 BA & .747 OPS that would soon prompt a “come to Jesus” meeting with skipper Ron Gardenhire.
Outside of should-have-been-Cy Santana, the starting pitching was in similar shambles:
Brad Radke: 12 GS, 6.42 ERA
Kyle Lohse: 8 GS, 8.92 ERA
Carlos Silva: 9 GS and some relief appearances, 7.76 ERA
This was all leading to the night of June 6, a game I will never forget watching on TV.
After the Mariners battered Boof Bonser, Willie Eyre, & Dennys Reyes to gain a huge early lead, the Twins mounted an epic comeback—capped by a Michael Cuddyer grand slam in the 8th inning to tie the contest at 9-9!
After a few scoreless frames (for a change) in this wild affair, in B11 Twins RP Jesse Crain—my noted irrational nemesis, since usurped by Justin Topa—needed just one more out to give MN bats another crack at victory.
Instead: a mammoth Carl Everett home run that gave the M’s a walk-off victory and sent me into a profane rage that would have made Jerry Burns blush.
After that soul-crushing loss, the Twins sat at 25-33—buried in fourth place in the AL Central & a whopping 11.5 GB the front-running Detroit Tigers. Instead of the ‘05 mediocrity feeling like a blip, it now seemed to indicate a trend. Roughly four months of games remained on the ’06 schedule, but it would seemingly take a miracle to dig out of such a large early deficit and make a true division championship run.
CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 13: Baltimore Orioles Outfielder Heston Kjerstad (13) walks back to the dugout before the spring training game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 13, 2026 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the Orioles idle, Norfolk represented the closest thing to a major league game last night. With that said, the outcome is about what you’ve come to expect. Jonathan Rodríguez hit a solo home run in the top of the first, but the Tides proceeded to allow seven consecutive runs. Jacksonville did the majority of the damage with a five-run fourth inning, and the Jumbo Shrimp bested Norfolk 9-2.
The Tides managed only five hits during the contest. Christian Encarnacion-Strand added the only extra-base hit with a double. Heston Kjerstad finished 0-for-3 with a walk and three strikeouts. Sam Huff finished 1-for-3 with a run scored. Huff is now fully entrenched as the team’s third catcher after the Orioles lost Maverick Handley on waivers.
Christian Herberholz allowed five runs over four innings. He surrendered a pair of homers, walked three and struck out four.
Ethan Anderson plated the first run over the game with a double in the third, and it felt like the one-run lead would hold up for a majority of the game. Unfortunately, Somerset struck for two runs in the top of the seventh. Yaqui Rivera coughed up a two-run homer to Garrett Martin, and the Patriots snuck out a 2-1 win.
Chesapeake starter Evan Yates did his part with 5.1 scoreless innings. Yates limited Somerset to only three hits. He struck out seven and walked three.
Both teams tallied five hits during the game. Chesapeake shortstop Carter Young finished 2-for-4. Anderson’s double represented the only extra-base hit for the Baysox.
High-A: Frederick Keys vs. Greenville Drive (Red Sox) PPD
The game will be made up today during a single admission doubleheader.
Low-A: Wilson Warbirds (Brewers) 13. Delmarva Shorebirds 11
Delmarva’s offense did its part again after a 12-run outburst on Wednesday, but the pitching came up short. Stiven Martinez hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the eighth, but Adrian Heredia allowed a three-run home run with two outs in the bottom half. The big fly came after a batter reached on a fielding error by second baseman DJ Layton.
Martinez finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored. RJ Austin and Raylin Ramos combined for six of Delmarva’s 15 hits. Austin scored four of the Shorebirds’ 11 runs. Ramos finished a homer shy of the cycle, while Austin only needed a double to accomplish the feat.
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks drives to the basket against the Arizona Wildcats during the Sweet Sixteen round game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at SAP Center on March 26, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Darius Acuff Jr. of the Arkansas Razorbacks is perhaps the favorite small-ish point guard on the 2026 NBA Draftboard. Acuff’s offensive case speaks loudly enough to justify high-end lottery interest, but the questions surrounding his defensive effort and shot profile are real enough to split many evaluators. He was Arkansas’ engine as a freshman, scoring efficiently, passing at high volume and delivering some of the biggest late-season performances in the country. The question surrounding Acuff is not whether he can score. It is whether a 6-foot-2 guard can pressure the rim enough, and whether he has the defensive buy-in and decision balance to be more than a regular-season shot-maker.
The basics
Acuff bolstered his standing in draft circles as the 2025-26 season progressed, becoming more of a riser during the SEC Tournament and the Razorbacks’ three NCAA Tournament games. He averaged 23.5 points, leading the conference, in 35.1 minutes per game in his only college season. He shot the lights out from 3-point range, at 44% on the year. That shooting puts him firmly above every point guard on the board save for Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and perhaps Illinois’ Keaton Wagler.
He is a pure scorer more than anything else at this point.
Acuff measured 6-foot-2 without shoes and about 186 pounds with a 6-foot-6.5 wingspan at the NBA Draft Combine, which gives him better length than the average small guard but still places him below the size threshold many teams now prefer for primary ball handlers. His athletic profile is more compact power, pace manipulation, and change-of-speed craft than overwhelming vertical pop. He can get a shoulder past defenders, stop quickly into pull-ups, and play through some contact because of his strength and low center of gravity, but he is not the type of guard who consistently erases mistakes with elite downhill burst.
That distinction matters. Acuff’s combine agility and sprint numbers support a functional mover, not a nuclear athlete, so his NBA separation has to come from handle, footwork, screen craft, and shooting gravity. The long arms give teams a reason to believe the defensive outcome is not hopeless, but the tape concerns are less about tools than engagement, screen navigation, and possession-to-possession awareness.
Strengths
Acuff’s hallmark, the thing that has brought him near the top of draft boards everywhere, is his shot creation with shooting touch. He can make pull-ups from deep, punish defenders who go under screens and shoot off balance without looking rushed. The free-throw and 3-point indicators both back up the touch, and his production suggests the jumper is not just a workout skill.
His second strength is advantage passing out of scoring pressure. He averaged 6.4 assists per game at Arkansas. He is not merely a microwave scorer — his assist volume, low turnover rate for his usage and comfort throwing lobs or hit-ahead passes give him a path to lead-guard status as a pro. When he gets two defenders involved, he can find the release valve quickly enough to punish help.
He also has competitive shot-making confidence. Acuff does not shrink from big moments, and for a smaller guard that matters because his offensive value has to be high-end. The pitch is that he can become the kind of guard who bends defensive coverages with range, tempo, and touch even when the initial action is contained.
Weaknesses
Acuff’s defensive presence is the headline risk associated with drafting him. Multiple scouting reports frame him as a targetable NBA defender because of size, inconsistent effort, poor screen navigation and shaky off-ball awareness. He doesn’t need to become a bona fide stopper, but he does need to compete hard enough to avoid being hunted off the floor. The current concern is that the defensive problems are not only physical; they include attention, assignment discipline and recovery effort.
The offensive translation also has a narrower runway than the raw numbers suggest. Acuff’s size means he must be exceptionally efficient as a creator, and several evaluators question whether he creates enough deep paint touches against length. If he settles for too many floaters and pull-ups, NBA teams may live with the highlights and win the possession math. His passing is good, but because he is scorer-first, teams will want to know whether he can organize an offense when the first scoring read is removed.
There is also a roster-building question. A team drafting Acuff is probably committing to building around his on-ball value while protecting him defensively. That is doable if the offense is special; it is dangerous if he is merely good.
Fit with the Mavericks
First of all, if the Mavericks stay at the No. 9 pick, Acuff will likely be gone, rendering the fit with the team moot, but anything can happen. The Mavs are already desperately small at the guard position. In an ideal world, they would have a chance at a bigger guard, but beggars can’t be choosers, of course.
He would immediately jump every point guard on the roster in terms of gravity, scoring punch and creation, save Kyrie Irving. Getting a hold of Acuff would make an interesting case for seeing what the Mavericks may be able to get in exchange for Irving, but of course, if they were going to trade Irving, 2026 draft picks would be the team’s primary target.
It’s fascinating and a little sad to say that, as desperately as the Mavericks need help at guard, Acuff and smaller point guards like him may not ultimately represent the best fit.
NBA Comparison
Some are saying Acuff reminds them of Stephon Marbury. Neither player is big or explosive, but they’re shifty and physical when attacking the rim. Both Acuff and Marbury initiate and take contact on drives. They step into 3-pointers and mid-range jumpers with similar mechanics behind their shots.
Others have said Acuff is similar to current Utah Jazz point guard Keyonte George, who broke out at the start of his third NBA season before injuries/unethical tanking saw his minutes decline later in the year. I’ve also heard comparisons to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell, who more than doubled his scoring from his rookie year (6.5 points) to his second year (13.6) in the NBA.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 10: Ayo Dosunmu #13, Anthony Edwards #5, and Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves react during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an unceremonious end to the 2025-2026 season, it seems as though the Minnesota Timberwolves are heading towards an offseason where every indication is that big changes will be made, with the main focus on the roster.
After getting taken out by the two teams battling in the Western Conference Finals this season in the past two playoff runs, plenty of evaluation will take place this summer on the roster and how to ascend to the level required to take down two teams that look poised to be leaders in the clubhouse for years to come. Nothing is ever set in stone in the NBA, and any number of things could change as time marches on, but it is clear that the Timberwolves need more brains and firepower if they hope to build a true contender around Anthony Edwards.
As the dust settles on another Timberwolves season, our staff picked their most important questions for the team that will be answered before opening night in the fall.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 15: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on from the bench during the third quarter of a game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 15, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Benny Hughes: What Is Julius Randle’s Value?
I got lucky and was able to have first pick for this, so I opted for the most obvious question that most Timberwolves fans are asking.
After a red-hot start to this year, Julius Randle’s production came crashing down. He had a few rough stretches where his attention to detail waxed and waned, with a promise of consistency once the postseason began. This was not the case as he averaged 16.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 39% from the floor and 24% from three. While it would be disingenuous for Randle to shoulder all of the blame, it is tough to sustain long playoff runs with your second option playing like Randle was this postseason.
You couple this performance with Naz Reid’s playoff emergence and Minnesota most likely looking to retool their front court with Joan Beringer waiting in the wings, and it is not hard to come to the conclusion that it is unlikely for Randle to be on the roster next season.
The bigger question becomes, after much setup on my part, what is his value? The good news is that he is still on a reasonable contract and has shown an ability to produce in the regular season; the bad news is that his value is extremely low after the playoffs. This leads to the larger issue of whether you will have to attach an asset to Randle to get off of this contract, or whether you will be able to get value to re-balance a roster in need of point guard play. I think that as the freshness of the playoffs wears off and the offseason progresses, there will be teams that see the value of a Julius Randle, especially with the new lottery rules punishing the worst three teams in the league with a lower chance of obtaining the number one pick.
I think that a team that is in the 4-10 range (or is in the bottom three and wants to get in the 4-10 range) will see the value of a player like Julius Randle to help them not bottom out. He is still a skilled scorer who can fill it up on any given night. While this isn’t the place you would like to be operating from as a GM, it is still something to consider with any Timberwolves move that is made this offseason.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 11: Jaden McDaniels #3, Anthony Edwards #5 and Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 11, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Leo Sun: What Is “The Core” and Is It Time to Break It Up?
After the Wolves were unceremoniously eliminated in game six, Head Coach Chris Finch took to the podium for his post-game media availability.
“We still have a young core around Anthony, Jaden, and Naz. We’re not planning on going anywhere, but we know we need to keep building this thing out.”
That was his response when asked about some of the younger talent on the team, such as TJ Shannon, Jaylen Clark, and Joan Beringer, in comparison to the San Antonio Spurs youth. Finch made certain to zoom out and mention that though he believes in those young guys, he pivoted to the aforementioned three. That would fall in line with most fans’ beliefs that Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid are “the core.”
But what if you zoomed out even further?
Though Rudy Gobert is roughly eight years older than that group, has he not been an integral part of the recent Wolves “Golden Era”? It’s easy to imagine a world where, without Rudy on the team, the Wolves hardly make it past the first round in the last three years, let alone as a top six seed. So, when I pose the question “What is the core?” how would President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly answer that?
He was the man who acquired Gobert in the first place.
The Wolves are at an important inflection point in their franchise direction. Do they continue to move forward with whatever they deem the core to be, hoping that the trajectory will incline back up in the next couple of years? Perhaps a few peripheral roster adjustments are enough to push them forward towards a championship.
Or was this year a foreshadowing of an incoming decline in the coming seasons? Perhaps the franchise will have to make the painful, but necessary decision to remove one (or more) of the pillars of their core in hopes of building a team that can raise a championship banner.
The Timberwolves aren’t facing a cliff at the moment, but whether or not they will face one sooner than later depends on the conversations the front office is having about “the core.”
Thilo Widder: Is the Front Office Okay Taking a Step Back?
This may be a little too similar to Leo’s and Benny’s, but I think it’s a separate thing entirely.
Do you guys remember the 2018-19 season, when Jimmy Butler blew up the first Wolves team in 20 years to make the playoffs? Do you guys remember the offers that reportedly came in for him?
I do. The Rockets offered four first-round picks and an expiring. The Heat offered the man who would go on to score 83 in Bam Adebayo, alongside some salary filler, and the pick that would become Tyler Herro. Instead, the Wolves took home veteran forward Robert Covington, the 24-year-old Dario Šarić, Jerryd Bayless, and a second-round pick.
It feels like we’re at a similar point today, albeit with somehow more depressed assets in Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert.
Karl-Anthony Towns was 23 when Jimmy Butler was moved, as was Andrew Wiggins. The Wolves could’ve found players to fit the timeline of those two, dip back into the lottery, and then re-emerge like a butterfly from its chrysalis.
Instead, Tom Thibodeau chose job security and took the worst long-term offer that he hoped would guarantee his career as the Wolves’ President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach. It did not.
Tim Connelly and Chris Finch certainly have a far longer leash to work with, but something feels similar. Connelly is in the last year of his deal, and one could argue that while the Towns trade was cap-forced, it was a similar level of prioritizing the now over the future.
Jrue Holiday and Kyrie Irving are popular targets, but both are some of the most overpaid players in basketball. Jrue in particular has an awful deal. Would targeting one of them in a Randle swap make sense? Sure, but it’d be another band-aid to stay afloat in the demonic Western Conference. How do the Wolves get to the tier of the two teams in the conference finals right now? They change. Significantly.
This offseason is, realistically, the last opportunity to reshuffle the deck and still have enough time to convince Anthony Edwards to stick around for the next iteration of Wolves basketball. I hope they take that opportunity, and the lumps that come with it, instead of finding another band-aid.
Either go all in or get off the pot.
*That* is the biggest question I have for this offseason.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 10: Head Coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks to the media after the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Andrew Carlson: What Does Chris Finch’s Style of Basketball Actually Look Like?
For the entirety of coach Chris Finch’s tenure, it has felt like a “first comes the roster, then comes the philosophy” mentality.
While there are through lines, it feels as though there are major themes that arise every season that sometimes come to fruition and sometimes do not.
The Wolves have always been bottom 10 in pick and roll frequency under Finch, and just this past season and in the playoffs, top five in iso frequency. Off-ball movement off of isolations and high screens seems to be bankable.
But “playing with pace” was something that never quite made its way to the full team, namely the star player. “Your turn, my turn” basketball, or the ball getting “sticky,” also continues to be a theme. A lot of that was Anthony Edwards being the scorer that he is, but much of it was due to a weird and off-kilter roster construction.
Anthony Edwards never trusted Rudy Gobert as a roller. Julius Randle had a reckless disregard for the “flow” that Finch talks so much about, paramount to his offense.
Ahead of an offseason that might see those two leaving, with the ability to reshape the roster, I ask:
What philosophy will be laid down heading into the season, with perhaps Finch’s last major chance to really shape personnel around it?
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 14: Rudy Gobert #27 and Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Round 2 Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Ryan Eichten: How Many Frontcourt Players Will Get Traded?
The one thing that the Timberwolves’ series loss to the Spurs made clear is that they are just plain not good enough. That is true of the team writ large, but also true for the front-court pairing of Randle and Gobert, who were both ineffective against Victor Wembanyama and the rest of his San Antonio team.
While both are very talented players, especially Gobert, who is on track to make the Hall of Fame, the Wolves have never fully maximized the pairing since trading for Randle and Donte DiVincenzo almost two years ago.
The question for Minnesota heading into this offseason doesn’t seem to be whether or not they will trade one of their starting frontcourt players, but if they will trade both.
While Ranlde’s poor play and attitude against the Spurs stand out, the pairing of Gobert and Edwards has never found the offensive ceiling needed to break through in the Western Conference. Almost regardless of Randle’s status with the team, it may make sense to move on from Gobert, given the Wolves would likely receive a large package in return.
There are merits to trading one or both of Randle and Gobert, and if a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade materializes, McDaniels and Reid may also be on the table. It feels like this offseason will see more change for the Timberwolves than just breaking up the frontcourt and hoping that does the trick.
Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week, the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — gives their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: There’s a lot of fan talk about trading Devin Booker. What’s your opinion on what the Suns could likely expect to get back for Book if traded?
GuarGuar: I am very, very against trading Book. Let me start with that. However, if we did, I’m sure we could get some first round picks and a couple of young players. I don’t think we’d get this unbelievable, enormous haul. He’s gonna be 30 and probably has already reached his peak as a player. Trading him would set us back for a while.
Diamondhacks: This asks for my opinion…about other people’s opinions. My opinion is that Booker’s elite at drawing fouls and converting FT’s. He’s very solid at a couple of other things and therefore a formidable offensive asset.
My opinion about other people’s opinions is that some FOs similarly value Book’s skill set, to return the favor. Along the lines of a D’Aaron Fox or Austin Reaves equivalent…contingent, of course, on the NBA’s byzantine transaction rules, which only 37 people in the world seem to fully understand.
Ashton: Ah, the dreaded Trade Booker question. Way to kick it off, Rod.
Salary cap relief maybe? It will still be bits and pieces in return. And this question rolls so perfectly into Q2 as the real prize is if the Suns can get high-value picks in return.
But let’s be honest here. Book isn’t going anywhere. Booker is Arizona to the core that is last extension should have included a no-trade clause, because that is basically the power he has. His colorways shoes feature green from his off-season home in Flagstaff and his next upcoming Sedona debut featuring turquoise in partnership with McDonalds. It features a “M” and for those that do not know Sedona, they have a city ordinance requiring businesses to put their logos into turquoise. That includes the billion-dollar chain that features overpriced menu items that makes you run for the bathroom. It is quite iconic. I have been to Sedona many times over 30 plus years and seeing a McDonalds with turquoise branding over that time span is just so weird. Enough of Sedona, Brandon Duenas has an article detailing the shoes and I am no “sneakerhead”. I am only pointing out that Book knows Arizona through his colorways, from Flagstaff to U of A.
Which play-off team would absorb his contract? Would the Thunder really have won Game 1 if Booker was on the squad? Pistons may be in the ECF finals if they had him. Both teams could meet the bar with asset ready players and picks. Maybe the Spurs win game 2?
But in the end, the question is moot. Booker is quintessential Arizona. Next topic.
OldAz: I have given this zero thought because it is so impossible to consider for many reasons. If it was something they were looking into, they would need to get back a lot, but who is trading for Booker who also has a collection of assets the Suns would want?
If I were to remove Book’s history and place him in the Suns franchise and make this move, it would be because I was going all in on a core of Green, Brooks, and some of the young talent the Suns have in Fleming, KM, Williams, and even Gillespie. From a pure basketball perspective, this would work, but the Suns would be wise in this scenario to target draft picks and young players, but those are not going to offset Booker’s massive salary. On the other hand, if someone is adding Book, it is probably to pair with their existing star player(s).
The only way I see this working is if a team has an overpriced older star to balance salaries along with more attractive but less expensive assets to send in a deal. I just can’t think of any good examples that would start to move this needle for me and also be attractive to the other team.
Rod: Well, the short answer is that, whatever the return is, it’s not likely going to be enough to make the Suns better in the short term. With the new CBA in place, teams are learning the value of having young players on cheaper contracts on the roster so I doubt that anyone is going to give up many unprotected draft picks or really good younger players still on relatively cheap contracts. Other teams have learned from the Suns’ own mistakes (their trades for Durant and Beal) how badly that can turn out.
Yes, getting rid on his max contract would help the team by adding some financial flexibility. However, with over $20+ mil in dead money on the cap sheet for years to come, and possible hefty extensions due to Brooks and Green coming in the next two years, it might not really have as much of an impact on the cap situation as some think.
Basically, the idea of trading Book just to get off of his current contract isn’t a wise one. That doesn’t mean that trading him shouldn’t be considered though. If a team calls with a really good offer, you have to at least consider it…but only if it’s a really good offer.
Q2: One constant in most trade proposals is getting back draft picks. Without control of their own draft picks over the next few years, how valuable do you believe gaining someone else’s draft picks would actually be?
GuarGuar: It’s hard to get a lottery pick unless it’s your own so trading for somebody else’s first would most likely mean it’s a late first round pick which isn’t nearly as valuable. We’re kinda screwed when it comes to gaining a top pick in the draft for the next 5 years, but having someone else’s pick is better than nothing. I don’t know what we have to offer other than Booker that could net us a first round pick though.
Diamondhacks: The average developed player in today’s NBA is very good and only ten or a dozen picks in each draft seem to rise much above that, to add incremental value. And it’s never the top ten picks either. It’s always more distributed out, to 2nd rounders like Kalkbrenner, Ajay Mitchell, and, we hope, Fleming. So I wouldn’t think the immediate impact to the Suns (of no high picks) is likely to be large.
But in the long term, having no first-rounders is a problem. You’re not only missing out on multiple pools of rising talent, hence more likely to land a franchise piece, but it also hurts negotiating leverage in trades, because you’ve publicly shut off an alternative means to improve your team.
Ashton: Almost a continuation of Q1.
Every NBA team and fans are looking at the OKC and Spurs model that hoarded draft picks and developed young players organically over time or lucked into Wemby. Those first round picks over the next few years are going to be extremely valuable because there is no realistic path for trading Booker for picks and scrubs. The days of receiving five first round picks or over.
And yes, the all-wise national pundits are already declaring 2027 draft weak. I will go on the record to say that it is not. NIL is bringing back quality-level NBA-ready players to college, players whose ultimate goal is to play in the NBA. They will be back in 2027 and beat me for the 2028 draft cycles.
Also, it is likely that anti-tanking rules will come into effect that basically punish the bottom three teams with decreased percentage odds for the first pick while increasing percentages for the remaining 16 teams. It is way too much to go into here.
In the end, sure, first round picks are valuable if they fall into the lottery range. A salary cap hindrance if they do not. Sure, two-ways could be used for the second round and non-guaranteed contracts, but this question is loaded because the value is in 1-16 unprotected picks.
OldAz: This one is tough because the new regime seems committed to player development, which is always more important to me than where they draft, so having more picks is a good thing. However, trading picks has become so convoluted with swap rights that you almost have no idea where a future pick might end up. It seems everyone values picks more for their trade value than for actually picking and developing new players. In either case, having more picks for either use (future trades or young players) is something the Suns lack and could benefit from.
Rod: Depending on protections, they could turn out to be very valuable. Their most likely value would be as additional trade chips, though. I occasionally see fans saying that the Suns should try to get their own picks back, but that’s extremely unlikely as long as those teams believe that the Suns are going to be a bad team when the time to use those picks comes around. With anyone else’s picks, it’s a real gamble as to just how valuable they’ll actually be when draft time rolls around. Unless you’ve got control of your own picks, going into a full-blown rebuild is a recipe for failure.
I certainly want the Suns to add a few more picks to their asset war chest but, in all honesty, that should only be their number one concern if they’re making trades to shed salary.
Q3: Which Suns player (or players) do you believe is most likely to show significant/meaningful improvement next season?
GuarGuar: I think Rasheer is most likely to show the biggest improvement. You could see the difference in his game from the beginning of the season to now. I think the organization knows that if we have a chance to become a top team, we will need him to develop into a very good player. He has a lot of raw talent, and he’s got the best defensive prowess on the team. I’m expecting big things from him next year and for him to be a starter by at least midway through the season.
Diamondhacks: Maluach. He and Fleming improved their skillsets, but Maluach is our youngest player (by more than two years) and therefore earlier on in his projected development arc. In his first NBA nibble, Maluach shot 71% FTs and, after Jan 1, 31% from three. He’s already our best shot blocker. I think that’s all quite encouraging for a 7-foot teenager.
Ashton: This is almost a softball question. Khaman Maluach. He is not being traded anytime soon and will see the NBA game come to him.
Sure, some would say Fleming to step up into the power forward role, but I see it differently.
We (fans) have no idea if Mark Williams will leave, be extended, or be injured and that puts the onus on Oso. The trickle-down effect is to KM (I still dislike the moniker Man Man – he has to prove it).
And my prediction market states KM for Suns MIP.
OldAz: I think Fleming is the most likely because his path to getting that opportunity seems the most clear at the moment. However, if Williams is not resigned or moves elsewhere, then KM also has a clear path and oodles of talent to grow into. At the moment, I say Fleming because I am just so enamored about having his physical abilities on the floor as a Suns fan, but Maluach having an early breakout year would not shock me at all.
Are there really any other candidates here? Dunn could magically figure it out, but his ceiling seems to be a really good rotational piece and Oso is already exceeding expectations and until he can develop a jumpshot (not holding my breath).
Rod: As much as I hope it’s either Fleming or Maluach, I’m going with Collin Gillespie here. As frustrating as it was for fans to watch Collin fade toward the end of last season, I doubt that anyone was more frustrated by that than Collin himself…and I think that’s going to drive him even harder this offseason to improve himself and be better prepared for the NBA’s 82-game grind.
I don’t know just how much better he can get, but I see him as someone determined to keep improving himself, keep adding to his game as long as he’s in uniform. I don’t see him making a huge leap in any single aspect of his game, but I do feel as though he could make enough small improvements in different areas that would add up to a significant improvement overall.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Suns Trivia/History
On May 23, 1976, the Suns played in their first-ever NBA Finals game against the Celtics in Boston. The Suns put up 22 more field goal attempts than the Celtics (99-77), but an uncharacteristically poor shooting night for the Suns (.384 vs .472 season average), plus being outscored 20-11 at the free throw line, led to a 98-87 loss to the Celtics. It was also the only game of the series in which Paul Westphal (8 points on 4 of 17 shooting) failed to score in double digits.
On May 23, 1984, the Suns defeated the LA Lakers 126-121 in LA in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, cutting the Lakers’ series lead to 3-2. All five of the Suns’ starters — Kyle Macy, Walter Davis, Maurice Lucas, Larry Nance, and James Edwards — scored 20+ points in this game, with Macy, Davis, and Lucas all playing 40+ minutes (and Nance was close with 39 mins). Sadly, their series comeback attempt would be cut short when they lost the following game in Phoenix 99-97 on May 25.
INGLEWOOD, CA – 1984: Walter Davis #6 of the Phoenix Suns stops his drive for a jump shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA game in 1984 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1984 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On May 23, 2021, the Suns returned to the playoffs after an 11-year absence and defeated the LA Lakers 99-90 in their first playoff game in over a decade. Devin Booker led the Suns with 34 points while Deandre Ayton added a double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds to take a 1-0 series lead in their first round matchup.
On May 25, 1993, newly acquired Sun Charles Barkley won the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player. Barkley helped lead the Phoenix Suns to a then-franchise and NBA-best 62-20 record during the 1992-93 season and averaged 25.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 76 games. Barkley was the first of only two Suns to win the award, the second being Steve Nash, who later collected back-to-back MVP trophies in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
On May 28, 1974, the Phoenix Suns drafted future 9-time NBA All-Star and eventual Basketball Hall of Fame member George Gervin with the 40th pick in the 3rd round of the NBA Draft. Gervin was, however, already playing in the old ABA and elected to stay there with the San Antonio Spurs instead of jumping to the NBA to play for the Suns. Gervin was originally signed to play in the ABA for the Virginia Squires in 1973 by Johnny “Red” Kerr, formerly the first head coach of the Phoenix Suns in 1968-69 and 1969-70.
Important Future Dates
Mid-June (date TBD) – Teams can begin negotiating with their own free agents (following the Finals) June 23 – NBA Draft First Round, 8 ET (ABC/ESPN) June 24 – NBA Draft Second Round, 8 ET (ESPN) June 30 – Teams can begin negotiations with all free agents July 1 – Official start of the 2026-27 league year and moratorium period July 6 – Moratorium ends, official free agent contract signings can begin July 9-19 – NBA 2K Summer League 2026 in Las Vegas Late September (dates TBD) – NBA Training Camps open
Mar 5, 2025; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (left) is tended to by a trainer after being hit by a pitch against the San Diego Padres during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Just a month and a half into the season, the Colorado Rockies injured list has already seen its fair share of residents.
From long-term injuries like RJ Petit and Pierson Ohl (Tommy John surgery), to 15-day IL stints like Mickey Moniak (right finger sprain), Kyle Freeland (left shoulder inflammation), Jose Quintana (right hamstring sprain), Ryan Feltner (right ulnar nerve inflammation), Jimmy Herget (right shoulder impingement) and Chase Dollander (right elbow strain) to name a few, the Rockies — and every MLB team — always have players dealing with and recovering from injuries.
This keeps the Colorado training staff busy year-round. It also means they form close relationships with the players.
“We know a lot about the guys. In fact, when I was early in my career, the saying was ‘If you want to know about the player, ask the trainer,’” said Colorado assistant athletic trainer Any Stover said a Rockies Fest at Coors Field in January. “And I think that’s the whole truth. That’s one of the things that holds true.”
And it’s not just the players, but their families as well.
“One thing that people don’t realize is that we work for their families, too,” said Keith Dugger, the Rockies head athletic trainer. “So if somebody’s sick, or for their kids, we’re getting the pediatrician or doctors or family or OBGYNs, whatever it is. We’re kind of like the referral gatekeeper for the families, too.”
The day-to-day job
An average day throughout the season is busy for all members of the training staff. They have daily meetings, including before and after batting practice. They talk with players and give the coaching staff updates on the players.
“We give our status of our players and where we think they should be,” Dugger said. “We are the go-between for our management and the administrations to tell them, ‘Hey, you might either get him out of the game if it’s a blowout game,’ or ‘This would be a good day to get a break,’ or, ‘He’s played eight days in a row here,’ or ‘Altitude’s kicking his butt and he’s not sleeping. Let’s give him a break here on this next day game.’ So that’s kind of how we map out.”
A big part of gathering information on the players goes beyond what’s happening on the field.
“Players are real people too. They have real-life problems. They might not have slept. [Maybe] they have twins at home who kept them up all night,” Dugger continued. “So there is that pressure from outside that sometimes people don’t understand why they might be slacking on the field.”
The athletic staff works closely with the physical performance team to look at on-field production, strength and conditioning, what’s happening before and after games to help assess each player’s workload management.
Thanks to advancements in technology and sports science, the training team has lots of data to work with.
“We have tools, we have cameras now, we can look at how much somebody ran, how fast they ran. There’s a lot of things out there now,” Dugger said. “We have electronic devices that help us in the weight room, where maybe we’re doing the same exercises, but you’re talking about power. Now we have little machines that are telling us how much force they’re using, or how high they’re jumping.”
Injury prevention and management
A huge struggle is trying to prevent injuries, especially for pitchers in an era when major injuries and surgeries are more and more common.
“These guys are better, faster, stronger than they’ve ever been. More guys are throwing 100 miles an hour or harder, more than ever,” said Scott Murayama, the Rockies coordinator of major league rehabilitation. “We’re seeing a huge uptick in elbow injuries. I think that’s a legitimate fear of these guys getting hurt and trying to avoid that. The industry is definitely trying to get a handle on these arm injuries, but it’s tough.”
Whatever happens, the athletic team works together to assess, diagnose and make a plan. Murayama said they consider different perspectives, approaches, surgery options, and rehab possibilities that cater to each player, all while also focusing on injury prevention.
“The game’s changed. No doubt,” Dugger said. “Guys are throwing 100-plus miles per hour, which basically I call Ferraris. You can’t take Ferraris and drive them long distances all the time. They’re gonna be overworked, and that’s what happens with our bullpen or our starters.”
Dugger believes that the emphasis on velocity when players are young and the intense club circuits that youth players compete in can make players more susceptible to more serious injuries earlier in their careers. They may pitch faster, but they don’t pitch very many innings in high school or college. Then they are expected to take on large inning loads in their pro careers in longer seasons than they’ve ever played.
“One of the best predictors of the future is the history of the length a guy has thrown, if they’ve done it before, or if they’ve gradually made increments,” Dugger said. “It is a tougher game at this level. It’s a faster, longer season.”
Sometimes, when the Colorado training staff goes out on the field, it’s precautionary to check on something like a player being hit by a pitch. They talk with the player, decide he’s OK and retreat to the dugout. Other times, it’s more serious — like when Dugger has to remove a starting pitcher like Dollander in the second inning of his start against the Pirates on May 14.
Each situation and each player has to be handled differently, and each member of the training staff has their own role. This is why knowing the players so well is a vital part of the job.
“It’s like your own kids. You could be tougher on one individual than others. There are other guys you have to put your arm around, and kind of baby it, and you do little. Everyone’s a little bit different,” Dugger said. “I’m always the bad cop. They [as he pointed to the rest of the staff] are always the good cops. So I’m the mean guy.”
As of Thursday, May 21, the Rockies had one player on the 10-day IL (Brenton Doyle), four players on the 15-day IL and five on the 60-day IL. The athletic staff is managing the grind, helping players in their rehab (like Feltner’s Minor League ease in) and continuing to try to prevent and monitor each player. With a long season ahead, there is no doubt that the trainers will remain busy.
In a game to forget, the Isotopes were held scoreless for eight innings before Vimael Machín hit a solo homer in the ninth inning to prevent the shutout, while Las Vegas amassed 14 hits in a blowout win on Thursday. Machín and Cole Carrigg each posted two hits, combining for four of Albuquerque’s seven total. Valente Bellozo (0-3) took the loss after surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits with one strikeout and one walk, but the game really got out of hand when the Aviators scored six runs in the eighth.
Bryant Betancourt hit a two-run homer, Andy Perez doubled and tripled while driving in three runs and Jake Brooks threw a seven-inning gem to earn his first win of the season for the Yard Goats on Thursday. Brooks held the Fisher Cats to one run on a solo homer, six hits, four strikeouts and one walk to improve to 1-1 on the season. After falling behind 1-0 in the second, Betancourt hit his homer in the third to help Hartford take a lead it never lost. GJ Hill added a hit and scored a run and Conner Capel added a double and RBI.
Jack O’Dowd hit two homers, one with two runners on and his second with one runner on base, on a 3-for-4 night when he scored three runs to lead Spokane to a high-scoring victory on Thursday night. The Indians also took advantage of three Vancouver errors that led to four unearned runs. Tommy Hopfe added a two-run homer of his own, Jacob Hinderleider drove in two runs on two hits and scored a run and Robert Calaz also posted two hits and scored a run. Everett Catlett had a short, but effective start, giving up one run on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Nathan Blasick followed with 2.1 scoreless, hitless innings for the win with two walks and two strikeouts.
The Quakes took advantage of three singles, two walks and a fielding error to put up a four-run second inning, earning a lead they never lost against Fresno. Roldy Brito doubled, singled, scored a run and drove in a run for the Grizzlies, while Clayton Gray added two hits and a run and Tanner Thach also recorded two hits and drove in a run. Angel Jimenez took the loss, giving up six runs (five earned) on with five hits, five walks and six strikeouts.
After hitting the ground hard on a diving catch attempt on Wednesday, Brenton Doyle moved to the 10-day IL with a left oblique contusion on Thursday. The Rockies also made other roster moves, including bringing up Chad Smith.
In case you aren’t yet familiar with the Rockies newest call-up, here’s a nice feature on the infielder who made his Rockies debut on Thursday night in Arizona. You’ll learn about his success at Triple-A Albuquerque and his super-fan grandmother, who lives in Phoenix and is his biggest fan.
Patrick Saunders talks about the benefits of having Jake McCarthy on the roster this season. In addition to his speed, he’s been hitting better lately. This article has some good quotes from Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: General view during a game between Bay FC and Washington Spirit square off before a record-setting crowd at Oracle Park on August 23, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Karen Hickey/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
The San Francisco Giants return to the bay this weekend for a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. So let’s take a look at what Oracle Park has on deck for fans who might be thinking about attending.
Friday night will be a Special Event for Japanese Heritage Night! Fans with special event tickets will get at Japanese Heritage Night baseball t-shirt giveaway designed by Sumo Fish, and there will be festivities around the park throughout the evening.
As with all Saturday home games this season, Saturday will be a Fiesta Gigantes event with music, food and other celebrations featured throughout the park. Additionally, the first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Chain Hat giveaway.
Sunday will be Star Wars Day at Oracle Park. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Grogu Bobblehead giveaway. I am incredibly jealous because they are very cute. Fans are encouraged to dress up, and will have photo opportunities throughout the park.
If you’re headed to the park this weekend, have fun! And make sure to share pictures!
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants take on game one of this three-game series against the White Sox tonight at 7:15 p.m. PT.
Thanks mostly to David Peterson and the bullpen, the Mets finished their series against the Nationals with a 2-1 win. Bo Bichette’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the third provided all of the Mets’ offense, but the proved to be enough. And the Mets wake up this morning in fourth place in the National League East, the first time they’ve been out of the cellar in weeks.
Devin Williams got the save in the win, and following his outing on April 23, he decided to raise the position of his hands to reverse a change he made last year in his time with the Yankees.
The Braves beat the Marlins, and their 9-3 win officially got the Mets out of last place in the National League East, as the Marlins moved into the cellar.
Marlins starter Robby Snelling, who came into the 2026 season as one of the very best pitching prospects in all of baseball, will undergo Tommy John surgery after experiencing elbow discomfort following his major league debut earlier this month.
With Aaron Nola sporting a 6.04 ERA this year, which is almost exactly in line with his 6.01 ERA last year, the Good Phight wonders what the Phillies can do about him as he’s still in just the third year of his seven-year, $172 million contract.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 20: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his two-run home run with Wilyer Abreu #52 of the Boston Red Sox against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium on May 20, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox are certainly not back yet, but at least the brand of baseball is improving.
Boston swept the Kansas City Royals and finished a road trip (with multiple series) with a winning record for the first time this season. The Red Sox are 22-27 and keep creeping closer to .500, not that that should be some cause for celebration.
If nothing else, Boston looks better than the disaster that took place over the first month of the season. The Red Sox are 10-8 in May and reached that mark without Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet. In this delusional reality, the ballclub in the midst of a frustrating start sits just two games out of a playoff game.
That’s not to say they’re good yet. That’s not to say the wild-card race matters in May. What it does mean is that it’s pretty insane that they’re not out of the realm of contention by any means.
Give credit to the quality starting pitching and improved defense that’s dragged an insufficient lineup to a solid month of May so far. But at the end of the day, this conversation goes beyond the Red Sox. The real story here is that the American League is realistically in Year 3 of legitimate mediocrity.
As of Thursday, there are FIVE TEAMS in the American League with a winning record. Five! For reference, nine teams in the National League are over .500.
This issue stretches back the last two seasons as well. No AL team won more than 94 games in that stretch and postseasons formed without a true standout team. The Yankees cakewalked through the American League Central duo of the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians to reach the 2024 World Series before a swift defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Red Sox made the postseason with 89 wins in 2025. That’s the new reality of the American League. Gone are the juggernauts of even the end of the 2010s. Remember, the AL had three teams win 100 games or more in 2018 and the Red Sox beat the other two (Yankees, Astros) to win the World Series.
So this is not the powerhouse American League we’ve known for most of the 21st century. Instead, it’s a swirling pool of mediocrity without a king to take control. It’s unfortunate for baseball, but in this case, it’s beneficial for the Red Sox.
Despite the rough start that cost Alex Cora and several coaches their jobs, Boston can still realistically fight to play for October the rest of the way. The path to a division title is probably already gone as the team trails the Tampa Bay Rays by 11 ½ games for the top spot in the East.
The melting pot of fringe teams and six playoff spots is just the perfect storm for the Red Sox to do just enough the rest of the way under interim manager Chad Tracy.
It’s wild to think about how little it takes to be a playoff team in the American League. For the Red Sox’s sake, they should be thankful.
