Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams (38) works in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The 2026 Yankees are defined, at least so far, by continuity: the organization opted not to make a major splash this winter, with all but two members of last year’s ALDS roster returning for this year’s campaign. Even in such an inactive offseason, though, a number of players find themselves in new uniforms this season. While no truly big-ticket players have departed this winter, there has still been enough turnover for us to take our annual look throughout the league to check out old friends in their new threads.
Luke Weaver
Arguably the biggest departure of the winter was Luke Weaver. A former starting pitcher who reinvented himself as a dynamic reliever and became a fan favorite both for his fun personality and his strong performance as the closer during the Yankees’ trip to the World Series in 2024, Weaver signed a two-year, $22 million deal to join former Yankees closer Clay Holmes in Queens.
Devin Williams
Of course, Weaver wasn’t the only former Yankees closer to make the trip across town this winter. Two weeks prior to Weaver’s signing, Devin Williams inked his own three-year, $51 million contract with the Mets. While very few Yankees fans will lament Williams’ departure, as he never quite got into a groove with the Bombers, this does continue a rather strange trend in recent years of the Mets targeting former Yankees in free agency.
Jonathan Loáisiga
The longest-tenured Yankee to depart this winter, Jonathan Loáisiga joined the Arizona Diamondbacks on a minor league deal after his team option was declined in November. Johnny Lasagna looks to bounce back after struggling in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Ian Hamilton
Ian Hamilton joined the Atlanta Braves organization on a minor league deal after being non-tendered in November. He spent three years with the Yankees, starting with an elite 2023, a solid 2024, and a lackluster 2025.
Mark Leiter Jr.
Acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the 2024 trade deadline, Mark Leiter Jr. was left off the postseason roster in 2024, then added as an injury replacement, and got critical outs as the Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians to punch their ticket to their first World Series since 2009. Unfortunately, that would be the highlight of his career in pinstripes. Due to his inconsistency, the Bombers opted to non-tender him this past winter, and he inked a deal with the Athletics.
Scott Effross
Sensing a theme, here? The sixth Yankee reliever to depart in free agency this year, Scott Effross was supposed to be a dominant reliever with several years of team control when the Yankees acquired him from the Cubs at the 2022 trade deadline. Unfortunately, the injury bug got him, and he wound up making just 27 appearances across four seasons in pinstripes. Looking to revamp the bullpen, the Yankees non-tendered him in the winter, and he found himself in Detroit on a minor league deal.
Austin Slater
The only non-reliever to depart this winter, Austin Slater was acquired at the trade deadline last year to give the Yankees some pop against lefties. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just 14 appearances, and while the Yankees had some interest in bringing him back, he opted for a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers, where he is competing for the fourth outfield spot.
Former Prospects
Several Yankees prospects departed this winter, most of them as a result of minor trades. These include Dillon Lewis, Dylan Jasso, and Brendan Jones, who were traded to the Marlins for Ryan Weathers, and T.J. Rumfield, who is now a Rockie.
When Hull Kingston Rovers play Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas on Saturday night, they will do so as domestic treble winners and world club champions. The club’s chief executive, Paul Lakin, explains how they made it this far and what they want to achieve next.
Leeds say they will struggle to break even on Vegas as the Super League teams have to pay all their own costs. So how difficult a decision was it to give up a home game to go? “It was a big decision and one that we didn’t take lightly. Part of our strategy is to constantly raise our profile and when you looked at the results from a marketing and audience perspective for Wigan v Warrington in Vegas last year, the eyeballs on that were incredible. You don’t get given a pot of money: you have to generate your own money through ticket sales. But like Leeds, we felt that we have a big enough fanbase to financially support our ability to go out there. It’s an incredibly tough schedule but to put ourselves on that stage was too big an opportunity to turn down. A year ago we said: ‘What if we won the Grand Final? It’ll be the World Club Challenge and straight into Vegas.’ We just decided to worry about it when it happens. And now it’s happened!”
During this past off-season, the Montreal Canadiens acquired Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Emil Heineman, the No. 16 overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (Viktor Eklund), and the No. 17 overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (Kashawn Aitcheson). This was one of the biggest trades of the off-season and naturally created plenty of chatter in the hockey world.
With the Canadiens needing a star right-shot defenseman on their blueline, it made sense that they brought in Dobson this past summer. Now, as we enter the final stretch of the 2025-26 season, it is clear that the Habs made the right call acquiring him.
Dobson has come as advertised with the Canadiens, and the truth can be seen with his stats this campaign. In 57 games this season with the Original Six club, the 6-foot-4 defenseman has recorded 10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points, and a plus-12 rating. With numbers like these, there is no question that he has been providing some solid offense from the Canadiens' blueline.
Dobson is also a defenseman whom the Canadiens rely on heavily as well. The 26-year-old blueliner not only plays on their top pairing, but also sees time on both their power play and penalty kill. With this, he is one of the Canadiens' most important players, which was expected.
Dobson also still has plenty of time to build on his strong first season with the Canadiens. At this juncture of the campaign, the 2018 first-round pick has a real shot of breaking his current career-high of 13 goals, which he achieved during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons as a member of the Islanders. He also needs only two more points to pass his 39 points from last season, which he reached in 71 games.
The Canadiens have taken another step in the right direction this season, and acquiring a star defenseman like Dobson has been a major reason for it. It will be fascinating to see how he builds on his strong first season with the Canadiens, but it is clear that the Habs made the right call bringing him in.
The three-time Vezina Trophy recipient and reigning Hart Trophy winner, proved to everyone why he's so decorated and in need of a larger trophy cabinet. U.S. President Donald Trump even said on Tuesday he will award Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Let's dive into Hellebuyck's five best performances, three of which came from his first trip to the NHL playoffs. Nobody will be surprised to see which is cemented in the No. 1 spot.
Hellebuyck has five shutouts in 58 playoff games, two of which occurred in consecutive games in the first round of the 2017-18 postseason against the Minnesota Wild.
Hellebuyck made the identical number of saves in Games 4 and 5, with 30 each. Due to playing on the road with the series still hanging in the balance (2-1 Jets), his Game 4 performance was marginally better.
The Jets won 2-0, leading to their Game 5 series clincher at home.
4. 2017-18 playoffs (Game 1, second round)
Playing in Nashville, one of the most inhospitable playoff environments, the Jets faced a daunting task against No. 1 seed Nashville in Game 1.
Hellebuyck made the 4-1 upset appear effortless despite the relentless barrage of attacks he was up against. He made 47 saves on 48 shots, finishing with a .979 save percentage.
Kevin Fiala broke Hellebuyck's shutout bid early in the third period, but the Jets' netminder was named the first star of the game.
3. 2020-21 playoffs (Game 2, first round)
The Jets stormed into Edmonton in the second straight COVID-impacted playoffs and prevailed 1-0 over the Oilers in overtime, thanks to Hellebuyck's heroics.
He made 38 saves against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Co., providing Winnipeg with a commanding 2-0 series lead heading back to Winnipeg for Game 3.
What made the goose egg even more impressive is the fact the Oilers haven't been shut out in the playoffs at home since that fateful night at Rogers Place.
2. 2017-18 playoffs (Game 7, second round)
Easily his best Game 7 performance, Hellebuyck marched into Nashville and silenced the raucous home crowd.
He made 36 saves on 37 shots for a .973 save percentage, propelling the Jets to a 5-1 victory and securing their place in the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Hellebuyck won three of four in Nashville during his most successful playoff series.
1. 2026 Olympic gold medal game
With the weight of a nation and a 46-year wait tossed on his shoulders, Hellebuyck stood taller than the world's tallest building, assembling arguably the greatest goaltending performance in any competition, ever.
He faced 42 shots, many of which were of the high-danger variety, and turned aside 41. He made several monumental saves, including on Canada's 5-on-3 second-period power play, and stopped McDavid and Macklin Celebrini on breakaways.
That merely scratches the surface of his fairytale-like performance on the world's biggest stage.
Since 2017, the Maple Leafs have been a playoff team, one that's usually hopeful to travel deep into the postseason. They've been buyers at the trade deadline every year, trading picks and prospects away to achieve hockey's greatest success.
But after a troubling 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, only five games remain until the Mar. 6 NHL trade deadline. And despite Toronto still being six points out of a playoff spot, time is running out on their season as other teams continue to win games.
The Buffalo Sabres won on Wednesday night. They move nine points ahead of Toronto. The Washington Capitals also won, moving themselves two points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot.
We could be looking at the Maple Leafs' playoff streak — the longest active in the NHL — coming to an end after nine straight postseason appearances.
"Games matter right now," said Matthew Knies, who had a goal and an assist in Toronto's loss to the Lightning. "Every point matters. We got to be focused and just give a better effort; play like we're a team fighting for the playoffs next game."
Wednesday's game in Tampa couldn't have represented Toronto's season more perfectly.
There have been nights throughout the year when the Maple Leafs give a complete game. However, what happens far more often is that the team either lacks work ethic or execution.
Sometimes it's both.
And when you can't get one or the other on most nights, the game usually ends with a tick going in the loss column. At this time of year, with points so crucial, the Maple Leafs need every win they can get.
There wasn't enough time when they pushed late in the third period on Wednesday against the Lightning.
"I thought our effort was pretty good, to be honest," Knies said, "I thought our execution wasn't there, though."
What the Maple Leafs need right now is life. It might already be too late, but maybe one more sign of life — a win against the Florida Panthers on Thursday night — could give management the boldness to hold on just a little bit longer.
Is it worth it, though? That's the real question.
They've got pieces to trade, who could bring back draft picks, something Toronto doesn't have much of for the future. The same goes for high-level prospects; the cupboard is pretty bare.
Could it have been after Wednesday's loss? It's always possible. But maybe Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving sees this week out, given there are two more big games against divisional opponents, the Panthers and Ottawa Senators.
Whatever management is planning, Toronto's players aren't ready to throw in the towel.
"I think everyone just has energy and is ready to go. I don't think it showed tonight. I think we'll get it back. I think we'll get that desperation back," added Knies. "But, yeah, it's got to show up next game and on the way out of the regular season here."
CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 22: The Philly Phanatic performs prior to the spring training baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark on February 22, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was nice to see a healthy dose of Phillies regulars in the game yesterday. It’s hard to stay tuned into spring training games, especially this early, but seeing some of the players you recognize helps. Well at least it will until most of them leave for the World Baseball Classic next week.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Trevor Rogers #28 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches live during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello, friends.
Today marks exactly one month until Orioles Opening Day! The team will be playing exhibition games from now through March 23 to get ready for that. After yesterday’s 4-3 victory over the Rays, the Orioles are now 3-2-1 in Grapefruit League action. Awaiting today is a 1:05 game against the Tigers that will be broadcast on MASN. Dean Kremer is lined up as today’s starter. A day farther out, Shane Baz will get into his first organized spring game as Friday’s starting pitcher.
Yesterday’s win saw three scoreless innings from Trevor Rogers, who’s yet to allow a run in spring action. For anyone who was looking for a reason to believe that he’ll be able to pick up where he left off at the end of last season, that’s really not a bad thing to latch onto. It’s less outlandish of a belief now that we’ve seen him do what he did last year.
Another early spring standout is Tyler O’Neill. There’s a guy who was not exactly showing us success last year. It’s early and it doesn’t matter yet, and staying healthy might be his biggest issue rather than performance anyway. Still, O’Neill seems to be taking good at-bats and getting good results early on. One path to a better team in 2026 is to have last winter’s big signing start to get that contract out from being a waste.
If you’d already given up prospect Vance Honeycutt, the 2024 first rounder, as a bust, you might not have noticed that he’s gotten a pair of spring training homers, including one yesterday. He stunk in 2025, there’s no getting around that, and same as any of these other guys, it doesn’t matter yet. Still, it has to be nice for him after a tough year to get a positive early vibe from 2026. It will take a lot more homering in real games for this to connect into anything. I like the start.
With a few players leaving camp to participate in the World Baseball Classic – including O’Neill, who’ll be joining Team Canada – there’s going to be a bit more room for prospects to get playing time this year. If Honeycutt or others are able to take advantage of that, good for them.
Orioles stuff you might have missed
More notes from Orioles 4-3 win over Rays (School of Roch) Roch Kubatko runs through more of the stuff from yesterday’s game. It wasn’t all positive, with Andrew Kittredge having a bit of a clunker.
Pete Alonso broke this comedian’s son’s heart, and now wants him to be an Orioles fan (Orioles.com) This is about the son of John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight and a Mets fan, now getting a personal appeal from the Polar Bear to change fandoms with him. I’ve watched Oliver’s show and I think he’s absolutely ready to experience Orioles fandom.
Taylor Ward learned to embrace change. Then he got traded. (The Baltimore Sun) I keep forgetting that the Orioles traded for Taylor Ward. I hope he doesn’t make me wish I could forget when the season happens. Although that’s also up to Grayson Rodriguez, who the O’s traded to the Angels.
Birthdays and Orioles anniversaries
Nothing of particular note has happened on this day in Orioles history. Unless there’s bad news, that probably won’t be changing today.
There is one lone former Oriole with a birthday today. Happy 49th birthday to 2001-02 pitcher Josh Towers, who had a 5.05 ERA in 29 games across his two seasons with the team.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday to you! Your birthday buddies for today include: playwright/poet Christopher Marlowe (1564), author Victor Hugo (1802), blue jeans manufacturer Levi Strauss (1829), cereal creator John Harvey Kellogg (1852), chemical maker Herbert Henry Dow (1866), animator Tex Avery (1908), musician Fats Domino (1928), and musician Johnny Cash (1932).
On this day in history…
In 1616, the Catholic Church officially banned Galileo Galilei from teaching that the Earth orbits the sun.
In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from the island of Elba, where he had been exiled following his defeat a year prior.
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation that established Grand Canyon National Park. Exactly a decade later, President Calvin Coolidge signed legislation establishing Grand Teton National Park.
A random Orioles trivia question
I received a random book of Orioles trivia for Christmas. I’ll ask a question each time it’s my turn in this space until I run out of questions or I forget. I’m skipping stupid questions; we’re already on question 48 today. The book gives multiple choice answers but that would be too easy for us, wouldn’t it? Here’s today’s question:
Which pitcher’s 15 wins led the 2005 Orioles?
If you are answering the question early in the day, please be considerate and place your guess behind spoiler text so that others arriving later can still make a fresh guess. Thank you!
The answer to Sunday’s question: which year did the B&O Warehouse open? 1904!
**
And that’s the way it is in Birdland on February 26. Have a safe Thursday.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against Sam Hauser #30 and Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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 — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: After returning from injury, Jalen Green’s offensive production for February has been underwhelming. 15 ppg, 35.3 FG%, 23.7 3PT%, 60 FT% on 12 FGAs per game. What are your thoughts on this?
GuarGuar: I don’t think he’s best as a #1 option, which is what he’s had to be these past few games with all the injuries. He’s also been injured literally all season and it was a hamstring reinjury, so I’ll give him some grace to come back to form. He’s gotta get used to NBA action again and regain that confidence in his body.
Ashton: Can you imagine being Jalen Green right now? He finally returns to the court, looks around, and there is an M.A.S.H. unit sitting on the bench. If we see “Hawkeye” (Alan Alda – not Marvel) on the bench, then I know the Suns are in trouble.
Between having work off some of the rust, he just does not have the starting player support needed to get those percentages up. The bench players and rookies are not going to help. But GA spotting up for a three or Book pulling double teams while making timely passing decisions would. Brooks doing his usual bullying thing would seriously help.
Sure, there is a bit of concern about the FT percentage, but that can be fixed. A broken and hobbled starter squad cannot. I would not read too much into it.
OldAz: He has not been on the court with these teammates all season, and now he has to be the focal point of the offense with the normal #1 and #3 options missing. On top of that, he has to do it without the needed practice time to even figure out what that offense looks like. And finally, he is supposed to do it while working himself back into game shape. One for finally, the pressure of fan expectations (based on his salary and a couple tantalizing games when Book and Brooks were playing) has to make every miss feel like the hole is a foot deeper. I believe he will work his way through this, but it is not going to be quick or easy.
Rod: It’s frustrating for fans, and I’m sure it is for him too. The team has recently been devastated by injuries that have left him in the position of trying to carry much of the scoring load instead of being eased back into the rotation after returning from his own injury, which already caused him to miss the bulk of this season. We already knew he wasn’t an especially efficient scorer, which has been very apparent lately as he’s been relied on way to much at this point.
He’s certainly not a perfect player, far from it, but he’s better than what we’ve seen lately. At full or even half-strength, I believe this team is good enough to cover for each other’s flaws, but, as it is now, those flaws are going to stand out even more and we’ve been seeing a lot more of those lately from more players than just Jalen.
Q2: Dillon Brooks’ broken hand will likely cause him to be out for 4-6 weeks, meaning that it is possible for him to miss all of the Suns’ remaining games. If that happens, do you believe that the Suns will finish the regular season with a record good enough to qualify for the play-in games?
GuarGuar: Barring absolute catastrophe, I think we are locked into the Play-In game. Unfortunately, with this injury, I think it’s really tough for us to finish higher than 7th and not have to play in the Play-In. We’d need to really get hot starting in March when Booker gets back. Hopefully, Brooks comes back sooner than expected. His toughness is much needed on this squad.
Ashton: I was a real proponent of the Suns taking the sixth seed. Now? It is time for a major revision. The two-way players are not going to be able to play much longer, and the rookies really just have not developed in the NBA, though they are doing fine in the G League.
To be honest, what a rotten turn of events for the Suns and their fans. Even if some of the starters outside of Brooks return, what remains is the question of how long they can stay healthy. I will take the under, but the over that Book can sell more shoes.
With all that said, I am not all doom-and-gloom. The Suns will need to lose a lot of games to fall out of the tenth seed. They have a six-game lead over the Clippers as of Tuesday afternoon.
I think the Suns will go dancing. Is it March Madness yet?
OldAz: I write this on Monday night, and the Suns have an 11-game cushion on the 11th-place Grizz with 24 to play. Those same Grizzlies are 14 games under .500 and on pace to win 31 games (the Suns have 33 currently). I am not sure I am prepared to contemplate this question further, as that would be an all-time collapse by the hometown team.
Rod: While I don’t think this is likely, I do believe there’s a small possibility of it happening, depending upon the health of the rest of the team…and how determined the teams currently below 10th in the West are to tank the rest of the season. With Brooks out for all of the rest of the regular season, I see it as pretty difficult for the Suns to stay put as the 7th seed, and could drop well down the play-in ladder though. At this point, I’m just hoping that they can avoid falling to 9th or 10th, where they would have to win two play-in games just to get into the playoffs.
Q3: With the recent rash of injuries, rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming have gotten some meaningful rotation minutes. Do you believe they proved that they’re ready for more, even when the team gets healthy again?
GuarGuar: I don’t know if they can crack the rotation yet when everyone is fully healthy (if that ever happens again this season haha), but I have liked what I’ve seen from them recently. Man Man had some bright stretches during that Portland game and Rasheer is beginning to look a tad more comfortable offensively. I still doubt they would be in the rotation come play-in/playoff time, though.
Ashton: No. This is probably the short answer, but they just have not been given the time to develop the minutes against NBA caliber players.
If this were a buy/sell question, I would sell. Maybe we will change the title of Inside the Suns to ‘Around the Suns Horn’ article.
Suns are going to lose some games in the immediate future (please beat the Lakers, and I will call it a win during the injury stretch), and the best-case scenario is that Fleming and KM get some decent development minutes for the future.
But for now, I will keep my expectations low.
OldAz: I thought this about Fleming the last time he got meaningful minutes and held his own, but alas, those minutes dried up pretty quick. Player development takes commitment, and I am hoping these injuries force the Suns to make a little (or a lot) more of this necessary commitment. I wouldn’t mind seeing KM get some more minutes too, but it seems to me that with Brooks out, Dunn and Fleming combining for 40+ minutes a night would not be a bad thing, even if the growing pains cost them a few wins in a stretch where they were likely to struggle anyway.
Rod: Not just yet. What I have seen from them lately in encouraging though and, hopefully, they’ll show that even more as they’re given more court time until the team heals up. And I do believe they’re now at the point where, even with the team fully healthy, it’s really worth taking a chance on putting them in under certain circumstances, particularly when the Suns are facing bigger teams whose size is creating problems for them.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“We do have to find ways to turn teams over, and a lot of that’s Goodie (Jordan Goodwin), so we’re going to have to find ways to manufacture it. That’s a big piece of what we do.” – Jordan Ott
“Especially with those guys being out (Book, Brooks, Goodwin), everybody has got to be aggressive to get open looks, take the open drive and knock down open shots.” – Royce O’Neale
“We’re 30th in free throws differential since February 1. We can’t get to the free throw line, cant get their rim.” – Jordan Ott
“When he (Dillon Brooks) first found out (that his hand was broken), he was probably disappointed. The next morning I think he was in here shooting with one hand. He’s crazy, but that’s who he is. That’s how hard he works and a testament to him as a player and a person. He’s special in that way.” – Collin Gillespie
“Everybody has got to have a little grace. He (Jalen Green) has been out for three quarters of the season. It’s not an easy thing to do to just insert yourself back into the lineup and be able to just play at that level or play at the speed of the game. I have a ton of grace for him because I’ve been through that where I missed a whole year. He’s missed like three quarters of the season. It’s not easy and he’s done an incredible job of just fitting in seamlessly. It’s been pretty cool to see.” – Collin Gillespie
Suns Trivia/History
On February 27, 1972, the Suns’ 6’1″ rookie reserve guard Mo Layton led all scorers with a career high 37 points to fuel a Suns 127-125 come-from-behind victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland. It was the single 30+ point game of Layton’s 5-year NBA career. He only played for the Suns for two seasons, averaging a modest 8.2 ppg before being waived by the Suns before the beginning of the 1973-74 season. He also spent a short time that year playing for the ABA’s Memphis Tams under his former Suns head coach, Butch van Breda Kolff. Coach van Breda Kolff owns the dubious distinction of having the shortest tenure ever as a Suns head coach after he was fired just 7 games into the 1972-73 season.
On March 3, 1993, the 41-13 Phoenix Suns – as expected – defeated the 19-35 Philadelphia 76ers 125-115 in Phoenix. The one unexpected thing during that game was 76ers backup center, 7’7″ Manute Bol, who was mostly known only for his shot blocking, making 6 three pointers, 2 more than the entire Suns team. Suns forward Charles Barkley was both amazed and amused by it all.
That one time Manute Bol drained six three-pointers in one half against the Suns was so fucking awesome even Charles Barkley had to give him five. pic.twitter.com/DliDRzGnvA
On March 6, 2019, Devin Booker became the youngest player ever to make 500 3-Point Field Goals at 22 years, 127 days.
On March 6, 2020, Suns’ backup center Aron Baynes scored 37 points, gathered 16 rebounds, and recorded 2 blocks while making 9 of 14 shots (64.3%) from three while taking over for injured starting center Deandre Ayton in a 127-117 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers. In NBA history, no one else had ever done all of those things in one game.
This Week’s Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 26 – Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers (7:00 pm) Tuesday, March 3 – Suns @ Sacramento Kings (9:00 pm) Peacock
This Week’s Valley Suns Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 26. Valley Suns vs South Bay Lakers (7:00 pm) ESPN+ Saturday, Feb 28 – Valley Suns @ Texas Legends (6:30 pm) Monday, March 2 – Valley Suns vs Salt Lake City Stars (6:30 pm) Prime Video
Important Future Dates
March 1 – Playoff eligibility waiver deadline March 4 – Final day to sign players to two-way contracts March 28 – NBA G League Regular Season ends March 31 – 2026 NBA G League Playoffs begin April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play) April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET) April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against Sam Hauser #30 and Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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 — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: After returning from injury, Jalen Green’s offensive production for February has been underwhelming. 15 ppg, 35.3 FG%, 23.7 3PT%, 60 FT% on 12 FGAs per game. What are your thoughts on this?
GuarGuar: I don’t think he’s best as a #1 option, which is what he’s had to be these past few games with all the injuries. He’s also been injured literally all season and it was a hamstring reinjury, so I’ll give him some grace to come back to form. He’s gotta get used to NBA action again and regain that confidence in his body.
Ashton: Can you imagine being Jalen Green right now? He finally returns to the court, looks around, and there is an M.A.S.H. unit sitting on the bench. If we see “Hawkeye” (Alan Alda – not Marvel) on the bench, then I know the Suns are in trouble.
Between having work off some of the rust, he just does not have the starting player support needed to get those percentages up. The bench players and rookies are not going to help. But GA spotting up for a three or Book pulling double teams while making timely passing decisions would. Brooks doing his usual bullying thing would seriously help.
Sure, there is a bit of concern about the FT percentage, but that can be fixed. A broken and hobbled starter squad cannot. I would not read too much into it.
OldAz: He has not been on the court with these teammates all season, and now he has to be the focal point of the offense with the normal #1 and #3 options missing. On top of that, he has to do it without the needed practice time to even figure out what that offense looks like. And finally, he is supposed to do it while working himself back into game shape. One for finally, the pressure of fan expectations (based on his salary and a couple tantalizing games when Book and Brooks were playing) has to make every miss feel like the hole is a foot deeper. I believe he will work his way through this, but it is not going to be quick or easy.
Rod: It’s frustrating for fans, and I’m sure it is for him too. The team has recently been devastated by injuries that have left him in the position of trying to carry much of the scoring load instead of being eased back into the rotation after returning from his own injury, which already caused him to miss the bulk of this season. We already knew he wasn’t an especially efficient scorer, which has been very apparent lately as he’s been relied on way to much at this point.
He’s certainly not a perfect player, far from it, but he’s better than what we’ve seen lately. At full or even half-strength, I believe this team is good enough to cover for each other’s flaws, but, as it is now, those flaws are going to stand out even more and we’ve been seeing a lot more of those lately from more players than just Jalen.
Q2: Dillon Brooks’ broken hand will likely cause him to be out for 4-6 weeks, meaning that it is possible for him to miss all of the Suns’ remaining games. If that happens, do you believe that the Suns will finish the regular season with a record good enough to qualify for the play-in games?
GuarGuar: Barring absolute catastrophe, I think we are locked into the Play-In game. Unfortunately, with this injury, I think it’s really tough for us to finish higher than 7th and not have to play in the Play-In. We’d need to really get hot starting in March when Booker gets back. Hopefully, Brooks comes back sooner than expected. His toughness is much needed on this squad.
Ashton: I was a real proponent of the Suns taking the sixth seed. Now? It is time for a major revision. The two-way players are not going to be able to play much longer, and the rookies really just have not developed in the NBA, though they are doing fine in the G League.
To be honest, what a rotten turn of events for the Suns and their fans. Even if some of the starters outside of Brooks return, what remains is the question of how long they can stay healthy. I will take the under, but the over that Book can sell more shoes.
With all that said, I am not all doom-and-gloom. The Suns will need to lose a lot of games to fall out of the tenth seed. They have a six-game lead over the Clippers as of Tuesday afternoon.
I think the Suns will go dancing. Is it March Madness yet?
OldAz: I write this on Monday night, and the Suns have an 11-game cushion on the 11th-place Grizz with 24 to play. Those same Grizzlies are 14 games under .500 and on pace to win 31 games (the Suns have 33 currently). I am not sure I am prepared to contemplate this question further, as that would be an all-time collapse by the hometown team.
Rod: While I don’t think this is likely, I do believe there’s a small possibility of it happening, depending upon the health of the rest of the team…and how determined the teams currently below 10th in the West are to tank the rest of the season. With Brooks out for all of the rest of the regular season, I see it as pretty difficult for the Suns to stay put as the 7th seed, and could drop well down the play-in ladder though. At this point, I’m just hoping that they can avoid falling to 9th or 10th, where they would have to win two play-in games just to get into the playoffs.
Q3: With the recent rash of injuries, rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming have gotten some meaningful rotation minutes. Do you believe they proved that they’re ready for more, even when the team gets healthy again?
GuarGuar: I don’t know if they can crack the rotation yet when everyone is fully healthy (if that ever happens again this season haha), but I have liked what I’ve seen from them recently. Man Man had some bright stretches during that Portland game and Rasheer is beginning to look a tad more comfortable offensively. I still doubt they would be in the rotation come play-in/playoff time, though.
Ashton: No. This is probably the short answer, but they just have not been given the time to develop the minutes against NBA caliber players.
If this were a buy/sell question, I would sell. Maybe we will change the title of Inside the Suns to ‘Around the Suns Horn’ article.
Suns are going to lose some games in the immediate future (please beat the Lakers, and I will call it a win during the injury stretch), and the best-case scenario is that Fleming and KM get some decent development minutes for the future.
But for now, I will keep my expectations low.
OldAz: I thought this about Fleming the last time he got meaningful minutes and held his own, but alas, those minutes dried up pretty quick. Player development takes commitment, and I am hoping these injuries force the Suns to make a little (or a lot) more of this necessary commitment. I wouldn’t mind seeing KM get some more minutes too, but it seems to me that with Brooks out, Dunn and Fleming combining for 40+ minutes a night would not be a bad thing, even if the growing pains cost them a few wins in a stretch where they were likely to struggle anyway.
Rod: Not just yet. What I have seen from them lately in encouraging though and, hopefully, they’ll show that even more as they’re given more court time until the team heals up. And I do believe they’re now at the point where, even with the team fully healthy, it’s really worth taking a chance on putting them in under certain circumstances, particularly when the Suns are facing bigger teams whose size is creating problems for them.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“We do have to find ways to turn teams over, and a lot of that’s Goodie (Jordan Goodwin), so we’re going to have to find ways to manufacture it. That’s a big piece of what we do.” – Jordan Ott
“Especially with those guys being out (Book, Brooks, Goodwin), everybody has got to be aggressive to get open looks, take the open drive and knock down open shots.” – Royce O’Neale
“We’re 30th in free throws differential since February 1. We can’t get to the free throw line, cant get their rim.” – Jordan Ott
“When he (Dillon Brooks) first found out (that his hand was broken), he was probably disappointed. The next morning I think he was in here shooting with one hand. He’s crazy, but that’s who he is. That’s how hard he works and a testament to him as a player and a person. He’s special in that way.” – Collin Gillespie
“Everybody has got to have a little grace. He (Jalen Green) has been out for three quarters of the season. It’s not an easy thing to do to just insert yourself back into the lineup and be able to just play at that level or play at the speed of the game. I have a ton of grace for him because I’ve been through that where I missed a whole year. He’s missed like three quarters of the season. It’s not easy and he’s done an incredible job of just fitting in seamlessly. It’s been pretty cool to see.” – Collin Gillespie
Suns Trivia/History
On February 27, 1972, the Suns’ 6’1″ rookie reserve guard Mo Layton led all scorers with a career high 37 points to fuel a Suns 127-125 come-from-behind victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland. It was the single 30+ point game of Layton’s 5-year NBA career. He only played for the Suns for two seasons, averaging a modest 8.2 ppg before being waived by the Suns before the beginning of the 1973-74 season. He also spent a short time that year playing for the ABA’s Memphis Tams under his former Suns head coach, Butch van Breda Kolff. Coach van Breda Kolff owns the dubious distinction of having the shortest tenure ever as a Suns head coach after he was fired just 7 games into the 1972-73 season.
On March 3, 1993, the 41-13 Phoenix Suns – as expected – defeated the 19-35 Philadelphia 76ers 125-115 in Phoenix. The one unexpected thing during that game was 76ers backup center, 7’7″ Manute Bol, who was mostly known only for his shot blocking, making 6 three pointers, 2 more than the entire Suns team. Suns forward Charles Barkley was both amazed and amused by it all.
That one time Manute Bol drained six three-pointers in one half against the Suns was so fucking awesome even Charles Barkley had to give him five. pic.twitter.com/DliDRzGnvA
On March 6, 2019, Devin Booker became the youngest player ever to make 500 3-Point Field Goals at 22 years, 127 days.
On March 6, 2020, Suns’ backup center Aron Baynes scored 37 points, gathered 16 rebounds, and recorded 2 blocks while making 9 of 14 shots (64.3%) from three while taking over for injured starting center Deandre Ayton in a 127-117 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers. In NBA history, no one else had ever done all of those things in one game.
This Week’s Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 26 – Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers (7:00 pm) Tuesday, March 3 – Suns @ Sacramento Kings (9:00 pm) Peacock
This Week’s Valley Suns Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 26. Valley Suns vs South Bay Lakers (7:00 pm) ESPN+ Saturday, Feb 28 – Valley Suns @ Texas Legends (6:30 pm) Monday, March 2 – Valley Suns vs Salt Lake City Stars (6:30 pm) Prime Video
Important Future Dates
March 1 – Playoff eligibility waiver deadline March 4 – Final day to sign players to two-way contracts March 28 – NBA G League Regular Season ends March 31 – 2026 NBA G League Playoffs begin April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play) April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET) April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin
Mar 9, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; NBA Hall of Fame player Dominique Wilkins, left, congratulates Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) after their double overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-Imagn Images
Dominique Wilkins needs no introduction around these parts. His jersey hangs in the State Farm Arena rafters after a Hawks career that saw him total nine All-Star Games and seven All-NBA appearances.
So when he speaks, you listen.
If you’ve been living under a rock, a lot has happened with the Hawks this season. Trae Young has departed, and at the same time Jalen Johnson has ascended to stardom, becoming a first-time All-Star earlier this month. ‘Nique spoke with DJ Saddiqi of Casino dot org on his meteoric rise, saying:
“Well, I must say he’s a little bit of Scottie Pippen as far as being a point forward,” Wilkins led with. “Pippen was a point forward and was very effective at the position. This guy Jalen, he brings even another element, because the way he rebounds, the way he passes, and he flirts with a triple-double every single night. I love Jalen Johnson. The way he plays, man, and he’s so deserving of this honor that he received during All-Star weekend. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
On his relationship with Johnson and his family
“I look at Jalen like someone like your brother in a sense,” Wilkins continued. “I have a great relationship with him. I have a great relationship with his mom and dad. I saw the growth in him two years ago, and I said to his parents, ‘Don’t worry, he’s gonna do very well in this league, and he’s gonna be a great player in this league. Just be patient.’ And now look where he’s at.”
On Jalen Johnson’s improvement
“Jalen Johnson has developed quicker than a lot of people have given credit for or expected,” Wilkins said. “But they always say, take care of your business at hand. Don’t worry about too much down the road right now. Worry about what you’re doing now. You take this one game at a time, one month at a time, one year at a time.”
“He’s still a young guy, so it’s a few different areas where he can get better, and he will get better,” Wilkins detailed. “He will get better defensively. He will get better as far as different ways he can score. As a young guy, you can always get better. You can always add new things to your game to make you an even more lethal player. Being 24 years old, he’s still learning right now.”
On the current Hawks
It’s clear the Hawks have undergone a whirlwind series of changes to their roster in the past calendar year. As a result of the instability, the team is in ninth place in the East and slightly under .500 (29-21). But Wilkins believe the foundation has been laid, explaining:
“What you’re trying to do right now in this part of this season is continue to build some chemistry. And once you build that chemistry — hopefully sooner than later — we still have a chance to do a lot of damage, because there’s still 30 games left in the season. You have to make up some ground, because you’re right there. The Eastern Conference is very close, and we have a very good young team: Jalen Johnson, you got Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels. Now you bring over Jonathan Kuminga, and you got Onyeka Okongwu, who’s come along now, and young Zaccharie Risacher, so you got all these younger kids now developing on the job. I think that’s the way it should be done. I look for us to make a move as far as the way we play and try to win games in the second half of the season, because now coming out of this All-Star break, now you really refocus yourself on winning games.”
On the youth and winning streaks
“We have something special and we can be that new young team that makes a difference in that Eastern Conference,” Wilkins explained. “I look for us to make a difference now. Not waiting for next year, because we are right there. In this league, it’ll only take you a month to get hot. You look at the Charlotte Hornets. They won 10 of the last 12, so they got hot at the right time going into the All-Star break, coming into the second half of the season. You need a quick run like that, maybe not eight or nine games, but you get on a five or six-game winning streak, that changes things.”
On the exit and lasting legacy of Trae Young
Young was the franchise pillar for the better part of 8 seasons here in Atlanta, and he leaves behind a résumé as good as any player since Dominique Wilkins himself. Wilkins can also empathize closely with being traded away from a franchise so key to one’s own identity.
Wilkins spoke on the trade, saying that, “sometimes in life, things don’t work out, and it’s time. We all have been through it. I’ve been through it, and it’s nobody’s fault. It’s just the way the business is running, how it’s done. Trae was a tremendous player in an Atlanta Hawks jersey. No one could ever take that from him. What he did was very special.”
Mar 9, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; NBA Hall of Fame player Dominique Wilkins, left, congratulates Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) after their double overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-Imagn Images
Dominique Wilkins needs no introduction around these parts. His jersey hangs in the State Farm Arena rafters after a Hawks career that saw him total nine All-Star Games and seven All-NBA appearances.
So when he speaks, you listen.
If you’ve been living under a rock, a lot has happened with the Hawks this season. Trae Young has departed, and at the same time Jalen Johnson has ascended to stardom, becoming a first-time All-Star earlier this month. ‘Nique spoke with DJ Saddiqi of Casino dot org on his meteoric rise, saying:
“Well, I must say he’s a little bit of Scottie Pippen as far as being a point forward,” Wilkins led with. “Pippen was a point forward and was very effective at the position. This guy Jalen, he brings even another element, because the way he rebounds, the way he passes, and he flirts with a triple-double every single night. I love Jalen Johnson. The way he plays, man, and he’s so deserving of this honor that he received during All-Star weekend. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
On his relationship with Johnson and his family
“I look at Jalen like someone like your brother in a sense,” Wilkins continued. “I have a great relationship with him. I have a great relationship with his mom and dad. I saw the growth in him two years ago, and I said to his parents, ‘Don’t worry, he’s gonna do very well in this league, and he’s gonna be a great player in this league. Just be patient.’ And now look where he’s at.”
On Jalen Johnson’s improvement
“Jalen Johnson has developed quicker than a lot of people have given credit for or expected,” Wilkins said. “But they always say, take care of your business at hand. Don’t worry about too much down the road right now. Worry about what you’re doing now. You take this one game at a time, one month at a time, one year at a time.”
“He’s still a young guy, so it’s a few different areas where he can get better, and he will get better,” Wilkins detailed. “He will get better defensively. He will get better as far as different ways he can score. As a young guy, you can always get better. You can always add new things to your game to make you an even more lethal player. Being 24 years old, he’s still learning right now.”
On the current Hawks
It’s clear the Hawks have undergone a whirlwind series of changes to their roster in the past calendar year. As a result of the instability, the team is in ninth place in the East and slightly under .500 (29-21). But Wilkins believe the foundation has been laid, explaining:
“What you’re trying to do right now in this part of this season is continue to build some chemistry. And once you build that chemistry — hopefully sooner than later — we still have a chance to do a lot of damage, because there’s still 30 games left in the season. You have to make up some ground, because you’re right there. The Eastern Conference is very close, and we have a very good young team: Jalen Johnson, you got Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels. Now you bring over Jonathan Kuminga, and you got Onyeka Okongwu, who’s come along now, and young Zaccharie Risacher, so you got all these younger kids now developing on the job. I think that’s the way it should be done. I look for us to make a move as far as the way we play and try to win games in the second half of the season, because now coming out of this All-Star break, now you really refocus yourself on winning games.”
On the youth and winning streaks
“We have something special and we can be that new young team that makes a difference in that Eastern Conference,” Wilkins explained. “I look for us to make a difference now. Not waiting for next year, because we are right there. In this league, it’ll only take you a month to get hot. You look at the Charlotte Hornets. They won 10 of the last 12, so they got hot at the right time going into the All-Star break, coming into the second half of the season. You need a quick run like that, maybe not eight or nine games, but you get on a five or six-game winning streak, that changes things.”
On the exit and lasting legacy of Trae Young
Young was the franchise pillar for the better part of 8 seasons here in Atlanta, and he leaves behind a résumé as good as any player since Dominique Wilkins himself. Wilkins can also empathize closely with being traded away from a franchise so key to one’s own identity.
Wilkins spoke on the trade, saying that, “sometimes in life, things don’t work out, and it’s time. We all have been through it. I’ve been through it, and it’s nobody’s fault. It’s just the way the business is running, how it’s done. Trae was a tremendous player in an Atlanta Hawks jersey. No one could ever take that from him. What he did was very special.”
Feb 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) dribbles in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
When you think about the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes to mind.
SGA has been the face of the Thunder, winning the league MVP and Finals MVP last season. When he’s been healthy, he’s been dominant again this season.
But with SGA missing time due to an injury, another former Kentucky Wildcat has stepped up the last few games. Cason Wallace has been a key piece for the Thunder, averaging around 23 points per game the last three games to go along with about 5 rebounds and just over 7 assists.
On Tuesday, Wallace led OKC to a victory in Toronto with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists on 11-16 shooting. Last night, the Thunder fell to the Detroit Pistons, but Wallace scored 23 points to go along with 5 assists and knocked down 3-6 from beyond the arc.
It’s unknown right now when SGA will return. He’s expected to be evaluated in the coming days, but if you’re the Thunder, you have to like how Cason Wallace has emerged in his absence and what he can provide moving forward during the remainder of the season.
Tweet of the Day
The case for Kentucky Basketball having a GM is very simple
1. College BB is a business and you need someone understanding and handling that business daily
2. Virtually every good program in the country has one except us
The Boston Bruins dismantled their roster ahead of the 2025 NHL trade deadline and dealt away many veteran players — including Brad Marchand, Brandon Carlo, Trent Frederic, and Charlie Coyle, among others — for draft picks and prospects.
It was the right decision at the time as the B’s were on their way to finishing with the league’s fifth-worst record. There was no playoff hockey at TD Garden for the first time since 2016.
The Carlo trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs has been a home run for the Bruins so far. The Coyle trade with the Colorado Avalanche has been a success for Boston, too.
Coyle returns to TD Garden on Thursday for the first time since the trade. He comes back to his hometown rink as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who acquired him in a trade with the Avs last June.
Here’s a recap of the March 7, 2025 trade between the Bruins and Avalanche:
The NHL player the Bruins got in return for Coyle was forward Casey Mittelstadt. He has tallied 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 47 games this season. He’s on pace to score 15-plus goals for the fourth time in his career. He’s also making a positive impact on Boston’s power play, which ranks third in the league with a 26.9 percent success rate. His 52.2 percent faceoff win rate is a career high as well.
Mittelstadt is a solid middle-six forward who’s versatile enough to play center or wing.
Will Zeller has exciting upside
The Bruins also acquired prospect Will Zellers in the Coyle trade. Zellers was a third-round pick by the Avalanche in 2024. He led the USHL in goals with 44 during the 2024-25 season and earned USHL Player of the Year and Forward of the Year awards.
Zellers has carried that success to the University of North Dakota, where he is having a tremendous freshman season with 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists) in 31 games for the No. 3 ranked team in the nation.
Zellers has exciting goal-scoring ability with the potential to be a top-six wing in the NHL.
The Bruins also received a 2025 second-round pick from the Avalanche in the Coyle deal, which turned out to be the No. 62 overall selection. Boston picked Swedish defenseman Liam Pettersson, who skates really well and has an impressive offensive skill. He’s still a raw talent, but there’s a lot to like about his skill set.
Coyle has been productive in Columbus
How is Coyle playing for the Blue Jackets?
He’s been a dependable two-way center and a strong leader for a young Blue Jackets squad. He has 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) in 56 games. He had 35 points in 82 games last season, so he’s bounced back offensively and could reach 50-plus points for just the third time in his career.
The verdict
Even though Coyle is playing well, the trade still has worked out pretty well for the Bruins, and there’s a strong possibility that it could get much better depending on how Zellers and Pettersson develop. Mittelstadt is six years younger than Coyle and has proven to be a good fit in the lineup as a versatile forward.
The final grade on the Coyle trade won’t be complete for several years, but the players involved will have a real impact on this season’s playoff race. The Bruins occupy the second wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings, and one of the teams chasing them four points back is the Blue Jackets.
Thursday’s matchup is the first of three meetings between the Bruins and Blue Jackets over the next seven weeks. Valuable points in the playoffs are at stake in these matchups, and you can bet Coyle and Mittelstadt will have their say in the outcome.
May 20, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ryan Weathers (35) looks on against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
We’re a week into spring training games getting underway now, and the Yankees have some interesting highlights develop already. Perhaps the most intriguing name on everyone’s tongue after his first appearance has been Ryan Weathers, the left-handed arm that proved to be one of the few new faces the Yankees brought on board over the course of the offseason.
Weathers landed in New York via a trade with the Marlins for a package of four minor leaguers with the main purpose of boosting the early season rotation while several key arms finish up recovery from surgery and go through rehab stints. He likely is set to slide into the bullpen afterwards, but he can make his case to be something more if he can consistently showcase his new form. Weathers touched 100 mph on his fastball in a 3.2 inning start against the Nationals, allowing just a single hit and striking out five while getting over a 50 percent whiff rate on the day. Weathers’ stuff impressed as soon as camp opened, with his versatile repertoire catching people’s eyes, but to be in this form after his first start of spring eyebrows across the league are getting raised.
The Yankees are no strangers to spring successes, and plenty have translated while others fizzled out immediately. Just last year the team enjoyed a renaissance spring from Carlos Carrasco, gave him the fifth starter job as a fill-in with Gerrit Cole out for the year, and watched as he turned into a pumpkin as soon as April rolled around. Weathers is a lot younger than Carrasco, so the stuff disappearing is less of a concern, but he does carry a lengthy injury history around already and last year was no exception — he made just eight starts and pitched 38.1 innings overall. So do the Yankees have something to get excited about in Weathers, or should calmer minds prevail before shooting off fireworks about snagging him out of Miami? It’s completely fair to want more than just a single spring start before declaring him a budding ace for the rotation, but do you think he could prove to be a significant contributor throughout 2026?
Today on the site, John takes us through the time-honored tradition of taking a look at where all of the recent ex-Yankees landed for 2026. Then, Estevão recalls the career of Johnny Blanchard and his contribution to the early 60s Yankees on his birthday, Michael previews Ben Rice’s upcoming season after dominating the metrics but getting unlucky in the process, and Nick gives us our next team preview with the Twins on the docket. Finally, after today’s spring training game Andrés writes about the benefits to the race for the last few bullpen spots being highly-competitive.
Broadcaster Stephen A. Smith is known for his outspoken personality, whether it’s discussing sports across the ESPN platform or talking about politics wherever he can.
Smith spoke with Graham Bensinger, host of "In Depth with Graham Bensinger," and provided some clarification on several notable topics involving himself, including his relationship with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and a potential 2028 presidential campaign.
Stephen A. Smith on beef with LeBron James
Smith has often been critical of James, the face of the NBA for nearly two decades.
Smith didn’t completely shy away when asked about the tension between him and the 23-year NBA veteran. The media personality was not willing to fully divulge some of the things powering the “beef,” though.
“My daughters love LeBron. And I had to look at them and say, ‘Yeah, he is phenomenal.’ They ain't lying. He's one of the greatest ever. And so, again, you can have differences with people, but if you're a grownup, if you're a man, you're able to compartmentalize and say, 'we might have a disagreement.'
“We might have a beef,” Smith said. “... It doesn't mean you should look at him in a negative kind of way. I might have affected him in ways that other people haven't, and that might have provoked him to do whatever, I don't know. But at the end of the day, I just know that I'm 58 years old and I'm not interested in walking around bitter and with a grudge and with all of this other nonsense.
Smith’s latest remarks come nearly a year after he was confronted by James while sitting courtside after the Lakers’ 113-109 overtime win over the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena on March 6, 2025.
Smith has leaned on the support of his peers and colleagues when he needs it.
“There are people who helped (following the confrontation with James),” Smith said. “Charles Barkley got on me. Kenny Smith is like a brother to me, got on me. Shaq, and then guys internally, Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears. I love those brothers. They're my brothers. And they weren't the only ones.”
Will Stephen A. Smith make a presidential run?
Smith has dabbled in politics over the years as a media personality. He decided to expand that part of his career, hosting a show on SiriusXM radio, covering politics and news that's happening outside of the sports world. That began in September 2025.
He’s also been mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.
“Do I desire the campaign and be on the campaign circuit and running for office? No, I do not,” Smith said. “Do I desire to be on a debate stage to call out these politicians for what they have done to compromise this country? Yes, I do.
“That's where it gets serious for me, because you can enter the debate and then leave after the debate and decide you're not running.”
Smith also made it clear he intends to have the opportunity to ask politicians to justify what they've "done to contribute to the chaos that's happened in the streets of America."
“I want you to look at us in the face and justify the divide that you've caused, the friction that you've caused,” Smith said.
