Category: Sports News

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Dramatic moment cops aim guns at NBA rookie after highway chase — as his hopeless prediction about basketball future revealed

Pacers rookie Kam Jones questioned his NBA future after he was ordered out of his car at gunpoint following a police chase last year, new body cam footage obtained by The California Post shows.

Jones’ dramatic encounter with Indiana State Police occurred in Indianapolis on Oct. 10, 2025, after he allegedly hit speeds of over 100 mph and then refused to immediately pull over.

Pacers rookie Kam Jones was pulled over in October after he allegedly reached speeds of over 100 mph. Indiana State Police
Jones was adamant he did not mean to evade police officers on purpose. Indiana State Police

Cops were seen in the newly released video training their guns on Jones before they demanded he exit his ride and walk toward them slowly.

When Jones, 24, ultimately complied and was placed in handcuffs, he insisted he was not trying to evade them on purpose.

“I feel very confused right now,” the basketball player said. “Honestly, I saw your right blinker on, so I’m like, ‘Is he trying to get by me?’ So, I was trying to get out your way.”

Jones explained he was driving quickly because he was late for a practice. He was then stunned to learn cops intended to take him to jail over his behavior.

Jones told cops he was driving quickly because he was late for practice. Indiana State Police

“I’m going to jail?” he asked.

“Yeah,” one cop responded. “Reckless driving and resisting law enforcement.”

“I didn’t know you were trying to pull me over, though,” Jones said.

“You could have fooled me,” the officer said.

As police took Jones toward the back of a squad car, a Pacers assistant coach appeared on the scene. However, cops would not let the two communicate and the Indiana staffer drove off moments later.

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Jones played in 37 games for the Pacers this past season. Getty Images

One officer then asked about Jones’ life, and at one point, the cop noticed Jones’ 6-foot-3 frame and wondered if he played point guard or shooting guard.

Jones then somberly said, “I’m about to be nothing no more.”

“Why not?” the cop asked.

“I just didn’t realize I was driving that fast,” Jones said.

Jones was arrested and booked on two charges following his October encounter with Indiana State Police. Marion County Sheriff's Office

Jones was eventually taken to a nearby jail and booked on reckless driving and resisting law enforcement charges. Following his release, he apologized to his team and media members and said the situation was a “mistake that I’ve learned from.”

Prosecutors ended up charging Jones with misdemeanor reckless driving in January, but court records show the count was dismissed in March after Jones entered a pretrial diversion program.

Jones, the No. 38 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, played in 37 games for the Pacers this past season, logging 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest.

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GUARDIANS AT TWINS: Bradley vs. Cantillo, discussion

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 01, 2026: Joey Cantillo #54 and Austin Hedges #27 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate as they walk off the field during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field on July 01, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Here’s the Guardians lineup:

Here’s the Twins lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

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Cole Smith Is Eager To Get His Chicago Blackhawks Chapter Started

Cole Smith is an interesting signing for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is a forward who brings a physical presence that the Blackhawks have lacked during the Connor Bedard era. Their bottom six is starting to take shape with the addition of Smith. 

There are a lot of combinations that could work with a player like this added to the mix, but you'd think some trio including Smith and the newly acquired Jordan Greenway will make up the fourth line. 

On Tuesday, Smith met with the Chicago media for the first time, and he had some interesting things to say about his earliest days as a member of the organization. 

A lot of his early comments have to do with him coming off a trip to the Stanley Cup Final with the Vegas Golden Knights, and how he can use that experience to help his new young team. 

"Being so close, it really drives you. You want to get back there again really badly," Smith said. "I had a little bit of that taste of success in the playoffs. That's something that's going to keep driving me forward to want to get back there." 

Being a strong and physical player is what drew the Blackhawks to Smith. They have been easy to play against in recent years, and now they have a handful of players who can help change that narrative.

Smith was a big part of Vegas' fourth line for that reason, and they were a key contributor to the team's overall success. 

"There are a lot of good players in the NHL and AHL," Smith said. "Finding a part of your game that will make you stick is very important. I've been able to find that and stay consistent. "That's how I've been able to stick and sign contracts in the NHL." 

There was a bit of a personal touch to this conversation for Cole Smith, too, including a chat about his time with the Chicago Wolves. Besides playing against the Blackhawks at the United Center, however, he has never explored the city. He plans on doing that a lot more once he finds a house in town and arrives on a full-time basis. 

Smith has mostly signed short-term deals in the NHL up to this point. Three years isn't a huge contract by any means, but he is happy to settle down and have a bit of stability for a while.

In the middle of all this, before coming to Chicago to stay, he and his fiancée are going to get married in Nashville. That will be part of what Smith describes as a "busy" summer that will consist of packing up in both Minnesota and Nashville, along with the aforementioned wedding, before moving it all to Illinois. 

Landing an NHL free agent isn't just a team going out and signing a guy. The player has to agree to it. Smith saw things in the organization that helped him believe in the future of the club. 

"You can tell they have high-end offense," Smith said of the team on the ice. "They take little plays and put it in the back of the net. You can tell playing against them that they are a young team and susceptible to some things. That young offense is very striking. As far as wanting to sign there, what stood out to me is how much they wanted me to be a part of their group. They made me feel special. They really wanted to get me in on that third or fourth line."

At 30 years old, Cole Smith is far from being "old", but he is much older than most of the group he will share a locker room with. He believes in "leading by example" but admitted that he will say something if it needs to be said, which is exactly the type of veteran presence that the Blackhawks need right now. 

It sounds like, for a variety of reasons, Smith is eager to get to Chicago so he can help the Blackhawks take a step in their rebuild. They have sorely missed depth at forward for a long time, and now they have a little more. 

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Pirates breakout star pitcher Braxton Aschcraft officially named to NL All-Star team

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Paul Skenes #30 after pitching against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park on July 4, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It took a few days longer than it should have, but Braxton Ashcraft is an All-Star.

The Pirates’ best starting pitcher in 2026, Ashcraft has burst onto the scene in his first full year as a major leaguer.

In 18 starts, Ashcraft owns a 3.24 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 122 strikeouts in 108.1 innings.

Ashcraft originally wasn’t voted to the National League All-Star roster, but was named as a replacement for Paul Skenes.

Skenes was the only Pirate initially selected to the Mid-Summer Classic on the other side of the state in Philadelphia.

Ashcraft, 26, owns a 10.14 K/9 and has been one of the biggest surprises of any NL pitcher.

The strong right-hander is fourth in the National League in strikeouts (122), fourth in innings (108.1), 11th in ERA (3.24), and tied for ninth in wins (9-3). 

The Pirates are 12-6 in games that Ashcraft starts. 

Ashcraft owns two starts this season with 10 or more strikeouts and not allowing a free pass.

He’s allowed two or fewer runs in 14 of his 18 starts. In the midst of an unstable rotation, Ashcraft has been the anchor that Pittsburgh has relied on. 

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game will commence on Tuesday, July 14, at 8 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

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Game Discussion for St. Louis Cardinals vs Milwaukee Brewers Game 2 Tuesday

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 31: Hunter Dobbins #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals pithes against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on May 31, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The St. Louis Cardinals will play game 2 of their day/night doubleheader Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers with Hunter Dobbins getting the start for the birds. The Brew Crew will assign night pitching duties to Robert Gasser who’s 1-3 with a 4.54 ERA. First pitch scheduled for 6:45pm central time with the game broadcast available again on Cardinals.tv.

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Blackhawks Reveal Numbers For Their New Players

The Chicago Blackhawks have made multiple new additions to their roster this off-season. Now, they have revealed the numbers for their newcomers. 

Blackhawks' top off-season addition Bowen Byram will wear No. 24 for the Blackhawks. This is a change for the 25-year-old blueliner, as he wore No. 4 for both the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres. The most recent Blackhawks player to wear No. 24 was Jaycob Megna during the 2023-24 season. 

Jordan Greenway, who was also acquired from the Sabres, will wear No. 12 for the Blackhawks. The 6-foot-6 winger wore No. 12 during his time with Buffalo. The most recent player to wear No. 12 for the Blackhawks was Sacha Boisvert, but he will now be switching to No. 90. 

Cole Smith will rock No. 22 for the Blackhawks, just like he did with the Vegas Golden Knights last season. Joey Anderson was the most recent player to wear No. 22 for Chicago, as he did during the 2024-25 season. 

As for Ian Cole, he will sport No. 28 for the Blackhawks. The last player to wear No. 28 for the Blackhawks was Andre Burakovsky, who was traded to the Ottawa Senators earlier this off-season.

As for exciting prospect Roman Kantserov, he will wear No. 80 for the Blackhawks. The 21-year-old rocked No. 8 for Metallurg Magnitogorsk last season, but that is currently taken on Chicago by Ryan Donato. He will be the second player in Blackhawks history to wear No. 80. The first was Antoine Vermette during the 2014-15 season.

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Happy Birthday Joe Sakic: Celebrating The Man Who Became The Colorado Avalanche

Some athletes are remembered for the numbers they put up. Others are remembered for the championships they helped deliver. Then there are players who become something bigger — the face of a franchise, the person whose story becomes inseparable from the team itself.

Joe Sakic is one of those players.

Born on July 7, 1969, in Burnaby, British Columbia, Sakic’s career was tied to one of the most important transformations in NHL history. From the Quebec Nordiques to the Colorado Avalanche, he experienced nearly every chapter a franchise can go through: the struggles, the relocation, the rise to dominance, and eventually the work of building it all over again as an executive. 

For the Avalanche, Sakic was never just a great player. He became the example of what the organization wanted to be. 

Selected 15th overall by the Nordiques in the 1987 NHL Draft, Sakic entered the league during a difficult period for the franchise. The Nordiques had endured years near the bottom of the standings, but they had found the player who would eventually become the centerpiece of their turnaround.

The growth didn’t happen overnight.

Sakic developed alongside the team, eventually taking over as captain in 1992 and helping change the culture around the organization. He wasn’t someone who needed to be the loudest person in the room. His leadership showed up in the details — the preparation, the consistency, and the standard he set for everyone around him.

The Nordiques weren’t just looking for wins. They were searching for an identity.

When the franchise moved to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche, Sakic immediately proved why he was the player they had built around.

During the 1995-96 season, he recorded 120 points and helped lead Colorado to the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. In the postseason, Sakic added 34 points and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

The Avalanche had arrived, and Sakic was the centerpiece of it.

Five years later, he reached another defining point in his career. During the 2000-01 season, Sakic recorded 118 points, won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, and once again helped guide Colorado to a Stanley Cup championship.

But the image that still stands out from that championship run came after the final victory.

When Sakic received the Stanley Cup, he immediately handed it to Ray Bourque, his teammate who had spent 22 seasons chasing the one championship that had always eluded him with the Boston Bruins. To this day, it probably stands as one of the most iconic, if not the most iconic Cup lifts in the history of the sport. 

Even as one of the greatest players of his generation, he understood that hockey was never about one person.

After retiring in 2009, Sakic’s connection to the Avalanche continued — only this time from behind the scenes and cleaner. No more smelly gear, but expensive suits. 

He transitioned into the front office and eventually became the architect of Colorado’s next championship team. As general manager, Sakic helped build the roster that captured the 2022 Stanley Cup, the third championship in franchise history.

The season was another historic achievement for Sakic. He was named the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year, recognizing his work in building a team that finally reached the top after years of patience and development.

Very few people in hockey history can claim what Sakic has accomplished. He won championships as a player and then helped construct another championship team as an executive with the same organization.

That is what makes Sakic’s career so special. He was part of every defining era of the franchise, helping establish the standard on the ice before later helping restore it from the front office.

From Quebec to Colorado, his impact has always extended beyond goals, assists, and trophies.

It was about loyalty. It was about leadership. It was about perseverance.

It was about doing things the right way.

Joe Sakic wasn’t just “Super Joe.”

Joe Sakic was the Colorado Avalanche.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Sakic.

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Game 91 Game Day Thread – Anaheim Angels @ Texas Rangers

May 27, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Degrom (48) comes off the field after he pitches against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Anaheim Angels @ Texas Rangers

Tuesday, July 07, 2026, 7:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

The Shed

RHP Jose Soriano vs. RHP Jacob deGrom

Today’s Lineups

ANGELSRANGERS
Zach Neto – SSJoc Pederson – DH
Nolan Schanuel – 1BJosh Smith – 2B
Denzer Guzman – 3BJake Burger – 1B
Jorge Soler – DHBrandon Nimmo – RF
Josh Lowe – CFEzequiel Duran – 3B
Jo Adell – RFEvan Carter – CF
Oswald Peraza – 2BAlejandro Osuna – LF
Wade Meckler – LFElias Diaz – C
Logan O’Hoppe – CNicky Lopez – SS
Jose Soriano – RHPJacob deGrom – RHP

Go Rangers!

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Deloitte review: Premier League clubs’ pre-tax losses surge by 600% to £948m

  • Losses increase between 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons

  • Transfer spend and lack of one-off sales account for rise

The combined pre-tax losses of Premier League clubs climbed from £135m in the 2023-24 season to £948m in 2024-25, according to Deloitte’s annual review of football finance.

This rise was attributed by Deloitte to transfer spending and the absence of significant profits from one-off sales. Net debt of Premier League clubs was up to £3.6bn in 2024-25, compared to £3.5bn the season before, Deloitte found.

Continue reading...
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Yankees' Ben Rice to get his Home Run Derby dream with dad pitching

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Ben Rice and his father have dreamed and talked about it since he was a little kid. On Monday night, it happens for real, on a big league field with his dad on the mound.

The Yankees’ young slugger is in the Home Run Derby and Dan Rice, his father, is coming to throw to him. The elder Rice pitched at Brown in the 1980s and has never really stopped tossing to his son since he was able to hold a bat. On Monday, July 13, it'll just be at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia in front of the whole country instead of in their backyard.

“That was always a lifelong dream of both of ours,” Rice said Tuesday, June 7 before New York took on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. “So I am really looking forward to it.”

Rice, 27, is a first-time All-Star and a first-time entrant in the derby. He has the credentials, as he has grown into the bat that has kept the Yankees' lineup afloat while Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are hurt.

That he is the one everyone expected to step up and fill in for Judge and Stanton is an almost dream in and of itself.

The Yankees took him in the 12th round of the 2021 draft, the 363rd pick overall out of Dartmouth. He didn't care about pedigree and crashed the big leagues as a rookie in July 2024 with a three-homer game against the Red Sox, the first Yankees rookie to ever do that. A breakout 2025 followed, and this season, the left-handed hitting first baseman and designated hitter has become one of the most productive bats in the American League.

More: MLB All-Star snubs: More Phillies, Braves and Rays? Absolutely.

Going into Tuesday night's game, Rice was hitting .267 with 25 homers, tied for the fifth-most in the majors and third in the American League.

A Yankee has not won the Derby since Judge in 2017 in Miami. Before him, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano took the title. Jazz Chisholm Jr. entered last year but went out in the first round with three home runs.

The blueprint Rice is following worked a year ago. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh won the 2025 Derby in Atlanta with his father pitching to him and his younger brother behind the plate, becoming the first catcher to win it. The man Raleigh beat in the final, Rays slugger Junior Caminero, is the only other hitter so far committed to the field in Philadelphia next week.

MLB reworked the format for this year, moving away from the timed rounds players griped were too tiring. There are now 20 swings in round one, 15 in round two and 15 in the final.

Rice likes the change not only for his own sake, but for his dad's.

“It also takes some pressure off the BP thrower, because I have to swing at every pitch," he said. "Overall it’s a positive change.”

He has done a version of this before. In his summer college league in 2020, tie games were settled with a home run swing-off.

“I did that three times that year,” Rice said.

He won all three.

That’s about as much preparation Rice is taking into this.

“I haven’t really thought about strategy,” Rice said. “I just kind of want to enjoy it. Have fun taking BP with my dad at a big league field, in front of a bunch of people. It should be cool.”

That experience with his dad was why Rice said yes to this opportunity. It's a chance to share what has been a Cinderella-like big league career with the man that got him started.

His dad’s stuff, by the son’s scouting report, is not quite what it was. Dan Rice had a good curveball “back in the day,” his son said. The family is already reminding him not to throw any breaking balls in the derby and just groove them in for his son.

“He always throws to me in the offseason, still,” Rice said. “So his lifetime pitch count is through the roof at this point. We’ll keep adding to that total on Monday.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yankees' Ben Rice to get his Home Run Derby dream with dad pitching

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Hawks vs. Grizzlies, Summer League: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 4: Jacob Toppin #15 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz during a 2026 NBA Salt Lake City Summer League game on July 4, 2026 at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Hawks will be a bit shorthanded to take on Cam Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies.

Please join in the comments below as you follow along.

Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen

Location: Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT

Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT

TV: ESPN U, NBA TV

Radio: N/A

Streaming: Prime, Fubo

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Why the NBA hasn’t finalized the Miles Bridges trade yet

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 07: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets posts up against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of game at Spectrum Center on January 07, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s transaction day in the NBA, seeing as the new league year officially began yesterday. We’re seeing plenty of notifications and press releases about players re-signing with the Phoenix Suns, including Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and Mark Williams. Things that were previously reported are now becoming official, which is all part of the process once the calendar turns.

But there is one thing we have not seen come through officially yet. The Miles Bridges trade. And per Espo of PHNX, we shouldn’t expect anything until at least July 9.

Why is this?

It has everything to do with how active the Charlotte Hornets have been during this offseason cycle. Not only did they deal Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, and a 2033 first-round pick, but they also traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Add in Minnesota trading Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, and this could end up becoming a five- or six-team deal by the time everything is finalized. There are plenty of i’s and lowercase j’s to dot, and plenty of t’s to cross.

The biggest snag in this mega-trade from occurring is the contract of Mouhamadou Gueye, who is being traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a three-team Julius Randle-to-Brooklyn deal. Gueye is not eligible to be traded until July 9, seeing as he was signed on April 9.

So the reason we haven’t seen the Bridges trade officially go through yet is most likely because these transactions could be combined.

We could also see other things happen as a result. Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale could potentially be rerouted to either Minnesota or Brooklyn, which means Phoenix’s final return might end up being more than Miles Bridges, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick. If either player is rerouted, there’s a chance another second-round pick could come Phoenix’s way as part of the larger transaction.

It remains to be seen what the final verbiage of this deal will be, but I will say this. For those who believe the trade not being official yet means the organization could still rescind it due to any pushback surrounding Miles Bridges, that probably isn’t happening. That’s not why this trade is being held up. It’s being held up because there are multiple moving parts, tax implications, apron implications, and legal details that need to be properly addressed to make sure the trade is valid and executable.

What looks like a delay is really the NBA’s version of back-office work. Fans understandably want closure, especially with a trade this polarizing, but the league office is more concerned with making every cap sheet, exception, and transaction line up than satisfying the news cycle. Until every piece of the larger puzzle fits, the Bridges deal will remain in limbo on paper, even if its outcome has almost certainly already been decided. 

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Diamondbacks Reacts Survey: 99 Problems…

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 11: L-R) Merrill Kelly #29, Scott McGough #30 and Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks wait to be introduced prior to Game 3 of the Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Diamondbacks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

We are now less than a month out from the trade deadline, and the D-backs still find themselves in an awkward position on the edge of the wild-card race. They are neither so far out of it that selling is the only sensible option, nor are they right in the heart of things, where adding pieces would clearly make sense. There are certainly no shortage of obvious ways in which the team could be improved, and that’s what this week’s survey is about. I’m highlighting five particular areas, though two of these are different sides of the same count. I still reckon they are each worth considering separately.

Zac Gallen’s rotation spot

It’s interesting to recall that the D-backs actually made Gallen a qualifying offer last winter. He rejected it, failed to find a buyer in free agency, then came back to Arizona for the same price, with a significant deferral. To be blunt, the D-backs shouldn’t have bothered. Zac’s -1.6 bWAR is the worst of any pitcher in baseball this year, a combination of his bloated ERA (6.36 going into tonight’s start against the Padres) and high usage. Starters with ERAs that high, typically don’t stick around in rotations. His strikeout rate has cratered to just five and a half per nine innings, leaving Zac currently dead-last among qualified starters. Is he fixable?

Merrill Kelly’s rotation spot

On the one hand, Kelly hasn’t been as bad. His ERA of 5.71 is two-thirds of a run below Gallen, and he has shown flashes of his old self. A complete game in Coors Field is no mean feat, certainly. On the other hand, Merrill’s peripherals are worse than Zac’s, with a similar K/9 (5.50), but higher walk and HR rates. Consequently, his FIP is two-thirds of a run higher and his xERA (based on contact quality) is a monstrous 7.80, almost a run and a half worse. Kelly is also under contract for 2027 as well (providing there is a season), and turns 38 in mid-October. If he has hit the aging well, next year could be even more disastrous than this one.

First base

It has been well-recorded that this position has reached historical levels of suck for the 2026 Diamondbacks. First base has posted this line for Arizona, across 359 plate appearances: .214/.256/.310 for an OPS of just .565. That’s sixty-seven points of OPS below any other team in the majors this year. Indeed, it’s the lowest OPS from the position in the last hundred years. The only sides below Arizona in the live-ball era both played in the 1920 season. Nobody has been able to produce there for the Diamondbacks. Ildemaro Vargas’s .633 OPS is the best of anyone with more than a handful of PA at 1B, and he stopped hitting after April.

Designated hitter

Some slack can perhaps be given to first base, since defense is a part of the equation there. The same cannot be said for the DH spot, which is literally all about the offense. It’s in the damn name, f’heavens sake. But Arizona’s DHs are hitting not much better than their 1Bs: .218/.294/.317 for a .611 OPS. Of the five players to have 25+ PA at the spot, everyone bar Ketel Marte has an OPS of .531 or lower. The entire position has hit just five home-runs for Arizona over 331 at-bats – no team in the majors has fewer homers by its designated hitters. Frankly, I’d almost rather see our pitchers try to hit, the results have been that feeble.

Center field

This one seems to have slid through the cracks a bit. But as at first-base, the D-backs rank dead last in the majors by OPS at the spot. Arizona’s CFs are batting below the Uecker Line at .198, the three (3) home-runs aren’t helping, and a K:BB ratio of 90:21 also factors into the .574 OPS. If not as “once in a century” historically bad as first – you only have to go back two years to find the Cardinals getting a .570 OPS from the center fielders – it’s an area where the team has clearly struggled. The youth movement Arizona has tried there, with almost every game this season started by someone no older then 25, is clearly not a success to the current point.

So, there’s your options. But if you had a One Wish Willow, and could address just a single of the above issues, which one would you consider the biggest? That’s what the poll below is for, and as ever, explain your choice in the comments for a shot at inclusion in the results post on Saturday!

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LeBron James free agency roundup: Teams are still in the dark about James’s plans

Nov 25, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the rest of the basketball world are waiting to see what LeBron James does in free agency. As has been the case throughout the better part of the last several weeks, there hasn’t been too much noise from James’s camp. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess as to what he’s thinking. There is, however, some reporting out there that could give a hint as to what James is planning on doing.

The big news of the day for the Cavs was signing Donovan Mitchell to a four-year contract extension. That deal is guaranteed to keep him through the end of the 2029-30 season, and includes a player option for the season after.

Despite the potentially $273 million extension the Cavs gave out on Tuesday, the 41-year-old James is still Cleveland’s top priority, and that is something Mitchell is fully on board with, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Charania said that Mitchell has been an “active” and “significant part” of the Cavs conversations about improving the roster.

How much you want to read into this is up to you, but this is worth pointing out because of what James’s agent, Rich Paul, said earlier in the infamous whiteboard episode of the Game Over podcast. LeBron would need the blessing of the incumbent star before he signs somewhere. Presumably, he has that with Mitchell and with James Harden, considering he’s reportedly willing to make less money annually to open up room for James.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Marc Stein and Jake Fisher reaffirmed previous reports that James won’t be personally meeting with teams. They reached out to Rich Paul for a comment on where things stand, and were told, “There’s an argument for several teams but ultimately the decision will be LeBron’s and whatever he feels he [should] do.”

The Athletic published a lengthy piece Tuesday morning, going through the potential suitors for LeBron with several different contributors.

Joe Vardon wrote that the Cavs are in the dark about what James might do. The same is true for the others. The Golden State Warriors are losing optimism, according to Nick Friedell. The Miami Heat aren’t “one of the front-runners,” based on James Jackson. The Minnesota Timberwolves believe signing James is a “long shot,” wrote Jon Krawczynski. Tony Jones believes that the basketball fit is good with the Philadelphia 76ers, but not enough to make them the favorites.

The Denver Nuggets seem to be the lone exception to this feeling. Sam Amick reported that the Nuggets haven’t heard much from James or his camp, but the team believes they are “still in it.” Maybe they are. We’ll see.

Charania reported in a separate interview that his hierarchy of these teams based on who he’s talked to is “Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia and then some teams on the peripheral.”

Brian Windhorst said on his weekly YouTube video with ESPN Cleveland that the “vibes are pointing towards Cleveland” based on those he’s been talking with. However, he added that even those around LeBron don’t know what he’s going to do.

The lack of actual, concrete noise has left a vacuum. Much of the noise online is speculation. Some of it is informed, most of it isn’t.

We’ll keep waiting and see how this plays out. We know that the Cavs are interested in LeBron and that there’s plenty of reason to believe a farewell tour is how this ends. However, when and if that happens remains to be seen.