Feb 20, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (3) jogs to the dugout in the first inning against the San Diego Padres during a Spring Training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images | Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
The World Baseball Classic kicks off for real today, with Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) taking on Australia at 7pm PT. Will you be tuning in? How much of this year’s tournament do you plan on consuming?
Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 162 games for his second positive test for PEDs. Profar faced his first suspension less than a year ago after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin.
Philles outfielder Johan Rojas also tested positive for PEDs, though he is appealing the ruling. If he loses his appeal, he will face an 80-game suspension for his first offense.
Red Sox infielder Brendan Rodgers will likely require shoulder surgery, ending any hopes he had of mounting a comeback in 2026.
In what’s likely to be his final run as a baseball manager, Dusty Baker is taking on the task of leading Team Nicaragua despite having no connection to the country. Michael Clair has the story on what this job means to Dusty and to the players.
Zach Crizer documented the evolution of the baseball slide, and applauded the rules being set up in such a way to encourage “weird” slides.
If you’re a parent of a child, you’ve probably grown tired of having to hear “six-seven” all the time. Well, try being a baseball player forced to wear the number during spring training, as Sam Blum at The Athletic reports. ($)
Detroit Tigers catcher Eduardo Valencia bats against New York Yankees during the second inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
One of the most fun things about covering the minor leagues and prospects is when a previously unheralded player suddenly puts it together and goes nuts. Eduardo Valencia wasn’t even a mention on most prospect rankings the past few years as injuries, struggles at the plate, and slow defensive development left him looking like an org catcher who would never amount to more. There were always flashes of power and some stretches of good production as he slowly grinded his way through A-ball and into the upper minors, but no one predicted the monster campaign Valencia put together in 2025.
Valencia was signed by the Tigers as an international free agent out of Valencia, Venezuela way back in 2018. He broke out of the rookie ball levels a little late, as a 21-year-old, and then battled injuries in 2022-2024, playing just 126 games over that span. He always walked a good amount and had the bat to ball skills to make plenty of good contact, but he didn’t hit many homers, and he struggled to develop behind the plate. The latter remains an issue that may limit his major league utility.
The big revelation was Valencia’s bat. Finally healthy and getting regular reps, he erupted for a combined 24 home runs and a 159 wRC+ evenly split between Double and Triple-A in 2025. Even better, he improved his strikeout and walk numbers upon advancing to the Toledo Mud Hens roster, and tapped into even more power at the higher level. He posted a 12.6 percent walk rate and a good 19.9 percent strikeout rate for the Hens, and looking through his Statcast numbers it’s hard to find a major weakness.
Valencia demolished fastballs all season long and handled better velocity well. Offspeed stuff gave him no trouble at all either. He hit left and right handed pitching well, showed off plus raw power, and really the only flaw was some modest struggles against good breaking stuff. That didn’t really show up until pitchers started spamming the softer stuff once it was clear that throwing him too many fastballs was a terrible idea. Valencia’s discipline and consistent hard contact started getting attention in Erie, but he just kept getting better in Toledo and poured it on with a finish that left many hoping for a call-up to try and jumpstart the sputtering Tigers’ offense in September.
There’s a lot to like in him as a hitter. Valencia is a well built individual with a lot of rotational power, and his adjustments toward quieter hands and a bigger leg kick helped him to get on time and drive the ball in the air a lot last year. He can juice it out to the opposite field as well, but he tends to line the ball to right field and pull it in the air, which is the preferred combination. He doesn’t chase much and while he’ll take his hacks early in counts and against mistakes, he can also shorten up to spray the ball once he’s deep in a count. If he can lay off more breaking balls and wait out pitchers trying to get him to chase, Valencia likely has a long career ahead of him as at least a solid power hitter. The issue remains finding his defensive home.
The Tigers started playing him more at first base last year once he jumped to Toledo. He wasn’t all that adept at picking throws out of the dirt and needs improvement there and in his footwork. He’s decidedly not fleet of foot, and needs plenty of reps at the position to improve both around the bag and just in terms of handling harder ground balls. Still as a catcher making the move to first base, it’s probable that he’ll eventually be roughly average at the position and he hasn’t really spent much time focusing on it yet.
Behind the plate, Valencia still lacks the framing, blocking, and pop times to play the position regularly at the major league level. He stands 6’1” but he’s quite stocky at this point, with below average speed and agility, which doesn’t bode real well for his ability to improve behind the dish. Gabe Alvarez, his manager in Toledo, preached some patience considering the injury history and lack of reps, and that carries some weight, but we’ll just have to see how he’s improved this spring after an offseason in which defense was a major focus for him.
On a club that highly values catchers for their defensive ability, it’s hard to imagine Valencia getting much catching work without some real improvements. He’s clearly put a ton of work into it already, and so the odds of a major transformation at age 26 are slim.
So, the Tigers have an intriguing bat-first power hitter, whose lack of a true defensive home may stall his major league debut a while longer. They added Valencia to the 40-man roster back in November, knowing there was no way he’d get through the Rule 5 draft. If he can continue refining his work at first base, it’s possible he could take some playing time from Spencer Torkelson, and if he continues to mash the Tigers will find a way to get him into the lineup one way or another. He could also make for an interesting trade chip this summer if the Tigers don’t really need him at first base and another team thinks they can get a little more out of him as a catcher at the major league level.
For now, Valencia is probably bound for Toledo to continue playing first base, working part-time as a catcher, and trying to improve his defensive profile overall. The combination of plate discipline, power, and contact ability is exciting, but the Tigers will probably let him simmer a while longer. Still, the bat was getting close to being undeniable last September, and he’s already homered and hit well in his few looks in Grapefruit League action so far this year. If he comes out raking this spring he’s going to force the Tigers’ hand, even if his optimal role is more of a DH and pinch-hitting specialist if the defense doesn’t improve.
Oct 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game three of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Big contract numbers do not shock baseball fans the way they once did.
A decade ago, a $300 million deal felt seismic. Today, Steve Cohen’s Mets have shown what happens when new money enters the sport, and the Dodgers have demonstrated how aggressive spending and deferred structures can be used as part of a fully operational Death Star. The financial ceiling keeps moving, labor issues loom, and what once felt extreme now feels routine.
That shifting reality brings us to Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Recently, Chisholm publicly stated he would seek a contract in the range of eight to ten years at roughly $35 million annually. The reactions ranged from jokes about Dr. Evil asking for $100 million to fans ready to print the contract themselves. Before debating years, injury history, or total value, the real question is more straightforward:
Would you want the Yankees to sign that deal today?
To answer that, we start with what Jazz has actually been since arriving in New York.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. in Pinstripes
Projecting Jazz based on his Miami seasons misses the point. The Yankees are evaluating a different version of the player than the one who left South Florida Since arriving in New York, Chisholm has produced at roughly a four-win pace over a full season while combining power, speed, and defensive versatility rarely found in a single roster spot.
Using a prorated 140-game pace based only on his statistics with the Yankees:
Player
OBP
OPS
HR
SB
fWAR
Chisholm
.330
.813
33
39
4.5
The context matters as much as the numbers.
Much of this production occurred while Jazz learned a brand-new defensive position at the MLB level, as the Yankees asked him to try third base for most late 2024 and early 2025 as they accomodated Gleyber Torres and (more questionably) DJ LeMahieu. The defensive results have varied across the diamond, but he has demonstrated he is a natural second baseman capable of handling multiple positions because of elite athleticism. Importantly, the offensive production remained stable throughout those adjustments and under the bright New York City lights.
In other words, the Yankees are evaluating a player who already produces like a long-term core piece. Across roughly a season and a third in pinstripes, Jazz has:
learned a new position
been an elite basestealer
produced the fourth-ever 30/30 season for the Yankees
That profile places him squarely as a modern long-term extension candidate.
The next question is: Does Jazz’s production match his asking price?
The Yankees’ Current Price: Cody Bellinger
The Yankees themselves recently gave us the clearest comparison point.
Cody Bellinger signed a five-year, $162.5 million contract this winter, carrying a $32.5 million annual average value (AAV) along with full no-trade protection and opt-outs.
Here is Bellinger’s most recent season compared directly with Jazz’s:
Player
Games
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
HR
SB
fWAR
Bellinger
152
.272
.334
.480
.813
29
13
5.1
Chisholm
130
.242
.332
.481
.813
31
31
4.2
The offensive production is nearly identical. Bellinger’s value leaned on durability and defensive stability, but the comparison establishes an important baseline, as the Yankees are already paying near Jazz’s asking price for similar recent production.
Jazz’s request does not introduce a new salary tier. It slides smoothly inside the one the Yankees themselves just validated.
The Current Market Rate: Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman provides league-wide context.
Here’s what the former Astro did with the Red Sox last year before cashing in on his new five-year deal with the Cubs:
Player
Games
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
HR
SB
fWAR
Bregman
114
.273
.360
.462
.821
18
1
3.5
Chisholm
130
.242
.332
.481
.813
31
31
4.2
His contract sits at $35 million annually, the exact annual value Chisholm referenced publicly.
Bregman represents the modern All-Star contract tier: highly productive players who are not necessarily generational superstars but serve as key foundational pieces for contenders.
Jazz’s ask lands directly within that band.
The Long-Term Blueprint: Francisco Lindor
The season and winter before the 2022 campaign reshaped long-term contracts and provides the clearest structural precedent for long-term deals signed around the last labor uncertainty cycle. The Mets were proactive and inked the Francisco Lindor deal in April after trading for him that offseason. At the time, with all record-setting contracts, reactions were mixed. Lindor was respected as elite, as he was hitting over 30 home runs and stealing over 20 bases a year with Cleveland before the COVID season. Additionally, he was a switch-hitting shortstop who was entering his prime but not universally viewed as a generational superstar.
Signed during his age-27 season, Lindor came to terms on a 10-year, $341 million deal, good for a $34.1 million AAV. This is what Lindor did last year, just before turning 32 in November.
Player
Games
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
HR
SB
fWAR
Lindor
160
.267
.346
.466
.811
31
31
5.9
Chisholm
130
.242
.332
.481
.813
31
31
4.2
Adjusted to today’s economic environment, Lindor’s deal equates to roughly $37.9 million annually over its remaining years.
Today, contracts like this feel normal. That evolution is the point.
The Real Questions
Strip away hindsight for a moment and put yourself in the front office chair:
• Using Cody Bellinger’s contract as the blueprint, would you pay Jazz a similar AAV plus inflation for three additional years?
• If the Astros could go back three years, would they sign Bregman to an eight-year, $264 million commitment?
• Would you have signed Lindor to his exact contract at the time, or at its inflation-adjusted value today for the remaining years?
• If you could sign your second baseman to an extension and remind the crosstown hedge fund manager that your second baseman statistically produces comparable value at a lower price point than his star shortstop, would you?
Bringing It Back to Jazz
Jazz publicly stating the high end of his range is simply sound negotiation. Players anchor high. Teams negotiate downward.
He also likely understands his place within the Yankees’ hierarchy. The organization will never value him the way it values Aaron Judge, and it should not. But the club should value him as it does Belli. Every era needs multiple complementary pieces, and sometimes the second or third name on the marquee matters just as much as the star attraction.
If the Yankees believe the version of Jazz Chisholm Jr. they have seen in pinstripes is real, waiting may only increase the cost. Players in their prime rarely become cheaper.
Another strong season, a rising market, or even a potential future labor standoff could push contracts into another inflationary cycle. Instead of gambling on what this season might bring, the Yankees could choose stability now. Extending Jazz during spring training would not be about projecting superstardom at this price point. He may not be willing to consider it so close to free agency in an otherwise-light class for hitters at this point. But if possible, it would be a safe play to secure known production alongside Aaron Judge and locking in a core piece during the competitive window already in place.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the first quarter of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on March 01, 2026 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When Mike Brown was hired as the new honcho in July, it was abundantly clear that the Knicks would fundamentally change their offensive identity.
And while the team has been pretty similar to last season in terms of offensive rating, efficiency, and their overall standing in the league, there’s one thing that’s been different: three-point volume.
The Knicks are eighth in 3PA/g with 39.5 following their win in Toronto on Tuesday night. Last year? They were 27th with 34.1. The overall efficiency hasn’t changed too much (up to 37.5% from 36.9% last year), but in shooting 5.4 more attempts per game, the shot diet has been considerably augmented. They went from 38.2% of their shots being from 3 to having 43.7% of their shots be from downtown, a solid increase.
The biggest change, though, is that the team is now hunting the most efficient shot in the modern NBA, the corner 3. And for the most part, they’re knocking them down.
That’s powered by some of the NBA’s most prolific corner 3 shooters, as Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are 2nd and 3rd in attempts from the corner, respectively, while both are shooting over 42%. Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, Josh Hart, and Jalen Brunson are also shooting over 39%. Hell, even Mo Diawara is on fire from the corner!
So the Knicks have shooters and a coach who prioritizes getting good, open looks at the most efficient spots. What could possibly go wrong?
The problem turns out to be that the Knicks aren’t the most consistent bunch. The numbers look spectacular, but not all “efficient” shooters are created equally. There’s the AJ Green’s of the world, that’s an absolute lock to at least go 3/6 or 4/10 even when he’s not 100% locked in. Then, there’s the type that will one game go 6/8 and the next game go 1/8, but ultimately average out at over 40%.
That’s, unfortunately, what the Knicks have been.
OG and Mikal both on this list.
Wrote about it this morning. Part of being the best role players in the NBA – something both were billed as – is consistency. Neither has been consistent enough for the Knicks given their other issues. https://t.co/tlRPeJURk7
As such, the Knicks have had some really bad shooting games. Through 62 games, here are the Knicks’ records when they shoot a certain percentage from 3:
Over 45%: 13-0 Over 40%: 20-5 Over 34%: 37-9 Under 34%: 3-13 Under 30%: 1-9
The Knicks have not lost a game where they shoot better than 44% from 3. They have not won a game where they shoot worse than 28%. Of course, it’s obvious that a team will do better when they make more 3-pointers, but this disparity is extremely jarring. In fact, here are the exact same splits from the 2024-25 season:
Over 45%: 11-1 Over 40%: 24-4 Over 34%: 40-13 Under 34%: 11-18 Under 30%: 5-13
With the larger volume of threes being taken this year, there’s less margin for error when they don’t go down. Last year, the Knicks were able to occasionally win when inefficient from 3 because they usually shot less than 30 a night when they weren’t falling. This year? They’re trying to shoot 35-40 per game, regardless.
There are pros and cons to both systems. Last year’s offensive system was more flexible, but the ceiling of the current team is much higher because they can absolutely destroy teams when they knock down a barrage of threes. It also makes it so that, as long as they make enough shots, the volume will usually have them out in front.
Of course, what matters is making the shots when it counts. The Knicks are the league’s best three-point shooting team in the clutch this season (while also, strangely, being the worst free-throw shooting team), but that’s not entirely what I mean by making it when it matters.
In three matchups with the top-seeded Detroit Pistons this season, the Knicks are shooting an abysmal 29.6%. While some of that is elite Pistons defense, a deeper dive shows that it’s just really bad shotmaking.
Open threes: 5-33 (15.2%) Wide-open threes: 19-56 (33.9%)
In the most recent defeat in Cleveland, the Knicks went an absolutely horrific 5-for-21 on wide-open triples. Maybe a good percentage of those bolsters an offense that was stuck in neutral all night there.
When the Knicks lose, it’s because they can’t make shots. Very few times (outside the 11-game stretch, of course) are they just completely overmatched and outplayed in all facets. There will be that game where Brunson is stuck in a box, and his supporting cast is either in street clothes or just not effective. There will be nights when important players are injured. There will be nights when the effort level isn’t there.
But a lot of times, it really just boils down to making open threes. When they make them, they’re extremely hard to beat.
The Vegas Golden Knights have consistently played in high-scoring games on the second leg of back-to-backs.
Given the struggles of Adin Hill in net, my Golden Knights vs. Red Wings predictions expect the goals to continue flowing in Detroit.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Wednesday, March 4.
Golden Knights vs Red Wings prediction
Golden Knights vs Red Wings best bet: Over 5.5 (-130)
Adin Hill is projected to start for the Vegas Golden Knights, which is a recipe for goals. He's performed miserably, posting an .858 SV% through 14 appearances.
Things aren’t improving in the least. Hill has conceded at least three goals in seven of nine starts in 2026 and ranks 65th among 66 eligible netminders in Goals Saved Above Expected (-11.83) along the way.
Vegas will need to outscore its problems, and it's capable of doing so. The Knights have averaged 4.11 goals per game in the second leg of back-to-backs this season.
Golden Knights vs Red Wings same-game parlay
Jack Eichel has been a menace in back-to-backs this season, scoring eight goals over nine games. He generates a ton of his volume from the slot, and the Detroit Red Wings rank 30th in slot shots allowed.
Dylan Larkin has found the net in 44% of his games against Bottom 16 teams in goals against. He’s now skating on a line with the pass-happy Patrick Kane, which should lead to more shooting opportunities.
Golden Knights vs Red Wings SGP
Over 5.5
Jack Eichel anytime goal scorer
Dylan Larkin anytime goal scorer
Golden Knights vs Red Wings odds
Moneyline: Golden Knights +110 | Red Wings -130
Puck Line: Golden Knights +1.5 (-220) | Red Wings -1.5 (+180)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-130) | Under 5.5 (+110)
Golden Knights vs Red Wings trend
Six of the nine games Vegas has played in back-to-back situations featured at least seven goals. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Red Wings.
How to watch Golden Knights vs Red Wings
Location
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
SCRIPPS, FDSN-DET
Golden Knights vs Red Wings latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 3: Doug Collins, Bob Costas and Mike Fratello smile before the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs on March 3, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On Tuesday night, NBC flashed back to the 1990s and the result was more entertaining than any episode of Friends I’ve seen. With the NBA once more on the network this season as part of the league’s changing media rights landscape, NBC did a retro broadcast of the Sixers-Spurs game in Philadelphia. I adored it, despite the results of the game.
The network’s pregame show, featuring the likes of old-school NBA on NBC commentators Hannah Storm, P.J. P.J. Carlesimo and Isiah Thomas handled the pregame action, discussing the Sixers-Spurs game while mixing in clips from the ‘90s and the turn of the millennium to augment the retro feel. Sure, today’s younger fans want to know the latest on Victor Wembanyama and Tyrese Maxey, but seeing videos of former Sixers coach Larry Brown and NBA Finals matchups of yesteryear was a treat.
As things changed to actual in-game action, NBC brought the goods with the graphics package.
They were both great touches and the fact that the Sixers were donning their Allen Iverson-era throwback uniforms only made it that much more sweet.
A classic group of announcers were on the mic too with Bob Costas, Doug Collins and Mike Fratello, as well as Jim Gray as a sideline reporter. I have been vocal over the last 15 years about my disdain for Collins’ tenure as a coach in Philadelphia, but he was an excellent player as a Sixer and defining color commentator for the sport.
I love basketball history. If you’re a fan of the modern game, you should too. This isn’t to say that any teenager should automatically proclaim that Michael Jordan was better than their GOAT in LeBron James. Form your own opinions, but be informed of what transpired in the game, from the on-court action of the former legends to all the minutiae surrounding it that made us all fall for hoops in the first place. That connective tissue is everything. Sure, things have changed mightily over the decades. This game is airing concurrently on a streaming service, for instance, but our collective love of basketball still shines through.
This shouldn’t be a one-off thing. Doing it weekly would diminish the aura of it, but how about monthly at least? Maybe you can’t get the whole crew of announcers together for that many games, but if the broadcast, graphics, court and uniforms adhere to the era, let’s keep going with this blast to past. Perhaps it reels back in some lapsed NBA fans while also giving younger generations a reason to go on a Wikipedia or basketball-reference wormhole to learn about everything that led to Wembanyama and Maxey now being the kings of the court.
It is no secret that the Buffalo Sabres are looking to bolster their roster with the 2026 NHL trade deadline almost here. The Sabres are aiming to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011, so it makes sense that they want to make some upgrades.
One of the Sabres' top needs is another impactful right-shot defenseman. Because of this, they have now been connected to two notable defenders from the St. Louis Blues.
According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk are two potential trade targets for the Sabres as they look to strengthen their blueline.
"As @reporterchris reported last night, the Sabres and Blues have also been focused on a Dman. Buffalo wants a right shot, so Parayko or Faulk have been mentioned as possibilities," Dreger posted on X.
With Parayko and Faulk being among the top right-shot defenseman trade candidates, it would make sense if the Sabres had them on their radar. Acquiring either of them would give the Sabres' right side a major boost as they look to maintain their playoff spot during the final stretch of the season.
If the Sabres acquired Parayko, he would give them a 6-foot-6 blueliner who could slot very nicely in their top four and on their penalty kill. He would also be far more than a rental for Buffalo if acquired, as he has a $6.5 million cap hit until the end of the 2029-30 season.
Faulk could also be a nice pickup for the Sabres' top four, as he chips in well offensively from the point and plays a solid defensive game. Like Parayko, he has a $6.5 million cap hit, but is only signed until the end of next season.
Center Deandre Ayton dunks in front of Pelicans forward Zion Williamson duing the Lakers' defeat of New Orlenas on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A three-pointer clanked off the side of the backboard. Four players were whistled for technical fouls. Passes from the Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans sailed out of bounds.
The errors added up to an ugly game. The result, however, was beautiful for the Lakers, who notched a 110-101 comeback win over the Pelicans on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. They clawed back from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win their third consecutive game, showing the kind of resolve coach JJ Redick said he hasn’t seen since November when the Lakers started 15-4.
“Nights like this can change the trajectory for teams and players,” guard Marcus Smart said. “So hopefully this win and tonight, in the way, the fashion that we won it, kicks our confidence up.”
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Marcus Smart gives Lakers life
Lakers guard Marcus Smart passes the ball under pressure from Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
With calm feet and fast hands, Smart reached in to swat the ball away from a driving Trey Murphy III. The final defensive flourish from Smart put a fitting full-stop on the Lakers' win as the former defensive player of the year set the tone with four steals and three blocked shots and made a key three-pointer in the fourth quarter to spark the comeback.
“He gave us life tonight,” Redick said.
The 12-year veteran was the only Laker to play every second of the fourth quarter, proving to be a vital piece of the closing rotation along with stars LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Doncic led the Lakers with 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, although he had seven turnovers. James fueled the Lakers during the third quarter, scoring the team’s first nine points and finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Reaves shook off a bad offensive night to score eight of his 15 points in the fourth quarter.
With so many offensive superstars around him, Smart has instead “starred in his role,” Redick said. The assignment is defense, a role Smart has dutifully filled his whole career.
“He’s just a winning player,” James said. “He always has been. Ever since I started watching him at Oklahoma State, all the way until being a pro.”
Jaxson Hayes stands up to Zion Williamson
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes falls after Pelicans forward Zion Williamson commits an offensive foul as Lakers guard Austin Reaves watches at at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Matching the physicality of Pelicans forwards Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey was on the top of the Lakers’ scouting report. But the task is easier said than done.
Reaves admitted to being “terrified” of stepping in front of a driving Williamson to draw a charge. The 6-foot-6, 284-pound Pelicans forward is just as physical as he is athletic, creating a fearsome combination for defenders. Healthy for the first time in two seasons, Williamson led the Pelicans with 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting.
“We haven't seen somebody like that in a long time, right?” Smart said. “[With] his ability. But [being] willing to put your body there, take a charge, take an elbow to the face, box him out, go vertical, is definitely something that you got to be willing to do, and not everybody's willing to do it. And that's the difference in the game.”
Center Jaxson Hayes was up to the task. He absorbed a Williamson elbow in the fourth quarter and ended up in the front row of the stands holding his jaw. But the knock was worth it for the offensive foul that helped maintain the Lakers’ 14-0 run that quickly erased the Pelicans’ eight-point lead. The scoring streak started immediately after Hayes subbed back into the game with 7:20 remaining when he scored on his first possession, cutting to the basket for a dunk off an assist from Doncic.
Hayes had eight points, six rebounds and two blocks, playing nearly 23 minutes off the bench in his biggest workload as a substitute since Jan. 20 against Denver. After playing with Hayes in New Orleans during the center’s first two years in the league, Redick lauded the seventh-year pro's improvement. Hayes is sinking touch shots around the rim now. He has improved his decision making in the pocket. After getting benched for his defensive lapses last season, Hayes has impressed coaches with his consistent ability to stay vertical while protecting the rim. And he still brings the same trademark athleticism that made him the eighth overall pick in 2019.
“He consistently injects energy into the group when he runs the floor, blocks a shot, or he gets those dunks,” Redick said.
It's winning time
Lakers guard Luka Doncic motions across the court after Marcus Smart sank a three-pointer late in a win over the Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers steadied themselves with three wins over bottom-feeding teams. Now things get interesting.
With less than six weeks left of the regular season, the Lakers face a critical stretch of games that could shake up the playoff picture. Five of the Lakers’ next eight games are against the three teams directly ahead of them in the Western Conference, beginning with Thursday’s showdown in Denver. The Lakers are just half a game behind the Nuggets (38-24) for fifth place in the West. Behind conference favorites Oklahoma City and San Antonio, third and sixth place in the West are separated by just 1½ games.
Players are “aware” of the tight standings, Smart said. But the potentially season-defining stretch can’t be at the forefront of their minds now.
“We don't have the luxury to look ahead,” Smart said. “I think if we can stay that course and just focus [on] one game at a time, [we can] give ourselves a chance to do some things and catch a good rhythm.”
The Lakers also play fourth-place Minnesota (39-23) at home on March 10 and have consecutive road games at third-place Houston (38-22) on March 16 and 18.
As the World Baseball Classic nears, the American team received a pep talk from arguably the greatest Team USA athlete in history: swimmer Michael Phelps.
Phelps reportedly spoke at a team dinner Monday night before attending Tuesday's exhibition win over the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, near Phelps' home in Paradise Valley.
“He was intense,” U.S. manager Mark DeRosa said, according to MLB.com. “I thought it was an awesome speech. Just kind of his mindset. Second place is not going to get it done. That was kind of his message to the guys. Kind of feeding off each other and coming together as a team.”
This World Baseball Classic, which runs from Thursday through the March 17 final in Miami, has Olympic ramifications.
The top two finishing teams from North and South America qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, not including the U.S., which has an automatic spot as host nation.
The Classic could also be a preview of the Olympic competition. It's possible that big leaguers could take part in the Games for the first time in 2028 should MLB owners and players come to an agreement.
Baseball is not guaranteed to be on the Olympic program after 2028, so Los Angeles could be the only opportunity for any players to experience what Phelps did 23 times in his career.
"It's the one thing I miss the most about being retired, right, not being able to stand on top of the medal podium with a gold medal around your neck while listening to your national anthem," Phelps told Fox Sports. "For me, when I was able to wear the stars and stripes, it was a massive honor. I know these guys are going to represent us well and go out there, have some fun, number one, but get the W, too."
Hamilton didn’t throw away his sho— that joke is over a decade old now. | Brace Hemmelgarn / Minnesota Twins / Getty Images
Last week, I wrote about the two Twins players whose MLB careers lasted one game. (And thanks to BH-Baseball for sharing, in a comment below the article, about Senators one-game, one-legged pitcher Bert Shepard.) If this were earlier in the offseason, I’d make this a series (and I still might, just next offseason); as it is, there’s another short-tenured player who came to mind that I’d like to recollect.
Through a middling 2022 season, the Twins got minimal offense from the catching position, with Gary Sánchez their primary backstop. On July 15, looking for help at that spot, they called up Caleb Hamilton from St. Paul. A 27-year-old career minor leaguer, Hamilton had been a 23rd-round pick of the Twins six years before; now, wearing #90 (yes, that’s the main reason I remember him), he debuted for the big club… and didn’t hit at all. Before being optioned back to the Saints on August 3, Hamilton appeared in just three games with Minnesota, coming to the plate six times without a hit, including four strikeouts.
But his time in the majors had yet to finish. The Twins brought him back up on August 23, and he remained with the team for the rest of the season, appearing in 19 more games, largely as a late-inning replacement. However, he started four games, and it is the third of those we come to.
The warm, sunny afternoon of September 25 saw the Los Angeles Angels taking on the Twins in the finale of a three-game series at Target Field. Hamilton batted ninth, catching for Dylan Bundy, and as soon as I mention Bundy, you know the game didn’t go well. Bundy lasted 3.1 innings and gave up five runs, including a homer to Mike Trout; Ronny Henriquez followed Bundy and kept the Angels’ tally at five, but the Twins, who had tacked on two early runs, could not narrow the deficit.
Until the bottom of the eighth.
With José Quijada on the hill for the visitors, Hamilton was due up as the third batter of the inning. Quijada struck out Jermaine Palacios and Jake Cave, but on the first pitch to Hamilton…
Unfortunately, neither the game nor Hamilton’s career would feature further highlights.
Trevor Megill took the mound for Minnesota in the ninth and gave up five runs, turning a close game into a blowout 10-3 loss. And Hamilton made five more appearances for the Twins in ‘22 without a hit; he was waived and claimed by the Red Sox, for whom he appeared in four games the next season. After going hitless with Boston, Hamilton was granted free agency after 2023. He signed with the Angels the following season but never made the majors, and his playing career ended after ‘24. Hamilton did join the High-A (NYY) Hudson Valley Renegades as a defensive coach for ‘25, but the Renegades’ website no longer lists him as a coach this season, and I could not determine where or if he is coaching.
His home run on September 25, 2022, was the only hit of his career. But he made the most of that one hit, giving himself, his teammates, and everyone in attendance a moment to remember in an otherwise forgettable Twins season.
The Cleveland Guardians never look great when the season starts and somehow, they manage to win. The Detroit Tigers have loaded up on pitching to try to squeeze a postseason year out of Tarik Skubal’s walk year. The White Sox are better. The Royals stood (mostly) pat. And the Twins, yikes.
Chicago White Sox
Key departures: Luis Robert Jr., Dominic Fletcher, Michael A. Taylor, Martin Perez, Cam Booser, Mike Tauchman, Bryan Hudson, Miguel Castro
Key arrivals: Anthony Kay, Oliver Dunn, Jarred Kelenic, Drew Romo, Tyson Miller, Luisangel Acuña, Jordan Hicks, Seranthony Dominguez, Austin Hays, Erick Fedde
The White Sox were a much better team in every way in 2025 compared to their disastrous 121-loss season in 2024. They won 20 more games — that’s good! They inaugurated a new manager, Will Venable, who is widely respected around the game.
This year they’ve finally moved on from Luis Robert Jr., who had a couple of disappointing years after looking like a true superstar early in this decade.
They signed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, who’s already had a positive impact on the team. Colson Montgomery, a top prospect who struggled in the minors, hit 21 home runs in just 71 games. Kyle Teel looks like the real deal behind the plate.
The rotation is still a bit iffy. They acquired Jordan Hicks, who could start or relieve, and former Phillie Seranthony Dominguez will close.
They’re probably not a contender — yet — but they could easily improve another 10-15 wins this year.
Key departures: Jakob Junis, Will Brennan, Sam Hentges, Jhonkensy Noel
Key arrivals: Colin Holderman, Shawn Armstrong, Codi Heuer, Carter Kieboom, Ben Lively, Rhys Hoskins
Every year, people say the Guardians will fade or fall off and every year, they go on a run and make the postseason.
This year should be no different. The Guards have a solid, if unspectacular, rotation and good bullpen. They signed homegrown superstar José Ramirez to a contract that will have him retire in Cleveland, likely on his way to Cooperstown. Ramirez is one of the most underappreciated superstars in today’s game — if he were playing in New York or Los Angeles he’d have already had tons of media attention.
Another unappreciated Guardian is outfielder Steven Kwan, whose numbers are solid if unspectacular, but who seems to always find ways to beat you.
And they might have made a really good under-the-radar signing in Rhys Hoskins.
At Cleveland: April 3-4-5 (includes the Guardians’ home opener on April 3)
Key departures: Tommy Kahnle, Rafael Montero, Chris Paddack, Paul Sewald, Randy Dobnak, Kevin Newman, Alex Lange, Justyn-Henry Malloy
Key arrivals: Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Scott Effross, Kenley Jansen, Phil Bickford, Austin Slater, Colin Poche
The Tigers lost their arbitration hearing with Tarik Skubal, all but assuring that this is Skubal’s last year in Detroit — that, and their signing of Framber Valdez to a three-year deal for $115 million.
Other than the signing of Justin Verlander, which should give feel-good vibes if not performance, the Tigers basically are running back the same team that ran out to a huge division lead last year — they had a 14-game lead on July 8 — before blowing it and finishing second to the Guardians, who they dispatched in a wild card series before they lost to the Mariners in a division series.
Now read that again. The Tigers were 59-34 after defeating the Rays on July 8 and had that 14-game lead. They went 28-41 after that — the only teams worse were the Rays, Angels, Twins and Rockies. Yikes.
Detroit will have to guard against that sort of slippage again.
Key departures: Adam Frazier, Hunter Harvey, Mike Yastrzemski, Randal Grichuk, Kyle Wright, MJ Melendez, Angel Zerpa, Jonathan Bowlan
Key arrivals: Mason Black, Alex Lange, Isaac Collins, Nick Mears, Kevin Newman, Abraham Toro, Matt Strahm, Jorge Alfaro, Hector Neris, Aaron Sanchez, Eli Morgan, Elias Diaz
The Royals made the postseason in 2024 on a 30-game improvement from 2023. They took a bit of a step back last year, but still finished over .500, barely, at 82-80.
They are running back most of the same guys this year. They have a solid rotation and decent bullpen, and two young hitters — Jac Caglianone and Vinnie Pasquantino — who should continue to improve.
Of course, the offense is anchored by superstar Bobby Witt Jr., whose very good year in 2025 was just a smidge below his spectacular 2024. This is his age-26 season and I’d expect another good-to-great year.
Salvador Perez returns for his 15th year in a Royals uniform. Since the retirement of George Brett, Perez has become the face of the franchise. He doesn’t catch that much anymore — just 89 games started behind the plate last year — but even solid production for the next couple years could get him Hall of Fame consideration.
Key departures: Jonah Bride, Genesis Cabrera, Thomas Hatch, Jose Miranda, Ryan Fitzgerald, Edouard Julien
Key arrivals: Josh Bell, Victor Caratini, Taylor Rogers, Jackson Kowar, Eduardo Salazar, Gio Urshela, Liam Hendriks, Julian Merryweather, Andrew Chafin
The Twins insist they’re competing this year.
Not with this roster they’re not. They had arguably a bigger selloff last summer than the Cubs did in 2021. And the results showed on the field — the Twins were 39-66 after June 1. Only the Rockies were worse, and not much worse (34-70).
To what was left, the Twins added… well, you can see above, a few retreads and miscellaneous waiver-wire guys. Their payroll ranks 24th of the 30 teams.
The Twins franchise has lost 100 games in a season just twice since 1955 — 102 losses in 1982 and 103 in 2016.
It says here that the 2026 Twins should join that list.
SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Coby Mayo (16) of the Baltimore Orioles fields his position during a spring training game against the New York Yankees on February 20, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire 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 Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Plan A for the Orioles infield went out the window as soon as Jackson Holliday suffered a broken hamate bone. The backup plan for the infield followed not long after once Jordan Westburg’s sore oblique turned into “he has a partially torn UCL.” With two expected starters likely out for at least the first month of the season, in Westburg’s case potentially the whole season, we know that the team is going to have to get creative.
One part of that looks like it is going to be Coby Mayo taking a lot of the playing time at third base. This is the experiment the Orioles are running here in spring training and it sure seems to be a “get him as much practice as possible for the regular season” kind of thing rather than “we’re still not sure if we want to do this.” In about three weeks, we’re going to start getting an idea of whether this is an acceptable experiment for the Orioles chances of fielding as winning a team as they possibly can.
How do you feel about the potential for Mayo as a regular third baseman for at least April?
In the scouting world, there have always been doubts about whether Mayo could handle third base at the MLB level, because it’s tough for 6’5” guys to react on the hot corner. It is something of a desperate plan that’s brought the Orioles to this point for 2026… well, that and the fact that Mayo’s next most-likely home of first base was filled up by the long-term, big-money signing of Pete Alonso.
Welcome back to A Pod of Their Own, an all-women led Home Run Applesauce podcast where we talk all things Mets, social justice issues in baseball, and normalize female voices in the sports podcasting space.
This week, we begin by discussing some notes out of Mets camp, including Ryan Lambert’s unhinged energy (complimentary), Nolan McLean and Freddy Peralta’s strong starts, the battle for the right field job, and more.
Next, we choose our Dudes for 2026—underrated players who we think may make a big contribution to the Mets this season.
Finally, we wrap things up with Walk-off Wins, where each of us talks about what’s making us happy this week, baseball-related or otherwise.
You can listen or subscribe to all of our wonderful Home Run Applesauce podcasts through Apple Podcasts, where we encourage you to leave a review if you enjoy the show. It really helps! And you can find us on the Stitcher app, Spotify, or listen wherever you get podcasts. You can also support our work by subscribing to our Patreon, which will get you bonus episodes, access to our Discord server, livestream experiences, an exclusive monthly playlist, and more!
You can follow A Pod of Their Own on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky (@apodoftheirown) and you can follow Home Run Applesauce on Twitter and Instagram (@HRApplesauce). You can also follow our co-hosts on Twitter and Bluesky: Allison McCague (@PetitePhD), Maggie Wiggin (@maggie162), and LindaSurovich (@LindaSurovich). You can also email the show at aa.apodoftheirown@gmail.com.
Look for A Pod of Their Own in your feeds every week and don’t forget: there’s no crying in podcasting!
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 19: Jurickson Profar #7 of the Atlanta Braves looks on against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 19, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Jurickson Profar - Getty Images
Fans of the San Diego Padres got their first glimpse of what Nick Castellanos could be if he breaks camp as a part of the big-league roster. Castellanos went 2-for-3 in San Diego’s 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday and that included a double and a two-run home run off the bat of Castellanos. He was signed with the expectation that he would provide slug on offense and compete for time at first base and designated hitter. Castellanos is not a refined first baseman by any means, but he has not looked lost at the position as he tries to get used to having his feet back in the dirt after years in the outfield. If he can do what he did against the White Sox and continue to improve defensively, he could be this year’s Gavin Sheets for the Padres.
Padres News:
The lineup construction under former manager Mike Shildt rarely changed. Fernando Tatis Jr. was the leadoff batter followed by Luis Arraez. Tatis and Arraez, when healthy and playing, were cemented into the top two spots. Under new manager Craig Stammen, it appears their will be some flexibility at the top of the lineup, but who is most often leading off for the Padres is unknown.
The Padres have a number of players vying for the fifth spot in the pitching rotation and while one may stand out among the rest, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune says San Diego will need a combination of pitchers to fill the role of the fifth starter.
Logan Gillaspie has been pitching well and could make the decision for Stammen and pitching coach Ruben Niebla about who will make up their bullpen very difficult. San Diego is expected to have one of the top if not the top bullpen in MLB this season so breaking in could be a challenge for Gillaspie. Like the bullpen, the Padres’ starting rotation has yet to be decided and while he may not be ready for Opening Day, Griffin Canning is working to get back as soon as possible to add his name to the list of contenders.
Tom Krasovic of the San Deigo Union-Tribune looks at the path Walker Buehler took to land him in San Diego. The World Series-winning right-hander was once thought to be a draft pick of the Padres but instead he was passed and he enrolled at Vanderbilt. After three years in college he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the rest is history.
Baseball News:
Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after a recent positive test for a substance that is banned by MLB.
Fans of the Detroit Red Wings could soon be getting a look at highly-touted prospect goaltender Sebastian Cossa at the NHL level for the second time in his professional career.
On Wednesday morning, the Red Wings announced that Cossa had been called up to the club under "emergency conditions" from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Additionally, defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who cleared waivers, has been assigned to the Griffins.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have recalled Sebastian Cossa from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.
Goaltender John Gibson left Monday afternoon's victory over the Nashville Predators after the opening 20 minutes of play and was replaced by backup Cam Talbot.
While head coach Todd McLellan indicated that Gibson suffered a "stinger" on the arm, it appeared as though he wasn't seriously hurt.
However, because Cossa has been called up, the injury to Gibson could be more severe than initially thought.
Cossa, who has been one of the driving elements of the incredibly successful year for the Griffins, has gone 24-4-3 with an impressive 1.99 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage, and has also posted five shutouts.
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