Posts

Posted on

Mets' bats break out with seven-run fifth in 10-4 beatdown of Marlins

The Mets finally flexed their muscles at the plate on Monday night, as a huge fifth-inning rally lifted them to a 10-4 win over the divison-rival Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park.

Here are some takeaways...

-- Juan Soto produced the Mets' lone hit in Saturday's loss to the Houston Astros, and the superstar slugger naturally arrived in Miami ready to swing. He ripped a 106-mph single in the first inning that ate up Marlins infielder Otto Lopez and rolled into right field. No rally ensued, however.

-- The good news for the Mets is that David Peterson's first inning of the season featured three strikeouts with sharp fastballs and sliders. The bad news is that he sandwiched a mistake pitch in between the outs, as Lopez crushed a sinker to right for a no-doubt solo home run. Peterson allowed just one first-inning run across 21 starts in 2024.

-- The Mets' early struggles with runners in scoring position made the trip to Miami. After a leadoff double from Mark Vientos in the second, Marlins starter Cal Quantrill managed to avoid trouble by inducing a pair of groundouts and a flyout. Peterson also worked out of a second-inning jam that began with two walks and ended with two more punchouts.

-- Due to the birth of his third child, Francisco Lindor was out of the starting lineup, and Starling Marte was called upon to bat leadoff for the first time since 2022. The decision paid off in the third inning, as the veteran outfielder smacked a game-tying solo shot to left-center. Before the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he chose Marte as the DH over lefty Jesse Winker because the right-handed Quantrill is a reverse-splits pitcher.

-- Peterson was bailed out in the fourth with some defensive help. The first highlight play belonged to Soto, who swiftly tracked down a fly slicing down the right field line with a runner on first and nobody out. Moments later, Peterson induced a grounder that turned into a sharp 3-6-3 double play from Pete Alonso and Luisangel Acuña.

-- New York's lineup finally busted out in the fifth. After a leadoff infield single from Acuña, an RBI double to right-center from Jose Siri gave them a 2-1 lead. Then, with the bases loaded and no outs, Alonso provided clutch power against Quantrill with a grand slam to right-center for his first homer of the season.

-- The hit parade didn't end with Alonso's jack, either. With one on and one out, Luis Torrens drilled a ball deep to center that deflected off of Derek Hall's glove and surprisingly landed over the wall for a two-run blast. The Mets brought 11 batters to the plate for a seven-run fifth inning. Suffice to say, it was sight for sore eyes.

-- Brandon Nimmo, the only Met without a hit through five innings, joined the party in the sixth with a two-run homer to center that bumped the lead to 10-1. The run support was more than enough for Peterson, who in spite of allowing another solo shot in the sixth, completed the half-dozen frames with a laudable nine strikeouts. The southpaw gave up five hits and three walks on 89 pitches.

-- The Mets maintained their early bullpen dominance. Huascar Brazobán made his second appearance in relief this season, completing the seventh and eighth innings with a pair of strikeouts across 28 pitches. Danny Young ultimately closed the door in the ninth but gave up a pair of runs. The bullpen's streak without an earned run allowed ended at 12.1 innings.

Game MVPs: Pete Alonso and David Peterson

When the Mets' hopes of scoring in the second inning were dashed, their early season average with runners in scoring position was .083 (2-for-24). Alonso's grand slam couldn't have come at a more opportune time. It broke the game wide open and lifted any tension that players might've been feeling. Peterson's season debut was also worthy of praise -- he struck out nine only once last season.

Highlights

Upcoming schedule

The Mets (2-2) will play the middle game of their three-game series in South Florida on Tuesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m.

Kodai Senga is slated to make his highly anticipated season debut, opposite Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara.

Posted on

Miles Bridges scores 26 as Hornets beat Jazz 110-106 to snap 5-game losing streak

Miles Bridges had 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Utah Jazz 110-106 on Monday night to snap a five-game losing streak. Mark Williams added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets, who held the Jazz to 41% shooting. Keyonte George had 20 points and Brice Sensabaugh added 19 points on five 3-pointers for the Jazz.

Posted on

Royals at Brewers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for April 1

Tuesday, April 1, Kansas City (2-2) will continue its three-game series against the Brewers (0-4) in Milwaukee.

Michael Lorenzen is scheduled to start for the Royals with Chad Patrick getting the ball for Milwaukee.

After getting simply destroyed in the Bronx to open the season, the Brewers' pitching continued to labor Monday afternoon as KC put up 11 against Elvin Rodriguez and a troubled Brewers’ staff.

Lets dive into the matchup for Game 2 and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Royals at Brewers

  • Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: American Family Field
  • City: Milwaukee, WI
  • Network/Streaming: FDS

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Royals at the Brewers

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Kansas City Royals (+102), Milwaukee Brewers (-120)
  • Spread: Brewers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Royals at Brewers

  • Pitching matchup for April 1, 2025: Michael Lorenzen vs. Chad Patrick
    • Royals: Michael Lorenzen (0-0)
      2024 - 26GP, 130.1 IP, 7-6, 2.92 ERA, 97 Ks
    • Brewers: Chad Patrick (0-0, 18.00 ERA)
      Last outing: 3/29 @ NYY - 1 IP, 0-0, 18.00 ERA, 1 K

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Royals at Brewers

  • Salvador Perez launched his 1st HR of the season and the 273rd of his career in the 7th inning of KC's win
  • KC scored 11 runs and still managed to leave 10 men on base.
  • Milwaukee is now 0-4 on the Run Line
  • Milwaukee has allowed 47 runs in their first 4 games
  • Kansas City is now 1-3 on the Run Line this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday Night’s game between the Royals and the Brewers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Royals and the Brewers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Royals on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play ATS on the Kansas City Royals +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Posted on

Los Angeles Kings Sign Defenseman Otto Salin to three-year contract: What It Does for the Future?

(Photo by Gary A. Vasquez/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Kings have continued to add depth to their blue line by signing Finnish prospect Otto Salin to a three-year entry-level contract. 

The 21-year-old defenseman, drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has spent the past couple of years developing in Finland's top league, Liiga. His signing is an investment in bringing young talent into the mix with the hope of integrating it into the team's future, and his potential contribution over the next few years could be significant.

Who is Otto Salin?

Salin, who hails from Helsinki, has moved steadily up the ranks of Finnish hockey. He started playing for HIFK Helsinki and later TPS Turku, where he set career highs with eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 56 games last season. The right-shot defenseman is a playmaker with solid skating and is noted for his offense and skills in quickly moving the puck out of the defensive area.

Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 205 pounds, Salin is not imposingly large, but his quickness and hockey smarts allow him to be an effective two-way defenseman. He also showed flashes of being a power-play specialist, utilizing his vision and puck skills to create scoring chances.

What the Signing Means for the Kings

The Kings' blue-line defense has struggled the last few years, though it's been better this season. Veterans like Drew Doughty and Darcy Kuemper are the anchors on the back end, while young guns like Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence battle more significant minutes. Adding Salin into the mix gives the franchise another right-shot defenseman in the works, something of a precious gem in today's NHL.

Salin's deal suggests that the Kings see a real future for him within the organization. Even if he doesn't receive a direct promotion to the NHL, the agreement ensures he'll be in the team's system, likely starting with the AHL's Ontario Reign. If he fits into the North American game well, he could be in contention for a call-up in the next few years.

What Salin Adds to the Organization

Salin's most appealing characteristic is arguably his puck-moving ability. His skating is a huge asset, allowing him to escape the defensive zone in trouble and deliver clean breakout passes. The Kings have prioritized puck-moving defensemen over the past few seasons, understanding that speed and agility from the backend are needed in the modern NHL.

Defensively, Salin is not the most physical, primarily due to his size, which will be tough to overcome and adjust in the NHL, but he plays with a good positional awareness that enables him to close down plays. 

His reading of the game and anticipation will be important factors in enabling him to adapt as quickly as possible to North American hockey, where the rink is tighter and time and space are limited.

With his offensive potential, he could be a valuable power-play player in the future. His game with TPS Turku proved that he can produce offense, and the Kings, with all their young talent and veterans to guide them, could have great scoring from the blue line in the future.

What's Next for Salin?

Upon signing, Salin is set to play for the rest of the season with the Ontario Reign. AHL time will serve as valuable experience in getting used to the game's style, particularly in adapting to keep up with the quicker and harsher pace of the game than Liiga.

His priority will be establishing himself as a reliable defenseman in the AHL, playing top-four minutes, and demonstrating his ability to withstand the demands of the pro level in North America. 

If he performs well, he may receive an NHL call-up as early as next season, but the most probable scenario is that he will spend at least one complete season in the AHL before competing for a roster spot in 2026.

Long-Term Outlook with the Kings

Salin's future with the Kings will depend upon how quickly he can develop in the AHL. If he thrives with the Ontario Reign and shows he can handle defensive responsibilities while also contributing offensively, he could force his way into an NHL role sooner rather than later.

The Kings' right defense now is staffed by Doughty, Clarke, Spence, and Joel Edmundson, so breaking into the rotation won't be easy. But injuries and roster changes always leave opportunities, and Salin will be ready when his moment comes.

His best role in the NHL is that of a second—or third-pairing defenseman with power-play ability. If he can solidify his end without sacrificing his offense, he can become a valuable asset on the Kings' roster as they try to maintain success.

Final Thoughts

Signing Otto Salin is another part of the Kings' quest to assemble youth. While he will not be on the ice right away in the NHL, he can be an effective defenseman in the short term. His skating, vision, and offensive skill set make him an intriguing player as he transitions to North American hockey.

For now, Kings fans can follow his development in the AHL, where he'll be given the chance to demonstrate what he has to offer and gain experience for a potential spot in Los Angeles. Salin could be one to watch as a component of the Kings' blue line.

 

.

Posted on

Pelicans officially shut down Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum for the season

Zion Williamson missed the last five Pelicans games with a low back bone contusion, while CJ McCollum missed the previous three with a right foot bone contusion. With the Pelicans out of any playoff chase, nobody expected them to return this season.

Monday night, the Pelicans made that official, announcing that the duo "will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season due to their respective injuries." The 21-54 Pelicans have seven games remaining.

Zion only played in 30 games this season due to a hamstring strain and an assortment of other injuries, including the current lower back contusion. When he did play Zion looked like an All-NBA force, averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists a game (and that came with a minutes restriction a lot of nights.

The big question is whether the Pelicans will make Zion available via trade this offseason. If they do, a number of teams will have interest in making the bet a new environment (and trainers) can unlock Zion's health and potential.

McCollum played in 56 games this season, averaging 21.1 points per game and shooting 37.3% from 3. New Orleans is expected to see if there is a trade market for McCollum and his expiring $30.7 million contract for next season, but how much of a market there is for the 33-year-old guard at that price remains to be seen.

Posted on

Lionel Messi gets feisty, Joe Pompliano breaks down the numbers behind MLS & who will replace Leon in CWC?

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros react to another busy and entertaining MLS weekend. Christian and Alexis then welcome on Yahoo Finance contributor, Joe Pompliano, who breaks down the finances behind the growth of MLS since the arrival of Lionel Messi. Later, Christian and Alexis react to news around the world in another edition of Rápido Reactions including Josh Sargent’s run at Norwich, Kylan Mbappe’s non-free kick goal & who the last Club World Cup participant will be.

Posted on

Athletics make unfortunate franchise history in blowout loss to Cubs

Athletics make unfortunate franchise history in blowout loss to Cubs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Athletics’ 18-3 home-opener loss to the Chicago Cubs was a historic MLB event — in more ways than one.

Playing at Sutter Health Park for the first time, the Athletics suffered a blowout loss the likes of which MLB hasn’t seen in nearly a century.

The Athletics allowed 18 runs to the visiting Chicago Cubs, the most surrendered in a home opener since the St. Louis Browns surrendered 21 to the then-Cleveland Indians on Apr. 14, 1925.

It also is the most allowed in a home opener in franchise history, with the Athletics’ previous high being 15 runs allowed, which happened in 2006 against the New York Yankees and in 1922 against the Boston Red Sox.

The Cubs wasted no time jumping on Athletics’ starter Joey Estes, who allowed four runs in the top of the first inning,and finished his first outing of the 2025 MLB season with a loss after surrendering six runs in four innings of work.

There was one positive on the evening, as shortstop Jacob Wilson, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft launched his first MLB home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the third inning.

Wilson’s trip around the bases was one of the few highlights in an otherwise forgettable night for the Athletics.

The good thing about baseball is tomorrow often offers a chance at redemption, something the Athletics will seek as they square off with the Cubs for the second game of their three-game series.

Posted on

Athletics begin turbulent new era at intimate, fun Sutter Health Park

Athletics begin turbulent new era at intimate, fun Sutter Health Park originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — “I’d rather be playing in Oakland.”

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner, an Oakland native, shared that pregame sentiment with thousands in attendance at Sutter Health Park and many more watching from home as the Athletics officially began a new era at their temporary home on Monday night.

There was a buzz in the air early on at the minor-turned-major league ballpark, which quickly filled with loyal Bay Area and Northern California fans after gates opened at 5 p.m, but it was hard to ignore the elephant in the room. Pun intended.

The temporary relocation from Oakland to the state’s capital, approximately 80 miles northeast of the ballpark the Green and Gold have called home for 57 seasons, is not ideal for anyone. Not the team, and certainly not the fans.

However, that didn’t stop those in attendance from making the best of an unfortunate situation, despite how some, or many, might feel about factors outside their control. That’s Oakland baseball. The fans always will have an undying love for the team on the field, regardless of the situation off it, and the feeling is mutual for the players.

“The butterflies are there, the excitement is there for the home opener, getting out there and competing in front of a group of people who may or may not have seen us play before, so that’s exciting for us,” Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker told reporters pregame.

“People seem excited. The community seems excited to have us here. The city and the people in it have been very welcoming to us as individuals and us as a group as a whole.”

From the pregame festivities to the player introductions — and at moments throughout an ugly 18-3 blowout loss to the Cubs — the fans in attendance proved they can provide the energy a major league team needs from a home crowd. The small venue, initially was packed, and the berm in right and right-center field appeared to be at capacity throughout the game with families sitting in lawn chairs and sprawled out on blankets.

“Being announced as a player was super cool,” Athletics rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson said postgame. “That was the first one for me, and it was pretty awesome to run out there and see how many people showed up and wanted to support us, so it was a pretty cool night.”

That is, of course, until the game got out of hand and a good chunk of fans started to head for the exits when the Athletics trailed 16-3 in the sixth inning.

“I thought the energy was great,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said postgame. “When we started the game, you could feel the energy. Obviously, it’s tough when you get down in a game like that, but the fans continued to stay behind us. We obviously felt that support.”

The atmosphere was fun and intimate, as most minor league venues across the country are, but on Monday night, there were times when it felt pretty close to a major league experience.

Mostly due to the 12,119 fans in attendance, who outnumbered the crowds of some Athletics home games in recent years at the Coliseum, which, of course, is a comparison stripped of necessary and unfortunate context. The upgrade in stadium peripherals, such as a bigger, brighter scoreboard in center field — minus the brief outage in the top of the first inning — or the louder, crisper sound system certainly improved the overall experience, too.

Oh, not to mention a genuinely cool fireworks/light show display after home runs, which fans saw for the first time after Wilson’s solo shot in the bottom of the third inning — the first home run of his young MLB career.

As far as the field itself, Sutter Health Park — despite its smaller dimensions and the overly hitter-friendly environment it was on Monday night and could be for the next three years — appears to be up to par for Kotsay and his players.

“I didn’t hear any complaints throughout the game,” Kotsay shared. “The lighting was great, the field surface was great, the batter’s eye seemed to be a non-issue. I think they did an amazing job with what they had to work with, giving us a major-league facility.”

There are some elements of Sutter Health Park that are a clear upgrade over the Coliseum, but of course the importance of things like video boards and improved stadium effects pale in comparison to the importance, for fans, of keeping the team “Rooted in Oakland,” and the character and charm of the Athletics’ former stomping grounds.

It’s nowhere near the same, nor will it ever be. And the same will be said for Las Vegas, whenever that time comes.

It would be naive to suggest this is a situation fans can be overly excited about for three years, let alone three months or even three weeks. They know what already has transpired for many years and what is to come in the near future. You would be hard-pressed to find a fan base more knowledgeable about the intricacies of their favorite team’s organization than Athletics fans. There is no pulling the wool over their eyes.

However, if you simply want to enjoy watching the Green and Gold play in Northern California, while you still can, it won’t be hard to enjoy yourself at Sutter Health Park.

Posted on

Nashville Predators vs. Philadelphia Flyers: Live Game Thread

The Nashville Predators (27-38-8, 62 points) kick off a three-game road trip with a visit to the Philadelphia Flyers (30-36-9, 69 points) Monday at Wells Fargo Center.

The Predators are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, while the Flyers have won two straight games since firing head coach John Tortorella late last week.

Nashville is also navigating multiple injuries to its forward group, including Colton Sissons (week-to-week, lower-body) and Jonathan Marchessault (day-to-day, lower-body).

Justus Annunen will make his second consecutive start in goal for the Predators, while the Flyers will turn to Ivan Fedotov in net.

Brady Skjei, Nashville Predators

How the Predators Lined Up vs. Philadelphia

Forsberg-O'Reilly-Stamkos
Bunting-Svechkov-Evangelista
Smith-McCarron-L'Heureux
Vrana-Bellows

Skjei-Blankenburg
Del Gaizo-Barron
Englund-Stastney
Oesterle

Annunen
Saros

Extra: Sissons (week-to-week, lower-body), Marchessault (day-to-day, lower-body), Wood
IR: Lauzon, Wilsby, Josi

With the injuries to Sissons and Marchessault, the Predators went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Flyers. Matthew Wood, who signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Predators on Saturday, has yet to make his NHL debut.

Predators at Flyers: Live Updates

First Period (NSH 0, PHI 0)

The Flyers outshot Nashville, 7-1, to begin the first period, and Annunen came up with some key saves early. Eventually, the Predators started to click offensively; while neither team found the back of the net during the first 20 minutes of play, Nashville was able to pull even with Philadelphia with seven shots on goal by the end of the frame.

Second Period (NSH 0, PHI 0)

Posted on

What Direction Should The New York Islanders Take?

Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Scott Mayfield (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Despite flirting with a Stanley Cup playoff spot, the New York Islanders look more like pretenders right now. 

The Islanders lost seven of their last 10 games, and they’re currently on a five-game winless skid that included a 5-3 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday and 6-4 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.

They now sit three points out of a playoff spot and are behind four other teams in the battle for the second wild-card place. It’s looking like another wishy-washy campaign for GM Lou Lamoriello’s Islanders, and there are very real questions about the direction of this team and past decisions.

This is to take nothing away from Lamoriello, a deserving Hockey Hall of Famer who doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. And in fairness, Lamoriello got a 2026 first-round draft pick and top prospect center Calum Ritchie in the trade that sent veteran pivot Brock Nelson to Colorado at the trade deadline. The Islanders’ future isn’t all bad news.

That said, the Islanders currently being on the outside of the playoff picture makes some contracts look pretty questionable.

Let’s start with the contract handed out to left winger Pierre Engvall – a $3-million cap hit that runs for another five years and has a 16-team no-trade list. Engvall was already placed on waivers this season, with no takers for him. 

Engvall has eight goals and 13 points in 53 games. Five of those points came in the past eight games, but more often than not, the team looks like it could have benefited more from using that cap hit elsewhere. The team was under no pressure to lock up a depth player in Engvall for so many years with protection, but that mistake can’t be undone.

Defenseman Scott Mayfield has five years left on his contract with a $3.5-million cap hit, and his playing time has dropped. His plus-13 rating leads the team, which is admirable for a defensive defenseman, but he’s averaging 16:50 of ice time, the lowest since 2016-17, and he’s been a healthy scratch. 

The 32-year-old still has a full no-trade clause through 2026-26 and a 16-team no-trade list afterward – a lot of protection for someone the team no longer thinks is a lock in the lineup. You could get a young player to play those minutes for far less money than what Mayfield is getting.

Center Jean-Gabriel Pageau, meanwhile, has another season left at a $5-million cap hit. He has 12 goals and 37 points in 70 games this year, which comes after 33 points in 82 games last year and 40 points in 70 games in 2022-23. He’s good in his role, but whether that’s a $5-million role is the question – we don’t think it is.

Cap space being used this way contributes to mushy-middle results – not good enough for the team to go on a long playoff run and not bad enough to land a top draft pick, which the Isles have needed for quite some time.

NHL Sour Rankings: 2025 Mock Draft For The Bottom 10 TeamsNHL Sour Rankings: 2025 Mock Draft For The Bottom 10 TeamsThe NHL’s playoff picture is coming into focus, which means the bottom-end teams are solidifying their spots in the draft lottery – and the NHL sour rankings. 

Most prospect experts see the Islanders’ talent pipeline ranked near the bottom of the NHL, and they have the sixth-oldest roster in the NHL, according to eliteprospects.com. That makes it even tougher for the team to do damage in the foreseeable future.

The Islanders have all their draft picks in 2025 and two first-rounders in 2026. That will help further down the line, but right now, they don’t have many youngsters who can slot into the lineup – Ritchie is their only prospect projected to make the NHL in the next two seasons, according to The Hockey News’ Future Watch issue.

This summer will be crucial as the Islanders have seven RFAs and five UFAs to deal with. What management does this off-season could be a game-changer – one way or another – for their short- and long-term future. The last thing they need is more long-term contracts with trade protection for players that ensure the team remains in the mushy middle.

The short-term pain of choosing a direction and prioritizing a replenished prospect pool is worth it if it means acquiring elite players at the top of the draft and setting themselves up to have a terrific core for a decade or longer. Right now, this team isn’t threatening in the playoffs, the regular season or in a draft lottery.

From this writer’s perspective, it will be tough sledding for them for a long time. Lamoriello’s been running the Islanders for seven seasons now, and the team currently has its lowest points percentage since seven seasons ago. There’s legitimate cause for frustration with having next to nothing to show for this group after making the playoff semifinals in 2020 and 2021.

What matters most is whether this tough sledding results in a refreshed core a few years down the line or a similar-looking squad. If it’s not the former, it’s just more pretending.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Posted on

Mets trade outfielder Alexander Canario to Pirates

The Mets are trading outfielder Alexander Canario to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team announced on Monday.

The outfielder, who was out of options and did not make the Opening Day roster, had been designated for assignment. New York will get cash considerations from Pittsburgh.

Canario, acquired by the Mets in a February trade for cash considerations with the Chicago Cubs, was competing for the final spot on the roster out of spring training. That spot went to Luisangel Acuña, with the Mets needing the depth on the infield.

The Mets had seven days to work out a trade after he was DFA'd, along with outfielder Jose Azocar.

Canario was solid during the spring – 11 hits in 36 at-bats with two doubles, three home runs, eight RBI, and a 1.030 OPS – but keeping him would have meant New York would have only four infielders on the 26-man roster.

The 24-year-old spent most of the 2024 season with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate in Iowa, slashing .243/.336/.514 with 18 home runs in just 64 games.

In 21 career games at the big league level over the last two seasons, he has 12 hits in 42 at-bats (.286) with two doubles, a triple, and a home run for eight RBI and a .857 OPS.