The Chicago Blackhawks have been searching for the right top-line winger for Connor Bedard ever since he was the number one overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
There have been some successes, but there is another level of player that can be put with him. Instead of reaching for potential 30-goal scorers, Bedard is best suited for a winger who is capable of 40 goals and 80 points without it being a career year.
It can be incredibly hard to find players like that; the Blackhawks would have one already if it were easy. However, one is available right now that teams are working to land.
Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars is going to be paid anywhere in the $12-15 million per year range, whether it's with his current team or not.
On Thursday night, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet confirmed that after permission to speak with the Seattle Kraken, Robertson turned down an 8-year deal worth $15 million annually.
There have been multiple reports that the Chicago Blackhawks have been in on this player, which makes sense from a hockey standpoint. Robertson and Bedard could each become 50-goal/100-point players alongside each other.
This wouldn’t be an example of two snipe-only players getting together. That doesn’t always work. Bedard and Robertson are both forwards who can score goals, but are also capable of driving play. They would always look to find each other, while also knowing when it’s right to just shoot the puck themselves.
There are many examples of elite players getting together on the same line and it not working, but this is different. They are both good enough at every aspect of offense to feed off each other well.
Robertson would have to see the vision that Chicago has as an up-and-coming team, and he'd have to be okay with the taxes that come with singing in Illinois as opposed to some of the no-tax states that have benefited NHL teams in recent years.
The other issue is that it would cost not only a lot to extend him, but the Dallas Stars are going to get a massive haul in return. It will likely start with the 2 1st-round picks and a good player plus more.
That is a lot for a team trying to come out of a rebuild to give up, but it is the cost of doing business in the NHL right now. Great players are fetching incredible returns on the market.
It may be time for the Blackhawks to show their players and season ticket holders that they are committed to winning. Trading for Robertson, regardless of what it costs, would do that.
At 26-years-old, Robertson is one of the best wingers in the NHL and will be for a long time. In 2025-26, he had 45 goals and 51 assists for 96 points in 82 games played on an elite Stars team. It also marked the 4th consecutive year in which he didn't miss a single game.
That level of player isn't available every day, and that is the reason that the Blackhawks are not the only team involved. He fits a lot of teams, but there is no denying the greatness that could come of him playing on Connor Bedard's wing.
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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards smiles before the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 19, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
But with draft night officially in the rear-view mirror, the next domino to fall is whether 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis still fits into those long-term plans.
Following the conclusion of the draft, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said the organization wants to keep Davis in Washington, and set a timeline for contract talks to begin later this summer.
“With AD again, he wants to be here and we want him here,” Dawkins said on ESPN. “We’ll have that conversation in the middle of August when we can officially have that.”
Washington acquired Davis from the Dallas Mavericks in an eight-player trade on Feb. 4 with hopes that the veteran big man could help stabilize a rebuilding franchise that finished last in the Eastern Conference each of the past two seasons.
But the Wizards’ timeline changed dramatically after landing Dybantsa with the first overall pick and locking up Young as the face of the offense. Now the front office must determine whether a 33-year-old Davis fits alongside two players expected to anchor the franchise as it seeks an identity that includes more then 20 wins in a season.
Davis remains one of the NBA’s premier two-way players when healthy, giving Washington an elite defender and interior scorer to complement Young’s and Dybantsa’s playmaking. But the same time, committing to another massive contract for an aging star could limit the franchise’s financial flexibility as its young core develops.
Davis has one guaranteed year remaining on his contract, worth $58.5 million in 2026-27, and holds a $62.8 million player option for the following season. Beginning Aug. 6, he’ll become eligible to sign a four-year extension worth as much as $275 million.
That presents a difficult decision for a front office balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term roster construction.
Over the past five seasons, Davis has averaged just 48.6 regular-season games, making durability another key factor as Washington evaluates whether to make a long-term commitment.
While Davis has surfaced in trade speculation since arriving in Washington, Dawkins’ comments suggest the Wizards’ priority is exploring an extension rather than moving the veteran forward.
The organization appears intent on seeing whether Davis can help bridge the gap between its current roster and the future built around Dybantsa and Young. Whether that bridge extends another four years will likely depend on the conversations that begin in August.
For now, it feels like Washington believes Davis wants to stay, but the bigger question is whether he still fits the timeline of a franchise whose future is rapidly getting younger by the season.
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - MAY 05: Detailed view of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery set at the NHL Network Studio on May 5, 2026 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
While it isn’t expected to be a big night for the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night for the opening round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Saturday might be a different story as the organization currently holds 10 picks on the second day of the draft including two top 100 picks starting with 43rd overall in the second round and 74th overall in the third round. Will Colorado make either of these picks or will they get moved in a draft weekend trade?
To begin the festivities, tonight the first round of the draft commences from Buffalo, NY. It will be televised on ESPN and ESPN+ beginning at 5 p.m. MT. Saturday morning rounds 2-7 start bright and early at 9 a.m. MT on NHL Network and ESPN+.
Since Sunday, FOUR first-round picks in the 2026 #NHLDraft have been dealt in FIVE different trades (No. 4, No. 9, No. 16, & No. 25)! 😳
Here's an updated look at the order of selection for Friday's first round!
There have been some major trades in the league leading up to this event and even more could be on tap before the weekend has concluded. Stay up to date with the NHL’s entire official draft order, which has been updated continually with the recent flurry of exchanges.
Follow along for a busy two days of action in the comments!
The Kansas City Royals have reached the season midpoint at 34-48, fourteen games below .500 and sitting in last place in the AL Central. It is not where anyone wanted to be, but Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco find more to talk about than the record alone would suggest.
The headline story continues to be Jac Caglianone, who leads the team with 14 home runs and is flirting with franchise records for June production. We break down the adjustments that have fueled his recent surge, the mechanical changes that are translating into real power output, and the realistic conversation about a Home Run Derby bid.
Carter Jensen’s 16-game hitting streak is a remarkable run for a rookie catcher and a reminder that the development pipeline is producing players who can contribute at the major league level. We examine his progress alongside a broader conversation about the coaching staff’s impact on hitting, with offensive metrics improving notably in June even as the overall record continues to disappoint.
Injury management remains a recurring concern. The decision-making around IL placements and strategic rest periods gets a candid evaluation, and we wonder whether the organization’s approach is protecting players for the long term or simply creating more instability in the short term. Bobby Witt Jr.’s All-Star candidacy and the latest voting updates are also covered, even as his health remains something fans are monitoring closely.
The episode rounds out with a look ahead to the upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox, including pitching matchup breakdowns, a discussion of the Royals’ draft prospects and the college-versus-high-school player development debate, and John Rave’s recent stance change and what it could mean for his offensive ceiling.
Jun 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Several players who helped shape the success of the current Phillies run left in the off-season or even departed in the middle of 2026, in the case of Rob Thomson.
In the first installment, we covered the first few days for each of these players in their new homes. Now that we are in late June, there is a much better idea of how each of their seasons is going and whether the Phillies made the right decisions or not (there is still not enough time to judge but it’s fine).
Ranger Suárez’s Career Year
In 15 starts with Boston, Ranger Suárez is on pace for a career season. He is on pace to eclipse his 4.0 fWAR 2025 season, his innings total, and has a 2.83 ERA with an even better FIP.
The Red Sox have made a few tweaks with him; his primary fastball to right-handed hitters is his cutter, with a slight uptick in four-seam usage and fewer sinkers. Against left-handed hitters, Suárez is weirdly throwing a lot more four-seam fastballs and is getting worse results. In 2025, Suárez allowed a .611 OPS to lefties and is at .730 in Boston. Maybe there is a new tweak in the second half to cut those numbers down.
The changes have also cut his groundball rate down from a well above average 48% to 39.4%, so there could end up being some regression if this continues.
Another interesting wrinkle is that Boston has been cutting his outings a little quicker than the Phillies did. In 26 starts with the Phillies last season, he appeared in the sixth inning 20 times and in the seventh another 14. Through 15 starts in Boston, he’s appeared in the sixth inning eight times and only four in the seventh.
Part of this is probably because of organizational philosophy, the Red Sox losing more games, and also Suárez’s injury history. If it helps get him to 30 starts, then the juice is probably worth the squeeze here.
Castellanos Cut
While the Padres were in Philadelphia earlier this month, San Diego released Nick Castellanos and he has not signed with a team since. In 39 games with the Padres, Castellanos hit .191 with a .560 OPS and had -1.0 bWAR. He was one of the worst players in the sport.
Things have not gone well for Harrison Bader and Matt Strahm on their new teams. Bader has only played in 30 games and is currently on the injured list with a foot injury. He’s taken a major step back as a player overall, hitting just .170 with a .557 OPS and has not graded out nearly as well defensively.
There are significant red flags for Bader, his sprint speed and arm strength have taken nose dives, he’s missed most of the season because of injuries, and is 32. This all looks to be the signs of a player who isn’t going to be major league caliber anymore.
Matt Strahm is another player the Phillies seemed to give up on at the right time. His fastball velocity lost more than a full tick and he is now completely ineffective. His strikeout rate went down by 10% from 2025 to 2026, he is now walking hitters at a below average rate, and is not getting any soft contact.
In 25.2 innings, Strahm has a 5.96 ERA and looks like someone who will end up getting released before the season ends.
Taijuan Walker was released by the Phillies back in late April and signed a minor league deal with the Angels. He was cut then signed again at one point and most recently was released a few days ago. In three AAA starts with the Salt Lake Bees, Walker had a 4.91 ERA in 14.2 innings.
Eduardo Tait, the other player in the package that got the Phillies Jhoan Duran, has taken a step back as a 19 year old in A+ ball, hitting just .221 with an 81 wRC+.
More stuff
Walker Buehler made two starts against the Phillies in late May and early June, throwing a combined 11.1 innings of 3 run ball. For the season, Buehler has been a solid piece to the Padres rotation as a minor league signing with a 3.96 ERA in 72.2 innings this season.
Kody Clemens is having the best season of his career with a .767 OPS with the Twins. Neat.
Weston Wilson has split time between Baltimore and Seattle this year as a right handed corner utility option. Across 53 plate appearances, Wilson has a 78 OPS+ and has been a below replacement level player.
The best story for last, Donovan Walton has been amazing for the Los Angeles Angels. The 32-year-old journeyman middle infielder has played in 26 games with the Angels and has a .885 OPS. Maybe the Angels are willing to trade him and Wade Meckler at the deadline because they don’t seem to want to trade anyone else.
Well, that game was at least a little differently shaped. Sort of. The Cubs broke out to a three-run lead after both starters were excellent. Then the porous Cub bullpen slowly gave back the lead with three different relievers being charged with a run each. But they scored in the tenth and held on. A last at-bat win for this team isn’t odd. That makes 11 of them now by my count. Nine walk-offs and two road wins in their last turn at the plate. That’s 25 percent of the team’s wins. Wow. So different, but not that different. This is a script they’ve followed at home.
Trent Thornton became the eighth different Cub reliever with a save in the first half. Anyone know the Cub record for different players recording saves in a season is? An even harder search would be what the record is at the intersection of most different players with a save and fewest saves. This was the team’s 12th save among 44 wins. Eight players to record 12 saves. Oh and the third intersection? The team is actually good, definitely record wise.
The Cubs swept a season series with the Mets for the first time since 2015. World Series championship in 2027 confirmed. Get your tickets now and place your bets. Surely there is some causation/correlation there, right? This team has so many contradictions. It’s a crazy wild ride. 10 wins in 13 games to finish the first half. Put otherwise, in two stretches, totaling 36 games, they won 30. In the other 45 games, they won 14. 83 percent winning percentage on the peaks and 33 percent winning percentage in the valleys. Unbelievable.
There are so many contradictions that I don’t know what to think of this team. The sum appears better than the parts. I somehow think this team ended up underachieving in the first half while also headed for a second half collapse due to the absolute lack of any frontline pitching. You can’t reasonably expect any of Cade Horton, Justin Steele, Ben Brown or Edward Cabrera to make significant contributions the remainder of this season. How is this team not headed for collapse?
And at the same time, I feel like a fool if I totally write this team off. Their offense has been one of the better units and I could argue they’ve underperformed. Is anyone other than Pete Crow-Armstrong having a particularly good season offensively? Other than being elite at taking walks, this offense hasn’t been that good. Is that modern baseball? Or should they actually be better in the second half? Can they hit enough to stay competitive? I don’t know how good this team really is. But I do know they are a lot of fun to follow. You know, other than when they make you want to pull your hair out.
Three Positives:
Pete Crow-Armstrong had two of the Cubs six hits. He drove in the decisive run with a 10th inning double.
Caleb Thielbar had a perfect eighth inning. He struck out two.
Trent Thornton locked down the 10th inning, facing the minimum.
Game 81, June 25: Cubs 4, Mets 3 (44-37)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Trent Thornton (.445). IP, 3 BF (Sv 1)
Hero: Matthew Boyd (.249). 4.2 IP, 21 BF, 4 H, 4 BB, 0 ER, 4 K
Sidekick: Pete Crow-Armstrong (.242). 2-5, 2B, RBI
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Hoby Milner (-.258). 0 IP, 3 BF, 3 H, ER
Goat: Michael Busch (-.122). 1-5
Kid: Dansby Swanson (-.108). 0-4, R
WPA Play of the Game: Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI-double with one out in the tenth. (.290)
Mets Play of the Game: Jared Young’s solo homer off of Phil Maton leading off the seventh inning. (.237)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 79 Winner: Dansby Swanson received 148 of 153 votes.
Game 80 Winner: Dansby Swanson received 103 of 144 votes.
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 5/Bottom 5)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
Pete Crow-Armstrong +21
Michael Busch +18
Ben Brown +13.5
Carson Kelly +12.5
Trent Thornton +11.5
Jacob Webb/Jameson Taillon -8
Edward Cabrera -9.5
Phil Maton -10
Caleb Thielbar -13
Seiya Suzuki -22.5
Up Next: It’s best to not think about this weekend series. The Cubs won four straight and nine of 13 and then charitably forfeited the next three. Win one. Any one. That would be such a triumph at this point. Colin Rea (5-5, 4.99) vs. Jacob Misiorowski (8-3, 1.45). A totally reasonable matchup. A great way to spend my Friday night. Have I ever mentioned I have friends there who are rabid Brewers fans (and Packers and everything else Wisconsin, woohoo). Yep. There are going to be no unreasonable takes on a Friday night.
Gonna have to sweep this series to keep rolling to 10 straight. Those are the rules, right?
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 24: Henri Veesaar is selected fifty-second overall during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round Two on June 24, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When a kid from Estonia grows up dreaming of being in the NBA, that decision goes well beyond simple salary math. A NBA team or teams, possibly the Lakers and/or Knicks, likely gave Veesaar’s representatives a strong indication they valued him as a first round pick. Veesaar recently married, and after three years of college life, a desire for a change in lifestyle would be completely understandable. The NBA Draft values potential more than anything else, and a player’s age plays a role in those calculations. Henri turned 22 in March, and a 23 year old Veesaar is slightly less valuable than a 22 year old Veesaar, all other things being equal. Veesaar had these and other reasons, all totally valid, to go. What done is done. Godspeed, Henri. Knock ’em dead.
That said, dropping to pick 52 in the draft could mean a financial difference as much as $10 million over the next two seasons. The math on that is simple. First, Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reports UNC offered Veesaar $5 million or more for next season.
Via a UNC source: Henri Veesaar would have had at least a $5 million NIL deal had he returned. He left to chase being a first-rounder.
We're into the mid-40s and he's still waiting.
Easily the biggest mistake of the 2026 draft—and certainly one of the biggest in recent memory.
Second, the recent change in NCAA rules eligibility, the “5 for 5” rule, means Henri would have had two more seasons of college eligibility. Assuming good health, Veesaar in retrospect had the option of two years at $5+ million each. Third, Alex Toohey, last year’s pick 52, signed a non-guaranteed G-league deal with the Golden State Warriors worth around $600,000. Injured in December, the Warriors cut him, so Toohey realized only around $170,000 of that contract. That’s a $10 million difference.
We’ll get into the particulars of Veesaar’s drop in a bit, but his example seems worth discussion because UNC likely will have plenty of players facing similar decisions and dilemmas moving forward. The conversation for next year’s draft already includes three players on next season’s roster: Nikolas Avdalas, Sayon Keita, and Matt Able. They will all likely face choices similar to Veesaar’s. As fans, there’s also the small matter of gnashing our teeth every time we’re watching a tight game or monitoring the NET standings, wondering whether Henri’s return would have meant a better result. Taking the time to better understand a dynamic that likely to impact UNC men’s basketball every season moving forward seems worth the time.
The following moves back and forth between what we suspect and what we know, labelled accordingly. The speculation isn’t an attempt to point fingers without evidence. It’s just conjecture along the lines of the way NBA front offices can operate.
Speculation. A player with $5 million or more on the table in college likely needs solid evidence that a NBA tam values him enough to forego that guaranteed money, no matter how done they are with college classrooms or how much they dream of being in the NBA. Let’s pretend that a team promises to draft him late in the first round, say, the Lakers at pick 25. Perhaps no one makes him a promise, but more than one team – add the Knicks here – indicates a desire to add Veesaar with a late first round or early second round pick.
Known: Last year’s pick 25, Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic, signed a four year contract worth more than $15 million, with more than $6 million of that guaranteed over the first two years. So, yes, the 25th pick in the NBA draft actually represents a pay cut from what a college player in Henri’s situation stands to make. If you’re wondering why so many underclassmen projected in the latter half of the first round opted to return to school, there’s one highly relevant data point. “Let’s make more money next season than I would in the NBA, with hopes of moving up in next season’s draft.” That comes with risks, most notably injury. Choosing the NBA in this situation means slightly less money in the short term, but it allows a player to train full-time in a fully professional setting, minus the demands of college. It gets a player firmly onto a NBA roster. It gets a player to a second contract sooner. It amounts to a player making a long-term bet on themselves, and that’s hard to condemn a guy for.
Speculation: This in turn assumes the front offices aren’t just blowing smoke or more fluid behind the scenes than they’re willing to reveal. Let’s say the Knicks, fresh off a title, restructure their off-season strategy and decide to keep trading down, taking a couple of two-way assets in the 2nd round rather than adding a first rounder to the roster. Let’s say the Lakers front office also likes Cameron Carr, a center from Baylor with better defensive upside, but doesn’t expect him to be on the board when their turn rolls around. Turns out Carr is, and the Lakers trade up from 25 to 24 to nab him.
Known: The Lakers picking Carr at 24, and then the Knicks trading away both picks 24 and 25 for future assets, was the point things went off the rails for Veesaar. Most mocks assumed one of those two teams would be Veesaar’s first round landing spot. With the first round done and Veesaar still waiting, Henri became a hot topic. Pundits talked about Veesaar as a first round talent and steal as an early second round pick. Jeremy Woo of ESPN said he expected the Knicks to take Veesaar with pick 31, with the caveat that the Knicks didn’t keep trading away their picks. Which the Knicks did, sending the pick to Houston.
Speculation: Veesaar and his agent at this point want some sort of guaranteed deal, but the teams picking at the top of the second round don’t need bigs. 10 of the first 15 picks in the second round go for guards, and the other five choose forwards. Word leaks that Veesaar’s agent tells teams that if they want to draft Veesaar, they better be willing to offer him a contract with more than one guaranteed year.
Known: The Lakers trade back into the second round at 56, with the conventional wisdom that Veesaar’s their aim. Once the Hawks jump into the 52 spot and take Henri, the Lakers trade that pick away.
Speculation: Veesaar and the Hawks worked something out better than the Lakers were offering. While the details of a Hawks-Veesaar agreement remain unknown, the NBA doesn’t have firm salary slots for picks in the second round. Remember pick 52 mentioned above, the one Golden State signed to a non-guaranteed $600,000 and then cut? Those same Warriors at pick 56, four picks later, took Will Richard and signed him to a four year deal at $8.7 million, with $3.4 million of that guaranteed over two years (hat tip LCS70). That’s in line with what other picks near the top of the second round negotiated. Richard appeared in 69 games for the Warriors, averaging 20 minutes, 6.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Onsi Saleh, Hawks President of Basketball Ops, on drafting Henri Veesaar at #52:
“We were shocked that he was there. We were able to trade up to go get him. Super excited about that. We were jumping up and down. That one we were chasing from the early 2nd to go figure out."
So, if Veesaar’s agent was able to work out something like that for Veesaar, then Veesaar’s still making good money in a stable roster spot and launching his NBA career. It wouldn’t be what he’d hoped for when all the mocks had him as a first round pick, but it would be far better than a G-league two-way deal with no guarantees. At some point, the details of Veesaar’s contract will be made public. Until then, we can only hope things worked out for the big guy. Either way, however, the fact remains Veesaar would have been far more valuable to UNC this season and next than he turned out to be to any NBA team.
So, even if Veesaar avoided a worst-case scenario and still parlayed his talent into a firm footing in the NBA, his story remains a cautionary tale for future Tar Heels faced with similar choices. Way-too-early mock drafts for 2027 already include Keita and Able as potential first rounders, with Avdalas in the mix in the next tier of 30 draft candidates. Will one of those be in position to make far more money in college than the NBA? Will their agents be able to accurately read between the lines in communications with NBA front offices? Will one of them confidently step into the draft as a consensus first rounder, only to find themselves scrambling to create value as their leverage rapidly dwindles?
For fans, it only adds to the frustration of following the Tar Heels and college sports. Should Henri have taken much better money to return to Carolina, a return which would have unquestionably raised both the ceiling and floor for next season? Selfishly: of course. If Able, Keita, or Avdalas play their way into legitimate late first round consideration, will Veesaar’s example influence their perspective? Hopefully. Should fans have to worry about the portal on the one hand and the NBA on the other decimating their team every season? Selfishly: no.
Regardless, it remains something Tar Heel fans will need to get used to. Landing elite players with NBA potential makes Final Fours possible. It also means other teams, both college and NBA, dangling temptation in front of those players. This saga may yet have a happy ending for Veesaar, but it leaves fans with a very real “what if” that will inevitably color the coming season.
ST. LOUIS — The Arizona Diamondbacks activated outfielder Max Kepler from the restricted list following his completion of an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
Kepler, who signed a free agent deal with the Diamondbacks on June 7, hit .333 with two home runs in 10 minor league games. He was fifth in the batting order and played left field for the Diamondbacks against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Kepler was suspended in January for a positive test for Epitrenbolone, a metabolite of Trenbolone that’s contained in some products used in body-building stores and has been used in products to promote cattle growth. Kepler was the first player suspended by MLB for the substance since public announcements of the penalty details began in 2005.
“It’s a great opportunity for him,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “I’m glad that he’s here. … He’s been working his tail off to get back here as soon as possible, and the fact that he’s in this lineup tonight is not surprising to any of us. He’s going to go out there and help us win a baseball game by impacting it the right way.”
Kepler, 33, hit .216 with 18 homers and 52 RBIs with Philadelphia last year after agreeing to a one-year, $10 million contract. He was slowed in 2024 by left patellar tendinitis and had core surgery after the season to repair a sports hernia.
He has a .235 average with 179 home runs and 560 RBIs over an 11-year career.
“I don’t know what happened, but he paid his penalty,” Lovullo said. “He served it, and he’s here, and he wants to show the world that he can still play this game at a very high level.”
To make room for Kepler on the 40 man, the Diamondbacks moved RHP Ryne Nelson (strained right elbow) to the 60-day disabled list. Arizona also optioned OF Tim Tawa and LHP Mitch Bratt to Triple-A Reno and recalled RHP Juan Burgos.
Despite being selected third in the 2026 NBA Draft, Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer is the opening favorite in Rookie of the Year odds.
Boozer, the 2026 NCAA Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American, has an implied 29.4% chance to win the award, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Key Takeaways
The last player to win the Rookie of the Year after being drafted third overall was LaMelo Ball in 2021.
Four of the last nine (44.4%) ROTY winners were taken first overall.
The Washington Wizards have the best Finals odds (+12,000) of teams with a top ROTY candidate.
Boozer is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his Duke predecessor, Cooper Flagg, a fellow forward who went to the NBA after one year of college and won the Rookie of the Year award.
The son of 13-year NBA veteran Carlos Boozer leads FanDuel’s odds board at +240. Just behind him are the top two picks in the draft, Washington Wizards guard AJ Dybantsa (BYU) and Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson (Kansas), both at +400.
Dybantsa, also a consensus first-team All-American, led the NCAA in scoring last year and was the first player taken in the draft. Peterson was a second-team All Big 12 member, whose only college season was mired by severe cramping and missing 21.4% of his games.
Dybantsa and Peterson’s +400 odds to win NBA Rookie of the Year carry 20% implied probability each.
The final player who is within close proximity of the leaders is Sacramento Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas), who was taken seventh during Tuesday’s event. Another consensus first-team All-American, Acuff Jr. was one of the most outstanding players in March Madness, during which he averaged an efficient 29.3 points and 5.3 assists across three games.
NBA Rookie of the Year challengers and trends
According to FanDuel, there are two standout players — Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson (North Carolina) and Brooklyn Nets guard Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville) — who are chasing the leaders.
Wilson, the fourth pick and another consensus first-team All-American, is +950 in NBA Rookie of the Year odds. Brown Jr., a third-team All-ACC performer, is +1,500 (6.3% chance) in odds.
Four of the last nine Rookie of the Year winners were selected with the first pick in the draft. If that trend continues, Dybantsa has nearly a coin flip’s chance of claiming the hardware.
During that same nine-year period, no players drafted lower than fourth overall won the Rookie of the Year honor. That would theoretically eliminate all players not named Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, or Wilson.
The one outlier in recent history occurred in 2017, when second-round and 36th-overall selection Malcolm Brogdon was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, despite a mundane 10.2-point, 4.2-assist, 2.8-rebound stat line. The 36th pick in this year’s draft was Cincinnati forward Baba Miller, now of the Los Angeles Clippers.
NBA Finals odds lookahead
While NBA Finals oddsare not available on FanDuel at the time of writing, the other top online sportsbooks have theirs published.
According to DraftKings, none of the teams with a perceived top candidate to win the award have better odds to win the Finals than the Wizards (+12,000). The Jazz (+18,000) are the next team in line, followed by the Nets (+25,000), Grizzlies (+50,000), Bulls (+70,000), and Kings (+100,000).
The Wizards’ Finals odds are tied for 22nd in the league.
They’ve had a more potent offense than the Chicago Cubs over the course of the season, and the recent numbers are better as well.
Milwaukee ranks fourth in wOBA and OPS against right-handed pitching in June. Even with recent improvements, Chicago sits 16th and 18th over the same period.
Misiorowski has allowed 0.33 runs per start since May 1, making it impossible for any offense to get going in the slightest.
He faced the Cubs during that stretch and pitched six innings of shutout ball while striking out eight batters. Predictably, that game went Under 7.5 runs.
I don’t see the Cubs scoring more than a run or two here, which puts a lot of pressure on the Brewers to score in bulk.
I expect a 5-1 type of game, and see plenty of value on an Under of 7.5 runs. Bet to -140.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 42-31, +2.20 units
Over/Under bets: 38-31-4, +3.24 units
Cubs vs Brewers weather
Clear to partly cloudy skies are expected tonight with temperatures dipping into the mid-fifties tonight.
Cubs vs Brewers odds
Moneyline: Cubs +210 | Brewers -260
Run line: Cubs +1.5 (+100) | Brewers -1.5 (-120)
Over/Under: Over 7.0 (-125) | Under 7.0 (+105)
Cubs vs Brewers trend
Milwaukee has hit the run line in 23 of the last 40 home games (+10.25 units, 22% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Brewers.
How to watch Cubs vs Brewers and game info
Location
American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Friday, June 26, 2026
First pitch
7:45 p.m. ET
TV
Apple TV
Cubs starting pitcher
Colin Rea (5-5, 4.99 ERA)
Brewers starting pitcher
Jacob Misiorowski (8-3, 1.45 ERA)
Cubs vs Brewers 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.
The Colorado Avalanche enter the 2026 NHL Draft with 10 selections, including Nos. 43, 74, 126, 128, 149, 152, 195, 214, 215, and 222.
After a stretch of aggressive roster maneuvering, Joe Sakic has steadily rebuilt Colorado’s draft capital as part of a broader reset of the organization’s prospect pipeline. Moves such as sending Ross Colton and Isak Posch to the Nashville Predators for two third-round picks, followed by the deal that sent star winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for three additional selections, have significantly expanded the Avalanche’s draft flexibility heading into 2026.
Even after those moves, the Avalanche still have clear roster gaps to address. Chief among them is a need for added center depth and more physical presence down the middle.
43. Liam Lefebvre, C.
Lefebvre could come off the board before the Avalanche even get a chance to pick, but if he’s still available, Colorado should not hesitate. The Montreal native is a hard-charging, physical forward who can slide into multiple roles and contribute in different situations. He finished the season with 32 goals and 27 assists for 59 points in 59 regular-season games split between the Océanic and Saguenéens, and added 12 points in 20 playoff games.
If Lefebvre is gone, however, Colorado may pivot to Alessandro Di Iorio—and that wouldn’t be a downgrade. In many ways, Di Iorio could be an even cleaner fit within the Avalanche system. He brings a strong mix of speed, physical play, vision, and a dangerous shot, allowing him to impact the game in multiple ways. Over the years, Colorado has consistently leaned toward versatile forwards like Di Iorio, making him a natural target in their draft approach.
74. Lucas Ambrosio, D.
Ambrosio profiles as a defensive-minded defenseman who moves well and still has some untapped potential on the offensive side of the puck. He has the skating ability to keep up with quicker forwards, while also bringing a large frame that allows him to close gaps and knock opponents off the puck.
For a Colorado blue line that could stand to get tougher, Ambrosio fits the mold. He brings a physical edge, plays with structure in his own zone, and projects as a steady, defensive presence.
126. Sawyer Dingman, LW.
Dingman offers the kind of size that can't be taught. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, the Edmonton, Alberta native plays a physical, north-south game while showing the skating ability and offensive tools to develop further. His upside made him a player worth watching throughout the draft process, finishing No. 145 on NHL Central Scouting's final rankings among North American skaters.
128. Giorgos Pantelas, D.
Pantelas projects as a potential two-way defenseman with the tools to grow into a puck-moving role. He has decent skating ability and can contribute to transition play, including joining or leading rushes when given space. However, his skating still needs refinement before it reaches a reliable NHL level.
The biggest concern in his game is how he handles pressure. When facing an aggressive forecheck, he can get rushed into mistakes and will occasionally cough up possession in his own zone. Improving his decision-making and composure under pressure will be key to unlocking his full potential.
149. Dmitri Yakutsenak, C.
Yakutsenak's game is defined by his skating as well as his excellent puck control and sharp offensive instincts. At 6'1 and 201 pounds, Yakutsenak uses his size well on the ice to win board battles and is known for being effective on the power play from the bumper spot.
152. Joby Baumuller, LW.
Baumuller is a hard-charging checking forward who excels in the forechecking role, using his positioning and hockey sense to disrupt opposing plays and force turnovers. His ability to read and react to breakouts is a key strength, as he consistently gets into effective lanes to take away time and space or steer his opponents into traps. Baumuller’s excellent stick work keeps defenders alert, and he frequently comes close to intercepting passes, adding pressure to the opposition’s breakout. This player has a little bit of Valeri Nichushkin and Devon Toews.
195. Michel Myloserdnyy, D.
The Avalanche appear to be shifting toward a more physical identity this season, targeting players who make life difficult for opponents. Myloserdnyy fits that mold perfectly. At 18 years old, he already stands 6-foot-7 and weighs close to 230 pounds, and he doesn’t hesitate to engage physically or step into confrontations. He brings a clear edge to his game and projects as a heavy, intimidating presence on the ice.
214. Danil Sysoyev, C.
Sysoyev projects as a reliable two-way center with the tools to develop into an effective fourth-line player at the NHL level. He's strong in the faceoff circle, moves the puck well, and makes smart, simple plays with possession. While his offensive upside appears limited, his hockey IQ, passing ability, and defensive reliability give him a solid foundation
215. Adel Kalimullin, RW
Kalimullin plays with relentless energy and isn't afraid to throw his body around, delivering big open-ice hits while constantly pressuring opponents. He's an aggressive player who attacks with speed and creates offense through his motor, but his game can get rushed at times. As he continues to refine his puck-handling and learns to better control the pace of play, he should cut down on unnecessary mistakes and become a more consistent offensive threat.
222. Darian Anderson, RW.
Anderson profiles as a reliable depth forward who has a knack for slipping through defensive coverage and finding soft areas in coverage. He does a lot of his damage around the net, tracking down loose pucks and capitalizing on rebound opportunities that can swing momentum in tight games.
Antetokounmpo took the stage alongside Olympic medalist Emmanouil Karalis, joining Stavros Niarchos Foundation Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos for a wide-ranging conversation. The trio discussed the values underpinning athletic excellence and how these principles could inspire athletes to give back, strengthen their communities, and create opportunities for future generations.
Antetokounmpo did not take any questions about his trade to the Heat, and instead he focused on his philanthropic work off the court.
"I came from nothing. Growing up, my family relied on community organizations for food and basic necessities. I remember asking why these people helped us, and they said it was from the heart," Antetokounmpo reflected. "As a kid, I didn’t grasp the meaning, but now I understand the power of compassion and generosity. We may not be able to solve every problem, but we can always do something to ease someone’s load."
During the event, Antetokounmpo revealed that a conversation with former U.S. President Barack Obama was a turning point for him. Obama encouraged him to use his platform not just for personal success, but to advocate for causes he believes in and inspire others to dream big. This guidance motivated Antetokounmpo to step outside his comfort zone, raise awareness for critical issues that shaped his childhood, and instill hope in people.
"Although I prefer to keep my personal life private, that conversation made me realize the importance of speaking out and sharing my journey and platform," Antetokounmpo said. "I’m extremely proud of the foundation and the real difference it’s making in people’s lives."
Those early experiences shaped Antetokounmpo’s deep commitment to making a difference beyond basketball. In 2022, he and his family established the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation in honor of his late father. The foundation’s mission spans three places he considers home: Milwaukee, Greece and Nigeria, providing food security, access to education, youth sports programs and emergency relief.
The two-time NBA MVP appearance comes after being traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat in exchange for five future picks and four players. The trade involves Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis going to the Heat, while the Bucks receive Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (including the No. 13 overall pick in this year's draft), a pick swap in 2030, and a second-round pick in 2033.
Green comes down from the Mets' front office, having served as the team's vice president for player development since before the 2024 season. In that role, he oversaw the entire farm system and minor league operations.
Past managerial experience
Green does have some experience in the managers' seat, having previously served as the head man for the Padres for close to three seasons until he was fired late in the 2019 campaign.
San Diego was in the midst of a rebuild during his time there, and he led them to a 274-366 record.
Following his departure, he joined David Ross' staff as the Cubs' bench coach, a role that he filled until Chicago decided to bring in Craig Counsell to replace Ross, ultimately bringing him to the Big Apple.
Playing career
Green was selected by the Diamondbacks in the 24th round of the 2000 MLB Draft. He was a consistent .300 hitter throughout his journey through the minors, and ended up making his big league debut during the 2004 season.
Green, a utility man, never quite stuck as a regular in the majors and ended up taking his talents over to Japan, where he played for the Nippon Ham Fighters for a year.
He spent time in the Reds organization upon his return to the U.S., then ended up back at the big league level with the Mets for a very brief stint during the 2009 season.
Green had 46 hits in 230 at-bats during his four MLB seasons.
We all need a break from unreliably sourced Jaylen Brown trade rumors.
Instead, we need Jaylen Brown trade rumors that are completely unsourced (well, not completely, my brother helped out with a couple).
Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks have offered to trade back Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan for Jaylen Brown, but this might be an overpay.
Brooklyn Nets: The Nets will agree to an admission that the fancy floor at the Barclay Center was just an attempt to one-up the Celtics, and that they’re really sorry about that.
Charlotte Hornets: Michael Jordan (yep, he’s still a minority owner) has promised to give Stevens some advice on how to identify talent in the draft. The Celtics are letting this one ride.
Chicago Bulls: The Bulls have offered up usage rights for “Sirius” as the team’s walk-on music.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs haven’t actually put an offer in. They’re waiting for Jaylen to suffer a hip injury before they pull the trigger.
Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs’ offer centers around an explanation for how the heck they won the lottery the same year that they traded away Luka Doncic for what was left of Anthony Davis and some allegedly magic beans.
Denver Nuggets: They’ll pressurize Ball Arena to sea level for Celtics road games.
Detroit Pistons: The key piece in Detroit’s package is a formal apology for trading for Bill Laimbeer.
Golden State Warriors: The Warriors will pass on the secret of Draymond Green’s popularity—and why the heck anybody wants to listen to what he has to say off the court.
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers have promised that they’ll release Larry Bird from the cell they’re keeping him in under the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
L.A. Clippers: The Clippers haven’t offered Boston anything directly, but they do have a nice endorsement deal for Jaylen.
L.A. Lakers: Did you know that the C’s have only executed three trades with the Lakers in their collective history? It’s been almost 22 years since the last trade. Anyway, the Lakers don’t really have any players to offer, but they have a bunch of AI-generated images of Jaylen in a Lakers jersey.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies offer includes a like-new, low-mileage Ja Morant complete with intermittent social media presence.
Miami Heat: Pat Riley will give Brad Stevens five free lessons in hair greasing. He assures Brad that, no, the dry look really is out, and soon everybody will be once again styling their hair like 1970s Henry Winkler.
Milwaukee Bucks: They have inherited the Miami Heat Trade PackageTM, and have offered it to Boston.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves have offered two things—Lamelo Ball as well as Lamelo’s promise that he’ll do all his in-town driving in a Cozy Coupe.
New York Knicks: Knicks superfan Spike Lee will spend an entire season dressed up as Lucky, the Celtics mascot. It’s potentially a good fit as Spike is already slightly shorter than most leprechauns.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Team management will sign over the contract with the devil that is the secret behind SGA’s foul grifting.
Orlando Magic: They’ll change their nickname to the Orlando Larry Legends.
Philadelphia 76ers: Sixers president of basketball operations and secret voodoo practitioner Daryl Morey will give Boston the phone number of the witch doctor they used to hex Boston in the playoffs this year
Phoenix Suns: The offer from the Valley of the Sun is several truckloads of warm weather to be delivered in January of each year.
Portland Trail Blazers: Boston has secured a promise that they’ll change their name to Trailblazers, because, I mean, come on, nobody uses two words to spell ‘trailblazer.’
Sacramento Kings: The Kings, well, the Kings just want everybody to know that Oscar Robertson once played for them three towns and a nickname ago, and if you could help spread the word, that would be great. Oh, and also, they won an NBA title in 1951.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs have offered the Payaya artifact which enabled them to draft Tim Duncan and Victor Wembyama—but only for the next three seasons.
Toronto Raptors: The Raptors want to build Boston a copy of the CN tower. Their belief is that the Boston skyline isn’t pointy enough.
Utah Jazz: Danny Ainge will send over his lifetime Chipotle card. The Celtics are seriously considering this one.
Washington Wizards: The Wizards package includes one eyebrow waxing coupon from Anthony Davis (never used), and a game worn ‘That’s All Folks’ T-shirt.
30 May 1998: Trever Miller of the Houston Astros in action during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Astros 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport | Getty Images
Trever Miller pitched 13 seasons in the majors. He’d appear in 230 games as a reliever for the Astros and was a member of the 98′ squad that won 102 games. Trever joins us exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes.
Q: You came to Houston as part of a big trade. Where were you when you heard the news?
A: I remember exactly where I was. I was in the hospital; my son was born the day before that. I was actually holding him and taking the phone call, and they told me I was traded. At the time, I could care less, I was just caught up in the emotions of welcoming my son into the world. I was a proud papa at the time.
Q: How much did you know about Houston?
A: I didn’t know anything, really. I had never been there before. I was east coast, brought up through the Tigers organization so I had never really been over there but once I got there, I fell in love with the town and the people.
Q: You came to a good situation as well. That 1998 team was one of the greatest assembled in franchise history. What do you most remember about that season?
A: 1998 was fantastic. We had a lot of future Hall of Famers, and we won lots of ball games. That was my first experience in the playoffs and focusing on the playoff picture.
I was the long man that season coming out of the bullpen, and I went 18 days without getting into a ballgame. That’s how good our starters were. I had to go and do short bullpen sessions with the burn rule just to try to stay sharp.
Q: What happened when you finally got in after such a long layoff?
A: We were playing in Montreal. I’m going back to the hotel with Sean Bergman, who’s scheduled to start the next day. I said to him “tomorrow, you go six innings and get the win by a score of 10-0, and I’ll come in the final three innings and close it out to get my first save.”
Well, it turns out that he pitched six innings, the score was actually 8-0, he left in the 7th with the bases loaded, I came in and got out of that jam by some miracle (laughs) and I pitch two more innings to get the save. In the process, I also got my first big league hit. I hit a double, and that wound up being the 10th run scored. I got my first hit and my first save in the same game! I also pitched for the first time in 18 days!
Q: Did you like playing for Phil Garner?
A: I did. Phil used me a ton. The end of one year I had like 76 appearances.
At the end of that season, Phil looked me right in the eye and said, “I rode you pretty hard this last month, didn’t I?” I was like “yes you did, I did my best.”
So, I get home, and I go to do my first off-season workout, and I can barely even lift a 10 lb. dumbbell to curl. My arm was fried and I spent that whole offseason just trying to get back to neutral.
Q: What do you think of pitching today?
A: The fans seem to love it, so I like it for them. I think there’s too many reviews and I hate the pitcher’s clock. My wife thinks that the clock has created a deal where the romance of baseball is gone. I tend to agree with that.
I don’t see pitching anymore, I see guys trying to throw it as hard as they can. I don’t think I’d get a look from a scout if I only threw in the low 90’s which is what I threw back then.
Q: Final question. Jose Lima was one of your teammates. Do you have a favorite story about Lima?
A: We came up together with Detroit. We had a guy that would serve soup to us in the fall league. Jose was always loud and boisterous. We all loved him, but he irked some of the older people.
So, we are going through the soup line one day, and the man pours soup into our bowls and Lima says something that the man doesn’t like and he takes the giant soup spoon and hits him right over the head with it! (laughs). Soup went flying everywhere.
Jose wanted to fight him, we had to hold him back, we were all dying laughing. It was the funniest thing I’d ever seen.
COVERS INTEL:
