PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 14: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres greets Hunter Goodman #15 of the Colorado Rockies as he exits the 96th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller made his appearance in the 2026 MLB All-Star game in the top of the ninth inning. His appearance for the National League All-Stars was short, just four pitches, but effective. The right-hander did what Padres fans have come to expect, and he struck out Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox for the first out of the inning. Miller then gave way to the hometown closer Jhoan Duran of the Philadelphia Phillies who got the final two outs of the top of the ninth. The National League was not able to mount a rally in the bottom of the ninth and the result of the game was a 4-0 win for the American League All-Stars.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts managed the NL All-Stars and seemed to be handling the pitchers and their appearances well until the seventh inning when he let Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski throw two innings. It was an odd decision that resulted in Wrobleski allowing a run on a solo home run by Miguel Vargas of the White Sox in the top of the eighth inning, but he also recorded five strikeouts. Prior to Wrobleski, the NL manager had limited each pitcher to one inning of work. By throwing “his guy” for two innings, he shorted Miller and MLB fans of watching the most dominant reliever in the game. It was a tough to see the lone representative for the Padres be limited to just four pitches, but he can now take some time off and prepare for the second half of the season, which kicks off Friday in Kansas City.
KONYA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 5: A view of butterflies as ten thousand butterfly cocoons have been placed at Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden for visitors to the Seb-i Arus events organized for the 751st death anniversary of Mevlana Jalaluddin al-Rumi in Konya, Turkiye on December 5, 2024. People who come to the city for the commemoration ceremonies to be held on December 7-17 will have the opportunity to watch the first wing flaps of butterflies in the garden. (Photo by Serhat Cetinkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
Shouts out to the animal lovers in the comments. You make our jobs easier. Here’s today’s list of links and notes for you to enjoy.
Per HoopsRumors, Jordan Clarkson waived the trade-veto rights he would normally receive after re-signing with the Knicks on a one-year deal. No, Clarkson is not getting traded tomorrow, but this concession could prove key mid-season when/if the Knicks need someone to match salaries or find the final piece to complete the back-to-back-champions puzzle. Are all Filipinos this charming?
The Knicks might still be searching for another center, but we’re starting to lose it with the targets, aren’t we?
CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn went much bigger and shared his “ultra aggressive backup center idea” for the Knicks ahead of next season. Can you guess the target? Tip: in Quinn’s estimation, it’d take sending a 2032 swap and a 2033 unprotected first the other way.
Former St. John’s standout and SummerKnick guard Oziyah Sellers talked to the New York Post’s Zach Braziller and spoke highly of both the Red Storm and Knicks organizations, among many other things. Worth the read, here’s a tease:
“Coming from St. John’s, I feel like we had that same mentality. We wanted to win really bad. It wasn’t too hard of a transition mindset-wise. Two kinds of similar programs in terms of mindset. It’s definitely something you have to bring every day.
“Obviously, being at St. John’s we play pretty much all our home games at the Garden. So I feel like we have a lot of the same fanbase. Knicks fans, a lot of them are St. John’s fans. It’s kind of like a perfect fit, transitioning right to the Knicks. I’m just grateful for it, for sure.”
Sports Illustrated’s Isaiah De Los Santos has seen enough from Jack Kayil to think the Knicks might have no excuse not to sign him.
Adam Silver washed his hands and clarified that the NBA did not pause the Kawhi trade. Silver claims the very own Raptors and Clippers chose not to complete it while the investigation remains open.
Silver also defended the second apron, saying the roster disruption is an intended consequence of it and that the system is creating competition across the league.
“It’s certainly not an unintended consequence… the purpose of this system is ultimately to create competition throughout the league and from that standpoint I think the system’s working incredibly well. The goal isn’t necessarily to have a different champion every year but we’ve had 8 different champions over the last 8 years”
Kevin Durant spent part of Tuesday doing what he does best, no burner accounts needed.
Bronny James’ future with the Lakers is reportedly not automatically tied to father LeBron, reports The Athletic’s Dan Woike. Shocker! Bryce, warm up.
The Kawhi Leonard investigation has expanded beyond the original Aspiration sponsorship issue. Investigators have examined whether the Clippers paid expenses for Leonard without reimbursement and whether he had another undisclosed endorsement agreement. Remember, Kawhi is an in-limbo Clipper with the Raptors left out in the cold for now.
Spain beat France 2-0 at the World Cup.
There is a name renaissance underway in College Football and no one is talking about it pic.twitter.com/d6NRLSPvwg
Flushing, N.Y.: New York Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns speaks to the media during the team's pre-opening day workout at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens, March 25, 2026. (Photo by Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images) | Newsday via Getty Images
The Mets are bad. The trade deadline approaches: Monday, August 3 at 6 PM EDT. That means it’s time to do an inventory of what the Mets have to move and what they might get for those pieces.
Rental relievers
Relief pitchers on one-year contracts are perhaps the most obvious pieces for a deadline seller to move, and the Mets have a couple good lefty options here. Brooks Raley has a 2.04 ERA over 35.1 innings this season, though his peripherals (3.62 xERA, 15.5% K-BB%) are a bit less favorable. A.J. Minter has been even more effective in his 19 innings, with a 1.42 ERA and peripherals that largely match.
Neither of these guys quite break through into the top tier of arms, but a return similar to what Ryan Helsley fetched last season for the Cardinals—INF Jesus Baez, RHP Nate Dohm, and RHP Frank Elissal—is within the realm of possibility. Something a bit lighter given Helsley’s potentially elite upside (at least at the time of the trade) is more likely, but the Mets should definitely be walking away with a handful of interesting prospects out of both of these deals.
This is perhaps a bit more painful, but a selling team should also consider moving any relievers they have under contract (including those under team control). Could these guys help the 2027 Mets? Absolutely. But year-to-year reliever performance is mercurial, and selling high gets the Mets future value while also potentially setting them up to duck the highest level of tax penalties in 2027.
Huascar Brazobán is the first name to consider here who, despite lacking high-end swing-and-miss stuff, has a 2.76 ERA backed by a 2.90 xERA on the season. Brazobán is a credible opener, middle reliever, or even a 7th inning guy. He’s also under team control until 2030, but he’s already 36, which mutes the value somewhat. Expect a modest return but one that should be better than what the Mets gave up in 2024 (infield prospect Wilfredo Lara).
Luke Weaver is possibly the best reliever likely to be available at this deadline, as one of the 10-20 best bullpen arms this season. He’s also signed for a very reasonable $12.5 million in 2027, giving whatever team acquires him two bites at the apple. This is a guy the Mets are hopefully getting a top-100 level prospect for—again, not a Jhoan Duran or Mason Miller level return, both of whom are better and had more control, but something better than the previously mentioned Ryan Helsley return from 2025.
Finally, there’s Devin Williams, who is the least likely arm to be moved here. He’s signed for an additional two years and $30 million beyond this season and has a 4.83 ERA on the season, along with three blown saves. That’s not great, but maybe a team looks at his solid peripherals and chooses to buy low, similar to what the Braves did in acquiring Raisel Iglesias from the Angels in 2022. It seems unlikely that there’s a serious suitor here but if one appears, offloading this deal is definitely in the Mets’ best interests.
Potential Buyers: Varies by arm, but any contender could be in play for Weaver
Starting pitchers
With the Tigers surging in the standings and the Marlins currently sitting in a Wild Card spot, the Mets may actually find themselves in an advantageous position when it comes to starting pitchers. Freddy Peralta, for all his struggles this season, may very well be the best starter moved at the deadline. Clay Holmes, despite working his way back from injury, may be the second-best starter moved at the deadline. Obviously you don’t want to be in a spot where you’re selling in the first place, but holding a limited resource isn’t the worst spot to be.
With Peralta, the hope is that some team is willing to bet on a bounce back to his prior form. His stuff metrics—along with his strikeout and walk numbers—have gone the wrong direction this season, perhaps suggesting his inflated ERA is earned. On the other hand, he has a 3.82 xERA and was a significantly better arm as recently as last season. The Mets are unlikely to get two top-100 prospects back (which is what they gave up in the offseason for Peralta), but they should comfortably beat the QO pick they’d get by holding Peralta and offering him the QO after the season given current market conditions.
Holmes is even trickier. He’s yet to make it back on the mound after breaking his fibula in mid-May, with a potential rehab assignment scheduled for after the All Star break. He also has a player option, further complicating any negotiations given the potential downside risk to a buyer. Given these factors, Holmes might not fetch quite as much as you’d expect given his quality. Nevertheless, the Mets should be able to grab something interesting in a deal here.
Potential Buyers: Astros, Cubs, Braves, White Sox
Outfielders
Tyrone Taylor is the clear name to move. Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing are already receiving the lion’s share of the outfield playing time and should continue to do so for the remainder of the season. Beyond them, the Mets would likely be better off giving someone like Nick Morabito a bit of run in the majors rather than continuing to trot out Taylor, who is a free agent after this season. Taylor has bounced back a bit from his down 2025 with the bat but at this point is a 4th outfielder—not a real difference maker, but maybe there’s a team that could use some extra depth.
The more interesting name to consider here is Luis Robert Jr., who is nearing a return from a swollen lumbar spine that has kept him out since late April. Describing Robert’s injury history as “lengthy” doesn’t do it justice, but he was playing well early in the season before the injury slowed him down. He’s a good upside play capable of handling center field, and he has a team option for next year to boot if things go well. I’d anticipate the Mets wind up getting more back for Robert than they gave up for him initially, if only because Luisangel Acuña has been so bad.
Potential Buyers: Marlins, Phillies, Astros, Blue Jays, Guardians
Catchers
The Mets’ catching situation is odd at the moment. They made the strange decision to extend Luis Torrens, locking him on a two-year deal, and have since been giving him more playing time behind the dish than Francisco Alvarez. Torrens is a 30-year-old with a 71 DRC+ and bottom of the scale batted ball metrics who rates as a very good defender under both Baseball Prospectus’ and Statcast’s metrics (credit to him, he’s improved a lot back there). Alvarez, by contrast, is a 24-year-old with better-than-league average offense and supporting peripherals. Alvarez has been a mediocre framer this year and was poor last year, but was an above average framer in 2024—perhaps the hand injuries have sapped some skill there, or perhaps this is something he can eventually get back.
Given where the Mets are, their decision to prioritize Torrens behind the dish is questionable to say the least. Practically, however, it’s relegated Alvarez to more of a DH role, a spot where his offense isn’t nearly as valuable. If the front office’s view is that Alvarez isn’t a catcher anymore, capitalizing on a thin market—one where Hunter Goodman and Ryan Jeffers seem unlikely to move—could make sense. All else being equal, it probably makes more sense just to keep him barring a particularly large return.
As for Torrens, it’d be very odd (and likely a significant PR hit with players) to trade him so soon after extending him. You can almost certainly count on him sticking around through the deadline.
Potential Buyers: Yankees, Astros, Red Sox, Rangers
Bo Bichette
Bo Bichette’s contract structure makes him basically unmovable. It is highly unlikely that any team would take the risk on him getting hurt and opting in for next season, particularly given his performance to date and the “general leg and right ankle soreness” that held him out of games prior to the All-Star break. If someone is willing to take on any amount of money here, the Mets should pounce, but don’t count on it.
Potential Buyers: Slim to none
Francisco Lindor
You can bury your head in the sand if you like, but the reality is that Francisco Lindor’s name is out there in trade discussions. Reporters don’t typically get the inkling to ask about no-trade clauses out of the blue, there’s usually a root cause behind it. With a recent Steve Cohen podcast recently confirming the long-suspected tension between Lindor and Juan Soto – the younger, better, more highly paid player – it’s not even a stretch to think that Lindor might actually want out at this point. His answer to the aforementioned no-trade clause question didn’t do much to quash that line of thinking at the very least.
Lindor has absolutely been very good in his time with the Mets, and he’s largely paid for the extension the team handed him prior to the 2021 season. That does not mean, however, that his contract does not have negative value at this juncture. Lindor is a 32-year-old shortstop with five years and ~$170M remaining on his contract after this season, one who is also showing clear signs of aging across his athletic metrics and on-field performance. Is he cooked at 32? No, probably not, but his days as a reliably elite, 5+ win player are likely over. Couple that with his seeming unwillingness to move off shortstop and you’ve got a potentially prickly situation that the Mets, from a completely rational, unemotional, process-driven perspective, should explore extricating themselves from.
So who is going to buy that sort of asset? Very difficult to say. Ten, five, or even three years ago there would have been a line of suitors, but most teams are run better than that these days. The Mets would need to find either a team that has…let’s call them regressive tendencies or a contender who is willing to eat the out years for improvement on the infield this season. Oh, and it has to be to a team that Lindor would waive his no-trade clause to.
That limits the suitors somewhat. The Yankees could be a fit, but trading an aging former star to the cross town rival might be too big a PR hit for the team to stomach. You could imagine the Blue Jays rolling the dice here and they likely have the financial flexibility to do so (plus, trading him for Andres Gimenez’s bad deal would be a good bit), but Lindor probably wouldn’t waive his NTC to play in Canada. The Red Sox are perhaps a decent fit, especially if the Mets ate the last year of Trevor Story’s deal in return, but also just dumped Rafael Devers’ money (a much, much worse deal to be clear). The Giants and Padres don’t have the room nor the impetus given their place in the standings.
All of this means that Lindor probably doens’t get moved, at least not at the deadline. But don’t be surprised if the rumors swirl or even if a deal comes to fruition.
Potential Buyers: Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners, Padres
15 July 2026, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Boltenhagen: Vacationers and day-trippers are taking advantage of the sunny and warm weather to visit the beach on the Baltic Sea coast. With temperatures around 25 degrees and a moderate breeze, the summer weather is at its best. Photo: Jens Büttner/dpa (Photo by Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Normally, there would be no minor league update for today, since the full season affiliates did not play yesterday.
However, this is a special, complex-league-only update because Sebastian Walcott, the top prospect in the Rangers’ system and a consensus top 25 prospect in MLB, made his 2026 debut yesterday. Walcott has missed all of 2026 after undergoing internal brace surgery back in February, and began a rehab assignment with the ACL Rangers on Tuesday.
Walcott was the DH and went 1 for 3 with a strikeout and a double before being lifted after three plate appearances. He will presumably continue to play in Surprise at least through this week before joining either Frisco or Round Rock.
2024 3rd rounder Casey Cook, who also has been sidelined this season, is on game five of his rehab assignment in Surprise. Cook was 2 for 4 with a triple, and is slashing .400/.500/.800 in 18 plate appearances for the ACL Rangers. Cook had a disappointing 2025 season, slashing .205/.302/.294 for Hub City, and my guess is that he will return to Hub City once he’s ready to go.
Two-way guy Seong-Jun Kim threw two shutout innings, walking two and striking out three.
2025 20th rounder Jay McQueen was 2 for 4 with a homer. 2025 17th rounder Noah Franklin was 2 for 4. Jack Wheeler homered.
Elliotte Friedman, the NHL's top insider who represents Sportsnet, woke the hockey world up with some news on Wednesday. The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Anthony Mantha.
According to Friedman, it is a two-year deal with an average annual value of $4.75 million per year. The Devils have since confirmed it.
In 2025-26, Mantha earned a nice payday for himself by staying healthy, scoring 33 goals, adding 31 assists for 64 points, and playing a key role in the Pittsburgh Penguins making it to the playoffs in somewhat surprising fashion.
Mantha had great success playing wing next to stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at both even strength and on the power play, and now he'll move on to some younger centermen like Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier.
It would be a lot to expect Mantha to cross the 30-goal plateau again, but bringing in someone good for 20-plus on a two-year deal is brilliant work by Sunny Mehta. If Mantha stays healthy, he dramatically improves New Jersey's top-six.
New Jersey will be the sixth team that Mantha suits up for in his NHL career. He started his career with the Detroit Red Wings and played there for parts of six years. He followed that up with parts of four years with the Washington Capitals before cups of coffee with the Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
In Pittsburgh at 31, Mantha proved he is still a great contributor when he's healthy. New Jersey now has him on a safe two-year deal as he tries to build on that success.
Yeah, it’s a BIG deal. Anthony’s in Jersey for the next two years.
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Jul 12, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (25) throws to first for an out during the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
I started tossing out over/unders for the second half back when the Orioles were in the beginning stages of a rebuild. At the time, it felt like a fun exercise for the fans that remained engaged through all the losing. Eventually, Baltimore broke out. The subjects shifted from draft selection to playoff position. The team gave everyone plenty of confidence to make optimistic predictions, and I made callbacks to the dark times when we focused on Hanser Alberto and Rougned Odor.
The team took a significant step back last season. The topics flipped from trade acquisitions to major league players dealt away. I set a conservative number for players with 20 or more home runs and an outlandish total for the number of catchers used in the season.
That brings us to today. The Orioles entered the All-Star break five games under .500 but only two back from the final wild card. Mike Elias proclaimed last month that the team intended to buy at the trade deadline. O’s fans remained skeptical, but the Birds finally rattled off a four-game winning streak at the end of the first half.
You may not think this team is very good, but the American League isn’t exactly full of juggernauts. It’s a difficult time to make predictions in Birdland, but let’s give it a shot!
Over/Under 6.5 players with an OPS+ above 100
The Orioles entered the break with only five players with an OPS+ greater than 100. OPS+ adjusts a players on-base and slugging percentage to account for the ballpark and league that the player plays in. The number is weighted so that a league-average hitter possesses a 100 OPS+. An OPS+ in the triple digits indicates that the player has been an above-average hitter, while double digits indicates the opposite.
Baltimore’s offense was considered to be among the best in baseball heading into the season, but the team only has five everyday players with an OPS+ north of 100. Pete Alonso (129), Blaze Alexander (127), Samuel Basallo (115), Adley Rutschman (114), and Taylor Ward (113) have done their part, but Gunnar Henderson (95) and Jackson Holliday (98) have been disappointments.
It’s relatively easy to imagine Henderson and Holliday picking up a few more points, but could anyone else? Colton Cowser (83) is harmed by his brutal start to the season. Dylan Beavers (89) could maybe get there with a strong second half, but Leody Taveras (91) feels like he’s already maxed out. Jeremiah Jackson (87) is capable of getting hot, but Coby Mayo (83) would need to only face lefties for the remainder of the season.
Over/Under MLB players traded away 1.5
Over/Under MLB players acquired 1.5
I lumped these two together to let people take a crack at the whole buyers/sellers thing. Trevor Rogers and Taylor Ward will both be free agents at the end of the season and could help a team win games in the postseason. Yennier Cano is off to a great start, and Andrew Kittredge has the experience to help a contender down the stretch.
At the same time, the playoffs remain in reach for a motivated front office. The team has a glaring hole at third base with Blaze Alexander on the IL, and the bullpen needs multiple additions to be taken seriously.
There’s also a chance that the Orioles stand pat at see where the season goes. The organization could receive draft pick compensation if the Rogers and Ward leave in free agency after receiving a qualifying offer, but that’s up in the air with labor negotiations already underway.
Over/Under 4.5 combined saves for Ryan Helsley and Félix Bautista in the second half
Ryan Helsley is expected to avoid surgery despite some inflammation around his UCL. The Orioles signed Helsley to a two-year, $28 million dollar deal to be the their closer, but the former Cardinal has been sidelined multiple times with injuries. There’s no public timetable, but Helsley could return at some point in the second half. The 31-year old has eight saves this season.
The Orioles shared two weeks ago that Félix Bautista was throwing after undergoing surgery on his right labrum and rotator cuff last year. The team said The Mountain was throwing “really, really well” and believes Bautista could return by the end of the season. Whether the Orioles will be motivated to send out the flame-thrower could depend on their place in the standings.
Over/Under 11.5 home runs by Taylor Ward
In case anyone is feeling shy about sharing their picks, I’ll shed some light on my worst pick of the season. When asked for a wild prediction back in March, I said that Taylor Ward would hit more home runs than Pete Alonso this season. Baltimore acquired Ward after he tallied 36 homers for the Angels in 2025. I thought Ward would bring his power to Baltimore, and that Alonso could struggle early in the first year of his new contract. Alonso reached the All-Star break with a team-high 21 home runs. Ward hit six in 439 plate appearances.
Ward has reinvented himself with a team-high 75 walks, but the power is still in there somewhere. The free-agent-to-be should find the seats a little more often, but can he double his total over the final 65 games?
Over/Under 3.5th place in the AL Wild Card
This is an awkward way of asking if you think the Orioles will make the playoffs. The juice would definitely be on the under in this scenario. Fans had mostly given up hope last week, but the team picked up some momentum by winning four straight for the first time this season.
Baltimore will need a few more winning streaks to sneak into the playoffs, but they shouldn’t need to climb much higher than .500 for the season. Some team is going to take the third wild card slot. Why not the Orioles?
Rapid Fire
Over/Under a 2.84 FIP for Yennier Cano
Yennier Cano currently holds a 2.58 FIP. That number is south of his 2.84 FIP from his All-Star rookie season. The Orioles desperately need the reliever to keep it going. Will he?
Over/Under 0.5 players batting below .200
Tyler O’Neill (.195) and Coby Mayo (.193) both entered the All-Star break hitting below the “Mendoza Line.” Jackson Holliday is a lot closer than we’d like to admit at .210.
Over/Under 10.5 games played by Heston Kjerstad and Enrique Bradfield Jr.
This isn’t first time that we’ve wondered how many big league games Heston Kjerstad would play in a season. Kjerstad and Enrique Bradfield Jr. are both healthy and playing at Triple-A Norfolk.
Over/Under 161.5 games played by Pete Alonso
Alonso played 162 in 2024 and 2025. He did not miss a game in the first half.
Over/Under 11.5 wins for Brandon Young
Wins don’t move the needle like they used to, but Brandon Young is 7-2 this season. Does he get to 12 wins?
Over/Under
Thanks for following along. Share your picks in the comments below!
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 11: A drummer performs as the Washington Nationals debate a draft pick during the 2026 MLB Draft at Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
No polemic or argument here — just a what if. You fill in the blanks.
The Rule 4 MLB Draft is weird. On its face, without any historical context, it’s just a way of adding younger players to organizations in a structured way. Worse teams pick before better teams, and it loops around until there are no players anyone wants to add left. However, because the players have to be treated at least perfunctorily as people and not as objects, they get financial incentive to join the organization, with players picked earlier getting more such incentive since the cost of not having them is relatively higher.
That’s it, really.
Except then we’ve got the history of the draft as collectively bargained and sometimes unilaterally set forth, where it’s become this crazy thing with bonus pools and strategies and penalties for going over (but not if you only go a little over) and contingency bonuses and participating in the MLB combine to avoid getting too lowball of an offer. Some of these things were natural, perhaps needed evolutions. Some are just complicated for their own sake.
So, given all that: what if there was just a hard slot system? Team takes a guy, guy’s bonus is immediately set at the slot for that pick. Want to pay less? Pass on a pick. Want to pay more? Well, you can’t, without doing stuff that’s not allowed and possibly getting slapped on the wrist or worse by MLB. Guy doesn’t want to play for your organization for slot? Too bad for both of you: you lose the guy, the guy loses a payday and has to wait a year to get re-drafted by someone else. (Maybe this system would include more than a one-year signing ineligibility for players that avoid accepting the slot bonus.)
I’m not going to speculate much in the body, but I do think that if this went into place in a vacuum, the real action would be on all the interaction effects. If the Rule 4 Draft had hard slots, what would teams do in International Amateur Free Agency as a pivot? Would there be more focus on developing undrafted guys? You’d probably see fewer high schoolers taken overall, which might change the developmental role of college programs, and the structure of minor league programs, since they’d have fewer raw high schoolers other than the elite guys… but maybe more younger IFA signees to make up the difference.
I will note that any hard slot system will probably be part of an MLB attempt to lower the cost of the draft and/or amateur talent acquisition overall. But, it doesn’t have to: there’s no reason why MLB can’t pair a hard slot proposal with a vast expansion of the slot per pick.
Mar 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives past Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves are rolling the dice after trading for LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets earlier in the offseason.
This could be a long-term investment that ultimately ends in a championship for the Twin Cities. Bleacher Report contributor Andy Bailey predicted who he believed would be the top 30 players in the league by 2030. The Wolves were the only team with multiple players in the top 10, with Ball clocked in at No. 10, while Edwards landed at No. 5.
“The Charlotte Hornets are betting that we may have already seen the best of LaMelo Ball, or that the injury problems will resurface, or both,” Bailey wrote. “But over the last five seasons, regardless of what you think about how he puts up his numbers, the fact is that LaMelo produces in a way we’ve rarely seen.
“In that stretch, he’s averaged 21.8 points, 7.6 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 threes, while shooting 36.7 percent from deep.”
“There’s a very real chance that Edwards, with his three-level scoring and still-developing playmaking, could be the best player in the NBA in 2030,” Bailey added.
In order for the Wolves to have the best pairing in the league, they need Ball to remain healthy. The fact that he’s only 24 years old suggests that his prime could be on the horizon, but he needs to be available in order to make that happen.
Edwards is also only 24 years old right now, meaning that the best of his career might not have arrived just yet.
The Wolves have a few years to improve this core as much as possible. If they can maximize their potential, they might be NBA champions by the end of the decade.
Canis Hoopus community, how do you feel about the potential Ball and Edwards have as a duo in the backcourt? Let us know in the comment section below.
First things first: this sort of question tends to generate answers based on one of two perspectives: what we as fans would prefer for our own viewing pleasure versus what we as fans think is the best outcome for one of our own. Both are valid perspectives, up to a point.
Last season as a rookie, Powell demonstrated the athleticism, skills, and grit to defend at the NBA level, a major reason he landed in the NBA Draft’s first round at pick 22. Everyone knew, and Drake embraced, the need to develop an offensive skill set that would force NBA defenses in turn to respect him on the other end of the floor. As a rookie, he averaged 21 minutes in 63 appearances, contributing 6.5 points with 47.3% eFG%. Drake shot 28% from three last season on 182 attempts, mostly as a spot-up threat.
As a result of that backdrop, Powell entered Summer League play with attention focused on his offensive development. The result in his first four games were disastrous. Drake scored a total of 11 points and missed 27 of 28 shots attempted, including 0-14 from three, in a competition where defense tends to be light. To his credit, he’s attempting to develop a more versatile offensive game, putting the ball on the floor to create for himself or others. Unfortunately, the results draw the kind of attention no professional player wants, the kind of attention that can get into a player’s head.
Last night’s game saw Powell break out of his slump, scoring 18 points on 6-10 (4-7) shooting. Then again, Brooklyn scored 115 points against a Sacramento squad that struggled to hold onto the ball with 28 turnovers and didn’t have much energy left for defense. All of Powell’s field goals were uncontested, either wide open spot ups in transition or dunks. At no point did Powell successfully put the ball on the floor against a defender.
On top of all that, the Nets invested another first-round pick at guard with Louisville’s Mikel Brown, in addition to the four first-round guards acquired last season. They picked up Keon Ellis, a 26 year old three-and-D shooting guard with four years of NBA experience, for $9 million. Powell projects to be the Nets’ third shooting guard, which likely means inactive many nights. It’s hard to see Powell getting the 1,300 minutes he had last season as the third-string PG behind Egor Demin and Keon Ellis.
Powell remains deeply uncomfortable putting the ball on the floor, and that’s something that typically requires a lot of live reps to overcome. The question then becomes whether Drake, clearly an NBA-level athlete, might have benefitted from working on his offensive game at the college level. Henri Veesaar declared for the draft in part because he says he’s a more efficient learner when surrounded by players better than he is, which seems like excellent self-awareness. Not all learners are wired that way, though.
It would have been interesting to see Powell in UNC’s rotation last season at 30+ minutes a game, taking all of Bogavac’s minutes and all of Kyan Evan’s after his demotion. Given the perimeter space created by Wilson’s and Veesaar’s presence, and given how much UNC struggled at guard on both ends, it potentially could have been an excellent developmental platform and showcase for Drake, a win-win for both the player and program.
Powell’s achingly poor offensive showing in the NBA’s Summer League doesn’t mean he won’t — in the end — have a highly successful NBA career. Danny Green only played in 20 games his rookie season for the Cavs and eight the next for the Spurs before his offensive game clicked into place. But, for the moment, it feels like the development curve on offense necessary for Drake to stick in the NBA is overwhelming him.
Do you think Drake should have stayed at UNC another year, despite his first round grade after last season? Let us know in the comments.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Kasparas Jakucionis #25 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on July 12, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We are now three games into the Vegas Summer League, with the fourth coming tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. One of the main drawcards that had fans excited to watch the Summer Bucks in Vegas was that we’d get to watch Kasparas Jakucionis and Nate Ament—both acquired from Miami in the Giannis trade—play in Bucks colours for the very first time.
Granted, it’s extremely early and there’s context to consider, but neither player has lit the world on fire so far. Jakucionis has struggled to finish at the rim and turned it over far too frequently, while Ament has looked unable to handle NBA physicality even at the Summer League level. And don’t get me wrong, I’m nowhere near ready to give up on either player, especially as they are just 20 and 19 years old. That said, I can’t say I wasn’t expecting more.
Therefore, we wanted to put it to you, the fans: have your feelings changed about the Giannis trade package after seeing parts of it in action?
There is nothing more sad or more dangerous than the memory of a great player. Once a player is retired those memories are cherished and should be. We remember the best moments and hold onto those memories like a child holds onto its favorite toy. When a player is still active those memories can be dangerous. They could potentially blind you to what is. Whatever we may think of Jose Altuve, we should come in with eyes wide open.
We have been using bases per out to keep track of where players are in terms of production. The big league average is .676, but as we have seen when looking at catchers and first basemen in the American League that the big league average is hardly ever relevant when looking at specific positions. Altuve is a second baseman and should be compared with other second basemen. It becomes dreadfully important that we see him for who he is and not who he was.
The out is the blood currency of the sport. Pitchers are trying to get them and hitters are trying to avoid them. We measure effectiveness in the amount of damage one accrues or avoids depending on if they are a pitcher or a hitter. Bases per out are calculated by adding total bases, walks, stolen bases, and hit by pitches and dividing them by total outs. Like we said, the big league average is .676, but we will likely see something radically different when looking at American League second basemen. As a reminder, we are taking all players that have played second base and have accrued at least 120 outs.
Outs
TB
BB
SB
HBP
BPO
Travis Bazzana
185
55
31
12
2
.751
Jazz Chilsohm Jr.
253
123
37
26
1
.739
Ezequiel Duran
220
121
22
7
1
.686
Luke Keaschall
236
104
34
12
10
.678
Richie Palacios
155
67
24
8
3
.658
Chase Meidroff
260
128
37
2
2
.650
Michael Massey
171
95
14
2
0
.649
Ernie Clement
254
150
12
2
0
.646
Vaughn Grissom
145
72
17
0
4
.641
Cole Young
264
134
25
2
7
.636
Jose Altuve
228
110
29
2
1
.623
Oswaldo Peraza
205
98
9
11
6
.605
Ben Williamson
156
62
19
7
1
.571
Jeremiah Jackson
165
81
4
2
1
.527
Maricelo Mayer
168
64
16
3
3
.512
Tristan Gray
131
55
9
2
1
.511
Jeff McNeil
218
80
21
1
4
.486
Mean
200.8
96.4
21.2
5.9
2.8
.629
Median
205
95
21
2
2
.641
Every data set is unique and second base is very different from catcher and first base. In this case, the lower scores are driving the mean down. So, in this case the median is higher than the mean. As per usual, the components of the median don’t match up to the number that is actually in the middle. Unlike the other positions, a majority of the second basemen were close to the mean and median. Mathematicians and statisticians would call that range.
These fancy terms are all very nice, but what do they actually mean? In the case of Jose Altuve, his numbers come in a little below the mean and median. However, he is close enough to the mean and median that a few hot days at the plate would drive him to the median and above. Altuve is essentially in the accumulation portion of his big league career. He is collecting hits, home runs, doubles, runs, and RBI needed to vault him higher on the all-time second base list. We have seen this before. This was Craig Biggio in his last three seasons.
The primary question is how quickly the decline will continue. Right now, Altuve has the appearance of a mediocre second baseman. Will he plateau there or will the decline continue. As philosophers might say, objects in the rearview mirror are clearer than the ones in the windshield. No two players’ career arcs are exactly the same. What we can do is look at the decline in recent seasons and guess what that could mean beyond this season.
Outs
TB
BB
SB
HBP
BPO
2023
260
188
44
14
5
.965
2024
465
276
47
22
7
.757
2025
465
260
55
10
4
.708
2026
228
110
29
2
1
.623
The 2023 numbers were a bit out of context. It was a shortened season for him due to injury. The other seasons post the pandemic 2020 season were similar to 2024 and 2025. In other words, the decline is here. There is always the possibility for a bounce back season, but that becomes less and less likely with each passing season. If baseball is interrupted or canceled in 2027 then you can bet that such a bounce back is unlikely to happen.
Fortunately, the Astros structured Altuve’s contract in such a way that they anticipated this. He is due 30 million in real dollars this season and next. He will make 13 million in 2028 and 2029. So, when he will likely be at his worst he will be making less money. Give Altuve and the Astros some credit for recognizing that. Still, the future is not necessarily bright.
The 2026 ESPYS will gather notable names from the sports and entertainment world to celebrate the year in sports.
The award show, hosted by ESPN, is an annual event that honors and recognizes some of the recent successes and moments created by the stars in their respective sports.
The NBA will be well represented with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in attendance. Brunson helped lead the Knicks to their first NBA Championship in 53 years earlier this year.
Gymnasts Simone Biles, track star Allyson Felix and Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn are among the Olympic gold medalists expected to make an appearance. Vonn crashed during an event at the Winter Olympics that resulted in her fracturing her tibia and breaking her right ankle on Feb. 8.
Vonn also developed compartment syndrome that required her to have surgery that saved her leg from being amputated. Vonn had decided to ski in the Olympics just a week before tearing her left ACL on Jan. 30, during an event in Switzerland.
Who will be honored at the ESPYS this year?
Former NBA player Jason Collins will be posthumously honored with the 2026 Arthur Ashe Courage Award. In 2013, Collins became the first openly gay active player in the four major American pro sports leagues. Collins died of brain cancer on May 12 in Los Angeles. He was 47 years old.
Who's performing at the ESPYS this year?
The ESPYS will feature musical performances from rappers Ghostface Killah, Slick Rick and hip-hop group De La Soul. The Savannah Bananas are also slated to perform.
How to watch the 2026 ESPYS
The ESPYS will air live from David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York on Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). The show will air on ABC and be streamed on ESPN+.
When and where is the 2026 ESPYS being held?
When: Wednesday, July 15
Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
Where: David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center (New York)
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches during the sixth inning for the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The 2026 All-Star Game has come and gone, and the American League defeated the National League 4-0. Though the final score was not ideal, the Atlanta Braves had five All-Stars, four of which played. Ozzie Albies, Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson, and Raisel Iglesias each made an appearance.
Albies and Baldwin earned the starts for the National League but were unable to spark the offense, while Olson went hitless after entering later in the game. Iglesias, meanwhile, turned in one of the better performances of the night for Atlanta, tossing a scoreless inning in his first career All-Star appearance. Chris Sale did not pitch, as the National League managed just three hits in the shutout loss.
The Braves have just a few days left of the All-Star break before hosting the Texas Rangers.
More Braves News:
Here is everything you need to know about the Braves’ draft picks and their sign-on value.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 14: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets signs his name prior to the 96th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Danny Abriano listed five storylines to watch for in the second half of the Mets season.
Mets first-round draft pick Carson Wiggins has officially signed with the organization.
The Mets’ ineptitude has made it more difficult for the league and fans to celebrate Juan Soto’s greatness.
Around Major League Baseball
Mike Trout made his long-awaited return to the All-Star Game on his home turf, and it was incredibly meaningful for the veteran outfielder.
MLB owners have given their support for major league players to play in the 2028 Olympics, but there are more factors complicating that possibility.
Jordan Walker hopes his Home Run Derby win inspires black kids to get into baseball.
A 1-of-1 Shohei Ohtani rookie card sold privately at auction for over $3 million.
Willson Contreras has made it clear he would likely reject any trade the Boston Red Sox try to include him in.
The All-Star Game red carpet featured MLB stars dressed to impress, with many of the outfits carrying some personal meaning to the players.
One such outfit was Jacob Misiorowski’s, with the young star’s jacket featuring an image of his beloved dog.
Justin Verlander appeared at his final All-Star Game last night, and his incredible legacy is one to remember.
Junior Caminero came out unscathed after getting hit by a pitch on his hand and having to leave the All-Star Game.
The American League won the game early, with the game-winning run coming in the first inning of a 4-0 shutout against the National League.
All-Star Game MVP Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice became the first Yankees teammates to each have an RBI in the Midsummer Classic since Roger Maris and Tom Tresh in 1962.
Despite being a open-and-shut victory for the American League, there were plenty of wonderful moments from the whole game.
Linus Lawrence took a look at the former Mets participating in this year’s All-Star Game.
Linus also assembled an All-Star team full of former Mets who never made an All-Star team.
Chris McShane delivered this week’s Mets Minor League Players of the Week.
Steve Sypa wrote profiles for two more 2026 Mets draft picks: eleventh-round pick Kuhio Aloy and twelfth-rounder AJ Krodel.
Allison McCague released the Position Player Meter for the last two weeks of Mets baseball.
This Date in Mets History
Mets lefty Jon Matlack had a great day in 1975 at the 46th All-Star Game, but Mets right-hander (and broadcasting legend) Ron Darling wasn’t quite as lucky on this day 35 years ago.
Bronx, N.Y.: New York Yankees' Aaron Judge celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run home run in the 9th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on the afternoon of May 24, 2026 in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images) | Newsday via Getty Images
The 2026 All-Star break is upon us, and while a handful of Yankees have enjoyed the festivities in Philadelphia this week, now is a good time to look back on a first half gone by. Through 96 games this season, New York sits three games out of first place in the AL East, and although this season has already proven to be an up-and-down venture, the Yankees haven’t gone without their big moments at the plate.
With the schedule empty until Friday night, let’s take a short stroll down memory lane and look at the biggest Yankee hits from MLB’s designated first half of the 2026 season.
April 7: Rosario’s second homer of the gameputs ’em ahead
By win probability, Amed Rosario’s game-tying blast from early April is the biggest home run of the 2026 season to this point for the Yankees (0.53 per Baseball Reference Stathead), giving the Yankees the lead against the A’s. It was his second of the season, the second of the game, a second-deck blast that snuck inside the foul pole, and the climax of a big eighth inning that led New York to victory. With runners on base late in the game, the bench bat’s swing was among the biggest so far in 2026.
In a high-scoring thriller against the Angels, Trent Grisham’s game-tying blast in the ninth inning was the most important hit of the evening. Down by two runs with a runner on in the ninth, against Los Angeles closer Jordan Romano, Grisham rocketed a ball into the right field seats, sending the Bronx into a frenzy, and adding to the chaos of this eventual 11-10 victory. The Bombers won later in the ninth, when a wild pitch from Romano allowed the walk-off run to score.
This was a tough series for Jordan Romano, a familiar punching bag for the Yankees. Two days after their first dramatic win, the Yankees were once again trailing in the ninth against the Angels. This time, down by a run with to runners on, Caballero shot a ball into the left-center gap, while both runners went for a hit-and-run. With an aggressive send, in all fairness, Austin Wells just barely scored from first base, locking in yet another dramatic win to grant Caballero one of this season’s most thrilling moments at the plate.
Any win against the team you’re looking up at in the standings is a big one. This particular one, with an Aaron Judge walk-off blast sealing the deal, could eventually loom large in a divisional race that may stay close until the end. Stuck in a scoreless tie in the bottom of the ninth on May 24th (a battle between Ryan Weathers and Drew Rasmussen), the Captain stepped up and delivered his fourth career walk-off home run, and gave the Yankees about as important a win as they come. The fact that we know now that Judge did this with a stress fracture in his ribs makes it all the more remarkable.
In a game that easily could have gone down as a disappointment, Jazz Chisholm’s go-ahead homer shifted the tide in the ninth inning. His two-run shot off of Matt Krook turned the Yankees’ deficit into a lead, and set the stage for more big hits throughout the weekend against the Nats. Although Jazz’s season has not gone exactly to plan, the 2025 All-Star is no stranger to providing big moments with the bat.
After a 12-pitch at-bat, Ryan McMahon’s RBI double down the line in right changed the vibe for the Yankess in the Trop. Trailing 1-0 at the time, and in the midst of a real offensive slump as a team, McMahon’s double snapped them out of it, and prompted a much-needed six-run inning for New York. Their eventual 12-4 win in this one was a much needed pounding against the rival Rays.
Yes, we are being creative to get this entire inning of 11 hits and 13 runs from that preposterous Yankees vs. A’s game at a minor-league park in West Sacramento. Perhaps most amusingly, the A’s actually pitched well outside of this frame, holding the Yankees to a walk on a baserunner that was quickly erased (and no hits). It’s just that this inning was an utter disaster for Mark Kotsay and company.
