The Maven admits it; Last Fall I picked the Rangers to make the playoffs. (Fool that I was.)
Then again, so did The Hockey News' experts who tabbed the Blueshirts to wind up fourth in the NHL's Metropolitan Division.
ERROR!
So did virtually every friend and seer I quizzed because in October picking the Blueshirts to make the postseason made sense, for these reasons:
1. A new coach, Mike Sullivan, who once helped the Penguins to a pair of Stanley Cups, would be the Miracle Worker.
2. A couple of fresh defensemen – Vlad Gavrikov and Will Borgen – looked very promising at Training Camp.
3. Promising AHL (Hartford) grads – Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann as well as collegian
Noah Laba – added rookie enthusiasm.
4. The best one-two goalie combination in Igor Shesterkin and Jon Quick figured to guarantee success.
And there were plenty more so-called goodies.
But there remained a precious few who saw through the Rangers fog.
One was the Blue Collar Blue Shirt Bulletin's Sean McCaffrey who maintained even before training camp that the then new model (2025-26) Ranger sedan would break down out of the show room. That it would not make the postseason, 2026.
"The Rangers appear to be a giant jigsaw puzzle with the pieces spread all over the floor," wrote McCaffrey last August. "Drury has tried to re-shape this team to show more grit and muscle.
"And Sullivan's biggest challenge will be to get this team to play faster, meaner and more consistent."
Devils radio play by play ace Chico Resch said the Rangers "didn't have enough difference-makers." Vic Morren, author and co-host of the podcast NHL Wraparound, pointed out other flaws.
A half year later the Rangers are slower, softer and even less consistent than they were under the inconsistent Peter Laviolette!
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Toronto Raptors have been rumored to be looking to bolster their respective rosters ahead of tomorrow’s trade deadline.
For now, they’ll battle in The Six tonight, with the Timberwolves listed as short road chalk. With this expected to be a close matchup, my Timberwolves vs. Raptors predictions take a hard look at the Under.
That and more NBA picks for this matchup set to tip off at 7:30 pm ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Timberwolves vs Raptors prediction
Timberwolves vs Raptors best bet: Under 227 (-110)
This is a matchup between two Top-10 NBA defenses.
The Toronto Raptors rank fifth in defensive rating and do a particularly good job of guarding the perimeter, where the Minnesota Timberwolves spend a lot of their time. Meanwhile, Minnesota is seventh in defensive rating.
Toronto isn’t the most efficient at getting buckets, ranking 21st in offensive rating.
For Minnesota, the problem is injuries. Both Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle are a little banged up and listed as questionable tonight.
This should be an intense game, and the Under is a great way to target it.
Timberwolves vs Raptors same-game parlay
A low-scoring game bodes well for the home underdog, a role the Raptors have thrived in, winning four of the eight games outright at home when getting points this season.
With the Timberwolves' best players banged up, bet on the Raptors to take advantage and pull out the win.
One of the players who could fuel that win is Collin Murray-Boyles. The rookie has shown flashes of his potential since becoming a regular starter, averaging 9.6 points and 7.2 rebounds over his last 12 starts.
CMB’s point total is sitting at 8.5, a number he’s eclipsed in six of his last eight games.
Timberwolves vs Raptors SGP
Under 227
Raptors moneyline
Collin Murray-Boyles Over 8.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Dimes in the Six
How do you beat good defenses? By passing the rock.
Timberwolves vs Raptors SGP
Scottie Barnes Over 5.5 assists
Immanuel Quickley Over 5.5 assists
Jaden McDaniels Over 2.5 assists
Rudy Gobert Over 1.5 assists
Timberwolves vs Raptors odds
Spread: Timberwolves -1.5 | Raptors +1.5
Moneyline: Timberwolves -125 | Raptors +105
Over/Under: Over 227 | Under 227
Timberwolves vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have hit the Game Total Under in 29 of their last 45 games for +11.40 Units and a 23% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Raptors.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN North, TSN
Timberwolves vs Raptors latest injuries
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In the latest acknowledgement of a mistake made in the February 2025 Luka Dončić trade, the Dallas Mavericks have shipped the centerpiece of their haul in that deal, big man Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards.
The Wizards will also get Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. In return, Dallas will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, as reported first by ESPN on Wednesday.
For the Mavericks, it’s another indication that the franchise is rebuilding with No. 1 overall rookie Cooper Flagg as its clear leader. Dallas has been uneven this season, going 19-31, which ranks 12th in the Western Conference. With his size, versatile skill set, ability to handle the ball and create and comfort in transition offense, Flagg has flashed plenty of potential, and Dallas is signaling that its plan is to build around Flagg.
Davis, 32, has faced constant injury concerns throughout his career, and has already missed several games this season with lower leg and hand issues. In fact, since the Mavericks traded for him February 2, 2025, Davis has played only 29 games for the franchise.
When on the floor, he provides a reliable defensive and rebounding presence, though his offensive numbers have declined since he arrived in Dallas. Across 20 games this season with the Mavericks, Davis averaged just 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
By comparison, his career scoring average is notably higher, at 24 points per game.
Now with the Wizards, Davis provides a veteran low-post presence and one capable of the occasional big game. Still, given his age and given his durability concerns, it’s clear that Davis’ days as a consistent offensive force are no longer here.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have essentially punted this game, playing the second night of a back-to-back. The San Antonio Spurs must be thrilled, even if ESPN is undoubtedly livid.
My Thunder vs. Spurs predictions doubt Oklahoma City’s ability to reach triple digits with its available players, one of many NBA picks for Wednesday, February 4.
Thunder vs Spurs prediction
Thunder vs Spurs best bet: Under 219 (-110)
This is an exhibition game now. With respect to Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Kenrich Williams, the Oklahoma City Thunder are trotting out a JV team against the San Antonio Spurs, who happen to have won three of four matchups against the defending champions this season.
The Thunder will score, but only so much, and both teams should be in cruise control in the fourth quarter.
These are the realities of the NBA insisting on an 82-game schedule, at least 10 games too many if caring about the quality of basketball.
Thunder vs Spurs same-game parlay
Someone has to score for the Thunder. This is an NBA game.
Cason Wallace will get plenty of scoring opportunities, though they won’t be enough for Oklahoma City to be truly competitive.
Thunder vs Spurs SGP
Under 219
Cason Wallace Over 13.5 points
Spurs moneyline
Our "from downtown" SGP: King of the Castle
Stephon Castle cleared this prop in each of his last two games against Oklahoma City, and with the Thunder on the second night of a back-to-back, his frenetic pace should exploit OKC more than usual.
Thunder vs Spurs SGP
Under 219
Cason Wallace Over 13.5 points
Stephon Castle Over 6.5 assists
Spurs moneyline
Thunder vs Spurs odds
Spread: Thunder -1.5 (-110) | Spurs +1.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Thunder -125 | Spurs +105
Over/Under: Over 222 (-110) | Under 222 (-110)
Thunder vs Spurs betting trend to know
Seven straight Spurs games have gone Under their totals, and by an average of 12.4 points. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Spurs.
How to watch Thunder vs Spurs
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Thunder vs Spurs latest injuries
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That has to be the looming question as the Blues (20-27-9) conclude their pre-Olympic schedule and latter end of their dad's/mentor's trip when face the Dallas Stars (33-14-9) with a puck drop at 8:52 p.m. on TNT.
The Blues, who have lost nine straight away from Enterprise Center and have been outscored 42-17, are coming off a shocking 6-5 loss to the Nashville Predators on Monday, a game in which they led 5-1 less that four minutes into the second period in a game they had complete control in.
Instead, it was their second loss this season -- and in franchise history -- that the Blues lost a game in which they led by four goals in (also on Oct. 25 against the Detroit Red Wings, led 4-0 before falling 6-4).
A silver lining to come out of the game at Nashville was the line featuring Pavel Buchnevich between Jake Neighbours and Jordan Kyrou. Each contributed three points (Buchnevich two goals, one assist; Neighbours one goal, two assists and Kyrou three assists) and it's been a line that's gained traction since Blues coach Jim Montgomery assembled them together.
In the last six games, Buchnevich has eight points (three goals, five assists); in the past 11 games, Kyrou has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and Neighbours has four points (two goals, two assists) and is a plus-3 the pat two games.
- - -
It'll be the third time in 13 days these Central Division foes will meet and fourth time this season. After the Blues took the opener 3-1 in one of their most complete games of the season on Oct. 18, the Stars took each of the last two matchups, 3-2 on Jan. 23 when Jason Robertson scored the game-winner with 1:00 remaining in regulation, and again, 4-3 on Jan. 27 when Thomas Harley's goal with 1:07 to play was the difference.
The lineup changes the team announced for Wednesday are that there will be game time decisions and that the club could use 11 forwards and seven defensemen, so pregame warmups will determine who's in and who's out. But Jordan Binnington will make the start, the 10th straight game he and Joel Hofer will have alternated starts.
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DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Center on January 01, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Anthony Davis was one of the biggest names to watch during the 2026 NBA trade deadline, but no one anticipated the Washington Wizards would be a suitor for his services. After trading for Trae Young earlier this season, the Wizards are now fully accelerating their rebuild with an incredibly bold deal for Davis as he remains out with a thumb injury.
The Dallas Mavericks finally pulled the plug on Davis, and they got a decent return for him. Here’s the full details of the trade, via Shams Charania:
Wizards get: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum
Mavericks get: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-rounders
The Mavericks are receiving the 2026 Oklahoma City Thunder first-round pick and a 2030 top-20 protected Golden State Warriors first-round pick.
The Mavs and Wizards are each picking a lane with this deal. It’s probably the most surprising trade of the deadline so far, partly because it didn’t leak at all. Let’s grade this trade from both sides.
Wizards grade for Anthony Davis trade
The Wizards have been tanking by design since trading Bradley Beal in the summer of 2023. Washington has collected some nice young players in Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, and Bilal Coulibaly, but they didn’t have a star to stir the drink. Now Washington has two potential veteran stars in Trae Young and Anthony Davis who complement each other well on both ends of the floor.
Davis was considered a top-10 player in the league before his shocking trade for Luka Doncic ahead of last year’s deadline. His Mavericks’ tenure was a massive failure, and he could never escape Luka’s shadow as the fanbase revolted. AD can still be an excellent two-way big man, but he’s getting older on the brink of his 33rd birthday, and he just can’t shake the injury bug.
Davis and Sarr creates a super long and athletic front line that can shine both offensively and defensively. Both players are more play-finishers than play creators, and that’s where Young comes in. If Young can get back to the peak of his powers, he should be able to dime up his two bigs while adding long-range shooting. Add in Johnson’s movement shooting, George’s jumbo creation, and Coulibaly’s defense, and the Wizards might have a stew cooking here.
Can Davis actually stay healthy, though? He’s owed $58.4 million in 2026 and $62.7 million in 2027, so it’s an expensive gamble. With the East wide open, the Wizards can legitimately go from worst to a contender if everything falls into place. The biggest piece of the puzzle will be Washington’s 2026 lottery pick. If the Wizards can land either Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson, suddenly this thing can go to the moon.
It’s a really bold play for the Wizards, but the picks they gave up aren’t that valuable. I like it.
Grade: B
Mavericks grade for trading Anthony Davis to Washington
The Mavericks wanted to close the book on the Luka trade, and that meant moving off Davis. Getting two firsts for him sounds great in theory, but the Thunder pick will be in the 28-30 range, and the Warriors’ pick is top-20 protected. Taking A.J. Johnson in this trade is a nice gamble on a young point guard prospect, too. It’s definitely not a great haul, but it’s not terrible, either.
The Mavs are also praying for lottery luck this year. Dallas controls its 2026 first-round pick, but doesn’t control another one of its firsts until 2031. That means they need to make this pick count now to find Cooper Flagg a star teammate. Flagg has been electric as a rookie and should become one of the NBA’s best players. It’s just going to be very hard to build around him given Dallas’ limited resources.
This trade provides more resources even if they are mostly middling. Dallas should lose a lot of games the rest of the way to improve the chances of its own pick with Davis out. The late first-round has provided some hits in recent years (Desmond Bane comes to mind), and the Mavs need to invest in scouting immediately. There wasn’t a huge market for Davis, and this deal gets his massive salary off the book for expiring contracts and picks. That’s about as good as Dallas was going to do.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 20: Jonathan India #6 and Jac Caglianone #14 of the Kansas City Royals celebrate on the field after defeating the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on June 20, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re trying a new series at Royals Review, a daily mid-day question of the day to hear about your opinions on a fun or pressing question affecting the Royals or baseball in general. Chime in and drop your answers below!
Every team has a few players who feel this close to being difference-makers. For the Royals, that margin might be the line between hanging around .500 and actually contending. Development isn’t linear, but some leaps matter more than others.
The Royals certainly have a few candidates for improvement this year. They tendered a contract to Jonathan India, expecting a bounce-back season. Rookie Jac Caglianone is looking to put a disappointing debut season behind him. Seth Lugo is in the first season of a multi-year deal and will hope to avoid the second-half swoon he had last year. And Cole Ragans had great strikeout numbers, but a poor ERA and he made just 13 starts.
So for today’s Royals Review Question of the Day: Which player do the Royals most need to improve in 2026, and why?
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 9: Ian Happ #8 of the Chicago Cubs bats in Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on October 9, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ninth in the series.Today we look at the Cubs’veteran left fielder,
Pittsburgh-area native and former Cincinnati Bearcat Ian Edward Happ is a figure of some controversy among Cubs fans, who decry his numbers while praising his numerical consistency. Happ has amassed a tidy 22.4 bWAR (20.6 fWAR) in a nine-year career in which he has averaged 20 HR and 62 RBI in real numbers, as two of his campaigns were partial or truncated.
He’s been an MLB regular since 2021, also logging considerable time in 2017-18. He has long stretches of hitless inadequacy, which are maddening, but he is always on base. Happ hasn’t yet turned in a 100-walk season but he’s capable of it.
Which is just the thing. 24 long balls in his rookie season increased expectations he hasn’t yet delivered on, and people don’t trust the agencies that keep fitting his right hand for a Gold Glove.
He can bat 1, 3, 5, or 6 in a Counsell lineup, and has, though 1 and 3 are his most common places in the batting order. As a switch-hitter with a good eye, he’s a valuable leadoff man in today’s lineups, where sheer base-stealing speed isn’t as valuable in that spot. Happ is reasonably fast but isn’t good at the stolen-base game.
Ian Happ is in his walk year and will be needing a new deal. Plenty of fans would let him roll on to another squad. I’m not one of them, but it might depend on the length of the contract, as Happ is 31 and his skills are likely to diminish some.
The Cubs don’t have a likely replacement, though, and that complicates matters. Matt Shaw? Maybe. Prove it to me. Kevin Alcantara? Same. Dylan Carlson? I want some of what you’re smoking.
Extend Happ for three years? Do it now. Ethan Conrad and Kane Kepley aren’t ready yet, if they’re going to be. That isn’t guaranteed. And Seiya Suzuki is in his walk year, too. There’s not a lot of youth in the 2027 Free Agent list, and the guys that are good are likely to be locked in during the season, or traded.
In 2026, Happ is going to turn in a 20+ HR, 75 RBI, 90-walk season, hit around .240 and be nominated for a Gold Glove. That’s okay by me. The future is hard to see.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 6: Manager Pedro Lopez of the Albuquerque Isotopes hits infield before a game against the Oklahoma City Comets at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
The primary objective for the Colorado Rockies is to solve a single question in 2026: How do you consistently win in Colorado?
For over 30 years, the team has failed to find a suitable solution. Instead, winning was based on a hope that things would work themselves out and the answers would fall in their lap. However, after six-straight losing seasons, capped by the 119 losses in 2025, the Rockies have now set off on a path to find the answers to that evergreen question.
So how will they do it?
Honestly, the answers may lie with the minor league affiliates.
We know that quality development has been lacking for the Rockies for a long while, even since their inception. Despite identifying as a “draft and develop” team, the Rockies have gotten very little out of their prospects. This will be a major area of focus for Paul DePodesta and the rest of the front office, as rehauling the infrastructure of the whole organization is paramount to solving the big league woes.
The Rockies have a unique inherent advantage when it comes to their affiliates. Playing at elevation in Colorado presents a wide range of issues when it comes to pitching at Coors Field and trying to hit on the road. The path to enlightenment has always been right in front of the organization, but they have failed to understand how to utilize their tools correctly.
Albuquerque: Thriving on the mound
When it comes to pitching, having the Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque and Colorado Springs before that is the perfect spot for the Rockies. Thanks to similar elevations, it’s uniquely tailored for the Rockies to expose their prospects to playing in an extreme environment of that nature. The same goes for the wide range of offensive-friendly environments in the Pacific Coast League.
Pitching stats have been inflated for many years for the Triple-A affiliate. In 2025, the Isotopes had a 5.97 ERA, which, oddly enough, was only the third highest in the PCL behind Reno and Salt Lake. However, the starters had a 6.68 ERA, which was somehow an improvement on the 7.07 ERA they recorded the year before. Often, it seemed that the Rockies’ preference was that starting pitching prospects wouldn’t have to stay in Albuquerque long, feeling it’s better to experience Coors Field for itself. Triple-A became a heat lamp to keep middling depth in the forms of veterans and young players who already debuted and struggled in Colorado.
From the outside, it looked like the Rockies were afraid of what pitching in Albuquerque would do to a starting pitcher who was forced to be there for an extended period of time. It’s a valid concern, but rather than address it, they left experienced cannon fodder on minor league deals just get them through the season. As we saw in 2025, they chose to skip Triple-A options entirely and turn to someone like McCade Brown from Double-A Hartford. Ignore the problem, and hope players can just figure it out and that it would weed out the worst options.
While the Rockies try to figure out pitching at Coors Field, why not let the Isotopes stadium live up to its nickname of “The Lab”? Sure, the team has a facility of the same name in Arizona, but Albuquerque could be the place where the team can better prepare prospects to temper the extremes of Coors Field. It could help pitchers learn what to expect from their pitches so that when they are debuting in the Mile High City, they are better suited for the adaptation because they have some valuable starts under their belt in Albuquerque.
Learning to thrive on the mound in Albuquerque is way more beneficial than learning how to survive on the mound.
Spokane and Hartford: Offensive extremes
Hopefully, enjoying success on the mound in High-A and Double-A lays a foundation to build up on Triple-A, thanks to the pitching environments of Spokane and Hartford. However, the offensive conundrums can unlock the key to one of the Rockies’ toughest challenges.
The Rockies, historically, have been fairly good at home on offense and abysmal on the road. The challenge in trying to hit a ball in Denver and then moving to sea level, say San Francisco, and trying to hit a ball that is simply moving differently than it was the day before. It’s daunting for players, and it takes a unique skill set and discipline to maybe even replacement-level production.
Positioned on opposite coasts, the Rockies’ two minor league affiliates are some of the hardest places to hit. Hartford ranked middle of the Eastern League pack with a team slash line of .229/.313/.347 while Spokane slashed .239/.322/.372 in the Northwest League. Spokane’s OBP and SLG were near the bottom of their league.
Both teams showcased a lack of power in the sea level environments. It’s not much that there was a lack of power, but moreso a lack of plate discipline and approach that could lead to a more productive offense. For years, the Rockies simply focused on being aggressive at the plate and praying you don’t strikeout. Unfortunately, that approach can only take you so far as strikeouts have run rampant through the organization. Both Hartford and Spokane struggled with drawing walks, and their OBP suffered because of it. They weren’t trying to play to their environment, but rather the style of Rockies baseball that boiled down to “you just know they are going to hit” because they play at Coors.
Again, it was more about learning to survive as opposed to learning to thrive.
The Rockies have made it clear with their big league additions that the ability to get on base is a coveted trait. Getting on base on the road was especially rough and something that demands improvement. Can you guess what team finished 30th in all of baseball with a .259 OBP on the road last season?
Establishing a much better plate approach in the lower levels, Low-A Fresno included, the Rockies can go to work developing better hitters who can succeed on the road in the pitcher parks as well as the hitter-friendly confines.
Conclusion
I’m definitely excited to see what the Rockies can improve on this season at the big league level, but I’m even more intrigued to see what processes are put in place to give the team a coherent vision to start reaping the fruits of the draft in the development process.
Jun 15, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers catcher Caden Bodine (17) reaches on an infield error by the Oregon State Beavers during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Previous Winner
Caden Bodine, C 22 | S/R| 5’10” | 200 A (BAL) | .326/.408/.349 (133 wRC+) 49 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K
Drafted 30th overall in 2025, Bodine was acquired in the Shane Baz trade. He profiles as a relatively safe prospect thanks to 60 grade bat-to-ball skills, and comfortably-plus blocking and receiving behind the plate. There is some concern that his smaller frame limits him to fringe power, but those concerns are off-set by solid plate discipline from both sides of the plate; his sweeter swing is left handed. All catching prospects will see their value proposition shift with the challenge system, but his defensive actions, leadership, and receiving give him real value, projecting him as a solid major league contributor.
Rank
Player
Position
Votes
Total
Percentage
Last Season
1
Carson Williams
SS
14
25
56%
1
2
Brody Hopkins
RHP
19
25
76%
8
3
Jacob Melton
OF
14
28
50%
NA
4
Theo Gillen
OF
14
26
54%
13
5
Ty Johnson
RHP
12
25
48%
15
6
Daniel Pierce
SS
13
23
57%
NA
7
Jadher Areinamo
INF
15
28
54%
NA
8
TJ Nichols
RHP
13
28
46%
NR
9
Michael Forret
RHP
8
33
24%
NA
10
Santiago Suarez
RHP
11
30
37%
16
11
Anderson Brito
RHP
7
28
25%
NA
12
Xavier Isaac
1B
9
28
32%
3
13
Caden Bodine
C
10
25
40%
NA
Bodine settled in as the clear favorite early, finally finding his place at No. 13. Thanks to all for the several suggestions and votes in Testers. Not a pressing need for more yet, but feel free to fire another up if you feel led. Baumeister is added next.
Candidates
Jackson Baumeister, RHP 23 | 6’4” | 224 AA | 4.62 ERA, 4.15 FIP (15 GS) 62.1 IP, 19.5% K, 9.6% BB AFL | 6 ER (1 HR), 9.0 IP (4 G, 3 GS), 10 K, 9 BB
A shoulder injury derailed what should have been Baumeister’s coming out party, as his previously plus breaking ball was expected to carve up Double-A. After a tough start to the year and two months on the sidelines, Baumeister returned in August with a brilliant finish to the year. The tough luck continued in the Arizona Fall League, where a line drive struck him in the head, but he escaped without significant injury. Currently, Baumeister has taken on a fastball/slutter profile, with a slow curve in his back pocket, and has shown teachability and pitchability over the years. The former Seminole currently thrives on his frequently used major league fastball that may be better challenged by a promotion to Triple-A.
Slater de Brun, OF 18 | L/L | 5’10” | 187
Drafted 37th overall in 2025, through a draft pick traded by the Rays, de Brun was essentially re-acquired in the Shane Baz trade. Like many Rays outfield prospects he’s not expected to develop much power, but compensates with an ability to hit to all fields, and has the benefit of years to develop. His hit tool rates plus thanks to a quick, compact swing, and his double-plus speed elevates both his baserunning and range in center; he has a solid arm and can stick long term. The key to his development will be improving pitch selection to maximize his power potential. Despite not yet playing in a pro game, he’s a good bet to skip the complex league and debut in Charleston this season.
Homer Bush Jr. 24 | R/R | 6’3” | 215 AA | .301/.375/.360 (122 wRC+) 546 PA, 0 HR, 57 SB, 8.8% BB, 17.9% K
Acquired in the 2024 Jason Adam trade, the starting center fielder at Double-A passed the test of advanced pitching, but just barely. He lacks in-game power due to a lack of use of his lower half in his swing, and he whiffed more often than you can for long term success with a low-power approach. His calling cards are Rays-grade defense and plus-speed, having notably swiped 57 bags in back-to-back seasons.
Nathan Flewelling, C 19 | L/R | 6’2” | 200 A | .229/.393/.336 (126 wRC+) 439 PA, 6 HR, 9 SB, 20.3% BB, 27.6% K A+ | 22 PA, 4 H, 5 BB, 6 K
The 94th overall pick from 2024, Flewelling made his debut at 18 years young and caught a full season (75 C, 26 DH), plus a five game cup of coffee (3 C, 2 DH). Taking the longview, he could grow into 50-60 grade power with 50 grade defense, which makes him one to follow. His plus zone awareness at the plate offsets his lagging contact, and most importantly for the position his ability to call games and frame pitches are already plus. A strong season with the bat at High-A could vault him into Top-100 consideration.
Harrison entered the season as Baseball America’s top pitcher in the system thanks to a cleaned up delivery and high heat. He ran into some bumps in the road by running up his pitch count against batters, but he still made it over 100 innings in 22 starts. A power pitcher through and through, his hard slider flirts with cutter classification and could evolve into two distinct pitches down the road. It will be interesting to see how his change up plays as he’s challenged at higher levels, but for now he has premium stuff and the upside of a rotation anchor. (video)
Morgan continued to hit without power in 2025, a great discouragement for some evaluators, but his present 50-grade hit tool and feel for the zone allow a major league projection. He continued his improved, quieter two-strike approach in 2025 that built on his success retooling his swing in the AFL last year. The Rays gave Morgan 14 starts in Left Field last season, and Baseball America called the defense “playable,” but his value is tied to his plus-plus defense at First.
Acquired in the Arozarena trade, Smith became the prince who was promised, a five tool athlete with a strong bat, good face, and a preternatural glove in center field. That promise unraveled a bit in 2025, with his strikeout rate rocketing nine percent and his power stroke faltering after facing harder velocities in High-A, causing both his hit and power grades to drop into the 40’s. It was a full transformation into a “center field” profile, but with his ceiling that’s not a compliment. He plays with a fire, but the dip in contact rate left some evaluators feeling burned.
Brendan Summerhill, OF 22 | L/R | 6’3” | 200 A | .333/.429/.444 (160 wRC+) 42 PA, 0 HR, 5 SB, 6 BB, 5 K
Following an All-Star performance at the Cape Cod summer league, Summerhill exhibited some of the best bat-to-ball skills in NCAA as a junior at Arizona. His draft stock took a minor hit due to injury (broken hand from from punching a cooler) and was drafted 42nd overall, but Summerhill rebounded well with a dominant stop at Charleston to finish the year. Summerhill has plus barrel control, allowing for a high-contact approach for his long swing. He has plus speed as well, which provides a chance to stick in center. Evaluators would like to see more power to complete a five-tool profile. Even if the power doesn’t materialize, it’s an above average contributor’s projection.
Taylor entered 2025 as a top-100 prospect after demolishing High-A (154 wRC+), and left 2025 as an afterthought on prospect lists, although he was selected as an Arizona Fall League “Fall Star” in between, where he worked to keep his chase rate low and his hard hit rate high. The juice must have been worth the squeeze, as the Rays have elected to invite Taylor to major league Spring Training this year.
Jose Urbina, RHP 20 | 6’3” | 180 A | 2.05 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 92.1 IP (19 GS), 26.4% K, 8.2% BB A+ | 2 ER (2 HR), 4.0 IP (1 GS), 5 K, 0 BB
Good pitchers grow and adjust, and Urbina has done that consistently at an age young for his level. Physically he has grown in strength, sitting at 96 with the fastball after flashing high octane in 2024, and technically he has grown, refining his dialed up slider and his two-plane curveball into complementary pitches — which lack plus command but are thrown with feel. He shouldered a starter’s workload at 19, and was awarded one additional start at High-A, where he allowed two solo shots and struck out five. Overall, the age, body, and body of work have him on the trajectory of top prospect lists in the near future.
An impending trade freeze across the NHL ahead of the Olympic break is approaching, but a move could still be made before the deadline.
The Detroit Red Wings have positioned themselves as legitimate buyers for the first time in years. In fact, it's been over 10 years since the Red Wings made meaningful acquisitions at the Trade Deadline.
Currently, the Red Wings occupy the second overall position in the Atlantic Division behind the Tampa Bay Lightning, with several other clubs uncomfortably close in their rear-view mirror.
While the Red Wings had been linked to Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, he was ultimately traded to the Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL insider Darren Dreger of TSN recently appeared on the Barn Burner podcast with Dean “Boomer” Molberg and Ryan Pinder, where he hinted at the possibility of a major move involving the Calgary Flames.
He said the Red Wings would prefer to acquire players with term remaining on their contracts and specifically mentioned defenseman MacKenzie Weegar and forward Nazem Kadri as potential targets.
"What about the Detroit Red Wings? We've talked about and wondered why they'd not have an interest in (Rasmus) Andersson, because we know they need a right-shot defenseman, or want one," he said.
"Detroit is specifically looking for non-rentals; they want guys with term, both as a right-shot defenseman and a scoring forward," he continued. "They'd like - maybe they can make a heck of a deal with Calgary, because they want definition at center ice. They want a top-two center."
In terms of contract term, both players have several years remaining on their current deals.
Kadri, who signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Flames in 2022, is signed through 2029. Meanwhile, Weegar, one of the key pieces acquired by Calgary in the blockbuster 2022 offseason trade involving Matthew Tkachuk and Jonathan Huberdeau, signed an eight-year, $50 million extension shortly after his arrival.
At 35, Kadri's prime is behind him. However, he's coming off a career-high 35 goals with the Flames last season, and played a key role in the Stanley Cup victory by the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
Weegar, a right-shot defenseman, plays in all situations and is the Flames' current ice-time leader at just over 23 minutes per game.
The Red Wings boast a deep pool of prospects they could dangle as trade bait and also have nearly $13 million in available salary cap space.
The NHL Trade Freeze begins at 3:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday and continues through 11:59 p.m. ET on February 22.
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The Pirates’ offseason of trying hard apparently is still underway.
Pittsburgh, which has continuously finished as a runner-up for free agents this offseason, has emerged as one of the more aggressive clubs pursuing free agent lefty Framber Valdez, per The Athletic.
Valdez, 32 is arguably the best free agent still remaining with spring training around the corner.
Framber Valdez while pitching against the Mets last season. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
A Valdez-Pirates pairing normally would be one to laugh at since, well, he costs money and the Pirates protect their money more than Scrooge McDuck.
However, Pittsburgh has been linked to various top free agents this offseason, including Kyle Schwarber and Eugenio Saurez, and perhaps there is some money available.
The Pirates’ big signing this offseason was first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, who inked a two-year, $29 million deal.
There is a difference between showing interest and actually getting across the finish line with a premier player and just attempting to sign him.
Pirates ownership is Public Enemy No. 1 among its fans, mostly due to its frugality, and at least being in the mix for free agents could help lessen some of that outroar.
Pittsburgh does have a potential aiding factor in its pursuit in new pitching coach Bill Murphy, who worked with Valdez in Houston and spent the last four years as one of the team’s pitching coaches.
Could Valdez pair with Paul Skenes? Robert Sabo for NY Post
Adding Valdez would give the Pirates a potentially potent rotation since he would pair with NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, along with former top prospect Bubba Chandler and Mitch Keller.
Pittsburgh is joined by the Blue Jays in pursuit of Valdez, The Post confirmed, and the Orioles have also been linked to him throughout the offseason.
The Post’s Jon Heyman previously reported that Valdez is being patient, but he’s running out of time to land with a team before camp begins.
Valdez went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA last year, and is 81-52 with a 3.36 ERA spanning his eight-season career with the Astros.
One factor that could be limiting his market is the qualifying offer attached to the southpaw since some teams may not want to hand out a lucrative contract plus draft compensation.
The Pirates, though, would only lose their third-highest draft pick as a revenue-sharing team.
2025 started with nothing but optimism. The team had landed the biggest free agent on the market in Juan Soto. They were stocked with talent and even brought back fan favourite Pete Alonzo. The season opened with the Mets playing some of their best baseball in their history, storming out to a 45-25 in the first half of the season. But in the second half, they stumbled, scuffling through July and August but still holding second place on the back of their astonishing number of wins banked in the first half. As of Sept. 8, the Mets owned a four-game lead over the Reds with 19 games remaining for a playoff spot. They had a 92.2% chance to reach the postseason, according to FanGraphs. From there, the Mets went 7-11 to fall out of their chance at the final wildcard, becoming just the third team during the wildcard era to win 45 out of their first 70 games and still miss the playoffs.
The Mets went into the 2026 with plans to make changes and they have been active this year. I reached out to Chris McShane at Amazin’ Avenue to discuss the Mets offseason so far and how their fans view the moves of their Front Office up until now.
The Mets had a heck of an offseason, acquiring Bo Bichette, Devin Williams, Jorge Polanco, Luke Weaver, Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., and Freddy Peralta but parted ways with Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo, Brandon Sproat and top prospect Jett Williams. What do fans think of this roller coaster?
The sequence of events over the course of this offseason certainly made it a roller coaster. While the most analytically-inclined Mets fans weren’t really sad to see any of the major departing players go, plenty of Mets fans were. And almost all of the significant additions were made after the four long-tenured major league players you’ve mentioned here were already gone. Surely there’s still a wide range of opinions among fans when it comes to expectations for the 2026 season, but people seem to generally think the team should be at least as good as it was going into the start of the 2025 season.
Toronto is still smarting about losing Bo, but there’s also a lot of confusion about the Mets paying a premium to slot him into a position he’s never played. Is it purely to bolster the lineup or is there a strategy to switch him to the hot corner?
While I can’t say I’ve seen enough of Bichette at shortstop to have formed any opinions about his work there, the Mets definitely addressed a big need in their lineup by signing him. The transition from short to third base seems like a fairly natural one to make, but the worst case scenario with Bichette—or with Jorge Polanco at first base—is that he spends more time than currently anticipated as the Mets’ designated hitter. In Bichette’s case, if Marcus Semien were to hit the injured list at any point, he could slide over to second base to fill in with Brett Baty playing his natural position at third.
Which players really took the biggest steps forward this year for the club?
Nolan McLean started the 2025 season in Double-A Binghamton and ended it at the major league level looking like a legitimate ace. He might not get the Opening Day start now that Freddy Peralta is in the rotation, but he is the most exciting pitcher on the Mets’ staff heading into this season.
The Mets have Canadian Jonah Tong knocking on the door for the majors, even if he did have a rough cup of coffee in 2025. Who is most likely to contribute from the farm in 2026 in a meaningful way?
While McLean is technically still a prospect because he threw few enough innings to retain that status, Carson Benge seems like the best answer to the spirit of this question. One of the best prospects in all of baseball, Benge had a fantastic season last year, and the fact that the Mets have thus far kept left field wide open is indicative of their confidence in his ability to win that job and run with it this year.
I’m still very high on Tong, and the struggles he had in his cup of coffee last year don’t really concern me much. Starting rotations rarely go according to plan over the course of a full season, and if an opportunity should arise, Tong will almost certainly get another shot. If that happens relatively early in the season, he could even make a bigger impact than Benge.
Of the remaining FAs, which would fit best for the Mets, even if it’s a bit of a stretch they’d land there?
I’d still love to see the Mets bring Chris Bassitt back, even if they already have a six-man rotation on paper. He’s been one of the best pitchers in the game when it comes to eating innings, and he’s done so pretty effectively over the past three seasons in Toronto. I’m not sure he’ll get back to a sub-3.50 ERA like the one that he had in 2022 with the Mets, but the durability combined with the way he dominated out of the bullpen in the playoffs last year would make me very happy if a reunion were to come about.
Assuming you could put on the ‘accept all trades’ button, what would an ideal but still realistic target be for you before ST starts?
The cost would be steep, I’m sure, but if the Padres were to deal Mason Miller, it would be pretty great to add him to the Mets’ bullpen. Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, and eventually A.J. Minter should make the bullpen pretty good even if the other three or four spots aren’t great. But adding Miller to that mix would give them one of the better bullpens in the sport. Five of the pitchers in the Mets’ current six-man rotation had trouble going much longer than five innings per start last year. Even if that problem isn’t quite as bad this year, bolstering the bullpen with Miller would be a lot of fun.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers controls the ball against Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Intuit Dome on December 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“LeBron James will be a free agent this summer, and if he chooses to play a 24th NBA season, sources close to him said Cleveand would be an obvious destination. His salary would not be close to the $52.6 million he’s earning now in Los Angeles, but at age 41 he is aware of the market realities facing him if he extends his career.
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The Cavs are pushing all of their chips in for this season and next. That’s what happens when you trade a 26-year-old All-Star for a 36-year-old one. And, there’s additional win-now moves that the Cavs could be making before now and next summer.
We’ll see how this unfolds. But if James is playing professional basketball next season, there seems to be a good chance that it’ll be back in the place his career started.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Mookie Betts #50, Freddie Freeman #5, Max Muncy #13 and Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers look on during a Zoom Replay Review in the seventh inning of Game Four of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Dodgers spring training officially begins next week at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, so let’s take a look at the roster heading into camp. We’ll start first with the infielders, the deepest (and oldest) group on the team among position players.
Dodgers infielders hit .257/.332/.422 as a group in 2025, easily outpacing the outfielders at .240/.299/.415. The team upgraded heavily in the latter in signing Kyle Tucker, while the infielders are mostly the same group in 2026.
40-man roster infielders
Freddie Freeman 1B
Tommy Edman 2B/SS/3B/CF
Mookie Betts SS
Max Muncy 3B
Miguel Rojas IF
Hyeseong Kim 2B/SS/CF
Alex Freeland SS/3B/2B
Things to watch
Will Mookie Betts find his bat? That Betts transformed from a longtime Gold Glove-winning outfielder into a capable major league shortstop defensively was remarkable, and kept him quite valuable even as his offense waned. Betts hit .258/.326/.406 with a 104 wRC+, worsts across the board in his 12-year career, in a season that began with a stomach virus that depleted his weight in March. Betts at Dodgers Fest on Saturday talked about his offseason plan to re-find his mojo at the plate.
Tommy Edman’s ankle: Edman had right ankle surgery in November, and his readiness for opening day might be in question. But there’s hope that the season as a whole will be healthier after being bothered by the ankle over the last year and a half, and playing only 134 games combined over the last two seasons. With Tucker on board, Edman’s time will probably be mostly spent on the dirt in 2026, playing second base for the bulk of his time.
Platoon at third base? Max Muncy missed significant time with injuries over the last two seasons, starting 162 games. That left time for eight other players to combine for the other 162 starts over the hot corner in 2024-25. Since the start of 2022, Muncy against left-handed pitchers has hit .165/.281/.375 with an 84 wRC+, with seasonal OPS of .679, .642, .743, and .594 against same-handed pitchers.
This might have been a role for Andy Ibáñez, who signed a one-year deal on January 13 (before Tucker signed) to likely mash lefties, with a career 115 wRC+ against southpaws. But he was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Miguel Rojas, who has a 121 wRC+ against lefties over the last two seasons, started 20 games at third base in 2025.
What role for Hyeseong Kim? The signee out of the KBO last season was exceptional defensively at second base but was overmatched at the plate down the stretch, ending at .280/.314/.385 with a 95 wRC+ and 30.6-percent strikeout rate after a hot start. Kim’s best opportunity at playing time probably rests in the fact that the ages of those above him on the depth chart are 36, 31, 33, 35, and 37 years old.
Welcome back, Kiké? It seemed highly likely that human security blanket Kiké Hernández would return once again to the Dodgers eventually this offseason. But with Ibáñez now out, a Hernández return seems even more inevitable. He might miss time at the beginning of the season after left elbow surgery in November, but as long as he’s healthy ready by October it’ll be fine. Hernández signed with the Dodgers on or after the first day of spring training camp in each of the last two seasons, if you’re wondering about the timing.
W-B-Seeya: Kim is the lone Dodgers infielder headed to the World Baseball Classic, which will keep him out of spring camp for at least two weeks or so. He’ll represent Korea in the WBC, which begins pool play in Tokyo on March 5.
