Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) celebrates with teammates after intercepting the ball against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 9: Rhys Hoskins #12 of the Milwaukee Brewers walks back to the dugout after breaking his bat and fouling out during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on September 9, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pitchers and catchers report to camp tomorrow, and the Washington Nationals roster still feels painfully incomplete. Even for a team that does not have serious playoff aspirations, there are still holes that need to be filled. The team lacks veteran leaders and proven commodities. Hopefully new President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni can do something to fix that as the offseason winds down.
For his part, Toboni has acknowledged that the team needs more additions. In interviews from the past couple of weeks, Toboni said that the team is not set heading to West Palm Beach and that the team is actively looking for pitching help. However, no deals have materialized since then, besides waiver wire action.
From two weeks ago, a compilation from 2 interviews that Paul Toboni gave:
"By no means do we feel we're set going into West Palm."
"We're actively looking in that [pitching] market, and I think there's a chance we can sign a player here in the next week or two. But we will… pic.twitter.com/OAE86MOtge
Hopefully Toboni sticks to his word because he is right that the team is not complete. In fact, they are far from it. The Nats have as many holes as Swiss Cheese right now. There are question marks at first base, DH, the rotation and in the bullpen. You can have internal competitions at some of those spots, but it would be unsettling to do it at all of those positions.
The Nats are not going to be a good team this year, but fans still want to see a respectable product on the field. Right now, it does not seem like there is a serious effort to do that. The only free agent signing Paul Toboni has made is the $5.5 million addition of Foster Griffin, who has spent the last three years in Japan.
The Nats have not signed a player to a big league contract that actually played in the big leagues last year. Even in a rebuilding year, that is unacceptable. It is something Toboni needs to fix, for the sake of the fans if nothing else.
Most of the high profile free agents are off the board, but that is okay because the Nats were never fishing in that pool. However, there are still some solid free agents available that could be in the Nats price range. Some names to watch could be Rhys Hoskins and former Nats draft pick Lucas Giolito.
Now only eight of the @TheAthleticMLB's top 50 free agents remain unsigned, including none of the top 20.
21. Zac Gallen 30. Lucas Giolito 31. Chris Bassitt 37. Zack Littell 38. Marcell Ozuna 41. Max Scherzer 43. Rhys Hoskins 50. Michael Kopechhttps://t.co/a6wfQyi7RK
The Nats need reliability at first base and in the rotation. Giolito and Hoskins are veteran presences who can provide that. While the underlying numbers suggest Giolito’s 3.41 ERA from last year is not sustainable, he should still be able to provide league average production which the Nats desperately need in their rotation.
Other starters they could turn to for that include Nick Martinez, Chris Bassitt and Zack Littell. Zac Gallen is also on the market, but Toboni is likely to stay away from him due to his price tag and the qualifying offer attached to him. Toboni does not seem like he is in the business of giving away draft picks.
Another area that could use a boost is the bullpen. The Nats had the worst bullpen in all of baseball last year and it got worse on paper over the offseason. Toboni traded away Jose A. Ferrer, the Nats most promising reliever. It was a deal I liked, but it still weakens the bullpen. The Nats are projected to have the worst bullpen in baseball again in 2026.
Fangraphs RP DC Rankings (Bottom 5) 26th: Athletics (1.3 fWAR) 27th: DBacks (1.2 fWAR) 28th: Rockies (1.1 fWAR) 29th: Giants (1.1 fWAR) 30th: Nats (0.4 fWAR)😬😬😬 Bullpens shouldn’t be the main focus of a rebuilding team, but they cannot go into 2026 without any new additions https://t.co/9TP84FDuFK
The free agent options are slim, but there are still some names available. Michael Kopech could be an interesting flier to take. He has injury issues, but also possesses huge upside. If the Nats wanted a safer option, veteran lefties Danny Coulombe or Jalen Beeks could be options.
I am not expecting any massive additions, but are a couple stabilizing additions too much to ask for? With this pitching staff, the Nats are really running the risk of bottoming out and losing 100+ games. Even in a rebuild, that is not something you want to do, especially with a draft lottery in place.
A few veterans would help the young guys develop and keep the fans engaged. Speaking of the fans, how about an addition of Max Scherzer? I know that would fire me up and he would be such a great leader for this young team. Both the Nats and Scherzer have reasons to not be interested in each other, but it would be a ton of fun.
Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow and the Nats roster just feels so unfinished. Can you really roll out there with this rotation, Abimelec Ortiz or Matt Mervis at first base, and this no name bullpen? It just feels like you would be asking for trouble. I guess we are going to find out based on what Paul Toboni does in the coming days and weeks.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 17: Caleb Durbin #21 of the Milwaukee Brewers walks back to the dugout after striking out during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a move that seemingly came out of nowhere, the Milwaukee Brewers have traded third baseman Caleb Durbin, utility infielders Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler, and their competitive balance B pick to the Boston Red Sox. In return, Milwaukee has acquired left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, infielder David Hamilton, and minor league left-hander Shane Drohan.
Trade news: The Boston Red Sox are acquiring third baseman Caleb Durbin in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, sources tell ESPN. Left-hander Kyle Harrison is headlining the three-player package headed back to Milwaukee.
Harrison, 24, was ranked as a top 25 prospect in the league prior to the 2024 season by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. He made his major league debut with the Giants in 2023 but was the centerpiece of San Francisco’s deal for Rafael Devers in June of last year. In 42 career appearances (37 starts, 194 2/3 innings) Harrison has a 4.39 ERA, 4.43 FIP, and 2.85 K:BB ratio. In the minors, though, Harrison has a 3.39 ERA in over 350 innings and has struck out 13.7 batters per nine, a massive number for a starter.
Hamilton, 28, is a speedy, versatile defender who doesn’t hit much. A former draft pick by the Brewers, he was sent to the Red Sox in the Hunter Renfroe trade a few years back. He was a very good player in 2024, when at 26 years old he hit .248/.303/.395 (96 OPS+) in 98 games and played good defense split between second base and shortstop. He earned 2.6 bWAR that season, but was unable to replicate that success in 2025, when he hit just .198/.257/.333 in 194 plate appearances across 91 games.
Drohan has yet to make his major league debut. He turned 27 last month and was a 2020 fifth-round pick by Boston. Drohan missed much of the 2025 season with “forearm inflammation,” but when he was healthy, he was excellent: in 47 2/3 innings at Triple-A Worcester, he had a 2.27 ERA, 12.7 K/9, and 3.0 BB/9.
Durbin was the Brewers’ starting third baseman in 2025, a role that now seems up for grabs. He was a big part of the Brewers’ 97-win team last year and earned 2.8 WAR in a promising rookie season. He doesn’t turn 26 until later this month and won’t be a free agent until he’s past his prime, and it seemed like Durbin would be a big part of the Brewers’ future. While there are some reasons to be skeptical of his offensive game given his Statcast numbers, the move is quite a surprise.
Monasterio has been the team’s primary utility infielder for the past three seasons and has been solid, likable, and reliable in that role. Seigler had a disappointing first season in the majors, but there were reasons for optimism in some of his underlying numbers and he was another versatile player.
Hamilton can certainly replace Monasterio in the utility infield role, but we now have a real question on our hands: who is the Brewers’ starting third baseman on opening day?
Brewers' current (non-1B) infield depth:
-Joey Ortiz -Brice Turang -Jett Williams (never played third)
The Milwaukee Bucks (21-29) put their three-game winning streak on the line tonight in the first of two in a row against the Orlando Magic (27-24).
With Giannis Antetokounmpo still sidelined, the Bucks look to begin a three-game road trip with a pair of games in Orlando. Doc Rivers offered an update to the 2-time MVP’s calf strain late last week: “He’s going to play when he’s healthy. We’ve just got to make sure he’s healthy. He’s getting close. He’s working out. He looks good. I would say hopefully sooner than later.”
The Magic have won their last two taking advantage of a stretch in their schedule at home against teams under .500 and out of playoff contention. With back-to-back home games against the Bucks, its an opportunity for Orlando to build some momentum heading into the All-Star Break. The Magic are currently 7th in the East (trailing 6th-place Philadelphia by 2.5 games for the final guaranteed playoff spot).
Milwaukee sits 12th in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games behind the Hornets for 10th and the final spot in the Play-In Tournament. The Bucks string of nine straight seasons of reaching the postseason remains very much in jeopardy.
Following Games tonight and Wednesday in Orlando, these teams meet for a final time during the regular season on March 8 in Milwaukee.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Bucks at Magic
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Game Odds: Bucks at Magic
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Taurean Prince (neck) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner (ankle) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Bucks at Magic
At 21-29, Milwaukee has its worst record through 50 games since the 2015-16 season (20-30) – the last time the Bucks missed the playoffs
In Orlando’s 118-98 win vs Brooklyn on Feb. 5, the Magic held their opponent under 100 points for the 3rd time this season and the first time since Feb. 14
Last season, the Magic held opponents under 100 points in an NBA-high 21 games
The Bucks are 9-17 on the road this season
The Magic are 16-8 at home this season
The Bucks are 22-28 ATS this season
The Magic are 20-31 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 20 of the Bucks’ 50 games this season (20-30)
The OVER has cashed in 26 of the Magic’s 51 games this season (26-25)
Paolo Banchero leads Orlando in scoring (21.7 ppg), though he’s averaging more than 4 points per game fewer this year compared to last season, when he averaged a career-high 25.9 ppg
Jalen Suggs has 7 steals and 6 blocks over the last 2 games and recorded his first career triple-double on February 5 vs Brooklyn
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Bucks and Magic game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Bucks +10.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 218.5
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Bulls vs Nets best bet: Nic Claxton Under 12.5 points (-112)
Nic Claxton is having a respectable campaign for the Brooklyn Nets. However, he hasn’t been scoring the rock at a very high level over the last couple of weeks.
The big man has cashed the Under in points in seven of his previous eight appearances, and he’s averaging just 11 points per game across three meetings with the Chicago Bulls this season.
He’s also hit the Under in points in two straight contests at the Barclays Center.
Bulls vs Nets same-game parlay
Noah Clowney has hit the Over in points in two of his last four, and he just scored 18 on Saturday at home against Washington. He’s also averaging 16.7 ppg this season vs. Chicago.
Matas Buzelis is a respectable 3-point shooter, averaging 2.0 makes on 5.5 attempts. He’s averaging 2.2 makes on the road at a 41% clip, and has hit the Over in two of his last three.
Bulls vs Nets SGP
Nic Claxton Under 12.5 points
Noah Clowney Over 14.5 points
Matas Buzelis Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Board room
Nolan Traore has grabbed Over 2.5 rebounds in three straight games.
Bulls vs Nets SGP
Nic Claxton Under 12.5 points
Noah Clowney Over 14.5 points
Matas Buzelis Over 2.5 threes
Nolan Traore Over 2.5 rebounds
Bulls vs Nets odds
Spread: Bulls -3.5 (-115) | Nets +3.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Bulls -170 | Nets +145
Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5
Bulls vs Nets betting trend to know
The Chicago Bulls have hit the second-quarter game total Under in 24 of their last 35 games (+11.55 Units / 29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Nets.
How to watch Bulls vs Nets
Location
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Date
Monday, February 9, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
CHSN, YES
Bulls vs Nets latest injuries
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ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 7: Players of Mexico (Red) celebrate winning the 2026 Caribbean Series Final game between Mexico (Green) and Mexico (Red) at Estadio Charros on February 7, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Luis Gutierrez/ Norte Photo/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Super Bowl Sunday brings closure to the football season and is the unofficial start to the baseball season. Fans across the country put away their pigskins and pickup their mitts knowing the crack of the bat is just days away. For teams competing in the Caribbean Series, the sweet sounds have baseball have been heard for weeks and while Super Bowl LX took the top headlines two teams from Mexico battled it out in the championship to determine who would take the Caribbean Series title this weekend. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball provides the news you need to know from the series, including which Padres or former Padres were competing for the crown.
Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes is drawing interest from teams looking to trade for his services, with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox being the most interested at this point.
We’ve reached the final week of the NBA season before the All-Star break, and “silly season” has already arrived. This week’s recommended pickups include rookies from two of the Association’s worst teams, two players who made their season debuts within the last two weeks and shockingly … Brook Lopez and Marvin Bagley III.
Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for Week 17.
→ Watch an NBA doubleheader on Peacock on Monday night, as the Bucks take on the Magic at 7:30 p.m. ET before the Thunder square off against the Lakers at 10 p.m. ET.
Keyonte George missed three games due to a left ankle sprain before returning on Saturday and injuring his right ankle. Over the last four games with George out or limited, Collier has averaged 20.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 12.5 assists and 2.5 steals across 39.5 minutes. He’s posted three straight double-doubles, and he handed out a career-high 22 assists in Tuesday’s win over the Pacers. Even if George is cleared to take the court before the All-Star break, Collier has standalone value as a premier backup, and Utah is clearly interested in tanking after sitting all of Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic, and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss to the Magic. Expect Collier to continue seeing big minutes as “silly season” fast approaches.
Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies (34 percent rostered)
Jerome has appeared in four games this season, and he’s averaged just 20.3 minutes. A lack of big minutes hasn’t stopped him from delivering big numbers, as Jerome is averaging 20 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.3 triples while shooting a highly efficient 56.5% from the floor and 86.4% from the charity stripe. His workload should gradually increase down the stretch, and he could push for 25+ minutes after getting some additional time to recover and ramp up over the All-Star break.
Moussa Diabaté, Charlotte Hornets (26 percent rostered)
Charlotte’s starting center gig is Diabaté’sto lose, and he’s been excellent over the last two weeks. Across his last eight appearances, Diabaté has averaged 10.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.8 blocked shots over 29.9 minutes while shooting 67.3% from the field and 75% from the charity stripe. The big man isn’t an elite contributor of defensive stats, but he’s offered strong rebound numbers and solid efficiency.
Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder (24 percent rostered)
Wallace has at least a week of runway, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be out through the All-Star break, and the Thunder play three more games between Monday and Thursday. Across his last four outings, Wallace has averaged 17 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.3 steals and 2.3 triples over 30.3 minutes while shooting 51/83/41 splits. His elite contributions in the scarce steals category make him worth an add as a category specialist, but his recent production highlights his ability to post meaningful numbers across the board.
Will Riley, Washington Wizards (21 percent rostered)
Riley is yet another talented rookie in the nation’s capital, and he’s been on a scorching heater as of late. Across his last four games, Riley has averaged 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.0 triples across 32.3 minutes. He’s scored 20+ points in back-to-back games and delivered the best performance of his career in Saturday’s loss to the Nets. Riley turned in a humongous 27/3/2/3/1 line with four triples across 45 minutes on Saturday, and his arrow is clearly pointing up.
Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Clippers (18 percent rostered)
With Ivica Zubac traded to Indiana, BroLo has the runway to be a viable option in standard fantasy leagues. He posted a 15/9/2/1 line with three swats and two triples across 36 minutes in Friday’s win over the Kings, and Lopez has averaged 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.3 blocks and 2.1 triples across nine starts this season. Scoring, rebounding and efficiency will be inconsistent, but Lopez is a reliable source of blocked shots and triples and should be added wherever he’s available.
Henderson made his season debut in Friday’s win over the Grizzlies, posting an 11/5/9/1 line across 21 minutes off the bench. He sat out Saturday’s rematch on the second leg of the Blazers’ back-to-back set, but he’s got a chance to be back in action on Monday against the 76ers. Henderson will need some ramp-up time, but his strong production with such limited playing time is highly encouraging.
Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors (11 percent rostered)
Stephen Curry is still without a timeline for return, and with injuries mounting in Golden State, role players will continue to see meaningful run and take on new responsibilities. One of those players is Santos, who has been productive across his last six outings. In that span, he’s averaged 14.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.2 blocks and 2.2 triples across 26.8 minutes.
Marvin Bagley III, Washington Wizards (7 percent rostered)
Bagley III came to Dallas by way of the Anthony Davis trade, and he made an immediate impact. Daniel Gafford logged nearly 29 minutes per game across his last three before Bagley III arrived, but the former saw only 18 minutes Saturday’s loss to the Spurs, with Bagley III garnering 24. Foul trouble certainly played a role in the minutes disparity, but given Gafford’s history of injuries and foul trouble, it’s safe to say Bagley III should see enough playing time down the stretch to be a viable option in standard leagues. He posted a loaded 16/12/2 line with a steal, four blocks and a triple, and fantasy managers should expect more strong performances moving forward.
Clifford has been electric across his last three games, going for 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 swats and 3.0 triples across 33 minutes. He had his best game of the season in Saturday’s loss to the Cavaliers, delivering a monstrous 30/4/4/2/2 line with five triples across 40 minutes. Sacramento’s backcourt lineup is thin after Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis were traded, and the Kings have no incentive to play Zach LaVine or Russell Westbrook big minutes while they careen toward the 2026 Draft Lottery. Clifford looks poised to see increased run after the All-Star break, and he has the skills to handsomely reward fantasy managers who add him off the waiver wire.
The Philadelphia 76ers look for their fourth win to close out a five-game road trip as they take on the Portland Trail Blazers tonight.
Portland has had a rough go against teams with winning records, so my 76ers vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks have the visitors wrapping up their trip in style.
76ers vs Trail Blazers prediction
76ers vs Trail Blazers best bet: 76ers -4 (-110)
The Philadelphia 76ers have been dominant of late, winning six of seven to hit the 30-win mark, eight games above .500, and currently sitting sixth in the East.
They grinded out a tough 109-103 last time out against Phoenix, but that’s been more the outlier than the norm during this fun run, with four of Philly’s six wins coming by double digits.
However, load management may keep Joel Embiid sidelined tonight. The big man has led the team in scoring in each of the last two games, topping 30+ points each game.
The Portland Trail Blazers have righted the ship after dropping six straight, taking both ends of a two-game home set against the Grizzlies.
However, beating up on Memphis is one thing: at 13-21 against teams with winning records, Portland has the most losses among teams currently in the Top 10 of each conference.
They’ll also be shorthanded, as Shaedon Sharpe (calf) and Kris Murray (back) are both out, with leading scorer Deni Avdija (back) listed as questionable.
Philly is also the NBA league leader in both cover record as the visitor (17-7 ATS) and the road favorite (9-2 ATS). They’ve won four of the last six meetings, with three wins coming by 10+ points.
76ers vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay
Jerami Grant has been the leading scorer for the Blazers in three straight, going for 20+ in each, but the books have listed Avdija’s scoring line, which means it’s a good chance he returns. That should push Grant down to a secondary option, and his scoring will suffer.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey is fourth in the NBA with 169 made 3-pointers, but he’s only made 4+ triples three times in his last 14 games, and only hit four in a game once in nine meetings against Portland.
76ers vs Trail Blazers SGP
76ers -4
Jerami Grant Under 19.5 points
Tyrese Maxey Under 3.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Living on the Edgecombe
Donovan Clingan’s got a high rebounding line, but he’s been cleaning a ton of glass lately, going for double-digit rebounds in 10 of 12 games, and 13+ in seven of those.
As for VJ Edgecombe, it’s been a shaky road trip, as he scored just five points against Phoenix, the second time in a week he’s finished at or below that number.
He opened this trip with five points against the Clippers, and he responded with 25 against the Warriors.
76ers vs Trail Blazers SGP
76ers -4
Jerami Grant Under 19.5 points
Tyrese Maxey Under 3.5 threes
Donovan Clingan Over 12.5 rebounds
VJ Edgecombe Over 13.5 points
76ers vs Trail Blazers odds
Spread: 76ers -4 | Trail Blazers +4
Moneyline: 76ers -165 | Trail Blazers +145
Over/Under: Over 230.5 | Under 230.5
76ers vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know
The 76ers have covered the spread in 18 of their last 25 road games for +11.4 units and a 41% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Trail Blazers.
How to watch 76ers vs Trail Blazers
Location
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Date
Monday, February 9, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCS-Philadelphia, KUNP
76ers vs Trail Blazers latest injuries
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts as he rounds first base after hitting a solo homer in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on September 24, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB Rumors: Marcell Ozuna and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to terms on a one year, $12 million deal, per reports.
Ozuna, 35, began his career with the Miami Marlins before being shipped out after a career year in 2017 for a package that included pitching prospects Zac Gallen and Sandy Alcantera. After a couple of middling seasons with the Cardinals, he signed a one year deal with the Atlanta Braves, for whom he mashed in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. After exploring the market for a while, he ended up agreeing in early February of 2021 to return to Atlanta on a five year deal.
Ozuna had a couple of bad seasons for Atlanta to start of that contract, a couple of really good seasons in 2023 and 2024, and then a decent 2025 campaign, in which he slashed .232/.355/.400. He has only played DH the last two seasons, and played DH in all but two games in 2023, so while he could theoretically put on a glove and stand in left field at some point in 2026, he’s a full-time DH at this point.
The Pirates had been rumored to be pursuing free agent pitcher Framber Valdez, who ended up agreeing to a three year deal with Detroit late last week. The Pirates were also supposedly talking to the Astros and Cardinals about a potential three-way deal that would have sent Brendon Donovan to the Astros and Isaac Paredes to Pittsburgh, with the same piece saying that the Pirates pursued Eugenio Suarez before he joined the Reds.
A couple of weeks ago, I ran down some potential options to fill the Rangers’ one big remaining hole — a righthanded bench bat to platoon with Joc Pederson at DH. About Ozuna I wrote that he “is also going to be more expensive than someone similar, such as [Miguel] Andujar, and probably doesn’t want to accept a part-time role right now.”
Not that I was really going out there on a limb with that comment, but both of those things ended up being true. Miguel Andujar, another popular righthanded bench option for the Rangers, agreed to terms on a $4 million deal with San Diego late last week, so Ozuna is getting three times as much as Andujar and would appear to be slated to be the Pirates’ everyday DH.
Paul Goldschmidt, who I also mentioned as a possibility (albeit not a strong one), is returning to the Yankees, also on a $4 million deal, so we can similarly scratch him from the list of guys who, in theory, could be pursued.
The Ozuna deal would seem to put an end to any possibility of Andrew McCutchen returning to the Pirates, for whom he has played each of the past three years. If the Rangers are looking for a cheap righthanded bat with veteranocity, McCutchen would seem to be a candidate.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers high five during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Just as the Sixers seemed more normal and the vibes were good, Paul George got suspended… And then they went and gave up on Jared McCain at the trade deadline. It’s rightfully led to a bunch of harsh criticism being thrown their way.
But as I try to keep things positive and focused on basketball, while Josh Harris celebrates ducking the luxury tax yet again, the plus side is that the Sixers have still won six of their last seven games. There may have been a few close calls in there, but wins are wins. It’s allowed them to take a firmer hold of the sixth seed as the NBA All-Star break approaches, and they now have a chance to close out their current West Coast road trip with a very respectable 4-1 record.
On Monday, they’re up against the 25-28 Trail Blazers. Portland have been more competitive than last season and their defense has been just shy of middle of the pack at 18th, but they’re still stuck at 10th in the West and continue to struggle on offense, ranking only 23rd in offensive rating.
As for the injury report, the only addition for the Sixers is Joel Embiid, who’s questionable with right knee injury management. The Blazers, on the other hand, will definitely be shorthanded. Apart from Damian Lillard who remains out for the season with an achilles injury, Kris Murray (lumbar strain), Matisse Thybulle (right knee tendinopathy), and the team’s second-leading scorer Shaedon Sharpe (left calf soreness) are all out. Robert Williams III (left knee injury management) is questionable, as is Deni Avdija due to a low back strain, which would be a particularly big loss for the Blazers on Monday.
Avdija has been having an excellent season as the Blazers’ leader on offense. He’s putting up by far the best offensive numbers of his career with 25.5 points and 6.7 assist per game, all while maintaining better efficiency than ever with a 61.1 true shooting percentage. His lofty free throw rate has given him a nice boost there, with him taking 9.5 a game.
Scoot Henderson has also just returned for the first time in 51 games. He tallied 11 points and nine assists in 21 minutes on Friday against the Grizzlies. It’ll be interesting to see if he can find some consistency and improve his efficiency moving forward.
Sophomore center Donovan Clingan will be one to keep an eye on too. He’ll obviously have a hard time containing Embiid and keeping the big fella off the free throw line, but Clingan is building off what he did as a rookie. He’s also leading the NBA in offensive rebounds with a seriously impressive 4.7 per game, so the Sixers’ boxouts will have to be consistent in this game to avoid giving up easy second chances. The 7-foot-2 center has been on a roll over the last week too, averaging 13.8 points, 15.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over his last four games.
Especially if Embiid is out, the huge physical presence of Clingan will be a good test for Adem Bona as well whenever they’re matched up. And if the offense is missing Embiid, then hopefully for the Sixers they’ll continue to get similar helpful contributions from their forwards. Kelly Oubre Jr. (who’s having a quality two-way season in general) and Trendon Watford both provided a spark to help beat the Suns on Saturday.
Ultimately, Monday’s contest should be a solid opportunity for the Sixers to pick up another win as the All-Star break approaches. And before they have a far tougher matchup on Wednesday against the Knicks, this is one they should really be capitalizing on.
Game Details
When: Monday, February 9, 10 p.m. ET Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 12: Bad Bunny attends the game between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics lost early.
The Patriots lost late.
‘Twas a wonderful day.
‘Tis a time to celebrate.
"Tip off today was 12: 30…Celtics haven't played a game all season before 3: 30"
"All the Patriot fans sold their tickets so Knicks fans invaded"
“Our group is resilient. Sometimes things like that happen in Detroit. None of us like it. None of us want to go through it. Give Detroit a lot of credit, but we know it’s not who we are. We played a lot better than that. We will. But I do think this group is resilient because they’ve shown time and time again after tough losses or multiple losses playing the next game usually doing a pretty good job of playing again.”
On the team’s defensive effort:
“Our starter group did a nice job defensively, and I take my hat off to everybody in that locker room. Offensively, I thought we did a pretty good job of taking care of the basketball. It was big for us.”
On adjusting against Jaylen Brown:
“You get a guy like Jaylen Brown who is a heck of a player. In the first half he was having his way with us a little bit. He was 6-for-11, he was rolling. In the second half, we did a better job defensively as a team. I got to give Mo some credit. Mo was our defensive player of the game. We threw Mo on him for a little bit. We thought we’re going to try to make Jaylen work, be physical, get up into him, stuff like that, and he did it without fouling. He did a nice job with it. So to see that from a young guy at this point in his career was a lot of fun as a staff.”
On the Knicks getting back to the W column:
“Our team is so resilient. They’ve shown time and time again that after tough losses we can do a good job to come back and play again.”
On bounceback win in Boston after losing in Detroit:
“We know we’re better than we showed in Detroit.”
On Jose Alvarado’s impact:
“He brings a level of toughness to this team, his energy is unmatched. What he can do defensively in the full court and even in the front court with the ball especially on the pick-and-rolls and stuff, is at a pretty high level. He shoots it better than people think, too. We want to play fast and we believe he’s a guy who will come in and push the pace, get into our offense, and all of that because he’s quick and has a low center of gravity — excited to have him.”
“To be honest, I can’t say I ever dreamed about this. If you know my story — I’m not saying I wasn’t gonna make it to the NBA — but there were big questions for me. So just to be part of the city, it’s such a surreal feeling. I can’t wait to put the jersey on and get a few stops in it.”
On returning home to NYC:
“Too many messages, but this is a blessing. I’m from here. My family never left the city. So just to be in the atmosphere—they’ve been Knicks fans probably since before me, and to be on a team that’s trying to contend for something and me be part of it is pretty special.”
On competing for a title with the Knicks:
“We’ve gotta contend. We wanna win games, and that’s what we’re trying to do. And I get to be a part of that. I’m excited for that. I’ve just gotta be myself. Let’s get this ball rolling.”
On responding to a missed shot pulling off a Grand Theft Alvarado:
“They basically said, ‘You’re going to miss.’ And I said, ‘That’s how you get it back.’ Who cares about the miss if you get it back on the back tip and layup and it worked out in my favor.”
On his Knicks debut feeling natural:
“It’s crazy. But I just feel like it was meant to be. It feels like I’ve been part of it for a while, even though it was the first game. It felt like nothing. It felt like home. It felt like it was supposed to happen this way. And I’m glad I did.”
On Puerto Rican pride:
“Hell yeah. Can’t wait. That’s a big opportunity for Puerto Ricans expanding. Especially me, being Boricua.”
On Bad Bunny’s performance:
“It was the best show I’ve ever been a part of. And he’s just doing a great job and I’m glad he’s able to show it at the highest level.”
“I think the beginning of the year, training camp, everybody was like, ‘He’s gonna be good.’ And I think with him, it was just more about getting more comfortable, more experience, more minutes, those kinds of things. But he’s gonna be extremely good. He’s extremely talented, defensively he can be all over the place but offensively he’s knocking down shots.”
On Jose Alvarado’s style of play:
“That’s him. You know he’ll be a really good on-ball defender, take the challenge, a great secondary ballhandler for us, be able to playmaking, in the paint and pressure, so what you got from today is the player you’ll get.”
“For me, it’s just been fluctuation of play, really. In and out the lineups. DNPs. Sometimes you’re getting five minutes in the game, here and there. But it’s a whole new process for me, and a new role. Offensively and defensively. They’re asking me to do things defensively as well. And then offensively, I got to figure it out and make stuff out of what comes in the offense in terms of opportunities. It’s not like I’m featured in the offense or anything. I’m playing hard, I’m crashing the glass, figuring out different things — little things to be effective on that end. So it’s a whole new thing for me. But I’ll continue to be a pro and stay in the gym and working on my craft and keep it going.”
On defensive responsibilities:
“Sometimes I have to guard maybe the second or third option with a different unit. I’m usually guarding weaker guys on different teams. But yeah, being asked to do that at some times, on different plays, it’s all an adjustment.”
On embracing a new role:
“It’s not that big of an adjustment. But it takes some getting used to, for sure. I’m in a whole new role and try to play the best role I can on this team.”
Fans watch from the stands as the Arizona Diamondbacks play against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Sunday, March 2, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Good morning. It’s “it’s baseball season!” season.
It is the beginning of the Skip Schumaker era that highlights the upcoming season for the Texas Rangers, so says MLB dot com folks.
Assuming he’s not manning third base in Arlington by like June, R.J. Anderson writes that Sebastian Walcott is among the best bets to be the best prospect in baseball come 2027.
And, former longtime Rangers beat writer T.R. Sullivan has a retrospective on the infamous Harold Baines/Sammy Sosa trade via MLB Trade Rumors.
Apr 18, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) and catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) take the field for action against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Talking trades is one of everyone’s favorite pastimes. Making a theoretical deal for another player is just fun, something that shows depth of knowledge of both the opposition’s team and one’s own.
Then comes the word “untouchable.”
Everyone thinks there is at least someone on the Phillies that would be untouchable. Most of that time, that term refers to a prospect or group of them, but there could be major leaguers as well that should never leave the team any time soon. The question for today follows along those lines: which player(s) in the team’s organization, major or minor league, would be considered untouchable in trade talks?
By nature and contract size, we know that several of the members of the team aren’t getting moved either because of what they are due to make compensation wise or because of how important they are to the whole operation. It’s still fun to think about.
Nov 4, 2025; Baltimore, MD, USA; Right: Baltimore Orioles President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias introduces Left: Craig Albernaz as the new Baltimore Orioles manager at Warehouse Bar. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Spring training begins, in part, right now. Pitchers and catchers that will be taking part in the World Baseball Classic have to report to Sarasota today. But odds are that many more Orioles than that will arrive at Ed Smith Stadium early this week to begin work towards a bounce-back campaign.
There is plenty of intrigue around the Orioles as spring arrives. The roster has a lot to prove after last season. The front office was quite busy, although holes remain throughout the pitching staff. And they are competing, yet again, in what looks like baseball’s toughest division.
But we can’t talk about EVERYTHING in a single blog post. So instead let’s focus on a trio of storylines that are worth watching as the O’s open up camp for 2026.
1. The new arrivals
The signing of Pete Alonso, whether you love the actual contract or not, is a big deal for the Orioles. For the first time under Mike Elias, the Orioles went out and did what it took to get a marquee free agent to Baltimore. And this didn’t seem to be a Chris Davis-type of situation where the Orioles were bidding against themselves. The Red Sox were in the hunt as well, and Kyle Schwarber had just signed the previous day for similar money in Philadelphia. It was simply the cost of getting one of the game’s best power hitters.
There was less fanfare about the new manager, Craig Albernaz. But baseball people lauded the move. He was well-regarded within the Guardians organizations—one of the clubs that Elias has often given high praise—and has experience throughout the league. While some preferred an experienced skipper to get this unproven squad over the hump, the Orioles opted for a long-term play. It could be the most crucial hire of Elias’ career.
Alonso said during his introductory press conference that Albernaz, and the way he presented his vision for the team, was a key factor in the slugger’s decision to sign with the Orioles. Then in January, speaking at a Birdland Caravan event, he claimed that his intention was to create a refreshed culture around the team. He dubbed it the “New Oriole Way.”
That certainly piqued the interest of many in town. The “Oriole Way” is what brought the team into its Golden Era in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Apart from occasional returns to relevance since then, the organization has struggled to stay in contention. If Alonso can actually lead the club back to being a perennial juggernaut like it once was, his salary will be a pittance compared to the appreciation of the entire fan base.
The way in which Alonso, Albernaz, and any of the other new faces impact the Orioles, starts this week in Sarasota. We won’t be able to learn too much, but it will be exciting to feel like a new era is beginning, and with seemingly enough talent around those prominent voices to get the club right back into the postseason.
2. Potential injuries
For the last few years, Mike Elias has had to drop some unfortunate news on Orioles fans at some point in the spring. Two seasons ago, he kicked the year off with a reveal of elbow injuries for both Kyle Bradish and John Means. Last year, he announced that Grayson Rodriguez would need to be sidelined for an undetermined amount of time due to shoulder issues. Neither of those situations ended up well!
Nothing that severe has been reported just yet, but that was also the case in prior years. And if you want to be conspiratorial about it, some of the Orioles actions indicate that something could be afoot.
There’s the signing of Zach Eflin to give the team, seemingly, five solid major league caliber starting arms on the roster. But it was immediately followed up with reports that they were still seeking another pitcher. They were connected to Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez before they signed elsewhere, and there continue to be rumors of conversations with a handful of other free agent arms.
Why? Depth is important, but you can only use so many pitchers at a time. Would that be the best use of financial resources? The Orioles have not actually made another move on that front, so perhaps they don’t actually want another pitcher as bad as they have claimed, but it certainly feels like they don’t believe they will have all five current starters ready to go on Opening Day. That could be as simple as giving Eflin, who had back surgery last year, extra time to get ready, or it could be something else.
The Blaze Alexander trade also has a waft of concern. Elias gave up a decent haul, including a useful and cheap bullpen piece in Kade Strowd, for a player that looks like a utility type on paper. But the cost seems far more affordable if the team has an immediate need on the infield. Alexander is not a real shortstop solution, but he is capable at second and third, so it could make sense to keep an eye on Jordan Westburg’s and Jackson Holliday’s time on the training table early in spring.
3. Bullpen competition
Losing Strowd in the Alexander trade weakens a bullpen group that was already pretty thin. Outside of new closer Ryan Helsley and returning veteran Andrew Kittredge, the group is a bunch of question marks, and even Helsley is something of an unknown after his finish to the year with the Mets.
That isn’t totally unique in baseball. Relievers are volatile, and most teams are just hoping they can cobble together enough competent arms at some point in the summer, not necessarily on Opening Day. But this Orioles’ group does feel particularly unproven.
Colin Selby, Dietrich Enns, and Rico Garcia are all penciled into the Opening Day staff, and none of them have more than two years of MLB experience. They also lack options, with makes the group both unproven and inflexible. Not a great combination. Down in Triple-A is another batch of green arms too, including Chayce McDermott, Grant Wolfram, Yaramil Hiraldo, and others. There’s upside, but also the potential for disaster.
Odds are that the Orioles will add another veteran to the mix at some point before Opening Day. Those guys aren’t too hard to find, especially as teams make cuts in March. But it is risky to wait so long and to rely on the scraps of your competitors to get reinforcements. If that doesn’t work, you may be holding on until July when the trade market gets going and higher quality arms are available again.
You can win enough in the regular season with a flimsy bullpen. But it puts more pressure on an offense that has struggled for a year-and-a-half at this point, plus a starting staff that still feels unfinished. At this point, a major bullpen addition is unlikely. So the Orioles will have to hope that their eye for talent and their ability to develop pitchers at the big league level can be relief upon.
The Mavericks were 0-3 this past week and remain in 12th place in the West. They lost to Boston (110-100) and San Antonio twice (135-123, 138-125). Cooper Flagg led the team in scoring with 27.3 points per game. P.J. Washington returned from a concussion, while Kyrie Irving (knee) remained out, and Khris Middleton has yet to make his debut as a Maverick.
Grade: C
The Mavericks have lost seven in a row. Now that Anthony Davis has officially been traded, I think it is okay to say that improving their draft position is what is best for the organization. In fact, the way Dallas has lost these games has been ideal. They play hard every night, they’re running the offense through Cooper Flagg, and they play fun games. It is not blatant tanking; they truly are just worse than the teams they play.
That being said, their defense was putrid this week. They had a defensive rating of 123.5 in the three games they played, which would be last in the NBA this season. The Celtics and Spurs play fast and shoot a lot of threes, which does not bode well for the Mavericks’ two-point-heavy offense. The bookend games of this stretch were not as close as the score said, and the middle contest didn’t give me enough to not dock the Mavericks a couple of grades for their porous defense. Dallas has just two games, one in Phoenix and one in Los Angeles, left before the All-Star break.
Straight A’s: The Mavericks’ front office
The Mavericks, for the fifth-consecutive February, have made a significant trade. They dealt Anthony Davis to Washington, along with Dante Exum, D’Angelo Russell, and Jaden Hardy, for three expiring contracts, second-year player AJ Johnson, two late first-round picks, and three second-round picks. Make no mistake about it: this trade was a grand slam.
If you don’t pay attention to the economics of basketball (first of all, good for you. It is miserable to think about), this trade may seem strange on the surface. Davis was voted onto the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, cementing him as one of the 75 best players to ever play. And now he gets traded as a salary dump with lower-tier picks coming back? Unfortunately, the trade is more nuanced than that.
Dallas needed to do three things at the trade deadline Thursday: create flexibility to build around Cooper Flagg, recoup draft capital, and most importantly, turn the page on the disastrous Luka Doncic trade. They did all three in one fell swoop. The draft compensation is nothing crazy, as the first round picks are Oklahoma City’s this year and Golden State’s in 2030, which will stay with the Warriors if they get a top 20 pick. It effectively rubs out to five second-rounders. But the cap implications of the trade are incredibly important, even though they aren’t sexy.
The second apron, a salary number with a very high tax rate, makes it incredibly hard for teams that exceed it to build. Trades are restricted, free agent signings are hard-capped, and, if you stay over the second apron for three seasons, your first-round pick automatically goes to the end of the round. When the Celtics exceed the second apron in salary while they’re winning a championship, it makes sense. But when the Mavericks are doing it while jockeying for a top-five draft pick, it becomes lethal. Now that Dallas is not only under the second apron but under the tax line altogether, the flexibility this off-season increases tenfold, making a rebuild much easier.
Additionally, Hardy, Russell, and Davis were all bad or injured. They were not pieces of the future, and keeping them around would have been delaying the inevitable. The Mavericks have a clean slate now. There are no lingering questions; it is all about Cooper Flagg going forward.
Currently Failing: Nico Harrison’s vision
This week ended the local nightmare that was the Anthony Davis experience. As history will show, Davis appeared in 29 games for the Mavericks, leaving with an injury in the first and last of those, averaging 20.2 points and 10.8 rebounds. The highest high was the 30 minutes he played against Houston in his first appearance, and the lowest low was just two months later when he scored a measly 13 points on 5-of-13 from the field in a loss to the Lakers. It was not a good look while his counterpart, Luka Doncic, returned to score 45 points on Dallas’s home floor.
And so, we can officially grade the Luka Doncic trade, only a year after it was completed. I give it a big, fat F, in as bold a font as you can find. Harrison said last April: “I believe winning will help repair the relationship with the fans—and that’s what we plan to do next year”. The Mavericks are currently 19-33, firmly outside the playoffs. He maintained that he thought he was doing “a really good job” before he lost that job just seven months later. His “defense wins championships” assertion looks questionable as the Lakers own the 22nd-ranked defense, but the seventh-most wins. The entire experiment crashed and burned as quickly and poetically as possible. If not for Cooper Flagg, Harrison’s vision would have Dallas in a place no team ever wants to be: purgatory.
Extra Credit: Marvin Bagley
Bagley was a part of the return for Anthony Davis, and he did not disappoint in his first game as a Maverick. He tallied a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while blocking four shots. Eight of those 12 rebounds were offensive, setting the record for a Mavericks debut. He looked energized to play in a new city and, given that he is up for a new contract in the off-season, looked motivated to cement himself as a piece on this team going forward. Bagley, of course, was picked one spot higher than Luka Doncic in 2018 and was a highly touted prospect out of Duke. His career has not quite been what many expected, but with plenty of opportunity the last two months and low expectations, he could be the latest former lottery pick to rejuvenate his career in Dallas.
Kurt Helin
Raphielle Johnson
