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From The Hockey News' Archive: All Aboard The Silovs Train

Welcome to this edition of "From The Archive". In this recurring series, we open The Hockey News' vault and display some of the top Vancouver Canucks related articles from the past. Today's article comes from Volume 78, Issue 12, where Ken Campbell wrote about the 2025 Calder Cup-winning Abbotsford Canucks.

All Aboard The Silovs Train: Volume 78, Issue 12, June 27, 2025

SHORTLY AFTER THE Abbotsford Canucks began celebrating their Calder Cup championship, a few of the players got to work. Their goalie was busy doing interviews – because he was the biggest reason they won the thing – so he didn’t see his teammates surreptitiously cutting the netting off the Canucks’ goal at Bojangles Coliseum. (Greatest arena name ever, by the way.)

By the time Arturs Silovs was finishing up his on-ice interview, his teammates had managed to remove the mesh from the iron and draped it over his shoulders. It was symbolic in a couple of ways. First, it reminded all who watched the Canucks’ playoff run that Silovs was so simpatico with his net that almost nothing got by him. Second, it was the affirmation that, as the Canucks knew all along, the net indisputably belonged to their 24-year-old Latvian goalie, who seems to have a penchant for playing out of his mind in big games.

Silovs started each of the Canucks’ 24 games during the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs, winning 16 while putting up a .931 save percentage and 2.01 goals-against average. He was also named playoff MVP. But that’s not the half of it. In the final series, the Canucks were outshot 229 to 147 by the Charlotte Checkers, an average of 13.7 shots per game over the six games. In Game 1 of the series, Silovs faced 54 shots. That’s not including the one that went past him when teammate Ty Mueller won a defensive-zone draw in overtime and pulled it directly into the Abbotsford net while Silovs was turning around after taking a drink of water. It was later ruled that Silovs was not set for the play, and the goal was called back before Danila Klimovich scored on the power play in double overtime.

More symbolism. It seemed the only time opponents could figure Silovs out was when he wasn’t ready. But when he was, his play was remarkable. Silovs posted a .934 SP in the final series. One of the key reasons the Canucks won the Calder Cup was that they never lost two straight games. They lost eight times in the playoffs, and in the games after a loss, Silovs went 8-0, tossed up two shutouts and recorded a .948 SP. “Arty’s play in those games was unbelievable,” said Canucks rookie coach Manny Malhotra.

And because of that, Silovs found himself at the top of the mountain, just months after struggling through a disastrous start to the NHL season. He entered the year having created high expectations for himself after getting the Vancouver Canucks to Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs in 2024. In 2023, all he did was lead Latvia, the little engine that could, to a bronze medal at the World Championship. For his efforts, Silovs was named the top goalie and MVP of the tournament. And when he was asked what the Calder Cup win means to him, he spoke like someone who doesn’t expect to be competing for it ever again. “You’re finishing a part of your career with a milestone,” Silovs said. “Not everyone can say they won a Calder Cup, right? I think it’s really special…and I think it’s going to help a lot in the future.”

Yeah, about that. Things are going to get interesting in Vancouver’s crease. The brilliant-but-injury-riddled Thatcher Demko has one year left on his current deal at $5 million, but while trade rumors were swirling, it appeared a contract extension was in the works. The Canucks signed 30-year-old Kevin Lankinen to a five-year, $22.5-million extension that kicks in next season. You’d have to wonder whether they would have done that if they’d known what Silovs was going to accomplish in Abbotsford. For his part, Silovs has one year left on a deal that will pay him $800,000 – whether he plays in the NHL or the minors – before he becomes an RFA with arbitration rights. But what makes all of this so intriguing is that in order to be sent to the minors in 2025-26, Silovs would have to go on waivers. That means the Canucks, if they stay status quo in net, would either have to go with a cumbersome three-goalie setup or risk losing Silovs for nothing. Hence, the Demko rumors that began circulating during the off-season.

We do know that Silovs can play. His body of work in the AHL, internationally and, at times, in the NHL has proven he’s ready to be a full-time NHL goalie. The fact that Latvia chose to name him among the first six players for their 2026 Olympic team is a testament to the faith they have in him to deliver on the world stage. And while he has had his peaks and valleys, he’s not unlike a lot of young goalies who take a few years – and in many cases, a few organizations – to find their places in the hockey world. Silovs is young for a goalie, but he’s also got a cross-section of experience and success that suggests he deserves a sustained shot at proving he can stay in the NHL.

Silovs was brilliant at times for the big club during the 2024 post-season. But when the NHL crease was his to start the regular season, he struggled – and he struggled mightily. He gave up five or more goals in three of his nine starts, and his only two wins of the season came against the Chicago Blackhawks, and we’re not even sure if those even count these days.

Brighter days are ahead, one would presume, for both Silovs and other Canucks prospects who made a push in the playoffs. For the short term, Silovs was intent on living in the moment and enjoying the accomplishment. “It’s so special,” he said. “Basically, I grew up with this team. We started with nearly everyone at the same time. We had some ups and downs, and to manage to win with the same guys is unbelievable.”

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Myles Turner: Start, Bench, Cut? Part 1

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 23: Tip off during the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks on January 23, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

This is the first of a three-part series examining Myles Turner’s role with the Bucks ahead of the 2026-27 season. Over the coming days, we’ll consider whether Milwaukee should start, bench, or cut (okay, trade) their veteran centre.

It came as a bombshell. The buzz of a phone, the ding of a tweet. You couldn’t believe your eyes and so you refreshed the page, jumped to the next. Again and again until you knew it to be true.

Myles Turner was a Buck.

In the process, Damian Lillard had been waived and stretched as if on some medieval torture rack. But there was no pain. Not for you or me. Instead, a gentle breeze; a window reopened. And so we summoned the wind, inhaled as much as our lungs could take.

Euphoria.

Just six months later, any breath of wind had petered out. Despite a surprising opening run that had the Bucks sitting 5-2, including wins over the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors, they soon fell into a stretch of .500 ball. Then our collective lungs collapsed—seven straight losses before a reprieve against the lowly (3-15) Brooklyn Nets to close out November. And by the time they lost by 45 freakin’ points to those same Brooklyn Nets less than two weeks later, a game in which Turner put up an all-too-familiar nine points, three rebounds, and one assist, finishing with a -21 plus/minus in 24 minutes of action, it was clearer than the nosebleed section of the Bradley Center in 2014: this was not the Myles Turner we’d signed up for.

Whether it was Doc Rivers’ deployment, his own inability to adapt, or some combination of the two, Turner’s first year in Milwaukee was rough, arguably his worst as a pro. In terms of expectation, there isn’t even a debate. In all, Turner finished the season with averages of 11.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.5 APG, and 1.6 BPG, shooting 44% from the field. Then he hacked the Brew Hoop database and snuck a C on his end-of-year report card (it’s the only possible explanation).

Now, just over one year removed from the hype of his signing, Turner’s status in Milwaukee is up in the air. Doc Rivers is long gone. Giannis is too. So are Bobby Portis and Taurean Prince and Gary Harris. And Turner, having just turned 30 in March, suddenly finds himself an elder statesman on a team full of youth, wondering where he fits in and what will become of him.

As it stands, there are three options.

Start: The reclamation project

For as poorly as he played last season with the Bucks, Turner is not a bad player. Far from it—he has a decade’s worth of quality NBA play behind him. And while he may no longer fit the Bucks’ timeline, he can still help a team win. This—and what it can offer the Bucks down the road—is the rationale to start him.

In his 11-year career, Turner has been to the playoffs seven times. That doesn’t happen by accident, not when you’re one of the team’s core players. In fact, Turner has started 63 of a possible 66 postseason games, including all 40 of the Indiana Pacers’ games as they made the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and then the 2025 NBA Finals. Bottom line: Turner knows how to win as a starter, and for a Bucks team that is full of youth and has no reason to tank, that’s invaluable.

But Turner’s value as a potential starter doesn’t stop there. At his best, he’s a borderline All-Star (or at least a superstar role player) who’s also among the rarest of players in the league—a 3-and-D centre. Despite his down year, Turner hit a near career-high 2.1 three-pointers per game (and did so on 38%), while also finishing eighth in the league in total blocks (115) and 11th in blocks per game (1.6). This versatility remains at a premium in today’s NBA and can help maximise the play of those around him. Think newly acquired—and projected starters—Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. wouldn’t benefit from additional territory in which to create? For as good as Bam Adebayo is, he doesn’t offer the offensive spacing Turner does, so there’s reason to believe Turner helps elevate their play, especially Jaquez’s, who we know loves to operate in the paint.

In the process—and arguably more importantly—starting Turner is the best avenue to increasing his trade value. While fans were eager to move off Turner as early as late last season, and certainly throughout the offseason after acquiring Kel’el Ware, doing so would break the cardinal rule of trading: don’t sell stock when it’s at its lowest. Saving this for February’s trade deadline, after Turner has re-established who he is—and teams are looking for an impact acquisition to “put them over the top” as they head into the playoffs—is the shrewd move, enabling the Bucks to maximise their return. If Turner helps raise the play and value of Herro and Jaquez while doing so, even better.

Now, if only he could win a tip-off…

What say you about a Myles Turner-as-starter redemption tour? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for Part II: Bench, coming tomorrow.

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Phoenix’s wild card: Imagining the best‑case Jalen Green

Apr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jalen Green’s name has been everywhere lately. Not because he’s said anything, not because he’s posted anything, but because the league can’t seem to stop dragging him into hypothetical blockbusters. Markieff Morris tosses out a LeBron‑to‑Cleveland scenario, and suddenly Green is trending again, a Suns player turned trade‑machine prop. It’s become part of his ecosystem: even when he’s quiet, the noise finds him.

But Phoenix isn’t operating in hypotheticals. They’re operating in reality. And the reality is that they’ve barely seen the player they traded for. Last season was a half‑story. A sketch. A trailer. A version of Jalen Green that played through pain, through adjustment, through the weight of expectation. The flashes were real, but the continuity wasn’t.

And that’s why imagining the best‑case Jalen Green isn’t just fun, it’s relevant. It’s clarifying. It’s the kind of exercise that tells you what the Suns actually are when their roster is whole.

So let’s explore the version of Jalen Green that Phoenix believes exists, the one the league keeps trying to poach, and the one the fanbase hasn’t fully met yet.

The good, the bad, and the ugly of last season…and why none of it defines him

The Good:

Even in limited form, Green gave Phoenix something they desperately needed: downhill pressure. He cracked open defenses with burst alone, forced mismatches, and created pockets of chaos that Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges quietly fed off. His willingness to defend — genuinely defend — was one of the season’s under‑discussed wins. And his buy‑in was unmistakable. He didn’t float. He didn’t freelance. He tried to fit.

The Bad:

The inconsistency. The hesitations. The lower-than-desired percentages from the floor. The possessions where he’d beat his man, pause, and let the advantage evaporate. Some of that was physical. Some of it was learning a system that doesn’t revolve around him. Some of it was simply being 24 in a league that expects 24‑year‑olds to already be finished products.

The Ugly:

The trade chatter. The way his name became a placeholder for “young talent” in every hypothetical blockbuster. The way he was discussed as an asset before he was ever discussed as a Sun. It wasn’t malicious, just lazy. But it created a season where Green was constantly reacting to narratives he didn’t create.

None of those three categories define him. They just explain why the Suns haven’t yet seen the version of Jalen Green they believe they have.

What a fully healthy Jalen Green actually does for Phoenix

This is the part that isn’t Player Profile territory, because it’s not about his handle, his shot diet, or his defensive metrics. It’s about team geometry. A fully healthy Green changes Phoenix’s shape.

He turns Booker from primary creator into dual‑threat co‑pilot. He gives Bridges a second‑side attacker who punishes tilted defenses. He gives Maluach a guard who can weaponize five‑out spacing. He gives the Suns a transition engine they haven’t had since the Nash era.

Most importantly: he becomes the Suns’ sanctioned chaos agent. Every contender needs one: the player who breaks structure in a way that helps, not hurts. The one who forces defensive rotations, who bends coverages, who makes playoff scouting reports feel incomplete. Green has that in him. Phoenix just hasn’t had the chance to let it breathe. A best‑case Jalen Green isn’t a star in isolation. He’s a multiplier. He makes the Suns harder to guard, harder to predict, harder to scheme for. His run leading into and including the Play-In was special enough to wonder where Phoenix could go from here.

And that’s why imagining him matters.

What the fanbase should expect, and why other teams will be watching

Expect noise. Expect highlights. Expect the occasional “why did he take that shot” moment followed immediately by “oh, that’s why he took that shot.”

Expect growth.

And expect other teams to keep circling. They already are. The trade chatter isn’t random — it’s a reflection of how the league views him: young, moldable, high‑ceiling, and still capable of becoming the kind of player who makes GMs regret not calling sooner.

If he hits his stride, rival fanbases won’t just be watching. They’ll be worrying.

Has Jalen Green said anything? Posted anything? Gone online?

Not really. No end‑of‑season media. No summer‑workout hype clips. No commentary on the trade noise. This article doesn’t cite any quotes from him. He’s quiet. Which usually means one thing: he’s working.

Players who want to reset a narrative don’t talk in June. They show up in October.

If you’re already struggling to find your love for Jalen Green in a Suns uniform, check out this write-up by Shane Young at NBA.com. And revisit Jalen Green showing up and showing out, below.

Question for the readers

  • What do you think the ‘best version’ of Jalen Green looks like for the 2026-27 NBA campaign?
  • Is he a near-all-star talent showing out in Phoenix, or is he the big piece that gets Phoenix the next piece?
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Why LeBron James chose the 76ers in NBA free agency, and his big bet on Jaylen Brown

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of their game against the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 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. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Why did LeBron James choose the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency? The answer is starting to come into focus days after James made his “final decision.” Here’s what we know so far.

  • LeBron wanted his best chance to win a fifth championship: He decided Philly was a better option to get there than Miami, Cleveland, and Golden State. The opportunity to win another ring took precedent over a reunion with one of his former teams, playing with Steph Curry, or anything else.
  • LeBron wanted to play with a fellow Klutch client: Tyrese Maxey is also represented by Rich Paul, and it sure seems like that played into James’ decision. Paul said that Cleveland’s decision to trade Darius Garland last season hurt their chances to land LeBron. It’s no coincidence that the Sixers signed fellow Klutch client Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shortly after LeBron agreed to terms.
  • LeBron wants to live in New York: Paul said that LeBron would have signed with the Knicks if they didn’t win the 2026 NBA championship, and I believe him. There are already rumors that James is going to live in New York City and take a helicopter to games in Philly.
  • LeBron really wanted to play with Jaylen Brown: The Cavs not trading for Jaylen Brown hurt their chances to land LeBron, according to insider Brian Windhorst. LeBron didn’t take Philly seriously as a potential landing spot until the team traded for Brown, according to Shams Charania.

The Jaylen Brown point is particularly fascinating, and not just because Brown was once caught saying he didn’t think Bronny James was an NBA player.

The Celtics shopped Brown all over the league this summer. The best deal they could get was one from Philadelphia that felt hugely underwhelming at the time. Boston had to take back Paul George’s albatross contract, and got two first-round picks, one of which may turn into a swap instead. I’ve significantly warmed on the trade from the Celtics’ perspective, in part because lead executive Brad Stevens is one of the best in the league. If Stevens didn’t want Brown — and if 28 other teams didn’t really want him, either — then maybe winning with him on his current contract is a lot more difficult than most fans and media believe.

LeBron disagrees. He wouldn’t have gone to Philly without Brown, and heck, he might be in Cleveland or Miami or Golden State right now if one of those teams had traded for him instead. James’ greatest strength might be his basketball IQ, but there’s a reason why superstar players often don’t make great executives. Even if LeBron is the ultimate ball knower, the fit between him and Brown could be clunky even before we get to Brown’s massive cap hit.

Brown obviously had an excellent season in a high-usage role with the Celtics last year, but there are a few truths about his game that Philly will have to overcome. He’s never been a good off-ball defender, and tends to give up a lot of easy points by getting back cut. He’s not a good spot-up three-point shooter after only hitting 31% of his catch-and-shoots triples last year. Brown also has the ball a lot but rarely passes. This graph shows “average seconds per touch” vs. “percentage of touches that end with a pass.” As you can see, Brown doesn’t like to give up the rock. If he gets the ball, he’s either shooting or turning it over.

Brown called last season his favorite year of his career, probably because he got to take a lot of shots with Jayson Tatum out. It was a strange quote for a player who won an NBA championship and was named NBA Finals MVP during Boston’s 2024 run to the title. If Brown thought he was getting his own team after the trade to Philly, you can now make the case that he’s actually the fourth option.

The players who need to adjust their game the most after LeBron’s decision are Brown and Embiid. Brown needs to become a better spot-up shooter, a more willing passer, a more attentive off-ball defender, and someone who can find “opportunistic” buckets on cuts and offensive rebounds. Embiid needs to stay as close to “healthy” as possible first and foremost, but then he needs to focus more of his energy on being a monster rim protector, and less on being a great low post scorer.

The NBA didn’t really want Jaylen Brown at his salary. The analytics think he’s overrated and overpaid. LeBron disagrees, and he chose Philly largely because Brown was there.

Brown at $57 million this year might not be a great value, but you know what is? Brown and James for a combined $61 million. That’s what Philly has now, and the team is convinced it gives them a real shot at the 2027 championship.

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Chicago Cubs news — PCA, Busch, Ramirez, Swanson, Imanaga, Taillon

Today’s Reflections

Monday, 2:30 PM MST — Instead of my trashing Jameson Taillon after his latest meltdown as I’ve been doing for a few starts, I was glad to let several writers do that job for me for once. That allowed me to concentrate on all the good things from the past weekend.

I had basically finished this article, left for a couple of hours for an appointment and returned to see if there was any new news to add in. Now, with Taillon being DFA, part of my article has been rewritten/reorganized.

This was quite the move by the Cubs. There was no messing around, but it was definitely needed, and time to move on. And if Jed Hoyer thought the price for SP was high last year, the Cubs are going to be put through the wringer this year.

Back to regularly scheduled comments:

The Cubs’ offense had multiple strong performances, including six hitters with at least one multi-hit game.

Let’s start with PCA, who posted 5-for-10, three runs, four RBI with two doubles, a triple and a home run. His big day was Saturday, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and a HR. Within that line, he went 2-for-3 against Paul Skenes, including a 400+ foot line drive off the center-field wall for an RBI double. Skenes did give up five runs in 5.1 innings, but rang up 11 strikeouts, so it wasn’t like he was flailing. Pete was a triple short of a cycle with three runs scored and three RBI in the game. PCA only had one hit Sunday, but it was that missing RBI-triple from the game before.

A bit overshadowed by PCA was Michael Busch’s 5-for-10 weekend with a double and walk (something PCA didn’t do), three RBI and a run scored.

Pedro Ramirez and Dansby Swanson had a nearly-duplicate pair of games. They each went 4-for-8 with three runs scored and two RBI. The only difference was Swanson’s RBI-double.

Miguel Amaya made his one game on Saturday count, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Nico Hoerner went 3-for-8 in the pair of games with two runs scored and an RBI.

A big honorable mention goes to Seiya Suzuki. While he only managed going 1-for05 in each of the two games, he had four RBI, including his two-run home run in the ninth inning Sunday that cut the Pirates’ lead to 8-7.

On the mound Saturday, Shota Imanaga tossed six scoreless innings against Skenes, stranding four hits and a walk while striking out four. Imanaga has had one similar game in each April, May and June while having struggles in his other outings. But this is the first time he has had back-to-back scoreless outings this season.

It was almost a perfect three-game series. Almost.

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Sunday’s Game Stories:

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Saturday’s Game Stories:

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Trade, Injury and Roster Talk:

Players’ Views/Development RE: Trade Deadline:

Assorted Stories:

Food For Thought:

The founder of the eponymous Betty Fox Band fills the stage with smoky notes and a sultry presence, energizing crowds with smooth, powerful vocals. Born into a musical family, the Tampa native discovered her passion at an early age. Fox’s grandparents traveled around to churches with their kids, singing gospel hymns. Later, the family gathered around the piano every Sunday to sing harmonies, a tradition they continue now on holidays.

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.

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Tuesday Rockpile: What is the Rockies “core” going forward?

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 21: Cole Carrigg #16 (left) and Kyle Karros #12 of the Colorado Rockies look at a replay on a tablet in the dugout after the top of the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field on July 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Yesterday in The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon wrote about Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman’s questionable defensive skills and how they might affect his trade value going forward.

We’ve talked about that quite a bit already, but I just have to say to those executives who want to move Goodman out of the catcher role, “Have you seen his positional splits?” And to those who would consider moving him to another position, “Good luck!”

Ultimately, the piece struck me as part of front office bargaining. Here’s a tell: “The Yankees have a coach who possibly could draw more out of Goodman — Tanner Swanson, their major-league field coordinator and director of catching. Within the industry, Swanson is regarded as a top catching instructor.”

What are we even doing here (besides trying to depress Goodman’s trade value)?

Actually, that’s not what interested me about Rosenthal and Sammon’s article. This did:

As previously reported, the Rockies are telling teams they spent the first part of the season trying to figure out which players can be part of their next 90-win team. Barring an extension for Goodman, they must decide whether they can get to 90 wins with him by 2029, his final year of club control, or whether a trade for multiple prospects might accelerate their timeline.

The first sentence — “which players can be part of their next 90-win team” — caught my attention, and I began to wonder who might be on that next contending team. So today, I’m going to try to begin teasing that out.

A couple of prefatory notes are in order.

First, I’m limiting myself to the current 40-man roster and mostly prospects at Triple-A Albuquerque. Second, I’m going to assume that in terms of hitters, Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes are mostly interested in players who can get on base because they see it as a way to mitigate the Coors Effect. Third, based on what we’ve seen, I’m going to assume that the Rockies are looking for pitchers with big arsenals and funky deliveries.

That’s simplifying things — I know — but look at this as a pre-writing exercise rather than the final product.

Catchers

Currently, the Rockies have three catchers on their 40-man roster:

  • Hunter Goodman
  • Brett Sullivan
  • Braxton Fulford

I’ll start with the easy part: I do not believe Sullivan and Fulford are part of the Rockies core. However, I do think Sullivan, the archetypal backup catcher, has a future in coaching. But those two players are not key pieces when considering the Rockies future.

Goodman, though, I think is up for debate.

If the Rockies can get a haul for him that accelerates the team’s timeline to get back into contention, they’ll make the deal — and that haul will have to include significant pitching. If they keep Goodman, that’s fine, too, because the Rockies have a keen sense of his skill set (unlike some teams).

Looking forward, I think probably the Rockies have just drafted their catcher of the future in either Daniel Jackson or Jack Natili. And — file this one away — Jack O’Dowd, in addition to pounding baseballs, is also a catcher.

Infielders

Now things get more challenging. Here’s who’s currently on the 40-man roster:

I do not see Castro, Julien, and Stevens as part of the Rockies core. Castro, I think, will be traded while Julien and Stevens are released to continue the baseball journeys waiting for them.

Ritter and Tovar, I would argue, are placeholders. Despite Tovar’s struggles at the plate, he is the Rockies best option at shortstop in the near term. I suspect the Rockies hope to address his offensive issues and trade him. But Tyler Bell looks to be the future here though he has expressed a willingness to move to second.

Amador, I think, will get his second MLB audition in August. After the front office sees how he does, they’ll will decide his place in the lineup going forward.

Roldy Brito (No. 11 PuRP) and Ethan Holliday (No. 2 PuRP) fit in here somewhere. For Holliday, I am not sure where because I do not believe he’ll stick at short, but given that his season was cut short, we know less about his progress. (Frankly, I expect him to be moved to the outfield.)

So here’s my infield core: Rumfield and Karros with Charlie Condon (No 1 PuRP) providing a RH platoon for first base. Tyler Bell is the future shortstop with second base being up for grabs, and Amador having the first shot — but maybe that’s where they’re hoping for Landyn Vidourek.

Outfielders

Here’s the current 40-man selection:

And on the ‘Topes:

For me, there are two for-sure names on this list: Cole Carrigg and Charlie Condon.

Veen and Thompson will be given an opportunity to show what they can do after the trade deadline.

And the other players will be used to fill out a roster, as trade chips, or DFA’d when the season ends.

One note on McCarthy. Yes, he’s a model of what the Rockies want to do, but I see him more as an experiment than as part of the future. DePodesta and Byrnes had an idea of what they wanted to see work at Coors Field, and McCarthy showed it can. (Plus, check out his even- and 0dd-year splits.) At this point, McCarthy becomes more valuable as a trade piece.

Starting rotation

This one is fairly straightforward. Here’s the current 40-man:

Of this list, only two are players to build around: Chase Dollander and Gabriel Hughes.

Other starters I expect to be traded or used to finish the season. This is a part of the roster that DePodesta and Byrnes will focus on improving during the trade deadline and offseason.

Feltner, I would argue, is not consistent enough, and Sullivan seems better as a bullpen fit.

Bullpen

Here, things get weird, and I’m hesitant to say much of anything given the volatility of bullpen arms. And there are so many that I’m not going to list them all.

There is one that stands out: Nick Frasso. He may illustrate what the Rockies have in mind going forward. The other bullpen arms I think will either be traded or used as needed. (Hey, you can never have too many arms.) But Frasso and perhaps Juan Mejia strike me as the only two with staying power.

Here’s the thing about Seth Halvorsen: Whatever his talents, the Rockies front office did not see him as part of their core going forward.

We should see more of those kinds of moves before the trade deadline.

Closing thoughts

So that’s where I am in terms of looking to the future. I think DePodesta and Byrnes are eager to get this team in contention, and they will take whatever steps are needed to make that happen.

But with that, I turn the discussion over to the Purple Rowers, who, I’m sure, will have their own strong opinions.

Who do you see the Rockies building around going forward?

What I’m hearing about the Yankees’ trade deadline pursuit of a catcher | The Athletic ($ — gift link)

Of course, Hunter Goodman receives attention in this one with Chris Kirschner questioning Goodman’s defense skills. Then there’s this line: “During daily meetings between the Yankees’ starting pitcher and catcher, the catcher delivers comprehensive scouting reports detailing the strategy for attacking the opponent’s lineup.” Apparently the conclusion is that the Rockies don’t do game prep on the opposing team? At any rate, the Hunter Goodman articles increasingly seem less an analysis of his skills and more about decreasing his trade value.

The inevitable Kyle Karros | Blake Street Banter

Eli Whitney examines what Karros brings to the Rockies.

This rising Rockies prospect just hit over .400 for the second straight season | MLB.com

In case you’re just starting to learn about Cristian Arguelles, the 19-year-old outfielder dominating the ACL, here you go.

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This week in the Orioles minors: A wave of promotions as draft picks arrive

CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 13: Baltimore Orioles Outfielder Ike Irish (97) and Infielder Wehiwa Aloy (95) walk back to the dugout before the spring training game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 13, 2026 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s a weird week to look at the Orioles farm system. The trade deadline is now six days away. Perhaps the Orioles will play well enough between now and then that some of the names in this article will be gone a week from now. They may also play poorly enough that there are suddenly new names to start to focus on, beyond just the 2026 draft picks arriving. This all depends on how Mike Elias assesses the situation. His mind is unknowable.

There are a number of prospects, some notable in this series and some not, who will be headed for the next level of the minors starting with this coming week. The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka reported on the following promotions:

  • Double-A to Triple-A: LHP Luis De León, RHP Juaron Watts-Brown
  • High-A to Double-A: IF Wehiwa Aloy, IF Victor Figueroa, RHP Joe Glassey, RHP Caden Hunter
  • Low-A to High-A: RHP Christian Rodriguez

Not headed to Triple-A for reasons unknown to me is Joseph Dzierwa. It’s time! Not headed to Double-A for reasons unfortunately known is Ike Irish. Last year’s first round pick tore the meniscus in his left knee this past week and is out for the season. I think Irish would have absolutely been among these promotions if not for that injury. It’s a bummer.

Here’s how things shook out for the rest of the top prospects this week:

Triple-A Norfolk Tides

  • Last week: 1-5 at Charlotte (White Sox)
  • Next opponent: vs. Worcester (Red Sox)
  • Second half record: 8-17, ninth place (10 GB) in International League East

This is a sad roster and the team’s record continues to reflect it. That’s not going to change much with De León and Watts-Brown arriving, though at least it makes the starting rotation more interesting to have them around. They’ll be joining a rotation that’s already got Nestor German, who remains modestly interesting. German added a start that’s fairly representative of his season: Two runs allowed in 5.1 innings, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out five. That could be useful for the back of the rotation.

The Tides will also be joined this week by Ryan Mountcastle and Chris Bassitt, each of whom is starting a rehab assignment. I would guess each will be pushed close to the maximum number of days for a rehab, 20 for position players and 30 for pitchers.

Creed Willems is back! You might want to see him at the major league level instead of the guys we’ve got catching. The Orioles have other thoughts. Willems did not put together a “force them to promote me” kind of week, collecting just four hits in 19 AB, all singles. Things went slightly better for Enrique Bradfield Jr., who had six hits in 19 AB, all singles. Bradfield stole five bases, giving him 21 steals in 48 games for the Tides.

One guy did not hit nothing but singles. Heston Kjerstad went 10-23 across six games, driving in nine runs in part thanks to hitting three homers and a double. He is OPSing 1.027 in the month of July.

Tides season-to-date stats.

Double-A Chesapeake Baysox

  • Last week: 3-3 vs. Erie (Tigers)
  • Next opponent: at Altoona (Pirates)
  • Second half record: 15-11, second place (3.5 GB) in Eastern League Southwest

With Aloy joining the ranks here and Dzierwa inexplicably remaining, this might now be the most interesting affiliate in the system. They’re playing better in the second half, staying above .500. Keep at it, fellas.

My guy Aron Estrada was a big part over the party over the past week’s worth of games. The infielder racked up eight hits in 19 at-bats, including a double and a homer. Pretty good!

Fellow infielder and in my imagination syrup aficionado Brandon Butterworth matched Estrada with eight hits and three of Butterworth’s were homers. The 23-year-old, acquired in the Padres trade last year, has appeared in 38 games at the level this year; he missed some time with an injury. Things are going well in those games: .270/.377/.496 batting line. Outfielder Tavien Josenberger also hit three homers, and he showed patience in drawing seven walks as well.

De León’s final start here before the promotion was the kind of thing that shows why he’s going up a level. The 23-year-old lefty struck out nine batters while allowing just one run in 6.1 innings. Watts-Brown’s final start, not so good, with three runs allowed on seven hits in 5.1 innings. Also not to be forgotten is Dzierwa, who allowed a run in 4.2 innings with only three strikeouts. Pedestrian by his standards. Dzierwa has a 2.48 ERA and 0.957 WHIP in 11 games at this level.

Also of interest

  • LHP Micah Ashman – One might also wonder why this reliever didn’t get a promotion too. One run allowed in three innings, 1.93 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 37.1 innings for the season
  • RHP Patrick Reilly – First start back at an appropriate level after recovering from Tommy John surgery, three runs allowed in 5.1 innings, all thanks to solo home runs

Baysox season-to-date stats.

High-A Frederick Keys

  • Last week: 4-2 at Rome (Braves)
  • Next opponent: vs. Wilmington (Nationals)
  • Second half record: 17-12, second place (0.5 GB) in South Atlantic League North
  • The Keys are already guaranteed a postseason spot for their first half title

The just-promoted Aloy hit a pair of homers in his final week for Frederick, finishing with a .300/.371/.503 batting line in 84 games, with 15 homers. He’s cut the strikeout rate as the season has gone along, though he finishes with a high number at 25.6%. Not as good among the promoted is Figueroa, 5-17 hitting with no extra-base hits.

Things went well for the promoted pitchers too. Caden Hunter, a lefty starter drafted in the sixth round last year, tossed 5.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. Gotta like that. Hunter began the season with Delmarva, so this is his second promotion. Joe Glassey, a reliever who was an undrafted free agent two years ago, pitched two scoreless innings across two games; he posted a 2.86 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 28.1 innings with the Keys. Crucially, unlike a number of guys in the system, these two are not walking too many dudes.

Not so fun is the injury news. Irish, as mentioned above, is done for the year thanks to the torn meniscus. Pitching prospect Boston Bateman exited his start this week after just one out due to what the team announced as right hip flexor discomfort.

Others of interest

  • OF Braylin Tavera – 21-year-old also hit two homers this week. He’s OPSing .760 for the season but it’s a lot of strikeouts, like, a lot (35.9%)
  • RHP Twine Palmer – One run allowed in three innings this week. There seem to have been some command issues. He walked three batters.

Keys season-to-date stats.

Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds

  • Last week: 3-3 at Hill City (Guardians)
  • Next opponent: vs. Hickory (Rangers)
  • Second half record: 12-18, fifth place (4 GB) in Carolina League North

Christian Rodriguez, the pitcher who got promoted here, has not gotten a lot of focus from me in these articles because it’s his age 24 season and he’s been at Low-A. If he was two years younger, he’d still be old for this level. If he was at Double-A right now, he’d still be old for that level. That doesn’t make him much of a prospect, but I don’t want to take too much away from his results, which have been very good. He can only face the hitters the organization asks him to face. Rodriguez heads up to Frederick after five innings with just one unearned run allowed, giving him a 2.57 ERA across 19 games.

Among the hitters, the interesting duo continues to be infielders DJ Layton and Jaiden Lo Re, mid-round picks from high schools in the last two consecutive drafts. Although Layton managed to pick up six hits, including three for extra bases, over his 21 at-bats, he struck out 11 times. That’s tough. Lo Re only struck out one time, hitting 5-21 with a double. Lo Re has an .877 OPS through 34 games since getting promoted here.

Shorebirds season-to-date stats.

Florida Complex League Orioles

  • Final season record: 34-23
  • Qualified for one-game league semifinals (wild card), lost 7-0 to FCL Astros

Now that this team’s season is done, a few players are also going from this level up to Delmarva for the rest of the season. That group, as noted by Orioles On the Verge, is: RHP KK Clark, IF Hector Campusano, LHP Francisco Morao, and IF Jemone Nuel. Campusano and Nuel are in their age 19 seasons, Morao is 20, and Clark is 22. Nuel, who just batted .283/.456/.483 over 50 games in this rookie league, is probably the most interesting of this bunch.

FCL Orioles full season stats.

**

Our last minor league player of the week poll was two weeks ago, since the minor league teams were off during the MLB All-Star break. A majority of voters picked Luis De León as the winner in that poll, making him the tenth different winner chosen since we were able to create polls. Ike Irish is our only two-time winner. Unfortunately, we already know he won’t win a third this year.

Other single week winners that De León joins: Aron Estrada, Victor Figueroa, Payton Eeles, Braylin Tavera, Caden Hunter, Wehiwa Aloy, Jaiden Lo Re, and Joseph Dzierwa. Will there be a repeat winner this week? Three of the choices have won before. The choice is yours.

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What would make the rest of this Giants season worth watching?

Baseball fans watch from the View Reserve level at Oracle Park during an MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Angels as the sun sets in San Francisco, Friday, July 24, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Good morning, baseball fans!

Over the weekend, I saw an amazing social media post by a fairly new baseball fan who had a pretty inspiring idea to make baseball more interesting for the teams that are already statistically out of the running for the playoffs. I highly encourage folks to check that out before continuing, but just in case you aren’t able to, I’ll give a bit of a synopsis.

Essentially, she says that when teams are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they should have the option to go Evil Mode and begin pulling pranks on teams that are still in the running. Her ground rules were that pranks couldn’t be anything to do with trying to win the game, or doing anything that would harm anyone. But everything else was on the table.

Honestly, at this point, that would be the only thing that could make the San Francisco Giants a watchable baseball team this season and I love the idea. Some of her suggested pranks include a speaker hidden in the locker room that just plays random Michael Jackson vocals or swapping out their cereal for lug nuts.

My favorite joke of hers was that the scouting report for these teams would primarily consist of the amount of times they’d been spotted at a Party City in the last week.

As a fan of harmless shenanigans, I would absolutely be more invested in the rest of this awful season if we were watching for hijinks and tomfoolery. Maybe they slip a brand new red towel in with the other team’s laundry to turn all of their uniforms pink. Or replace their game tapes with nothing but copies of 2003’s The Room.

The possibilities are endless!

What about you? What would make the rest of this season more tolerable/watchable?

What time do the Giants play today?

The Giants continue this three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers tonight at 6:45 p.m. PT.

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Kansas City Royals News: The Royals are trying new things

Jul 22, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Salvador Perez (13) acknowledges the crowd after tying the all-time team record for home runs with former infielder George Brett (not pictured) and defeating the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

With the off day, it’s a light news day.

Anne Rogers talks with longtime Royals coach Miguel Garcia about Salvador Perez, who has known Salvy since he was signed by the Royals as a 16-year-old.

More than anyone else, Perez says Garcia is the one who gets him ready to play every day with their routine.

“I’ve known him since 2006 in the Dominican in instructional league,” Perez said. “That was the first time I met Miggy. It’s been 20 years that I’ve been with him. All my career in the big leagues. A little bit in the Minor Leagues. He’s a guy who gets me ready, who knows when I’m struggling, sees the video and tells me what I’m doing wrong to try to fix it. I appreciate him a lot.”

So what is the routine that has allowed Perez to turn into the greatest power hitter in Royals history? Garcia says it hasn’t changed too much across all these years.

“The main focus has always been to feel fluid with his swing,” Garcia said. “To be able to feel good, and with a fluid swing, and to concentrate on the pitches that he knows he can hit really well, which is middle to the pull side. Don’t leave the cage without a good swing, good fluid swings hitting the ball that way.”

David Lesky appreciates that the Royals have been trying some new things recently amid the lost season.

This weekend was a perfect example. They had a struggling starter, so they changed a couple of things. Noah Cameron had been pitching exceptionally poorly for the better part of six weeks, so they gave him an opener (that part didn’t work) and had him call his own pitches (that part did, I’ll get to it). As someone who works in marketing, I will tell you that testing two variables is not the smartest thing in the world, but I like that they tried something different. They gave a big save opportunity to someone who I wanted to see in that role. They’ve already started playing Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen against everyone, so that part is done, but I appreciate them doing things like that. First, it provides them with information. Second of all, it’s far more interesting to write about than a Randy Dobnak start, no matter how good he’s been.

Caleb Moody at Kings of Kauffman writes about the Royals’ failure to sign Hudson DeVaughn.

Jacob Milham details 3 Royals players who could benefit if they sell at the deadline.

Cody Bellinger is out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain.

Shea Langeliers and Mark Leiter Jr are going to get surgery.

Kerry Carpenter hit the IL.

Long-time Tampa Bay Buccaneers stalwart DT Vita Vea has requested a trade.

Jamal Adams has joined the Minnesota Vikings.

The UNC disaster-class continues – they placed GM Michael Lombardi on administrative leave.

The explosive diarrhea outbreak is expanding in Missouri.

Kansas City is putting together a bid to host matches for the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup.

Sporting Kansas City is trying to make a big splash signing and upped their offer for Olympiacos winger Andre Luiz.

Eric Bieniemy’s son was charged in the shooting of his mother.

The Odysseycontinues making a bunch of money.

Your song of the day is The Reign of Kindo with The Moments In Between.

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Red Sox 4, A’s 2: Capitol W

SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 27: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Monday, July 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jacob Soriano/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Ceddanne Rafaela’s first career grand slam lifted the Red Sox over the A’s last night in Sacramento in a game that was otherwise a sleepy affair. Peyton Tolle gave up a first-inning solo shot to Tyler Soderstrom in the most anti-Fenway homer there is:

And then the bats on both sides went silent for a while. A’s starter Jack Perkins stymied the Sox despite an ERA over 6, but ran into trouble in the 6th after a Connor Wong leadoff double. Willson Contreras walked, which brought on José Suarez in place of Perkins, but the result was the same for Wilyer Abreu, who also walked. Then Ceddy called game, albeit just barely:

Here is what happens when you hit a grand slam against the A’s, btw:

Yep, that’ll do it. And did it. With the win, the Sox stayed 2 games ahead of the Guardians for the 2d Wild Card spot and kept pace with the repulsive Yankees. As I said in the preview, these are the games you gotta win. Nice to know they read OTM!

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Dumb, Fun and Affordable LeBron James Collectibles

Dumb, Fun and Affordable LeBron James Collectibles

Big news in the sports world this week as LeBron James finally made his decision about where he is going to play next year, and as you know he decided on the Philadelphia 76ers. So, what does that mean for his sports card and collectibles market?

Shrug emoji. 

His cards were already starting to go up-up-up over the last few weeks or so in anticipation of not only his latest decision but in response to the massive Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant card market boom that has happened in the last few months. It seemed only right that the nostalgia and fomo would carry into the LeBron market. 

And while many of his flagship Topps rookie cards are in the thousands of dollars, there are still some fun LeBron collectibles on the market that I think are worth grabbing and holding for the long run. 

  • The Campioni di Futuro (mini) rookie card is maybe my all-time favorite. It’s odd, it’s adorable and it’s under $100 for a raw. There’s also numbered and different color variations, and while it may not bring you generational wealth, it certainly remains relatively rare for a LeBron rookie. 

  • It’s crazy to me that these LeBron James rookie card mini Hummers are still affordable. It not only includes a rookie card but you also get a toy car!! 

  • Oddly the market is hot on LeBron’s “Prizm rookie card” from 2012-13, the first year of Panini Prizm, is exploding. The PSA 10’s are well over $1,000 but you can still grab a PSA 9 or a raw version for under $500. I’m not fully sure how this card will hold up in the long-run but collectors seem to be digging it. 

  • The 2014-15 NBA Hoops “Lights…Camera…Action” insert might be the most underrated card of his - it has maybe the coolest shot of his famed chalk toss and it can still be had for under $50 raw. And there’s only like ~10 copies of the card graded. It’s a fun one!

  • I still love the second-year LeBron James playing card officially licensed by the NBA. This card used to be $30-$40 raw a few years ago, now it’s over 10x that… but that doesn’t mean I love it any less. 

Related, but unrelated, this is so dumb but I love it: a LeBron James hanger. It’s a good bit, too, when he retires and you, alone in your closet, putting your clothes on hangers, look at the LeBron hanger and say “Hey, LeBron, time to hang it up…”

See, there’s lots of dumb, fun and affordable LeBron James cards and collectibles out there. I imagine we’ll see a record-breaking print run on his Topps Now 76ers card which would ultimately deem that worthless, but if you like to gamble and chase the auto then by all means. 

Speaking of potential markets that might “pop off” - you have to think on the heels of the Jordan, Kobe and LeBron markets going way up that guys like Shaq, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan might not be too far behind. Yes, we’re getting into massive print runs but as we’re seeing with Jordan and Kobe, specifically, inserts are what collectors are hunting for. 

The ‘next-man-up’ of it all seems ripe. 

Speaking of Kobe Bryant, there’s an interesting rookie card that is starting to make some noise. It’s the Topps 1996-97 rookie card with the “50th Anniversary” foil on it. 

It’s “foil” which means it’s not “paper” but it’s not quite chrome either. What’s interesting about it is the SP nature of it - the fact that there are over 67,000 graded copies of his base Topps rookie and only about 3,500 graded copies of the “50th Anniversary” parallel. The Topps Chrome version of the same card has over 10,000 cards graded. 

The prices for the 50th parallel feel very much undervalued - for example, a PSA 9 version of the Chrome (which has over 4,000 graded copies in a 9) goes for about $4,000 while the PSA 9 version of the parallel (which has less than 1,000 graded copies in a 9) goes for about $1,900. 

You see what I’m getting at?

Speaking of dudes who might retire soon… let’s not forget about Steph Curry. When he retires in the next few years his cards will go on the post-announcement run. 

Speaking of, um, basketball, don’t look now but the Sophie Cunningham “I said what I said” market boom is in full swing! She’s rivaling the likes of Michael Jordan and Dylan Harper in market increase over the last 14 days, according to ALT. 

Now, we won’t get into the politics of “why” but I do want to remind you “not to get caught holding the bag.” People are buying less on talent and more on the fact that she said what she said. Saying things can be good for short term investments, but it never works out in the long run. 

Finally… Speaking of something else other than basketball cards, you should take a look at what Kimi Antonelli is doing in F1. He’s the latest to enter the “generational talent” area at just 19 years old. His card market is already taking off with his 2025 Topps Chrome rookie cards heating up. 

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Former Sabres Netminder Among Top Free Agent Goalies Left

Now that we are approaching August, most of this year's top UFAs have found their new homes. However, there are still some notable players who have not signed their next contracts.

When it comes to the remaining UFA goalies, a former Sabres netminder is among the most notable: James Reimer

Reimer remains a UFA after spending this past season with the Ottawa Senators. In 14 games with Ottawa in 2025-26, he posted a 7-4-2 record, an .886 save percentage, and a 2.42 goals-against average. Overall, he was a serviceable backup for the Senators, and it is fair to wonder if he could get another deal from a team looking for more goalie depth.

With the Sabres having Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis all on their NHL roster, a reunion with Reimer is highly unlikely. However, he could be a good addition for another team that is looking for a backup or third-string goalie. 

Reimer appeared in 22 games with the Sabres during the 2024-25 season, where he posted a 10-8-2 record, an .899 save percentage, a 2.90 goals-against average, and one shutout. 

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Draymond Green agrees to Warriors return on one-year, $27.7M contract, per agent

Draymond Green agrees to Warriors return on one-year, $27.7M contract, per agent originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green is back.

Green has agreed to return to the Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million contract, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday morning.

Earlier this offseason, Green declined his $27.7 million player option to become a free agent and give Golden State flexibility to pursue LeBron James in NBA free agency.

But with James choosing the Philadelphia 76ers, the Warriors made sure to secure their guy.

In 14 seasons, Green has averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists through 949 games and 794 starts.

Green now will play his 15th consecutive season in the Bay, where he’s won four NBA championships and continues to chase a fifth.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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'Not for sale': UNLV men's basketball coach Josh Pastner walks back comments

UNLV basketball coach Josh Pastner clarified comments he made when he said the Runnin’ Rebels were seeking an "owner" for the team, emphasizing that the men’s basketball team is not for sale and belongs to the university.

In a statement, Pastner explained, "the Runnin' Rebels are not for sale, and my reference to an 'owner' was meant to highlight the level of resources, sponsorships, and overall support needed to compete in today's evolving college athletics landscape, not to suggest that anyone could own the program."

He concluded by reaffirming that the men’s basketball team "belongs to UNLV, its students, alumni, fans, and the entire Southern Nevada community."

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Guardians News: Doubleheader Today

CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 24: A general view of rainfall during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 24, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Guardians were rained out yesterday and will play at 1:40 and 7:10. Slade Cecconi and Gavin Williams will both pitch as the Guardians have an off day on Thursday to get the rotation back on track.

The Guardians have five players in FanGraphs’ new Top 100 prospects list. 11. Angel Genao, 37. Braylon Doughty, 38. Ralphy Velazquez, 67. Juneiker Caceres, 96. Aaron Walton. Khal Stephen also snuck on to the 11 players listed just outside the 100 at 111. Get well soon, Khal.

AROUND MLB:

The Tigers and White Sox lost.