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Mike Sullivan Wants To See ‘More Predictability And Reliability’ Out Of Brennan Othmann

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The tail of Brennan Othmann with the New York Rangers continues to be disappointing. 

From being called up and down from the American Hockey League, the 2021 first-round pick still has failed to salvage a full-time role with the Rangers. 

The latest case of disappointment came when the Rangers called up Othmann for their four-game road trip, but he only played in one game before being scratched out of the lineup for the remaining three matchups.

The 22-year-old forward was ultimately called back down to the AHL on Sunday, capping off yet another underwhelming NHL stint. 

The decision from Mike Sullivan came as he’s looking for more out of Othmann’s game and wants him to get real game action, which the Rangers can’t provide for him. 

“We talked to Otter just about attention to detail, a little bit of predictability and reliability with his respect to his game away from the puck and that being an important element of him earning his way on the roster as a regular,” Sullivan said. 

“The other aspect of it is, we don't want any one player, especially young players sitting on the sidelines. He was in the West Coast trip with us. He played one of the games. We would rather see him get into game action, so he has an opportunity to learn through those experiences. He's a young player. He's he's got a lot of his career in front of him, and so just balancing, if he's not in the lineup at the NHL level, does it make sense to have him as the extra forward, or does it make sense to allow him to go back to Hartford and get into the games and play in 18-plus minutes.”

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What does the future hold for Othmann with the Rangers?

Recently, Othmann’s name has been the subject of trade rumors. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Oct. 16 that the Rangers are open to the idea of trading the 22-year-old forward, and these recent events will only ignite more speculation.

A trade certainly seems as if it could be in the cards, but for now, Othmann will continue to play big minutes in Hartford and prove himself with the hopes of eventually working his way back up to the NHL.

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Yankees' Aaron Judge named 2025 AL MVP finalist

Aaron Judge had yet another historical year during the 2025 MLB season and, as expected, he's now being recognized for it.

The Yankees slugger was named one of three finalists for the American League MVP on Monday night, joining the Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh and Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez.

Judge, who's looking to take home his second straight AL MVP and the third of his career, hit 53 home runs and led the league in batting average (.331) for the first time in his career.

He helped the Yanks win 94 games and make the postseason for the second straight season, finishing second in the AL East to the eventual pennant winning Toronto Blue Jays.

Some of his other jaw-dropping stats from the 2025 season include:

  • 9.7 WAR (league leader) / 10.1 fWAR (league leader)
  • 137 runs scored (league leader)
  • 124 walks (league leader)
  • .457 OBP (league leader)
  • .688 SLG (league leader)
  • 1.144 OPS (league leader)
  • 215 OPS+ (league leader)

Simply put, Judge was the best baseball player in the American League this season.

Raleigh is Judge's toughest competition for the award and will likely garner some first-place votes after smashing a switch-hitting and catcher record 60 home runs. He led the Mariners to an AL West title for the first time since 2001 and finished the year with a league-leading 125 RBI while hitting .247.

Ramírez, who is quietly putting together a HOF-worthy career, hit .283 with 30 homers and 34 doubles with 85 RBI, helping the Guardians win their second straight AL Central title and third in four years.

The winner will be named at the MLB Awards ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 13 in Las Vegas.

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Red Wings Could Target Familiar Face From Stanley Cup Contender To Bolster Blue Line

The Edmonton Oilers have dealt with a series of injuries this season, but as players return to the lineup, roster spots are becoming increasingly limited. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the team is exploring trade options for defenseman Troy Stecher, who has been serving as the Oilers’ seventh defenseman but could find a full-time role elsewhere.

Stecher, 31, is a reliable two-way defenseman who previously spent time with the Detroit Red Wings before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings for a seventh-round pick in March 2022. A return to Detroit could make sense for both sides. The Red Wings have struggled defensively in recent games, allowing 27 goals in their last seven games, which is the second-most in the NHL during that stretch. Adding Stecher would be an upgrade over their current bottom-pairing right defenseman, Travis Hamonic, and he is also four years younger.

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There is reason to believe Stecher would be open to a reunion with the Red Wings as he originally chose Detroit as a free agent in 2020, and the team’s strong start to this season could make the opportunity even more appealing. The organization is already familiar with his work ethic and steady play, which could make him a natural fit on the blue line once again.

Stecher is coming off a Stanley Cup Final run with Edmonton, who acquired him along with a fourth-round pick from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a seventh-round pick. While he did not record any points in his eight postseason appearances, he finished with a +2 rating and provided dependable minutes in key situations. His extended playoff experience also includes an impressive stretch with the Kings, where he scored two goals and two assists in four playoff games after joining the team from Detroit.

For the Red Wings, adding Stecher would bring both experience and stability to a defensive group that needs improvement if they want to maintain their early-season momentum. With plenty of cap space and the likelihood that Stecher’s trade value remains modest, potentially costing only a mid-round pick, this could be a low-risk, high-reward move as Detroit looks to strengthen its roster for a potential playoff push.

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Michael King, Michael Lorenzen, Mitch Garver become free agents after mutual options are declined

NEW YORK — Pitchers Michael King and Michael Lorenzen along with catcher Mitch Garver became free agents Monday when their mutual options for 2026 were declined.

King declined his option with San Diego, while Kansas City turned down Lorenzen and Seattle declined Garver.

In addition, Kansas City said outfielder Randal Grichuk declined his mutual option and became eligible for free agency.

King was guaranteed $7.75 million under a one-year contract with San Diego that included a $3.75 million buyout of a $15 million option. The 30-year-old right-hander was 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA this year, limited to 15 starts by stints on the injured list for right shoulder inflammation that sidelined him between May 18 and Aug. 9 and left knee inflammation that kept him out between Aug. 9 and Sept. 9.

King was in his second season with the Padres after being acquired in the trade that sent All-Star outfielder Juan Soto to the Yankees.

Lorenzen was guaranteed $7 million in a one-year deal with Kansas City that included a $1.5 million buyout of a $12 million option, and he earned an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for innings and games pitched.

An All-Star in 2023, the 33-year-old right-hander signed with the Royals as a free agent in January and went 7-11 with a 4.64 ERA in 26 starts and one relief appearance. He didn’t pitch for the Royals between July 6 and Aug. 16 because of a left oblique strain.

Garver joined Seattle in December 2023 as a free agent with a $24 million, two-year contract that included a $12 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout. He hit .209 with nine homers and 30 RBIs this year.

Grichuk signed a one-year contract with Arizona as a free agent in February, a deal that guaranteed $5 million, including a $3 million buyout. He was traded to Kansas City on July 26 and earned an additional $750,000: $500,000 in performance bonuses and a $250,000 assignment bonus. The 34-year-old hit .228 with nine homers and 27 RBIs, including .206 with two homers and five RBIs in 43 games for the Royals.

A total of 140 players have become free agents in the two days following the end of the World Series and just under 60 more potentially can go free through Thursday, depending on whether team, player and mutual options are exercised.

Among those with player options or opt outs are Boston third baseman Alex Bregman, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Díaz, New York Yankees outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger, San Diego right-hander Robert Suarez, Detroit right-hander Jack Flaherty and Toronto right-hander Shane Bieber.

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Spurs' rookie Dylan Harper expected to miss &quot;multiple weeks&quot; with calf strain

Dylan Harper has shown more than just No. 2 pick talent to start his rookie season, he has been a hand-in-glove fit with Victor Wembanyama and is a key part of why the San Antonio Spurs are off to a 5-1 start.

Which is why the news that he will be out multiple weeks with a calf strain — something confirmed by San Antonio on Monday — comes as a blow.

The good news is this was just a strain, nothing more. There was concern when Harper left Sunday's game, then left the arena in a walking boot, that this could be something more, but there is no structural damage that will keep him out for an extended period, an "MRI on Monday revealed Harper avoided a significant absence," reported Shams Charania of ESPN.

Harper is averaging 14 points, four rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game off the bench for the Spurs, but the raw numbers don't capture how well he has played on both ends of the court. Harper has a smooth game with the ability to get to the rim, and also is shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc. He has not looked like a rookie, what he has looked like is a long-term fit next to Wembanyama.

Harper was injured in the second quarter Sunday trying to stop a post entry pass, then prevent a dunk by Phoenix's Nick Richards. Harper was instantly limping after the play and came out of the game.

Injuries are piling up for the Spurs, who remain without De'Aaron Fox, who has yet to play this season due to a hamstring issue. This will put more on the plate of Stephon Castle until one of he other guards can get healthy.

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Miami Marlins promote Gabe Kapler to general manager amid several front office moves

MIAMI — The Miami Marlins promoted Gabe Kapler to general manager on Monday amid a series of front office moves, the team announced.

Additionally, Frankie Piliere was promoted to vice president of amateur forecasting and player evaluation initiatives, and Vinesh Kanthan was moved to senior director of baseball operations.

Kapler will be the club’s sixth general manager after beginning his tenure with the Marlins in 2024 as an assistant GM focusing on player, coaching and staff development.

This past season, the Marlins’ minor league system made club history with four different affiliates reaching the postseason at their respective levels. That includes Jacksonville, which claimed the Triple-A National Championship.

Kapler spent the previous six seasons as a manager with Philadelphia (2018-19) and San Francisco (2020-23). The Los Angeles-native was also the World Series champion Dodgers’ director of player development from 2015-17, during which he worked with Marlins manager Clayton McCullough.

Miami outperformed many expectations in McCullough’s first season, winning 13 of their final 17 games.

“It is an exciting time to be part of the Marlins organization, and I am ready to continue the great work we are doing here, alongside Peter (Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix) and our entire Baseball Operations staff,” Kapler said in a statement. “The growth and momentum we’ve built are a direct reflection of a clear vision, a strong culture, and an incredible team working together toward a shared goal. I’m proud to help continue that progress and contribute to what’s ahead.”

Piliere joined the Marlins as director of amateur scouting, overseeing the club’s amateur scouts and draft. And Kanthan, before coming to Miami, spent five seasons with the Texas Rangers organization.

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Woodruff declines option with Brewers, who exercise option on Peralta, decline option on Jansen

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff declined a $20 million mutual option for 2026 in favor of a $10 million buyout and the two-time All-Star right-hander will become a free agent.

Milwaukee said Monday it exercised an $8 million team option on two-time All-Star Freddy Peralta, the final year in a contract that will be worth $30 million over seven seasons.

The Brewers declined a $12 million mutual option on catcher Danny Jansen, who get a $500,000 buyout as part of a deal he signed with Tampa Bay that guaranteed $8.5 million.

After missing the 2024 season while recovering from shoulder surgery, Woodruff returned in July and went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts. He missed the postseason with a right lat strain that was unrelated to the prior injury.

During the postseason, the Brewers had held out hope Woodruff might be able to return if they had made the World Series, an indication he should be ready for the start of the 2026 season. Woodruff will turn 33 on Feb. 10

“As far as the future, I don’t know what that will entail, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to come back here,” Woodruff said before the Brewers’ NL Division Series win over the Chicago Cubs. “My son was born here last year. I’ve got so many roots dug here in Milwaukee. And not just the people in the clubhouse but people outside of the baseball field I’ve gotten to know. It’s home for sure. It’s my second home. Yeah, so for sure, I needed to throw on this uniform again.”

Woodruff agreed before the 2024 season to a backloaded $17.5 million, two-year contract. He gets half the buyout on Jan. 15 and the remainder on July 15.

Jansen, who turns 31 on April 15, batted .254 with a .346 on-base percentage, three homers and seven RBIs in 25 games with Milwaukee after his hometown team acquired him at the trade deadline. He hit .204 with a .314 on-base percentage, 11 homers and 29 RBIs in 73 games with Tampa Bay.

Peralta, 29, made his second All-Star team this season and went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 33 starts. He struck out 204 over 176 2/3 innings while helping Milwaukee win a third straight NL Central title.

Milwaukee also selected the contract of right-hander Coleman Crow from Triple-A Nashville. Crow, who turns 25 on Dec. 30, went 4-1 with a 3.24 ERA in 12 starts for Double-A Biloxi and the Sounds.