San Diego, CA - August 17: Gio Rojas pitches for the East team during the Dick's Sporting Goods Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park on August 17, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rangers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The 2026 MLB Draft took place over the weekend, with the Texas Rangers’ selections highlighted by prep lefties Gio Rojas and Brody Bumila in rounds one and three and Austin Anderson infielder Connor Comeau in round two.
Today’s Rangers Reacts survey asks you to grade the Rangers’ draft. Yes, I know, its an exercise of futility to try to grade a draft the day after it ends. It takes years to see how a draft works out. But we’re doing the poll anyway, because its fun, dammit!
Nicholas Robertson, who was acquired by the Penguins on Jul. 1 from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2028 fourth-round pick, came to terms on a two-year deal worth $3.75 million annually. In 78 games with the Maple Leafs last season, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound left wing registered 16 goals and 32 points, and he has 48 goals and 88 points in 234 NHL games dispersed across parts of six seasons.
The Penguins elected to take a chance on Robertson when he became available as an RFA trade option on Jul. 1, and they were able to get an original trade deal across the finish line. Robertson requested a trade from the Leafs two summers ago, but Pittsburgh felt now was the right time to take advantage.
"To be honest, this morning, Nick came up," Penguins' assistant general manager Jason Spezza said on Jul. 1. "And, because we had the space and we had the ability and the picks to make the move quickly, we were able to move fast on it."
Robertson, 24, is the younger brother of Dallas Stars superstar winger Jason, who has also been the subject of trade rumors involving the Penguins. Nick joins a crowded cast of forwards for the Penguins, as they have also added Andrei Kuzmenko and Hendrix Lapierre and just signed RFA forward Egor Chinakhov to a three-year extension.
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker was the biggest star on the Home Run Derby stage Monday night in Philadelphia. But his family members cheering him on from the stands might have been a close second.
As the 24-year-old Walker slugged his way to a victory over hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber in the final round, his parents' emotional reaction to each and every homer provided a refreshingly human aspect to the slickly produced and sponsor-heavy event.
“He was awesome today," Derek gushed. "I just loved everything about it. Just his attitude, his approach, the smoothness of swing. Looked like his dad. But yeah, he just did a great job. We're so proud of him.”
That familial pride certainly came through during the competition, as the broadcast repeatedly cut to reactions from his dad and mom, Katrina, who were both sporting Cardinals jerseys with Walker's No. 18 on the front and "Jordan's Dad" and "Jordan's Mom," respectively, on the back.
“From an early age, he always loved the game. He always loved to play baseball. Loved to sleep with his glove. He always had a bat," Derek continued.
"We traveled with it all the time. He ate, slept, thought baseball, and he just kept progressing. He just kept getting better and better and working on his craft. And again, we can't be more proud.”
Walker's parents were such a hit, they later joined the postgame set, along with his sister and grandmother, to chat with MLB superstars Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and Anthony Rizzo.
Who’s cutting onions? 🥺
You’re going to want to watch this moment with Jordan Walker and his family after he won the T-Mobile Home Run Derby ❤️ #HRDerbypic.twitter.com/bhOeQdfBVg
It all made for a memorable evening for the Walker family, especially since the $1 million prize for winning the competition was more than he'll earn in salary for the entire 2026 season.
It also made for a memorable evening for viewers who stuck around for the postgame celebration.
The Mets will return from the All-Star break on Thursday night in Philadelphia with a record of 40-57. Mathematical elimination is perhaps months away, but New York's season -- when it comes to competing for a playoff spot -- is over.
That is a gut punch for a team that entered the year with enormous expectations.
The job for the front office now becomes deciding just how much to tear down at the trade deadline and which players are true keepers for 2027 and beyond.
Juan Soto Francisco Lindor Carson Benge A.J. Ewing Nolan McLean Christian Scott
Beyond those six players, I think it makes all the sense in the world to keep Francisco Alvarez (an above average offensive catcher under team control through 2029) and Luis Torrens (one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, signed through 2028) unless the Mets are absolutely bowled over.
But pretty much everyone else should be available.
At the top of the list will be players who are set to be free agents at the end of the season, including Freddy Peralta, Brooks Raley, and A.J. Minter, while a reliever like Huascar Brazoban should also have some value given his years of control and relatively low salary.
Jun 9, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images
Clay Holmes' situation is tricky, since he's all but certain to decline the $12 million player option he holds for the 2027 season. But he's open to an extension, which seems like a no-brainer for the Mets.
The same can be said when it comes to Luke Weaver, who is under contract through 2027, but could potentially bring the Mets a relative haul if they trade him now.
It has been a strange, disjointed season for Lindor, who made uncharacteristic mental mistakes in the field early this season before landing on the IL with a calf injury that cost him two months.
Since returning, Lindor has been shaking off the rust at the plate, and his defense has still been iffy -- including a play last Sunday against the Red Sox where he booted a grounder that would've been a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.
Overall, Lindor's defense at shortstop is in the 65th percentile, via Baseball Savant/OAA, which is a tick above average. So the optics have been worse than the actual results.
The same can be said for his offense.
Lindor is hitting just .216/.298/.373 (.671 OPS, 86 OPS+) in 40 games, but he is average to well above average this year in 12 of 13 key advanced metrics tracked by Baseball Savant, including xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, and hard hit percentage.
Add to the above the fact that Lindor was an elite player from 2022 to 2025, finishing top 10 in MVP voting each season, and it's fair to believe his numbers will be there when the year ends.
Also of interest: will the relationship between Lindor and Soto, which was frosty last season, continue to grow?
One of the Mets' hopes ahead of this season was that Jonah Tong and/or Jack Wenninger would excel for Triple-A Syracuse and be an option for the big league rotation sooner rather than later.
That hasn't happened. And in the case of Tong, who has been attempting to add some east to west pitches to his profile to complement his north to south arsenal, the struggles have been deep.
That has opened a door in the bigs for Thornton, who has been very impressive in limited action.
Jun 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Zach Thornton (49) follows through on a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
In 17.1 innings over three starts, Thornton has a 2.60 ERA (2.98 FIP) and 0.92 WHIP while allowing just 11 hits, walking five, and striking out 15.
It is command over stuff for Thornton, who relies heavily on his four-seam fastball and cutter, while mixing in a sweeper and sinker as his other main offerings.
The Mets don't need Thornton to be a savior. They simply need him to be someone who can be relied on to eat innings and limit blowup outings -- something most of their rotation members this season have not been able to do.
If Thornton continues to pitch well -- and he should get every opportunity to remain in the rotation down the stretch -- he could add a nice element to their rotation plans for 2027.
Both Semien and Polanco are having nightmare first seasons in New York after being acquired as part of David Stearns' offensive makeover.
Semien struggled on both sides of the ball, played through a hip injury for a while, and then landed on the IL.
Polanco, who has been slowed by an Achilles issue for most of the season, has played just 19 games and posted a .514 OPS.
Jun 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) turns a double play during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Semien should be back shortly after the All-Star break, when he could potentially show that his substandard second base defense had a lot to do with his hip injury. But his offense, which was a tick below average for the Rangers last season, will be a huge concern until he shows he can again produce at an acceptable level at the plate.
As far as Polanco, he has been limited to DH duty since returning and will likely not get much playing time in the field moving forward.
Semien is under contract through 2028, with Polanco signed through 2027, so the Mets are in a bit of a bind if they don't improve.
The Mets have been high on Baty for a while, and he appeared poised to hit the ground running this season after posting a career-best .748 OPS (110 OPS+) last year while popping 18 home runs.
Baty also played a career-high 130 games last season, meaning that there was reason to believe that what he did was repeatable.
But it's been a struggle for Baty in 2026, with him hitting just .221/.297/.314 (.610 OPS) with four homers.
His advanced metrics are also mostly poor, meaning this can't be blamed on bad luck.
With this being Baty's fifth big league season, it will be very hard for the Mets to justify having him enter 2027 as an expected key piece of the offense if he doesn't turn it around in the second half.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 07: Blaze Alexander #23 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Chicago Cubs at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 07, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
As unbelievable as this would have been when the Orioles acquired him or even at the end of April, the O’s now have to find a way to replace the production that’s been provided by Blaze Alexander at third base this season. Alexander’s hand fracture after being hit by a Royals pitcher on Sunday takes a solid defender and the team’s only .300+ hitter out of the picture for probably at least six weeks, longer if the team is unlucky.
Since we are in the middle of the All-Star break while this news is digested by the team, the Orioles do have a few days before they have to start to commit to a strategy of what to do with third base while Alexander is out. Camden Chat writer Tyler Young broke down the possibilities on the site yesterday. In this week’s survey, I want to know what you think they should do.
Are you still a Coby Mayo believer? Do you want to see Gunnar Henderson shift over to play third base? Is it time for 40-man player Christian Encarnacion-Strand to arrive on the major league roster? Or should the Orioles look outside the organization, as they did when they got Alexander in the first place? Vote in the survey below:
The Mike Elias brain trust is hard to predict. Sometimes they do the thing that makes the most sense based on information available to outsiders. Other times, they venture far afield, sometimes with good results and sometimes not. Getting Alexander in the first place was one of the “venture afield” things that has turned out well so far. The rest of this is trying to make the best of a bad situation.
What do you think? Results will be posted later in the week.
When the National League roster is announced at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14 for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, the Philadelphia Phillies will have six players introduced — and will likely receive the loudest positive welcome of all the players.
There will be one All-Star-caliber player from the hometown team missing, though.
Wheeler, who has recovered from thoracic outlet surgery in September, has once again pitched like one of baseball's top starting pitchers this season, despite missing all of spring training and most of the first month of the regular season. He went 10-1 in 15 starts in the first half, posting a 2.13 ERA in 93 innings pitched while recording 108 strikeouts.
Despite that success, he was one of the players snubbed from the original version of Dave Roberts' National League roster. He then declined the invitation from Major League Baseball on the fourth-to-last day of the first half to be a replacement player.
Here's a recap of it all:
Why is Zack Wheeler not in the MLB All-Star Game tonight?
It's a three-parter.
The first part is that Wheeler was not voted in by his fellow peers in the league. To some misconception, only positional players are voted into the All-Star Game by the fans, as pitchers are not included on the now-virtual ballots.
"The All-Star Game for pitchers is probably the most difficult because we really only get selected by our peers," former Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels told USA TODAY Sports this week. "... When you actually are having a good season, you want to get recognized for it because being an All-Star carries forward so far into not only your career, but your retirement, because those are the numbers that people recognize."
The second, and Wheeler said he'd be available despite it, is that MLB rules state a pitcher who starts the final game of the first half of the season is ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game just two days later.
Wheeler started against the Detroit Tigers on July 12, striking out 10 across six scoreless innings.
"I think it's kind of a B.S. rule that just because I pitch on a certain day, I get punished for it," Wheeler said about the MLB rule following his July 7 start against the Cincinnati Reds, where he tied a career-high 14 strikeouts.
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 8, 2026
The third, and this is the big one, is that once Major League Baseball reached out to him July 9 to be a replacement player, Wheeler felt disrespected that he wasn't asked to take someone else's spot earlier and instead was like a "fifth option." Therefore, he declined the 11th-hour invitation.
"Because they disrespected me," Wheeler said July 11 when he explained his decision. "So I’m just not gonna participate in that thing."
He added: "I’m not gonna be, like, the fifth option. Maybe I didn’t earn it at the, from the get-go, but maybe just second choice. Once I feel like they kind of messed that up, I’m out."
Wheeler being left off the National League roster, despite pitching like an All-Star, created quite the uproar among those within baseball, including former and current players.
"His numbers are better than mine, and I'm sitting here. I'll leave it at that," Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale told Foul Territory on July 13.
Chris Sale says Zack Wheeler not making the All-Star team is a "head-scratcher, to say the least."
"His numbers are better than mine, and I'm sitting here. I'll leave it at that." pic.twitter.com/oKIJ63YoAx
Meanwhile, San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb told reporters during the media day portion of July 11 All-Star Game events at Citizens Bank Park that he would have given Wheeler his spot.
"I would have given my spot to him for him to be here," Webb said. "He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball. Has been for a long time. It always sucks when guys who are deserving don’t make it. There was a couple of years when I didn’t make it and I thought I should have made it, but I don’t think I ever had stats that look like that."
Zack Wheeler stats
Wheeler holds a 10-1 record in 15 starts on the season to go along with a 2.13 ERA in 93 innings pitched and 108 recorded strikeouts. In his last five starts, Wheeler went 5-0 with a 1.91 ERA and struck out 60 hitters across 42 1/3 innings.
Once upon a not-so-distant time, the Montreal Canadiens were all about Carey Price’s spectacular saves, but that’s no longer the case. On Monday, the NHL released an interesting graphic picturing the highest-scoring players in the league by areas on the ice, and the Habs have claimed two of the 12 areas.
Unsurprisingly, it’s captain Nick Suzuki and sniper Cole Caufield who lead the league in goals on the left side. Caufield scored five goals from the area nearer the net, where he has repeatedly shown just how good his hands can be when scoring in close this past season. As for Suzuki, he’s also scored five lamplighters from a bit higher in the zone and in close to the boards. The centre has indeed proved that he doesn’t need much of an angle to beat netminders.
The list of dominant players in all areas is a who’s who of the best players in the NHL; Suzuki and Caufield are in excellent company. On the doorstep, Tyler Bertuzzi has scored nine goals for the Chicago Blackhawks; from the slot, Dallas Stars’ Wyatt Johnston has converted 27 times; from the right in close, Pavel Dorofeyev has beaten goalies seven times with the Vegas Golden Knights. On the left, around the faceoff circle, is Nathan MacKinnon’s territory; the Colorado Avalanche leader and Rocket Richard Trophy winner has scored 10 of his goals from there.
Macklin Celebrini has ruled the high slot with the San Jose Sharks, finding the back of the net 16 times from there. Around the faceoff dot on the right was Cutter Gauthier’s stomping ground; the Anaheim Ducks RFA has beaten goalies 11 times from there, while the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov has converted seven times from near the boards.
From the blueline on the left, it’s rookie of the year and New York Islanders gem Matthew Schaefer, who’s been the most productive with three goals; around the blueline in the middle of the ice, it’s the Lightning’s defenseman Darren Raddysh, who has shown the brightest with nine goals. On the right side of the blueline, the Avs’ veteran defenseman Brent Burns dominated with five lamplighters.
Only three teams had two players on the graphic: the Habs, the Avs, and the Bolts, but only Montreal and Colorado have retained both of their players. When the puck drops on the new season, Raddysh will no longer be in Tampa; he’ll be patrolling the Toronto Maple Leafs’ blueline.
You've got to give extra attention to these players in those spots on the ice! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/OgRzo22FrS
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 25: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers wait for a free throw during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 25, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the LeBron James saga plows forward like it’s an early 2010’s summer, the conclusion appears to be drawing near. And, like the early 2010’s, it’s ESPN’s Brian Windhorst leading the reporting.
On the Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst said that James is contacting players on some of the interested teams. This, of course, then gets sent back to the respective team’s head coach and/or general manager.
“LeBron is reaching out and talking to players on some of these teams and they report back to their GM or coach.”
“LeBron is reaching out and talking to players on some of these teams and they report back to their GM or coach,” – @WindhorstESPN on the latest details around LeBron and what teams are hearing. pic.twitter.com/PTRl2hsZeP
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
Windhorst did not indicate who these players were or even the exact teams that have been contacted, adding to the veiled maneuvering happening in the background.
The Cavs can also, in a way, corroborate this reporting from ESPN. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson, while being interviewed at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, appeared to allude to Cleveland’s pursuit of James.
“You guys know there’s a little free agency thing on right now so…that could be our real jump and you know what I’m talking about,” Atkinson said during the Cavs’ Summer League matchup against the Detroit Pistons. “That’s exciting too.”
Then there is the Donovan Mitchell extension, which came a year sooner than many expected. Mitchell left a sizable amount of money on the table by signing this year as opposed to next summer, an act of good faith that may have been signed with the knowledge that something was coming to boost the Cavs’ championship outlook. Signing James would certainly be one of those achievable roster improvements.
The Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo beef had been brewing for some time.
The two former Miami Heat teammates had a solid relationship before things began to fall apart over the past year, as the team took a different offensive direction, according to a new report from ESPN, culminating in Friday’s fight at a court in Las Vegas in which Adebayo reportedly punched Herro.
“Honestly, I’m just trying to move past all of it,” Herro, who was dealt to the Bucks in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, told ESPN. “I’m focused on Milwaukee and building something special. They obviously just traded the greatest player in their history, so we want to come in and help continue what they’ve been doing.”
Tyler Herro was hit in the face by Bam Adebayo during NBA Summer League. NBAE via Getty Images
Adebayo reportedly confronted Herro over critical comments made on social media after the Heat-Bucks trade.
Adebayo then “took exception” to Herro’s verbal response and struck Herro near his chin, ESPN reported. Herro, who was not knocked to the ground, “was restrained by others in the gym from responding physically.”
Herro and Adebayo began to grow apart over the past year as Herro played in just 33 games last season due to various injuries, and even when he did play, he struggled to adjust to changes made by coach Erik Spoelstra.
It became clear that the offense would revolve around Adebayo as their primary scorer rather than a pick-and-roll-heavy approach from years past.
The Heat ran just 5.3 pick-and-roll ball-handler possessions per game and just 5.6 percent of the time, by far the least frequent in the NBA, with the Spurs coming in second at 12.2 percent of their plays.
This is a massive change from the season prior, when the Heat ran pick-and-roll on 16.2 percent of their plays, middle of the pack in the NBA.
Miami ran the pick and roll less than any NBA team since at least 2015, when the data began being tracked by the league.
When Herro returned to the offense from injury to make his season debut on Nov. 24, Adebayo made some interesting comments about their star guard’s return to an offense that had moved past his style.
Bam Adebayo became the focal point of the Heat’s offense. Getty Images
“As you see, it’s a fun offense to be a part of,” Adebayo said. “It’s not a lot of pick-and-rolls to be a part of, but we’re sharing the game. You like those types of games where everybody feels involved, and everybody gets a chance to be aggressive. Put pressure on the rim and we’re being successful off of it.”
Herro said he’s ready to prove people wrong; perhaps Adebayo is one of them.
“I’m ready to come home and not prove everyone wrong,” he said, “but just be able to represent the city and the state because I wanted to do that coming out of school as well.”
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 24: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 24, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers’ big move of the summer was pushing all their chips to the middle of the table to acquire Walker Kessler.
There are lots of boxes that Kessler checks as a rim-protecting center and a hard-screening lob threat. All that comes with the caveat of him being healthy.
Kessler played the first five games of the season before a torn labrum forced him to have surgery and abruptly ended his campaign. Given how early into the season the injury occurred, it’s not a surprise that he has been cleared to play.
On Monday, Kessler spoke to the media in Las Vegas for the first time since joining the purple and gold and revealed his injury is healed (h/t Dave McMenamin/ESPN).
“It’s been cleared,” Kessler said. “It feels strong. It feels mobile.
“I’m just excited to play again. Sitting out a whole year definitely puts a lot of things in perspective. The heart grows fond in absence. Falling in love with this game again, I just want to go play to win.”
Given how much chemistry the new-look Lakers are going to have to build, it’s great news that Kessler is healthy and ready to go. The team’s new signings met in Vegas to hang out and scrimmage to start building said chemistry with Kessler among them.
Kessler has largely been a durable player in his career. While he only played 58 games in the 2024-25 season, most of that was because the Jazz, one of the most notorious tanking teams in recent seasons, were doing funny things down the stretch with Kessler.
LA has placed a lot of faith in Kessler being the next center of the future. Fortunately, he’s going to be read to go from the jump this season to try to make good on that bet.
At the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Elmer Soderblom from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. This was after the 6-foot-8 forward had two goals and one assist in 39 games for Detroit before the trade.
While Soderblom struggled with the Red Wings before the trade, he undoubtedly changed things on that front after being dealt to the Penguins. In 20 games with the Penguins after the move, he posted five goals, 10 points, and 35 hits. With numbers like these, he proved to be a strong pickup to Pittsburgh's roster for the final stretch of the season.
Given how well Soderblom played for the Penguins following the trade, he is a breakout candidate to watch in 2026-27. He showed plenty of promise after being traded to Pittsburgh, and it would be big if he kept this kind of play up for a whole season. If he did, he would emerge as a key part of the Penguins' top nine.
With Soderblom being only 25 years old, the possibility of him hitting a new level next season should not be ruled out. It will be interesting to see what kind of season he has from here.
Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
It is no secret to the league that a reunion of LeBron James and the team that drafted all the way back in 2003 would be hard to pass on. The Cleveland Cavaliers, as reported by Marc Stein, are regarded by teams pursuing James as “the scenario to beat”.
Stein includes teams who view this as the case to be the teams most in pursuit of the King. This includes the likes of the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets. According to Stein, the situation is viewed as Cleveland being the scenario to beat; however, not necessarily unbeatable.
Golden State reportedly, while having “tangible concern that Cleveland is the closest thing to a frontrunner,” has not given up on their pursuit of the King. Stein goes on to say that this sentiment is shared by all suitors above. With Timberwolves coach Chris Finch saying as much on Stein and Jake Fisher’s Bleacher Report livestream: “I think they’ve made everybody feel like they genuinely have an opportunity.”
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Mark Price shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
In the same excerpt from Stein, he floats questions around LeBron’s upcoming appearances this week. James is scheduled to have live podcast appearances this Thursday and Friday in New York City at the Fanatics Fest event.
It has been rumored that LeBron’s decision should be coming sooner rather than later. So the LeBron sweepstakes being announced before or even during LeBron’s media appearances later this week would not surprise many in the least.
If the Cavaliers are truly viewed as the “scenario to beat,” then Cleveland will need to remain aggressive in whatever approach they are currently utilizing to entice James to this potential third reunion. A return of LeBron brings more with it than a simple storybook ending to an all-time career. They would have a chance to compete for a title, and would presumably pull out all of the stops to put themselves in the best position to do so if they can secure a commitment from James.
It is no secret that the Chicago Blackhawks have formed a very strong prospect pool as they continue their rebuild. Due to this, they have many exciting youngsters in their system.
Eight Blackhawks prospects have made Scott Wheeler's new top 100 NHL drafted prospect rankings for The Athletic. Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov, Sam Rinzel, Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore, Kevin Korchinski, Xavier Villeneuve, and Vaclav Nestrasil made the cut.
Frondell and Kantserov each received rankings in the top 25. This is because Frondell landed the No. 18 spot, while Kantserov picked up the No. 23 ranking.
Rinzel, Lardis, and Moore each landed spots in the top 65. Rinzel was ranked No. 49, Lardis picked up spot No. 57, and Moore grabbed the No. 62 ranking on Wheeler's list.
Korchinski, Villeneuve, and Nestrasil rounded off the rankings for the Blackhawks. Korchinski picked up the No. 75 spot, Villeneuve was given the No. 79 spot, and Nestrasil just made the cut at No. 95.
Overall, it is hard not to feel excited about the Blackhawks' future when they have so many promising prospects. It will be interesting to see how they all continue to develop from here.
Jul 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) and left fielder Jackson Chourio (11) celebrate after both players scored run on a two run homer run by Turang against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Welcome back to another edition of our Reacts Survey! This week, we’re asking fans to grade the first half of Milwaukee’s season.
After getting out to a hot start at 8-2, the Crew faltered a bit, falling to .500 though 26 games and jut 16-14 after the first month. Since that point, however, the Brewers have been one of the best teams in baseball. After going 19-7 in the month of May, they then went 17-10 in June before a 7-3 start to July. While they were swept by the Pirates in the final weekend of the first half, they still sit at 59-37 on the season, with a five-game lead atop the NL Central and the second-best record in baseball, behind only the 61-36 Dodgers.
With that in mind, how would you grade the Brewers’ first half? Weigh in below and stay tuned for results later this week!
Nick Robertson’s has reportedly settled on a new contract.
The 24-year-old forward, who spent his entire NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, has agreed to a two-year contract worth $6.5 million ($3.25 million AAV), according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The deal comes less than two weeks after Robertson, a restricted free agent, filed for salary arbitration and just days before his scheduled July 28 hearing.
For Robertson, the agreement provides the stability he has chased since breaking into the league as a highly touted 2019 second-round pick (53rd overall). Drafted out of the OHL’s Peterborough Petes, the Pasadena, California native was long viewed as a dynamic, undersized winger with high-end skill and speed. Early stints with the Leafs were interrupted by injuries and the Maple Leafs’ crowded forward depth, sending him back to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies for extended development stretches in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
The persistence paid off. Robertson gradually carved out a more regular role, showing he could play a gritty, responsible game while chipping in offensively. Over 234 NHL games, all with Toronto, he has produced 48 goals and 88 points. His most recent campaign in 2025-26 was his most complete: 78 games, 16 goals and 32 points, numbers that reflected both increased ice time and a growing comfort level in the league’s middle six.
That production made him a logical arbitration candidate after he earned $1.825 million in 2025-26. With the Maple Leafs facing their own cap and roster decisions, Toronto shipped the pending RFA to Pittsburgh on the opening day of free agency. The move gave the Penguins a young, cost-controlled forward with NHL experience and upside, while clearing a roster spot and cap flexibility for the Leafs, while reuniting him with former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas.
Now with his new club, Robertson will slot into a Penguins forward group looking for secondary scoring and energy. Pittsburgh avoided the uncertainty of an arbitration hearing by locking him in at a reasonable number that reflects his recent output and the organization’s view of his long-term fit. The deal runs through the 2027-28 season, taking Robertson to one more year of restricted free agency at the expiry of the deal.
For a player who once symbolized the Leafs’ prospect pipeline frustrations, the contract represents both validation and a fresh start. Robertson has shown he can score at the NHL level when given consistent opportunity. In Pittsburgh, with a new coaching staff and a different set of expectations, he’ll have another chance to prove it , this time with the security of a twoi-year deal in hand.
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
