May 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages (43) tags out Philadelphia Phillies second base Bryson Stott (5) at home plate during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The season is just around the corner with pitchers and catchers reporting this week and we’ve seen a few changes to the Phillies’ roster. For some, the changes have been too few; for some, the changes are just right. Everyone harbors opinions about the direction of the franchise, or else you wouldn’t be here talking about them. However, sometimes there are things that cannot be conveyed to anyone but the still, small voice in our heads. There might be an opinion we agree with, but we just don’t want anyone to know about it.
We’re all friends here, so let’s get it out. What is the one thing you are afraid to say out loud about the Phillies? Maybe there is a bit of positivity inside that is bursting to be set free. Maybe there is a negative take on a player that would put you in the very small minority. Let us all hear that one thing.
I’ll start: not only should the Phillies be retaining Bryson Stott this year, they should be extending him for the foreseeable future.
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 19: Goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood #39 and Scott Wedgewood #41 of the Colorado Avalanche chat prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena on December 19, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
A pause in the middle of the season is a great time to reflect on the latest news and happenings for the Colorado Avalanche but to also look ahead at the near future including the 2026 Winter Olympics, trade deadline and beyond.
What are your thoughts on the Winter Classic announcement and outdoor game in 2027 against the Utah Mammoth?
Jackie: I’m so glad the NHL listened to my suggestion! It’s been long overdue for the NHL to showcase the Avalanche in its marquee event plus the location and opponent in Utah are a great choice. It’s might even breathe new life into the event from an outsider’s perspective.
Jess: I’m so incredibly excited, my family and I are already talking about possibly making the trip out to Utah next year to watch the game in person, and I’m interested to see what each team comes up with for their jerseys for the game as well. I’m a sucker for a good outdoor hockey game, and I love the venue they picked in the University of Utah football stadium. I think it’s going to be super cool, and I’m really looking forward to it!
Adrian: It’s a great announcement and a great foe when you consider the possibility of the Utah Mammoth being a real rival to the Avalanche one day. The geographical proximity and seeds of a former flame in Avs vs. Coyotes have seemingly jump-started the tension. Add to that the setting of an outdoor game at a college football stadium that should actually be able to accommodate the guests, and you have a recipe for another classic outdoor game.
Matthew: As an Avalanche fan, I’m glad that they’re finally getting their chance to participate in the Winter Classic. For too long, we’ve had to sit on the sidelines waiting for our first chance to be in the premier outdoor game on the NHL schedule while other franchises which shall remain nameless—coughcoughChicagoDetroitPittsburghChicagoBoston—have been in multiple Winter Classic events. This will mark the fourth outdoor event for the Avs, but first appearance in the Winter Classic, which is long overdue. Stadium Series games are nice, don’t get me wrong, but they’ve always played the bridesmaid to the Winter Classic’s perennial bride in terms of prominence. Even though they’re going to be the visiting team in their first trip to the Winter Classic, it’ll definitely be a memorable experience for the players and for the fans, who will be hoping to witness their first victory in an outdoor setting (yes, they won the Lake Tahoe game against Vegas, but sadly, no fans were able to savor the moment in person). All of that said, as someone who was a fan of the Arizona Coyotes until the very end, this is a bittersweet feeling for that side of my fandom watching Utah get the spoils that Arizona was denied for their entire existence in the desert. An Avalanche/Coyotes Winter Classic would have been an absolute dream of mine, and that side of me that pines over the loss of the Coyotes can’t help but feel dejected.
Who are you rooting for in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament?
Jackie: It’s always exciting rooting for the Americans to add to their medal count during the Olympics but for all hockey tournaments it’s easy for me to pull for the underdogs. With so many Avalanche players on different teams this Olympics there’s no obvious choice of interest so I’m putting my support behind Finland and Czechia. Hopefully Joel Kiviranta, Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Nečas find a lot of success.
Jess: I don’t know that I’m rooting for one specific men’s hockey team in the Olympics; it’s been over a decade since NHL players were last at the Olympics in the 2014 Sochi games, and I’m really looking forward to watching everyone play in the games again. That being said, similarly to Jackie, I think it would be incredibly fun for Czechia to find some major success and earn a medal.
Matthew: I would love to see Team USA finally snap its gold medal drought. While the Miracle on Ice certainly is the stuff of legend, adding a fresh, new chapter to Team USA’s Olympic portfolio would do more to help grow the sport stateside and also add a new layer of intrigue to the ongoing rivalry with our Canadian neighbors. The Four Nations tournament provided a nice spark to that rivalry; a gold medal would just add even more fuel to the fire. Locally, having a third generation Olympian in Brock Nelson is something that may not be getting the credit that it deserves. Not many people make it to a single Olympics, and for Nelson, being able to carry on what’s now a family legacy is a huge honor, no matter what awaits Team USA in Italy. That said, a gold medal would certainly silence Brock Nelson’s detractors, who can then find new things to “cough and wheeze” over.
How should the Avalanche approach the upcoming March 6th trade deadline?
Jackie: I really think every team should both buy and sell; everyone should be looking for an opportunity to improve and also rid themselves of underperforming contracts. Obviously, Colorado wants to fortify for a long Stanley Cup run, so they are going to add veteran depth, which shouldn’t break the bank. They already have such a strong team that minimal changes are needed, thankfully. I’d prefer to see the addition of some younger players with term, perhaps get back into the RFA game, and avoid pointless rentals.
Jess: I absolutely think they should buy, but also be reasonable. To Jackie’s point, there are such minimal changes needed because of how good your team is already, so you don’t have to swing big and break the bank in doing so. I can understand why a big name might be really interesting and why you’d at least check in on one of those players that have been made available, but they don’t really solve anything you need them to. Really, as it stands right now, I think you just need a 3C and a depth defenseman.
Adrian: I am conflicted. On the one hand, it feels like a bottom-of-the-league power play won’t cut it in the postseason, but on the other hand, shouldn’t a PP unit with the likes of Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it succeed as is? Acquiring a forward to stimulate the man advantage would require a significant ask, likely a commitment that could make the Makar contract a little more complicated, and how do we even know that talent is the issue?
Sure, it seems clear that a left-shot forward on the endboards would potentially make this power play approach click, but you traded Mikko Rantanen, and someone with elite-level finishing from that spot isn’t just a readily available commodity.
Get you a true 3C and a left shot stay at home defender, and pray the power play comes to life at the perfect time, I guess?
Matthew: The sensible approach would be to follow a blueprint similar to the 2022 deadline: identify areas where there may be some deficiencies and upgrade if possible, and secure some depth additions that may help out in key situations. The Avs were able to convert prospects and picks to make those additions, but the prospect pool and draft stock has rapidly diminished since then. Frankly, the return of Gabe Landeskog and—fingers crossed—Logan O’Connor may blunt the need to make changes to the forward lines*. Adding another defenseman that can deploy the breakout pass similar to that of Sam Girard and play steady minutes to help spell some relief for both Cale Makar and Devon Toews would be ideal.
*(Having said this, there is one trade I want the Avs to make, simply to keep him away from Dallas and Minnesota, and because it would be a hero’s welcome to rival Landeskog’s return from injury last spring: get Nazem Kadri back from Calgary. Think about it: Artemi Panarin just went to Los Angeles for peanuts—and that includes the upcoming two year extension he signed—it certainly is possible that Calgary might(?) do the same to send Kadri back to Colorado. Wishful thinking? Maybe. We’ll see, just as long as he doesn’t land somewhere else in division.)
Which Avs goaltender would you start if the playoffs began tomorrow?
Jess: Unless something drastically changes, it’s Blackwood for me. He played really well last year and showed he could compete at that level of playoff hockey. I absolutely can understand the argument for Scott Wedgewood, and there’s a really solid case to start him instead because of how stellar his play has been this year, but I’d still start Blackwood. I don’t think I would split the time personally and play them both, unless there’s an extenuating circumstance that requires you to do so, solely based on the fact that we saw the record-setting Boston Bruins team try that with their goalies in the 2022-2023 season, and we all know how that went.
Jackie: I’ve been team Wedgewood so he’s the one I’d start if the Stanley Cup finals began tomorrow. He had the better statistics up until the last week when Blackwood earned the Detroit shutout and has 20 wins. But splitting time is got them to the position they are in so I don’t think it’s smart to change that, therefore I’d like to see both goaltenders in net in the playoffs. Wedgewood for me earned a greater trust level as he has played more and been more consistent of the two.
Adrian: It would be MacKenzie Blackwood for me. Scott Wedgewood did some legendary work early in the season while Blackwood was on the mend. Since then howerver, Scott has sustained a few injuries of his own and struggled to match his early-season consistency. Add to that Blackwood having the exact opposite road to right now. He has slowly worked out the kinks and appears to be all that the Avalanche hoped he’d be.
Matthew: The answer to this question depends largely on who the Avalanche draw in the first round. If the Avalanche wrap up the Central and are guaranteed one of the wild card draws of Utah, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Nashville, or San Jose, my preference would be to start Mackenzie Blackwood against whoever earns the wild card. Given how the Avs bowed out in the postseason last year, giving Blackwood an extra round of games and putting him in a position to secure his first playoff series win would be a huge confidence boost for him and the team as a whole. It’s one thing to make the postseason, but gaining confidence in winning in the postseason means everything, especially for a goaltender. Scott Wedgewood can—and has—stepped up admirably throughout the season, but when it comes to the postseason, it’s Blackwood’s net to lose.
The 2026 trade deadline has come and gone as players, teams, and fans start to navigate the fallout and where their teams stand for the stretch run of the season. Big names were traded, one particularly large name was not – Timberwolves fans can revisit that in the summertime – but Minnesota did still make a move, even if it wasn’t the mammoth-sized one that was discussed all week leading up to the 2:00 PM CT cutoff.
In a trade made a few hours before the deadline, the Timberwolves dealt Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks to the Chicago Bulls for Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips. The Timberwolves had been linked to Dosunmu (along with fellow Bulls guards Coby White and Tre Jones) leading up to the deadline. While it is always a bummer to deal with young players like Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller, Ayo Dosunmu seems like an awesome fit who is younger and able to be resigned in the offseason.
Giving up Rob Dillingham is tough, especially when you look at what Minnesota gave up to get him, but in an ecosystem that has prioritized winning for the whole time he has been here, he was not ready to contribute at that high a level. Getting a change of scenery in a lower-pressure environment will allow him to work through his mistakes with playing time, if the Chicago Bulls can find minutes for him with how many guards they have on the roster.
Just in: The Chicago Bulls have traded Ayo Dosunmu to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/DOzVoArBsL
But, enough about what’s gone, let’s focus on what the Timberwolves received in return.
Ayo Dosunmu is a 26-year-old combo guard out of the University of Illinois. He is in his 5th year in the NBA. In 45 games this season, he is averaging 15.0 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game on 51.4/45.1/85.7 shooting splits. The points and 3-point percentage are career highs as a key contributor off the bench for the Chicago Bulls. The Timberwolves were looking for a backcourt depth piece that could come in and give them a scoring boost as a 7th man. Dosunmu fits that role perfectly. The more you look at his stats and what he has on film from this season, the more excited you get about his fit on the Timberwolves.
The Offense
When diving deeper into Ayo’s offensive game, there are a few things that pop out. He loves to get out in transition and has been a lethal catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter this season. On top of this, he provides some juice on drives – specifically attacking closeouts – and is a solid ball handler. Sounds like a lot of things that people have been clamoring for next to Anthony Edwards on the Timberwolves for a long time.
The transition game was the first thing that stuck out as you begin to look deeper into his play. He pushes the pace at every opportunity while having the ball-handling chops to be able to ignite the break himself. He is very good at finding gaps in the defense and having the speed to attack seams, specifically when they are not able to get set up.
The Timberwolves have done a much better job this season at getting out in transition – after ranking near the bottom of the league in pace and fast break opportunities the last two seasons, the Wolves have improved to 15th in percentage of their points off of fast breaks and are up to 10th in pace. While those are a lot better than they have been, they could always use more in this department. Naz Reid and, more specifically, Jaden McDaniels thrive in the open floor, and having another ball handler who can push the pace to get them these opportunities is a great addition to the backcourt.
Another thing that pops up is the shooting numbers. While the 3-point shooting percentage has fluctuated in his time in the NBA, this season he’s shooting 45.1% from distance. That is good for 8th in the NBA while taking 4.3 attempts per game.
Those are deadeye numbers. This includes shooting a 42.5% on catch-and-shoot threes and 64.0% on pull-ups. Take the pull-up numbers with a grain of salt, as he shoots less than one per game, but still shows some promise in outside shooting off the bounce. Dosunmu should benefit greatly from the gravity that Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle command, along with the spray passes Randle kicks from being doubled in the post.
Only players with 15+ PPG and 45+ 3P% this season:
The last aspect that is intriguing about Ayo’s offensive game is his drives in advantageous situations and ball handling. Minnesota has long craved more players who can play off the catch – especially when Ant gets it to Rudy Gobert in the middle of the floor, and the offense morphs into a 4 on 3 situation. Ayo is great at this. He attacks closeouts well, is quick enough to get by the first defender, and then makes the right decision while driving to the basket.
While the rim shooting percentage is down this year overall – 61% according to Cleaning the Glass, which is in the 27th percentile – and he isn’t going to be able to straight up beat a defender 1 on 1 very often, his prowess to do so in transition and advantage situations still is a strength. He is a solid ball handler who should be able to help initiate actions off the bench. This is a different look that the Wolves could use from their backcourt, as that part is one of Donte DiVincenzo’s bigger weaknesses.
Ayo profiles as a great complementary offensive fit and does a little of everything that the Timberwolves need, especially as a reserve.
The Defense
Defense is extremely tough to measure, especially when projecting a fit with a new team, as in this case. With that being said, Ayo looks to be a prototypical NBA wing defender (if slightly on the smaller end of this spectrum). He is listed at 6’4” and 200lbs with a 6’8”-6’10” wingspan depending on where you look.
Checking out a couple of other guys that Timberwolves fans know well who are similar to this build: Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaylen Clark. Using his build, which is more stocky, he aligns more with the sturdy Jaylen Clark profile compared to the more slippery Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
I have some custom scripts that fetch NBA data as part of my game prep.
Part of that is generating similarity score based on statistical profiles (scoring, shooting, playmaking, play style, etc.)
According to Cleaning the Glass, the Chicago Bulls were 1.4 points per 100 possessions better defensively when Dosunmu was on the court. While it is good that it is in the positive, that is not a huge swing in terms of on/off numbers. This is something that is worth monitoring as Dosunmu moves to a more winning situation than what he was a part of in Chicago. Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson from Chicago Sports Network also had the following to say about Ayo.
A word about Ayo Dosunmu: You can tell he’s a Chicago kid. Wouldn’t be denied. Relentless, hard-working, no-nonsense pro who loved hard coaching and always looked inward. Everything he gets in his career, he will have earned. Was a go-to voice in locker room for what we do.
You combine a ‘relentless’ and ‘hard-working’ player with his measurements, and he projects to be a great connective defensive piece. Putting together his build with those intangibles and a knack for igniting the fast break, that is always something that is a useful injection into any lineup.
Being able to get through any given game while not playing smaller players that are more easily hunted, like Mike Conley, should also naturally improve the defense. He may not be a Jaden McDaniels type, where he is asked to guard the other team’s best player and shut him down, but it’s hard not get excited about having another player who has these two-way abilities.
The Other Stuff
As was mentioned in the above post, he is also a hard-working professional who brings it every night. For a Timberwolves team that has had struggles in bringing the energy consistently, that is also something that they could use more of. All of this culminates in a needed boost off the bench on both ends and a player that Timberwolves fans should greatly enjoy watching on a night-to-night basis. Playoff basketball rewards these types of players, and it is an exciting proposition to inject this archetype into any lineup.
Ayo Dosunmu is a wicked north/south scorer and spot-up shooter…
Strong bodied and gets down hill consistently. Lots of pressure on the rim in the half court and a beast in transition. Type of guard built for the the trenches of a playoff series. pic.twitter.com/6m40DcNoD9
A small extra thing that is worth mentioning is his contract situation. While he is on an expiring contract, with this trade, the Timberwolves obtain Dosunmu’s bird rights. This means that they can go above the salary cap to resign him. If Ayo had gone into free agency, Minnesota would have had to clear cap space in order to sign a player to that salary number. Now, they can retain Dosunmu while also utilizing money to sign another player in the offseason.
This offseason, the Wolves are $8.3 million under the luxury tax. They could increase that to $13.7 million by trading their first round pick and declining Julian Phillips team option
They could spend that entire amount on a MLE player and then re-sign Dosunmu and Clark on top https://t.co/GHYR9Gq4Uo
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 30: Gavin Williams #32 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates a strikeout during the sixth inning in Game One of the American League Wildcard Series against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Today, let’s talk about the Guardians’ young rotation.
From July to the end of the season, Gavin Williams had a 2.48 ERA and a 3.80 xFIP with a 9.68/3.49 K/BB/9.
From July to the end of the season, Joey Cantillo had a 2.96 ERA and a 3.78 xFIP with a 9.67/3.76 K/BB/9.
From August 15th to the end of the season, Tanner Bibee had a 3.35 ERA and a 3.91 xFIP with a 7.49/2.17 K/BB/9.
In September, Slade Cecconi had a 3.90 ERA and a 3.75 xFIP with a 7.80/1.80 K/BB/9.
Parker Messick had a 2.72 ERA with a 3.15 xFIP and a 8.62/1.36 K/BB/9.
Logan Allen also pitched.
Overall in 2025, the Guardians’ starters ranked 10th in ERA at 3.86. From July to the end of the season, they were 6th with a 3.69 ERA.
Where will they find themselves at the end of 2026? Look into your crystal orbs and let us know!
We have 10 games across the Association today, with a pair of afternoon contests on the docket. My NBA player props for all the action will include Kevin Durant, Tyrese Maxey, and Matas Buzelis.
Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, February 7.
Kevin Durant is having an impressive first season with the Houston Rockets, who look like a team that could make some noise in the playoffs. They'll face a good test this afternoon as Houston travels to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder.
While KD hasn’t faced the defending champs yet this season, this is always a special game for him, as he spent the early years of his career with OKC. Durant is also averaging 27.3 points per game on the road, and he’s cashed the Over in three of his previous four road appearances.
Tyrese Maxey has been the main man for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, and he’s a big reason they could be a dark horse in the playoffs. The guard is averaging 28.8 ppg on 38.4% shooting from downtown, averaging 3.4 makes on 8.8 attempts.
The Kentucky product has cashed the Over in converted triples in three of his last five games, and he’s averaging 3.6 makes on the road at a 41% clip.
Matas Buzelis isn’t exactly known for his rebounding, but he’s no pushover on the glass, either. The youngster averages 5.3 boards per game, and his size allows him to make an impact at times down low.
However, Buzelis has hit the Under on rebounds in three consecutive outings, grabbing six on Thursday, and he had just five boards combined in the two games before that.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Once Davis is healthy enough to play, he is expected to team up with guard Trae Young, who was traded from the Atlanta Hawks. Young has been sidelined since Dec. 27 with knee and quadriceps injuries and will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.
The 32-year-old Davis, a 10-time All-Star, is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks in the 20 games he has appeared in this season.
Washington (14-36) has the league's worst point differential and is giving up 122.6 points a game, second worst in the NBA. The Wizards have missed the postseason in each of the last four seasons.
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 1: Head Coach Joe Mazzulla and Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics point during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 1, 2026 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For a decade, teams have been chasing the most efficient shot. The NBA ran away from the mid-range to build better spacing with players positioned beyond the three-point line. With that shift, efficiency at the rim increased significantly, rising from 60% in 2016 to 67% in 2026. However, like any innovation, spacing might have reached its ceiling.
Now that everybody is on the same page regarding efficiency, spacing, and shot profile, the analytics cheat code might be overdue — or perhaps it is about something other than efficiency. In an era where NBA teams know how to build coherent offenses to generate the best possible shots, how do you actually make a difference?
Well, recently, teams have found a new way to win games. It isn’t about who gets the most efficient shots anymore; it’s about who is able to generate the most possessions. A few weeks ago, we looked into it with an article about the Celtics’ shift in offensive rebounding and turnover creation: How Boston used basic math to stay elite.
However, to become one of the best teams at winning the possession battle, you need soldiers who generate those extra attempts. Therefore, with some coding, a lot of brain juice, and plenty of coffee, I was able to come up with a metric that evaluates the volume of extra possessions gained (or saved!) when a player is on the court.
I presented it this summer and ran the code again today to look at the best players at winning the possession battle across the league — and within the Celtics roster. For those interested in the logic behind the numbers, the methodology is available in this story from June: Winning the margins: who drives Boston’s possession edge?
Hugo Gonzalez, Marcus Smart heir
Before deep diving into the Celtics roster, let’s zoom out and look at the entire league for some perspective. We see a clear signal, even stronger than last season, regarding the impact of the possession battle on team performance. Comparing this season’s numbers to last year’s, the link between possession control and Net Rating has actually strengthened.
2024/25: correlation between Total Possessions Added and Net Rating (On/Off) = 0.476
2025/26: correlation between Total Possessions Added and Net Rating (On/Off) = 0.558
To sum it up, players who help their teams win the possession battle tend to make those teams perform better. And among all NBA players who logged at least 500 minutes, Hugo Gonzalez ranks second in total possessions added. He trails only Yves Missi and sits ahead of offensive rebounding specialists like Mitchell Robinson or Moussa Diabaté, as well as elite defensive playmakers such as Alex Caruso and Marcus Smart.
Now that we’ve established how elite Hugo has been at creating extra possessions, how does he compare to the rest of the Celtics roster?
The Celtics soldiers
Last season, the go-to guy for extra possessions was Luke Kornet, but this year Hugo Gonzalez has taken the lead in that department. Still, he isn’t the only Celtic with a positive impact in the possession battle. Behind the rookie, Luka Garza and Neemias Queta have also been very influential.
Garza’s presence on the court provides a significant boost on the offensive glass. For Queta, the impact comes more from the Celtics’ ability to secure the defensive rebound and increase the volume of forced turnovers when he is on the floor.
<br> | NBAE via Getty Images
The two other players with a positive impact on the possession battle are guards: Derrick White and Anfernee Simons. When they are on the court, the Celtics improve their ability to generate turnovers and suppress opponents’ offense, leading to more extra possessions. Additionally, when White is on the floor, he also applies pressure on the offensive glass and helps secure the ball, limiting turnovers.
Looking at the left end of the chart, we can also see that some Celtics players have a negative impact on the team’s ability to win the possession battle — most notably Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard. But why?
It starts on the defensive end. When they are on the court, the Celtics create fewer turnovers and also struggle slightly more to secure the defensive rebound. On offense, the team is also less likely to apply consistent pressure on the offensive glass with those two on the floor.
With their offensive load peaking this season, it’s not a huge surprise that the Celtics’ offensive engines aren’t able to provide the same level of extra-possession hustle. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the Celtics’ Net Rating is also higher when they are on the bench, further highlighting how much the possession battle impacts overall team performance.
Last but not least, how is Nikola Vucevic, the Celtics’ latest addition performing with the Bulls this season when it comes to extra possessions?
The answer is mixed. His impact on offense has been relatively flat, with little influence on rebounding, and negative on defense. With him on the court, the Bulls’ defense has been far less aggressive, as their ability to create turnovers and generate transition opportunities fell off a cliff. That said, it is worth noting that he has had a very positive impact on protecting the defensive glass — an area that can still be a weakness for the Celtics at times.
It’s all about the margins
What this data really highlights is not just a league-wide trend, but a very specific Celtics reality. The possession battle isn’t won by star usage or shot-making talent, it’s won on the margins, by players willing to absorb the dirty work that doesn’t always show up on highlights.
Hugo Gonzalez’s emergence gives Boston a new lever in that fight. His impact, alongside contributions from Kornet last season and Garza or Queta this year, reinforces how much the Celtics rely on role players to stabilize their floor across lineups. At the same time, the numbers also underline the natural trade-off between offensive responsibility and extra-possession effort for high-usage scorers.
In a league where efficiency gaps are shrinking, Boston’s edge increasingly comes from who creates the next possession. And as the season unfolds, the ability to balance scoring talent with possession-winning specialists may end up being one of the Celtics’ most sustainable advantages.
Sep 25, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) stretches on the field before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Lenyn Sosa looks to have more time perfecting his bubble-blowing on the bench in 2026.
With Spring Training about to spring up, several sites have predicted a probable White Sox starting lineup for 2026, from the major sports outfits to blogs like our own. On none of them (at least none I’ve seen) is the Sox leading homer-hitter of 2025 anywhere to be seen. Well, anywhere except as a possible sub.
Whither indeed, Lenyn Sosa?
Such an omission would have been expected in any prior year, since until 2025 Sosa compensated for terrible fielding by not hitting a lick, either. Back then, it would have been no surprise if he was just dumped altogether. But this past season he not only led the Sox in dingers with 22 but he even hit .264, nearly 20 points higher than the MLB average and his own career level.
Those batting improvements, incidentally, came at the expense of right-handed pitchers. Prior to 2025, Sosa’s splits were a typical .637 OPS vs. righties and .732 vs. lefties. Last year, though, he hit southpaws about the same (.740) but took a big jump up to a .723 OPS vs. northpaws.
So why is he probably the odd man out in the infield with the addition of Munetaka Murakami to play first, given Lenyn played a lot more at second — 99 games to 42? Horrible defense is the primary reason, which is a quandary.
Way back in 2020, when Sosa was the No. 30 ranked prospect in the White Sox system according to MLB, the scouting report on his D said his “instincts should help him make plays and his hands are very reliable.” Huh?
You get the feeling whoever wrote that report had never seen Sosa play. Watch him a few times and you’ll inevitably come to the conclusion you’ve never seen a professional infielder, major or minor, with less in the way of baseball instincts. Heck, he seldom seems to know where to be or what to do. Hope that scout got a nice retirement package on his way to the home.
Murakami has a reputation as a lousy defender himself (so much for Chris Getz’s vow for improved defense). But if it turns out Murakami really can hit pitches faster than 92 mph, his potentially amazing offense will more than atone for any lapses while in the field.
Sosa has no such upside.
BUT IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT DEFENSE
Definitely not. Otherwise Sosa would be written into the DH slot ahead of whichever catcher isn’t behind the plate and such fellow fielding embarrassments as Andrew Benintendi. No, there’s also the small matter of getting on base.
In previous seasons, Lenyn was hard-pressed hit the ball very often, but in 2025 he did better at that — especially at taking balls off the plate outside to right field. The problem is accepting called balls at all.
Last season, Sosa drew 18 walks in 544 plate appearances. Yep, fewer than one every 30 trips to the plate, second-worst in all of MLB to Michael Harris of Atlanta (who had the compensation of being an excellent center fielder and stealing a bunch of bases when he did get on.) That rate wasn’t an anomaly, either, but right in line with Lenyn’s 36 career walks in 1,122 trips to the plate.
Much of that was because of poor plate discipline, but not all. His 40.9% chase rate in 2025 was bad, in the worst 3% of all MLB batters, but not as amazingly bad as the next-to-worst-of-all walk rate. And Sosa only struck out 23.3% of the time, so he was hitting some of those balls he chased.
GOTTA HAVE HIM IN THE CLUTCH, THOUGH, RIGHT?
Well, er, uh, no.
Baseball-Reference has a category to measure clutch hitting, and it shows Sosa has been clutch-ing. In the “Late & Close” line, he has career slash of .156/.193/.225 and even fewer walks than in other situations, four in 184 times up. That would indicate you not only don’t want Sosa as a pinch-hitter, you want to pinch-hit for him when the going is tough.
Contrast that godawful .419 OPS to a hefty .799 when the Sox are ahead. Lenyn thrives on non-adversity.
Now, in fairness, in late and close situations you’re more likely to face the other team’s best relievers. But still …
WHAT NOW?
Sosa is out of options, so parking him in Charlotte to wait for injuries may not work. Some team who sees the HR numbers from 2025 might want to gamble a waiver claim.
MLB Trade Rumors included a paragraph on Sosa as part of a longer piece on the Sox Thursday, and quoted Getz as saying, “There’s a little redundancy with the right-handed corner bats.” Apparently Getz, observant as always, hasn’t noticed Murakami hits lefty. Still, that’s not much of a plug for Sosa, and MLBTR doubts he has much trade value.
Thus, it looks like a lot of bench time. And that time could get even longer if the Rangers and Mets were right that Luisangel Acuña is as bad as an outfielder as he is excellent as an infielder and he moves in to second base ahead of Chase Meidroth, who himself is fun to watch there but very inconsistent.
SO?
So Sosa, so-so. But probably not “so-long.” At least so far.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Kyle Farmer #6 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Petco Park on September 12, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Earlier this week, the Atlanta Braves announced 24 non-roster invites to spring training. On Friday, that number increased, as MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported that Kyle Farmer will also be at camp as a non-roster invite.
The Braves added Marist and UGA product Kyle Farmer to their list of NRIs . Seems to be a good fit for an Opening Day roster spot. Dubon will move from SS to LF on nights when Yaz is pinch hit for against LHPs. Mateo and Farmer would be backup INF options
Farmer spent 2025 with the Colorado Rockies, where he hit .227 and spent time all around the infield. He’s not the flashiest name in camp, but he is someone to keep an eye on this spring.
More Braves News: The television saga continues, as it was reported that the Braves are looking into connecting with the Hawks.
The New York Yankees re-signed 1B Paul Goldschmidt on a one-year deal. The financials have not been reported, but his contract is expected to be around $5M.
Los Angeles, CA - January 31: Los Angeles Dodgers fans take photos of Shohei Ohtani while he speaks the press during Dodgerfest at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Here are a few more Dodgers-related stories for your Saturday morning.
Baseball historian Adam Darowski is part of the design team at Sports Reference. On Wednesday he offered this historical nugget about a 1940s Dodgers target for integration before Jackie Robinson — Silvio Garcia. Darowski also chronicled Garcia’s nearly three-decade playing career that included both playing shortstop and pitching.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MARCH 31, 2025: Mike Elias Executive vice president and General Manager for the Baltimore Orioles talks with Jim Palmer prior to a game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park on March 31, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Good morning Birdland,
Spring training starts in just a few days, and there is work to be done on the Orioles roster. They need bullpen improvements. They might still be in search of a starting pitcher. And odds are that Mike Elias makes a few more waiver claims because why not.
The trio of Zac Gallen, Justin Verlander, and Lucas Giolito are the guys that most people in the fanbase are holding out hope for at this point. Gallen has the most upside, but perhaps the most risk as well. He will certainly be the most expensive, including a draft pick. Verlander and Giolito have less of a chance to raise the ceiling for the Orioles, but they would solidify things, and that has value.
What’s unclear is how another signing will impact the Orioles in-season maneuvering. If the Orioles are in the playoff mix, we should expect Elias to make some trade deadline additions. Since they haven’t added a “frontline” starter in the offseason, that would likely be their top priority come July. Those sorts of players are expensive, both in terms of prospects and salary. The front office will want to leave some space to add.
According to the latest report from MLB Trade Rumors, the Orioles are at a luxury tax number of $189 million. That is $10 million higher than where they ended the 2025 season, but that was after they had sold off a bunch of players. And it’s not as if they are anywhere close to the luxury tax penalties. Those don’t kick in until $244 million. David Rubenstein said at Pete Alonso’s introductory press conference in December that there was no firm budget for assembling the roster. So, in theory, there is plenty of room to spend.
At the moment, there is no one to spend that money on that makes sense and will make the 2026 Orioles better. That will need to wait until the summer at the earliest.
Unless the Orioles are cooking up another player extension? But even that wouldn’t really impact the 2026 luxury tax number anyway. We can dream.
Cardinals Claim Bryan Ramos | MLB Trade Rumors It seems the Orioles wanted to get at least one of Wilson or Ramos through waivers to keep them in the organization. It worked with Wilson. Right now he seems ticketed for Triple-A Norfolk. Ramos will head to St. Louis for now, but he could always end up back with the Orioles. We know Elias keeps a close eye on the waiver wire.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
Scott Feldman turns 43 today. He, along with Steve Clevenger, was the return the Orioles got from the Cubs when trading away Jake Arrieta (and Pedro Strop). Feldman had a 4.27 ERA over 15 starts for the Orioles in 2013. Arrieta was…better.
Jon Leicester celebrates his 47th birthday. He pitched in 10 games for the 2007 Orioles.
Dave Borkowski turns 49. He had a 17-game stint with the Orioles during the 2004 campaign.
Benny Ayala is 75. His stay with the Orioles went from 1979 through ‘84. During that time he appeared in two World Series, including a key pinch-hit single in Game 3 of the ‘83 Series.
The late Al Smith (b. 1928, d. 2002) was born on this day. He spent one season in Baltimore, 1963. He posted a 111 OPS+ with 10 home runs that year.
This day in O’s history
2012 – The KBO files a protest against the Orioles for their signing of 17-year-old pitcher Seong-min Kim. The protest alleges that the O’s failed to inform the KBO of its negotiations with Kim, which they are required to do. In the days to come, MLB will void Kim’s contract to maintain a positive relationship with Korea and the KBO.
Vince Velasquez is the latest MiLB signing for our Cubs, it has been reported. This is in addition to Owen Miller, who has officially adorned the dotted line. The Cubs are filling up around the edges.
I used to love Javy Báez. I still do, but I used to, too. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has filled Boston’s infield hole and so it is more likely that Matt Shaw will remain with the Cubs, at least for now.
Former Cub Michael Hermosillo has joined the Dodgers as a coach, sources reveal. Ryan Brasier is rumored to be heading to Texas. Zac Gallen is said by many to still be on the table. Others say it’s just his agent operating.
And so it goes.
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CANADA - AUGUST 05: Ruffled feathers. Jays Damaso Garcia; above; and Cliff Johnson ruffled each others feathers last night. Garcia suggested big Cliff move his butt out of the batting cage and plop it on the dogout bench; where it belonged. but johnson didn't warm to the advice. So; push came to shove. (Photo by David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
February 7th is a day that doesn’t have much history for birthdays with the Yankees’ organization. In fact, only three players born on that day have ever worn the pinstripes: combining for, essentially, one full season of MLB at-bats between them.
There’s Frank Leja, who had seven combined at-bats with the Yankees from 1954-55 due to “bonus baby” rules at the time holding him back from the minors, beginning and ending his tenure with the team before his 20th birthday. He only managed a small stint with the Los Angeles Angels in 1962, long afterwards. The other player is another player who debuted exceptionally early with the Yankees, but one whose story is (hopefully) not close to complete in former super prospect Jasson Domínguez.
But while Domínguez has the most at-bats of the three, the third player is someone who managed to thrive outside the Bronx, where he got limited at-bats early before putting together an admirable career. That man is the late Dámaso García.
Dámaso Domingo García Born: February 7, 1957 (Moca, Dominican Republic) Died: April 15, 2020 (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) Yankees Tenure: 1978-79
García’s path to baseball is an interesting story in it of itself. He started out playing soccer, captaining not only his university team in the Dominican Republic at age 17, but also the national team at the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games in 1974. The host nation went just 1-3 in the group stage, being eliminated, but García scored the opening goal of the tournament against Bermuda.
Soccer had been part of García’s life since he was seven, but he would have a different calling. Epy Guerrero, a scout for the Yankees at the time, was able to get García to join the organization in 1975 despite limited baseball experience. His bat was understandably inconsistent in the minors given his relative inexperience—he would hit for a good average but post-OPS’s below .700 up the ladder—but he made his way to the majors in 1978 after hitting .268 with 22 stolen bases for Triple-A Tacoma. García debuted for the eventual World Series champions on June 24th as an eighth-inning defensive replacement.
#OTD 50 years ago, the New York Yankees signed infielder Damaso Garcia as an amateur free agent.
When mainstay Willie Randolph went down with an injury, García was promoted and presented with an opportunity to show the big-league club what he was about. For the next three weeks, the 21-year-old got a majority of reps at second base, usually being pulled late in games for a pinch-hitter. García struggled, slashing just .195/.227/.195 in 44 plate appearances before being demoted in mid-July and spending the rest of ’78 in Tacoma as the Yankees went back-to-back in the World Series.
Back in Triple-A to start the ’79 campaign (but in Columbus this time!), García played just 34 games and struggled, not making it back to the majors until September due to Randolph’s stranglehold on second base. He was again unimpressive, hitting .263 but with no walks and one extra base hit in 38 plate appearances in 11 games. The signs were there that he was soon to be traded, as he was primarily used at shortstop instead of his natural position.
— Harry Harish sports and more memories (@HarryHaris48861) April 4, 2024
The trade finally did come in the offseason, as the Yankees sent García along with old playoff hero Chris Chambliss and lefty Paul Mirabella to the Toronto Blue Jays on November 1st in exchange for a package of Rick Cerone, Tom Underwood, and Ted Wilborn. Cerone was the man who the Yankees really had their eye on in this trade since they believed that he could help fortify the catching position as they tried shake off the shock of losing Thurman Munson to tragedy. Cerone would get down-ballot MVP votes in an AL East-winning season in 1980, but his bat fell off a cliff after that. Underwood would be a solid starting pitcher for the Yanks for a year and a half, and Wilborn barely played in pinstripes.
Despite García’s impending breakout, the Yankees really had nowhere for him to play. Randolph would be a mainstay for another decade at second base, Bucky Dent would last through ’82 and was a folk hero at shortstop, and Graig Nettles, while in his mid-30s, continued to give the Yankees good at-bats at third base for another few seasons. If García played, say, left field or first base, maybe they would have regretted it more.
García became a full-time starter in Toronto in 1980, coming fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .278 with an 81 OPS+. A broken wrist and a bout with the flu derailed his ’81 campaign, but he returned in ’82 to get down-ballot MVP votes and his first and only Silver Slugger, hitting .310 with 54 stolen bases, accruing a career-high 4.6 rWAR. García once again eclipsed the .300 mark in ’82, but didn’t earn any accolades.
García’s reputation as a great bat-to-ball second baseman finally earned him the All-Star nods in ’84 and ’85 that had eluded him, despite posting worse statistical seasons than he did in ’82 and ’83. He finally got his crack at the postseason in 1985, when the Blue Jays won 99 games and their first AL East crown by two games over García’s old Yankees.
The Jays took a 3-1 series lead on the Kansas City Royals, but saw their World Series hopes go up in flames with three consecutive defeats to the eventual World Series champions. García’s lone RBI in the series came in a 6-2 defeat in Game 7, but he notched a pair of doubles in Game 3 and one in Game 4 in what was an acceptable performance for him in his one and only playoff appearance.
After being Toronto’s leadoff hitter for a half-decade, García was moved down the lineup card in 1986 in what would be a season of drama for the now-29-year-old, who burned his jersey in mid-May due to a brutal slump and got into clubhouse altercations by August, torching his relationship with the franchise he broke out with. He was traded to Atlanta in the offseason, but missed all of 1987 with a knee injury.
García returned in 1988, but was a shell of himself. His career was over by ’89, playing out the string with the Braves and Montreal Expos. He tried to cling to what was left of his career by joining the Yankees for spring training in of 1990, but was cut before Opening Day.
After García retired, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 1991 that was supposed to take his life within six months, limiting his motor skills. He defied the odds and recovered in time to throw out the first pitch at a playoff game for the Blue Jays in ’92—prior to Toronto’s eagerly-awaited maiden voyage in the Fall Classic—before slipping away into retirement. García was certainly touched by the moment.
“I couldn’t believe it,” the 35-year-old García told the Toronto Star when he was asked to throw out the first pitch. “I can’t describe the feeling. I thought it was a joke at first. It’s such a nice honor.”
Sadly, García did pass away from cancer just a few years ago, in April 2020. He was 63. We send our best to his friends and family on this more happy anniversary and hope they take comfort in the memories he provided all those years.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 25: A general view of Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 25, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Alright, we did it! Baseball starts on Thursday!
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been eagerly awaiting the start of spring training to see how the 2026 Rockies will shape up. But in the meantime, it’s been an incredibly busy week on Purple Row, and here’s what our staff (and a few guests) had to say:
Which storylines are you most interested in watching during spring training? Who do you think is a sleeper to make the Opening Day roster? Let us know in the comments!
Kevin Durant
Tyrese Maxey
Matas Buzelis
