The Knicks already took their first steps toward repeating the success of their 2026 championship, locking up their bench backcourt to new deals. Unfortunately, they lost a key ingredient to their run as well, with Mitchell Robinson heading to Boston for three years and $47.4 million.
This was a contract value the front office couldn’t match without going into the second apron, a hard line for this offseason.
With Robinson gone, the Knicks need to fill the hole left at their center position — here are some ways they can do it:
Kevon Looney
Looney is an unrestricted free agent after playing only 21 games for New Orleans last season. He has championship mettle from his 10 years in Golden State, including time spent under Knicks head coach Mike Brown.
He’s a bit undersized at 6-foot-9 and is now 30 years old, but is a smart defender and offensive rebounder who sets good screens and can make a couple plays in the halfcourt offense. He won’t wholly replace Robinson -- no bench big can -- but he’d be a solid veteran pickup who can easily slide to third string if a better option rises up.
Nick Richards
Richards is a free agent who’s closer to the Robinson mold at 6-foot-11 and sporting strong athleticism and rim-running. He’s only 28 and is a New York local who averaged 9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds on 52.3 percent shooting from the field in his last 20 games with Chicago last season.
The Bulls were his third team in two seasons after the Hornets and Suns both traded him. That's not a shining endorsement, but the right structure could help him find his footing. He’s been linked to the Knicks in the past so it wouldn’t be surprising if they came back around to seal the deal this time.
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) reacts to his score against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Andre Drummond
Drummond is a veteran of 14 seasons, spending his last two in Philadelphia having to play almost 20 minutes per game as Joel Embiid’s backup and stand-in. He would be comfortable in a potential role in New York behind Karl-Anthony Towns and bring high-level offensive rebounding, plus a newly developed three-point shot to the table.
His defense isn’t great and he’ll be 33 before the start of next season, but Drummond combined with one of the names above or below could help strengthen New York's frontcourt depth.
Moussa Diabate
This will depend on Charlotte and New York’s appetite for a trade, but a salary match of Miles McBride or a couple of the Knicks prospects could net them a young promising big via the trade market. The Hornets may play ball given they also employ Ryan Kalkbrenner, Naz Reid and newly drafted Hannes Steinbach.
New York would net a freakish athlete at just 24 years old who averaged 7.9 points and 8.7 rebounds on 63.1 percent shooting in 73 games and 47 starts last season. They’d have to pay him after this season, which could be a risk, but if possible this is their highest upside means of filling the role.
Drew Eubanks
Not the hottest name, Eubanks has spent the last five seasons on six different squads, culminating in a quiet season in Sacramento. He’s not the strongest rebounder but can defend and finish nicely, bringing toughness to the frontline.
Eubanks hasn’t been brought up as much as these other names, but could be as effective if not more in making up for some of Robinson’s lost production.
More baseball across the Majors means more value in my same-game parlay predictions.
Jacob Misiorowski will dominate once again this afternoon, while Davis Martin is also in line for another quality showing. Read more in my MLB picks for Thursday, July 2.
Jacob Misiorowski takes the hill today for the Milwaukee Brewers, and he continues to dominate. The right-hander owns a 1.74 xERA across his last four outings, giving up just 0.32 HR/9 during that span.
Misiorowski has consistently limited loud contact with his elite fastball-slider combination, making this a difficult matchup for a Cincinnati Reds lineup that has struggled to square up pitching recently.
He's also hit the Under in hits allowed in two of his previous three outings, and Misiorowski comes up against a struggling Reds offense that has an xBA of .229 over the last week.
The Brewers' .208 ISO over their last six games is a reason to believe they can score some runs off Chase Burns, who is home run-prone lately. Cincinnati's bullpen also sports an 8.14 FIP over its last 19 2/3 innings of work.
Chicago White Sox rookie Jacob Gonzalez is hitting .409 over his last six contests with an impressive 50% hard-hit rate. He's posted four multi-hit games in his last seven as well, and Gonzalez just smacked five hits in a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles. He'll face Slade Cecconi tonight, who has allowed a 39.5% hard-hit rate across the last month.
White Sox ace Davis Martin owns a stellar 2.51 xERA across his previous two appearances, limiting opponents to a 33.3% hard-hit rate. The Cleveland Guardians are ice cold, with just 78 wRC+ in their last six games. This is a clear opportunity for Martin to toss another gem.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: CSN, Guardians.TV
Tigers at Rangers SGP: Eovaldi racks up the Ks
Nathan Eovaldi has been a strikeout machine this season for the Texas Rangers, racking up 101 Ks in 100 1/3 innings of work. He's struck out nine hitters in back-to-back outings, and he's averaging 9.06 K/9 at home. The Detroit Tigers have averaged nine punchouts per game across their last three.
Kerry Carpenter has recorded a hit in six straight contests, and he's batting .320 over his last seven games with an impressive 52.4% hard-hit rate. Justin Foscue is also swinging it well, finishing with five hits across his previous four games. He's whacked lefties this season with a .357 average, and he'll face Framber Valdez tonight. It's a favorable matchup for Foscue.
Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: DSN, RSN
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
SGP picks: 0-8, -8.00
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.
Australian No 1 dismisses French veteran 6-3 6-2 6-2
‘I just love it here,’ says No 5 seed
Alex de Minaur was not at his best against French veteran Adrian Mannarino as Wimbledon’s fourth day opened with the sun out and mercury rising, but he was good enough.
The Australian No 1 saw off his potentially troublesome left-handed opponent 6-3 6-2 6-2 in one hour 49 minutes on Thursday.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: Andrei Kuzmenko #96 of the Los Angeles Kings and Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battle for a loose puck during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on October 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NHL teams can give out up to 50 contracts per season. After the dust from an active day one of free agency settles in, let’s check on how the Penguins are looking this year towards that metric.
Departed from 2025-26
The following players left the organization officially yesterday via free agency, their new organizations noted if they found one already.
Noel Acciari (PHI), Sebastian Aho (Sweden), Connor Clifton (BOS), Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Kevin Hayes, Boko Imama (FLA), Joona Koppanen (Sweden), Anthony Mantha, Ryan Shea (EDM) and Stuart Skinner (WIN).
Add Alexander Alexeyev to the list of players coming off the 50 organizational contracts. Pittsburgh will retain his NHL rights though the defender has signed with the KHL to play for the next two seasons and won’t be a part of the organization in the near-future (if ever again).
Parker Wotherspoon, Emil Pieniniemi and Jack St. Ivany join the outgoing rush of NHL contracts that were on the books in 2025-26 that won’t be moving forward due to offseason trades in their cases.
All in all there were six forwards, seven defensemen and one goalie who were the positional splits of NHL contracts last year that have left in 2026-27. That raw count encompasses a wide range of impacts, from the NHL team leader in goals (Mantha) and important figures in the lineup (Shea, Skinner, Acciari) to depth part-time players (Clifton, Hayes) down to players that helped at the AHL level made little to no NHL impact last season (Aho, Alexeyev, Harvey-Pinard, Imama, Koppanen).
Added for 2026-27
Pittsburgh has added the following new contracts to the books for 2026-27. This includes an old face in Atley Calvert who graduated from an AHL contract to signing a two-year NHL deal with the Penguins.
Andrei Kuzmenko, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Declan Carlile were signed as free agents yesterday. So too, technically was Calvert getting his first NHL contract. (Goalie Taylor Gauthier was signed late in 2025-26 to an NHL deal, so for this purpose neither he – nor Jake Livanavage – are considered as ‘new’ in 2026-27).
For incoming traded players: Kaeden Korczak, Oliver Okuliar and David Gustafsson join the organization. Hendrix Lapierre and Nick Robertson as restricted free agents to be signed before the season ought to be considered in this category as well.
2026-27 will be the first year entry level contracts officially start for Harrison Brunicke, Gabriel D’Aigle, Bill Zonnon and Melvin Fernstrom (the latter whose contract still slid due to his age and lack of NHL games last season). So that represents another area of change to add those players to the mix. We’re not accounting for Peyton Kettles, who is signed to his ELC, but will have his contract slide and not start until 2027-28 if he doesn’t play 10+ NHL games this season (sounds like a safe assumption). There’s a chance the Penguins sign additional drafted players, though they would toll and start after 2026-27 and not be a consideration for taking one of the 50 contracts for this upcoming year.
Add that up and we see seven forwards, four defensemen and one goalie added to the organization’s 50 contracts so far as of the morning of July 2nd.
—
To split things out from the NHL perspective, the Penguins lost three roster forwards from the end of the season (Acciari, Mantha, K. Hayes) and have added three NHL-caliber forwards to the organization in their places already (Kuzmenko, Robertson, Lapierre).
Pittsburgh waved goodbye to three NHL defensemen (Wotherspoon, Shea, Clifton) and replaced them in numbers with three incoming options (van Riemsdyk, Korczak, Carlile).
The goaltending position shows the results of a youth movement, losing an NHLer (Skinner) and adding a younger minor leaguer to help backfill the organization in a period of transition as an AHL goalie from 2025-26 moves up the ladder to the NHL for 2026-27.
Overall for the organization, compared to last year it might appear running a little heavy on forwards compared to the split of defensemen — a result of exchanging two depth defensemen (St. Ivany and Pieniniemi) for depth forwards (Gustafsson and Okuliar). While that seems like an imbalance, that’s likely insignificant for the future in the org’s balance/depth that exists.
Add in the likes of Ryan Graves, Caleb Jones and Ilya Solovyov and Pittsburgh has more swing NHL/AHL options than they can fit on the NHL roster. The core of the AHL is already stocked with developing prospects like Brunicke, Livanavage, Owen Pickering, Finn Harding and Chase Pietila next season. (And we haven’t even gotten to WBS captain Phil Kemp, Daniel Laatsch and the players on AHL contracts that will serve as further depth for Wilkes). That accounting of bodies shows the recent movement has been a course correction to balance out a blueline that was overstocked on the organizational level more than a current need for further organizational depth.
As it stands today, Pittsburgh sits at 39 contracts per PuckPedia, though it’s worth noting the true number could be considered 42 at the moment. We come to that figure by subtracting Kettles, who will likely slide and not count this year, while adding in RFA’s Lapierre, Robertson, Egor Chinakhov and Arturs Silovs, that will eventually be taking a spot in the 50. For future flexibility a team usually likes to carry in the 46-49 range when possible, so based on that the Penguins still have the ability to add a few more players via trades or free agency. Grabbing another AHLer or two could well be in the cards to stack WBS up again.
One can always bicker about the particular if the specific moves made in the past few days and weeks will end up being helpful, improvements or how they will fit together in the bigger picture, but this outlook gives a general scope of the players coming and going. The Pens haven’t overloaded on bodies during this very active time, more or less they look balanced fairly similar to how they stacked up last year, just in different ways. That’s always subject to change if a massive transaction gets made to greatly shake the picture up and the season is still a long ways away.
Who will win Reds vs Brewers today: Brewers -1.5 (+119)
Cincinnati Reds ace Chase Burns has pitched better than his recent results suggest, posting a 2.98 xERA over his last two starts despite a 4.91 ERA.
However, he's still allowed 1.64 home runs per nine innings during that span, and the Milwaukee Brewers' recent power surge makes this a tough matchup. They've posted a .208 ISO over their last seven games.
The righty owns a mind-boggling 1.82 FIP over the last month, giving up just 0.32 HR/9 and holding opponents to a mere 1.8% barrel rate. The Brewers have frequently backed Misiorowski with plenty of offense this season.
I don't expect Burns to get lit up, but there's an opportunity for the Brewers to muster up some offense against him and a dreadful Reds bullpen, while Misiorowski is in line for another gem.
I wouldn't usually be looking at the Over with these two on the hill, but a 6.5 total is incredibly low.
It's also important to note that Cincinnati's bullpen has an FIP over 8.00 across the last week while allowing 2.75 HR/9. Even if Burns holds his own, this profiles to be a game where the Brew Crew's power does damage.
The Brewers' relief corps has been better, compiling a 4.22 FIP across the last week. But Milwaukee's ability to score runs means Cincinnati won't be required to score much to help cash the Over here, and the Brewers' pen hasn't been completely dominant.
I'll play this pick up to -130.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 32-29, +1.96 units
Over/Under bets: 34-27, +2.40 units
Reds vs Brewers weather
Conditions at American Family Field should provide a slight boost to offense this afternoon. Temperatures are expected to sit around 91-92°F for much of the game, with steady 13-14 mph winds and only a small chance of rain. The warm air could help well-hit balls carry a bit farther, creating a mildly hitter-friendly environment, though the starting pitching will still be the biggest factor in determining the outcome.
Reds vs Brewers odds
Moneyline: Reds +186 | Brewers -194
Run line: Reds +1.5 (-133) | Brewers -1.5 (+127)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-108) | Under 6.5 (+104)
Reds vs Brewers trend
The Brewers have covered the Run Line in 30 of their last 50 games at home (+15.40 Units / 27% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. Brewers.
How to watch Reds vs Brewers and game info
Location
American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Thursday, July 2, 2026
First pitch
2:10 p.m. ET
TV
Reds.TV, Brewers.TV
Reds starting pitcher
Chase Burns (9-1, 2.36 ERA)
Brewers starting pitcher
Jacob Misiorowski (9-3, 1.46 ERA)
Reds vs Brewers latest injuries
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.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a player who’s returned to the Vancouver Canucks organization on two separate occasions.
Somehow, that’s exactly what the Canucks got on July 1 when they signed defenceman Luke Schenn to a one-year contract in free agency.
Schenn, of course, is notably joining the Canucks for the third time throughout his long-tenured NHL career. The organization has found itself in vastly different positions through each of the defenceman’s stints with Vancouver.
In 2018–19, when he was traded to Vancouver for Michael Del Zotto, the Canucks looked to be a team on the rise, gunning for trips to the playoffs in the following seasons.
When he signed with the Canucks in free-agency in 2021, after winning two consecutive Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver wound up in an in-betweener role — still playoff-hopeful but clearly in need of a piece or two before they could fully contend.
Now, as Schenn prepares to make his third stop in Vancouver, the Canucks have clearly dropped off compared to the past. Officially in rebuild-mode, it’s going to take some time before Vancouver becomes a true playoff-contender.
Contributing to the organization’s eventual greatness is something Schenn doesn’t take lightly.
“Vancouver, to me, isn’t just a place where you’re going to just put another year in worth in the NHL,” he told reporters shortly after signing his one-year deal with the team. “Obviously, you know what they’re doing right now in terms of the rebuild and where they’re going, and I want to be a part of that. And I’m looking forward to it, obviously. I know where they’re at in terms of where they are in the organization and what the plan is. But, like I said, I care, and want to make things better and help out in the room, and on the ice, and help be a part of it, so I’m excited.”
This time around, however, Schenn knows his role will be different. The number of minutes he plays or stats he puts up won’t be the big thing discussed — it’ll be the kind of experience he can impart on the team.
“I think that actually excites me to pass on some of my experience, and I think there’s not much in my NHL career that I haven’t really gone through, whether it’s being a high draft pick, like some of the kids are on the team — or guys, I should say — are on the team. I’ve been traded, I’ve been in the American League, I’ve been in the press box, I’ve won the cup, and I’ve been on winning teams, and I’ve been on rebuilding teams. I think there’s a lot that I can share and experience.”
Schenn adds to the hint of familiarity embedded in a Canucks locker room that has undergone massive turnover since the start of the 2025–26 season, never mind the changes that have occurred throughout the years prior. Many of Vancouver’s new management and coaching staff were still within the organization during both of Schenn’s two other tenures with the Canucks.
One specific connection representing a near full-circle movement is Schenn’s link to new-Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson, who the defenceman credits with helping him ‘revive’ his NHL career.
“RJ was a huge part of why I’m even maybe back in the NHL, when I got traded from Anaheim and had to start in Utica,” he said. “RJ was incredible. He was in my corner, trying to help get me back and push to get me back into the NHL and communicate with me.”
Nov 27, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn (2) before the start of the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Returning to Vancouver means a reunion with not just familiar people on staff, but also with former teammates in Thatcher Demko, Brock Boeser, and Elias Pettersson. The bulk of Schenn’s new teammates will, however, be new — especially on the team’s young blueline.
In 2018–19, Schenn was the first NHL defenceman that Quinn Hughes was partnered with when the ex-Canucks captain made his debut back on March 28. Now, seven years later, Schenn may be tasked with a similar situation with budding young defenceman Zeev Buium on the rise. Having heard things about Buium from ex-Tampa Bay teammate Zach Bogosian, who played with Buium on the Minnesota Wild, Schenn’s done the pre-scout on the young defenceman and knows what could be expected of him.
“Obviously said he’s a great personality, great character, and obviously a super high upside too. Maybe it’s similar for me when I played with Quinn, in terms of a guy who’s young and can skate and move the puck, and you’ve gotta just help him out along the way.”
Additions to the team like Schenn and Brendan Gallagher are big for a Canucks locker room that has specified time and time again that they’re looking to improve their culture. Both players have expressed how excited they are about that prospect, both in public as well as amongst themselves.
“He’s already been texting me here since the news came out, and we’re both really excited to come and join the Canucks,” Schenn said of newly-acquired forward Gallagher, who Vancouver traded for on Monday. “Obviously we’re experienced guys, and feel like we can definitely help out in different areas, but obviously the big word is, with culture, that’s obviously what we really would like to help out [with], and any which way we can with that, and obviously on the ice, and work, and compete, and all those little things.”
Culture is the big task the Canucks are looking to tackle. Over seven years after he first joined the organization, Schenn will be one of the guys to help them get there.
“It’s not one thing, it’s different. It starts with probably the little habits, which are big habits [...] practice habits, like every day, simple things, doing it correctly, putting the pass on the tape, battling in practice, not taking shortcuts off the ice in the gym, in a game, doing the correct thing shift after shift, no matter what the circumstances, and continuing to work towards whatever you’re trying to achieve.”
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MIAMI, FL - MARCH 8: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 8, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Following a playoff performance that, it is fair to say, was pretty disappointing after finishing atop the Eastern Conference in the regular season, the Detroit Pistons clearly set out this offseason to rectify the main issue that prevented them from thriving in the playoffs: half-court offence (and lack of shooting in general). Put simply, they needed another guard who can get buckets at a high level to take some weight off Cade Cunningham.
Per reporting from a range of credible insiders, the Pistons pursued Austin Reaves as their top priority in free agency, who re-signed in LA on a max deal. They then turned their attention to Coby White, who swiftly re-upped on a deal with the Hornets following the LaMelo Ball blockbuster trade to Minnesota. Detroit was also rumoured to be interested in Norman Powell, who just inked a deal with the Bulls. See where I’m going with this?
As these names who can credibly help the Pistons continue to decrease, Tyler Herro’s value as a trade chip for the Bucks increases. You know, supply and demand. It’s worth noting that Detroit has remained interested in Herro since the Bucks acquired him, per reports, but, for a range of reasons, I could see why he wouldn’t have been their first priority. It’s not as if Herro is some sad consolation prize, though; I mean, he’s an All-Star! Say what you want about his defensive shortcomings or availability issues, but you can’t deny that he fits that team like a glove.
Herro commands attention all over the court. His gravity as a shooter—both off the catch and off the dribble—means primary defenders must guard him closely, and secondary defenders must be be right there once the primary gets beaten. Don’t get me wrong, he’s no Dame or Steph in terms of gravity, but he’s got the ability to hurt you in similar ways. Conceptually, the tandem of Herro and Cunningham playing off each other seems as if it would work brilliantly, while both can command units when the other is on the bench.
And then you get to the other end, where the fit makes even more sense. The main issue Miami had with Herro was that they felt they couldn’t play him alongside another poor defender, which limited lineup flexibility. But in Motown, Herro would be insulated by uber-talented defenders in Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren (who I am assuming ends up back on the team). Cade is not some plus defender, but he’s passable and has size. John Collins, whom they just signed, is solid on that end too.
As for why Milwaukee wouldn’t keep Herro, the main issue is that he feels like the wrong player to invest in at this point in their journey. If he were 22 years old, maybe, but at 26, is he really the guy you want to spearhead your rebuild and pay a massive contract after this season? To me, he feels much more like a finishing piece to add to a team that needs what he can provide than he does a cornerstone for a franchise in the opening years of a rebuild. That said, it’s not like I’d throw a fit if Jon Horst wasn’t happy with the offers and wanted to keep a hometown guy who can sell tickets.
The fit is good in Detroit, and I think Trajan Langdon knows it. Now they just have to come and get him.
There’s a good chance that you are a Knicks fan reading this. A good portion will naturally see this and immediately go to the comments and say how much you don’t want this to happen. That is fine. I am not fully advocating for it either.
Weighing the pros and cons of LeBron James as a Knick in 2026 is a legitimate thought exercise that we’d be able to do if it was something that felt near-inevitable, rather than a fun thought.
So consider this a pitch, rather, to the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer on why he should want to be here. Whether the front office wants him or not is a story for another time.
So, Mr. James, if anyone in your circle just happened to see this article, let me state our case.
The video above is from well-known unlicensed sports investigator Pablo Torre, who’s found a lot of interesting stuff in and around the NBA over the past few years.
There’s been funny stuff, like what you see above with the unearthed 2010 pitch to a much younger LeBron that was ultimately regarded as historically bad (thanks, Jim). There’s also been super serious stuff, like the Clippers’ Aspiration scandal and Dolan’s weird surveillance thing to keep people he doesn’t like out of MSG.
However you feel about Torre, who also threatened to look into Jalen Brunson’s pay cut last year before finding absolutely nothing, he gave us an absolute gem with that video being finally revealed. The centerpiece to the failed pursuit of one of the greatest players ever was able to be seen.
You know, I kinda get why he saw that and went to Miami.
Nevertheless, I’ll start the pitch here. Consider what you saw in that clip.
There’s so much here that shows the world of differences between the Knicks of then and the Knicks of now.
They relied on star power, past glory, and the allure of New York City to pitch him. They had all sorts of guys who would go on to be super problematic try to pitch him. Hell, they played a damn Jay-Z song at the beginning when he just got done pitching LeBron to join the Nets that same week.
It didn’t feel personalized, they even sent carbon copies to his buddies Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, acting like they weren’t all going to say “Did you seriously get the exact same pitch that I did?”
All reports indicate that, with or without that video, the 2010 pitch was a disaster. Some of those reports, though, say that New York was actually an appealing place for LeBron, but the pitch and direction were so disastrously bad that he walked out and never came back.
Well, 16 years later, the only person in the entire organization who’s still here is… well, Dolan. But he’s mostly not involved with basketball operations, only getting involved when he says how much he’ll pay to keep a contender toge- moving along.
In 2010, the Knicks were a mess. They hadn’t won 40 games in a season since 2001. They were perennial bottom-feeders run by buffoons who gave bloated deals to Jerome James and traded their future for Eddy Curry. The fact that a good pitch with a promising vision could’ve been enough for a guy who, at the time, had never had a good supporting cast in his life is insane.
But now, as he nears the end of his career, the vision is clear. The Knicks are the reigning champions, regardless of what anyone wants to say about their players, what they won analytically, or whatever Wemby thinks about how the NBA Finals went.
For a guy who cares so much about his legacy, he will almost certainly be looking for a place where he can win his fifth championship before he rides off into the sunset. Well, going to a team returning all but one key piece of the most dominant playoff run in playoff history would be a good way to do that.
You know who LeBron’s first agent was? Leon Rose. When they split in 2012, it was with no ill will, just a separation of ways due to his good friend, Rich Paul, founding Klutch Sports. We don’t know if LeBron is still on good terms with his former agent 14 years later, but considering he’s the one who took him through the first Decision, I’m sure there are no issues.
He’d also be entering a situation with shockingly little pressure on him, if you can believe it. The biggest reason that any star might not have wanted to join the Knicks during the dark years was the victim complex that the franchise had become.
They needed someone to save them, but while you could be the knight in shining armor, you could also be the latest victim of the pit of alligators known as New York media pressure. Why do you think KD and Kyrie decided to go to the B-team across town that would never get as much coverage as whatever went on in Manhattan?
With the championship won and the need for a savior completely off the table, that victim complex is gone. If LeBron wants, he can hitch a ride to a very successful team as a complementary piece, rather than the knight in shining armor to save a destitute franchise.
Let’s talk roster construction.
The Knicks are operating under some very tight financial circumstances, so I would think only a veteran minimum is on the table, but that shouldn’t be an issue for a billionaire. If he wanted maximum money, he would’ve accepted his player option and requested a trade.
The Knicks, as constructed, are pretty deep everywhere but the center position. Adding LeBron into the mix would add yet another tool in Mike Brown’s toolbox.
At age 41, whatever team LeBron goes to will know he cannot be relied on for 82 games of high-end performance. It’s not 2018 (or 2012, or 2008, etc) anymore. This means that the deeper a team is, the easier it can stomach his bouts with Father Time creeping in and keeping him sidelined with whatever ailment he has.
The currently constructed Knicks are co-favorites to come out of the East, even without adding LeBron. With him? They’d be able to move Josh Hart to the bench and have ultimate flexibility at as many as four positions. Sporadic injuries wouldn’t hurt the rest of the team nearly as much.
When you want to go to a team to win a championship, you want to go somewhere that won’t collapse with one injury. While the Knicks are probably in that boat with Jalen Brunson and probably Karl-Anthony Towns, they’re well-equipped for absences for… anyone else.
Lastly, I want to pitch the personal aspect. It’s about righting wrongs, legacy, and personal objectives.
If Bill Simmons and multiple others are to be believed, LeBron wanted to play in New York when he hit free agency. The Knicks were just so wildly incompetent that a guy who had never been surrounded by a roster even capable of winning a title couldn’t see any path to winning one here.
In the years since, all he’s done is wax poetic about New York as a basketball city and the World’s Most Famous Arena. In 2018, when he faced his good pal Wade for the final time at Staples Center, he said that this game could’ve only happened “here or the Garden”.
He’s always admired the market, even if fate had never taken him to the bright lights of New York City. In another life, the Knicks could’ve been competently run, and he could’ve been the one to end the title drought as the savior everyone was begging for.
But now, as he reaches the end of his incredible career, he’s in a perfect spot to ride into the sunset playing for one of the league’s most iconic franchises, in the most famous arena in the world, and completing a dream he’s seemed to have for a long time now, all without the pressure of being the “savior” and being able to just be a complimentary piece on the reigning NBA champions.
The ball’s in your court, King. Follow your heart.
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 1: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers throws chalk in the air before the game against the New York Knicks on February 1, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Apr 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Gleyber Torres (25) hits a sacrifice fly against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images | Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Almost no matter how you slice it, the Detroit Tigers have been pretty bad this year. Their overall record of 37-49 has them 12th in the American League, ahead of only the Kansas City Royals and LA Angels, facing down a likely selling role at the Trade Deadline. But they’re only 6 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the final AL Wild Card slot, which gives a faint glimmer of hope.
In a typical year, that third Wild Card team would post about an 86- to 88-win season. The lowest it has been is the 83-win Cincinnati Reds from 2025. Given the overall weakness in the AL field this year, that lower end seems a reasonable target, which means chasing down something like an 85-win season should keep the Tigers thoroughly in the mix. That would be a .631 win rate for the final 76 games of the season, which is high but hardly impossible.
The big question: how do they get there?
Instead of answering this seriously – trade for a new bullpen, call up every Max in AAA, and reduce playing time for Matt Vierling, Jahmai Jones, and most of their relievers as much as possible, for a start – I decided to have a little fun with the extreme nature of Detroit’s season. Meaning I looked at all their ridiculous splits throughout a ridiculous season and found what situations favor Detroit the most. If they’re going to chase down the Mariners, or even more improbably the Guardians, they’ll have to play to their win conditions.
All stats are taken prior to the victory over the Yankees on July 1, 2026.
Environmental Factors
What time the Tigers play is, unfortunately, out of their control. However, if it were in their power, the Tigers should only play day games. The earlier the start time, the better. With the sun at their backs, the Tigers are a competitive 17-16. At night, they’ve sleepwalked their way to a 20-33 record. That won’t do the trick.
Where Detroit plays is also predetermined, and so is the result, seemingly. In the friendly confines of Comerica Park – not the Friendly Confines themselves, where Detroit has yet to visit – the Tigers are a respectable 23-21. When they pack their bags and travel, though, they’re a woeful 14-28. Ouch.
Opponent’s Factors
When it comes to opponents, the Tigers have a few clear preferences. Whether it’s a bugaboo about the Believeland Guardians or an overall talent issue, the Tigers are a brutal 9-16 against the rest of the AL Central. If you’re looking for a reason the team is at the back of the Central pack, that’s as good a place to start. They’re a slightly better team when you look at the AL as a whole (26-36) or versus their National League foes (11-13). None of those light the world on fire, but they’re at least an improvement.
A weird one for you: the Tigers have been significantly better against good teams than bad ones. No, seriously, this doesn’t make any sense. How are the Tigers 23-21 when they play teams above .500, but 14-28 against everyone else? Do they just imitate whoever they face on any given day, rising to the occasion against the Yankees but floundering against the Twins and Angels? Utterly bizarre. Common sense says a playoff contender needs to take care of business against bad teams. Low-hanging fruit and all that.
There’s one final split here that might actually be meaningful. The starting pitcher the Tigers face seems to greatly impact their odds of winning a game. Shocking, I know. Against a lefty starter, the Tigers are a mere 10-17; versus a righty, they’re a way-less-bad 27-32. Can anyone here figure out why they struggle against left-handed starters? Anyone? I hate to pin it all on one guy, but we’re all thinking about the same guy, right?
Tiger’s Factors
OK, finally, the series of things Detroit can actually control. If Detroit’s going to take their season by the horns and claw their way back, this is a place to start.
For starters: keep Jake Rogers out of as many games as possible. The lineup is not deep enough to hide him at the bottom routinely, because hiding him at the bottom routinely means Outman, McKinstry, and Vierling can’t all hide at the bottom. They’ve got to keep Dillon Dingler healthy, but a 9-18 record with Rogers and a 28-31 record without him speaks volumes. Upgrade the backup catcher role next year if possible, and then Dingler can DH more and stay fresh throughout the season.
Another big one: get Gleyber Torres back in the lineup! He might not be their best hitter, but he sure seems to stabilize their lineup. A grind-it-out, depth-heavy lineup sure looks better when there’s another guy with a .400 OBP in it. Case in point: 23-20 with him, and 14-29 without him. Get healthy, Gleyber. We need you. Although Hao-Yu Lee is doing a really nice job in this second go-around on both sides of the ball. Pretty impressive step in development going on there seemingly.
This last one comes down largely to “play better, win more”, but the sheer volume of games is what I’d like to call attention to. In games in which the Tigers hit multiple home runs, they’re 15-7, a whopping .682 pace that clears the .631 win rate I threw out earlier. In all other games, they’re 22-42. What stands out here is not the conclusion drawn – hitting home runs and winning have a large correlation for a reason – but the fact they’ve only hit multiple home runs 22 times seems problematic to me. Good teams tend to hit home runs in bunches, and the Tigers really haven’t done that. They should probably work on that.
There you have it, folks. If the Tigers want to make the playoffs, they should be sure to face National League playoff contenders, at Comerica, during the day, against right-handed pitchers, and get Gleyber Torres into (and Jake Rogers out of) the lineup as much as possible. Oh, and hit a ton of home runs. And get a new high-leverage relief corps…Keider Montero may be the start of that process, at least for this season.
They’re also 8-5 on Sunday, so maybe shift as many games as possible to Sunday.
A new month brings a new top prospects list, and with a handful of top prospects on the shelf, it wasn’t a particularly exciting month in the Twins system, but it also put more focus on some of the under-the-radar prospects who have begun to look like MLB-caliber talents. We saw a bunch of big promotions including SS Marek Houston heading to Double-A as well as Kyler Fedko and Marco Raya making their major league debuts! You can find my June rankings here if you’d like to compare. Once again, but hopefully not too many more times, we begin the list with the one and only…
1. OF Walker Jenkins (AAA)
Now back with the Saints after missing over a month with a shoulder sprain, Walker Jenkins’ long-awaited MLB debut seems to be approaching, which I recently wrote about here. He’s a franchise cornerstone who projects to be a star player for the Twins for years to come.
It’s pretty hard to find a weakness in his game. Offensively, he is an extremely mature hitter at just 21 years old. Excellent patience and spin recognition have led to high walk rates at every level. His hit tool is borderline plus, consistently running high contact rates while batting over .280 in every season of his pro career. His raw power is already above average and has potential for further growth. His line drive swing may never produce eye-popping home run numbers, but he can hit 15-20 while spraying doubles all over the field and getting on base at a high rate.
Defensively, he has a plus arm with solid range. Has a chance to stick in center, but projects very well in a corner. Not an aggressive base-stealer, but a good runner that can provide value with his legs. Just a complete player who I cannot wait to see in a Twins uniform.
In Walker Jenkins first AAA at bat since returning from the IL, he hit a 109 mph triple off a 99 mph Hunter Greene fastball.#MNTwinspic.twitter.com/S9aImfunP5
There’s not much left to say about Emmanuel Rodriguez at this point. When he’s healthy, he’s a power-hitting phenom, possessing some of the best raw power in the world with a max EV of 118.3 mph. His contact skills leave some room for concern, but his excellent swing decisions have helped him walk over 20% of the time in his minor league career. He’s an above-average runner who plays a good center field, but may end up in a corner with the Twins.
He’s slashing .247/.417/.506 for a 138 wRC+ with 6 homers in 25 games with the Saints this season. The recovery timeline from his thumb surgery in May is unknown, but Rodriguez is ready for a new challenge and should be in the big leagues soon after returning from injury.
3. SS Kaelen Culpepper (AAA)
Kaelen Culpepper’s bat has been highly impressive ever since he was drafted in the first round in 2024. He has a beautiful swing that holds a good mix of borderline plus contact skills and solid functional power. The big development in 2026 has been a new approach. Culpepper has historically been a free swinger that runs high chase rates, but this season he has cut back his swing rates significantly. He now has a walk rate over 12% in Triple-A this season, up from his 9.7% clip last year.
He’s a good runner who tallied 25 stolen bags in 2025 and has remained aggressive and successful this season. Defensively, he doesn’t have the elite twitchy actions of a gold glove shortstop, but he’s a good athlete with a good arm who has been a reliable defender this year. Unless Ryan Kreidler can continue his breakout, Culpepper is likely the Twins best option at shortstop. Either way, he projects as a valuable defender anywhere in the infield.
4. C Eduardo Tait (A+)
It was a great month of June for the Twins’ top catching prospect as he continued to pile up homers but also started running into more contact. Tait batted .250 on the month with a 18.8% strikeout rate. His monstrous power combined with an average hit tool could make him one of the top offensive catchers in MLB in just a couple of years. His chase-heavy approach remains a major concern, but the bat is talented enough to overcome it.
Defensively, his plus arm is already a major asset behind the dish while the technical side of the position continues to develop. Tait has a good chance to develop into a solid catcher. At just 19 years old, the Twins have an exceptionally talented hitter with superstar potential.
Eduardo Tait had his second multi-HR game of the season last night for the @CRKernels 💣💣
2-5 / 2 HR / 3 RBI / 2 R
He has a 105.1 MPH 90th percentile EV this season which is 4th highest of any player 19 or younger at High-A or above (min. 200 PA) 🚀 #MNTwinspic.twitter.com/MCT881XqNM
— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) June 5, 2026
5. RHP Charlee Soto (A+)
Soto returned briefly from injury before suffering a setback on his forearm injury, but the 20-year-old’s stuff remains incredibly exciting. He’s built like a linebacker and is a great athlete on the mound. The fastball is sitting upper 90s with sinking action, and he complements it with some excellent secondaries. He has a natural changeup feel and gets 17+ inches of run on the pitch in the 88-91 range. His slider sits in the upper 80s with sharp break. Both pitches grade out as plus big league pitches while the fastball has overwhelming velocity and generates strong ground ball rates.
Injuries remain a concern, but he has the build to support high velocity. Soto can fill up the strike zone while still racking up whiffs and ground contact, a profile that has frontline starter potential.
6. LHP Kendry Rojas (MLB)
At 23 years old, Kendry Rojas has lacked consistency this year, but his stuff and intriguing potential have been on full display. The 6’2” lefty has shown off a good blend of stuff and command this year after adding a tick to his fastball.
His fastball is firm, sitting in the 95-97 range, playing up with good extension and some ride at the top of the zone. We have also seen encouraging development with the slider this year. Rojas is getting more two-plane movement on the pitch while throwing it harder in the upper 80s. It is a borderline plus pitch now, generating elite whiff rates and soft contact. His changeup also sits in the upper 80s and plays off the fastball extremely well.
Rojas has been nibbling at the zone in his first handful of innings at the major league level this season, but his pitches have generally been located in the right areas. Once he gains the confidence to fire the ball in the zone, Rojas has the makings of a mid-rotation starter or high leverage bullpen arm.
7. SS Marek Houston (AA)
Now about one year removed from his draft day, Marek Houston’s path through the minor leagues has looked almost identical to that of Kaelen Culpepper so far. Now in Double-A, Houston’s bat is getting a tougher test than he’s ever seen before.
He caught fire in late May, earning the promotion to Wichita on June 22nd. In his last 16 games with the Kernels, he batted .450 with a 22.2% walk rate and 9.9% strikeout rate. He is a very skilled hitter, possessing an extremely patient approach with above average contact skills. While the lack of power limits his offensive ceiling, I’m getting strong Austin Martin vibes from his bat.
On the defensive side, Houston will almost certainly stick at shortstop. He has spectacular range and fluidity for someone who is 6’3”. A sound, yet flashy defender with a good arm. Also a plus runner who is racking up stolen bags this year. He has a chance to transform a Twins infield that desperately needs some impactful defenders as early as next season.
8. RHP Riley Quick (A+)
In his first year as a pro, Riley Quick has displayed electric stuff with elite strikeout rates in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Walks have caused him to get into some trouble in High-A, but his zone and strike metrics suggest that more success is coming.
He leads with a mid 90s sinker that generates lots of ground contact. His slider is pushing 2800 RPMs and gets sharp two-plane movement in the mid 80s, while hit cutter in the low 90s complements the sinker well. Quick also has a changeup with elite depth in the upper 80s, projecting as an excellent putaway pitch against lefties.
Riley Quick has a diverse arsenal with four distinct shapes and velocities. The sinker and cutter will fill up the zone while the slider and changeup have the makings of plus putaway pitches. It’s an exciting starter profile if he can throw enough strikes.
Riley Quick, the 36th pick in the ‘25 draft, set a new pro career high in strikeouts last night for the @CRKernels and now has a 40.3 K% this season 👀
4.2 IP / 4 H / 3 R / 2 BB / 9 K
He topped out at 97.5 MPH and had a 70% whiff rate (7/10) on his SL on the day ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/zxcS3i73eZ
— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) June 12, 2026
9. RHP Andrew Morris (MLB)
Just a couple innings shy of the 40 mark, Andrew Morris cracks the top 10 in what will be his final month as a prospect. After 62 starts across 3+ years in the minors, he has shifted nicely into the Twins bullpen this year. With a 3.12 xERA and 2.89 FIP, the underlying numbers view Morris as a great back-end arm.
His fastball is firm in the 95-98 range, occasionally flashing some 99s with a bit of ride. The heater generates strikes and he has a pair of distinct breaking balls, a cutter and a sweeper, that have plus potential as putaway pitches. One of the biggest developments with Morris this year is him altering his sweeper, taking some velo off and letting it fly away from righties in the low 80s. He’s still gaining a feel for command with the pitch, but it grades out as an absolutely elite offering. The upper 80s changeup is his preferred secondary against lefties and is also a quality pitch, getting some nice fade with strong velo separation.
Andrew Morris has already established himself as a rock in the Twins bullpen for years to come. Still, if he can hone in the command on his sweeper and push his fastball velo closer to triple digits, we could be looking at a truly elite closer blossoming in Minnesota.
10. LHP Dasan Hill (A+)
It continues to be a frustrating season for 20-year-old Dasan Hill, who is showing off electric stuff with some of the best strikeout numbers in the system but continues to struggle with control. The big lefty has a 6.14 ERA in 36.2 innings, striking out a whopping 61 batters but also walking 33.
Hill’s fastball gets good armside run and has pushed into the upper 90s this year. His slider is a whiff machine, getting excellent two-plane movement in the low-to-mid 80s. He also has confidence in his mid 80s changeup that doesn’t get particularly impressive movement, but works off the fastball very well. Also mixes in a loopy curveball around 80. It is a really fun repertoire from the left side with high-end stuff, but his complete lack of command is a major area of concern. He looks destined for a high-leverage bullpen role, where the fastball has the potential to work into triple digits with a couple of intriguing secondaries.
11. RHP Adrian Bohorquez (A+)
A forearm strain cost Adrian Bohorquez most of the first half of the season, but he is back in Cedar Rapids now and his stuff is looking as good as ever. The fastball is sitting 96-99 with some carry, overwhelming hitters at the top of the zone. The upper 80s slider and curveball around 80 are plus offerings with sharp break and flashy spin rates, generating elite whiff rates in the lower levels. He also has a power changeup in the low 90s with developing shape, but at least adds another element to get hitters off the fastball. Freshly 21 years old with exciting stuff, Bohorquez is one of the highest upside pitchers in the system and has a chance to make some real noise in the second half of the season.
12. OF Hendry Mendez (AAA)
It appears that a nagging injury may have sapped his power in early June and eventually put him on the shelf for a couple weeks, but Hendry Mendez is back in action now and could realistically get the call-up at any moment now. His patient approach limits chase and stimulates high walk rates. His swing is flat and violent from the left side, limiting his game power but maximizing contact. He’s a below average athlete and has limited defensive value as a LF/DH. Still, he possesses an interesting offensive profile that could push the .300 AVG/.400 OBP marks.
13. OF Yasser Mercedes (A+)
Outside of a 4-hit game on June 13th, the month was one big slump for Yasser Mercedes after a hot start to the year. Patience and high walk rates in the spring have given way to extreme chase and more strikeouts in June. He becomes Rule 5 eligible in December and his production remains largely unconvincing. Still, I can’t stop believing in Mercedes, who holds elite raw power and plus speed while showing flashes of good swing decisions and a playable hit tool. He has all the physical tools at just 21 years old, just waiting for him to put it all together.
14. RHP Marco Raya (MLB)
Marco Raya surrendered a 2-run homer and a couple of walks in his long-awaited MLB debut, but he was one of Triple-A’s best pitchers from early May until the call-up and will hopefully gain some good major league experience over the next few months. His mid 90s fastball isn’t much of a whiff pitch due to poor shape, but Raya has found success with the pitch, using it to get ahead early in counts. His sweeper and curveball are plus whiff pitches with vastly differing shapes in the upper 80s, but have been barreled often in the zone. A power changeup in the low 90s has been an effective tertiary pitch against lefties. I don’t know what is in the cards for Marco Raya’s future, but he has the stuff to be an electric back-end reliever if he can execute his pitches as well as we saw from him with the Saints in May and June.
The transition to Triple-A continues to be tough on Ryan Gallagher, but I’m still intrigued by the profile as one of the few true starter-type arms in the upper levels of the Twins system. He pounded the strike zone in High-A and Double-A, but has elevated his walk rate to 13% in Triple-A. With a low 90s fastball, a slow changeup around 80, and a trio of solid breaking balls, it’s a diverse repertoire that has generated good whiff rates, but barrels and walks have been major problems. We’re banking on enhanced execution and fastball improvements to give Gallagher a real chance to stick in a major league rotation where he can eat innings as a quality back-end arm. In year two as a pro, he is firmly ahead of schedule, but it’s unclear how much room is left for him to grow.
16. 3B/OF Brandon Winokur (A+)
It has been a frustrating year for Brandon Winokur, who has plus raw power and runs well at 21 years old, but has struggled to make contact and hasn’t been able to convert his power into convincing production. He limits chase while being aggressive in the strike zone, but just hasn’t been able to connect with the ball consistently. I remain fairly high on Winokur because his impressive range and plus arm at 6’5” give him a good chance to be a valuable defender, and he has looked increasingly comfortable at 3B and CF. Even if he’s a low average hitter who produced 25 homers a season, his value on defense could make that profile flourish.
17. RHP John Klein (MLB)
All too often, Triple-A brings young pitchers to a brutal reality. For John Klein, his exciting 2025 breakout in Double-A has turned into a rough start to his tenure in St. Paul. The Twins haven’t made anything easy for him this year, as a hybrid long-relief role and two brief MLB call-ups haven’t allowed Klein to develop any consistency. Poor shape has limited the effectiveness of Klein’s mid 90s fastball. His changeup sits mid 80s with excellent depth, working as his second pitch. He mixes in a cutter, curveball, and sweeper, all grading out average. If the fastball can play up in short relief, Klein projects nicely as a strike-throwing flamethrower with a diverse group of secondaries.
18. OF/1B Gabriel Gonzalez (MLB)
The month of June gave us the version of Gabby Gonzalez that we saw last year. He slashed .333/.400/.533 while playing a mix of 1B, DH, and corner outfield. His contact skills looked elite, posting a zone contact rate north of 95%, but the extreme aggressiveness continues to lead to lots of chase and an average strikeout rate. His raw power is average but has limited function due to high ground ball rates. It’s a spray and pray offensive profile, much like Brooks Lee and Jose Miranda. He’s a below-average athlete who is a fringy defense in the corner outfield and first base. He is crushing lefties this year, and of nothing else, he could fit into a short-side platoon role and provide some offense off the bench.
19. RHP James Ellwanger (A)
June was a brutal month for the Twins’ 3rd round pick, who didn’t pitch at all, but was diagnosed with a torn UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. Now out for the rest of the season and likely a portion of the 2027 season, Ellwanger will return to action as a 23-year-old with just 11 innings of Single-A action under his belt. He was already a likely bullpen candidate and will now almost surely be pushed into that role. Still, the upside is immense for Ellwanger. Leads with a mid 90s fastball and has a pair of impressive offspeed pitches in a low 80s curveball and a newly added low 90s power changeup.
20. C/1B Enrique Jimenez (A+)
Recently called up to High-A at age 20, Enrique Jimenez has a well-rounded skillset at the catcher position and has been highly productive at the plate since the Twins acquired him at last year’s deadline. He’s a short and stocky catcher with average raw power and a lofty swing that has some whiff, but has produced some impressive power production. Also a very patient hitter who racks up walks, Jimenez doesn’t have an elite ceiling but is a well-rounded hitter currently trending up. Defensively, he has promising receiving and an average arm. Projects nicely as a backup with potential to produce on both sides of the ball.
21. C/OF Khadim Diaw (AA)
After a scorching hot first half of June, Khadim Diaw got the call to Double-A, where his intriguing utility profile will get its toughest challenge yet. He has limited power, but with borderline plus contact skills and a mature approach, there is plenty of reason to believe Diaw can be a major league hitter. Defensively, he has split time between catcher and center field. He is a good athlete with a solid arm, possessing the potential to be a valuable defender behind the dish and across the outfield. While he lacks an elite ceiling on either side of the ball, Diaw covering multiple defensive spots in a bench role while providing some production with his bat would certainly make him worthy of a roster spot.
Jhomnardo Reyes possesses easy plus power potential, running exit velocities over 110 mph at just 18 years old. Meanwhile his hit tool and plate discipline have looked much improved in his second year as a pro. He is a good athlete with a strong arm. Should fit nicely as a corner outfielder when his body fully matures. In terms of physical ability, this is one of the most impressive players in the Twins system, and the staggering improvements that we have already seen as a baseball player make him an incredibly exciting projection.
Alexander Frias and Jhomnardo Reyes are having exceptional seasons on the complex.
Quentin Young continues to post monstrous strikeout and whiff numbers, and the swing decisions have deteriorated in June. Still, Young is barreling up baseballs more often than any other player in the Florida State League at just 19 years old and has elite power potential. He’s a raw defender splitting time between shortstop and third base, but has the physical tools to develop nicely as a third baseman. Who knows where his career will go, but for now I’m just going to enjoy the homeruns and flashy exit velocities.
24. OF Kala’i Rosario (AAA)
After an even 250 games in Double-A, Kala’i Rosario finally got the callup to Triple-A towards the end of June. While he runs high whiff and strikeout rates, a patient approach and plus power have allowed him to overcome the lack of a hit tool so far. Triple-A will be a big challenge, but with some of the best raw power in the system and a feel for pulling fly balls, there is plenty of hope for Rosario. He is a fringy corner outfielder with a good arm, but he has worked to improve his speed, stealing 32 bags last year and continuing to produce on the bases in 2026. There is always potential for value in a slugging corner outfielder.
25. OF Eduardo Beltre (A)
It is a lost season for Eduardo Beltre, who suffered a season-ending knee injury after just 16 games at Single-A. Still, there is a lot to be excited about as the 19-year-old has posted a max EV just shy of 110 while contact and swing decisions have been good enough to let the power play. Beltre is a solid athlete with a good arm and projects well as a corner outfielder.
26. RHP Alejandro Hidalgo (AAA)
Alejandro Hidalgo has had a major breakout in his first year working as a true reliever. At 23 years old, the righty has posted huge strikeout numbers albeit struggling with walks and homers. His mid 90s fastball has good specs, but has been crushed in Triple-A this summer. His changeup and cutter are both quality big league pitches and have been largely untouchable this year. Hidalgo is Rule 5 eligible this offseason, so it may be beneficial to give him a chance down the stretch given the current state of this bullpen. He is still so young with exciting bullpen potential if he can find success with the fastball.
27. SS/2B Kyle DeBarge (AA)
Kyle DeBarge has struggled to adjust to Double-A, but remains an intriguing utility infielder. DeBarge has plus speed and great defensive actions, playing excellent middle-infield defense and providing value on the bases. He has limited raw power and has struggled to make contact this year, but is a mature hitter that limits chase. With significant defensive value, the bat just needs to be playable for DeBarge to find himself on a major league roster.
28. RHP C.J. Culpepper (AAA)
C.J. Culpepper has been the most reliable bullpen arm for the Saints this year and has a good chance to join the Twins bullpen at some point this summer. His cutterish fastball and sinker combo in the mid 90s generates tons of soft ground contact while his slider and sweeper grade out as solid putaway pitches. With his lower arm slot, Culpepper misses barrels and keeps the ball out of the air with east-west movement. He reminds me of Kody Funderburk in this way, and maybe there is more whiff in the tank if he can add a tick or two of velocity.
29. 1B/3B Billy Amick (AA)
Billy Amick has fully leaned into the true outcome approach this year, posting extreme fly ball rates and leading all Twins minor-leaguers in homers while running a strikeout rate over 30%. He has plus power potential and has shown off excellent swing decisions throughout his time as a pro, but the hit tool will always be a major concern. Amick is developing nicely as a corner infielder and while he likely fits better at first base, he can be passable at the hot corner.
30. UTIL Ben Ross (AAA)
Much of Ben Ross’ value comes on defense, where he is a true utility player that has the athleticism and actions to play across the infield and outfield at a high level. He is also hitting the ball well in Triple-A, where his excellent swing decisions and feel for pulling fly balls has led to excellent power production despite well below-average raw power. The hit tool is fringy, but if he can be a playable hitter, Ross is an excellent profile to have on the bench.
31. RHP Jose Olivares (AA)
June might have been the worst month yet in a rough year for Jose Olivares, who begins July with a 7.41 ERA with more walks than strikeouts. Still, he has shown plenty of promise as a 23-year-old with a live arm. He has elite fastball characteristics in the mid 90s with a sharp cutter in the upper 80s and a changeup that gets nice two-plane fade. Much of the struggles have been due to completely erratic command. Olivares moved to the Wichita bullpen in mid June, and if he can tighten up his command in this new role, his fastball gives him lights-out potential in the bullpen.
Nothing but gas. ⛽ Jose Olivares blows three straight fastballs by him for K No. 4⃣! pic.twitter.com/PkSX8NGLER
Since being drafted out of high school in the 6th round last year Bruin Agbayani has only played 15 games in the Twins’ system due to a couple of injuries, but he has already shown off intriguing tools at 19 years old. His contact skills are looking impressive, posting zone contact rates over 90%. He has an extremely patient approach, and has an incredible 16 walks to 6 strikeouts so far in Single-A. He has shown very little pop, but at 6’2”, there is reason to believe he could grow into some playable power. He’s an above-average runner with solid actions defensively, but likely ends up at second base or left field due to his below average arm. There is still a lot to learn about Agbayani, but phase one is to finally get him on the field for an extended period of time.
33. RHP Matt Barr (FCL)
Matt Barr spent the month of June starting games in the FCL, where he’s been slow to hit his stride as he recovers from a broken arm. At just 20 years old, the Twins 5th round pick out of JuCo gets elite spin on his two breaking balls and runs a developing fastball up to 97 mph. He’s 6’6” with a thin frame. Very much a development project at this point, but one with exciting potential.
34. OF Teilon Serrano (FCL)
Teilon Serrano just turned 18 in May and is combining enticing physical tools with excellent production in rookie ball. He has plus power potential, running a max exit velocity over 109 mph. There are some hit tool concerns, but he has a very mature and patient approach, drawing a ridiculous walk rate near 30% with more walks than strikeouts. He is a good runner who has split time between all three outfield positions. There is a long way to go, but the potential is through the roof and Serrano is already producing at a very young age.
35. INF/OF Luis Fragoza (A)
June was another excellent month for 19-year-old Luis Fragoza, who continues to show off plus power potential with a 110 mph max EV and 6 homers in June. His big swing comes with questionable swing decisions and fringy contact skills, but there is plenty of potential with the bat. He is a solid athlete who is playing a mix of corner infield and outfield, showing potential to at least be a passable defender at multiple positions. Lots of potential, a few concerns, and lots of production from Fragoza in his first taste of Single-A.
Luis Fragoza with his THIRD homer in the last two games 💣 💣 💣 #MNTwins
— Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (@MightyMussels) June 30, 2026
36. RHP Ruddy Gomez (AA)
It has been a wild ride to Wichita for right-hander Ruddy Gomez (pronounced like Rudy). He began his collegiate career at DII Saint Leo, where he spent two years before transferring to Hillsborough Community College in 2021. He broke out at HCC, posting a 3.67 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 61.1 innings and earning an offer from Central Florida. He spent his last two years at UCF where after a nice 2022 season out of the bullpen, he earned a spot in the Knights rotation for his 5th and final college season. Gomez finished with a 5.25 ERA in 15 starts, posting good strikeout numbers and leading a solid UCF team in innings.
When the MLB didn’t call in the summer of 2023, he turned to indy ball. He spent 2024 in the Frontier League, posting a 4.24 ERA in 70 innings of work. Finally in April 2025, the Minnesota Twins were looking for some pitching depth in the lower levels and decided to give Ruddy a chance. Well… something clicked. Gomez started the season in rookie ball and finished it in High-A. He ended with a 1.58 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 45.1 innings, a monumental season that turned an indy baller into a legitimate MLB prospect.
At age 26, he began this season in Double-A. While an injury cost him two months, Gomez is back in action in Wichita and looking better than ever. His fastball sits in the 92-95 range with poor characteristics, but he morphs it into a sinker and locates it well to steal strikes and generate some ground contact. The bulk of his success comes from the mid 80s slider that has devastating two-plane break. Excellent shape paired with good command have led to elite whiff and chase rates on the slider.
Gomez is looking like a solid major league bullpen arm, and fastball improvements could push the ceiling even higher. The fact that Ruddy Gomez has made it this far is an incredible story, but the story is truly just beginning.
37. RHP Reed Moring (A)
Reed Moring was on the shelf for most of June, but has worked his way back and looks good going into July. Of all the 2025 draftees pitching in Fort Myers right now, Reed Moring is the one that intrigues me the most. Moring never really pitched in length at UC-Santa Barbara, but is working 3-5 inning stints at Single-A now and is showing off a deep arsenal of quality pitches. He leads with a low 90s fastball with good carry. His mid 80s slider is sharp and has posted solid whiff rates despite being thrown in the zone a lot. Mid 80s changeup gets excellent depth and plays off the fastball very well. Mixes in a curveball and a cutter. Moring is struggling to find the balance between too many strikes and not enough strikes right now, but he’s 21 with promising stuff. If the fastball can sneak up into the mid 90s, then we’re really looking at a mid-rotation arsenal.
38. OF Kyler Fedko (MLB)
After mashing for the first couple months of the season in Triple-A, Kyler Fedko got the call to the majors and has been filling a bench role for the Twins. The story with Fedko is playable power. He doesn’t put up flashy exit velocities, but is an aggressive swinger with a great feel for pulling fly balls, allowing him to maximize his power output. The hit tool is fringy and he’s an average athlete who can play solid defense across the outfield. If the power plays at the major league level, Fedko can be a nice platoon outfielder, hitting lefties while providing some outfield versatility.
39. RHP Santiago Castellanos (FCL)
Santiago Castellanos is a young rookie-baller who is out for the season after just a couple appearances in the FCL in June. He carved up the DSL at just 16 years old last year, posting a 2.79 ERA and 29.8% strikeout rate in 29.0 innings. He leads with a low 90s fastball with good carry and some armside run. He has the makings of some good breaking balls, featuring a sweeper in the upper 70s and a harder slider in the mid 80s. Also already has a good feel for his mid 80s changeup. Albeit undersized at 5’10”, a good feel for command and a strong four-pitch mix are making 17-year-old Castellanos an intriguing starting pitching prospect.
40. C Miguel Caraballo (FCL)
For the last spot on the list, I was debating between the young and unproven Miguel Caraballo vs a couple of older relief pitching prospects, but settled on the upside pick. Coming over from San Francisco in a trade this offseason, Caraballo is yet to turn 18 but is a switch-hitter producing in the FCL with impressive power. He’s an athletic catcher, possessing intriguing potential behind the dish, although he could likely fit into the outfield if he doesn’t work out at catcher. There are hit tool concerns, but the raw power mixed with potential for defensive value is exciting, and he is already producing at a very young age.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 30: Edmundo Sosa #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on prior to the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
If you are heading down to the Phillies game this afternoon, you are braver than most.
The weather forecast is something akin to the surface of the sun, as the temperature is expected to reach into the triple digits with feels like temperatures surpassing 110 degrees. For all of you brave souls acknowledging that and still making the trek to watch an Alan Rangel start, please be careful and remember that you are allowed to bring a sealed bottle of water into Citizens Bank Park.
Anyway, extreme heat is something you just have to deal with sometimes as a baseball fan. A sport that is primarily played in summer is bound to have days where it is absolutely miserable to sit outside at a game. And yet, thousands of us still go take in a ballgame, even if the seats we’re sitting in are melting our skin.
Personally, I can think of two examples of when I went to a ballgame in ridiculous heat. The first is the 2008 ten-year reunion game that took place in 2018. The Phillies beat the Marlins 5-3 on the back of a two-run homer from Asdrubal Cabrera in the eighth inning. Tommy Hunter got the save in the ninth inning. It was the first time I ever experienced the concessions stands giving out free cups of water. My cousin and I also grabbed ice from the concession stands and stuck them under our hats in an attempt to stay cool. I got some real bad sunburn on my kneecaps, as I did not realize that sometimes when you sit down, your shorts don’t quite cover the same length that they did when you put sunscreen on as you were standing. We also pulled our own doubleheader that day, as we went to the Eagles open practice that night, being that it was the first time they took the field after Super Bowl 52. Cory Clement was the first player on the field to thunderous applause. There I remember standing in line for a bottle of water and realizing if the line didn’t move faster, I would probably pass out. Good times.
I can’t remember the other example as clearly, but I’m pretty sure it involved an extra-innings walk-off hit from Odubel Herrera where I was just happy that the game was over, as I’m sure many were in an era where a walk-off hit from Odubel Herrera was a highlight.
So, what’s the hottest baseball game you’re ever been too? Is there anyone heading to the game this afternoon?
Feb 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jesus Made sits in the dugout against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
For the second straight year, the Brewers will have one of baseball’s premier prospects on the Futures Game stage. This time, he’ll have company.
Baseball’s consensus top prospect, shortstop Jesús Made, will represent the Brewers for the second straight year at the annual prospect showcase. Made has backed up the hype this season, slashing .289/.359/.448 (.807 OPS) with seven home runs and 25 total extra-base hits while helping lead the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers to the first-half Southern League title. MLB Pipeline gives Made 60-grade hit, power, and arm tools, making him one of the most well-rounded prospects in baseball.
Joining Made in Philadelphia will be Luis Peña, the Brewers’ No. 2 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 18 overall prospect. Peña has missed a lot of time this year — he was hospitalized after overheating in the dugout during a game with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in April, then missed another two and a half weeks following a separate health scare.
When he’s played, Peña has been as electric as expected, slashing .318/.431/.432 (.863 OPS) through 88 at-bats. The 19-year-old infielder carries a 60 future value from MLB Pipeline, including an impressive 70-grade speed tool, and he posted an .844 OPS in Single-A before earning a promotion to High-A earlier this season. If Peña can stay healthy, he has just as much upside as Made.
Brewers fans hoping to catch Made and Peña on the national stage can tune into the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, July 12. First pitch from Citizens Bank Park is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT, airing exclusively on NBC.
If baseball fans plan on watching any of the 15 Major League Baseball games on July 5, they will have to find their way to one of NBCUniversal's television properties.
All 30 MLB teams that day will be in action, and their games will be broadcast on either NBC, Peacock, or NBCSN, the first time a media company has presented all 15 MLB games nationally in a single day.
Two of the games on "Star-Spangled Sunday" (New York Mets at Atlanta Braves, 12:30 pm ET, and San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers, 7 pm ET) will be broadcast on NBC, with the other games on the schedule all streamed on Peacock, with three simulcast on NBCSN. Peacock will also have a multiview four-box presentation.
"There's no better way to enjoy some free time on Fourth of July weekend than with one of the great rivalries in MLB, the Padres and Dodgers. In 2024, the Padres were this close to knocking the Dodgers out in the Division Series," NBC lead play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti told USA TODAY Sports.
Benetti will call that game with former pitchers and Cy Young winners Orel Hershiser, Jake Peavy and C.C. Sabathia.
Rob Hyland, SVP of Production and Coordinating Producer for NBC Sports, is producing "Star-Spangled Sunday" and said the network reached out to producers and directors in more than a dozen markets over the past three months to bring them on board for the broadcast.
“We appreciate the tremendous cooperation from the local production teams and Major League Baseball to help put together this presentation, which is like nothing else I’ve worked on in nearly 30 years with NBC Sports," Hyland said. "Producers are typically in charge of every detail of a show and can react in the moment and adjust, but this production requires constant communication, collaboration and trust. We can’t wait for first pitch this Sunday."
Jan 9, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; A Boston Celtics fan holds a sign as the Boston Celtics take on the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
I’m not going to even try to re-litigate the particulars of this trade (yet). There are other posts on this blog and all over the internet explaining just how bad a trade the Boston Celtics made yesterday. Until we get the silver bullet “now they tell us” reasons for what happened, we’re just not going to know.
What I’m more concerned for is each of you. The real, diehard, bleeding green forever fans of this team. The Jaylen Brown trade immediately goes down as one of the worst I can think of, even across sports. I’m not as big a fan of the Red Sox as I used to be, and part of the reason I stopped caring was the Mookie Betts trade. This deal has that kind of impact potential.
I’ll speak for myself first. I’ve been walking around in stunned silence for so long that my wife is concerned about me. Internally I’m ping ponging through the stages of grief, mostly bouncing between anger and sadness. I haven’t started sobbing “Minnie Driver in Good Will Hunting” style, but I’m not ruling it out. I’ve even started questioning myself and my ability to understand basketball. Maybe I’m really just dumb and Jaylen Brown isn’t as good as I think he is. Clearly the market wasn’t what I thought it was, so at a minimum I misjudged that.
Or perhaps I’m way too invested in a silly kids game played by millionaires who are paid by billionaires using our money. That’s been true for decades and I don’t really see it changing. But enough about me.
Every one of you is unique and interacts with sports and the Celtics differently. You are all going to process this in your own way. Anger, sadness, confusion, denial, resignation, and a myriad of other emotions are expected. Some will say that this is all overreacting, and I understand the perspective, but I disagree. I would venture to guess that most of the people reading this post have invested time, money, passion, and love into this team. So witnessing a trade like this one for as little as they got back is traumatic. Not nearly on the scale of losing a loved one, but there can be minor echoes of that sort of feeling.
So I want this blog to be a safe place to work through all those emotions. That means if you are someone who copes by lashing out at people, please, please resist the urge. There are a lot of fragile human beings searching for answers, so try to follow my golden rule on here: Respect others by treating them the way you would like to be treated. I generally try to go the other way. Reach out to people that are struggling with this. Help them through their own emotions. You’ll find a funny thing happen when you do that. It becomes cathartic to you to help someone else and you actually end up helping yourself as well. Give it a shot.
We’ll get back to the basketball stuff soon enough. Just try to be excellent to one another. God bless.
After a tough 2025-26 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Sam Lafferty has found a new home in free agency.
The Florida Panthers have announced that they have signed Lafferty to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2025-26 season.
Lafferty will now be aiming to compete for a spot on the Panthers' NHL roster after landing this contract. The possibility of him being an extra forward for Florida, like he was with Chicago this past season, is there.
Lafferty appeared in 29 games during this past season with the Blackhawks, where he recorded one goal, one assist, and 35 hits. This was after he had four goals, seven points, and 89 hits in 60 games for the Buffalo Sabres during the 2024-25 season.
In 126 games over multiple stints with the Blackhawks, Lafferty recorded 16 goals, 18 assists, 34 points, 63 penalty minutes, and 232 hits. His best season with the Blackhawks was in 2022-23 when he recorded 10 goals, 21 points, and 94 hits in 51 games before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs later that campaign.
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COVERS INTEL: The Reds' offense has a poor 
