While the Philadelphia Flyers themselves may not make a huge impact on free agency this year, they will still, as is customary, be well represented.
Following Tuesday's random Jacob Markstrom trade, the Florida Panthers have their two goalies in place for the 2026-27 season.
As a result, former Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, a former Stanley Cup champion and Vezina Trophy winner, will hit the free agent market and sign with a new NHL team in the twilight days of his playing career.
Bobrovsky, 37, will be the best option available among free agent goalies by far; the class is otherwise "headlined" by the likes of Stuart Skinner, Cam Talbot, and David Rittich.
If the Flyers hadn't already managed to trade for the much younger Joseph Woll from the Toronto Maple Leafs, a potential reunion with Bobrovsky could have been in the cards.
Current Flyers general manager Danny Briere was teammates with the Russian netminder during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
"Yeah, it's pretty safe to say that there's not much room for Bob. I still have the feeling that Bob will re-sign in Florida. I don't think they have a goalie signed, so, yeah, they're gonna need a goalie, at least one, maybe two. I mean, Bob's a fantastic teammate, and great work ethic. He would have been a really good example for our guys, but no, I don't know how realistic that would have been," Briere told The Hockey News in a recent Q&A.
While the Panthers ultimately decided to trade for New Jersey's Markstrom instead of giving into Bobrovsky's contractual demands, it is obvious that Briere still holds his old Flyers teammate in high regard.
As a rebuilding team that can still benefit from having Stanley Cup-winning experience on the roster, Bobrovsky would have been a logical add, but the former superstar will instead take that experience elsewhere when NHL free agency opens Wednesday afternoon.
Matt Arnold, Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations and general manager, third from left, talks with his son Tyler, Milwaukee Brewers third base coach Matt Erickson team physician Dr. Mark Niedfeldt during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
There’s no doubt that this season has seen the ebbs and flows of the Brewers. We’ve seen stretches where the offense is unstoppable, and we’ve also seen stretches — such as the last week — where the offense can’t cash in a runner in scoring position. The same applies to the pitching staff, which, entering Tuesday night’s game, is the second-best pitching staff in baseball, right behind the New York Yankees.
Despite having the best pitching staff in the National League, pitching is still a cause for concern, particularly the bullpen, which, as we know, has always been an issue for the Brewers come playoff time. Outside of the bullpen, it never hurts to have another starting pitcher, even if the Brewers have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to that category. And of course, the left side of the infield has been a cause of concern since the departure of Willy Adames in free agency two years ago.
Today, in no particular order, we take a look at five former Brewers players that Matt Arnold could potentially reunite with at the trade deadline come August 3.
The first player we recognize as part of bringing back to the Brewers is a guy who never appeared in a uniform but was on the roster. Grant Wolfram was traded to the Orioles in April 2025 for Daz Cameron, and his second season has been better than his first. Through 31 games this season, he has posted a 3.96 ERA, striking out 29 batters. The Orioles find themselves 11.5 games back of first place in the American League East division and could be sellers at the deadline.
Our first left-handed pitcher on the list goes to the arm that got away. Matt Arnold has done a great job of trading away players, and wherever they go next, they aren’t quite the same as they were with the Brewers. Hudson is maybe the worst of the ones he didn’t hold onto.
Selected off waivers by the White Sox in August 2025, Hudson has been having a great bounce-back season. In 2024, Hudson broke onto the scene with the Brewers and pitched to a tune of a 1.73 ERA in 43 appearances. Last year was a year to forget, as he had a 6.00 ERA between the Sox and the Brewers, returning to the version of himself we saw the year prior. However, he has since reverted to a similar version of himself this year, as in 38 games, he has a 2.13 ERA, striking out 35 and walking just 16. With the need for left-handed pitching and the White Sox holding onto a one-game lead in the AL Central, this could be a bit of a costly pickup for the Brewers.
Another player who never appeared in a uniform for the Brewers but was drafted in the seventh round of the MLB Draft and spent quite some time in the minors is utilityman David Fry. Fry could be compared to what David Hamilton brings to the table, minus the speed. His ability to play all over the field and his clutch offense in the postseason could make him an attractive trade candidate.
There’s no doubt, looking at his numbers, that he hasn’t been producing at the rate that he was when he was named to the All-Star team in 2024. Last year was a career-worst season, but he was dealing with injuries. This year, he has the second-best on-base percentage mark of his career, and the Brewers love guys who can get on base; Fry could be one of those. The Guardians are in a similar spot to the White Sox, as they’re the team right behind them, making Fry a player that could be a bit of a struggle to get from Cleveland, but he could be someone that would solve some bench issues for the Brewers.
Willy Adames is quite possibly the biggest trade target amongst Brewers fans. A staple in the clubhouse throughout the 2021-24 season, Adames could be the missing piece to the left side of the infield. While Cooper Pratt is hoping to be the answer at shortstop, perhaps he can move over to third base to make way for Adames, who has never played at the hot corner in the big leagues.
The Giants have made it clear that they are willing to move on from Adames, but he comes with serious baggage as he is in his second year of a seven-year, $182 million contract. The Brewers would almost certainly have to give up one of their top five prospects to bring him back if they wanted the Giants to eat part of the contract. But, at the end of the day, Adames brought more to the team than just clubhouse culture; he brought a top-10 MVP finish in 2024 and four seasons that featured some of the best baseball he produced in his career.
With the need for left-handed pitching, what about reuniting with an arm that spent four seasons with the Brewers, featuring two of the best seasons in his career? This season, he’s off to the best start in his career with the Dodgers. He has posted a 2.88 ERA through six appearances with the defending World Series champions.
The former first-round pick is on a one-year deal with the Dodgers worth $4.4 million. The Dodgers don’t have many weaknesses, and certainly don’t want to be trading with a team they could be competing with come playoff time. But with the need for a left-hander that can give you both starts and bullpen appearances, perhaps this could be the splurge Arnold and Co. could be looking for.
Honorable Mentions:
Brent Suter – Los Angeles Angels
Jakob Junis – Texas Rangers
Lucas Erceg – Kansas City Royals
Jordan Montgomery – Texas Rangers
Freddy Peralta – New York Mets
Who would you like to see the Brewers reunited with at this year’s trade deadline?
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 30: Cleveland Guardians left fielder Cooper Ingle (30) reacts after striking out to end the Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians on June 30, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Yankees are officially reeling as they jump into July, losing their sixth straight game in lackluster fashion. The Tigers took ace Cam Schlittler to task from the get-go, scoring four runs in the first inning and six by the time he exited after just three innings. New York did get another home run off of Tarik Skubal, this one from Ben Rice in the bottom of the first, but that was also the only hit they’d collect off the two-time Cy Young winner for six innings in what quickly became a rout.
With that, there’s another chance for the Rays to gain some ground in the AL East and unfortunately, when it rains it pours.
Tampa Bay Rays (49-33) 10, Kansas City Royals (35-51) 4
Despite a fantastic day from Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals were out of this game in a hurry. The Rays staked them a 1-0 lead on a Carter Jensen home run in the first inning, just to turn around and put up a six-spot in the third. It started on a Nick Fortes bunt single that drew an errant throw allowing him to move to second, and then Yandy Díaz walked ahead of a Jonathan Aranda single that tied the game up. Junior Caminero turned it into a big rally in a hurry, crushing a three-run homer 438 feet to left-center that made it 4-1, and Ryan Vilade went back-to-back with him to push the lead to four. Two more singles followed that before Noah Cameron finally recorded the first out of the frame via a pickoff, but Ben Williamson brought one more across on yet another single.
Witt did get involved, getting two of those runs back immediately via a two-run shot, but there was little else the Royals got done on Tuesday. Fortes singled home two more runs in the fifth, and a wild pitch plus a bases-loaded walk allowed two more Tampa baserunners to cross home plate in the sixth to make it a 10-3 romp. Witt made it a two-homer day for himself with a solo shot in the eighth, the 12th of his MVP-caliber season, but there was little else he could do as the Rays rolled.
Other Games
New York Mets (36-50) 3, Toronto Blue Jays (40-46) 0: A day after joining the 50-loss club, the Mets turned around and played a rare clean game all around. Nolan McLean delivered six strong innings, striking out seven and walking two while Francisco Alvarez gave them all the firepower they’d need with a solo shot in the fifth inning. For good measure, Luis Torrens gave them some insurance with a solo shot in the seventh and Brett Baty lifted a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver, and Devin Williams all tossed an inning of work to secure the win with a lone single in the ninth inning being the Jays’ only fragment of success against the Mets’ bullpen.
Texas Rangers (44-42) 4, Cleveland Guardians (44-42) 2: This one’s gonna be a hard one for Cleveland to live down. They got ahead 2-0 in the first inning thanks to a Kyle Manzardo two-run blast, but gave it up in the third when Joc Pederson hit a two-run blast of his own. From there the two sides were in a stalemate, as Jacob deGrom and Tanner Bibee both had outstanding outings lasting seven innings each. Unfortunately for Bibee, his defense blinked before he did — after a leadoff single, Bibee got Evan Carter to ground out and Alejandro Osuna to fly out to the left fielder Cooper Ingle. Ingle thought that was the third out instead of the second, however, and tossed the ball into the stands only to allow an unearned run to score instead. The Rangers did get an extra run in the eighth on a Josh Jung solo shot, but giving up the go-ahead run on a miscue like that has to sting.
Seattle Mariners (44-43) 8, Los Angeles Angels (36-51) 3: A scoring fest broke out in the middle of what was a pitchers’ duel. Bryan Woo and Jose Soriano were both dealing through five, matching zeroes on the scoreboard. Soriano got into trouble in the sixth though, allowing three straight singles to suddenly break the scoreless tie and chase him from the game. Chase Silseth didn’t make things much better, issuing a walk immediately followed by a pair of singles and a wild pitch that culminated in five runs scoring in the inning.
The Angels did get three of those runs back in the top of the sixth, but they watched them slip out of their grasp as the Mariners responded with three more runs in the bottom half. Those two innings were all the offense that we’d see, as the bullpens locked in and didn’t allow anyone else to advance into scoring position, but they were all Seattle needed to run away with the win.
The Detroit Tigers clinched their first series win since sweeping the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park with a 9-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night. Tarik Skubal had his best outing since returning from the injured list and the Tigers’ offensive onslaught continued, having now scored 35 runs over their last five games.
AJ Hinch’s squad will go for the sweep on Wednesday afternoon with right-hander Troy Melton on the mound looking to continue his recent dominance, which has seen him string two straight quality starts together. Over that stretch spanning across 12 innings of work, the 25-year-old posted a sparkling 1.50 ERA along with a less-impressive 4.43 FIP, allowing just a pair of earned runs — both on solo home runs — while striking out 11 against three walks.
Melton missed the Yankees in Detroit when they played last week.
Opposite him is fellow righty Will Warren, who has been solid so far in his third major league campaign. The 27-year-old struggled in June, however, recording a 5.49 ERA and 4.68 FIP over four games stretching across 19 2/3 innings, serving up a pair of home runs while striking out 14 against 10 walks.
Warren also missed the Tigers in Detroit in last week’s series.
Here is a look at how the two match up on Wednesday afternoon as Detroit goes for the kill.
Detroit Tigers (37-49) vs. New York Yankees (48-37)
Time (ET): 1:35 p.m. Place: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York SB Nation Site:Pinstripe Alley Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 87: RHP Troy Melton (4-1, 2.39 ERA) vs. RHP Will Warren (7-3, 3.75 ERA)
Happy birthday to Mike Montgomery, and a mighty host of others.
Today in baseball history, in 1958 – The Cubs’Tony Taylor hits a ball inside the third base line that falls into the rain gutter in fair territory at Wrigley Field. San Francisco rookie OF Leon Wagner chases the ball, but is fooled by Cubs relief pitchers staring intently under the bench. Wagner does not look for the ball in the gutter 40 to 50 feet further down. Taylor reaches home on the hit, and other stories as well.
1972 – Roberto Clemente‘s fourth and fifth (out of six) career home runs off Ferguson Jenkins provide the Pirates with a 4 – 3 walk-off win against the Cubs at Three Rivers Stadium. Clemente hits Fergie’s first pitch in the 7th inning over the left field fence to tie the game. After the Bucs fall behind, 3-2, his second homer is a game-ending blast with none out in the ninth.
1973 – The Twins’Jim Kaat fires a one-hitter to beat the Angels, 2-1. Frank Robinson‘s home run in the 2nd is the only hit. This is the second time in his career that Robby hits a home run to break up a no-hitter.
1906 – Righthander Jack Taylor, 8-9 with the St. Louis Cardinals, returns to the Cubs in exchange for second-string C Pete Noonan, rookie P Fred Beebe and cash. Taylor will help the Cubs by going 12-3 the rest of the year.
1950 – The Reds’Ewell Blackwell has to go ten innings but finally beats the Cubs, 5 – 3, striking out 14 and allowing just two hits. One of the hits is Andy Pafko‘s three-run home run in the 9th.
1973 – At Wrigley Field, the Mets edge the Cubs, 6-5, in the first game of a doubleheader. Then it is the Cubs’ turn, as Randy Hundley bangs a ninth-inning three-run homer to give Chicago the 6-5 edge. Ron Santo has seven hits for the afternoon, five in the nightcap.
1200 – Sunglasses are invented in China [approx. date].
1731 – Benjamin Franklin and members of his ‘Junto’ community improvement club draw up articles of agreement to found the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first public library in British America.
1776 – First vote on Declaration of Independence for Britain’s North American colonies.
1863 – Battle of Gettysburg begins in Pennsylvania, Union forces halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee‘s Army of Northern Virginia.
1898 – Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders charge up San Juan Hill during US’s successful assault on the city of Santiago.
1963 – ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) Codes are introduced for United States mail.
1967 – The Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” goes to No. 1 in the United States and stays there for 15 weeks.
1997 – Nevada Athletic Commission suspends Mike Tyson indefinitely and withholds $20 million purse for biting Evander Holyfield‘s ear during their heavyweight title fight 28 June.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 19: Adbert Alzolay #73 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets photo day at Clover Park on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Woo Sox creamed Syracuse. Nick Morabito concluded his red-hot June with three more hits- one of which was a double- but there really isn’t anything positive to say about this drubbing. Luis Robert Jr. went 1-3 while Jorge Polanco went hitless in three trips to the plate.
It took a while thanks to a two-and-a-half hour rain delay, but the Rumble Ponies took the opener in their series against the Baysox, their second win of the second half. Binghamton scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, but before they could take their next turn at bat, the rain came. Jonathan Santucci initially took the mound for Binghamton, but because of the torrential downpour, only ended up throwing 29 pitches over two innings. After things cleared up, the Rumble Ponies plated three more runs. The Baysox scored a pair of runs in the top of the third and one more in the top of the fourth, but Felipe De La Cruz, Gabriel Rodriguez, and Saul Garcia held things down in the later innings.
The reigning, defending, undisputed Pitcher of the Week Daviel Hurtado instantly put himself in the running for a repeat, following up one his six scoreless inning, two-hit performance with one walk and six strikeouts by throwing six scoreless innings, allowing a single hit, walking one, and striking out eight; Acknowledge him. Ronald Hernandez put Brooklyn on the board just before Hurtado left the game with a solo homer, and in the top of the seventh, the Cyclones scored three more. Gregori Louis almost ruined things for the Cuban left-hander by allowing three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the bullpen settled after his blip of an inning.
Emilio Obispo contained the Tarpons once though the order, but in the middle innings, they tagged him for four runs. Zack Mack allowed two more, but ultimately those and every other run outside of Tampa’s first were meaningless, as the Tarpons blanked the Mets. St. Lucie managed only three hits, doubles from Antonio Jimenez and Taylor Darden and a Jack Scanlon single.
Jun 30, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) fielding a ground ball hit by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas (20) in the seventh inning for the out at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Lexi Thompson-Imagn Images | Lexi Thompson-Imagn Images
Good morning Birdland,
It’s officially July, which means trade season will soon be open. Last year, the Orioles traded away reliever Bryan Baker on July 10, when they were 10 games under .500. and seven games back of the final wild card spot. While dealing away a middle reliever isn’t necessarily a sign of surrender, that’s exactly what it would be for the 2025 Orioles.
Right now, the 2026 version of the Orioles are 9 games under .500, five games back of the final wild card spot, and in the midst of a four-game losing streak. This year’s AL is worse than it was a season ago, so perhaps there is some reason for optimism in the organization. More likely, there is pressure within the front office to just make this roster work, no matter what. The team’s on-field play is making that a tough case to prove.
The Orioles 9-3 loss on Tuesday night was just the latest disheartening performance. Some of that was another tough start for rookie Trey Gibson, which is frustrating but understandable for such a young player. More annoying was yet another weak offensive showing. They had nine hits, but scored just three runs, and did not hit any home runs. It’s just not good enough, and while their have been moments of brilliance, and some good weeks mixed in, the squad has just generally been a disappointing. There are no signs to indicate that will change.
That doesn’t mean the Orioles need to get to selling right now. Maybe a miracle happens, they forget who they are, and they string together a bunch of wins by the end of the month. That would be fun to see. But we shouldn’t hold our breath. And considering the times that Mike Elias has given up on solid-but-not-great teams, it would be pretty frustrating to see him pick THIS team as one worth doubling down on come the deadline.
Stay cool out there today, Baltimore. It’s gonna be a hot one. And we have an Orioles game right in the middle of it. First pitch is 12:35 from Camden Yards. Stay in the shade. Drink water. And get inside when possible.
This, that and the other | Roch Kubatko Some Mike Elias quotes from over the weekend are in here. He spoke about injuries, how they have impacted the team, and the upcoming trade deadline. It is fair to say that injuries have been a problem for the Orioles, but come on. The team doesn’t stink because Jordan Westburg and Zach Eflin have been out. They should have been able to absorb those losses and still been an 85-90 win team. The issues go deeper.
Nelson Cruz turns 46 today. The slugger spent just one season in Baltimore, but it was a good one. He led the league with 40 home runs and helped the Orioles capture the 2014 AL East title.
Jamie Walker is 55 years old. He pitched out of the Orioles bullpen for parts of three seasons from 2007 through ’09.
This day in O’s history
1957 – Orioles pitcher George Zuverink and catcher Frank Zupo form the first “Z” batter in major league history in a 3-2 loss to the Yankees.
1967 – Orioles pitcher Mike Adamson makes his major league debut, becoming the first draftee to bypass the minors and go straight to the majors. However, he will play in the minors in 1968.
1982 – Orioles manager Earl Weaver moves Cal Ripken Jr. from third base to shortstop.
1994 – The Orioles and Angels combine to hit a major league record-tying 11 home runs in a 14-7 win for the O’s.
BALTIMORE – On the day Sam Antonacci played his first professional baseball game, going 2-for-4 for Class A Kannapolis in a Carolina League contest Aug. 8, 2024, the Chicago White Sox fired their manager with a 28-89 record, mired in a stretch of losing 48 of 54 games, on their way to a record-setting 121-loss season.
Sometimes, it’s advantageous to be young and oblivious.
From that moment in time, a gaggle of players like Antonacci methodically worked their way through the White Sox’s system, were culled from the waiver wire, imported en masse in a blockbuster trade or drafted, developed and tossed into the fire.
And in less than two years, baseball’s most depressing outpost has become its most surprising story.
“When I got drafted, when I first got to the Arizona complex,” Antonacci, a fifth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina in 2024, tells USA TODAY Sports, “it didn’t feel like a 121-loss team.
“I knew it was going to change quickly. It was a matter of when.”
How about… now?
These 2026 White Sox are 45-39, will begin the month of July atop the American League Central and, in a year of leaguewide mediocrity, have an 80% chance to reach the playoffs. It is a stunning climb for a club that saw the fading presence of Tony La Russa give way to three consecutive 100-loss seasons, the utter chaos of the Pedro Grifol managerial era and, finally, a place in the record books nobody wanted.
Yet for so many of the players assembled this year on the South Side, there’s a certain eternal sunshine of the rookie mind that joyfully prevails.
Antonacci did not debut until April 15, yet as the club’s leadoff hitter and left fielder, ranks sixth in the AL with a .391 on-base percentage, a 5-foot-11 doubles hitter residing among giants named Yordan and Trout and Kurtz. Tristan Peters, an erstwhile Savanna Banana rescued via cash considerations after the Tampa Bay Rays designated him for assignment, is playing Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field, rarely strikes out and reaches base at a .345 clip.
Munetaka Murakami, of course, was a member of Japan’s Yakult Swallows back in 2024, only to arrive this year and pound 20 homers in 57 games before a hamstring injury sidelined him. Still, he's a joyous presence around the club as he works his way back to a July return, secure in knowing the club has maintained a 15-12 clip without him.
And then there is Miguel Vargas, whose steady climb these past three seasons at both third base and the plate has him on the verge of a rare journey: Discarded Dodger mega-prospect to All-Star.
“It’s been really impressive,” says second-year White Sox manager Will Venable. “And it starts with players that, regardless of their opportunity in the past or where they are in their career, they’re really special guys. Guys who want to go out and compete and play hard, and make adjustments.
“That’s really what’s required to stay in this league and perform at a high level.”
Even if getting there can be a circuitous journey.
'A wild ride'
Winkler, Manitoba won’t be confused for a baseball outpost anytime soon, wedged as it is roughly halfway between Winnipeg and Grand Forks, North Dakota. And as Peters was growing up, juggling youth hockey (duh) and baseball, he realized his proclivity for the latter.
With that, his family agreed to ship him 12 hours west, to Calgary, where he’d stay with an aunt and attend a school with a baseball academy for his junior and senior years.
Peters would continue following the sun, to Arizona’s Chandler-Gilbert Community College, where fate would intercede in many ways.
Juco ball creates a melting pot of personalities and Peters wasn’t quite sure what to think when a teammate suggested they kill a night by going line dancing.
“And I was like ‘Oh boy, I don’t know,’” Peters remembers. “I said yes and almost got cold feet.”
Yet Peters and his buddy followed through, and good thing they ended up at Scootin’ Boots in Mesa. That evening, Peters would meet a young woman named Erin, commencing a four-year friendship that culminated in their 2023 marriage – held just a short drive from their initial meeting at Scootin’ Boots.
Peters also left an impression on Tyler Gillum, an opposing coach at South Mountain Community College, who’d remember Peters after the outfielder continued on to Southern Illinois University.
And in 2021, Gillum invited Peters to suit up for the Savannah Bananas.
Oh, it wasn’t full-fledged Banana Ball just yet. The Bananas were members of the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League. Yet their home games were spectacles – all the TikToks and stilts and dancing fans have come to expect.
Peters played in 17 games, a period that coincided with Milwaukee choosing him in the seventh round of the 2021 draft. It was good baseball – and an even better mental reset as his pro career began.
“Often, we focus on our performance on the field. There, we’re focused on the fans and how to give them a good time,” says Peters. “That’s who we’re playing for, essentially.
“When you’re hard on yourself and struggling, it can be pretty tough. It didn’t matter if you had a bad game or good game – you’d go out and dance with the fans after the game. You gotta have fun.”
Peters made his major league debut Aug. 8 with Tampa Bay – he’d been dealt from Milwaukee in 2022 for reliever Trevor Rosenthal – yet was hitless in 12 at-bats before returning to Class AAA.
The taste of the big leagues increased his cravings. As did sitting on an 0-for-12 all winter.
Yet as Peters redoubled his efforts, working out at Driveline Baseball’s Arizona facility to add strength and revamp his hitting approach, the Rays designated him for assignment. The White Sox soon worked out a deal for a lump of cash in exchange.
Why the White Sox, for a guy with four games of major league experience?
“They brought up my defense, first and foremost,” says Peters. “Saw some potential in my bat as well. I agreed and thought it was there.
“They were really awesome and excited to have me. That gave me motivation.”
It set the stage for an unforgettable couple of weeks – Peters made the White Sox’s opening-day roster and shortly thereafter, his daughter Elaine was born.
With Erin and Elaine along for most road trips – “She’s having a blast, I think,” says Peters of nearly 4-month-old Elaine – Peters has established himself as a mainstay in center field, racking up 2.3 WAR and tied for fourth among major league center fielders with seven outs above average.
“It’s been a wild ride, to say the least,” he says. “There’s been a lot of steppingstones along the way and some you don’t expect. I’m just super grateful to be here and have this opportunity.”
South Side energy
Vargas can second that. He was a ballyhooed prospect with the Dodgers, rising to No. 30 in Baseball America’s top 100, yet predictably didn’t have a full developmental runway after batting .195 over 81 games in 2023.
So in August 2024, he was dropped into the White Sox’s 121-loss misery. A year later, with Venable stabilizing the managerial position, Vargas began to make strides.
This year, now 26, Vargas is about maintaining that over a full season, with excellent results so far.
The third baseman has racked up 3.3 WAR while hitting 19 homers in 82 games. He’s very much on track for a reunion next week with Cuban countryman and close friend Andy Pages, himself enjoying a big breakout with the Dodgers.
“I just try to be better every day, be consistent with my job,” says Vargas. “Understand that this is a long season. Get my body in the best position to go out there and compete every single day.
“Also, this group of guys, the energy they bring every single day (makes) it so easy to come here and match that energy. It’s been great for me to be part of this group.”
Says Venable: “He’s been so consistent. Last year we saw in flashes, in stretches that lasted a little longer. He just wasn’t able to really maintain it. That’s what’s been impressive – the work he’s put in in the offseason to give him that strength to be consistent throughout these stretches.”
That goes for the White Sox at large. They have received decent starting pitching from somewhat unexpected sources such as Davis Martin and Sean Burke. Noah Schultz, their 6-10 top prospect, will return from injury and start Wednesday, July 2 at Baltimore.
The bullpen is a bit unsettled, yet that’s the case for even the top contenders. Questions still remain about the sustainability of it all, as young players like Antonacci and Peters, recent outfield call-up Braden Montgomery and another rookie first-round pick, first baseman Jacob Gonzalez, complete their first trips around the 162-game sun.
It seems like a hodgepodge of youth. It also seems, trite as it sounds, like these guys are learning how to win. They are 17-10 in one-run games, a respectable 19-22 against teams with winning records.
"Early in the season, we were in a lot of these games that came down to one inning, situational baseball. We’ve had experience with all this stuff now. Everyone kind of knows their role," says shortstop Colson Montgomery, another former first-round pick who leads the club with 21 home runs. "We’re just getting more and more polished each day we play.
"We’re a young team and everything like that. But we like to act like we have that experience and confidence, because we do."
Braden Montgomery's June 9 debut was symbolic in another sense: All three pieces from the December 2024 trade of ace Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox - Montgomery, second baseman Chase Meidroth and catcher Kyle Teel - are now everyday players in Chicago.
That deal perhaps the franchise nadir - 121 losses followed by the trade of a future Cy Young runner-up. They'd go on to lose 101 more games in 2025, the product more respectable but not yet totally watchable.
Yet look at them now.
The White Sox have drawn 15 crowds of at least 28,000, and now rank 10th in the AL in attendance - this after ranking 13th the past two seasons, finishing ahead of only the minor league Athletics and uncertain Rays.
“That’s why I feel it’s more enjoyable,” says Vargas, “and you kind of come from that and where we are now. You look back and the way we’ve been doing it step by step and it’s amazing.
“It’s a great journey for me and the whole organization, and we want to take this opportunity the best we can.”
PHOENIX — They will be proudly representing their teams at the 96th All-Star Game in two weeks in Philadelphia, but once the festivities are over, and they travel back home for the second half of the MLB season, they soon may be wearing different uniforms.
The Major League Baseball trade deadline is Aug. 3, less than three weeks after the All-Star Game, and there are seven potential All-Star players who could be on the trade block and switching uniforms.
The biggest question is not whether two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers will be traded, but whether he will be one of the 12 American League pitchers selected to the All-Star Game by the players, managers and coaches. He’s just 4-4 with a 3.15 ERA after missing five weeks after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery. Still, he’s one of the finest pitchers on the planet who could be the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history this winter.
Here are this year’s potential All-Star candidates, led by Skubal, who will find themselves subjected to intense trade rumors at the All-Star festivities:
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers, 37-49, have been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments, but as badly as they’ve performed, the American League stinks to the high heavens, and they are just 6.5 games out of a wild-card berth. Do they ride it out and hope that Skubal’s return gets them back into contention, or do they sell him to the highest-bidder and stock their farm system, knowing they’re not going to re-sign him as a free agent, anyway? If nothing else, Skubal has quieted any doubts that he’s fully recovered from his elbow surgery, striking out nine while yielding just one hit and one earned run in six innings in his last start Tuesday against the New York Yankees, hitting 99 mph on the radar gun.
Prediction: Skubal will go, with Atlanta being the favorite according to rival executives, but this decision likely will go down to the final days, if not hours, before the deadline.
Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox
Chapman is 16-for-18 in save opportunities with a 2.19 ERA, but has scuffled at a time the Red Sox are playing their best baseball. Chapman, 38, has blown two saves and given up at least one run in three of his last six appearances. The Red Sox, 37-47, have also been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments, but let’s repeat: the American League stinks. They are only 5.5 games out of a wild-card berth.
Prediction: Chapman, who has pitched for seven different teams in his 17-year career, will still be the marquee reliever traded at the deadline.
Sonny Gray, Boston Red Sox
Gray is 9-1 with a 2.69 ERA and may be the best pitcher traded not named Tarik Skubal. He has been everything the Red Sox could possibly have envisioned when they acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals even chipped in $20 million to cover the remaining $41 million on his contract.
The biggest obstacles in a potential Gray trade is that he has a complete no-trade clause, and will be owed about $11 million in his remaining salary plus a $10 million buyout on his mutual option.
Prediction: The Red Sox will pay his $10 million mutual option, and trade Gray to a team of his choosing, perhaps Atlanta or the Chicago White Sox, unless they somehow claw back into this weak wild-card race.
Buster Posey, Giants president of baseball operations, has already let the baseball world know the Giants are open for business, with all of their high-priced players − except ace Logan Webb − available for trades. While infielders Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Matt Chapman are making too much money for anyone’s liking, Arraez is easily their best trade chip among position players. Arraez, the three-time batting champion, is once again working his magic at the plate, hitting .331 with only 13 strikeouts in 353 plate appearances this year, with his 3.7% strikeout rate easily the lowest in MLB. He also is hitting with more power with a career-high seven triples and four homers. The biggest bonus is that with the help of infield guru Ron Washington, he has morphed into a Gold Glove candidate at second base.
Prediction: The Giants absolutely love Arraez, who has become a clubhouse favorite, but have no plans to keep him. They will thank him for his services, trade him, and wish him well in free agency, knowing they certainly helped increase his value.
Jose Soriano, Los Angeles Angels
OK, so he’s not the same pitcher who dominated everyone in his wake in April, yielding a 0.24 ERA in his first six starts. Still, he’s 8-5 with a 3.42 ERA, and best of all, comes with 2½ more years of team control. He is earning $2.9 million this year, so he won’t stretch out anyone’s budget, either.
Prediction: The biggest question will be whether Angels owner Arte Moreno will allow interim GM John Mozeliak to trade him. Moreno hates to trade players who are under team control, and Soriano has shown this year that he could be one of the game’s premier starters. Yet, if Moreno really is handing the reins over to Mozeliak and wants to rebuild, the return for Soriano could be quite the kick-start.
Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks
Rodriguez, who was a bitter disappointment the first two years of his four-year, $80 million contract, is having the finest season of his career and should be headed to his first All-Star Game. He’s 7-2 with a 2.21 ERA, and has six starts in which he has gone at least seven innings and permitted one or no runs, tied for the major-league lead.
Prediction: The Diamondbacks are on the playoff bubble, sitting 2½ games back of a playoff berth. They are 13-2 against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies, but 30-40 against everyone else. If they fall out of the race, they must decide whether to simply trade starter Michael Soroka, who’s on a one-year contract, or dump Rodriguez, who is owed $21 million in 2027 before he’s a free agent again. They may have no choice but to listen to any and all offers.
CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals
The Nationals put Abrams on the trade block last winter, but never received an offer that ever tempted them to trade him. His trade value has since soared, with him hitting .273 with 18 homers and 60 RBI with an .866 OPS, leading all National League shortstops in virtually every offensive category.
Prediction: The Nationals, one of baseball’s biggest surprises at 44-43, can’t trade Abrams without a huge public relations fallout. At least not now. They still are in the race, just 2½ games out, and Abrams still is under control through 2028. They have plenty of time to listen to trade offers in the future if they don’t sign him to an extension.
Jan 21, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Trent Noah (9) fives guard Denzel Aberdeen during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Looking at the roster for this Kentucky Basketball team, there are a lot of new faces in Lexington as well as some returning players. A lot of players are hyped up in the offseason, but oftentimes, a player will surprise fans and media members with the impact they make on the court.
Who could be that surprise for Kentucky this season? Well, Jon Rothstein recently asked Mark Pope about that on an episode of Inside College Basketball Now, and Pope indicated there are multiple players who could be a surprise this season.
Pope first pointed to Ousmane N’Diaye, the 6’11 Senegalese forward who most recently played in Italy. Pope pointed to N’Diaye’s length and shot-making ability as attributes that stood out and could really surprise people this season.
Pope also pointed to Justin McBride, a name we’ve heard mentioned quite a bit in practices. Pope pointed to McBride’s versatility and physicality, as well as his college experience, as attributes that could lead him to have a breakout season.
Franck Kepnang is another guy Pope mentioned, but noted that Kepnang’s health will be a key factor in how much impact he has.
However, Pope really keyed in on Trent Noah.
“Trent Noah is physical,” Pope told Rothstein. “And he can really shoot it. Part of the issue last year was when we lost our point guard, we lost a real creator vibe on our roster. You know, it hurt also guys like Trent who might not manufacture a lot of shots, but if shots can be manufactured for him, he’s going to make them all, it feels like.”
Pope also mentioned Braydon Hawthorne as a guy who has a high ceiling and a ton of potential.
You can check out this clip where Pope talks about the different players who could be surprises.
Stephen Curry and LeBron James have grown closer over the years. Photograph: Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images
It’s official: LeBron Jameswill not finish his career as a Los Angeles Laker. The talking heads are in a gnashing froth. ESPN’s Shams Charania has become the first human being in recorded history to somehow get less than zero sleep over a 24-hour period. Steph Curry is widening his eyes. Bronny James is secretly relishing the chance to forge his own identity as he says “I’ll miss you, Dad.” James hasn’t been the best player in the league for more than half a decade, but at 41 he remains the most decorated and the one who commands the most coverage. So let’s indulge in a time-honored tradition one last time: wild speculation over where the King will play next season.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors seem to be the odds-on favorite to land James, but it still feels silly typing this out. Picture Thanos joining the Avengers. Lionel Messi defecting to Portugal. Andy Murray coaching Novak Djokovic … well, that one did actually happen.
James waged an uphill war against Golden State for four straight years in the 2010s, trying to will his usually undermanned Cavaliers squad to an unlikely win over one of the finest teams ever assembled. His lone success on that mission came in 2016, and remains the crown jewel of his career. But there were more bad times than good: JR Smith’s tragicomic gaffe in the 2018 finals; what would have been an all-time carry job sputtering out of gas after taking a 2-1 lead in 2015; going up against Warriors teams in 2017 and 2018 who were essentially impossible for him to beat with the teammates he had. Clips of James blocking Curry’s layups and then jawing at him, or Draymond Green trying to swat the King out of the air, still inspire vivid emotions in plenty of fans. And now James would join ranks with his old enemy?
Well, yes. James and Curry (and even Green) have grown close over the years. They played together on Olympic squads and the synergy was beautiful. Alongside Curry, Green and potentially LeBron’s ex-Laker teammate Anthony Davis, the New Warriors would be the most feelgood team in recent memory. Besides, this move would be entirely in line with James’s history. He’s never been afraid of angering fans, maybe to a fault. (Recall those burned jerseys after The Decision.) He’s always zigged when fans wanted him to zag. While other players shamelessly imitated Michael Jordan, James charted his own path in his own style until fans accepted him as at least equally great. Why not join the team that tormented him for years?
This Unc-tastic crew would brew nostalgia by the gallon. The modern NBA is powered by youth and durability, and nobody should be under any illusions that this team would be headed towards a pasture remotely greener than “every crucial player gets injured within five games of the season starting”. Still, the vibes before that inevitable train wreck would be fabulous.
Likelihood: 55%
Cleveland Cavaliers
The lone option that could beat the Warriors for good feels. In his Sports Illustrated essay announcing his return to Cleveland in 2014, James wrote “I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when.” Did that belief change when he left Cleveland for LA in 2018, or has a final stint with the Cavs been the plan all along? Dumped out of the Eastern Conference finals in four games by the Knicks, including an epic Game 1 collapse, the Cavaliers need all the help they can get. On the court, James may not get all that many touches – he’ll have to sneak them in between the twin suns of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden – but it’ll be worth it for the sheer energy of his first game back.
Cleveland is where LeBron began his career in 2003. It’s where he made his first finals. It’s the city that loathed him when he left and loved him when he returned. It’s the site of his greatest triumph and his greatest basketball (2018, as the man himself told it on the Mind the Gamepodcast.) So the team lacks a certain reliability and verve. But it’s the best story.
Likelihood: 25%
Miami Heat
The Heat have Bam Adebayo to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they traded away most of their other assets to get the Greek star. LeBron and Giannis would be an intriguing combination – there may not be enough three-point shooting there to power a fearsome offense, but they’d be a force in the paint, and Antetokounmpo’s dunks and drives could help James get some valuable rest. James spent just four seasons in Miami, but packed enough memories into that time to compete with his body of work anywhere else: four straight trips to the finals, two MVPs, two finals MVPs, his villain era and one oft-cited, poorly aged quote. Hey, going back to Miami is the only way to belatedly fulfill “not one, not two … not seven”.
Likelihood: 15%
Minnesota Timberwolves/San Antonio Spurs/Oklahoma City Thunder
If what James covets most isn’t money or fun but a ring, he won’t get what he wants on any of the above teams. These teams are genuine contenders, and James’s time on the Lakers – as well as his, oh, 23 years in the league – tell him exactly what that looks like: youth, generational stars, exceptional defense. James would be an instant upgrade on Julius Randle in Minnesota, further bolstering the offense alongside Anthony Edwards (imagine those alley-oops, in either configuration) and LaMelo Ball. He would be a sorely needed veteran on the Spurs, giving them an out in crunch time with touch shots off the glass or foul-drawing drives. Jordan and James never played each other in the NBA; imagine if James not only played alongside the next player with GOAT potential in Wemby but helped sharpen him.
And the Thunder? They probably have the least need for James out of any team in the league, but that’s exactly why he may feast there. With their endless bench of serviceable-to-very-good three-and-D players, James could play limited minutes with manageable intensity as the other starters carry the defensive burden. While James on the Cavs or Warriors is a lovely image, if anyone’s earned the right to chase a final ring on one of the best teams in the league, it’s him.
Likelihood: 5%
Memphis Grizzlies
What James said about Memphis in March was a masterstroke of misdirection disguising a secret and long-held love for the city. Also, he feels bad about how badly things went with Ja Morant.
Likelihood: LOL
Only the man himself knows what’s to come in the future. But if his choice is consistent with his on-court philosophy, though the team he picks may not be the most obvious or the most conducive to glory, it will be the correct one.
DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: A detail view of a puck during warmups prior to the game between the Dallas Stars and the Utah Mammoth at American Airlines Center on November 28, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Wednesday marks the first day of July, which is historically one of the busiest days on the NHL calendar as free agency begins and general managers hand out money by the Brink’s truck to lure shiny new toys to their respective franchises.
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has gone on record saying he doesn’t anticipate being super active in the early hours of the 2026 free-agent frenzy, preferring to make his moves, if he can, via trade.
With that, let’s hop in the time machine and take a trip back to look at the start of the last 10 free agency periods to see how the Penguins constructed their roster while reminiscing or recoiling at some of those signings.
Note that this list is not meant to be exhaustive. Apologies to all the Mark Donk and Buzz Flibbet fans out there.
2016
Just days removed from winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship since 2009, the architect of the Penguins’ championship team, general manager Jim Rutherford, was signed to a three-year contract through the 2018-19 season.
Former blue liner Chad Ruhwedel signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh on July 1, 2016, where he would remain for the better part of the next eight seasons.
The team also made several depth signings, inking forwards Tom Sestito, Garrett Wilson and defensemen Steve Olesky, David Warsofsky, Cameron Gaunce and Stuart Percy. All of whom (except for Percy) made at least one appearance for the NHL club.
2017
One year later, the Penguins are once again Stanley Cup champions. General manager Jim Rutherford had already begun tinkering with the makeup of the team a few days prior, clearly wanting to become a heavier, tougher team to play against. He wound up trading forward Oskar Sundqvist and the Penguins’ 2017 first-round pick (No. 31 overall) to St. Louis for winger Ryan Reaves and a 2017 second-round draft pick (No. 51 overall).
On July 1, Rutherford brought in two more new faces, signing defenseman Matt Hunwick to a three-year contract and goalie Antti Niemi to a one-year deal.
Pittsburgh also signed forward Greg McKegg (there’s a guy) to a one-year deal.
Zach Trotman and Kevin Czuczman were signed as organizational defensive depth on July 1 and July 3, respectively.
2018
Not even one year later, on June 27, 2018, the Penguins had shipped off Hunwick and forward Conor Sheary to the Buffalo Sabres for a conditional 2019 fourth-round draft pick.
On July 1, the Penguins re-signed forward Matt Cullen to a one-year deal after he had spent the 2017-18 season with the Minnesota Wild.
The Penguins also handed out one of the more controversial contracts in franchise history–signing free agent defenseman Jack Johnson to a five-year, $16.25 million contract.
Johnson would only spend two seasons in the black and gold. The Penguins bought out the remainder of his contract in October 2020. Johnson’s contract accounted for dead cap space through the 2025-26 season and is officially off the books as of today with the start of the NHL’s 2026-27 calendar.
2019
The Penguins were active on (and near) the free agency start date in 2o19. The team signed forward Brandon Tanev to a six-year contract on July 1, 2019.
Forward Andrew Agozzino and defenseman David Warsofsky were both signed to two-year deals on July 1.
The franchise also handed head coach Mike Sullivan a four-year contract extension through the 2023-24 season on July 5, 2019.
2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the 2019-20 season, the league’s standard July 1 opening date was delayed to Oct. 9, 2o2o. The NHL draft, usually held right before free agency, was also moved to Oct. 6-7, 2020.
On Oct. 8, the team signed forward Sam Lafferty to a two-year contract running through the 2021-22 season.
On Oct. 9, the “official” start of free agency, the Penguins signed forwards Evan Rodrigues, Mark Jankowski, and Frederick Gaudreau to one-year contracts.
Pittsburgh also reinforced its blue line, giving Cody Ceci a one-year deal on Oct. 16.
Goalie Maxime Lagacé was also brought in on a one-year contract.
2021
The effects of the pandemic were still being felt into the 2021 season, with free agency returning to July, albeit a bit later than the traditional July 1 date, this time coming on July 28.
New general manager Ron Hextall made his biggest splash, signing forward Brock McGinn on July 28 to a four-year, $11 million contract.
Other, smaller moves included signing forward Danton Heinen to a one-year deal on July 29, bringing back forward Dominik Simon for a second tour of duty, and signing defenseman Taylor Fedun to a one-year deal, providing the Wilkes-Barre Penguins with a quality veteran presence on the backend.
Forward Radim Zohorna signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh on Aug. 3, 2021, and forward Zach Aston-Reese signed a one-year contract on Aug 5, 2021.
2022
The biggest transactions around this time were contract signings for some of Pittsburgh’s core players. Franchise defenseman Kris Letang was signed to a six-year contract extension.
After a bit of drama into the 11th hour, Evgeni Malkin eventually re-upped with the Penguins on a four-year, $24,000,000 contract. Winger Rickard Rakell was also given a six-year, $30,000,000 contract.
On the external transaction front, defenseman Jan Rutta was poached from the Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning and signed to a three-year, $8,250,000 contract.
Defenseman Xavier Ouellet agreed to terms with the organization on a two-year deal, primarily serving as a veteran AHL defender.
The Penguins also signed goalie Dustin Tokarski and forwards Josh Archibald and Drake Caggiula to one-year deals. Danton Heinen also returned to Pittsburgh on a one-year contract.
2023
Kyle Dubas was hired as president of hockey operations on June 1, 2023. And while he was hired to guide the Penguins into a post-Sidney Crosby era, he came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, giving Crosby and co. another chance at a Stanley Cup.
July 1 saw a flurry of action.
Forward Noel Acciari was signed to help Pittsburgh’s bottom six, agreeing to a three-year contract. Veteran Lars Eller was given a two-year deal, again primarily deployed as a lower-line forward. Winger Matt Nieto was brought on with a two-year contract, but injuries largely derailed his tenure.
Dubas’ focus was also on reloading the AHL team, ensuring they remained competitive as well. Forwards Vinne Hinostroza, Joona Koppanen, and Marc Johnstone were brought in to round out the WB/S forward group. Radim Zohorna also returned to the organization on a one-year deal.
Defensemen Ryan Shea and Will Butcher were both signed as organizational depth, and in Shea’s case, he eventually blossomed into an NHL regular who is now primed for a payday on the open market in 2026.
For Pittsburgh’s defense, Dubas’ largest free agent acquisition to date was signing Ryan Graves to a six-year, $27 million deal. That one… hasn’t worked out.
Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic came over from the Detroit Red Wings to give Tristan Jarry a running mate. And netminder Magnus Hellberg was brought in as an AHL backstop.
Dubas’ biggest swing would come later in the summer in a massive, three-team blockbuster when he now famously acquired defenseman Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks.
2024
Dubas was firmly on a mission to rebuild the aging Penguins while also acquiring future draft capital to restock a barren prospect cupboard.
Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk left the Boston Bruins as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract for the 2024-25 season.
Blake Lizotte agreed to terms on a two-year deal, coming over from the Los Angeles Kings, reinforcing Pittsburgh’s bottom six and penalty kill unit. Anthony Beauvillier was the classic buy-low, sell-high candidate who would eventually be flipped at the following trade deadline.
At the AHL level, forwards Boko Imama, Corey Andonovski, and Jimmy Huntington were signed. Defensemen Mac Hollowell and Nate Clurman signed one-year deals. Fellow defender Sebastian Aho also signed a two-year contract.
2025
Anthony Mantha, signed last summer, enjoyed a career year this past season and looks primed to cash in on the open market after one year. Justin Brazeau can also be lumped into the same category after an impressive 2025-26 campaign from him, but the good thing for the Penguins is they have Brazeau under contract for another year.
Defenseman Caleb Jones, brother to Seth, signed a two-year deal with the team, and after an injury-plagued first season with Pittsburgh, could be looked at as the seventh defenseman or one of the first AHL callups in the event of injury on the blue line.
Defenseman Parker Wotherspoon signed a two-year deal and enjoyed one of the best seasons of his professional career last year, being partnered with Erik Karlsson. Still, Wotherspoon was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights not even 24 hours ago for Kaedan Korczak.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins also welcomed some new faces with the arrivals of Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Philip Kemp, and Alexander Alexeyev.
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There have been a few pretty positive free agent signings, especially more recently, with the likes of the aforementioned Wotherspoon, Brazeau, Lizotte, and Mantha contributing to an unexpected playoff run last season.
Penguins management has also been prone to whiffing, sometimes big, when looking back at how they dished out money for players like Jack Johnson, Ryan Graves, and Brock McGinn.
And as mentioned above, Kyle Dubas seems set on going big-game hunting via the trade market over the next few weeks with a weaker free agent class this year, so any new faces that arrive via free agency may be more in line with organizational depth or the low-risk, high-reward type rather than an impact player receiving a five-year deal.
For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while. | NHLI via Getty Images
Today could be the day the Islanders and captain Anders Lee say goodbye after 14 seasons and 923 games together.
Lee will turn 36 in a couple of days, so while both parties would like to continue their relationship under the right conditions, there is apparent disagreement over term or rate and what not.
Such is reality in the NHL when you gotta make room for 15-points-at-age-35 Ondrej Palat.
As NHL free agency officially kicked off, word was that Lee was headed to market. Maybe, if whatever his definitely-not-tampering agent tells him is out there fails to emerge, he’ll come back to the Isles after all.
Or maybe he’ll sign with the Wild.
The Islanders were informed this morning that captain Anders Lee is headed to the UFA market. Not a decision that was taken lightly. The Isles improved their offer in late stages, but still not there. So Lee heads to market. Door open to Isles as well while hearing from other…
Hens pitching was pretty good on Tuesday, but the bats faltered in the 90 degree heat of this cruel, noon start time.
The Mud Hens did get on the board first. Brett Callahan singled with one out in the top of the second inning. He stole second as Trei Cruz struck out, and the throw from Moises Ballesteros was wild to second, and Callahan took third. A bloop single from Jace Jung brought him home as the Hens only run on the day.
Dylan File put together a pretty mediocre outing, giving up three runs in 4.1 innings of work. He did strike out five against two walks.
Brenan Hanifee, Tyler Mattison, Tanner Rainer, and Nick Sandlin were all effective in relief, but the Hens only managed four hits on the day. Cubs right-hander Will Sanders put together a strong outing against them.
Callahan: 1-4, R, K, SB
File (L, 4-5): 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start at Fifth Third on Wednesday.
Hayden Minton and Carlos Peña split this start, with each going four innings and allowing two runs. That was plenty as Peyton Graham and the SeaWolves pounded out the hits in this one.
Minton gave up two runs in the first before settling in for three scoreless frames.
In the top of the third, Seth Stephenson and Graham lined back-to-back doubles and Garrett Pennington singled in Graham to make it a 2-2 tie.
In the fourth, E.J. Exposito singled with one out. With two outs, Stephenson singled, and Graham doubled in both runs with his second double on the day. 4-2 SeaWolves.
It’s the 4th inning in Akron and Peyton Graham already has 3 doubles. This one brings in two runs and puts Erie up 4-2. pic.twitter.com/Ux6wg8AMSc
Exposito added his 12th home run of the season to open the sixth. That made it 5-2, and a nice relay from Stephenson to Graham to third ended the bottom half of the inning, avoiding a jam for Peña.
Chris Meyers is on a multi-week heater and he continued it with a solo shot to center field in the seventh to make it 6-2.
Peña leaked a pair of runs in the eighth, but Trevin Michael locked down the save.
Trevin Michael and Bennett Lee combine for a game-ending strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play, and Erie wins 6-4. pic.twitter.com/bsZPWttcRc
Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:35 p.m. ET start on Wednesday.
Lake County Captains 20, West Michigan Whitecaps 11 (box)
Neither team’s pitching staff could find the strike zone on a scorching, humid night in West Michigan. Typically under those conditions, home plate umpires call a loose strike zone and force hitters to swing the bats. Not in this one. A tight zone, sweaty hands, and position players pitching by the end of this led to a high scoring game, but it wasn’t entertaining as 24 walks combined were issued in this one.
On a bullpen day, Logan Berrier gave up five runs, and Ryan Harvey and Thomas Bruss each gave up four.
The two clubs started exchanging blows in the third, as the Captains scored five runs. In the bottom half, Patrick Lee was hit by a pitch with one out and Woody Hadeen walked. Bryce Rainer smoked a 114 mph single to center to plate Lee.
Unfortunately, the Captains scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to take a 7-4 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, the ‘Caps came roaring back. Samuel Gil led off with a single, and after Luke Shliger struck out, Patrick Lee singled, and both scored on a Woody Hadeen double. Rainer walked on four pitches, as the strike zone contined to look extremely tight for the home plate umpire. Hurtado singled in Hadeen and Rainer, and it was 8-7 Whitecaps.
That’s where Harvey and Bruss melted down. The Captains scored eight runs in an unending inning of pain in the top of the seventh.
In the bottom half, Lee walked and then scored on another Hadeen double. Beyond that, this game just got stupid as the Whitecaps turned to position players, and the Captains relievers couldn’t throw strikes. The walks and homers piled up on the Captains side.
Hurtado: 3-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B
Rainer: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 K
Hadeen: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B, 2 BB
Lee: 1-2, 3 R, RBI, 2 BB
Zack Lee: 2.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday night.
The Flying Tigers got a little help from a rehabbing slugger, and the pitching staff did a nice job as they returned home with a comfortable victory on Tuesday night.
The one thing that didn’t go right was Grayson Grinsell’s start. The lefty allowed three singles and a walk in the first, but managed to manuever through the inning without allowing a run. He did throw 33 pitches, so the Tigers pulled him.
Pedro Garcia took over for the second inning and he gave the Flying Tigers three scoreless frames to save the rest of the pen.
In the third, Jude Warwick and Nick Dumesnil led off the bottom half with singles. They’d only get one run, as Zach MacDonald and then Jordan Yost walked to force in a run. Beau Ankeney struck out and Josue Briceño popped out to end the inning.
In the third, Carson Rucker led off with a single and Edian Espinal walked. There was a delay for an injury as the Cardinals had to go to the bullpen. The new reliever walked Dumesnil, and Rucker scored on a Jesus Pinto ground out. MacDonald hit one 400 feet to center field, but it was run down to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Briceño, rehabbing his preseason wrist surgery, smoked an opposite field shot for his first homer of the year. 3-0 Lakeland.
Welcome back Josue Briceño, who hits an oppo missile for his first home run of the season. It left his bat at 105.2 MPH and put Lakeland up 3-0. @AaronArnstein on the call. pic.twitter.com/DH8etUImur
Right-hander Colin Fields, also on a rehab assignment, gave up a solo shot in the fifth to make it 3-1, but it was all Lakeland the rest of the way. Pinto mashed a three-run homer in the seventh to make it 6-1. Dumesnil singled in Rucker in the bottom of the eighth for the final run of the game.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:W, 3-2 vs. Norfolk Tides
SS Jonathan Ornelas 1-3, 2B, BB, RBI C J.C. Escarra 0-2, BB, RBI, HBP — finally playing in Triple-A after those very brief demotions earlier in June 2B Marco Luciano 1-3, RBI, SF RF Yanquiel Fernández 1-4 3B Tyler Hardman 0-4, 2 K 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. 0-4, K DH Payton Henry 1-3, K, HBP CF Duke Ellis 0-1, BB, K, outfield assist LF Kenedy Corona 0-2, sacrifice
Adam Kloffenstein 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 5 K Zach Messinger 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K (win) Carson Coleman 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (save)
Double-A Somerset Patriots:W, 5-2 vs. Hartford Yard Goats
RF Jackson Castillo 3-4, HR, RBI, SB CF Jace Avina 0-3, BB, K, outfield assist 3B Coby Morales 3-4, 2 2B LF DJ Gladney 1-3, BB, RBI, K C Tomas Frick 0-3, BB, K, GIDP 1B Josh Moylan 3-4, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI — helluva day in the 23-year-old’s seventh game at Double-A; two-run shot put Patriots ahead in the fourth, 3-1, and then hit another in the sixth DH Miguel Palma 0-4, 3 K SS Kevin Verde 0-4, 2 K 2B Connor McGinnis 0-4, 2 K
Cade Smith 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 4 K, HR (win) Kelly Austin 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K Matt Keating 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K — struck out all three hitters he faced Harrison Cohen 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, HR — gave up a dinger to old friend Roc Riggio
High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:L, 0-5 vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks — shut out on two hits
2B Kaeden Kent 0-4, BB, 2 K SS Core Jackson 0-4, BB, K, SB RF Wilson Rodriguez 0-1, 3 BB, K, 2 SB — no-contact day but hey he got on base DH Eric Genther 0-2, 2 BB 1B Kyle West 0-4, 3 K 3B Roderick Arias 0-3, BB, K, fielding error C Josue Gonzalez 1-4, K — singled in the fourth CF Camden Troyer 0-3, BB, K LF Luis Durango 1-4, 2 K — single in the ninth was just the Renegades’ second hit
Bryce Cunningham 5.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 1 K, HR, WP (loss) — the Arias error hurt but he didn’t pitch well anyway Aaron Nixon 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K Tanner Bauman 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, WP Bryce Warrecker 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K — struck out the side
Low-A Tampa Tarpons:W, 6-0 at St. Lucie Mets — pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout
SS Jackson Lovich 1-5, 2 K 2B Hans Montero 0-5, K C Luis Puello 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI — two-bagger doubled the Tarpons’ lead to 4-0 in the fifth, later got ejected for arguing a call at third C Ediel Rivera 0-2, 2 K LF Logan Maxwell 1-3, BB 3B Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 0-3, BB, K, SB CF Brando Mayea 1-3, BB, RBI RF JoJo Jackson 1-4, 2 RBI, 2 K 1B David McCann 2-2, HR, BB, RBI, HBP — clubbed his first homer above Rookie ball, perfect day at the dish DH Engelth Urena 0-4, GIDP
Justin West 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, HBP (win) — 2025 18th-rounder set the tone nicely Jose M. Rodriguez 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, HBP Parker Seay 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, WP Pedro Rodriguez 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Back-to-back multi-hit games by #Tarpons C/1B David McCann (2-for-2, HR, BB, HBP, RBI, 2 R). Reached base safely in all 4 trips to the plate, including this go-ahead HR leading off the 3rd – his 5th HR (1st w/ Low-A Tampa) and 1st since June 5th. #Yankeespic.twitter.com/7X2gdExLn5
Florida Complex League Yankees: Postponed vs. FCL Tigers due to lightning and inclement weather; will make up in doubleheader today
Dominican Summer League Yankees:W, 10-4 (7) vs. DSL Tigers 2
CF Isaias Castillo 2-4, 3B, HR, RBI, 2 K — very good game! SS Stiven Marinez 1-4, 2B, fielding error RF Yostin Pena 3-4, 3 RBI — single drove in one during the four-run first 2B Juan Torres 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, SB — went yard in the four-run sixth 1B Juan Martinez 1-3, 2B, BB, K, SB, throwing and fielding errors — did swipe home on double-steal in the fifth C Cesar Lopez 1-3, BB, RBI, 2 SB, CS DH Kenneth Melendez 1-2, RBI, K, SF — pro debut for May 29th signee LF Manuel Aguilar 0-2, BB, 2 K, SB 3B Abrahan Pichardo 1-3, 2 K
Flyers Re-Sign Depth Forward at Reasonable PriceThe Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed Carl Grundstrom.
