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Friday Posted & Toasted Notes: Offseason talk, wrong covers, vodka bottles

One of two black-and-white ruffed lemur pups born at Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, near Stirling.The critically endangered lemur pups, both female were born on April 14 and have been named Nova, meaning 'new' and Evie meaning 'life'. Picture date: Friday May 24, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images

Been putting together this post for a few days because otherwise I’d be feeding you 200-word posts. Would you rather have short, daily notes, or bigger, every-few-days posts? Links below!

  • Want to get excited about the 2027 NBA season? Read SNY scribe David Vertsberger’s column. In a few words, the Knicks may not merely defend their title next season but actually turn into a regular-season juggernaut—and what would come next. Imagine breaking parity!
  • Back to offseason business, the Knicks’ championship roster earned a B-minus grade from ESPN’s Zach Kram. For those straight out of a coma, New York retained most of the team and only really lost Mitchell Robinson, with Andre Drummond brought to town as his replacement. Remember when this felt like the end of the world?
  • Speaking of Mitch, look how the Celtics introduced him. LOL.
  • Anyway, the real threat to the Knicks’ chances at building a dynasty may be the NBA’s financial structure more than any other team across the League. Nine of the top 10 members of the playoff rotation are returning, but New York lost Robinson while trying to avoid the second apron, and the starting five is entirely between 29 and 31 years old.
  • Most worrying is the fact that Towns is eligible for a four-year extension worth as much as $272 million, while Hart will follow with his own potential $131-million deal, and Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby will also become eligible for new deals shortly after. ESPN’s Bobby Marks discussed the situation and called KAT’s future a “fascinating” saga to follow, as his decision will shape the future of the Knicks depending on how much of a pay cut (if any) he takes to give New York some financial room.
  • The Knicks still need a third-string center behind Towns and Drummond after Dallas matched its offer sheet for Moussa Cisse. I agree with the NYP’s Jared Schawartz and his belief that New York will simply get to training camp with a roster spot open, hand out a bunch of unguaranteed deals, and see who fits best then and there (pretty much a la Shamet/Brogdon last fall). For those not tracking names, Nick Richards, Tony Bradley and Drew Eubanks remain available in free agency.
  • One-off Knick P.J. Tucker is rolling with Jalen Brunson over other players. NBA 2K Sports is not, for some reason…
  • …and Andre Drummond let them know.
  • I love Hibachi as much as anyone does, but Gilbert Arenas had the worst-ever Brunson take.

“You got the Jalen Brunson shoes? He don’t have ’em, right? (Steph Curry) sold $50 million in jerseys the days they released it. That is a superstar.”

  • Tyler Kolek is already working on the next upgrade to his offensive game, with yet another classical workout clip leaking and showing the third-year guard excelling at it.
  • Dennis Rodman had plenty to say about the Knicks finally winning after 53 years, joking and trolling and reminiscing about his good old days…
  • For some reason, while claiming LeBron James may be slow-playing the decision to see whether one of his preferred destinations can trade for Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving, KOC brought the Knicks back to the conversation. I got it back in June. I think it’s plain dumb to do it now. Do better, Kevin.

“Maybe LeBron shocks the world and joins the defending champion Knicks, despite how much he’d get called a ring-chaser.“

  • Brunson, meanwhile, is letting LeBron know what’s good.
  • The Cavs, fearing they might not land their homeboy, are targeting… OAKAAK Mario Hezonja. No, for real.
  • It’s increasingly likely Bronny James will have to learn how to live by himself. Also, Bronny doesn’t know a thing.
  • A recent NBA rule change surely made an impact for those preserving shooting efficiency, smart people just proved.
  • Former NBA guard Ty Lawson was arrested after stealing a $34 bottle of vodka from a liquor store in Castle Rock. Busted!
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Malachi Moreno ranked among the top-5 returning NBA Draft prospects

During Mark Pope’s first two seasons in Lexington, we have yet to see him develop a lottery pick in the NBA Draft.

That may be changing next year, as Malachi Moreno is already generating buzz as a potential lottery selection in the 2027 NBA Draft.

Over at Sports Illustrated, Derek Parker has Moreno ranked as the third-best returning college player who was a 2026 NBA prospect.

Kentucky big Malachi Moreno fell victim to the depth of the ’26 class, putting up enough production to be an intriguing late-first bet in most classes.

In his freshman season with the Wildcats, he averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in just 22.6 minutes per game, showing off versatility on the interior. With similar or better production, he could massively boost his stock.

While Moreno did test the waters this year and even garnered first-round buzz, he ultimately chose to stay with the Wildcats and continue his development. If that goes well, then it’s easy to see the Georgetown native become a lottery pick in what is widely projected to be a weaker draft class in 2027.

Elsewhere, in ESPN’s 2027 NBA Mock Draft by Jeremy Woo, the Wildcats had two players among the top 60 prospects.

Woo has Malachi Moreno ranked 31st overall in the 2027 draft, so he’s not quite as high on the sophomore big man.

The second Wildcat in Woo’s big board was Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic, who was 39th overall. The 6-foot-8 Wisconsin native shot 50.6% from the field and 48.7% from 3-point range last season with the Cyclones.

Finally, CBS Sports’ 2027 mock draft from Cameron Salerno has Moreno just missing out on the lottery, going 18th overall to the Memphis Grizzlies. Momcilovic actually cracks the first round, going 27th overall to the New York Knicks.

It’s early, but Moreno and Momcilovic are clearly Kentucky’s top NBA prospects entering the 2026-27 college basketball season. Hopefully, they’ll see other Wildcats join them in garnering first-round buzz next year, as that would likely mean Kentucky had a special season that shows Mark Pope has what it takes to bring Kentucky back to title contention.

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LeBron James free agency rumors, LIVE updates: When will he make a decision?

The wait continues for LeBron James’ latest decision.

This is the fourth time James has positioned himself to make a team decision. His last three free agency periods lasted a combined 18 days. The NBA has reached Day 25 of its free agency period without an announcement from the four-time MVP.

Members of the league and the basketball community have reportedly grown frustrated with the duration of James’ decision-making process.

"We are taking this thing very seriously, but at the same time, we are having fun. I think it's good for the fans," James' agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN during an interview on July 10. "... I just tell him, take your time, (and) whenever you’re ready, just let me know.”

The social media conversation centered around James earlier this week included the idea of a potential return to the Miami Heat. Team president Pat Riley and the Miami organization have been considered the odds-on favorites to land James after a blunder with the social media department.

Miami’s social media team accidentally published a scheduled YouTube livestream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference." It was later deleted. 

The Golden State Warriors were also favored this week. James joining Golden State would reunite him with Olympic teammate Stephen Curry and coach Steve Kerr.

USA TODAY Sports is tracking the latest news, rumors and updates — all things happening in real-time and behind-the-scenes — for LeBron James' next major basketball decision. Here's everything you need to know on Friday, July 24 about James and his impending decision:

Cleveland sports radio host over LeBron anticipation

07:01 AM ET, July 24 2026, Marcus D. Smith

A Cleveland sports radio host is just about done anticipating whether LeBron James will return to the Cavaliers or join another team.

ESPN Cleveland sports radio host Tony Rizzo hopes James chooses the Cavs, but he's not losing sleep over awaiting the announcement. At this point, it is what it is.

"I am now going to resign myself to the fact that he's not coming back, and if he does, great," Rizzo said.

Is LeBron stalling decision for AD, Kyrie?

06:30 AM ET, July 24 2026, Marcus D. Smith

Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor seems to wonder if LeBron James' decision is contingent on whether one of his preferred teams can, or will, trade for one of his former teammates in Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving.

However, the real question is whether either are even available on the trade block. The Washington Wizards reportedly plan to have discussions with Davis about his extension when he's eligible on Aug. 6. Reports say that Washington has no plans to trade Davis.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James free agency rumors, LIVE updates: When will he make a decision?

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Why the Cavs are the best on-court fit for LeBron James

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images

LeBron James has had success on a lot of different teams, lineup configurations, and eras over the last 23 years. Looking at what worked for a LeBron team a decade or so ago — in a vastly different NBA and style of play — isn’t all that constructive. James isn’t the player he was then, and neither is what he needs around him.

That said, there are commonalities among all four of his title teams that transcend eras. And among the finalists that James seems to be choosing from, those qualities are best seen in the Cleveland Cavaliers.

What has worked in the past?

Let’s start by taking a look at the different types of teams James won with.

First, we have the 2012 and 2013 Miami Heat. Those teams were juggernauts on both ends of the court. They were one of the best defenses in the league during those two years due to their ability to generate turnovers. And the offense was lethal once they got into the open court.

The 2016 championship team in Cleveland didn’t have that same defensive prowess. They, instead, were an offensive powerhouse with their four-out offense featuring dynamic off-the-dribble playmakers in James and Kyrie Irving.

The Los Angeles Lakers bubble title team found success with their overwhelming size. A frontcourt rotation of Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, and JaVale McGee dominated the glass on both sides of the ball, which led to a well-balanced attack.

Trying to find a stylistic throughline is difficult. Yes, these teams were good three-point shooting teams, but you could say that about almost all champions in the last 15 years. They were all in the top 10 for offensive and defensive ratings, but again, that’s a shared trend among champions as well.

Still, there are two conclusions to draw from these teams.

First, there isn’t a necessary skill set or archetype needed for costars and the supporting cast. LeBron has just needed talent around him.

And second, all four of these teams were able to successfully play vastly different styles depending on the matchup. If they needed to play small-ball, they could. If they needed to go big, all four could do so as well.

Why talent matters

MIAMI, FL – JUNE 02: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat gestures on court against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 2, 2011 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Talent is the most important thing a LeBron team needs.

If you go back and look at every one of his playoff losses (except for the 2011 Finals), James was on the less talented team. Or at the very least, his opponent was more talented in that series.

Having a well-fitting team with a cohesive philosophy certainly helps. The 2008-09 Cavs won 66 games because they were an extraordinary match from a skill-set perspective around a young LeBron. The talent just wasn’t what it needed to be for that team to come out of the Eastern Conference.

Contrast that with the 2011 Heat.

That initial Miami team did not fit together well. They didn’t have the supporting pieces or archetypes needed to make that team work as effectively as later iterations. The 2011 Heat ran into two cohesive teams in the East with the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls. Both of those opponents fit together much better, but they didn’t have the talent to keep up with LeBron, Wade, and Chris Bosh. Talent over fit won the day in somewhat lopsided series.

Yes, the 2011 team fell apart in the Finals, but that was because LeBron played the worst basketball of his career. That particular series had nothing to do with his teammates.

The current top teams pursuing James are all talented enough.

LeBron would be teaming up with another former MVP if he joined the Cavs, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, or Heat. How you would want to rank the talent on each of these teams is up to you. I believe the Cavs and Sixers are clearly at the top in this discussion due to having three or more former All-Stars for James to slot in beside, but I don’t believe it’s worth getting too hung up on that. All of these teams would have talent.

Why versatility matters

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 25: J.R. Smith #5, Matthew Dellavedova #8, Kevin Love #0, Channing Frye #9, LeBron James #23 and Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers look on from the bench late in the game against the Toronto Raptors in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Versatility is one of the things that separated the teams LeBron won a championship on from those that didn’t. All four of his title teams could play vastly different styles depending on the matchup. James’s incredibly well-rounded skill set helped them do so.

We’ll go through these in chronological order.

The back-to-back champion Heat teams were Swiss army knives on both ends. Defensively, they had the versatility to play big with Udonis Haslem and Chris Anderson at center alongside a James and Bosh frontcourt. If they were playing a more wing-heavy team, Bosh could shift over to center while James and Shane Battier could handle the wings.

Offensively, those groups could spread the floor out well in smaller lineups. Bosh at the five alongside some configuration that included Mike Miller, Battier, or Ray Allen allowed for four-out spacing lineups in an era that was rare. They were able to do this without sacrificing defense due to Bosh and James’s size and strength in the frontcourt.

The 2016 Cavs overcame the 73-win Warriors because they were one of the only teams in the league that could punish Golden State’s small “Death Lineup.” Tristan Thompson’s ability to stay with guards on the perimeter, combined with his rebounding, neutralized a lot of the advantages Golden State had over their other opponents.

That Cavs team could also play against bigger teams if needed. Timofey Mozgov was serviceable against larger centers. Channing Frye and Kevin Love’s shooting also allowed them to have perfect, five-out spacing if the situation called for that as well.

The bubble Lakers could shift between playing big with Davis at the four, paired with either Howard or McGee, or play small ball with Davis moving over to the five. Switchable wings like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green fit great in this configuration as they could shift up or down as needed. Throw in Alex Caruso, and you had the perfect defensive personnel for any opponent.

How these four teams’ versatility showed through was different. Some teams could provide better options defensively. Others had more offensive counters. But all were able to pull multiple levers depending on the situation.

This is where the current Cavs team stands out most from the competition.

Versatility would be the Cavs’ best asset

CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket around Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 25, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 121-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Evan Mobley is the perfect archetype for a big to play alongside James. Being able to easily defend the four and the five allows you to opt for more spaced-out lineups without Jarrett Allen, and imposing jumbo lineups with all three of James, Mobley, and Allen in the game.

Redundant skill sets have been an issue for the Cavs throughout the core-four era. Having guards and bigs that functionally have the same strengths and weaknesses has been an issue in certain playoff series.

The lack of a do-it-all connector has left something to be desired whenever they tried to play too small or too big. A small frontcourt with Dean Wade on instead of Allen was a clear talent downgrade. Additionally, Wade’s limited offensive skill set allowed defenders to cheat off him even though he was out there to provide additional shooting.

Conversely, going big with a Wade-Mobley-Allen frontcourt was too clunky offensively. Having three players who weren’t great on-ball creators placed too much of that burden onto the guards, leaving them susceptible to double teams.

Replacing Wade with LeBron is a difficult calculation entirely. Small-ball lineups would have much better spacing with three A+ creators on the court, with more offensive threats. Concerns about a jumbo lineup not working offensively would be significantly minimized with an additional playmaker in James on the court.

Optionality is important in a more parity-driven league. If you want to win a championship, you need to be able to match up with the San Antonio Spurs’ imposing frontcourt while also being able to hang offensively against spaced-out opponents like the Celtics and New York Knicks.

Having good three-point shooting helps in this conversation as well. Five of Cleveland’s current top-eight rotation players shot 35% or better from three. This includes Sam Merrill (42.1%), Jaylon Tyson (44.6%), and Max Strus (40.2%), all shooting above 40% from three last regular season.

Let’s Cleveland’s ability to play different styles if they had LeBron compared with other teams.

The Sixers don’t have a five-out small-ball option with either Adem Bona or Dominick Barlow. Playing Wade at center would be the only way they could get there, but we know the downsides of that. While Philadelphia would have an impressive starting unit when healthy, they wouldn’t have Cleveland’s optionality.

The same is true for the Heat. The two best players alongside LeBron are non-shooting bigs. Taking one of them off the floor would be a significant talent downgrade. Would they have the offensive firepower to hang with teams like the Celtics, Knicks, and Sixers? Would they be able to execute well enough offensively in a cramped half-court?

The current Warriors don’t have the multiple counters they did in the past. Draymond Green isn’t the same impactful, do-it-all center he was in his prime. He can still play the five, but there aren’t the supporting pieces elsewhere to give them the optionality you would like. This would be a different conversation if you could guarantee perfect health for Kristaps Porziņģis and Jimmy Butler.

There’s this idea that James would only come back to Cleveland for sentimental reasons. After all, there’s an undeniable poetry to finishing a career where it started — especially when that place also happens to be right next to your hometown.

Yet, there’s plenty of basketball reasons to return as well. The Cavs have built a team in dire need of the connective tissue James would bring. His game would slot in perfectly into a group that has needed his particular skill set for the last half-decade. In many ways, it seems like the Cavs have been trying to build the perfect team for James without him.

We don’t know what LeBron is going to do. There are plenty of reasons for him to sign elsewhere. But to act like the Cavs don’t offer a compelling on-court reason to return is nonsensical. Cleveland has assembled a team that fits the exact mold of what has worked during each of his championship runs. If he were to sign with the Cavs, they’d put him in an excellent position to grab his fourth ring.

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Edian Espinal powers Lakeland with his second straight walkoff knock

Toledo Mud Hens 13, Louisville Bats 3 (box)

Max Clark and Brett Callahan posted three hit games as the Hens crushed Bats pitching all game long to win quite comfortably on a bullpen day.

Callahan led off the second with a line drive double to right. New veteran backup catcher Carlos Pérez, signed as Tomas Nido’s replacement, struck out, and Cal Stevenson flew out, but Andrew Navigato came through with an RBI single for a 1-0 lead. Max Anderson scored from third on an Eduardo Valencia double play ball in the third.

Jack Little gave the Hens two scoreless frames to start this off. Dariel Fregio allowed a run in the fourth, and Andre Granillo, another recent Tigers pickup, surrendered two in the fifth as the Bats took a 3-2 lead.

It was all Mud Hens from there.

In the bottom of the sixth, Stevenson singled, and after Navigato struck out, Max Clark and Jace Jung singled to score the run. A wild pitch plated Clark for a 4-3 lead.

Burch Smith made a rehab appearance in the seventh, and hurt himself after throwing two pitches. Tyler Mattison had to take over and he did a nice job pitching around a one-out single. Mattison has allowed runs in only one appearance since May. The problem is that he melted down and was charged with six earned runs in that one game. Otherwise, he’s got 13 scoreless apperances out of his last 14, but he continues to issue way too many walks.

Callahan singled with two outs in the seventh, and Carlos Pérez drew a walk. Stevenson then smoked a middle-middle fastball for a three-run homer to right field. 7-3 Hens.

Clark’s third hit of the day was a single to lead off the bottom of the eighth, and Jung followed with a single of his own. Max Anderson struck out, but Gage Workman singled to score both runners and take second on an error on the play. Singles from Valencia and Callahan followed, and then the new guy, Mr. Pérez, introduced himself with a three-run shot to left field to cap the scoring.

Callahan: 3-5, 3 R, RBI, 2B, 2 K

Clark: 3-4, 2 R, BB, K, SB

Perez: 1-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, 2 BB, K

Stevenson: 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, K

Mattison: 2.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start on Friday night.

Erie SeaWolves 8, Chesapeake Baysox 7 (box)

The SeaWolves got a win in this series after the two teams traded blows for nine innings, with the SeaWolves just barely surviving a scary bottom of the ninth to hold on.

Kenny Serwa gave up two in the bottom of the first, but settled in for four scoreless afterwards.

With one out in the top of the third, Seth Stephenson singled. Peyton Graham flew out, but Justice Bignie and Andrew Jenkins singled, scoring Stephenson, with Bigbie stretching his franchise record hit streak to 22 games. Garrett Pennington then crushed a three-run jack to take a 4-2 lead.

In the top of the fifth, Graham led off with a single and then stole second and third to reach 53 stolen bases on the year. Bigbie singled him home, and Jenkins walked. An EJ Exposito single made it 6-2 SeaWolves.

Colin Fields, back from the injured list, allowed two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Yoniel Curet gave up a run in the eighth to make it 6-5 SeaWolves.

In the top of the ninth, the SeaWolves finally looked to have put this one away. Stephenson led off by reaching on an error and then stole second. Graham singled him to third. A lineout from Bigbie was followed by an attempt to back pick Graham at first that went awry, and Stephenson scored while Graham took third. A fly ball from Jenkins worked as a sacrifice to score Graham.

So it was 8-5, and they appeared to have it in the bag. Instead, Eric Silva walked the leadoff man and then gave up a two-run shot to Frederick Benco. Silva then gave up a single and a walk and the Peorians were going nuts.

Fortunately, a sacrifice bunt was then attempted and Bennett Lee pounced on it and threw out the lead runner. Silva struck out the next hitter and popped out the next to survive and pick up the save.

Graham: 2-5, 2 R, K, 2 SB

Bigbie: 3-5, 2 R, RBI, K

Pennington: 1-5, R, 3 RBI, HR

Serwa (W, 5-7): 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Coming Up Next: First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday night.

Peoria Chiefs 1, West Michigan Whitecaps 0 (box)

Whitecaps pitching was great in this one, but so was the Chiefs’ pitching, and they walked this off with the only run of the game to take their third straight over West Michigan.

Lucas Elissalt continues his recent good run after struggling early this year. He fired five innings of one-hit ball with five strikeouts in this one. Zack Lee gave them two perfect innings. Eliseo Mota handled the eighth, but couldn’t avoid giving up a run in the bottom of the ninth.

Bryce Rainer had the day off.

Santana: 2-3, BB, K

Elissalt: 5.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, BB, 5 K

Coming Up Next: It’s an 8:05 p.m. ET start on Friday.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 5, Jupiter Hammerheads 3 (box)

Cale Wetwiska was back on the bump with another good short outing as he ramps up his workload, and the Flying Tigers cranked three home runs, including a second straight walkoff winner from Edian Espinal, to win on Thursday.

Wetwiska’s velocity wasn’t peak but he was 95-96 mph throughout his three no-hit innings of work, issuing one walk and striking out four.

Carson Rucker opened the scoring with a solo shot, his 10th home run of the season, to start the bottom of the second inning. Andrew Pogue succeeded Wetwiska but allowed a run to Jupiter in the top of the fourth. In the bottom half, Hunter Dobbins hit his sixth homer of the season to make it 2-1 Lakeland.

Antonio Florida took over for Lakeland in the sixth and was wild. He hit a batter and walked the next, eventually surrendering two runs that made it 3-2 Hammerheads.

In the bottom of the seventh, Jack Goodman was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Nick Dumesnil walked with one out, and a successful challenge from Espinal drew a walk as well, loading the bases. Goodman scored on a a Rucker ground out to tie the game, but that was all they’d get.

Win Scott cleaned up the sixth for Florida and spun a scoreless seventh. Donye Evans took it from there and was pretty good, allowing two hits without a walk in two innings of work, while striking out three.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Dumesnil reached on an error. Espinal jumped on a 2-1 slider on the inner edge and cranked it to right to put this one to bed with a walkoff homer.

Espinal: 1-3, R, 2 RBI, HR, 2 BB

Dobbins: 2-4, R, RBI HR, 2 K

Dumesnil: 1-3, R, 2B, 2 BB, K, SB

Wetwiska: 3.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: The Flying Tigers lead this home set 3-0, and they’ll look to secure a series victory at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday.

FCL Tigers 5, FCL Yankees 3 (box)

The FCL Tigers closed out their Complex League season with a win over the Yankees fueled by good pitching. Jack Bushell gave them a scoreless frame to start off in a rehab appearance. Alemain Cruz gave up two runs in four inning of work but did punch out four to just one walk. Maddox Long then collected eight outs, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out five.

Gabriel Rosado led the offense with a pair of knocks, two runs scored, an RBI, and a walk drawn. Steven Madero and Angel De Los Santos were involved as well, while outfielder Roberto Campos drew a pair of walks in a rehab appearance. He should be back in Erie next week.

Rosado: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B, BB, K

De Los Santos: 0-3, R, RBI, BB

Madero: 1-3, RBI, BB

Cruz (4-1): 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, BB, 4 K

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Today on Pinstripe Alley – 7/24/26

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 31: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees hits a grand slam in the top of the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a day off, the Yankees head down to Philadelphia. It’s almost exactly two years since New York’s last trip to Philly, and that one was a doozy. The Yankees swept a three-game set with the Phillies which featured a blowout in Game 1 and thrillers in both Game 2 and 3. The Yankees won the second game in extra-innings in what was one of the more bizarre and exciting contests of the season, and the last game featured a grand slam from DJ LeMahieu of all people:

The series was also Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s breakout party with the Yankees, with the recently acquired infielder smashing four homers in the first two games. Let’s hope for something similar this time around!

Matt will get you prepped for the matchup in Philly with our series preview, while Madison will keep you covered on anything you might have missed on Thursday. We’ll also get a interesting trade target from Nick, who looks at Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta. Later, our Yankees Birthday series continues with Sam’s profile of Joe Oliver, and Madison delivers the answers to this week’s mailbag.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies

Time: 6:45 p.m. EST

TV: Apple TV

Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Questions/Prompts:

1. What did you think of the Yankees using Will Warren in the ninth inning on Wednesday night?

2. As we head to Philly, who do you think is the favorite in the NL East?

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‘Two holes and I’m there for the Claret Jug’: DeChambeau says two-shot penalty cost him Open

  • Golfer punished for flattening grass around shot

  • American threatened to pull out of tournament

Bryson DeChambeau believes he would have been “right there for the Claret Jug” if he had not received a two-shot penalty in the Open Championship last week at Royal Birkdale.

DeChambeau made a positive start to last week’s tournament after opening with a 67 and then a 66 on Friday, but his second-round score was later adjusted to 68 after he was handed a retrospective two-stroke penalty at the 5th hole after a video review. The 32-year-old was punished after match officials ruled he had improved the area of his backswing by standing on and flattening some long grass.

Continue reading...
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Yankees news: Reds’ catcher ‘could become’ an option via trade

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 19: Tyler Stephenson #37 of the Cincinnati Reds catches in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 19, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Athletic | Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal: The Yankees are desperate for catching help at the deadline and, according to Rosenthal and Sammon, Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Stephenson could become an alternative for them. The soon-to-be-30 backstop boasts a 92 wRC+ this year and a 104 mark for his career. The Bombers are also said to be following Ryan Jeffers closely, but they have a lot of competition.

New York Daily News | Pete Sblendorio: Will Warren, who has made 19 starts for the 2026 Yankees, made a surprise relief appearance on Wednesday night in his first game of the second half. He got the ball in the ninth inning in a save situation, and even though he surrendered a single to the first batter he saw and walked the last one, he gave his team two outs in a gutsy performance in an unfamiliar role. Sblendorio wonders if the right-hander, who boasts a 4.00 ERA for the season, could be a factor in the bullpen: his velocity was up in comparison to what it usually averages in starts, and he might be squeezed out of a rotation spot, so it might be a worthwhile experiment. For now, he has been announced as Sunday’s starter.

New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: The Yankees are always on the lookout for relief pitching help, and while it’s not the most pressing need at the moment, the thought of getting Mason Miller via trade from the San Diego Padres is surely exciting. Phillips explains that while George Lombard Jr. should be off limits, the Yankees have enough pieces to complete a deal if they decide to pursue one, identifying the fact that the Friars would love controllable starting pitching and the Bombers have Warren, Clarke Schmidt, Elmer Rodríguez, Carlos Lagrange, Ben Hess, Bryce Cunningham, Chase Hampton, Thatcher Hurd and Henry Lalane. He listed other potential pieces that might interest San Diego: Dax Kilby, Jasson Domínguez, and Spencer Jones. The likelihood of a deal is still low, though, as the Padres would have to be ‘blown away’ by an offer to consider parting with the star closer.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The league’s official site posted a piece with every team’s deadline approach. Hoch wrote that the Yankees are expected to pursue a platoon partner for Austin Wells, another bat as cover for Aaron Judge’s uncertain injury situation, and a swing-and-miss reliever.

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Fury and Joshua shadow-box their way towards overdue $100m showdown

British heavyweights return to the ring this weekend and face low-risk opponents in run-up to long-trailed bout

Tyson Fury has won one fight in the past two years and nine months. Anthony Joshua, meanwhile, has enjoyed a solitary victory over the past two years and four months. Fury outpointed Arslanbek Makhmudov, the lumbering Russian heavyweight, in April while Joshua laboured through five torpid rounds before he finally cut loose and broke the jaw of Jake Paul, the former YouTuber, in December.

Their three defeats during this period are more vivid in the memory. Fury lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk – in May and December 2024 – while Joshua was knocked down four times and then stopped by Daniel Dubois inside five humiliating rounds in September that year. Despite the ravages of age, framed by yet another retirement for Fury and a traumatic period of inactivity for Joshua, they remain on course to fight each other in a showdown that will generate much more than $100m in November.

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Hey, Babe! Phillies and Yankees share some fun connections

Hey, Babe! Phillies and Yankees share some fun connections originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The New York Yankees visit Citizens Bank Park for a weekend series beginning Friday night.

It doesn’t matter where they go — Tampa Bay, Boston, Houston, Miami — it’s always an event when the Yankees come to your town. From The Babe to those 27 World Series titles, they’re the most storied franchise in pro sports. So, it’ll be exciting to have them in Philadelphia these next few days. Both the Yankees and Phillies are locked in tight playoff races. It’s an important series for both clubs.

Though they play in different leagues, and though the Yankees can boast about having 25 more World Series championships than the Phillies, the two teams share some interesting history and common threads.

Let’s look at a few of them, just for fun:

AT THE HELM

Three straight Phillies managers, including current skipper Don Mattingly, have deep Yankee bloodlines. As a player, Mattingly was one of the most beloved Yankees ever. He played 14 seasons for the club, won an MVP award, a batting title and made six All-Star teams. His No. 23 is retired.

Mattingly succeeded Rob Thomson, who initially came to the Phillies as a bench coach under Gabe Kapler after 28 years working as a big-league coach, minor-league manager and farm director for the Yankees.

Thomson became Phillies manager in 2022 when Joe Girardi was fired. Girardi won three World Series as a player with the Yankees. He skippered the club for 10 years and beat the Phillies in the 2009 World Series.

Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham pitched for Girardi’s Yankees in 2015. Girardi was influential in bringing him to Philadelphia.

MR. OCTOBER

Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson became synonymous with the Yankees when he homered in three straight at-bats to help them win the 1977 World Series.

Reggie grew up just outside of Philadelphia, in Wyncote, and was a star athlete at Cheltenham High School. He attended his first big-league game in 1956 at Connie Mack Stadium, but he wasn’t there to see the Phillies. He was there to see the visiting Brooklyn Dodgers and his idol, Jackie Robinson.

“We sat in the left field bleachers, 50 cents, my dad took us,” Jackson told us in 2022. “We ate popcorn and rooted for the Dodgers because they had Black players. I wasn’t a Phillies fan until they got Dick Allen. I rooted for him and, of course, I played against him. In my mind, he’s a Hall of Famer.”

Allen was finally elected to the Hall of Fame in December 2024.

1950 WORLD SERIES

The Yankees won five straight World Series from 1949 to 1953. Their second in that stretch came against the 1950 Phillies, the Whiz Kids, who made the World Series for the first time since 1915.

The Yankees won the first two games in Philadelphia by scores of 1-0 and 2-1 and went on to sweep the Phils in four games. Joe DiMaggio famously homered off Robin Roberts in the top of the 10th to give the Yankees the lead in Game 2 at Shibe Park.

It wasn’t unusual for players to sneak a smoke in between innings in those days. Legend has it that DiMaggio asked a young Philadelphia cop to hold his cigarette before going to the plate in the 10th. That young cop was named Frank Rizzo and he eventually became Philadelphia’s mayor.

2009 WORLD SERIES

Fifty-nine years after their first World Series meeting in 1950, the Phils and Yanks battled again in the 2009 World Series. Cliff Lee decided to skip the police-escorted team bus and take a cab to Yankee Stadium for Game 1. He got stuck in gridlock traffic and jumped on a subway. He followed fans in Yankee jerseys to the stadium and arrived less than two hours before first pitch, much to the relief of team officials who were worried he wouldn’t make it. The always-cool Lee then went out and struck out 10 in a walk-free complete-game win.

Chase Utley hit five home runs in the series but the Phils lost in six games. After the final loss, Phillies owner John Middleton famously told Ryan Howard, “I want my (bleeping) trophy back.” All these years later, the quote still applies.

(Getty Images)

FREE AGENT BATTLE

After the 2009 season, the Phillies acquired Roy Halladay in a trade with Toronto and shipped Cliff Lee to Seattle.

A year later, Lee became a free agent.

The Phillies, Yankees and Texas Rangers all entered the bidding.

The Yankees offered the most money, something in the neighborhood of $140 million over six years, and were willing to go higher. But Lee chose to sign with the Phillies for five years and $120 million. That ticked off the Yankees, who were used to getting what they wanted.

Lee had initially been angry that the Phillies traded him away after the 2009 season, but Scott Proefrock, then a Phillies assistant general manager under Ruben Amaro Jr., worked hard to rebuild the relationship. Lee’s wife also had a say in the decision to come to Philadelphia. Yankee fans had given her an earful in the Bronx when he pitched for Texas in the 2010 postseason and she didn’t want to go there.

THE BABE A PHILLIE?

It could have happened.

Way back in 1914, Babe Ruth was a teenage phenom with his hometown Baltimore Orioles of the International League. Jack Dunn, who ran the Orioles, offered Ruth and two other players to the Phillies for $19,000. Phillies owner William Baker scoffed at the offer, saying he wouldn’t pay that much for the entire International League. In fairness, Philadelphia Athletics owner/manager Connie Mack also passed on a chance to acquire Ruth. The rest, as they say, is history.

Baker was a bit of a cheapskate. A year after he passed on Ruth, Baker’s Phillies made the World Series but were beaten by the Boston Red Sox, who were shrewd enough to take Dunn up on his offer but foolish enough to turn around and sell Ruth to the Yankees in 1919.

Some 106 years after Baker passed on The Babe and said he wouldn’t pay $19,000 for the entire International League, another Phillies owner mentioned Ruth. Angered by a 2020 media report that claimed the team was dangling ace Zack Wheeler in trade talks, Middleton said, “If they offered me Babe Ruth, I wouldn’t trade him.”

(Getty Images)

SCHILLING SHINES

The Phillies were awful in 1997. They finished 68-94, tied with the Chicago Cubs for the worst record in the NL.

The Yankees, by contrast, won 96 games that season. They won the World Series the year before, starting a run of four titles in five years.

Fed up with losing and fired-up for a chance to face the star-studded lineup, Phillies ace Curt Schilling turned a Labor Day start against the Yanks that year into his personal World Series. A crowd of 50,895 turned out at Veterans Stadium (the Phils averaged just 18,403 that year) and saw Schilling strike out 16 over eight walk-free innings in a 5-1 win.

High-priced flop Hideki Irabu pitched for the Yankees that day. The Phillies tagged him for five runs in three innings. After leaving the game, Irabu smashed a sprinkler head in the visiting clubhouse. How rude.

(Getty Images)

THE PURSUIT OF PETTITTE

Andy Pettitte struggled through a difficult season with the Yankees in 1999. Yankees boss George Steinbrenner ordered general manager Brian Cashman to trade the left-hander before the July deadline.

Phillies general manager Ed Wade wanted Pettitte badly. He built a package around pitcher Adam Eaton, outfielder Reggie Taylor and others.

Optimism for a deal was so high that Phillies pitcher Carlton Loewer offered to give up his No. 46 for Pettitte. The Phillies presented the best offer, but Pettitte ended up staying put as Steinbrenner told Cashman to pull the pitcher off the table less than an hour before the deadline. The Phillies front office put a lot of hours into trying to pull off that deal. There were a lot of disappointed folks when it didn’t happen.

CASHMAN TO PHILLIES?

Brian Cashman is in his 29th season as Yankees general manager. It is one of the most remarkable runs in sports history, especially considering the high-pressure market he works in and the man he once answered to.

But in the fall of 2005, Cashman strongly considered leaving the Yankees. His contract was set to run out on October 31 of that year. He’d grown tired of the politics, the backstabbing and the drama of the Yankees’ dueling front offices in the Bronx and Tampa. The Phillies had just fired Wade. Cashman had the Phillies in his sights. He even privately mentioned it to some old college buddies who’d grown up as Phillies fans.

“I had to weigh what was next and the Phillies, obviously, had an opening,” Cashman told us at the time.

Ultimately, Cashman had a meeting of the minds with George Steinbrenner. He received assurances that things would change and his authority would be respected. He signed a three-year contract extension with the Yankees as the Phillies hired Pat Gillick.

“I think the Phillies hired the most qualified general manager,” Cashman told us in November 2005. “You can line Pat up with anybody in the game and he might stand tallest of all. I believe I would have gotten an interview, though it would have been tough to compete with Pat Gillick.”

A STAR IS BORN

In March 2004, 20-year-old Cole Hamels was beginning his second season in pro ball. He had made just 18 starts, all at the Single A level, when the Phillies decided to take a peek at him in a spring-training game against the Yankees in Tampa. The game was carried live on ESPN. John Kruk was part of the broadcast team.

Hamels, the Phillies’ top pick in the 2002 draft, did not disappoint. In fact, he dropped jaws. He struck out Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Tony Clark, all on changeups, in the fifth inning. From that moment on, Hamels seemed destined for the stardom that arrived in October 2008 when he was NLCS and World Series MVP.

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The Road Trip Begins With a Bang! Dbacks 10, Cardinals 6

Jul 23, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Tyler Locklear (31) hits a one run single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

In the Dbacks Cardinals season finale, it was all Dbacks Thursday afternoon! On what would’ve been an off day for this team, the Dbacks had to go back to St. Louis today to play a makeup game as they were rained out earlier this month, and boy this one came at the perfect time as this offense and Brandon Pfaadt are rolling!

Pfaadt ran into a little bit of trouble in the first inning as he got papercutted to death. He was not giving up hard contact at all, but balls kept finding holes and before Pfaadt could even get settled in, the Cardinals had a 2-0 lead with nobody out. This likely would have been a moment that would have snowballed for Pfaadt earlier this year, however this version of Brandon Pfaadt was able to lock it in and hold the Cardinals to just the 2 runs and get out of the first inning. After the first, Pfaadt was in total control holding the Cardinals offense scoreless over the next 5 innings, and needing just 87 pitches to get through 6. Pfaadt is now 5-0 since being recalled from Reno and he has come up huge when this team needed him the most and the season was on the line.

On the offensive side, Tyler Locklear wasn’t even supposed to start today as he was a late addition due to Ketel Marte experiencing some lower back tightness before the game, but boy did he finally break through today. Locklear went 3-5 today including his first home run of the season and finished a triple short of the cycle. Really feel good for Locklear to get off to such a hot start as he has been battling back and forth from the minors to the majors the past couple of seasons, and has been struggling with injury. If he continues to produce at first base, that would be a massive development for this team!

Gabi Moreno also continued to look like the hottest hitter on planet earth going 3-4 but having some great at bats and coming through with guys on base getting 2 RBI’s. Ildemaro Vargas and Adrian Del Castillo also both added 3 hit performances today as this offense appears to finally be firing on all cylinders! They had a couple of big innings as they put up 3 runs in the 4th and 5 runs in the 8th inning driving this offense to 10 runs on the afternoon marking double digit run production in back-to-back games.

The Dbacks will now head to DC as they have the Nationals this weekend who are just 2 games back behind the Dbacks for the 3rd wild card spot. Eduardo Rodriguez gets a chance Friday to bounce back from his lone rough outing of the season his last time out. This weekends games and whether or not the offense can continue to stay hot may very well dictate the rest of the season for these boys as the front office is in the final stages of deciding whether to buy or to sell. Having exciting, must-watch baseball this time of year is certainly a treat!

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Cubs Minor League Wrap: Josiah Hartshorn leads South Bend past Wisconsin, 4-2

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 12: Josiah Hartshorn #27 of the Chicago Cubs bats in seventh inning of the MLB All-Star Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I’m sure we’ll have an official post on this when the Cubs issue a press release, but 2B/OF James Triantos has been promoted to the Cubs for his major-league debut. Outfielder Kevin Alcántara has been sent down to Iowa.

Right-hander Jacob Wallace moves from the rookie ball ACL Cubs to Double-A Knoxville. The Cubs signed Wallace as a free agent on July 2.

Left-hander Drew Pomeranz has cleared waivers and has been assigned to Triple-A Iowa. We’ll see if Pomeranz reports or elects free agency soon enough.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs let the Gwinnett Stripers (Braves) off the hook, 4-2 in a game that ended after five innings because of rain.

Jaxon Wiggins started this game and took the loss. Wiggins allowed three runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. Wiggins struggled to find the plate as he walked three and struck out two.

Right fielder Brett Bateman went 2 for 3 with a double. He scored both Iowa runs.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies were left on the launching pad by the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 5-4.

Starter Brody McCullough did not allow a hit over 4.2 innings. Unfortunately, he exited in the fifth and Frankie Scalzo Jr. let an inherited runner score on the first Trash Panda hit of the game, so McCullough was charged with one run. McCullough walked three and struck out three.

Scalzo gave up three more runs in the sixth, but the Smokies came back and tied the game. However, Tyler Santana entere the game in the bottom of the ninth with the score still tied 4-4. Santana allowed three hits and the walk-off run in just one-third of an inning to get the loss. Santana did not have a walk or a strikeout.

Catcher Ethan Hearn put the Smokies up 1-0 with a home run in the fourth inning, his fourth on the season. Hearn went 1 for 4.

Center fielder Andy Garriola tied the game up 4-4 with a three-run home run in the seventh inning. it was Garriola’s 18th home run this year. Garriola went 2 for 4 with the home run and a walk.

Third baseman Jefferson Rojas was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored on Garrioila’s home run.

Second baseman Alex Madera went 2 for 4 with a stolen base.

Hearn’s home run.

Garriola’s blast.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs skinned the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 4-2.

Ethan Flanagan started and got the win with five strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits. The one run came on a third-inning home run. Flanagan struck out four and walked one.

Ben Johnson gave the Cubs two good innings of relief after Flanagan, allowing no runs on one hit. He walked one and struck out one.

Luis Rujano started the ninth and got into trouble. After Rujano gave up a run, Ethan Bell came into the game with a man on first and one out. The runner on first got thrown out trying to steal second base and being down two in the ninth, that seems like a dumb decision. Then Bell got a fly out to center to end the game and get the save.

First baseman Josiah Hartshorn cranked a massive two-run home run in the seventh inning. It was Hartshorn’s first home run in two weeks. It was also his 16th on the year and 11th with South Bend. Hartshorn went 2 for 3 with a double, the home run and a walk. He scored three times.

Right fielder Jose Escobar was 2 for 4 with an RBI triple.

Shortstop Angel Cepeda was 2 for 4.

Center fielder Kane Kepley went 0 for 3 with two walks and his 46th stolen base. Kepley scored on Hartshorn’s blast.

Hartshorn’s blast [VIDEO]

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RBI double for left fielder Kade Snell, who was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Escobar’s triple.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Rained out again in Hickory. Doubleheader on Sunday. They’re also playing a doubleheader on Friday.

ACL Cubs

Beat the Guardians, 7-1.

This ends the Arizona Complex League for the year. The Mesa Cubs finished at 20-39. Believe it or not, that’s not even last place. They finished above the Athletics in their division and had a better overall record than the White Sox as well.

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MLBPA responds to MLB draft proposal

The MLB players’ union submitted a proposal on July 21 in response to the MLB draft proposal of last month. The MLB negotiating team proposed ending the drafting of high school and junior college players, instituting a draft for international players, decreasing the bonus pool for both domestic and international players, and decreasing the draft to 12 rounds as part of their major overhaul.

In response, the MLBPA submitted a proposal to retain a 20-round draft that includes high school – and junior college-aged players. They want players to be eligible for the draft after their sophomore year despite their age (currently required to be 21 by Aug. 1 of their draft year).

They propose keeping the bonus pool system the same and growing it with league revenues, with small-market teams adding up to $2 million to their pool in a single draft over the next five years. The small market teams would also get another $1 million in bonus pool money for making the playoffs.

MLB proposed eliminating the competitive balance picks and the players’ association would retain them with small-market/low-revenue teams getting a pick in round A (after first and second rounds) or round B (after second or third rounds). The current system penalizes teams with a 75% tax and would lose their first round pick for going over their pool by 5%.

They propose reducing the tax penalties for teams that go over their draft pool. They could go over by up to 15% without losing a draft pick. This allows teams to compete with the college NIL money that players are now receiving.

Allow teams in small markets to sign up to two players taken by the third round to major league contracts. It would mean subtracting that player’s slot amount from the team’s pool no matter how much money the player signed for.

Move the draft from July to June and allow trading of picks in the first round up until two hours before the draft begins. The draft was moved to July from June by the league in 2021 to add more drama to the All-Star break and attempt to increase fan interest. The league also proposed a system for trading picks.

There was nothing in the proposal addressing the international player draft that MLB proposed.

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Pittsburgh Penguins' 2026-27 Lineup Projections: Defensemen

With August just around the corner, the onset of NHL training camps is drawing nearer and nearer, which means time is beginning to dwindle for any kind of roster reshuffling prior to the 2026-27 season.

And, if general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins elect not to change anything up in the meantime, things will be quite interesting once the season gets underway.

The Penguins have been a relatively active team since the end of the 2025-26 season, as they have added a few players via trade and free agency. But through that addition, a bit of a logjam has been created both in the forward unit and on the blue line, even if it gives the team a whole lot of options as far as lineups.

The logjam on the forward front was covered already, but the blue line will certainly have its own intrigue. There are a lot of questions about the left side especially, particularly with the departure of Parker Wotherspoon, who played alongside Erik Karlsson on the top pairing last season. They also have a boatload of right-side defensemen, which could hinder chances of a promising young prospect cracking the roster.

Again, for these purposes, we can't assume that any trades will be made, however likely it may seem. So, barring there is no roster movement prior to training camp and the beginning of the season, what will the Penguins' defensive pairings look like?

Even If Robertson's Door Might Not Be Shut Entirely, Penguins Must Shift GearsEven If Robertson's Door Might Not Be Shut Entirely, Penguins Must Shift GearsWith Dallas Stars superstar winger Jason Robertson inking a one-year deal with Dallas Tuesday to avoid arbitration, the Penguins - rumored to be in on Robertson - must look elsewhere if Dubas is to follow through on his summer plans.

Projected defensive pairings:

Trevor van Riemsdyk - Erik Karlsson

Sam Girard - Kaeden Korczak

Declan Carlile - Kris Letang

Extra: Ilya Solovyov

Can Karlsson repeat?

Going into last season, there were a whole lot of questions concerning how the blue line would hold up. After all, the Penguins' defensive work was weak going into 2025-26, and it remained to be seen how the blue line would respond to new coaching.

Well, Karlsson responded very well and then some, as he registered 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games last season. He found his vintage form, playing well in all three zones, earning team MVP at the end of the season, and leading the Penguins down the stretch run of the season to the playoffs.

Last season was, by far, the best from Karlsson in a Penguins' uniform, and he has one year remaining on his current deal. He is 36 years old, but he is still very capable of playing at an elite level.

Simply put, the Penguins need that again from Karlsson if they hope to make any playoff noise. He is the best player on their blue line by a wide margin, and him regressing this season would be nothing short of catastrophic for the Penguins.

Yes, It's High Time For The Penguins To Trade One Of Their Best Wingers. But It's Not The One You Think It Should Be.Yes, It's High Time For The Penguins To Trade One Of Their Best Wingers. But It's Not The One You Think It Should Be.The Pittsburgh Penguins have three valuable trade commodities and find themselves at a crossroads in terms of direction - and one player should be the first domino to fall.

Managing the imbalance

The departures of Parker Wotherspoon and Ryan Shea left a bit of a void on the left side of the blue line for the Penguins, and - techinically - they've only added one left-side blueliner in the aftermath in Declan Carlisle.

But on the right side? They have Karlsson, Letang, Korczak, van Riemsdyk, and even Harrison Brunicke pushing. There is certainly much more depth on one side, as the depth on the other side - at least, as far as traditional handedness - includes Girard, Carlile, and Solovyov. 

van Riemsdyk can and will probably play the left side, and anchoring down Karlsson on the top pairing seems to make the most sense to start. So, the left side figures to consist of him, Girard, and Carlile, with Solovyov as an extra. The Penguins kind of have to bank on Carlile and van Riemsdyk to offset the losses of Wotherspoon and Shea, which is not going to be a walk in the park. 

Of course, Owen Pickering could push, too, and Ryan Graves is still ever-present. But the Penguins will need to figure out a way to optimize their pairings, even with a lack of left shots. 

New Penguins Forward Predicted To Have Breakout YearNew Penguins Forward Predicted To Have Breakout YearCould Nick Robertson end up having a big year for the Penguins?

The rise and fall of Kris Letang

Letang has been a fixture on the Penguins' blue line for two decades, but it's no secret that he largely struggled last season. 

He did find some wind in his sails in the back half of the campaign, as he had chemistry with Brett Kulak, who was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers but then dealt to the Colorado Avalanche just two months later. It took a while for he and Girard to find chemistrry, but they got a bit better late in the season ahead of the playoffs.

However, aside from that, things didn't look too good. The best situation for Letang is to have a partner who allows him to be more stay-at-home, which Girard is on paper. But Carlile might provide the right kind of balance for him, especially if Letang isn't exactly itching to move away from the transitional and high-risk playing style entirely. 

So, it will be interesting to watch how the Penguins approach Letang, his deployment, and his minutes this season. It seems like the third pairing is the best place for him at this point. 

Penguins' 3-Year Deal For Chinakhov Tells Story Of Shifting MarketPenguins' 3-Year Deal For Chinakhov Tells Story Of Shifting MarketThe Pittsburgh Penguins bet on the talent of an enticing young player in Egor Chinkahov when they signed him to a three-year, $18.75 million extension Sunday, and it is yet another signifier of a rapidly changing landscape in the NHL.

We don't talk about Bruno, no, no, no... or do we?

A bit like several other prospects on the forward front, one of the most interesting storylines to follow on the Penguins' blue line will be that of 20-year-old Harrison Brunicke.

Brunicke earned an NHL roster spot out of training camp at 19 years old last season, and he spent nine games at the NHL level dispersed across a few months. There were clear things for him to improve on - including play in front of his own net and along the walls as well as adding some size - as he subsequently went on a five-game AHL conditioning stint, played in the World Junior Championship for Team Canada, and was reassigned back to the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL in January. 

Not only was he on a point-per-game pace for the remaining 24 regular season games for Kamloops - their best player down the stretch and in the playoffs - he also improved upon pretty much everything asked of him as he was summoned back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) for the rest of the AHL regular season and their playoff run. And, in the playoffs, he was arguably their best player at 19, playing top-pair minutes and headlining both special teams units while putting up two goals and seven points in 15 games to along with a plus-4.

It's not hard to deduce that, had Brunicke been AHL-eligible last season, that's where he would have spent the year, which means he would have had a full year of development there. Despite that, Brunicke looked NHL-ready in those playoff games, and given his track record at both training camps he's participated in - he almost made the NHL club as an 18-year-old, too - it won't be surprising if he has another dominant, standout camp.

If Brunicke earns an NHL roster spot, he should be on the team. However, realistically, Karlsson and Letang are locks, and there's next to no chance Korczak doesn't get regular playing time. So, it's more likely that he begins the season in the AHL, and some runway there may not be the worst thing for his development into a sure NHL-ready blueliner, anyway.

But, don't expect him to be there all that long. The Penguins believe they have a top-pairing type of talent in Brunicke, and if his rapid development has told us anything, he's going to blow his AHL assignment out of the water.

Oh, and as far as other blue line prospects go, don't discount Owen Pickering making a push, especially with the question marks on the Penguins' left side. The organization was very happy with Pickering's development in the back half of the 2025-26 season in WBS, and they believe he's developing the game-to-game consistency as a reliable shutdown defenseman with offensive upside that was lacking before. 

Opinion: If Penguins Are To Let Youth Shine, They Need To Make Some RoomOpinion: If Penguins Are To Let Youth Shine, They Need To Make Some RoomIf the Penguins walk into the season with their roster as currenty constructed, it leaves no room for some of their NHL-ready youth to have a chance at establishing themselves in the NHL.

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