Here are the latest college volleyball AVCA Top 25 rankings and updated NCAA RPI rankings ahead of Sunday's selection show.
Toronto's R.J. Barrett out at least one week with sprained right knee
Raptors fans can exhale, this is not nearly as bad as feared, but it's not ideal, either.
An MRI discovered no structural damage, but Toronto's RJ Barrett has a sprained right knee and will be reevaluated in a week, the team announced Wednesday morning. Barrett already sat out the Raptors' win over the Cavaliers on Monday and is likely to miss the team's next four games before being reevaluated and potentially returning to action.
The injury happened in the third quarter against the Nets on Sunday. Barrett intercepted a pass and had a breakaway dunk, but when he landed he grimaced and checked himself out of the game soon after. Those kinds of non-contact injuries are scary, but the MRI fortunately found no structural damage.
Barrett is averaging 19.4 points and 4.8 rebounds a game this season and is part of Toronto's uptempo attack — 20.1% of the Raptors' offensive possessions start in transition, the highest percentage in the league (stats via Cleaning the Glass). The Raptors have a top-10 defense in the league and are particularly adept at running off steams — as on the play where Barrett got injured.
The good news for Raptors fans out of all of this: While the team is outscoring opponents when Barrett is on the court, they are still +13.4 per 100 possessions when he is off the court. Ja'Kobe Walter got the start against the Cavaliers with Barrett out, expect that to continue.
Colorado State hires Jim Mora to usher in Pac-12 era. Expert grades for the move
Jim Mora leaves UConn to take over a Colorado State football program that is transitioning to the new Pac-12.
Major Lineup Shakeup, NHL Debut Highlight Jets’ Showdown in Washington
On Thanksgiving Eve, the Winnipeg Jets return to action after a disappointing shutout loss Sunday to take on one of the best in the East with the Washington Capitals. The game will work as stop one for the Jets' lengthy five-game road trip in just ten days.
The Jets will meet with the Capitals for the 102nd time with Washington being one of the teams that have a better record in their matchup history with the Jets at 56-29-5-11 all-time. The game should have major implications for both sides as the Jets are still trying to battle their way back into the playoffs while the Capitals are doing their best to distance themselves with just a one point lead in the Wild card race. Winnipeg's lineup will see some major changes on Wednesday including an NHL debut.
Jets' Neal Pionk Suffers Second Lower-Body Injury in 8 Months, Listed As Day-to-DayNeal Pionk left Sunday’s game against Minnesota early with a lower-body injury, putting his status for the Jets’ upcoming road trip in doubt.Lineup Storylines
With several forwards struggling to produce offense, Winnipeg head coach Scott Arniel is opting for a significant shake-up in hopes of sparking the lineup. The top line will stay intact, but the biggest surprise comes on the second unit, where the slumping Tanner Pearson jumps from the fourth line to take over Vladislav Namestnikov’s spot on left wing. Namestnikov will shift back to center, reuniting with Cole Perfetti in a pairing that worked for much of last season.
The adjustments become even more intriguing further down the roster as Nino Niederreiter and Adam Lowry are back together as long-time linemates, joined this time by Alex Iafallo. Meanwhile, Jonathan Toews will anchor the fourth line with Morgan Barron and Gustav Nyquist. Arniel appears to be aiming for a more balanced, depth-driven approach to spread out the team’s skill, and it will be interesting to see how the ice-time distribution works out to be for some players.
Toews has been slow out of the gate, posting just eight points in 21 games and carrying a team-worst –11 rating as his once-elite two-way play continues to dip. The hope is that this shuffle helps jump-start multiple players and eases the burden on a rookie making his NHL debut.
While fans await goalie prospect Thomas Milic’s first NHL start, the Jets’ top defense prospect, Elias Salomonsson, has been called up to replace Neal Pionk and is expected to draw into the lineup Wednesday. Although the initial assumption was that the 21-year-old would be eased in as a seventh defenseman with Luke Schenn and Colin Miller rotating, Arniel is instead choosing to lean on the young blueliner, leaving Schenn as the extra skater. Salomonsson, the Jets’ 2022 second-round pick, has yet to appear in an NHL game but has recorded six assists in 17 games with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL this season.
For the Capitals, longtime captain and hockey icon Alex Ovechkin continues to dominate offensively even at age 40, posting ten goals and eleven assists for 21 points in 23 games. His longtime running mate, Tom Wilson, has shifted from delivering heavy hits to unleashing heavy shots. The Toronto native leads the team with 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points in 23 games, boasts an impressive +11 rating, and still brings plenty of physicality with 64 hits on the season.
"You Can't Replace a Guy Like That" - Jets' Reigning Hart Trophy Winner Will be MissedJets grapple with losing reigning MVP Hellebuyck. His knee surgery sidelines the Vezina winner for weeks, leaving a massive void in net.Player & Betting Trends (Presented By BetMGM)
WPG ML (+125) | WSH ML (-149)
WPG +1.5 (-188) | WSH -1.5 (+155)
O/U 6.5 Goals
The Jets have taken three of their last four meetings with the Capitals, but they'll have to manage this matchup without the player most responsible for those wins in league MVP Connor Hellebuyck. With their star goaltender unavailable, Winnipeg will turn to backup Eric Comrie, who will be facing Washington for the first time on Wednesday.
Winnipeg’s recent success in this matchup has come from keeping games low-scoring and letting their elite defensive structure take over. This time, however, that defense has some noticeable holes, and the Capitals’ top-seven offense will be eager to take advantage. The game has the potential to open up offensively, with both teams needing timely scoring to get the edge.
When Will Jets' Thomas Milic Make His NHL Debut?Jets goalie struggles ignite speculation asking is red-hot Thomas Milic ready to seize his NHL moment against challenging opponents?For the Jets, Cole Perfetti is a strong candidate for a standout performance as he continues to regain form following his injury. He has three points over his last six games and has registered a goal and two assists in his last two meetings with Washington.
The Capitals’ surging offense continues to run through Tom Wilson and Alex Ovechkin, with the latter still commanding full defensive attention even as he enters the twilight of his career. Ovechkin has historically feasted on the Jets, recording 57 goals and 45 assists for 102 points in 75 games against Winnipeg. He enters this matchup riding goals in three straight meetings and points in seven of his last eight, totaling nine goals and one assist in that span.
Goalie Matchup
Winnipeg: Eric Comrie (Season: 4-3-0 record, 2.86 GAA, .899 SV% | First Game VS WSH)
Washington: Charlie Lindgren (Season: 3-3-1 record, 3.13 GAA, .889 SV% | VS WPG: 3-1-0 record, 1.51 GAA, .947 SV% in four games)
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Former Maple Leafs Defender Tyson Barrie Reveals Mike Babcock Story Which Occurred After Joining Toronto
Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie was happy to play in Toronto, but his start with the organization was rather fascinating.
The 34-year-old retired NHL defender appeared on the Empty Netters Podcast with Dan and Chris Powers this week. Among the topics discussed was his trade to the Maple Leafs from the Colorado Avalanche, where he had spent his entire NHL career beforehand.
Barrie, along with forward Alex Kerfoot and a 2020 sixth-round pick, was sent to the Maple Leafs in exchange for Nazem Kadri, defenseman Calle Rosen, and a 2020 third-round pick on July 1, 2019.
"It was my first time being traded, too, so that comes with kind of its own emotions and stuff," he said.
"I got traded for (Kadri), who was a big part of that team. I know he'd taken some belligerent suspensions in the playoffs, but like, he was pretty beloved by the city. So there was some pressure that came with that."
Barrie then revealed one of the first messages former Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock had for him in Toronto.
"I won't speak too much on it, but I think one of the first things (Babcock) said to me, he says to me, 'You know, I wouldn't have made the trade, Naz is a big part of the team,'" Barrie laughed. "And I was like, 'Oh, okay, sick. This is going to go well.' It was an interesting start.
"And then, I've always thought, like, you look around the league and any time a team trades for a guy who kind of does the same role as another guy, a power play quarterback is one of those roles where you kind of only need one. So I got traded and Morgan Rielly was there and he was having great years, and he was running the power play, and I was kind of like, 'Okay, where am I going to fit in here?'"
Babcock's warm welcome pic.twitter.com/RYSY1lgiRA
— Empty Netters (@EmptyNettersPod) November 26, 2025
Barrie spent just one season with the Maple Leafs, scoring five goals and 39 points in 70 games. The defender got off to a slow start under Babcock, tallying only five assists in his first 22 games before the head coach was fired.
Once Sheldon Keefe came in, Barrie's game got back to where it was with the Avalanche many years prior. Barrie scored five goals and 32 points in the final 47 games of the season under Keefe, who had him averaging 22:02 of ice time per game.
Barrie left the Maple Leafs in the following offseason and joined the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year, $3.75 million contract. After re-signing and spending two seasons in Edmonton, Barrie, Reid Schaefer, a first and a fourth-round pick, was traded to the Nashville Predators for Mattias Ekholm.
Barrie played two seasons in Nashville (appearing in only 65 games) before signing a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Calgary Flames on Oct. 3, 2024. He split the season between the Flames and their AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, before officially retiring this past August.
The Victoria, British Columbia native finished his NHL career with 508 points (110 goals, 398 assists) in 822 games.
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Buffalo Sabres At Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To Watch
The Pittsburgh Penguins will look to end their two-game skid on Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
This is the Penguins' annual Thanksgiving Eve game, which usually produces one of the best crowds of the season.
The Sabres come into this game on a two-game winning streak and have won four of their last five games. They're still seventh in the Atlantic Division with a 9-9-4 record, but they are at least playing better as of late.
Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson lead the Sabres in points with 21. Thompson leads the team in goals with 12 and is pushing for a spot on the Team USA Olympic roster.
According to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550, the Sabres will likely start Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in goal. He has played in six games this season and has a 2.68 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage.
Meanwhile, Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry was the first goaltender off the ice during the morning skate and will start in this game. This will be his first game back from injury after getting banged up during the Nov. 3 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As for the rest of the lineup, Bryan Rust will play after dealing with an illness for the last couple of days. He will return to the top line with Connor Dewar and Sidney Crosby.
First-round pick Benjamin Kindel will be a healthy scratch for this game for developmental purposes. He has played a lot of hockey this season, so this is likely about giving him a break ahead of the daunting December schedule.
Ville Koivunen will return to the lineup after a 12-day absence and Tristan Broz will make his NHL debut on the third line.
Here is what the full lineup could look like, based on Tuesday's lines:
Forwards
Dewar-Crosby-Rust
Hayes-Malkin-Mantha
Koivunen-Broz-Novak
Koppanen-Lizotte-Heinen
Defense
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Shea-Letang
Graves-Dumba
Puck drop for this contest is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
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Matthew Tkachuk confirms return to ice, says recovery is trending 'really well' on latest Wingmen episode
The latest episode of the Wingmen podcast brought some juicy information for fans of both the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators.
We’ll start with Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk, who has not played since Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final last June.
He’s been recovering from offseason surgery after suffering, and playing through, a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia during the 4 Nations tournament in February.
There had been hope that if his recovery went as planned, he could come back sometime in December, and it seems things are still trending in that direction.
Last week, it was reported by THN Florida that Tkachuk had resumed skating, and during this week’s episode of Wingmen, his podcast with his brother Brady Tkachuk, Matthew said he was indeed back on the ice and progressing toward a return.
Matthew also admitted that he felt better when he hit the ice this week than he did during the playoffs, so that sure sounds like a positive.
“I’m just excited for…being able to ramp it up, I’m just excited to get out with the boys, I don’t know when that’s going to be, but it’s kind of, obviously, getting over that hump sooner rather than later,” he said. “It’s starting to trend really, really well.”
As for Brady, he revealed that he would be shedding his non-contact jersey and was targeting Ottawa’s game in his hometown of St. Louis on Friday to return from a thumb injury.
He also said he plans to host all of his Ottawa teammates and trainers at his parents’ house for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday in St. Louis.
“DADDY’S BACK” 🤣
— Wingmen with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk (@Wingmenpod) November 26, 2025
Brady returns Friday in St. Louis while Matthew is trending closer to his season debut 🙌 pic.twitter.com/yHmFebnR5d
Overall, it seems there is quite a bit for the Tkahcuk boys to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
You can check out the latest episode of Wingmen in the video below:
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Photo caption: May 9, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
NHL Rumor Roundup: Canucks To Become Sellers, Canadiens Linked To Predators' Ryan O'Reilly
The Vancouver Canucks are sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. That has management poised to become sellers.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Tuesday the Canucks informed the rest of the league they're willing to entertain offers for their veteran players. Jim Rutherford, the president of hockey operations, subsequently confirmed that his club had to get younger.
Rutherford said they're not moving all their veterans. Friedman said the Canucks could entertain offers for players eligible to become UFAs next summer and those who have a year or two left on their contracts. However, that does not include superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes.
The pending UFAs include forwards Evander Kane and Kiefer Sherwood. Those in the latter category include defenseman Tyler Myers and forwards Filip Chytil and Drew O'Connor.
The Hockey News' Adam Kierszenblat said the Canucks appear to be aiming for a retool, since Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin have made it clear a more aggressive rebuild isn't a route they want to take. He also noted that Kane has a 16-team approved trade list, and Myers has a no-move clause this year that changes to a 12-team no-trade clause next season.
TSN's Darren Dreger weighed in on what this decision would mean for Canucks captain Hughes. Dreger reminded everyone the 26-year-old defenseman is signed through next season, but his future in Vancouver remains uncertain if the club doesn't become more competitive.
Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre suggested the Canucks' slow start and the possibility of trades that might weaken the team in the short term raise the chances of Hughes requesting a trade by next summer, if not sooner.
Of the Canucks' pending UFAs, MacIntyre believes the feisty Sherwood is the most marketable. He has 12 goals in 23 games, but contract talks between the two sides remain stalled.
Speaking of teams that could become sellers, the Nashville Predators are making a difficult transition from aging veterans to younger talent. TSN's Pierre LeBrun believes that process will continue throughout this season.
LeBrun said forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault continue to surface in the rumor mill despite their no-movement clauses. He believes the Predators will be open to offers for those two.
However, it's Ryan O'Reilly that's drawing the most interest. He's signed through 2026-27 with an affordable $4.5 million average annual value. Unlike Stamkos and Marchessault, he lacks no-trade protection, though the Predators are treating him as though he has it.
LeBrun believes O'Reilly will attract teams that are looking for a center with Stanley Cup experience. He indicated the Montreal Canadiens were among the suitors. If the Predators peddle O'Reilly, LeBrun believes the asking price is a first-round pick and an “A-level prospect.”
The Canadiens can afford to part with that return, but they could be reluctant to do so for O'Reilly. GM Kent Hughes prefers adding younger players who can fit among their youthful roster core. Adding the 34-year-old O'Reilly would be a significant step away from that template.
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Lakers takeaways: What the Lakers are looking for as LeBron James rounds into form
Luka Doncic set the tone with 24 points in the first quarter. LeBron James picked up the baton with 18 over the next two quarters. Austin Reaves put the finishing touches on the Lakers' 135-118 win over the Clippers on Tuesday by scoring 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers Big Three each starred in their solo parts while harmonizing almost perfectly together to propel the Lakers (13-4) to their fifth consecutive win. Doncic starred with 43 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. Reaves added 31 points and nine rebounds, and James scored a season-high 25 points and six assists.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
Read more:Luka Doncic owns the Clippers again as Lakers win NBA Cup matchup
LeBron James feeling ‘better and better’
During parts of Sunday’s game in Utah, James desperately motioned toward the Lakers bench for a sub. When asked after the game about a particularly labored stretch during the second quarter, James quipped that it wasn’t just that moment.
“First, second, third and fourth,” James joked Sunday in Utah. “Come get me.”
Two days later, James looked almost back to normal as he had season-high 25 points, showing he had no trouble pushing the pace in transition while the team was plus-18 with him on the court.
“It will get better every game,” James said Tuesday of his conditioning. “Today was another … testament to that. So great win for us, but I'm starting to feel better and better.”
Coach JJ Redick said the Lakers will be tracking James’ three-point shooting, play-making and transition points as indicators of how he is progressing in his return from sciatica that sidelined him for 14 games.
On a team that was struggling to find its three-point shot, James can be a much-needed laser. James has shot 41.3% on catch-and-shoot threes during the past three seasons while increasing the volume of his shots. He has taken at least 184 such three-pointers in each of the past four seasons after taking no more than 148 in any of the prior eight seasons for which tracking data is available.
That skill came through in the perfect moment Tuesday with a corner three off an assist from Reaves in the fourth quarter, helping the Lakers start the fourth quarter on a 14-4 run. James made two of five three-pointers as the Lakers shot a season-best 44.8% from three to snap out of their shooting slump.
Lakers win their NBA Cup group
The Lakers locked up their spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, but there are still meaningful Cup games to be played.
With a 3-0 record in West Group B, the Lakers can clinch home-court advantage in the quarterfinals with a win Friday against the Dallas Mavericks in the group stage finale. A win would be the simplest way to avoid resorting to the point differential tiebreaker that could still be in play to decide the No. 1 seed in the West. Outscoring opponents by 36 points, the Lakers' point differential is 27 points behind West Group A leaders Oklahoma City (2-0 in group play) for the potential No. 1 seed. The top-seeded team will host the wild-card team, which earns its spot in the quarterfinal by virtue of being the best second-place team in group play. Portland and Denver are tied atop West Group C with 2-1 records.
The three-year-old NBA Cup, inspired by similar in-season tournaments in European leagues, has sparked confusion about the colorful courts and ever-changing group stage scenarios. The potential extra road trip and extra championship game could end up putting more wear on teams that have larger playoff ambitions, but the prize makes it worth the trouble: $500,000 for each player.
“Obviously I’ll accept money,” Doncic said with a sarcastic smile. “That's easy. ... I played it in Spain, something like this, so I like it. Just the courts, please.”
Doncic said the Lakers’ NBA Cup court — bright yellow with the gold and black trophy painted into the key — caused problems for a few players as they slipped on the new hardwood. An area near the free-throw line in front of the Clippers bench appeared to be especially slippery. Doncic said he could tell immediately during warm-ups that the surface could be a problem.
“I slipped a lot of times and you could see a lot of players slipped,” Doncic said. “And that's dangerous, man.”
Redick said he noticed players slipping, but also that they were falling prior to that. He said the team will look into the court.
Jaxson Hayes has Luka Doncic’s back
With the $53,000 earned from advancing to the quarterfinals, Doncic can easily cover the fine that Jaxson Hayes incurred on Doncic's behalf late in Tuesday’s game.
With 3:36 remaining in a 10-point game, Doncic was positioning himself for a potential rebound under the rim when Clippers gaurd Kris Dunn shoved him in the back. Doncic called it a “cheap shot” and shouted back at Dunn, who answered by pushing the ball in Doncic’s chest. Hayes then stepped in and pushed Dunn away from Doncic.
“I didn’t like the way he shoved him,” Hayes said. “I just wanted to help.”
Read more:Luka Doncic helps Lakers hold off Jazz for fourth win in a row
Hayes was assessed a technical foul while Dunn picked up a technical for shoving the ball toward Doncic and was ejected with a second technical for retaliating against Hayes. Doncic immediately told Hayes that he would cover the $2,000 fine for Hayes’ first technical foul of the year.
"That says a lot about him," Doncic said. "That says a lot about this team. Everybody has got each other's back.”
Hayes and Doncic have grown so close in less than one season playing for the Lakers together that they have explored opportunities for Hayes to become a naturalized Slovenian citizen to play for the national team with Doncic. A high-flying athletic center, Hayes is the type of player who excels next to a pick-and-roll artist such as Doncic, who loves to put on a show with flashy lobs.
They paired for an exclamation point on the win when Doncic tossed up a pass for Hayes to slam down with two hands to put the Lakers up by 14 with 1:52 remaining. Hayes, who started for injured center Deandre Ayton, had eight points, four rebounds and three assists. Ayton is game-to-game because of a right knee contusion and Redick said he could return by the end of this week.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Canadiens: A Date With The Mammoth
After ending their losing streak at five games against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens will be taking on the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday night at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The team arrived on Monday and had time to settle in before practising on Tuesday morning. Thankfully, no one was hit by a car this year, unlike former Hab Emil Heineman last season.
Martin St-Louis has already confirmed that Jakub Dobes, who had a .920 save percentage against the Leafs, will be in net for the game, despite Samuel Montembeault beating the Mammoth a little over two weeks ago at the Bell Centre. He has made 23 stops on 25 shots, but given how the goaltenders have performed so far this season, it makes sense to go with the netminder who made you win the last game. Dobes has never faced the hosts, while Montembeault has a 2-0-1 record against them with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
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The identity of the Mammoth goaltender has yet to be announced, but Karel Vejmelka has seen most of the action for Andre Tourigny’s team this season. The netminder has a 3-2-1 record in six duels with the Habs, a 3.47 GAA and a .864 SV against Montreal. As for backup Vitek Vanecek, he’s got a 3-1-1 record, with a 2.80 GAA and a .888 SV.
Wednesday evening’s game will be the fourth meeting between the two sides, and the Canadiens have won the last two by scores of 6-2 and 5-3. Utah won the first game ever between the two sides 3-2 in overtime. The Canadiens will need to make the most of their power-play opportunities to get a win, but that will be a tall order. Utah has the sixth-best penalty kill in the league with an 84.1% success rate, but since the start of November, it has killed 96% of power plays.
Cole Caufield is the Canadiens’ top scorer against the Mammoth with five points in three games, and he was also doing pretty well against the Arizona Coyotes before the franchise was moved, with four points in six games. Four players have three points in as many games against Utah: Alexandre Carrier (one assist in seven games against Arizona), Noal Dobson (four assists against the Coyotes), Lane Hutson and Mike Matheson (one goal in 11 games against the Coyotes).
Meanwhile, Clayton Keller is the Mammoth’s most productive player against the Canadiens with 17 points in 14 games, Nick Schmaltz is second with 15 points in 14 games, and Olli Maatta wraps up the top three with 14 points in 28 games.
As is always the case when the two teams are playing, we’ll be keeping an eye on the first and third pick of the 2022 NHL draft: Juraj Slafkovsky and Logan Cooley. The power forward has a single point in three duels with Utah, while the center has three points in five games against Montreal. Both teams have had issues of late with 3-4-3 records in their last 10 games; the Canadiens have won their previous match, while the Mammoth are now on a modest two-game winning streak.
The game is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET, and you can catch it on UTAH 16, TSN 2 and RDS. The Canadiens will hold an optional skate at 11:00 MST and hold media availabilities then.
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How should Mets rebuild rotation this offseason? Breaking down internal and external options
When you think about the Mets' offseason and what the team will look like at the start of the 2026 campaign, there are a few things that immediately come to mind.
One is the future of the offensive core, which was broken up when Brandon Nimmo was traded to the Rangers for Marcus Semien.
Another is the free agency of Pete Alonso, who could return but whose power would have to be replaced externally if he signs elsewhere.
The bullpen also needs to be overhauled, and how it looks will have a lot to do with Edwin Diaz, who -- like Alonso -- is a free agent the Mets would like to bring back.
Then there's the starting rotation, which will very likely be bolstered in a big way -- with a trade for a top-of-the-rotation arm seeming likely.
As New York goes about rebuilding the starting staff, here's how things are shaking out...
The Locks
There are currently eight realistic starting pitching options on New York's roster. They are:
Nolan McLean
Sean Manaea
Clay Holmes
David Peterson
Kodai Senga
Brandon Sproat
Jonah Tong
Christian Scott
Of those eight, it's fair to believe that three of them might be in ink when it comes to inclusion in the rotation out of spring training. Those three are McLean, Manaea, and Holmes.
The Internal Candidates
Beyond McLean, Holmes, and Manaea, there are lots of question marks.
Peterson seems like a safe bet to be in the rotation if he's healthy, and there have been no rumblings about the Mets dangling him via trade.
The left-hander struggled for most of the second half of the 2025 season and was borderline unpitchable down the stretch, but it's possible fatigue played a factor. Peterson threw a career-high 168.2 innings last season, up from his previous high of 121.0 in 2024.
As far as Senga, his Mets future is in doubt.
After a 2024 season that was almost entirely lost to injury, Senga got off to a terrific start in 2025. But his season was interrupted by a hamstring injury, and he was never able to find his groove following his return. There were constant battles with his mechanics and comfort, and an eventual trip to the minor leagues -- where he attempted to get things right but was unable to do so.
Given how things have shaken out the last few years for Senga with the Mets, it feels like he'll be playing elsewhere in 2026.
Then there's Sproat and Tong, who both showed flashes when called upon late last season.
Sproat seems like the better bet to crack the Opening Day rotation, while Tong -- whose ups and downs were more stark during his brief big league stint -- could likely use some more time to refine his stuff and approach in Triple-A Syracuse, where he made only two starts last season before being promoted.
However, there's also the possibility that Sproat and/or Tong get traded this offseason.
The Wild Card in the mix is Scott, who opened eyes during his first taste of the majors in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Scott, 26, should be healthy entering spring training, when he'll be roughly 17 months post-surgery. But it could be a bit of a stretch to expect him to be in the mix for a starting spot right away. There's also a likely innings limit to consider.
The External Candidates
It was the failure of the starting rotation that was most to blame for the Mets' 2025 season spiraling out of control.
Some of that had to do with really bad injury luck, but the depth that was assembled simply wasn't good enough. Beyond that, president of baseball operations David Stearns was not quick enough to act when the team needed reinforcements -- something he lamented during his end-of-season news conference.
With that as the backdrop, the expectation is that the Mets will add significant pieces to the rotation this offseason.
And it can be argued that the most sensible plan would be to seek a top-of-the-rotation starter via trade (given the Mets' glut of infielders and advantageous situation they're in with their farm system) and land a mid-rotation starter with upside via free agency.
Three of the most high-profile free agent starters -- Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and Michael King -- aren't ideal fits. Valdez is entering his age-32 season and had a troubling on-field incident last season, Suarez's fastball velocity has been steadily dropping, and King has serious injury concerns.
The two free agent pitchers who arguably make the most sense for the Mets? Dylan Cease and Tatsuya Imai.
Cease, who is entering his age-30 season, brings the floor of a solid innings-eater and the upside of a Cy Young candidate.
Imai, who has a fastball that sits in the mid 90s and reaches 99 mph, is viewed by many experts as a mid-rotation starter in the majors with room for more. And he's entering his age-28 season.
As far as the trade market goes, I'll buy that the Tigers are keeping Tarik Skubal when he takes the ball for them on Opening Day.
If Detroit is not serious about paying Skubal what it will take to keep him beyond 2026, he should be dealt now, which would allow them to import a massive influx of talent -- and the Mets have the assets needed should he be truly available.
Beyond Skubal is Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. And while Milwaukee's front office recently tried to shoot down rumors of him getting dealt, they certainly didn't say he was staying. There's also Joe Ryan of the Twins and Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins, who could both be on the move.
No matter who they wind up with, the Mets must find a way to properly address the rotation -- something they failed to do last offseason, which resulted in their undoing.
MLB executives predict Giants will sign Japanese star pitcher Tatsuya Imai
MLB executives predict Giants will sign Japanese star pitcher Tatsuya Imai originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Will this finally be the year the Giants land a star free agent from Japan?
After missing out on Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in the previous two years, San Francisco has another opportunity to land the offseason’s best international free agent.
Japanese star right-hander Tatsuya Imai, arguably the best pitcher on the MLB free-agent market this winter, has been linked to the Giants on numerous occasions already this offseason.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, in an article published Wednesday, surveyed MLB executives, who gave their predictions for where this offseason’s top free agents will land. The majority of the executives polled believe Imai will land in San Francisco.
Who will sign Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai?
Survey says: Giants 5, New York Yankees 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 3, Chicago Cubs 2, Toronto Blue Jays 1, San Diego Padres 1
“The usual suspects, plus Toronto, show up here — most of these teams have been perennial favorites for Japanese players coming over to MLB for the first time,” Rogers wrote. “These teams are among those with a leg up on the rest of the competition as they’ve put time, money and energy into recruiting in Japan. At 27 years old, Imai is the right age for a multiyear deal and should benefit from the success of others from Japan that came before him.”
While the Dodgers, with Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki already on their roster, could be viewed as the most likely destination for Imai, the pitcher recently stated that his preference is to play against — and beat — his fellow countrymen in the big leagues.
San Francisco has wanted to establish itself as a prime destination for international free agents, and while it has had recent success recruiting young prospects from South America and everyday MLB players from South Korea, like outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, it has yet to land a major Japanese free agent.
“The Giants have been in the hunt [for a Japanese pitcher] in the past; pairing Imai with Logan Webb makes a ton of sense,” one executive told ESPN.
The 27-year-old Imai posted a 10-5 record with a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts to 45 walks in 163 2/3 innings pitched for the Saitama Seibu Lions in the Nippon Professional Baseball league last season.
Imai officially was posted on Nov. 18, opening his 45-day signing window, and has until Jan. 2 to join an MLB team.
NHL Rumors: Sabres Star Featured On New Trade Board
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos released his first trade board for the 2025-26 season, and one of the Buffalo Sabres' best players was included on it: Alex Tuch.
This is not the first time that Tuch has been considered a trade candidate, and it probably will not be the last. The 29-year-old winger is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) on a Sabres team that has struggled with consistency this season, so questions about his future in Buffalo will only continue unless he signs a contract extension.
If the Sabres end up deciding that Tuch is not a player they plan to keep around, he would have the potential to get them a great return in a trade. The 6-foot-4 forward is once again having a strong season in 2025-26, as he has recorded eight goals, 13 assists, and 21 points in 22 games. This is after he had 36 goals and 67 points in 82 games this past season with the Sabres.
With Tuch being an impactful top-six winger with size, there is no question that playoff clubs would love to acquire him. It will be interesting to see what the Sabres end up doing with him.
Columbus Blue Jackets (25 pts) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (21 pts) Game Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are at home to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Nationwide Arena.
The Maple Leafs come into Columbus a battered and broken team - Literally.
The Leafs come into Nationwide Arena 8th in the Atlantic and 16th in the East. That's right, you heard me. Dead last. They're 3-5-2 in their last 10 and lost their last game against Montreal back on November 22nd.
To make things worse for Toronto, they're 1-6-0 on the road this season and have been outscored 9-5 by the CBJ this season. The Jackets have also beaten the Leafs three straight times inside NWA, and they're missing some of their big boys like Matthews, Knies, and Roy.
With all that being said, the Maple Leafs can absolutely blow the doors off of Columbus if they're not careful. The Jackets are missing some of their big boys as well. Kirill Marchenko and Mathieu Olivier are out and being evaluated, while Zach Werenski, who left the game against Washington, is expected to play.
The Eastern Conference is a jumbled mess, with 10 teams within two points of one another. Columbus needs points any way they can get them.
Blue Jackets Stats
- Power Play - 17.0% - 23rd in the NHL
- Penalty Kill - 73.7% - 28th in the NHL
- Goals For - 66 - 22nd in the NHL
- Goals Against - 75 - 26th in the NHL
Maple Leafs Stats
- Power Play - 15.1% - 26th in the NHL
- Penalty Kill - 80% - 19th in the NHL
- Goals For - 74 - 6th in the NHL
- Goals Against - 82 - 29th in the NHL
Series History vs. The Maple Leafs
- Columbus is 23-20-1 all-time, and 10-11-0 at home vs. Toronto.
- The Jackets are 6-2 in the last 8 against the Maple Leafs, and have scored 5-plus goals in every win.
- The Blue Jackets have won three straight against Toronto at NWA.
- The CBJ are 2-0 against the Leafs this season.
Who To Watch For The Maple Leafs
- John Tavares leads the Leafs with 12 goals.
- William Nylander leads the team with 19 assists and 29 points.
- Goalie Joseph Woll is 1-2-1 with a SV% of .905. He last played on November 22 and lost.
CBJ Player Notes vs. Maple Leafs
- Zach Werenski has 20 points in 19 career games against Toronto.
- Charlie Coyle has 25 points in 32 games.
- Adam Fantilli has 8 points in 8 career games, including 2 goals and an assist on November 20th.
Injuries
- Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 15 games - IR
- Boone Jenner - Upper Body - Missed 7 Games - IR
- Kirill Marchenko - Lower Body - Missed 1 Game
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 35
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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Red Sox acquire Sonny Gray from Cardinals: Roster impact, fantasy fallout from trade
The Red Sox have been looking for a number two pitcher behind Garrett Crochet atop their rotation and may have just found their guy in Sonny Gray.
He didn’t come cheaply though. Boston had to part with a young starting pitcher in Richard Fitts and high-upside prospect Brandon Clarke to get it done.
The Cardinals also chipped in a cool $20 million to push this deal over the line. That brought Gray’s money due by the Red Sox down to $15 million before a mutual option for 2026 with a $5 million buy-out.
Let’s break it all down here.
Stay up to date with the MLB free agent market this offseason, including player signings, contract details, and team fits as the 2025-26 Hot Stove heats up.
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D.J. Short
▶ How Good is Sonny Gray?
Starting with Gray, he’s been remarkably steady with a 3.53 ERA (39th among qualified pitchers) over 650 and 2/3 innings (17th among qualified pitchers) since 2022. In terms of volume and consistency, he's as solid as they come.
Yet, there are some troubling signs for the 36-year-old. His average fastball velocity has fallen from 93 mph to a shade under 92 mph over the last two seasons. With that, it has gotten absolutely destroyed by opposing hitters and has never been the most effective pitch.
Luckily, Gray still has one of the best breaking ball combos in the league with his sweeper and curveball.
Sonny Gray's 11Ks.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 28, 2025
That rhymes. pic.twitter.com/SiC2osiJ8w
They are straight up nasty and give him an out-pitch for hitters from both the right and left side of the plate. His sweeper is so good it’s proven effective against lefties as well.
Sonny Gray, Sick 86mph Back Foot Sweeper...and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/JULgElUGBY
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 5, 2025
Despite his breaking ball quality, he wound up with an ugly 4.28 ERA last season. That was his worst mark since that one disastrous season he spent with the Yankees back in 2018.
His underlying stats hint that he pitched far better than that due to a strikeout minus walk rate that was seventh-highest in the league at 21.6%. That led to the 11th-lowest FIP and 6th-lowest SIERA in the league.
Striking out more batters and walking fewer is always good. It’s especially important in a hitters’ haven like Fenway Park where balls in play are more likely to do damage. That seemed like a key reason why the Red Sox targeted Gray.
They’ve found success over the last few years helping starters work around bad fastballs too.
Brayan Bello picked up a cutter in June that helped him reach another level. Garrett Crochet’s fastball and cutter were elite, but he developed a sinker last season that became his most used pitch against lefties by season’s end. It also had the highest Run Value in his arsenal.
Helping Gray find more consistency with his cutter and sinker could be the key to him achieving that number two starter production the Red Sox seek.
▶ Return for the Cardinals
Again, the St. Louis got a huge return in Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke for one guaranteed season of a pitcher approaching their late 30s with a diminishing fastball.
Originally acquired by the Red Sox ahead of the 2024 season for Alex Verdugo (seriously) as one of the first moves Craig Breslow made in Boston, Fitts is a hefty, imposing right-hander listed at 6’3” and 230 lbs that has an interesting profile.
He’s pitched to a 3.97 ERA across 65 2/3 major league innings over the last two seasons, but struggled with both consistency and durability. He struck out far fewer batters than many expected (17.5 K%) given what appears to be a deep arsenal of seemingly plus pitches.
His fastball has sat between 94 and 96 mph with a cut-ride shape and great extension that should miss more bats at the top of the zone. He also has a trio of impressive breakers with a sweeper, tighter slider, and curveball that have all taken a jump in quality since joining the Red Sox organization.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see him become a stable back-end to mid-rotation starter if he can stay healthy and grow as a pitcher.
Clarke is the wild card in this deal. He’s a huge lefty with nearly seven feet of extension, a fastball that touches triple digits, and an outrageously good slider.
Brandon Clarke was a Top 5 prospect in Boston’s system & finished 2025 w/ a K/9 of 14.2 pic.twitter.com/Lc0pLy6IvU
— Ryan (@The_Ryan_Shull) November 25, 2025
He’s a project though with only thrown about 140 total innings under his belt between junior college and the minor leagues. He struck out 34.5% of the batters he faced last season across 38 IP split between low-A and A-ball, but ran a 15.5% walk rate.
This is a high-variance prospect whose most likely outcome is a high leverage reliever with the upside and raw stuff to potentially be a front-end starter if things break perfectly right.
It’s likely the $20 million the Cardinals included in this deal to pay down half of the guaranteed money on Gray’s deal helped them get these two exciting arms. If a team is going to tear it down, it’s encouraging for their fans that the club is willing to put money up to maximize their return.
▶ Fantasy Baseball Impact
Gray is going to be pitching in a worse park, but in front of a better team. His current Steamer projection is for a 3.45 ERA and the 11th best starting pitcher in 5x5 formats according to the FanGraphs Auction Calculator.
That feels like something closer to a high-end outcome to me though rather than an expectation. However, there is probably some upside just from the strength of the Red Sox’s major league pitching program and having the best outfield in baseball in terms of Outs Above Average behind him.
Fitts could factor into the Cardinals’ depleted rotation immediately and will be a fun dart throw in deeper leagues moving to a much better pitchers’ park if he’s healthy heading into spring training.
▶ Other Offseason Quick Hits
- Raisel Iglesias agreeing to head back to the Braves gives him a great floor after the elite closers go off the board. His 29 saves, 3.21 ERA, and 27.4 K% flew under the radar last season.
- Adolis García was the most notable player non-tendered last Friday, After slugging 38 HR as a nearly five-win player in 2023, he struck out a combined 312 times over the last two seasons with just a .675 OPS to go along with it. He will catch on with another team, but is unlikely to return to his top form.
- Christopher Morel was also non-tendered. It’s hard to find his fantasy value with the Rays giving up on him without fixing his swing-and-miss issues. It’s hard to find his real-life value with the many steps back his defense has taken.
- For other noteworthy non-tendered players, Michael Toglia feels like a fun project for a team more equipped than the Rockies to take on due to his raw power.
- MJ Melendez also still has enough power and athleticism to possibly be a strong-side platoon bat in the near-future.
- A record four players accepted the qualifying offers in Gleyber Torres, Trent Grisham, Shota Imanaga, and Brandon Woodruff. That could be a hint to us that the market may not be kind to free agents this winter. The hyper-active trade market early on could be another indication of such.