A fairer baseball economy could give the Rockies a real path

Jun 26, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies fans during the seventh inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

For most of my life, baseball was simply a game: a glove, a bat, a ball, and a field. I lived for Game 7 home runs and revered Cooperstown. Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were larger than life, the Yankees were the Evil Empire and the Rockies were still new.

I never thought of baseball as a business until I became a business owner myself. Employing people and making decisions about wages, risk, and resources taught me how incentives shape behavior — and how systems create unintended consequences.

I see baseball differently now.

While each pitch still exists on its own, it is also connected to salaries, service time, bonus pools, revenue sharing, and the rules governing how 30 organizations compete for talent.

Those rules are being renegotiated.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, and another work stoppage is widely expected. Major League Baseball has proposed its first salary cap since 1994, when owners sought to keep team payrolls between 84% and 110% of the league average.

The MLBPA went on strike that August, the World Series was canceled, and the dispute lasted 232 days. Owners withdrew the cap proposal in February 1995, and the strike ended shortly after.

The Players Association has promised to reject the current proposal.

The disagreement is easy to frame as another baseball civil war: Owners want control, players want money. The reality is that both sides want both. Owners want greater control over labor costs and how organizations compete. Players want control over their careers and a fairer share of the value they create.

The useful question is not which side contains the better people. It is what kind of baseball each side’s self-interest would produce.

Why a cap won’t fix the cost of being wrong 

MLB connects a salary cap to hope, fairness, and competitive balance. But the reality is that money affects both the opportunities available to a club and the cost of being wrong, and a cap-and-floor system cannot fully resolve that tension on its own.

As of this writing, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers own the two best records in baseball despite operating with radically different payrolls.

Records and 2026 total payroll allocations through July 22, 2026, via Spotrac:

Team2026 Record2026 Payroll Rank2026 Total Payroll Allocations
Dodgers65-382nd$302.1 million
Brewers64-3819th$137.5 million
Rockies41-6321st$118.2 million

The Dodgers’ spending helps explain why MLB is pushing so aggressively for a cap. Milwaukee’s success does not make an equally strong case for a floor, however. It shows that payroll is only one part of competitive capacity.

On the surface, a cap and floor could increase parity by narrowing the spending range. But until the enforcement mechanisms are public, we cannot know whether those limits would function as hard boundaries or simply as costs teams could price into their decisions.

Clubs would still take calculated risks on both ends. The Dodgers may decide that exceeding a limit — and accepting the resulting penalty — is worth the competitive advantage. Milwaukee or Colorado may remain near the floor because spending substantially beyond it would expose them to risks they have less financial flexibility to absorb.

That difference would remain when contracts go wrong. Los Angeles can carry a failed deal, absorb salary in a trade, or buy another solution. A similar mistake could restrict a lower-revenue club.

Money does not guarantee good decisions. It creates optionality: the ability to recover when a decision fails.

A cap and floor could reduce the largest payroll disparities, but they would not make every organization equally capable of surviving mistakes. The system would still favor financially powerful clubs and organizations that allocate their resources intelligently.

MLB also argues that its proposal would raise compensation for younger and ordinary players who may never reach lucrative free agency. That deserves serious consideration. But improving minimum salaries, pre-arbitration compensation, and early-career security does not inherently require suppressing elite salaries or broadly restricting contract length and market freedom.

A cap and floor may change the outer boundaries. The more important questions concern how money is distributed, where it is reinvested, and how effectively clubs develop talent.

Competitive balance is not primarily a payroll-number problem. It is a resource-allocation, reinvestment, and talent-development problem.

A credible path is not a promised arrival 

A fair system should give every club a credible path to contention. It should not guarantee success.

Every organization should have enough resources to build a legitimate roster, invest in development, retain key players, and participate in the market. But shared money should come with meaningful expectations that it will improve the baseball operation. Revenue sharing without accountability can strengthen a business without making the team more competitive.

The MLBPA has publicly proposed increasing support for lower-revenue clubs while requiring that shared money be used to compete. Its proposal includes benefits for clubs that win, penalties for teams that fail to spend revenue-sharing payments on payroll, and other rewards for clubs active in acquiring players.

The enforcement mechanisms have not been made public, and that matters. A requirement is only as meaningful as the spending it recognizes, the accounting it permits, and the consequences for ignoring it.

For a recipient such as the Rockies, the question is not only how much support arrives, but also what the final agreement requires the organization to do with it.

Losing is allowed. Collecting assistance without making a genuine effort to compete should carry consequences.

The standard should be proof of effort, not proof of success: reinvestment in scouting, development, talent retention, organizational depth, and the major-league roster.

The CBA can require investment and accountability. It cannot require competence.

Lower-revenue clubs will still depend on careful commitments and a steady supply of affordable homegrown players.

But that development system is also up for grabs.

The amateur doorway

MLB has proposed reducing the amateur draft from 20 rounds to 12 and eliminating eligibility for high school seniors and junior-college players. The union wants to retain 20 rounds, preserve those entry points, and expand eligibility to college sophomores.

IssueMLB proposalMLBPA proposal
Draft lengthReduce the draft from 20 rounds to 12 roundsRetain the current 20 round draft
High School playersNo longer eligible; players must be at least 20 by September 1st AND two years removed from High SchoolPreserve current high school eligibility
Junior-college playersYounger junior-college players would generally become ineligible under the new age requirementsPreserve current junior-college eligibility
Four-year college playersMost players would become eligible after their sophomore yearMake all college sophomores eligible, regardless of age
Signing bonusesEstablish a $200 million hard-slotted pool with bonuses fixed by draft positionIncrease bonus pools with league revenue and preserve bonus negotiations
Bonus-pool flexibilityEliminate team’s ability to shift money among picksRetain the current system allowing teams to distribute their pool among picks
Over-pool penaltiesHard slots would effectively eliminate over-pool spendingReduce penalties for exceeding a team’s bonus pool
Competitive Balance picksEliminate Competitive Balance selectionsRetain them for lower-revenue and smaller-market clubs
Lower-revenue incentivesNo comparable bonus-pool incentive publicly includedAllow qualifying lower-revenue clubs to add up to $2 million to one draft pool, plus $1 million after a postseason appearance
Major-league contractsNo comparable provision publicly availableAllow certain lower-revenue clubs to give MLB contracts to as many as two players selected before the third round
Trading draft picksPermit broader trading, with limits on consecutive first-round trades and the number of early picks acquiredExpand pick trading more modestly while retaining greater restrictions
Draft timingNot the central distinction in the public domestic proposalMove the Draft back to June

MLB’s reasoning is understandable. Older college players are easier to evaluate, require less development, and may reach the majors sooner, while colleges absorb more of the early cost and uncertainty.

That may be more efficient for clubs, but it also changes where access to professional baseball begins.

The draft has long provided several entry points: high school, junior college, and four-year college programs. Removing two would make college baseball a much larger gatekeeper.

Name, image and likeness compensation complicates the issue, but the high school players capable of commanding major NIL opportunities are probably the same players likely to receive significant draft bonuses. They will be found under either system.

The greater concern is the uncertain 18-year-old: the late bloomer, multi-sport athlete, raw pitcher or undersized shortstop. Under MLB’s proposal, that player would have to remain visible and continue developing elsewhere before a professional organization could select him.

That means more private instruction, showcases, travel, and early specialization. Moving development outside professional baseball does not eliminate its cost. It transfers that cost to families with far less ability to absorb it.

A draft system should find talent. It should not require families to purchase visibility.

A deeper draft and minor-league system also have value beyond the number of players who eventually reach the majors. A late-round pitcher with premium velocity gives hitters experience against an advanced skill. A strong defender or capable catcher can improve the development environment for everyone around him, even if his own major-league future never arrives.

A player can fail as a prospect and still contribute to player development.

Reducing the draft would remove many players who never produce major-league value. It could also narrow the talent pool and thin the competitive environment that helps more promising players develop.

Baseball cannot tell lower-revenue clubs to build through player development while narrowing the doorway through which developmental talent enters the organization.

What it means for Colorado

Milwaukee offers a useful model. The Brewers remain competitive without the margin of the league’s wealthiest clubs because they know which traits they trust, develop around a recognizable philosophy, and take calculated risks before the market reaches the same conclusions.

They recently guaranteed more than $80 million to 21-year-old prospects Cooper Pratt and Luis Lara before either appeared in the majors. The contracts carry risk, but they reflect organizational conviction: Milwaukee identified players it believed in, guaranteed meaningful money, and secured years of cost certainty if those evaluations prove correct.

That is the kind of intelligence a fair system should reward.

The lesson for Colorado is not to copy Milwaukee’s roster. It is to build an organization that knows what it believes.

The Rockies have remained financially viable without becoming consistently functional. The franchise can generate revenue, appreciate in value, and remain stable despite decades of dysfunction.

Colorado does not need to manufacture a market. It already has the ballpark, geographic reach, and fan base. The arrival of Penner Sports Group adds something the franchise has rarely possessed: a deep-pocketed partner with experience building a modern sports organization.

That does not guarantee better baseball. The Monfort family still controls the club, and money cannot substitute for scouting, development, or judgment. But the Rockies are no longer operating with the same ownership structure, capital constraints, or organizational isolation that defined most of their history.

Historically, poor baseball performance in Colorado has rarely become financially painful enough to force meaningful change. A new CBA could alter that calculation by attaching conditions to shared revenue and creating incentives for clubs to turn assistance into competitive growth.

Exactly how those conditions and incentives would work remains unsettled.

But shared revenue should function as a bridge:

Receive support>Reinvest it competitively>Grow local revenue>Become less dependent on support.

A competitive Rockies team could increase attendance, sponsorship value, media interest, and regional attachment. But short-term improvement is not organizational health. Colorado must first build the infrastructure to sustain it: scouting, development, organizational depth, disciplined extensions, and flexibility when choices fail.

The timing may work in Colorado’s favor. The major-league roster is young, payroll commitments are relatively limited, and the next competitive window is likely to open under a new economic structure.

A new agreement could give the Rockies better resources, stronger incentives, and a more credible path to contention. It cannot scout for Colorado, solve pitching at elevation, or decide which players are worth building around. Those responsibilities still belong to the organization.

That is the balance baseball should pursue: give every franchise the means and reason to compete, then leave enough room for judgment, development and imagination to separate them.


On the farm

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes vs. Round Rock Express — postponed

Friday’s game between the Albuquerque Isotopes and Round Rock Express was postponed because of inclement weather and unplayable field conditions. The game will be made up Saturday as part of a doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p.m. MDT.

Double-A: Richmond Flying Squirrels 7, Hartford Yard Goats 0

Jean Carlos Sio’s three-run homer in the second inning ultimately provided all the offense Richmond needed. Hartford did not generate much at the plate, but the few openings it created were wasted. Cole Messina led off the third with the Yard Goats’ first hit, Dyan Jorge, Roc Riggio and Aidan Longwell collected three straight singles in the fourth, and Mike Antico opened the fifth with another single. None of it produced a run.

Hartford finished with five singles, went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight. Konner Eaton allowed three runs, two earned, across three-plus innings. Richmond added three runs against Davison Palermo in the fifth and one against Sam Weatherly in the eighth as the Yard Goats fell to 49-44.

High-A: Tri-City Dust Devils 9, Spokane Indians 5

Everett Catlett gave Spokane six strong innings, allowing two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and four walks. The Indians trailed only 2-1 before the game unraveled in the seventh. Kevin Bruggeman’s first home run of the season started a seven-run Tri-City inning against Justin Loer, and the Dust Devils kept piling on with an RBI triple, three walks, two singles and help from a Spokane error.

Spokane answered in the eighth. Tommy Hopfe doubled and scored on an Ethan Hedges single before Tanner Thach hit his third High-A home run of the season (14th overall), a three-run shot that cut the deficit to 9-5. The first five Indians reached in the inning, but the rally stopped there. Hopfe finished 2-for-5 with his 12th homer and 17th double, while Roynier Hernandez reached four times. Spokane fell to 45-49.

Single-A: Fresno Grizzlies 6, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 3

Fresno trailed 3-1 entering the bottom of the sixth before the offense flipped the game with five runs. Clayton Gray opened the inning with a single and Carlos Renzullo followed with his second home run of the season to tie it. Wilder Dalis doubled later in the inning before Kyle Fossum, Cam Hassert and Jeremy Ciriaco delivered three consecutive RBI singles to put the Grizzlies ahead 6-3.

Brady Parker allowed three runs on two hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. Dylan Crooks stranded an inherited runner and worked two scoreless innings for the win, lowering his ERA to 2.06, before Seth Clausen retired all five batters he faced with three strikeouts for his 10th save and a 1.38 ERA. Fresno improved to 52-42.


When Will the Rockies Get Former Gold Glove Winner Brenton Doyle Back From Injury? | SI.com

Now healthy enough to resume playing, Brenton Doyle has begun a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque and is hoping to return to Denver as quickly as possible. With the Rockies’ outfield suddenly crowded, the two-time Gold Glove winner says he is prepared to help in whatever role is available.

Here are the biggest movers on each club’s refreshed Top 30 list | MLB.com

MLB Pipeline examined the prospects making the biggest moves on each organization’s updated Top 30 list. For the Rockies, Cristian Arguelles has surged to No. 6 after carrying his dominance from the Dominican Summer League into the Arizona Complex League, while Jackson Cox has climbed into the top 10 after returning from Tommy John surgery to lead all minor leaguers in strikeouts.

Now an MLB selection, Ben Davis recounts playing in front of the ‘best fans in the country’ | 247sports.com

In this article from 247Sports.com, Ben Davis looks back on the emotion of being selected by the Rockies in the fourth round and ahead to the start of his professional career. The hard-throwing right-hander also reflects on his decision to return to Mississippi State for his final college season and thanks the coaches and fans who helped prepare him for pro ball — and who will continue cheering him on as he takes his first steps into it.


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MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Saturday, July 25

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Saturday's MLB slate features 15 games, with several short favorites and plus-money underdogs creating value across the moneyline market. Detroit and Milwaukee are among the stronger favorites on the board, while Miami, Pittsburgh, Oakland, and the White Sox offer potential upset opportunities.

Here are my MLB moneyline predictions for every game on July 25. Find more daily betting analysis with our latest MLB picks.

MLB moneyline picks for July 25

MatchupPick
Royals
vs
Tigers

-163
Diamondbacks
vs
Nationals

-117
Angels
vs
Giants

-117
Blue Jays
vs
Red Sox

-117
Padres
vs
Marlins

+116
Yankees
vs
Phillies

+100
Guardians
vs
Rays

-118
Cubs
vs
Pirates

+116
Braves
vs
Orioles

-108
Athletics
vs
Twins

+132
Astros
vs
White Sox

+113
Rockies
vs
Brewers

-203
Dodgers
vs
Mets

-136
Reds
vs
Cardinals

-117
Mariners
vs
Rangers

-102

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 7-25.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for July 25

Royals vs Tigers: Tigers (-163)

Tigers win probability: 62%

Detroit owns the edge almost everywhere that matters. Casey Mize has quietly put together a strong season with a 2.79 ERA, while the Tigers boast the better pitching staff and allow more than a run fewer per game than Kansas City. The Royals have struggled to prevent traffic on the bases all year, and against a quality team like Detroit, that usually catches up. I'll back the Tigers at home.

Diamondbacks vs Nationals: Nationals (-117)

Nationals win probability: 54%

Washington continues to be one of baseball's most productive offenses, leading the league in runs while ranking near the top in virtually every major hitting category. Foster Griffin has also been outstanding this season, and although Arizona owns the better overall pitching staff, the Nationals' offensive firepower gives them the edge. I'll trust the stronger lineup to outscore the Diamondbacks at home.

Angels vs Giants: Giants (-117)

Giants win probability: 54%

Robbie Ray gives San Francisco the clear pitching advantage against Ryan Johnson, and that's enough for me in a matchup between two inconsistent offenses. The Giants have produced more consistently at the plate, rank inside the Top 10 in slugging, and should create opportunities against an Angels rotation that has struggled all season. With the better starter and home-field advantage, San Francisco is the pick.

Blue Jays vs Red Sox: Red Sox (-117)

Red Sox win probability: 54%

This projects as one of the tighter games on the board, but Boston gets the nod behind Sonny Gray and one of the American League's better pitching staffs. Toronto ranks last in baseball in runs scored and OPS, making it difficult to back regardless of who's on the mound. With Gray enjoying a tremendous season and the Red Sox playing at Fenway Park, Boston is the side.

Padres vs Marlins: Marlins (+116)

Marlins win probability: 56%

Miami is worth backing at home behind Eury Perez, who has been the steadier starter in this matchup. The Marlins have quietly been the superior offensive club, ranking inside the Top 10 in batting average and on-base percentage, while San Diego sits near the bottom of the league in several offensive categories. Miami's more balanced profile gives it the edge in a competitive matchup.

Yankees vs Phillies: Yankees (+100)

Yankees win probability: 50%

The Yankees bring the league's top pitching staff into Philadelphia, and that's enough to lean toward New York in what the market views as a coin flip. The Yankees also own the more dangerous lineup, ranking among baseball's best in home runs, slugging, and OPS. With New York holding meaningful advantages on both sides of the ball, I'll take the Yankees at even money.

Guardians vs Rays: Rays (-108)

Rays win probability: 51%

Tampa Bay has quietly been one of the more complete clubs in baseball, ranking near the top in batting average, on-base percentage, and WHIP. Nick Martinez has also been excellent this season, while Cleveland continues to struggle offensively and sits near the bottom of the league in most hitting categories. The Rays check more boxes entering this matchup and deserve the slight edge at home.

Cubs vs Pirates: Pirates (-117)

Pirates win probability: 54%

Pittsburgh owns one of baseball's most dangerous offenses, leading the league in batting average while ranking second in runs scored. Paul Skenes also gives the Pirates an important starting-pitching advantage over Shota Imanaga. Chicago is certainly capable of generating offense, but Pittsburgh owns the stronger lineup and the better starter, making the Pirates the preferred side at home.

Braves vs Orioles: Braves (+104)

Braves win probability: 49%

Atlanta holds the edge in overall roster quality and offers value as a slight underdog. The Braves rank inside the Top 10 offensively while pairing that production with one of baseball's better pitching staffs. Baltimore has been more inconsistent on both sides of the ball, while Bryce Elder has been the steadier starter compared to Brandon Young. At plus money, Atlanta is the better investment.

Athletics vs Twins: Athletics (+133)

Athletics win probability: 43%

The A's are one of the more appealing underdog options on the board. Minnesota has not separated itself statistically, and while both pitching staffs have struggled, the Athletics match up well offensively, ranking inside the Top 10 in batting average and on-base percentage. The A's don't need to be the better team over a full season to justify the play. It only needs to outperform a 43% implied probability.

Astros vs White Sox: White Sox (+113)

White Sox win probability: 54%

Chicago gets the nod at home in what appears to be a relatively even matchup. Sean Burke has been more reliable than Hunter Brown this season, and the White Sox own the stronger overall pitching profile. Houston brings more home-run power, but the offensive gap between these teams isn't substantial enough to overcome Chicago's advantage on the mound. I'll back the White Sox as a home underdog.

Rockies vs Brewers: Brewers (-203)

Brewers win probability: 67%

Milwaukee is the strongest favorite on the slate for good reason. Colorado owns one of baseball's worst pitching staffs, ranking last in ERA, WHIP, and hits allowed, while the Brewers counter with one of the league's best run-prevention units. Milwaukee's offense should receive plenty of scoring opportunities against Ryan Feltner and an unreliable Rockies bullpen, making the Brewers the clear moneyline choice.

Dodgers vs Mets: Dodgers (-138)

Dodgers win probability: 58%

Los Angeles continues to separate itself as baseball's most complete team. The Dodgers rank first in OPS and on-base percentage while also leading the majors in runs allowed and hits allowed per game. Yoshinobu Yamamoto gives them another advantage on the mound against a Mets lineup that has struggled for much of the season. At this price, Los Angeles remains a playable favorite.

Reds vs Cardinals: Cardinals (-117)

Cardinals win probability: 54%

St. Louis has been the steadier club this season, and Andre Pallante has provided more dependable innings than Hunter Greene. Cincinnati continues to struggle preventing baserunners, ranking near the bottom of the league in ERA and WHIP. While the Reds possess greater home-run upside, the Cardinals' more balanced offensive approach and stronger pitching profile give them the higher floor at home.

Mariners vs Rangers: Mariners (+100)

Mariners win probability: 50%

Seattle's pitching gives the Mariners the edge in this near pick'em matchup. They enter with one of baseball's best ERAs and WHIPs while facing a Texas club that has been merely average offensively. Bryan Woo and Nathan Eovaldi have produced similar numbers, but Seattle's deeper run-prevention profile provides more confidence over nine innings. At even money, I'll back the Mariners.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Chicago Cubs news — Suzuki, Happ, Rolison, Hollowell

Today’s Reflections

This group of starting pitchers are earning a middle name of “But One Pitch”. Shota Imanaga avoided getting that tag in his last outing, but Colin Rea didn’t Wednesday. Rea’s pitching line would have been six baserunners over five innings with five strikeouts. He did earlier give up a solo home run, and would have been that’s fine. It’s always the multiple-run homer that’s the problem, and Rea’s fatal pitch that led to a three-run homer ultimately put the game out of reach. One has to wonder if the former swingman is starting to get figured out. The counter to that would be it was just one pitch (or two pitches). After that home run, he struck out the next batter to end the inning, then went 1-2-3 with a strikeout in the fifth. I dunno.

Nevertheless, even if Rea held the Tigers to just one run, that’s all the Cubs’ hitters were able to manage anyway. Seiya Suzuki put them on the board with a solo home run in the first, and that was it. Only Ian Happ showed any life, going 2-3 with a double and a walk, plus he added an excellent play in left on a sinking liner and added a snap throw to strand a runner. Other than a Michael Busch single, that was it for the Cubs — for hits or walks. They did manage 12 strikeouts (good job, boys). Obviously, the offense needs more consistency game-to-game.

The bullpen needs a shoutout. Wednesday saw a parade of single innings by Ryan Rolison, Gavin Hollowell, Caleb Thielbar and Tyler Ferguson. The group allowed a run on three hits, no walks and struck out seven over the four innings pitched. An RBI double allowed by Ferguson took the shine off an excellent bullpen outing. At least it wasn’t a three-run homer.


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Wednesday’s Stories

Trade Talk involving names:

Trade Talk general conversation:

PCA-Mania Stories:

Assorted Stories:


Food For Thought:

Jackie Scott is a native of Virginia and received her early training singing in the baptist church. Music played an important part in the worship experience and after singing gospel for 20 years, she felt a call to the blues. Her first introduction to live blues took place at a Buddy Guy concert followed by seeing BB King live. After seeing such phenomenal performances she was convinced singing the blues was what she wanted to do. Her quest to learn more about the blues lead her to the steamy windows of the windy city, Chicago.

After visiting Chicago to attend a wedding, she heard Chicago blues live in its element and was determined to capture the sound that swept her off her feet. That decision lead to many future trips to Chicago, honing her craft as a vocalist and entertainer. Koko Taylor, Ruth Brown, Alberta Hunter and Big Mama Thornton are some of the many influences that have allowed Jackie to carve out a unique style of her won.

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.

NBA Power Rankings for all 30 teams updated after LeBron James signs with 76ers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on December 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

LeBron James wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t care about money when assessing his options in NBA free agency. Any team in the league could have landed James for essentially the veteran’s minimum if they could make the case that they gave him the best chance to win a fifth championship.

In the end, the Philadelphia 76ers won the LeBron sweepstakes. James is joining a lineup that already includes Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid. The bench is pretty strong too with Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, Labaron Philon, Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona, Justin Edwards, and Ariel Hukporti. I predicted the Sixers were the favorites to sign James last weekend, but it’s still hard to believe it actually happened.

The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers have to be heartbroken over James’ decision. The Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves must be kicking themselves that they couldn’t make a couple more moves to woo LeBron. Do the Boston Celtics suddenly regret the shocking Jaylen Brown to Philly trade that set LeBron’s decision into motion?

I released by way-too-early NBA power rankings two weeks ago, and now they’re already irrelevant after LeBron’s decision. With the Oklahoma City Thunder also trading Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal, it feels appropriate to refresh the rankings. Here’s our latest power rankings for the 2026-2027 NBA season. One note: this is based on championship chances, not regular season performance. We’ll have more notes on the changes after the table.

RankTeamChange
1Oklahoma City Thunder
2San Antonio Spurs
3New York Knicks
4Minnesota Timberwolves
5Philadelphia 76ersUp 7
6Boston CelticsDown 1
7Los Angeles LakersDown 1
8Denver NuggetsDown 1
9Detroit PistonsDown 1
10Toronto RaptorsDown 1
11Houston RocketsUp 2
12Cleveland CavaliersDown 2
13Indiana PacersDown 2
14Atlanta HawksUp 3
15Miami HeatDown 1
16Orlando MagicDown 1
17Portland Trail BlazersDown 1
18Utah Jazz
19Phoenix Suns
20Dallas Mavericks
21Charlotte Hornets
22Memphis Grizzlies
23Golden State Warriors
24New Orleans Pelicans
25Brooklyn Nets
26Los Angeles Clippers
27Washington Wizards
28Chicago Bulls
29Milwaukee Bucks
30Sacramento Kings

Let’s dive into some changes from the last edition of power rankings.

The Thunder have a weak grip on No. 1 after the Lu Dort trade

The Thunder traded Lu Dort to save on their tax bill, and even Sam Presti admitted as much. I thought Dort was borderline unplayable late in the playoffs last year with a shaky handle, poor passing vision, and an inconsistent three-point stroke, but his defense was still impactful to opponents who feared his physicality. Losing Dort means more minutes for Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace, and Jared McCain, which should be a very good thing for OKC. It also means some of the young guns need to step up behind them, and the pressure is now on Nikola Topic and Bennett Stirtz, as well as Aday Mara and Thomas Sorber, to turn into decent rotation pieces.

I thought about moving OKC off the No. 1 spot with this update. The Spurs whooped them all season, right? The Knicks deserve the benefit of the doubt after a championship run, don’t they? The thing that keeps bringing me back to OKC is that we didn’t really get to see this team fully healthy all year, not with Jalen Williams and Mitchell both suffering untimely injuries. I hate the way Chet Holmgren looks in the Spurs matchup against Victor Wembanyama, but to me he’s still a top-15 player against anyone else. At the end of the day, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still the best guard in the game, and I’ll take my chances with him fully in his prime.

There is part of me that thinks losing Dort could be addition by subtraction for the Thunder. Their season will be determined by Williams’ health, Holmgren’s mindset, and Mitchell’s ability to level up again. I still think this is the strongest roster in the NBA, so they’re No. 1 entering the season to me.

The Sixers’ postseason ceiling is real, but can they get there?

I don’t love the fit with LeBron on the Sixers. Sorry. There are a lot of guys here at their best with the ball in their hands, with Philly’s five projected starters totaling 140% in usage rate. The defense is even more worrisome. Scaling down can be as hard as scaling up, and I just don’t think Jaylen Brown or Joel Embiid as it in their game to do it. Those two will need to prove me wrong for Philly to walk away from this season with a championship.

Can Brown adjust to a more off-ball role where he maximizes his three-point rate and locks in off-the-ball defensively? He only hit 33.1% on 2.5 catch-and-shoot attempts from three per game last year, and he’s always been inattentive defensively when he’s not guarding the ball. Can Embiid forgo his need for post touches and instead use most of his energy to get back to being a monster rim protector? I’m skeptical he’s interested in doing that. The Celtics shopped Brown to the entire NBA and no one wanted him enough to beat Philly’s offer. LeBron is seeing something that the nerds in rival front offices aren’t seeing, and that makes this move feel like a big bet on “Jaylen Brown, the superstar” as much as anything else.

The media is going to expect this team to be really good, but there’s quite a bit of downside here. James is going to need to have a big time shooting season after hitting just 31.7% from deep last year. He’s going to need to push himself as a leader to get Brown and Embiid to buy into their best roles. I still trust LeBron’s ability to problem-solve in the biggest moments, and this team will need it. I like Philly a lot better as a playoff team than a regular season team, but only if they’re healthy. That’s a big if with this collection.

Miami and Cleveland are the big losers of LeBron’s decision

Don’t look now, but the Heat and Cavs might be fighting to just get out of the play-in tournament after LeBron decided against a reunion with both franchises.

The Heat landed Giannis Antetokounmpo, but their depth is poor and they don’t really have any future assets left to continue building out the team. Miami is always so good at developing players on the margins, and this will be the biggest test yet of their ability to do it again. The Cavs are coming off a decidedly unconvincing run to the Eastern Conference Finals, and they’ve only gotten worse this summer. Dean Wade is gone, and the only addition to the roster is second-round pick Meleek Thomas. I don’t care how great Thomas looked in summer league, this roster is in big trouble, and James choosing to go elsewhere is a huge indictment.

I’m liking the Hawks roster as much or more than the Heat and Cavs’. With New York, Philly, Boston, and Toronto (assuming they land Kawhi) all looking like better regular season teams, the pressure is on the front offices for Miami and Cleveland to pull a rabbit out of their hat at some point to up their ceiling and give their teams a real chance come playoff time.

Juan Soto left Mets’ game early with calf tightness, will have an MRI today

New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) during batting practice prior to the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.

The Mets’ 2026 season is the gift that keeps on giving. In the team’s series-opening loss to the Dodgers last night at Citi Field, Juan Soto was pulled from the game with left calf tightness after just two plate appearances as a designated hitter. The team said that he’ll undergo an MRI today, and interim manager Andy Green acknowledged that it’s possible that Soto lands on the injured list.

Back in early April, Soto suffered a right calf injury and spent three weeks on the injured list. On the same day that he returned, Francisco Lindor suffered a calf injury of his own, one that turned out to be more severe, as he spent two months on the injured list. The fact that the Mets’ two best position players have so rarely played together this season—having come into the year as two of the most durable players in the sport—kind of sums up the season. If both had been healthy all season, you’d have reasonably expected them to combine for something like 11-12 WAR, and here we are in late July with them having combined for just 3.7 fWAR and 3.4 bWAR.

When he has been healthy, Soto has been the best hitter in the National League. In 359 plate appearances, he’s hit .283/.408/.539 with a 159 wRC+. Only two American League hitters—Yordan Alvarez and Ben Rice—have been better by wRC+ at the time of this writing.

Aiden Ruiz tells The Post he hopes to follow a Francisco Lindor path after accomplishing draft dream

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Aiden Ruiz fields a ball during baseball practice at the Stony Brook School in Stony Brook, N.Y. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. , Image 2 shows Aiden Ruiz, Image 3 shows New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after he scores on his solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field, Sunday, July 12, 2026
aiden ruiz

If everything goes right, 10 years from now Aiden Ruiz hopes he will be “on a similar path as Francisco Lindor, a Hall of Fame shortstop.” 

The Queens native took a step toward that goal Wednesday, signing a $3.5 million deal with the Pirates after they selected him in the second round of the MLB draft. 

“My parents were crying, my siblings were crying. It’s just something we all dreamed of for me,” Ruiz told The Post about getting drafted. 

Aiden Ruiz fields a ball during baseball practice at the Stony Brook School in Stony Brook, N.Y. on May 13, 2026. Heather Khalifa for NY Post

“Everybody was all in, and there’s no way I would have accomplished it without them.” 

Ruiz and his family grew up in New York after his late grandfather, Sandalio, left Puerto Rico for a new life. 

It was there Sandalio shared his love of the game with his family, inspiring them all to pick up the bat at some point. 

Ruiz’s dad, Sam, played in the minor leagues and his brother for Division III Northern Ohio, while both his mom and sister played softball. 

The 19-year-old said despite being a Mets fan, if his grandfather were there to see his name called, he would have thrown off his Amazin’ hat to don the Pittsburgh black and yellow. 

Aiden Ruiz was drafted by the Pirates. Heather Khalifa for NY Post

New York is also where Ruiz played for Stony Brook School on Long Island, slashing .403/.547/.625 with six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBIs, 21 walks and 23 stolen bases on his way to a NYSAIS state championship his senior year. 

His impressive play led to a commitment to Vanderbilt, which he will pass up on in favor of joining the Pirates system. 

The shortstop said playing in New York “put a chip on [his] shoulder” and added grit to his game because “Northeast players are not found enough.” 

Living in the baseball-crazed city gave him the chance to watch legendary players take the field for the Mets and Yankees every summer as well. 

One of those superstars, Lindor, is now his mentor. 

Francisco Lindor celebrates after he scores on his solo home run during the sixth inning of the Mets’ loss to the Red Sox at Citi Field on July 12, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The two are represented by the same agency and train together in the summer at Lindor’s former Florida high school, Montverde Academy. 

Ruiz said they talk a lot about fielding, something that has helped the shortstop play “future Gold Glove-caliber defense,” according to MLB.com

Now signed with the Pirates, the 19-year-old has added a few more mentors in the form of teammates. 

Notably, Konnor Griffin, the 20-year-old shortstop and former No. 1 overall selection in 2024, already has met with Ruiz. 

Though they play the same position, Ruiz doesn’t see their relationship as a competition and is just focused on perfecting his own game. 

“What separates Konnor Griffin from other kids that are his age is knowing that you belong there, seeing his confidence and the way he walks, the way he talks,” Ruiz said. 

If given the chance, Ruiz added he would play anywhere for the Pirates, as long as he can help add to the “winning culture” and learn from the veterans on the team.

Blackhawks Should Have A Goalie Battle At Training Camp

The Chicago Blackhawks should have a goalie battle to watch once we get to training camp. Prospect Drew Commesso will be looking to earn himself a spot on Chicago's roster over Arvid Soderblom, and the possibility of him doing so should not be ruled out. 

Commesso showed a lot of promise during his few chances with Chicago last season. In three games with the Blackhawks last season, the 2020 second-round pick posted a 2-1-0 record, a 2.31 goals-against average, and a .918 save percentage. He also made a big statement with his 36-save shutout against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 10. 

If Commesso can impress at training camp, he very well could earn a spot on the Blackhawks' roster to start the season. The 24-year-old has shown promise at the AHL level for multiple seasons now. His best season with the Rockford IceHogs was in 2024-25, when he had an 18-15-4 record, a .911 save percentage, and a 2.54 goals-against average. 

Soderblom, on the other hand, appeared in 26 games last season with the Blackhawks, where he had an 8-13-3 record, an .880 save percentage, and one shutout. This was after he posted a 10-18-7 record, an .898 save percentage, and a 3.18 goals-against average with the Blackhawks during the 2025-26 season. 

It will be interesting to see what happens with the Blackhawks' backup goalie situation. Soderblom may have the edge right now, but a strong training camp from Commesso could change things on that front. 

Canadiens’ St-Louis Takes Seventh Place In THN’s Coach Rankings

It wasn’t so long ago that Martin St-Louis’ nomination as the Montreal Canadiens’ coach raised more than a few eyebrows. On that cold day of February 2022, GM Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton announced that a man who had only coached minor hockey until then would be taking the helm of one of the NHL’s most prestigious franchises in a market that lives and breathes hockey.

Many believed that the lack of experience meant that the Hall of Famer would be a temporary solution, a patch to put on a lost season and evaluate what the Habs actually had in their locker room, but over four years on, he’s still there.

THN’s Tony Ferrari Believes Two Canadiens Prospects Should Go Nowhere
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The bench boss has shown himself to be much more than a temporary fix. What we didn’t know back then was that St-Louis had been training to be a coach even when he was a player, taking to the whiteboard and explaining to his teammates what they should be doing. In La Presse on Friday, Mathias Brunet’s interview with Steve Begin revealed that he was even doing it when he was playing in the Calgary Flames’ AHL system, long before he became one of the top players in the game.

St-Louis has now been behind the Canadiens’ bench for 365 regular-season games, and he has a 162-155-47 record for a .511 points percentage, that’s very impressive when considering the state the team was in when he first took over. He now also has 24 games of playoffs experience in his back pocket with a 10-14 record that includes to seven-game series win over some of the best coaches in the league in Jon Cooper and Lindy Ruff.

Beyond the numbers, though, what’s more impressive about what St-Louis has accomplished is how much he’s helped players individually. He’s a brilliant communicator and teacher as well; that’s not always true for former players who were brilliant at playing the game but fall well short as a coach- think of Wayne Gretzky with the Arizona Coyotes, for instance.

In the Canadiens’ first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, St-Louis showed that he could adapt to another team’s style of play. After holding firm on matchups in the hope that his top line would find a way to get the better of the opposition, he realized that it wasn’t likely to happen, and he started juggling lines like the best of them. Getting the better of Cooper is no easy task, but he still did it.

Of course, St-Louis isn’t perfect; nobody is. His shortcomings and lack of experience were exposed against Rod Brind’Amour and the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round, where the Habs were beaten in just five games and outplayed at nearly every turn. Still, just like his players, the coach will have learned from the experience.

As things stand, he is the fifth-longest-tenured coach in the league behind Cooper, Jared Bednar, Brind’Amour, and Andre Tourigny. His contract with the Canadiens is set to expire at the end of the season, and while Hughes did say that’s something that was on his to-do list this off-season, there’s been no news on that front.

What did happen though was that the Canadiens appointed Derek Lalonde as an associate coach, because Trevor Letowski reportedly wants to take a step back and have more time to spend with his family. He was St-Louis’ right hand man and there’s no doubt that seeing him come out of the bench won’t have please him. Still, it would be surprising if St-Louis started the season without a new deal in his back pocket, he has proven over the years that he’s what the Habs needed.


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Kyle Davidson Explains Why Now Was The Time For Patrick Kane's Return To Blackhawks

When Kyle Davidson took over as the Chicago Blackhawks GM, he had a vision. That vision was to tear the team down to nothing and then build it back up through the draft. It was intentional to go through some painful years, which they certainly have. 

Part of that teardown was the trade that sent Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers ahead of the deadline in 2023. He finished that year with New York, a first-round exit at the hands of the New Jersey Devils, and has played with the Detroit Red Wings ever since. 

On Thursday, the Blackhawks announced that Kane would be coming back on a two-year deal ($8 million AAV) at the age of 37. This comes just a couple of years after Davidson said that Kane’s time in Chicago was done, and it was a necessary move for the growth of the team. He continued to shoot down any return rumors from that point on. 

At first, it made sense to let both Kane and Jonathan Toews go so that new leaders within the franchise could emerge. However, in 2024, Davidson mentioned that he doesn’t ever see them going back on that. 

So, what changed? Davidson was asked that question during Friday’s presser reintroducing Kane:

"When Patrick departed a couple years ago, we were in a totally different spot as a franchise,” said Davidson. “We were much more at the outset of this whole project. Now that we’ve got some of these draft picks that have entered and established themselves in the NHL, the time was right with what he provides."

With Connor Bedard already reaching star status, along with Anton Frondell, Frank Nazar, and others on the rise, the organization felt like now would be a good time to bring back a franchise icon to help them grow. 

Kane's production on the ice may fluctuate over his final few years in the NHL, but his impact will be felt no matter what. His wisdom that comes from the experiences that he's had as an NHL player will be invaluable to the younger members of the team. 

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Yankees prospects: Cebert’s five scoreless caps off strong month

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:L, 1-8 vs. Syracuse Mets

SS George Lombard Jr. 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K — no fretting about him not starting this time
C J.C. Escarra 1-4, 3 K, catchers’ interference
CF Spencer Jones 0-4, 2 K
DH Marco Luciano 0-3, 1 BB, 3 K
RF Yanquiel Fernández 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB
2B Oswaldo Cabrera 2-4
3B Tyler Hardman 0-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. 1-4, 2 K
LF Kenedy Corona 0-4, 3 K

Adam Kloffenstein 4 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 K, 1 HR (loss)
Chris Kean 1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB
Carson Coleman 0.2 IP, 3 R, 4 H
Danny Watson 1.1 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Yerry De Los Santos 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 K

Double-A Somerset Patriots:W, 5-4 at New Hampshire Fisher Cats

2B Connor McGinnis 2-4, 1 BB, 1 K
DH Jace Avina 2-5, 1 HR, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 K
3B Coby Morales 3-5, 1 R, 1 SB
CF DJ Gladney 3-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB — go-ahead RBI single in the ninth
LF Jackson Castillo 2-5, 1 RBI, 1 SB
RF Cole Gabrielson 1-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB
1B Josh Moylan 1-4, 1 RBI
C Manuel Palencia 1-4, 1 K, throwing error
SS Owen Cobb 0-4, 1 K, throwing error

Jack Cebert 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 7 K — 1.74 ERA in July after being north of five in May and June
Geoffrey Gilbert 1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Kevin Stevens 1.2 IP, 0 R, 2 K
Michael Arias 0.2 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 K (win)
Tony Rossi 0.2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (save)

High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:L, 1-9 at Wilmington Blue Rocks

3B Roderick Arias 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB, missed catch
SS Core Jackson 0-3, 1 BB, 2 K
C Eric Genther 0-4
1B Kyle West 0-4, 3 K
RF Enmanuel Tejeda 0-4
DH Robbie Burnett 0-3, 2 K
CF Camden Troyer 1-2, 1 BB — broke up the no-hit bid in the eighth with his single
LF Luis Durango 0-3, 1 R
2B Santiago Gomez 0-3, 1 K

Bryce Cunningham 3.2 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 2 K (loss)
Bryce Warrecker 0.1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 HR
Wilmy Sanchez 1 IP, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Sean Paul Liñan 3 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K

Low-A Tampa Tarpons:W, 6-5 at Palm Beach Cardinals

DH Dax Kilby 1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K
SS Jackson Lovich 0-5
LF Luis Puello 2-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R
1B Hans Montero 1-4, 1 K, 1 CS
3B Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 1-3, 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 CS
RF Willy Montero 0-2, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
RF Gabriel Lara 0-0
2B Christofer Reyes 1-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 K
CF Isael Arias 2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 1 CS
C Ediel Rivera 0-2, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Justin West 6 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR (win)
Jordarlin Mendoza 1.2 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 4 K, 1 HR (hold)
Austin Breedlove 1.1 IP, 0 R, 2 BB (save)

Florida Complex League Yankees: Season over

Dominican Summer League Yankees:L, 1-6 (7) at DSL White Sox

CF Isaias Castillo 2-4, 1 R, 1 SB
DH Stiven Marinez 1-2, 1 BB
RF Yostin Pena 0-3, assist
2B Juan Torres 0-3
C Cesar Lopez 2-3
1B Poly Ojeda 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K
3B Adrian Feliz 1-2, 1 BB, throwing error
SS Abrahan Pichardo 0-3
LF Eliezer Adames 0-2, 1 BB, 2 K

Jhon Beltre 3 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 2 K (loss)
Yunior Jerez 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 K

Dominican Summer League Bombers:W, 13-5 vs. DSL Cardinals

CF Ruben Castillo 3-5, 1 RBI, 3 R, 2 SB, assist
SS Dariel Santana 1-2, 2 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 2 SB, 1 CS, throwing and fielding errors
DH Alessandro Rodriguez 0-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2B Carlos Bello 2-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 SB, 1 CS
RF David Carrera 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 SB
C Kenneth Melendez 0-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3B Germayhoni Beltre 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 CS
1B Edgar Jimenez 3-5, 1 3B, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 K
LF Richard Meran 0-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Jose Sanchez 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K
Sebastian Castillo 3 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K (win)
Ronald Tejada 2 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K

Tigers can clinch series win vs Royals with win on Saturday afternoon

The Detroit Tigers took the second of the four-game home series against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night with a narrow 2-1 victory. Tarik Skubal was his dominant self over 7 1/3 innings of work and the offense managed to muster up just enough for the win for the second night in a row.

With a series win in the crosshairs, right-hander Casey Mize will take the mound on Saturday afternoon for the Ole English D. The 29-year-old has had mixed results this month, which has averaged out to a solid 3.45 ERA and a 3.11 FIP stretching across 15 2/3 innings, allowing 17 hits (one home run) and five walks while striking out 14 over that span.

On the other side of the equation is fellow righty Michael Wacha, who has been solid so far in his 14th season of big league ball. The 35-year-old has had a rough month of July, however, posting a 5.91 ERA and 5.36 FIP over his last three starts stretching across 10 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits (two home runs) and five walks while striking out 10, plus a hit-by-pitch.

Wacha faced the Tigers earlier this year, tossing seven frames of scoreless ball on a pair of hits and walks while striking out six, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch en route to a 5-1 victory at Comerica Park.

Here is a look at how the two match up on Saturday afternoon in the D.

Detroit Tigers (50-54) vs. Kansas City Royals (43-62)

Time (ET): 1:10 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site:Royals Review
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 105: RHP Casey Mize (4-6, 2.79 ERA) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (5-7, 3.66 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Mize1580.225.65.933.82.622.7
Wacha20125.119.87.137.94.031.9

MIZE

WACHA

Mets Daily Prospect Report, 7/26/26: Mashin’ Mauricio

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 6: Ronny Mauricio #0 of the New York Mets bats during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (49-50)

SYRACUSE 8, SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE 1 (BOX)

Jonah Tong struck out nine, that’s nice. He also walked four and only made it through 4.2 innings. Really just a lost season for the right hander as he continues to search for a new pitch mix. Anyway, Ronny Mauricio had 4 RBI in a comfortable win.

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (34-60)

PORTLAND 8, BINGHAMTON 1 (BOX)

Whoof.

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (38-54)

GAME 1: BROOKLYN 4, JERSEY SHORE 3 / 8 (BOX)

Game 1 went to the Cyclones after they scored three in the eighth inning on singles from Yonatan Henriquez and Mitch Voit as well as a bases loaded walk to Daiverson Gutierrez. Voit had three this on the day, but also made an error and was caught stealing.

GAME 2: JERSEY SHORE 5, BROOKLYN 0 / 7 (BOX)

Two hits and two errors didn’t cut it in game 2. At least it was a split.

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (43-50)

FORT MYERS 9, ST. LUCIE 3 (BOX)

Ugly pitching performance in the middle innings from Tyler McLoughlin and Ernesto Mercedes. The offense wasn’t great either, and Antonio Jimenez seems to be struggling again.

Rookie: FCL Mets (24-32)

NO GAME (SCHEDULE)

Rookie: DSL Mets Orange (20-19)

DSL METS ORANGE 6, DSL NATIONALS 4 (BOX)

Rookie: DSL Mets Blue (14-24)

DSL MARLINS 8, DSL METS BLUE 4 (BOX)

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Ronny Mauricio

GOATS OF THE NIGHT

Ernesto Mercedes

Phillies news: Tyler Spangler, John Kruk, Emerson Hancock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 24: John Kruk takes the field to throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 7 of the NLCS between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brian Garfinkel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

LeBron James is a Sixer, which is cool.

But don’t let that distract you from what’s going on with the Phillies, which is, uh, something.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

MLB news:

Sabres Have Trade Target To Consider In Penguins Star Winger

The Sabres were dealt bad news earlier this week, as Patrick Kane signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. It was no secret that the Sabres were in on Kane, and it made sense when noting that they need a replacement for Alex Tuch in their top six. 

Yet, after missing out on Kane, the Sabres will now need to consider their options elsewhere. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust stands out as an interesting potential option for the Sabres to consider. 

Rust's name has entered the rumor mill this off-season as the Penguins continue their retool. When noting that he is an impactful top-six winger who produces strong offense and plays solid defensively, he would be a big pickup for the Sabres if acquired. 

If the Sabres acquired Rust, he could slot perfectly on their second line. He would also give them another clear option for their power play and penalty kill if brought in. 

In 72 games last season with the Penguins, Rust posted 29 goals, 36 assists, and 65 points. With numbers like these, the 34-year-old winger certainly would have the potential to make up for the offense lost with Tuch's departure if brought in. 

Let's see if the Sabres end up making a push for Rust from here. 

Kentucky Wildcats News: LeBron James joins Tyrese Maxey and Justin Edwards with the 76ers

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 07: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers hugs Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on December 07, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Los Angeles Lakers won 112-108. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning, BBN!

It finally happened: LeBron James has decided where he wants to play next, and he’s pairing up with former Wildcats Tyrese Maxey and Justin Edwards with the Philadelphia 76ers.

If you’re a LeBron fan, like me, you have to be on cloud 9. 

If you’re not, but you’re a Kentucky fan, you should still be very excited. The last time LeBron teamed up with a former Cat, it resulted in a championship. LeBron and AD were unstoppable when they first teamed up with the Los Angeles Lakers; I wish we could’ve seen them healthier together. 

Nonetheless, it looks like this will be LeBron’s last stop before retirement, and what better way to finish it than with Maxey, Edwards, V.J. Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid. 

If this doesn’t make them the favorite in the East past the defending champion Knicks, it certainly makes them 2nd. 

It should be an absolutely wild 2026-27 NBA season, and I, for one, can’t wait. Bring all the madness, and please, everyone, stay healthy! 

Are you excited about LeBron heading to Philly?

Tweet of the Day

Congrats to Oscar Tshiebwe, who also just signed with the Houston Rockets!!!

Headlines

As Summer Practice Nears End, Pope ‘Excited’ About Cats – UK Athletics

After all of the controversy we’ve seen, it has been a pretty good summer.

Craig Skinner to be Inducted into Delaware County (IN) Athletic Hall of Fame – UK Athletics

Very well-deserved.

Lance Heard, Willie Rodriguez Earn Preseason Media Days All-SEC Honors – UK Athletics

Excited for these two.

LeBron picks 76ers as ‘last decision,’ to sign 2-year, $8M deal – ESPN

Love that he took less money to pursue a championship.

Michael Kim shoots 59 at the 2026 3M Open, joins historic group on PGA Tour with 16th sub-60 round – CBS Sports

Insane round.

Andy Reid: Patrick Mahomes has been cleared to fully participate – NBC Sports

Wow.

Dribble Handoff: Which new college basketball coach will have the most successful long-term career? – CBS Sports

Love Mike Malone with North Carolina.

Bryson DeChambeau: I could have fought for Open win without penalty – ESPN

Sure, Bryson, sure.

Ranking NFL contenders by backup QB situations: Mac Jones, Davis Mills headline best insurance policies – CBS Sports