The Rainiers managed a split this week, debuting their shiny new star prospects in hitter-friendly Las Vegas. Esteemed sluggers Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo donned the Rainiers jersey for the first time in their young careers, putting them just a short drive and a handful of AB’s from a big league promotion. There’s not yet a meaningful sample to draw any real conclusions (especially in such an extreme hitting environment), but each of them has already launched their first PCL homer and are looking more and more comfortable by the game. They’re must see TV.
Not to be outdone, red-hot Ryan Bliss was on fire at the plate this week, collecting 18 (!!!) hits in the six game slate. This wasn’t just empty contact either; Bliss managed a homer, a triple, and five doubles on the week with a pair of stolen bases to boot. He’s been absolutely unbelievable this month and is beginning to look a bit more like the player he’s been in the past. Though his season numbers are still in a tough spot, look for him to continue this torrid stretch and regrow his stock as a potential major league contributor.
Arkansas Travelers
The Travs wound up splitting the series this week despite missing their fearless rotation leaders in Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan to the Futures Game on Sunday Morning. Both Sloan and Anderson appeared in the game, working scoreless innings, and Anderson let the opposing hitters know exactly what he thought of them with an ice cold walk off the mound in the first inning of action.
Seth Hernandez and his big stuff will get all the attention from today's Futures Game but Kade Anderson is so quietly vicious on the mound. Look at him signal flyball and walk back to the dugout to end his outing before the batter is even out of the box. pic.twitter.com/HHZ5hTdxSV
Compounding the temporary leave of absence from the rotation leaders, this is the first iteration of the Travs lineup without the tandem of the aforementioned Montes and Arroyo, each of whom more than earned their promotion up to Triple-A. Despite the current lack of star power, there’s plenty of names that have really turned into contributors; Charlie Pagliarini, Caleb Cali, and Hunter Fitz-Gerald don’t get a lot of buzz in prospect circles for various reasons, but each of them have really produced and have carved out a nice niche in this system. They’re one’s to watch out for as under-the-radar organizational depth.
Everett AquaSox
Another week, another split for the stagnant AquaSox this week. This squad is so immensely talented on the offensive side of the ball, but it’s been a mixed bag from the pitching staff this season. Certainly not an easy environment to pitch in due to the Baby Park conditions of Everett’s home field, but they’ll need a bit more from the staff if they really want to get things rolling.
After a rough few months at the dish, top prospect Luke Stevenson has looked great at the plate this month and is finally stringing some really nice AB’s together. Whether it’s intentional or not, Stevenson seems to have gotten less passive at the plate and is seeking out damage rather than waiting for the “perfect pitch”; having run massive walk rates up to this point, Stevenson’s walk rate has considerably diminished in the month of July, and his numbers have subsequently taken off. This could very easily be a product of a small sample size, but if a tangible change actually has been made, to see such strong results is a fantastic sign. On the month, Stevenson is slashing .351/.415/.730, good for an OPS of 1.145. With a strong defensive foundation, the potential with Stevenson remains sky high.
Yet another prospect with seemingly limitless potential, Jonny Farmelo logged yet another successful series at the dish, popping a homer in the middle of a six-hit week. Farmelo’s really gotten into some great power this year, and the underlying metrics seem to back that production up; he’s been rocketing the ball all over the ballpark and letting his exceptional speed on the basepaths turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples. He’s an electrifying player that should probably get a look at Double-A Arkansas once all the draftees are assigned to their new homes.
Inland Empire 66ers
The 66ers dropped the series by a score of 4-2 this week, though they managed to play in one of the most chaotic games of baseball I’ve ever seen. Almost immediately falling behind 16-0, IE managed to post an 11 run seventh inning to cut the lead to just two, then immediately give up a six spot in the bottom of the eighth to seemingly put the game out of reach. Comically, they managed seven more runs in the ninth, but came up short, losing by a final score of 22-21. 33 total hits, 20 walks, 6 errors, and 43 runs. What a ride.
This team is about to look considerably different in the coming weeks; the M’s went exceptionally heavy on the college demographic in this past weekend’s draft, and their particular emphasis on hitters means their lower minors rosters are going to get crowded quick. Lots of fun new names, but the roster composition could be a bit tricky to sort out unless there’s a large of contingency of these draft guys that end up being “dev only”, high performance camp types. Regardless, this team absolutely needs an infusion of talent; they’ve really struggled to find consistency this year, and some big-time bats would work wonders for this lineup.
Scoreless bottom of the 2nd for Jackson Steensma. Just an infield single allowed. pic.twitter.com/qLB17mZLpb
For those that have been curious, Jackson Steensma made his return to the mound after receiving a shot in his arm for some discomfort. He logged two scoreless innings and should be on a slow ramp up in the coming weeks.
ACL Mariners
It was an objectively brutal week for star prospect Nick Becker; logging 20 PA’s, he struck out 11 times and managed just two hits (a double and a homer, for what it’s worth). Flush that one and move on.
On a more positive note, Yorger Bautista has been much better this month and seems to be getting some positive regression come his way after some unfortunate luck early in the season. Slashing .355/.375/.548 on the month, Bautista has lowered his K% significantly and may have turned a corner offensively. If everything clicks with him, he could be one of the better prospects in this entire system. Hopefully he closes out 2026 with a bang and cements himself as a future foundational talent.
Strong candidate for the all name team, OF Brayden Corn has been quite good for the Baby M’s this season and looks like he’ll be getting a shot at affiliate ball sooner than later. He was a 15th rounder last season, and though it’s not overwhelmingly loud tools, he’s posted a .932 OPS with 10 stolen bases.
DSL Mariners
It may sound like a broken record at this point, but this DSL roster absolutely mashes. It wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if this team produces several notable prospects in the coming years, and unheralded guys like Elias Perez and Fabian Gonzalez are playing themselves into the spotlight. Gregory Pio and Juan Rijo are still leading the way, but this is as fun of a roster as we’ve seen since Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo were making their professional debuts nearly a half decade ago.
Oklahoma City outfielder Ryan Ward (10) runs home to score during a minor league baseball game between the Oklahoma City Comets and the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Dodgers outfielders Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota covered all seven innings in left field for the National League in Sunday’s MLB Futures Game in Philadelphia. De Paula played the first four innings and singled once in his two at-bats.
Sirota struck out in his only at-bat, but much like Eric Gagne’s blown save in the 2003 MLB All-Star Game, Sirota’s on-base streak remains alive and active at 72 straight games once play resumes on Friday.
Player of the day
Great Lakes infielder Logan Wagner, playing second base on Sunday, homered twice and drove in three runs.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
The usual suspects were at it in the Comets’ win over the El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres). Ryan Ward homered and drove in three.
Zach Ehrhard had three hits, including a double, and scored twice. Jack Suwinski had three hits and a double. James Tibbs III had three hits as well.
Oklahoma City’s bullpen game worked to perfection, with nine relievers each pitching a scoreless frame.
Double-A Tulsa
Two runs in the seventh inning sent the Drillers to defeat at the hands of the Springfield Cardinals. Wyatt Crowell had already tossed three scoreless innings of relief to get to the seventh, but in that frame he walked a pair and allowed a two-run double that provided the final margin.
Christian Zazueta struck out three in his three innings and allowed a run. His start was shortened, but it was also his only time pitching on four days rest this season, as he also started the Tuesday series opener.
High-A Great Lakes
In addition to Wagner, Charles Davalan also homered in the Loons win over the Dayton Dragons (Reds).
Robby Porco and Justin Chambers combined for six strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Class-A Ontario
Jaron Elkins and Easton Shelton each homered in the Tower Buzzers’ win over the Inland Empire (Mariners).
Brady Smith struck out seven in his three-inning start, allowing a run. Luis Carias followed with one run over the final six innings with five strikeouts for the win.
All four Dodgers affiliates have the All-Star break off, and don’t start up again until Friday night for shortened, three-game series. From Monday through Thursday this week, minor league games are limited to the Arizona Complex League and the Dominican Summer League.
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt has $20 million in escalators based on MVP voting and All-Star selection as part of his eight-year, $112.5 million contract that starts next year.
Wetherholt receives a $2 million signing bonus payable on Nov. 15 under terms of the deal announced, according to contract details obtained by The Associated Press.
He gets salaries of $2.5 million next season, $4 million in 2028, $7.5 million in 2029, $12.5 million in 2030, $17 million in 2031, $20 million in 2032, $22 million in 2033 and $25 million in 2034.
Wetherholt can start earning the escalators in 2031 and boost his salaries by up to $5 million in 2032 and $7.5 million in each of the following two seasons.
He would receive a $5 million boost in all following seasons for winning an MVP award and $2.5 million for finishing second through fifth in the voting.
Wetherholt would get a $500,000 increase in the following season only for finishing sixth through 10th, and he would get a $250,000 raise the next season if he is an All-Star.
He would be given a $2 million assignment bonus if traded.
Wetherholt was selected seventh overall in the 2024 amateur draft and signed for a $6.9 million bonus.
He made the Cardinals’ opening day roster this season and homered against Tampa Bay in his debut on March 26.
Wetherholt is earning the $780,000 major league minimum this year as part of a contract that calls for a $63,600 salary while in the minor leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt has $20 million in escalators based on MVP voting and All-Star selection as part of his $112.5 million, eight-year contract that starts next year.
Wetherholt receives a $2 million signing bonus payable on Nov. 15 under terms of the deal announced Friday, according to contract details obtained by The Associated Press.
He gets salaries of $2.5 million next season, $4 million in 2028, $7.5 million in 2029, $12.5 million in 2030, $17 million in 2031, $20 million in 2032, $22 million in 2033 and $25 million in 2034.
Wetherholt can start earning the escalators in 2031 and boost his salaries by up to $5 million in 2032 and $7.5 million in each of the following two seasons.
He would receive a $5 million boost in all following seasons for winning an MVP award and $2.5 million for finishing second through fifth in the voting.
Wetherholt would get a $500,000 increase in the following season only for finishing sixth through 10th, and he would get a $250,000 raise the next season if he is an All-Star.
He would be given a $2 million assignment bonus if traded.
Wetherholt was selected seventh overall in the 2024 amateur draft and signed for a $6.9 million bonus.
He made the Cardinals’ opening day roster this season and homered against Tampa Bay in his debut on March 26.
Wetherholt is earning the $780,000 major league minimum this year as part of a contract that calls for a $63,600 salary while in the minor leagues.
The journey of a minor leaguer can oftentimes be a contentious one. Every time you step on the field is an audition for a dream job that dozens of other players, your teammates and friends, are also trying to get. You're constantly on the go in small towns and tinier accommodations. A promotion means uprooting everything you've become familiar with and moving to a brand new small town to join a new clubhouse full of new teammates with whom you are ultimately competing for a job. All while Major League Baseball continues to trim the number of minor league roster spots available.
For some, the intensity of that competition can prove to be too much. They'll put too much pressure on themselves or isolate themselves too often. For others, like Mariners minor league teammates Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan, the competition will only push them harder.
"I think it's like a healthy competition where, every start we have, we're trying to one-up each other," said Anderson, the Mariners' top pitching prospect and the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. "Not in a way to outcompete each other, but to push each other to that next step."
Anderson and Sloan have only been teammates for a year, but it's been a fast friendship.
Sloan joined the Mariners' organization first, drafted in the 2nd round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of high school in Illinois. In his first minor league season, in 2025, Sloan quickly worked through two levels, pitching to a 3.73 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 90/15 K/BB ratio in 82 innings and establishing himself not only as perhaps the top pitching prospect in the Mariners' organization, but one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, ranking 8th overall, according to MLB Pipeline, coming into the 2026 season.
Ryan Sloan racks up nine strikeouts!
MLB's No. 19 prospect (@Mariners) tossed 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball and has 62 K's with just six walks in his past 10 starts for the Double-A @ARTravs: pic.twitter.com/s7vzem4kSN
In the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, with the third overall pick, the Mariners selected Anderson out of LSU, and without even throwing a professional pitch in 2025, he vaulted to the top of the system. This spring, the Mariners decided to fast-track him right to Double-A, where he joined Sloan in the rotation. Despite the tension that pop culture has led us to expect from two elite athletes put in the same clubhouse, the two pitchers clicked fairly quickly.
"I think we built a really good bond since he got drafted and in spring training," recalled Sloan. "Just to be able to be around someone so consistently who shares the same mindset and mentality that I do, and the love of the game of baseball as I do, is really cool."
Their shared mindset is not only a major part of their success but also a key reason they are such great fits for the Mariners' organization. An organization that has had a strong reputation for developing talented and aggressive starting pitchers, the Mariners have cultivated the same approach in their two top prospects.
"The Mariners just do a really good job of simplifying everything," said Anderson. "They give you that instilled confidence of going at hitters the same way, no matter who it is." Similarly, Sloan mentioned that the organization continuously tells them to trust their stuff: "They just keep the main thing the main thing...You have really good stuff. Just throw it in the zone and have the confidence to throw it in the zone."
While a similar aggression and confidence have fueled their initial success, both pitchers admitted that learning from one another has helped take their games to another level.
"Kade does a lot of things really well that I can work on and vice versa," reflected Sloan, "so to be able to have someone who's really strong in areas I'm not super strong in, or I wouldn't consider my strengths, is really good... Something that I just want to emulate or kind of steal from him is just the fact that, when he gets out there, it doesn't matter what he has that day, he's gonna go compete. I just think that's why he's been able to be so consistent day in and day out. You know what you're gonna get with him every single day, and just to be able to learn from that and kind of take that into my own."
Kade Anderson racks up nine punchouts across six frames of two-run ball for the Double-A @ARTravs
For Anderson's part, he's been learning from Sloan's attention to routine and detail, which are advanced beyond his years at just 20 years old.
"I think he goes about his business really professionally," said Anderson. "His routines are dialed in, so it's been really fun to just watch that type of stuff."
This season, they've both watched each other put together stellar performances that have landed both of them inside the top 10 overall prospects in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. Sloan added a sinker, which has been a nice pitch for him to deepen his mix, and has a 4.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 77/12 K/BB ratio in 62.1 innings at Double-A. Meanwhile, Anderson has been one of the more impressive starting pitchers in the entire minor leagues, posting a 1.36 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, and 108/10 K/BB ratio in 72.2 innings at Double-A. What's more impressive is that the left-hander is doing it without a triple-digit fastball or a breaking pitch that goes viral on social media for its otherworldly movement. He just has a deep arsenal of pitches and an advanced understanding of how to attack hitters.
"I would argue that I don't have a specific outlier per se," admitted Anderson before Sunday's MLB Futures Game. "I just feel like having four pitches for strikes has given me a lot of help, and my changeup has come a long way from last year, so I just feel like I'm just keeping hitters off balance. It's not necessarily like one pitch that someone can't hit. [The changeup] has added another pitch to my arsenal, and it just helps me navigate a lineup easier."
Normally, when you have a starting pitcher putting up those kinds of numbers, an MLB promotion seems inevitable. However, in addition to battling each other, both Anderson and Sloan have to contend with their big league club having one of the deepest and healthiest rotations in baseball.
On the season, Seattle's starters rank 1st in innings pitched, 1st in WAR, 3rd in WHIP, 3rd in K-BB%, and 6th in ERA. When Bryce Miller started the season on the injured list, Emerson Hancock pitched so well that the team was forced to use a six-man rotation when Miller finally did return. Despite a few of the Mariners' starting pitchers having previous injury concerns, they have remained healthy for the entirety of the first half, which not only means their MLB rotation is overcrowded, but it also means that both Anderson and Sloan are seemingly stuck in the minor leagues, regardless of how well they pitch in 2026.
"I think everyone tries to make it this big deal where, you know, we may be stuck or whatever it is, but honestly, when you take it day by day, when you just put in good days of work, everything's gonna work itself out," said Sloan. "Everyone has their own path, and I truly believe in that, so I just think, most importantly, I'm in a great org and an org that instills confidence in me, and you know, has gotten me to where I am now."
Anderson is similarly unmoved by the logjam in front of him.
"Obviously, who doesn't want to be in the big leagues? But I've gained the perspective that I understand that there is patience that comes along with it," he reflected. "I feel like, when my time comes, it'll come. You try not to look ahead too much about that kind of stuff. I'm not worried about playing in two days. I want to play for a long time, so having that perspective of this [year] doesn't matter as much as me playing for the next 10 years."
However, the Mariners may not be as comfortable with waiting for their young pitchers as the pitchers themselves are. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported during MLB All-Star weekend that the team has let it be known that they would be open to trading one of their starting pitchers, most likely veteran Luis Castillo, to add an impact bat and free up some of the logjam. While that would still give Seattle five starting pitchers in their rotation, moving a starter would position either Sloan or Anderson to be the next man up, should the team need a starting pitcher.
Whichever one of them gets that call doesn't seem to matter much to either Anderson or Sloan.
"I think if you start worrying about that, you're worried about the wrong things," declared Sloan. "You start losing focus in other areas. So I think, as much as you can block that out, and it's really hard to block that stuff out, but the most you can, the better."
"Obviously, we both want to be in that role. Who doesn't?" added Anderson. "But I feel like we're gonna be in those roles sooner rather than later, anyway, so whoever comes first, it doesn't really matter to me."
For now, the teammates are content to share a clubhouse and "lean on each other for support," as Anderson put it. Their hard work has propelled them to top prospect status, a place in the MLB Futures Game, and a position on the doorstep of an MLB promotion and a dream realized. But until that time comes, they're just going to focus on the things that they can control and the mentality that has pushed them to be great.
"I just have to continue to throw the ball well, continue to be healthy, continue to throw innings, and everything's going to take care of itself," said Sloan. The rest is up to the Mariners.
"Whatever they tell me to do, I'm going to be there," said Anderson.
Whether it's this year or next, Sloan will likely be right there alongside him. It doesn't matter which one of them gets there first; the other one will be waiting.
The journey of a minor leaguer can oftentimes be a contentious one. Every time you step on the field is an audition for a dream job that dozens of other players, your teammates and friends, are also trying to get. You're constantly on the go in small towns and tinier accommodations. A promotion means uprooting everything you've become familiar with and moving to a brand new small town to join a new clubhouse full of new teammates with whom you are ultimately competing for a job. All while Major League Baseball continues to trim the number of minor league roster spots available.
For some, the intensity of that competition can prove to be too much. They'll put too much pressure on themselves or isolate themselves too often. For others, like Mariners minor league teammates Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan, the competition will only push them harder.
"I think it's like a healthy competition where, every start we have, we're trying to one-up each other," said Anderson, the Mariners' top pitching prospect and the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. "Not in a way to outcompete each other, but to push each other to that next step."
Anderson and Sloan have only been teammates for a year, but it's been a fast friendship.
Sloan joined the Mariners' organization first, drafted in the 2nd round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of high school in Illinois. In his first minor league season, in 2025, Sloan quickly worked through two levels, pitching to a 3.73 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 90/15 K/BB ratio in 82 innings and establishing himself not only as perhaps the top pitching prospect in the Mariners' organization, but one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, ranking 8th overall, according to MLB Pipeline, coming into the 2026 season.
Ryan Sloan racks up nine strikeouts!
MLB's No. 19 prospect (@Mariners) tossed 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball and has 62 K's with just six walks in his past 10 starts for the Double-A @ARTravs: pic.twitter.com/s7vzem4kSN
In the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, with the third overall pick, the Mariners selected Anderson out of LSU, and without even throwing a professional pitch in 2025, he vaulted to the top of the system. This spring, the Mariners decided to fast-track him right to Double-A, where he joined Sloan in the rotation. Despite the tension that pop culture has led us to expect from two elite athletes put in the same clubhouse, the two pitchers clicked fairly quickly.
"I think we built a really good bond since he got drafted and in spring training," recalled Sloan. "Just to be able to be around someone so consistently who shares the same mindset and mentality that I do, and the love of the game of baseball as I do, is really cool."
Their shared mindset is not only a major part of their success but also a key reason they are such great fits for the Mariners' organization. An organization that has had a strong reputation for developing talented and aggressive starting pitchers, the Mariners have cultivated the same approach in their two top prospects.
"The Mariners just do a really good job of simplifying everything," said Anderson. "They give you that instilled confidence of going at hitters the same way, no matter who it is." Similarly, Sloan mentioned that the organization continuously tells them to trust their stuff: "They just keep the main thing the main thing...You have really good stuff. Just throw it in the zone and have the confidence to throw it in the zone."
While a similar aggression and confidence have fueled their initial success, both pitchers admitted that learning from one another has helped take their games to another level.
"Kade does a lot of things really well that I can work on and vice versa," reflected Sloan, "so to be able to have someone who's really strong in areas I'm not super strong in, or I wouldn't consider my strengths, is really good... Something that I just want to emulate or kind of steal from him is just the fact that, when he gets out there, it doesn't matter what he has that day, he's gonna go compete. I just think that's why he's been able to be so consistent day in and day out. You know what you're gonna get with him every single day, and just to be able to learn from that and kind of take that into my own."
Kade Anderson racks up nine punchouts across six frames of two-run ball for the Double-A @ARTravs
For Anderson's part, he's been learning from Sloan's attention to routine and detail, which are advanced beyond his years at just 20 years old.
"I think he goes about his business really professionally," said Anderson. "His routines are dialed in, so it's been really fun to just watch that type of stuff."
This season, they've both watched each other put together stellar performances that have landed both of them inside the top 10 overall prospects in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. Sloan added a sinker, which has been a nice pitch for him to deepen his mix, and has a 4.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 77/12 K/BB ratio in 62.1 innings at Double-A. Meanwhile, Anderson has been one of the more impressive starting pitchers in the entire minor leagues, posting a 1.36 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, and 108/10 K/BB ratio in 72.2 innings at Double-A. What's more impressive is that the left-hander is doing it without a triple-digit fastball or a breaking pitch that goes viral on social media for its otherworldly movement. He just has a deep arsenal of pitches and an advanced understanding of how to attack hitters.
"I would argue that I don't have a specific outlier per se," admitted Anderson before Sunday's MLB Futures Game. "I just feel like having four pitches for strikes has given me a lot of help, and my changeup has come a long way from last year, so I just feel like I'm just keeping hitters off balance. It's not necessarily like one pitch that someone can't hit. [The changeup] has added another pitch to my arsenal, and it just helps me navigate a lineup easier."
Normally, when you have a starting pitcher putting up those kinds of numbers, an MLB promotion seems inevitable. However, in addition to battling each other, both Anderson and Sloan have to contend with their big league club having one of the deepest and healthiest rotations in baseball.
On the season, Seattle's starters rank 1st in innings pitched, 1st in WAR, 3rd in WHIP, 3rd in K-BB%, and 6th in ERA. When Bryce Miller started the season on the injured list, Emerson Hancock pitched so well that the team was forced to use a six-man rotation when Miller finally did return. Despite a few of the Mariners' starting pitchers having previous injury concerns, they have remained healthy for the entirety of the first half, which not only means their MLB rotation is overcrowded, but it also means that both Anderson and Sloan are seemingly stuck in the minor leagues, regardless of how well they pitch in 2026.
"I think everyone tries to make it this big deal where, you know, we may be stuck or whatever it is, but honestly, when you take it day by day, when you just put in good days of work, everything's gonna work itself out," said Sloan. "Everyone has their own path, and I truly believe in that, so I just think, most importantly, I'm in a great org and an org that instills confidence in me, and you know, has gotten me to where I am now."
Anderson is similarly unmoved by the logjam in front of him.
"Obviously, who doesn't want to be in the big leagues? But I've gained the perspective that I understand that there is patience that comes along with it," he reflected. "I feel like, when my time comes, it'll come. You try not to look ahead too much about that kind of stuff. I'm not worried about playing in two days. I want to play for a long time, so having that perspective of this [year] doesn't matter as much as me playing for the next 10 years."
However, the Mariners may not be as comfortable with waiting for their young pitchers as the pitchers themselves are. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported during MLB All-Star weekend that the team has let it be known that they would be open to trading one of their starting pitchers, most likely veteran Luis Castillo, to add an impact bat and free up some of the logjam. While that would still give Seattle five starting pitchers in their rotation, moving a starter would position either Sloan or Anderson to be the next man up, should the team need a starting pitcher.
Whichever one of them gets that call doesn't seem to matter much to either Anderson or Sloan.
"I think if you start worrying about that, you're worried about the wrong things," declared Sloan. "You start losing focus in other areas. So I think, as much as you can block that out, and it's really hard to block that stuff out, but the most you can, the better."
"Obviously, we both want to be in that role. Who doesn't?" added Anderson. "But I feel like we're gonna be in those roles sooner rather than later, anyway, so whoever comes first, it doesn't really matter to me."
For now, the teammates are content to share a clubhouse and "lean on each other for support," as Anderson put it. Their hard work has propelled them to top prospect status, a place in the MLB Futures Game, and a position on the doorstep of an MLB promotion and a dream realized. But until that time comes, they're just going to focus on the things that they can control and the mentality that has pushed them to be great.
"I just have to continue to throw the ball well, continue to be healthy, continue to throw innings, and everything's going to take care of itself," said Sloan. The rest is up to the Mariners.
"Whatever they tell me to do, I'm going to be there," said Anderson.
Whether it's this year or next, Sloan will likely be right there alongside him. It doesn't matter which one of them gets there first; the other one will be waiting.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Houston Astros center fielder Brice Matthews left the game against Texas with a left knee injury after crashing back into the wall while pulling back a ball hit by Josh Jung.
The ball fell from Matthews’ glove and went for a triple. Matthews crouched on his right knee for a period of minutes and was attended to by trainer Eric Velazquez with manager Joe Espada looking on. Matthews finished the inning, one more batter, but was pinch hit for in the second inning by Taylor Trammell.
Matthews, 24, is a Houston native and a graduate of Atascocita High School in nearby Humble. He’s hitting .197 through 81 games after making his major league debut last summer and playing 13 games.
CANADA - FEBRUARY 20: A celebratory toast: After the protracted negotiations and 11th-hour agreement hammered out between the Toronto Blue Jays and reliever Bill Caudill, it was time to break out the champagne for a toast or two. From left, Blue Jays vice-president Paul Beeston, Caudill and Blue Jays' other vice-president, Pat Gillick. Caudill's contract is expected to be worth between $7 million and $8.3 million. It's hoped he will provide the bullpen tonic the Blue Jays need. (Photo by Jim Wilkes/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
Bill Caudill celebrates his 70th birthday today.
For those unfamiliar, Caudill was the Blue Jays’ answer to B.J. Ryan back in the 1980s. He broke into the majors with the Cubs, then found his stride as one of baseball’s elite closers in Seattle, before moving to Oakland, where he racked up 36 saves in a season.
After the 1984 season, the Jays traded Dave Collins and Alfredo Griffin for Caudill. Collins spent one not-great season with the A’s. Griffin spent three seasons in Oakland. Surprisingly, the A’s used him as a leadoff hitter. Considering he had a .307 OBP with him, it was a curious choice.
After a decent first season with the Jays (2.99 ERA and 14 saves), the Jays wanted to lock up Caudill for the future.
Caudill became agent Scott Boras’s first client, landing a five-year, $7 million contract. Fortunately for the Jays, only the first three years were guaranteed at $4.5 million, with vesting options for the remaining two. At the time, that was a significant sum. As we know, long-term contracts for closers rarely work out in the team’s favor.
The following season was a disappointment. Caudill ended with a 6.19 ERA and just two saves. He and manager Jimy Williams clashed, as Caudill believed he deserved the closer role, while Williams preferred the powerful arm of Tom Henke. With rookie Mark Eichhorn frequently pitching multiple innings in 89 games, there were few high-leverage spots left for Caudill.
During the off-season, the Jays released him.
He signed with the A’s but struggled with ongoing shoulder issues and soon left baseball. After retiring, he went on to work with Boras.
Caudill finished his career with 106 saves, a 3.68 ERA over 445 games, and 24 starts.
Happy birthday, Bill.
It is also outfielder Joe Cannon’s 73rd birthday.
Cannon played two seasons with the Jays (1979 and 1980) after arriving in a trade from the Astros, along with Mark Lemongello and Pete Hernandez, in exchange for Alan Ashby.
The trade ultimately didn’t work out for the Jays:
Lemongello pitched in 18 games during 1979, recording a 1-9 record and a 6.29 ERA.
There’s an unusual note on Lemongello’s Wikipedia page:
In 1982, a few years after leaving baseball, Lemongello and his former Wichita teammate, Manuel Seoane, were arrested for kidnapping and robbing Lemongello’s cousins—Mike Lemongello, a former professional bowler, and Peter Lemongello. Lemongello received seven years’ probation after pleading no contest to the charges.
Hernandez appeared in 11 games across the 1979 and 1982 seasons.
Cannon played in 131 games over his two seasons with the Jays, serving as a fourth outfielder, designated hitter, and pinch-hitter. He posted a .177/.186/.208 batting line.
Ashby went on to play 11 seasons with the Astros, proving to be a solid catcher both defensively and offensively. The Jays had three promising young catchers—Rick Cerone, Ernie Whitt, and Ashby—but Pat Gillick arguably should have secured a better return for Ashby. Not all of Pat’s trades were winners.
Happy birthday, Joe.
It is also Ty France’s 32nd birthday.
Ty is a glove-first first baseman. I’m not a fan of a glove-first first baseman. But he’s having a decent year with the bat for the Padres this year.
He’s had eight seasons in the majors, 910 games, a .263/.334/.406 with 92 home runs.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 11: Clayton Beeter #39 of the Washington Nationals hands the ball to Blake Butera #10 as he is removed from a game against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Nationals Park on July 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you told me at the beginning of the season that the Nationals would be 48-49 at the All-Star break, I would have been thrilled. Don’t get it twisted, this has been a successful first half given the expectations. There have been so many standout performers in the lineup and even in the rotation. However, it could have been so much better with a real bullpen.
This Nationals bullpen has just been the ultimate vibe killer this season. On the broadcast yesterday, Kevin Frandsen was talking about how the fans needed to get up and support their team in the 8th. This is nothing against Frandsen, but I think the reason Nats fans did not do that is because they knew what was coming. All their fears were right, as the bullpen blew yet another game.
Right now the MLB record for blown saves in a season is 37. However, I do not think that record will last for long. The Nats are already at 27 blown saves, and we are only at the All-Star Break. I have seen a lot of bad bullpen’s over the years, but I’ve never seen one blow games in the 9th inning quite like this bunch.
The MLB record for blown saves by one team in a season is 37. The Nationals just blew their 27th.
The Nats have scored the most runs in all of baseball, and they are below .500. That is just a mind blowing indictment on this pitching staff. Really, it is mostly just an indictment on the bullpen. The rotation has not been elite by any means, but it has been solid, especially the past couple months.
Foster Griffin and Cade Cavalli have been a good 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Even Zack Littell has a 3.52 ERA since May 1st and Miles Mikolas has a 4.43, which isn’t great, but is not terrible for a 5 starter. At this moment in time, the bullpen is truly the only reason they are not a playoff team.
There are just so many individual games you can look back on and say what if they got that one. If the Nats won that Giants game and even three of the six games they blew against the Phillies and Yankees, the conversation would be so different right now. There are about 10-12 truly awful meltdowns, and even if you could get six of those back, this team would be squarely in the wild card hunt.
Every team blows some games.
But no team blows this many, so let’s look at the really bad losses for the Nats in 2026:
4/1 – 5-1 7th inning lead + 2 run 9th inning 2 out lead (L @ PHI) 4/5 – 6-1 6th inning lead (L vs LAD) 4/7 – 5-2 7th inning lead (L vs STL) 5/22 – 4-2 10th… pic.twitter.com/0kDgNLyhpk
Whether it is the deadline or the offseason, it is obvious that Paul Toboni needs to throw resources at the bullpen. Those resources can be money or prospect capital, but this unit needs to be addressed in a real way for 2027. Toboni tried to build a bullpen without using many resources. The idea was that you could build a decent bullpen on the cheap and there are always undervalued talents to find.
Well, Toboni has shown that he is not able to find those hidden gems. He cannot moneyball a bullpen the way the Rays have been able to. With that in mind, he needs to self-evaluate and realize that the bullpen is a spot where he needs to make big moves.
The Nats have blown 27 saves now, and the average is around 13 or 14. Imagine if they had only blown 13 saves. Yes, not every blown save results in a loss, but their record would be so much different. It is truly wild how much of a buzzkill the bullpen has been to what could have been a truly magical season.
The Nationals bullpen has blown 26 saves this year.
The MLB average is 13.
That is 13 wins if Washington had just an average bullpen.
13 wins would give them a 61-35 record, second best in the MLB to the Dodgers.
You cannot say that this season has been a disappointment or a failure at all. It has been a big success. However, it could have been one of the most magical seasons in Nats history. It is still a good season, just with a massive vibe killer mixed in.
It is like the bullpen’s job is to tell us that we really shouldn’t get that excited. You can never get too happy watching this team until the game is over because truly no game is out of reach. I really think that this bullpen is so bad it gives other teams extra confidence that makes things even worse. No team ever rolls over against the Nats because they know there is always a chance to win the game against this punch. You can be down 8-1 in the 8th inning and still win.
I know that they love playing the matchups, but there has to be a real closer next year. The 9th inning is different, and this season has shown that. Whether it is going out and signing Adrian Morejon or making a big trade, something has to be done to address this.
Insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This is only year one of this regime, so they are not insane by any means. There is not a whole lot they can do to fix this bullpen right now. However, they are going to have to prove to fans that they are willing to try something different next season. The priority for this deadline and offseason should be pitching, pitching and more pitching, especially relief pitching.
The National League All-Stars are favored tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philly, but I like the visiting American League All-Stars at the better price.
This is, obviously, not a normal starter handicap because both teams will cycle through elite arms, but Dylan Cease gives the AL a strong opening counter to Cristopher Sanchez, and that's enough for me to take back the value.
Here are my American League vs. National League predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Who will win the All-Star Game today: American League moneyline
Odds: +127 at Polymarket
I’m taking the American League All-Stars and would play them down to +110.
Calling any All-Star Game a massive edge is a stretch, but +127 is too long in a short-burst pitching format. My analysis could simply be: "Both teams are very good, so why such a large gap?" but I also think there may be an early edge for the AL.
Dylan Cease opens with a 36% whiff rate and AL-best 148 strikeouts, while the American League can still layer Drew Rasmussen’s steady command and Joe Ryan's overall reliability behind him.
The National League has bigger names, but Cristopher Sanchez enters with a 9.58 ERA across two July starts, giving the AL at least a chance to strike in the first inning. That ultimately may be all it takes in an environment where runs should be hard to come by.
COVERS INTEL: Christopher Sanchez is dominant overall, but his sinker has allowed a .371 xwOBA and 56.0% hard-hit rate, giving the AL one early pitch to attack.
All-Star Game Over/Under pick: Under 7.5
Odds: +113 at Polymarket
I’m taking the Under because this game’s structure naturally works against the offense. The Under has cashed in 14 of the last 19 All-Star Games for a reason: hitters get one or two plate appearances, rarely see the same pitcher twice, and face arms throwing max effort in short stints.
That does not mean the Over cannot win. It means even if the AL gets the better early swing, sustained rallies are tougher to build in this format. I expect scattered damage, not a full slugfest. Both teams have incredible pitching depth behind the starters, with names like Paul Skenes, Jhoan Duran, Mason Miller, and Cade Smith available.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 38-34, +6.15 units
Over/Under bets: 42-32, +12.96 units
All-Star Game odds
Moneyline: AL +120 | NL -142
Run line: AL +1.5 (-172) | NL -1.5 (+142)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
All-Star Game trend
Three of the previous four Midsummer Classics have been decided by just one or two runs.
How to watch All-Star Game and info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
First pitch
8 p.m. ET
TV
FOX
AL starting pitcher
Dylan Cease (6-4, 2.56 ERA)
NL starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez (11-4, 2.62 ERA)
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners breaks his bat after a hit against the Miami Marlins in the first inning of the game at loanDepot park on July 08, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez haven’t been good this year. Neither have the Seattle Mariners.
The Mariners were favorites in the American League on Opening Day, according to FanGraphs. They enter the All-Star break a game under .500. What happened? Well, the Mariners, as a team, have played worse than they were expected to play. Here’s a timeline of the projected and actual WAR, with 2026 prorated through the end of the season:
Where have they played worse? I broke the roster into four components: Cal and Julio (the stars), the rest of the position player group, the rotation, and the pen. For each group, I added up 2025 WAR, 2026 projected WAR, and 2026 actual WAR (prorated).
We can see most of the underperformance comes from Cal and Julio. They posted 15 WAR last year and were projected by Steamer for 12 WAR this year. They’re on pace for 4 WAR.
Obviously nobody expected Cal to repeat his semi-historic 2025 season. Steamer certainly didn’t. But not only has Cal been worse, he’s not even been good. In fact, he’s not even been average — he’s been really quite bad.
Why? As we recently learned, Cal began the year hurt. Manny Acta said Cal didn’t get enough reps with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, tried to make up for it afterwards, over exerted, and strained his oblique. Cal tried to ‘tough guy’ his way through the first part of the season, before landing on the injured list after a long 0-for. He’s either still hurt or hasn’t found his timing, because he’s not been great since joining the team again in mid-June. He posted a 62 wRC+ before the injury; he has an 88 wRC+ since.
It’s not fair to lump Julio in the same tier of disappointment as Cal, though I wouldn’t call his season a success, either. Julio got off to his best start ever at the plate, but he slumped in the outfield. He turned it around defensively in June, but then his bat slumped. He started to get hot at the plate at the end of the month, finally putting everything together, but Nolan Schanuel drilled him in the back of the head while running the bases. Julio is on the injured list with a concussion.
This missing production is a big deal. Cal and Julio entered the year as the top batter duo in the majors, each projected in the top five. I found the two best projected batters by Steamer for each team, and compared to actual WAR (prorated). No team has gotten less relative to expectations from their top two hitters than the Mariners.
Team
Player 1
Player 2
Proj
Actual
Diff
SEA
Cal Raleigh
Julio Rodríguez
11.5
4.0
-7.5
TOR
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Alejandro Kirk
8.9
1.9
-7.0
SD
Fernando Tatis Jr
Jackson Merrill
9.1
4.5
-4.6
NYM
Juan Soto
Francisco Lindor
10.4
6.0
-4.4
PHI
Trea Turner
Bryce Harper
7.5
3.2
-4.3
The teams just below on the list — the Blue Jays, Padres, Mets, and Phillies — have fared much worse on offense overall. The Mariners have an even 100 wRC+ because the rest of their lineup, collectively, has been fine. They’ve been about as good as they were last year, when Cal and Julio led them to a second place finish by wRC+ (and a ninth place finish by WAR).
There’s been a few good performances, from Randy Arozarena, Dominic Canzone, and Cole Young. There’s been a few bad performances, from Josh Naylor, Victor Robles, and Leo Rivas. J.P. Crawford has been hot and cold and can’t play defense. They’ve largely assembled themselves into something close to 2025. This isn’t Dodgers-level depth, of course, but it’s a reasonably competitive group, so long as they don’t have to go it alone.
The issue was this part of the roster was meant to take a step forward this year. The addition of Brendan Donovan is what pushed the Mariners into the “AL favorites” tier of the projections this spring. He simply hasn’t been on the field. Rob Refsnyder was meant to help with the roster’s general lopsidedness. He is now the worst player ever acquired by Jerry Dipoto by WAR. Both players are on the IL.
Still, it’s pretty clear what’s changed from last year to this year.
There’s been plenty said about what’s gone wrong in the first half of the season, and what needs to change in the second. Sometimes the truth is simple.
DETROIT — Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle can’t wait to go home for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
“I’m super pumped,” McGonigle said before facing his hometown Phillies.
Even though McGonigle just is 21, he has had a lot of travel bags for baseball.
None, though, was like the white one sitting on the carpeted floor next to his chair in the Tigers’ clubhouse. The duffel bag was adorned with the All-Star Game logo and there was an Old English D on each end.
“I’d say this is the best one I’ve ever had,” McGonigle said.
He earned it.
Since the first All-Star Game in 1933, Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and Hall of Famer Al Kaline are the two players who have reached base safely more often than McGonigle at the break.
The Tigers thought McGonigle would be good, but no one could have projected this much production so early in his career.
Detroit drafted McGonigle with the No. 37 pick in 2023 and he spent two-plus years in the minor leagues, skipping a stop at Triple-A Toledo, as a promising prospect.
Shortly after McGonigle made the major league roster during spring training and had four hits in his debut, the franchise saw enough to give him an eight-year, $150 million contract.
So far, it certainly looks like a wise investment.
“It’s so impressive how mature he is in the box,” Tigers All-Star outfielder Riley Greene said. “You don’t see many people at 21 having at-bats as good as him.”
Since 1947, he is the fifth rookie 21 or younger to have at least 99 hits before the All-Star Game.
“He’s a good-looking, young player,” said Phillies manager Don Mattingly, who was quite a player himself. “Young guys seem to be coming up a lot more often, and doing well right away.
“Seeing him in the spring, he swung the bat. In spring you kind of go, ‘OK, we’ll see,’ with young guys and then obviously, he has taken it into the season and he’s still rolling.”
McGonigle, who was born in Media, Pennsylvania, and attended high school in nearby Drexel Hill, shared his picks for the best cheesesteaks in the Philadelphia area ahead of the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game.
“Delco’s Steaks in Delaware County, which is where I’m from, is my favorite,” he said. “In the city, Philip’s is a sleeper. There’s a different way they cut the meat, and it’s really good.”
The best Monday on the sports calendar is finally here! The Home Run Derby brings out the kid in all of us, and hopefully it will bring out the beast in Jordan Walker tonight.
My Home Run Derby predictions have extracted the best value possible in the Home Run Derby odds, including some intriguing props.
Our top MLB Home Run Derby picks for Monday, July 13
Jordan Walker to win
+733 at Polymarket
I kind of have a type when it comes to the Home Run Derby. DO NOT SHAME ME! I like the big boys.
I want guys who have raw, natural power, and Jordan Walker has all of that and more. The younger stars are always a draw for me because I want to see them leave their mark and make a bigger name for themselves.
The St. Louis Cardinals' 6-foot-6, 250-pound outfielder, who is sitting on a career-high 22 homers and counting, is easily one of my favorite looks in this event.
Willson Contreras to win
+1900 at Polymarket
I always sprinkle on a long shot winner that has a ton of upside, which Willson Contreras definitely has.
Typically, the long shot is a smaller guy, your Jazz Chisholm or Mookie Betts types. Guys who can absolutely crush home runs, but honestly probably aren't built for the Home Run Derby.
Personally, I think Ben Rice should be dead-last on the odds board, but unfortunately, I don't make the odds.
I was a little too eager to jump on Contreras and missed out on a great number. Near 20-to-1 odds is insane. I ended up grabbing 13-to-1 thinking I was being slick.
Contreras has all the raw power in the world to make a deep run, and is on pace to reach his career-high in dingers with 20 already at the unofficial halfway point of the season. So why take the chalk when there is a big body with legitimate power sitting at the bottom of the odds board?
Our best 2026 MLB Home Run Derby props
Jac Caglianone to reach the final round
+285 at Polymarket
I am already on Jac Caglianone to have the furthest hit home run in this event. All this guy does is generate hard-hit balls, and he is an absolute monster.
A part of me is concerned with some of these younger guys participating in this event. Will Walker or Caglianone be too eager to try and kill the ball instead of staying relaxed and taking their normal hacks?
However, there is no way I'm taking Kyle Schwarber, Junior Caminero, or Bryce Harper just because they have been here before. I think there is a ton of value in the Kansas City Royals' future star, as long as he stays calm and relaxed, and lets his natural power take over.
Longest home run: 500+ feet
+122 at Polymarket
Who doesn't want to see a 500-foot nuke missile? Losers, that's who.
Last season in Atlanta, we watched Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz launch a 513-foot home run. Back in 2017 in Miami, Aaron Judge matched that mark with a 513-footer of his own.
If you take out the 2021 Derby in Colorado, it's a much rarer feat. But with temperatures expected to be in the mid 80s tonight in Philadelphia, the conditions are there. This year's field is loaded with guys who generate ridiculous power and have the ability to send one 500+ feet, even without seeing 100 mph fastballs.
This is supposed to be fun. Enjoy it, root for moonshots, and let yourself feel like you're 10 years old again.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 28: Jordan Martinook #48 of the Carolina Hurricanes against Dawson Mercer #91 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Lenovo Center on March 28, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Metropolitan Division got a bit of an overhaul this offseason. I know I’m not breaking any news here, as this site and plenty of other outlets have discussed the changes in the Metro since the end of this past season. Not only that, but change is a constant in the NHL, so it would be bizarre if any given division didn’t look significantly different from one season to the next. Still, just because specific changes have been documented and general changes are expected doesn’t mean they aren’t worth going over in depth.
And that’s what we’re going to do today. Each and every team in the Metropolitan Division looks different heading into 2026-27. Some teams underwent more significant changes than others, some got better, and some got worse…at least on paper. Let’s roll through the Devils’ divisional rivals and see where they stand after the bulk of the offseason work has been done. Then we’ll take a look at New Jersey and try to figure out where they lie in the pecking order of the division hierarchy.
(All cap space numbers come from the invaluable PuckPedia)
Carolina Hurricanes
2025-26 Season Results: 53-22-7, 113 points; Won Stanley Cup
We start with the champs. The Carolina Hurricanes finally got over the hump in the Rod Brind’Amour era and won a Stanley Cup. I would argue that it was set up perfectly for them to win, with a hilariously easy field to get through, but it’s undeniable that they were one of the best teams in the entire league and could’ve easily won the Cup even if the competition was stiffer. In any case, flags fly forever, and the Hurricanes are the champions. The Devils have had such a difficult time playing against Carolina over the past few seasons, and now they have to deal with their boogeyman hoisting a trophy in their faces.
As far as their offseason goes, it has been very, very quiet in Raleigh. That’s due to a number of factors, such as a weak free agent class, a decent-but-not-vast amount of cap space to work with, and the fact that Carolina’s roster is already pretty set heading into next season. They did not make any notable additions, unless you count the signing of Juuso Valimaki or the re-signing of Nic Deslauriers. They also didn’t draft anyone that will make an immediate impact on their NHL roster this season. And on the flip side of the coin, Carolina did not lose anyone of note either, with one obvious exception: Frederik Andersen. The veteran goalie was lights out in the postseason for the Hurricanes until the Stanley Cup Final, where after Game Two, he was replaced by Brandon Bussi, who took Carolina the rest of the way. Andersen ended up signing in Edmonton, so the Hurricanes goaltending is currently in the hands of Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov.
There is one more potential subtraction though: Alexander Nikishin. The Russian defenseman is a Restricted Free Agent, and there are rumors swirling that Carolina might be looking to trade him. If he leaves, that would certainly count as a notable subtraction, but as of this writing, he is still an RFA under team control. It’s a situation that bears monitoring.
Outside of that, while it’s not a full blown subtraction, it’s worth noting that Seth Jarvis underwent shoulder surgery in late June and is expected to miss 4-6 months. If it’s the early part of that timeframe, he should only miss about a month of action. If it’s the the full six months, that would put his return around Christmas, which would be a significant chunk of the season. Though I believe Carolina is a deep enough team to weather his absence and get him back up to speed before the postseason.
There wasn’t much movement in Carolina this summer, but that’s what happens when you have all of your most important players locked down to long term, team-friendly contracts for the foreseeable future.
Pittsburgh Penguins
2025-26 Season Results: 41-25-16, 98 points; Lost first round to PHI
Notable Additions: Hendrix Lapierre, Kaedan Korczak, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Andrei Kuzmenko, Nicholas Robertson
Notable Subtractions: Anthony Mantha, Ryan Shea, Parker Wotherspoon, Noel Acciari, Stuart Skinner
Against all odds, the Penguins finished second in the Metro this past season. Entering the year, many around the NHL expected Pittsburgh to be a bottom-five team in the league. They surprised everyone by riding a shockingly good offense (290 goals, third in the league behind only the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes) and a wave of loser points (most in the Eastern Conference) to a playoff berth. They fell to their in-state rivals in the first round when the goal-scoring dried up, but it was still a wildly successful season for the Pens when taking preseason expectations into account.
Perhaps their most notable bit of business over the offseason was inking franchise legend Evgeni Malkin to a one-year extension, keeping him in Pittsburgh for at least one more season. They also made trades for intriguing youngsters such as Hendrix Lapierre, Nicholas Robertson (still an RFA as of this writing), and Kaedan Korczak. Meanwhile in free agency, they brought in Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor van Riemsdyk. As far as subtractions, they lost Ryan Shea, Noel Acciari, and Stuart Skinner to free agency, and they shipped Parker Wotherspoon to the Vegas Golden Knights in the trade that brought Korczak to Pittsburgh. Anthony Mantha, who shocked everyone with 33 goals and 64 points last season, remains unsigned right now, so he could theoretically slot into the notable addition OR notable subtraction category.
Pittsburgh did a lot of shuffling at the margins of their lineup. And while I’m not sure their offense will be as potent as it was last year, they might still have enough in the tank to compete for a playoff spot again. They also have a lot of cap space with which to make even more moves if they so choose.
Philadelphia Flyers
2025-26 Season Results: 43-27-12, 98 points; Lost second round to CAR
Notable Additions: Joseph Woll, Simon Benoit, Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, Jack Studnicka
Philadelphia was another surprise playoff team this past season. While I don’t think most people thought they would be as bad as the Penguins, there weren’t many that thought they would finish where they did. And not only did the Flyers surprise a lot of people by making the playoffs, they even won a round while they were there! Although it was against a potentially fugazi Pittsburgh team, and the Flyers promptly came crashing back down to Earth in a second-round sweep at the hands of the Hurricanes. Still, it was a wildly successful season for them.
By far the most notable move of the Flyers’ offseason is one that didn’t actually work out: their signing of Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $18M AAV offer sheet. It was a bold move by a team that so desperately needs high-end talent. Philadelphia has done a good job filling out their roster with solid support pieces and depth players. But the most important part of any team, the game-breakers at the top, is not something that the Flyers currently possess. Their offer sheet to Carlsson was aimed at fixing that, even if it was a gross overpayment. Anaheim recently matched the offer sheet though, so Philadelphia will have to hunt for their franchise center somewhere else.
Aside from the Carlsson saga, Phildelphia added Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the offseason, and they signed Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, and Jack Studnicka in free agency. In addition to trading for Woll, the Flyers also addressed their goaltending by signing team MVP Dan Vladar to a five-year, $5.5M AAV extension. Vladar almost singlehandedly carried the Flyers to a playoff spot with his play post-Olympics, and Danny Briere rewarded him with a long-term deal. They also inked Tyson Foerster to a major eight-year, $7.1M AAV to an extension as well.
As far as major subtractions go, Garnet Hathaway was the only notable loss, going to the Florida Panthers in a trade. Other than that, Phildelphia will be rolling with much of the same lineup that got them to the second round this past season.
Washington Capitals
2025-26 Season Results: 43-30-9, 95 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, Vincent Desharnais, Boone Jenner, Justin Holl
Notable Subtractions: Connor McMichael, Brandon Duhaime, John Carlson
Now we get to the team that had, in my opinion, the most impactful offseason among Metropolitan teams.
The Washington Capitals were the top team in the Eastern Conference two seasons ago. They lost in the second round to Carolina, but things were looking up. Then this season, regression to the mean bit them hard, as they posted 95 points and missed the postseason altogether. 95 points is obviously not a bad season, but it was a far cry from their magical 2024-25 and obviously not good enough in a competitive Eastern Conference.
Since their Stanley Cup season of 2017-18, their core has either aged out (Nicklas Backstrom, Braden Holtby) or is about to get there (Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson). To stay competitive, Washington has tried to retool on the fly. This has resulted in them acquiring players such as Jacob Chychrun, Dylan Strome, and Logan Thompson in recent years. And this summer, they took some pretty big swings again. It started with a trade with the St. Louis Blues for star winger Jordan Kyrou. Washington had to send out talented youngster Connor McMichael in the deal (as well as a first round pick), but Kyrou is a strong player who should be worth that price. The very next day, The Caps were at it again, swinging a sign-and-trade for Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres. Instead of getting to unrestricted free agency, Tuch agreed to an eight-year, $10.5M AAV deal as part of the transaction. The biggest fish on the free agent market never actually got to free agency, landing instead in our nation’s capital.
Then in free agency, Washington signed former Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner, as well as Vincent Desharnais and Justin Holl. While certainly not on the level of players like Kyrou and Tuch, these moves should theoretically solidify the Captials’ depth.
As far as subtractions go, we already mentioned McMichael. He’s the biggest piece that walked out the door this summer. Aside from him, Brandon Duhaime left in free agency, and even though he was already gone by the time the summer rolled around, it’s worth mentioning that long-time franchise staple John Carlson is no longer a Capital, having been traded at the deadline and signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning this offseason. It’s also worth mentioning that Rasmus Sandin underwent surgery for a torn ACL in late-April. You may recall that the Devils’ own Johnny Kovacevic went down an eerily similar path recently, getting surgery to repair a major knee injury in late April of 2025. Kovacevic was not able to return until mid-January of 2026, so one would expect Sandin to miss roughly the same amount of time himself.
Columbus Blue Jackets
2025-26 Season Results: 40-30-12, 92 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Valeri Nichushkin, Ryan Lomberg, Phoenix Copley
It’s been two seasons in a row now of Columbus just missing the playoffs. Two years ago, they made an inspiring run at it in the face of unspeakable tragedy when we lost Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in the summer of 2024. Then this past season, they once again came close but eventually fell short, thanks to a major collapse to finish the campaign (2-8-1 over their final 11 games). It’s been tough sledding for the Blue Jackets to get back to contender status, and they suffered through a tumultuous offseason this summer.
Much like the Flyers, the most notable “move” they made was one they didn’t make. Reigning Norris trophy winner and franchise icon Zach Werenski has been at the center of tons of drama this offseason. Reports surfaced that he wanted a trade. Then reports surfaced that Columbus had a deal in place with the Dallas Stars that would’ve sent Werenski there in exchange for Thomas Harley, only for Werenski to veto the move thanks to his no-move clause. Then after all that, both Werenski and the Blue Jackets released statements establishing Werenski’s commitment to the Blue Jackets and that he wants to stay in Ohio.
Very normal stuff.
Meanwhile, Kirill Marchenko’s future is up in the air as well. The 25-year-old winger has one year left on his deal before reaching RFA status, and he has indicated that he does not have interest in re-signing long term in Columbus once his deal is up. So now the Jackets have to figure out what to do with him too.
As far as actual additions go, the Blue Jackets’ biggest move was trading for Val Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche. He’s not what he once was, and he comes with significant character concerns, but on the ice, Nichushkin should be able to help their middle six. They also brought in Ryan Lomberg and Phoenix Copley in free agency.
And as if the looming clouds of Werenski and Marchenko leaving weren’t enough, the Blue Jackets lost their captain, Boone Jenner, to Washington in free agency. They also watched Mason Marchment and Danton Heinen walk out the door, two wingers of varying effectiveness (although Heinen is still a free agent so Columbus does have the chance to bring him back if they want to).
Now, you might have noticed that the Jackets have a boatload of cap space. Just over $23M to be exact. But keep in mind, that’s a bit misleading, as Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger are RFAs that need new deals. Sillinger won’t break the bank, but Fantilli will cost a healthy amount. The former third overall pick hasn’t fully lived up to his pre-draft hype yet, but this is still a player with a 30-goal season and two 50-plus point campaigns under his belt. With the prices being thrown at many other players this offseason, Fantilli could easily command eight figures as a very young RFA. So expect that $23M in cap space to dry up in a hurry.
New York Islanders
2025-26 Season Results: 43-34-15, 91 points; Missed postseason
Yet another year where the New York Islanders could not buy a goal despite playing strong defense (although, really, it’s more accurate to say it was strong goaltending). They were top-five in the league in fewest goals against (236), but 25th in the league in goals scored (229). Despite a dazzling rookie season from first overall pick Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders suffered through a middling season and missed out on the playoffs.
It was a relatively quiet offseason as far as bringing in new players. Matias Maccelli is an interesting bet that could help their middle six. And old pal Vitek Vanecek provides goaltending depth behind starter Ilya Sorokin. But that’s about it for major acquisitions.
Taking a look at their subtractions, Columbus wasn’t the only team in the division that saw their longtime captain leave this offseason. A staple on Long Island for years now, Anders Lee signed a three-year deal with the Utah Mammoth in free agency. For the first time in a career that started in 2012-13, Lee will wear another team’s sweater this season. Aside from Lee, David Rittich is gone as well, leaving for the Devils on a one-year contract.
New York Rangers
2025-26 Season Results: 34-39-9, 77 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Pavel Dorofeyev, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, Joe Veleno, Joonas Korpisalo, Alberts Smits
Notable Subtractions: Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Quick, Brett Berard, Adam Edstrom, Will Borgen
The New York Rangers had a very similar offseason to the Washington Capitals. It was a transformative one that saw the team make a couple of big moves. And it was also a season where the team had to say goodbye to a franchise staple at the trade deadline.
The biggest move by far for New York this offseason was the trade for Vegas’ Pavel Dorofeyev. The deal that the Rangers got the 37-goal scorer to agree to came in at seven years, $11M AAV. It is an open question if he can produce the kind of goal-scoring numbers he put up in Vegas without elite playmakers such as Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. But the Rangers, who are starved for players who can turn the red light on, needed to act, and Dorofeyev was one of the top options on the market. If Dorofeyev can prove he’s not totally reliant on elite linemates to do the heavy lifting for him, this will be a great deal for New York.
Elsewhere, the Rangers also sent a first round pick to the Vancouver Canucks for Marcus Pettersson, traded Vincent Trocheck to Utah for Sean Durzi, acquired Joonas Korpisalo from Boston, and signed Oliver Bjorkstrand and Joe Veleno in free agency. The Rangers had some major holes to fill in the middle of their lineup, and they acquired a lot of players that they hope can fill those holes.
Finally, the Rangers are the only team in the division that drafted high enough this summer to actually land a player that might contribute in 2026-27. With the fifth overall pick, New York selected Latvian defenseman Alberts Smits. He’s a big, toolsy blueliner who might be NHL ready this year, though even if he is, how well he’ll fare in the league as a teenager is anyone’s guess.
The major subtractions have to start with Artemi Panarin, who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings at the deadline. Panarin is inarguably one of the best free agent signings of the salary cap era, and while his production and play driving were down this season in New York, his on-ice value will certainly be missed. Also gone is Trocheck, as mentioned. He was another aging player that was losing effectiveness, but he was still a steady middle six center that New York has to replace. Jonathan Quick is also gone as the backup to Igor Shesterkin, with Korpisalo taking his place.
There were a ton of moving parts in Manhattan this offseason. Whether the Rangers got demonstrably better as a result of all those moves remains to be seen.
Taking a look at all the moves that each Metropolitan Division team made this offseason, this is how I’d rank the Metro as things stand right now:
Tier 1: Hurricanes
Tier 2: Devils, Capitals
Tier 3: Islanders, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, Blue Jackets
I don’t think anyone would argue that Carolina remains the class of the division, and they should have a great chance at repeating at Cup winners. Below them, I think I would slot the Devils in the next tier with the Capitals. While I do think that Washington would be better served in the long run by tearing it all down, I can understand not wanting to do that while Ovechkin remains on the roster. Not to mention that they seem to think they can get back to contender status with this retool on the fly approach with or without Ovechkin. Selling futures for players like Kyrou and Tuch will help them greatly over the next two to three seasons. However, I am predicting that, right around the close of the decade, the constant acquisition of effective but aging players will catch up with the Capitals, and they will plummet down to the bottom of the standings with very little postseason success to show for it. They will be a very competitive team and a likely playoff squad in the short term though, so for 2026-27, I have them right behind Carolina.
Then the rest of the division comes in below that. I debated putting the Flyers in Tier 2 with the Devils and Caps, but I think Dan Vladar’s hot streak covered up a lot of holes this team has. While I do genuinely believe they’ve built some very strong depth, the Flyers sorely lack the star power that any contender needs. The Leo Carlsson offer sheet was a valiant attempt, but it didn’t work out for them. They still have plenty of cap space to work with, but until they actually land that game-breaking talent, they will be relying on Vladar to do a lot of the heavy lifting for them, and I’m not so sure he’s the wisest bet long term.
I think the Penguins also benefitted from a great deal of good luck in 2025-26, and they’re due for a step back. The Islanders should be roughly the same, the Blue Jackets might be a little bit better but not by much, and the Rangers should be improved, but they were one of the worst teams in the league last year so even improving as much as they theoretically did should only get them to middle of the pack status.
As for the Devils, I have written recently that while I don’t think new GM Sunny Mehta has done much to raise the ceiling of this team in the short term, he has done a good amount to raise the floor. He’s gotten rid of some negative value contracts in Jacob Markstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov, not to mention getting strong value for Simon Nemec instead of signing him to a deal that, in my opinion, Nemec will not live up to. He also filled out the depth by landing Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist in the Markstrom deal with Florida. And even though the Barrett Hayton offer sheet didn’t work, I still have a degree of confidence that the team as currently constructed has enough depth to get the offense back on track. The goaltending is a bit of a concern, but if the Devils really do decide to roll with three goaltenders this season, I do think they can squeeze enough solid play out of Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich to get them to the postseason.
Keep in mind, the Devils went a disgraceful 7-17-2 against the Metropolitan this past season. If they want any shot at getting back to the playoffs, they need to greatly improve their play against divisional foes. So keeping tabs on what the other teams in the Metro have been up to this offseason is of utmost importance, and it’s worth seeing how well the Devils will match up with them with the changes they’ve made.
The major caveat to all this, of course, is that things can still change before next season begins. As things stand now, I think New Jersey should be right in the mix for second or third in the division, but it’s possible other teams make moves that propel them into Tier 2 alongside New Jersey and Washington. Or perhaps New Jersey makes a move or two themselves that helps to separate them from the pack a little bit. We usually don’t see many moves in July or August, but maybe we are entering a new era of year-round transactions being a thing.
Your Take
What do you make of the Metropolitan Division as things currently stand? Aside from Carolina, who do you see as the biggest threat? Do you agree that New Jersey is right there with Washington in the second tier? If not, how would you tier things out? As always, thanks for reading!
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 24: Jack Brenner #2 talks with Tervell Johnson #89 in the dugout during the 2026 Draft Combine at Chase Field on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With their 7th round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Wisconsin prep catcher Jack Brenner. Brenner is a sleeper catcher with a promising bat for the position and a chance to develop further as a cold weather prep.
Bio
Name: Jack Brenner
Position: Catcher
Hometown: Fond du Lac, WI (Fond du Lac HS)
School: Oklahoma
Height: 6’0
Weight: 180
Bats/Throws: R/R
Rankings
Baseball America: 209
Perfect Game: 169
Pipeline: NR
ESPN: 158
Overslot: 144
My Own: 222
Consensus: 199
Hit 55
Brenner is most known for his feel for contact. He’s the type of player who will take plenty of walks and not swing and miss often. It’s definitely an advanced approach for a player this young. Brenner was in the 98th percentile of contact rate last summer on the showcase circuit over 53 plate appearances where he slashed .439/.516/.707.
Power 45
Brenner will need to both grow into a little bit more power, and potentially make some adjustments with his approach in order to incorporate more power in his game. He has a chance to grow into average raw power, but it would likely play down without some changes to the contact oriented approach.
Speed 50
The speed is presently above average, though figures to slow down a bit as he fills out – especially if he sticks behind the plate. Still this is a very athletic player for a catcher.
Glove 50
He’s still a work in progress as a catcher, but that is in part due to the fact he hasn’t played a ton of catcher yet. He’s played all over, including a significant amount of time at shortstop. The feel for his receiving and blocking skills are a positive starting point for him, but it will take refinement to be a solid big league catcher. If catcher doesn’t work out he’s got a chance to be a versatile utility player with the athleticism and arm to handle a number of different positions.
Arm 55
It’s a strong arm that has produced sub-2.0 second pop times and would also be more than enough for other positions.
Overall Thoughts
This is a strong pick. Brenner has excellent contact ability, room to add some power, athleticism, and a real chance to stick at catcher. He is likely years away, especially if his future is behind the dish, but he will have the ceiling of being a big league starter. It’s tough to say where he would start his pro career, as he has the advanced bat to handle Augusta – but there is a chance he gets sent to the FCL in order to continue refining the defense as well.
COVERS INTEL: Christopher 
Jordan Walker to win
Willson Contreras to win
Jac Caglianone to reach the final round
