SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 29: Ben Williamson #9 of the Seattle Mariners takes batting practice before the game against before the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 29, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired slick fielding third baseman Ben Williamson from the Seattle Mariners as part of a three-team deal with the St. Louis Cardinals that will generally be known as the Donovan trade:
Mariners receive: INF Brendan Donovan
Cardinals receive: RHP Jurrangelo Cijntje, CF Tai Peete, OF Colton Ledbetter and two 2026 competitive-balance Round B picks (No. 68 from Seattle, No. 72 from Tampa Bay)
Rays receive: 3B Ben Williamson
Drafted 57th overall in 2023 after what Baseball America called a “monstrous senior season” at William & Mary, Williamson rocketed up to Double-A in his first season in the Mariners season, and stayed on the fast track by picking up 295 plate appearances for Seattle in 2025, putting up a 90 wRC+ against left handed pitching and a 70 wRC+ against right before getting demoted in August.
Like many young players acquired by the Rays lately, it’s a low-whiff/high-contact/low-power approach at the plate, but Williamson’s comes with a noisy, tentative leg kick that belies a power stroke.
If he can hit to all fields it probably works fine.
Williamson has played all but 20 games in his professional career at third base, but with Junior Caminero entrenched, it stands to reason the Rays view this right handed bat as more of a utility man. Will he make the cut? The 40-man is crowded with right handed hitting options, and there wasn’t a clear need for a back-up infielder heading into this deal.
Perhaps the Rays made this deal because they were looking for a more sure handed defensive back up — but he will need to be tested at short just as much as Ryan Vilade will this Spring.
If you’re inclined to think Joey Wendle is a successful model for a major league contributor, Williamson is a good bet, but major league comparisons to Matt Duffy while Williamson was a prospect make me shudder.
If you are inclined to Joey Wendle as the comp, “PTBNL or cash” would have been the return, but some evaluators are higher on Williamson for his glove and malleable approach at the plate. RJ Anderson at CBS Sports gave a 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes projection, writing, “There are worse fates.”
The cost for the Rays is the former No. 55 overall selection OF Colten Ledbetter — who was selected two picks in front of Ben Williamson in the 2023 draft — and the No. 72 overall selection in 2026. Ledbetter is a smash and grab outfielder, swinging a quick bat and capable of stealing bases. The Rays had him positioned to allow more time for center field reps, but the Cardinals may be content to try him in the corners and let the bat play. Ledbetter put up a 112 wRC+ in the jump to Double-A.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: St. Louis Cardinals second base Brendan Donovan (33) throws to first during the MLB professional baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants on September 24, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The day after Justin Hollander and Jerry Dipoto both said at Fan Fest that the Mariners were still looking to make one impact move, they reportedly backed that up today with the most significant trade of the Mariners off-season, a three-team trade with the Rays and Cardinals that will bring long-anticipated trade target Brendan Donovan to Seattle. While we’re still waiting for the full details of the trade, which was broken by Jeff Passan, reportedly the Mariners are sending third baseman Ben Williamson to the Rays as part of it. We will update this article as more information emerges. Update: so far the trade involves the Mariners sending switch-pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfield prospect Tai Peete to St. Louis, and sending third baseman Ben Williamson to Tampa Bay. Update to the update: the Mariners are also sending a 2026 Comp B pick to St. Louis, who also received a 2026 Comp B pick from Tampa Bay, as well as outfield prospect Colton Ledbetter.
Adding Donovan solidifies an infield mix that was shaky for the Mariners after the free agency departure of Jorge Polanco, with a trio of youngsters in Cole Young, Ben Williamson, and Colt Emerson in the mix but question marks hanging over each. Williamson was the most sure thing of that crew defensively, already playing at a Gold Glove level clip; he’s now headed to Tampa Bay as part of the deal.
Donovan doesn’t come close to replacing Polanco’s power output, but he does offer a reliable presence in the lineup as a high-average player who refuses to strike out. At 29, he’s probably shown about all he will in the power department, with his peak of 14 homers coming in 2024. As a lefty swinger, Donovan will join the Mariners’ other lefty regulars Josh Naylor, J.P. Crawford, and whichever of Dominic Canzone/Luke Raley is playing RF/DHing.
Defensively, Donovan offers positional flexibility, having played major-league innings at every position except catcher and center field. He even won a Gold Glove, in the first year the committee recognized Utility players as a position. However, the bulk of his experience has come at second base, a position that is currently theoretically filled by Cole Young, with Ryan Bliss behind him. That means either Donovan will shift to third, or Cole Young or Colt Emerson will slot over there instead. Likely the Mariners will use spring training to sort out their best defensive alignment for the bats available.
In order to acquire Donovan, who is under team control for two more years, the Mariners had to send out the MLB-experienced Williamson as well as two prospects, switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfield prospect Tai Peete. Cijntje, who made it to Double-A this season, cracked MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list this year and ranks as the sixth or seventh prospect in the Mariners’ top ten, depending on the outlet. The Mariners had announced Cijntje as an NRI invite this year as a right-handed pitcher, saying he would be making right-handed starts while continuing to work on pitching left-handed in his bullpens and side work. His development will now be under the purview of the Cardinals. Cijntje will be the first first-round pick of the Jerry Dipoto era to not debut with the Mariners.
The Mariners also sent out outfielder Tai Peete, who ranks outside the top-10 most places but within the top 15 for us at LL. Peete is an uber-athletic, toolsy prospect who was drafted as an upside play in 2023, when the Mariners had three first-round picks. He’s had a slow start to his pro career, struggling to make contact, but his physical gifts are immense, and there’s still lots of upside for the 20-year-old.
Finally, for prospect analyst Max Ellingsen, I have to put in that the Mariners are also apparently sending a comp B pick in the 2026 draft to St. Louis. This pushes the deal into “ouch” territory for us, which probably means it’s fair. For poor Max, it means that the draft board he’s already building got thrown out a window somewhere in Virginia. It’s a good, deep draft, and the Mariners already won’t get to pick very high in it, so it stings to not have the extra pick – but such is the cost of doing business.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The NFL will look into New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and his association with Jeffrey Epstein after his name showed up more than 400 times in files released by the U.S. Justice Department regarding Epstein.
“Absolutely we will look at all the facts,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday. "We’ll look at the context of those and try to understand that. We’ll look at how that falls under the (league personal conduct) policy. I think we’ll take one step at a time. Let’s get the facts first.”
Tisch said last week he knew Epstein and that they “exchanged emails about adult women” and “discussed movies, philanthropy and investments.” But Tisch, 76, denied going to Epstein’s island and was never charged in the investigation.
The Winnipeg Jets are navigating a mixed bag of a season, but one clear positive within the organization has emerged in 2024 fourth round pick Kevin He.
The 19 year old winger has spent this season in the Ontario Hockey League, beginning the year with the Niagara IceDogs before being dealt to the Flint Firebirds. No matter the jersey, He has continued to elevate his game and establish himself as one of the top junior players in Canada.
This past week, He delivered a dominant two game stretch, recording three goals and three assists for six points. The performance served as another exclamation point on what has already been a stellar campaign.
Through 41 games this season, the Chinese Canadian forward has produced 22 goals and 29 assists for 51 points. He is on pace to finish with roughly 74 points in 60 games, just one point shy of his career high of 75 points set last season.
He’s rise has been fueled by a relentless forechecking game, elite speed, and impressive stickwork that consistently separates him from defenders.
Those tools have made him an intriguing and potentially exciting gem within the Jets prospect pipeline. Winnipeg has shown strong belief in his development, signing He to an entry level contract, with the possibility that he could make the jump to professional hockey as early as next season.
Beyond the numbers, He continues to break barriers in the sport. Born in Beijing, China, he developed his love for hockey by skating and rollerblading with his father before making the move to North America. He played his minor hockey in North York, Ontario, where his talent steadily grew into that of a high level junior player.
What a game for Jets prospect Kevin He (2024 4th) who finished with a five point (2G 3A) night for Flint.
When the Jets selected him in the 2024 NHL Draft, He became just the second Chinese born player ever drafted into the NHL, following New York Islanders draft pick Andong Song.
He later made history again as the first Chinese born player to sign an NHL contract. The list has since grown, with Haoxi Wang becoming the third Chinese born player drafted when he was selected 33rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
As He continues to take impactful strides both on and off the ice, he stands as a powerful example of hockey’s global growth. For Jets fans, it is an encouraging sight to know that Winnipeg is home to a historic talent whose best hockey may still be ahead of him.
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SUNDERLAND, England (AP) — Habib Diarra turned in a decisive first half performance to set Sunderland on its way to a comfortable 3-0 win over struggling Burnley in the Premier League on Monday.
The midfielder signed from Strasbourg last summer scored one and had another deflected into the net during a commanding first half, and Chemsdine Talbi completed the scoring for the Black Cats.
Sunderland’s unbeaten home run was extended to 12 games — a record for a promoted side — and the team moved above Fulham and Everton into eighth place in the table.
There was a healthy dose of fortune about Diarra’s ninth-minute opener, as his right-foot shot took a nasty deflection to wrong-foot Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. The touch was later given as an own goal by Axel Tuanzebe, making him the 12th player in Premier League history to score three own goals for three different clubs (Manchester United, Ipswich Town and Burnley).
However, there was nothing lucky about Diarra's second, which he fired from almost exactly the same position 23 minutes later. Dubravka got a hand to the fierce shot but could not stop it.
Talbi added the third after cutting in from the left and unleashing a superb shot.
Burnley did not have a shot on target and ended the night second-to-last in the table.
Scott Parker’s men have not won in 15 league games since October. The Lancashire side was seven points clear of last-placed Wolves but five behind West Ham and nine adrift of fourth-from-bottom Nottingham Forest.
It may have been a multi-year wait, but NHL fans have been treated to not one but two separate goalie fights in the last two weeks.
Former Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, now with the San Jose Sharks, squared off against Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers late last month, which was followed by the first outdoor goalie fight in NHL history on Sunday evening.
Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy and Boston's Jeremy Swayman both went at it at Raymond James Stadium during the NHL's Stadium Series matchup, marking the second goalie fight in exactly 13 days.
Before the aforementioned fight in Florida, it had been current Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot who'd taken part in the most recent goalie bout while a member of the Calgary Flames in early February 2020.
Talbot’s bout against Smith took place during the legendary Battle of Alberta between the Flames and Oilers, and on a Saturday night in front of a national audience on Hockey Night in Canada.
It was the kind of moment Talbot had dreamed of, though in hindsight he admitted he would have preferred to square off against a less physically imposing opponent than the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Smith.
"I wish I'd thought about it a little more, because seeing him standing at center ice is not the best guy you'd want to go up against; he's a big man, and it didn't go very well for me, but it was fun," Talbot said this week with a smile. "I'd always wanted to have a goalie fight, and there was nothing better than at center ice during Hockey Night in Canada."
“It’s fun to see that emotion, the spark that it gives the guys," Talbot continued. "Obviously, Bob (Bobrovsky) saw something that maybe he was frustrated with, or he just didn’t like the way that Ned came out of his net, but I love that out of them."
"I think goalies have tried since then, and the refs have gotten in the way and not let it happen, but it’s fun to let it see them let it go on.”
The Red Wings are no strangers to goaltending fights. Some of the most memorable moments from their 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup–winning seasons came from the bouts between Mike Vernon and Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy, followed just over a year later by Chris Osgood squaring off against Roy.
Talbot, who grew up idolizing Roy, also made sure never to miss a tilt between the Red Wings and Avalanche during the heyday of their legendary on-ice rivalry.
“I’d hoped,” Talbot said of envisioning himself in a similar goalie fight. “Patrick was my favorite goalie growing up, so those series stick out in my mind. That was my childhood—to stay up late and watch those ones. I always thought those were the best series, the best fights, and obviously, the rivalry was second to none.
That was part of my childhood, and I loved it. That’s part of the reason why I always wanted to do one, just to say that I did it."
While Talbot isn't one to encourage goaltenders to challenge one another just for the sake of it, he loves to see it under the right conditions - and knows that both the players and the fans love seeing it as well.
"Under the right circumstances, I wouldn’t say to go do it for no reason, but if you have an opportunity, go for it," Talbot said. "I think the game is changing a little bit and getting away from that, but every time it happens, people seem to go nuts for it. It’s a good show for the fans, and I think the goalies enjoy it too.”
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New Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz has officially committed to playing in next month’s World Baseball Classic for Team Puerto Rico.
Assuming, that is, the country doesn’t follow through with its threat to pull out of the tournament following a wave of player withdrawals over insurance-related issues.
Edwin Díaz speaks during his introduction as a new member of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) AP
Over the last couple weeks, the biggest storyline surrounding the WBC has been the star players who announced they would be unable to participate, often because of an inability to get their MLB contracts insured against potential injury in the event.
The withdrawals had particularly decimated Team Puerto Rico, which lost Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, José Berrios, Emilio Pagan and others because of insurance problems.
On Saturday, the president of its baseball federation publicly floated the idea that the team might withdraw from the triannual tournament entirely –– even though it is scheduled to host group-stage games on its home soil next month.
But the addition of Díaz, arguably the top closer in Major League Baseball, could help alleviate those concerns.
The right-hander is a three-time All-Star with 253 career saves. He pitched to a 1.63 ERA with the New York Mets last year, before signing with the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million contract this offseason.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 15: Edwin Diaz #39 of Puerto Rico celebrates after the final out in the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic Pool D of the game against the Dominican Republic at loanDepot park on March 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Getty Images
In the most recent WBC in 2023, Díaz became an example of why insurance policies are a requirement in the event for MLB players. After closing out a win against the Dominican Republic, which clinched Puerto Rico’s spot in the quarterfinals, he tore his right patellar tendon in an on-field celebration.
That injury forced Díaz, who at the time was just months removed from signing a $102 million deal with the Mets, to miss all of the subsequent 2023 MLB season. But because his contract had been insurance, the Mets were reimbursed for his salary for the time that he missed.
According to a recent report from The Athletic, Díaz’s 2023 injury is at least part of the reason why insurance policies have proven more difficult for players to obtain in the run-up to this WBC.
However, when it came to Díaz himself –– who has made 116 appearances in his two seasons since returning from injury –– obtaining insurance again apparently didn’t prove to be an impediment.
He is back in the WBC, becoming the fifth Dodgers participant for next month’s event.
The Buffalo Sabres take on the Florida Panthers in the first of three games in four nights, but based on the line combinations at the morning skate in Sunrise, FL on Monday morning, young forward Konsta Helenius will not be in the lineup. The 2024 first round pick made a strong impression after being recalled in mid-January, scoring his first NHL goal and adding a pair of assists in a win against Nashville and another assist in a victory in Montreal.
It appears that the 19-year-old Finn may have hit the proverbial wall, as he has gone scoreless in his last four games. Helenius played only 9:54 in the 4-2 loss to the Canadiens on Saturday, and was on the ice for Cole Caufield’s third-period game-winning goal.
"I think this is just part of a young hockey player's journey. I think you can start off well, your emotions are running high and then you get into the grind of the games," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said. "Sometimes you just see the peaks and valleys. It's all part of how a young guy gets to where he wants to gets to."
Helenius has made impressive progress in his second season in North America, nearly equaling his rookie point total in half the games with AHL Rochester. The youngster is likely to be sent back to the Amerks during the Olympic break to play regularly, and his return to the Sabres this season may be unlikely, as he has only two games left before burning the first year of his entry-level contract.
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) makes a jump shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Postgame press conferences for head coach JJ Redick have begun to sound like something of a broken record.
While this could apply to multiple aspects of the Lakers as currently constructed, this time, it’s regarding their shooting. On Sunday, the Lakers had their latest stinker from beyond the arc in their loss to the Knicks, finishing 12-42 from the 3-point line with five of those makes coming from Luka Dončić.
“I thought we got good looks,” Redick said. “The defense in the first half in our zone, we played 23 possessions of it, held them to 19 points. Did enough throughout the game to play to win at the end. But, yeah, the shooting, their shooting killed us and our shooting didn’t help us.”
One of the benefits of having Luka and even this version of LeBron James is the open looks they can create. For years, the simple formula to building a contender was surrounding LeBron with four shooters, a memo that seemingly never made its way to Rob Pelinka.
Now, though, the Lakers are creating open looks. And yet, since LeBron’s return, the Lakers are shooting 33.4% on open looks, classified by NBA as the closest defender being between 4-6 feet away, which ranks in the middle of the road. On wide open 3-pointers, where the defender is further than six feet away, they are 37.4%, 10th-worst in the league.
Compare that to the Knicks, who shoot 40.8% on wide open threes (fourth in the NBA) and 35.9% on open looks (seventh) and you can see why Sunday’s game played out the way it did.
“Obviously, 3-point shooting, we couldn’t consistently make shots from the perimeter,” LeBron said. “And then extra possession. They kicked out for [threes] and knocked them down. I think that was the game right there.”
You wouldn’t fault LeBron for having that approach and mindset because, in theory, if you create open looks, they should eventually fall. Except the players on the Lakers getting those open shots aren’t shooters stuck in a slump. They’re players who aren’t shooters.
After Luka and Austin Reaves, the player with the most three-point attempts is Marcus Smart at 4.8 per contest, just one tenth of a point below his career average. He’s shooting 32.6% from range, marginally above his 32.4% career mark.
Gabe Vincent, a career 34% 3-point shooter, is shooting 37% this season, though I doubt many are clamoring for him to get more playing time. Any hope of Jarred Vanderbilt magically finding a 3-point shot is gone as his 30.3% mark this year is a tick above his career mark of 29.2%.
Jake LaRavia and Rui Hachimura are the only outliers on opposite sides. Rui has blossomed into a legit laser from range while LaRavia is having the worst season of his career from range.
Outside of that, though, these Lakers are, more or less, shooting exactly as they’d be expected to shoot based on their career. This is not an issue of the Lakers being in a slump. This is an issue of the Lakers being a team of non-shooters.
With that context in mind, many of Redick’s and LeBron’s comments ring hollow. It’s not their fault. They should believe in the team and, in theory, creating open looks is the best chance for winning.
However, this team is not one that will knock down those shots, leaving the Lakers hoping for shooting improvements that will never come.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Brendan Donovan #33 of the St. Louis Cardinals prepares to bat prior to the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
MLB Trade Rumors: St. Louis infielder Brendan Donovan is heading to the Seattle Mariners in a three way deal that, of course, features the Tampa Bay Rays as the third team, per reports.
Donovan, 29, finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2022, a year in which he also nabbed the utility player Gold Glove. A seventh round pick of the Cards in 2018 out of South Alabama, Donovan has slashed .282/.361/.411 over the past four seasons while playing all four infielder positions and the corner outfield spots, though he has primarily played second base and left field.
Donovan, who has two years of team control remaining, has been rumored to be available since the middle of the 2025 season, with the Cardinals embarking on a rebuilding program. Donovan isn’t particularly fast and doesn’t hit for much power, but he gets on base and is versatile, and so a number of teams had expressed interest.
Bob Nightengale is reporting that Seattle is parting with third baseman Ben Williamson as part of this deal. Williamson, the team’s second round pick out of William and Mary in 2023, slashed .253/.294/.310 as the Mariners’ primary third baseman until they acquired Eugenio Suarez. Williamson was sent to AAA for the final two months of the season, slashing .314/.392/.462.
UPDATE — Full deal has Seattle giving up Williamson, pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje and center field prospect Tai Peete and getting Donovan from St. Louis.
St. Louis gets Cijntje and Peete, along with Colton Ledbetter from Tampa and the Rays’ competitive balance round B pick, which is currently #72 overall, for Donovan.
The Rays get Williamson for Ledbetter and the draft pick.
The 22 year old Cijntje is a switch thrower who was drafted 15th overall in the 2024 draft out of Mississippi State. He split the 2025 season between high-A and AA, and was 7th on the Mariners list on BA.
Peete, 20, was the 30th overall pick in the 2023 out of the state of Georgia. He’s an athletic, toolsy outfielder who was 10th on the BA list.
Ledbetter, 24, was the Rays’ second round pick in 2023, also out of Mississippi State. The Rays took him two spots before the Mariners took Williamson.
Next week, the Dodgers will report to spring training to begin their pursuit of a third consecutive World Series championship.
And coming out of Saturday’s annual Fanfest event, there is more clarity on where the team stands at the dawn of a new year.
As the 2026 season approaches, here is an early look at the state of the club’s roster and how the final 26-man group might look come opening day.
Los Angels Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrates during a parade to celebrate the baseball team’s World Series win on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) AP
Battling for a spot: River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt, Landon Knack
(*could start season on injured list)
The Dodgers are going to be careful with how they handle their starting pitchers this year. But for now, most appear to be on track for opening day.
Despite throwing more than 200 innings between the regular season and playoffs a year ago, Yamamoto is already gearing up for an early start to his season, set to play for Team Japan in next month’s World Baseball Classic. Given his importance to the team’s success last year, he could have the inside track to being the opening day starter, assuming he comes through the WBC feeling good.
Beyond him, several other Dodgers pitchers appear to have handled the quick turnaround this offseason presented. Glasnow (who once again spent significant time on the injured list last year) and Sheehan (who returned midway through last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery) said they’ve felt good during their winter throwing programs. Sasaki (who will not play in the WBC) and Ohtani (who will only hit in the event) also said they are focusing on their ramp-ups for the regular season.
The biggest question at the moment is Snell, who slow-played his winter work because of lingering shoulder problems. While he said the plan is to be ready for opening day, much will depend on how he feels as he goes through the spring. If he isn’t ready for the start of the year, it could create an opening for a younger arm like Ryan, Stone or someone else –– assuming the Dodgers go with a six-man rotation.
FILE – Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, celebrates with teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) after the team defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of baseball’s World Series, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP, File) AP
Bullpen
Opening day locks: Edwin Díaz, Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol
Battling for a spot: Anthony Banda, Jack Dreyer, Ben Casparius, Justin Wrobleski, Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez
The Dodgers’ relief corps will now be anchored by Díaz, their new $69 million closer. They have left-handed options with Vesia and Scott. They are also expecting bounce-back seasons from Treinen (who had a career-worst 5.40 ERA last year) and Graterol (who missed all of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery). Brock Stewart is likely to begin the year on the injured list, recovering from his own shoulder surgery late last season.
Still, there’s much to be decided during camp. Banda and Dreyer both present options for further lefty depth. Klein and Henriquez will be trying to cement permanent MLB jobs after contributing in the playoffs last year. And Casprius and Wrobleski can serve in multi-inning swingman roles, or be potential starting candidates if there is an opening in the rotation.
Edwin Díaz speaks during his introduction as a new member of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) AP
Infield
Opening day locks: Will Smith (catcher), Freddie Freeman (first base), Tommy Edman* (second base), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Max Muncy (third base), Miguel Rojas (bench), Andy Ibáñez (bench), Dalton Rushing (backup catcher)
Battling for a spot: Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland
If not for Edman’s offseason ankle surgery, this group would largely be set. However, the possibility of him starting the season on the injured list could create opportunities for others.
If Edman isn’t ready for the start of the year, it’s likely second base could be a platoon with Rojas and either Kim or Freeland –– two young players who showed flashes of production last year, but will be battling to display more consistent offense this spring. Ibáñez, an offseason signing who is likely a roster lock since he has no minor-league options left, could also factor in at second base, while occasionally spelling Muncy at third.
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 01: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after tagging out Alejandro Kirk #30 of the Toronto Blue Jays at first to win Game Seven of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
Outfield
Opening day locks: Kyle Tucker (right field), Teoscar Hernández (left field), Andy Pages (center field), Alex Call (bench)
Battling for a spot: Ryan Ward
Tucker’s $240 million signing eliminated most of the questions here. Now, the Dodgers have three clear outfield starters, plus Call as an option off the bench.
Ward, a longtime minor-league standout who was finally placed on the 40-man roster this offseason, saw his chances of making the team plummet upon Tucker’s arrival. However, his productive left-handed bat is still an intriguing tool, making him a potential alternative in the event of any unforeseen spring training injuries.
Outfielder Kyle Tucker speaks during a news conference after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) AP
In fewer than two full seasons, Dusty May has transformed Michigan men's basketball from a languishing afterthought into a national title favorite, with the No. 2 Wolverines sitting at 20-1 only about 22 months after May inherited an 8-24 team.
In the process of doing that, he’s made at least one notable foe.
May and longtime Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo got into a back-and-forth on Monday, Feb. 2, with each coach accusing the other’s team of dirty play in Michigan’s 83-71 road win against the No. 10 Spartans three days earlier.
While speaking with reporters on Feb. 2, May was asked about a play in which Michigan State standout Jeremy Fears Jr. appeared to trip Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg, something May said “wasn't an illusion.”
"I think there were several plays that are very dangerous and I am incredibly proud of our guys for the responses they had to some of those situations,” May said. “Incredibly proud of their self-control, their restraint and their impulse control. I'll leave it at that. But they're not isolated incidents."
May added that he had not reached out to Izzo or the Michigan State staff about his concerns.
“The film’s there, 40 minutes of it,” he said. “It’s not hard to find.”
When asked later in the day about May’s comments, Izzo fired back: He took issue with what he saw as some nefarious tactics from the Wolverines, like Michigan's Will Tschetter throwing his shoulder into Michigan State's Jordan Scott on a 3-point attempt, something he described as “a complete joke.”
Izzo, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, said at least some of the heightened on-court tensions during the game came from an intense matchup between Fears and Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau. He added that “there were some things Jeremy did,” but that he addressed it.
"Him and their point guard were going at it pretty good,” Izzo said. “That's what happens in games like this, so if anybody did anything dirty, tell them to call me and I would be more than happy to address it. If it was physical play, that's the way that game is always going to be."
Tom Izzo addressed Dusty May's criticism of Michigan State’s “dirty plays.”
“I thought there were a couple plays the other way too.”
“Michigan’s over. I’m moving on to Minnesota. I don’t care what Dusty says.”
May and Izzo shared a noticeably brief handshake after the game, something Izzo downplayed when asked about it.
“Some guys I talk to," Izzo said. "I have no interest in talking to my rival.”
It’s the second time in as many seasons that the Wolverines and Spartans have gone at it in a game at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Last March, Michigan guard Phat Phat Brooks shoved Michigan State guard Tre Holloman at the midcourt logo, which Spartans seniors traditionally kiss on their way off the court of their final home game. Brooks and teammate L.J. Cason had been standing on the logo as a teammate shot free throws with 37 seconds remaining and as Holloman was about to check out of the contest. May said after the game that he wasn’t aware of the ritual.
Before Friday’s game, May leaned (literally) into the rivalry, going onto the court during pregame warmups and sitting back in a chair as Michigan State students standing closely behind him shouted at him.
The intra-state rivals are set for a rematch on March 8 at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, a game that will likely have serious NCAA tournament seeding and Big Ten Championship implications.
The Buffalo Sabres begin a stretch of three games in four nights to finish off the pre-Olympic schedule against the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Panthers have not been the same club this season, based on the loss of team captain Aleksander Barkov and winger Matthew Tkachuk, but Tkachuk has returned in advance of the games in Milano Cortina.
The contest is critical for both clubs, but more so for the Panthers, who trail Buffalo by eight points for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot. Former Panther Alex Lyon will make his third straight start, and backup Colten Ellis with be in goal for the second of back-to-back games in Tampa on Tuesday.
The Sabres made a roster move on Sunday, demoting defenseman Zac Jones and recalling winger Isak Rosen. Blueliner Jacob Bryson skated over the weekend and has been activated from injured reserve. Rosen, who has an impressive 20 goals in 28 games with AHL Rochester, has contributed at the NHL level playing higher in the lineup, with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 13 games.
Head coach Lindy Ruff provided updates on goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and center Josh Norris, and indicated both players are making progress. Luukkonen suffered a leg injury in Toronto last Tuesday and is slated to be the third goalie for Finland in Italy later this month, unless his injury prevents him. Norris suffered a rib injury against Philadelphia last month and indicated that he is close to being 100%, but with only three games this week, opting to be cautious may be the better course of action.
Sep 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan (33) hits a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
It looks like one of the most anticipated trades of the offseason is about to be complete. Multiple reports say that the St. Louis Cardinals are close to trading Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners. The St. Louis Cardinals are receiving pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje and Tai Peete, a 2023 first-round pick and Colton Ledbetter plus a competitive balance round B pick (#68 overall) from the Mariners and a competitive balance round B pick (#72 overall) from the Rays. Ben Williamson is going from the Mariners to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Seattle Mariners are nearing a deal to acquire IF/OF Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a three-way trade that also includes Tampa Bay, sources tell ESPN. A deal that had been considered for weeks would finally land Seattle a versatile impact bat.
TRADE NEWS: The St. Louis Cardinals are close to finalizing a trade to send All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners, multiple sources tell The Athletic. A third team may be involved.
The Mariners are indeed getting Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals in a three-team trade that will include third baseman Ben Williamson going to the Rays and pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje going from Seattle to St. Louis, according to a source.
This is not a shocker after a report earlier today on MLB Trade Rumors that Seattle President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto said the Mariners were “working on another addition”. We now know that Brendan Donovan was the addition he was speaking of. Now, the St. Louis Cardinals look like they’ll be acquiring one of the most interesting pitching prospects in baseball.
Tai Peete is a prospect with power and speed potential with a swing that can do damage to all fields. He also has versatility as a shortstop, second baseman, and outfielder.
Don’t sleep on Double A outfield prospect Colton Ledbetter. He has moments showing promising power.
While we’re still waiting for the St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays to make this deal official, I can’t help but think that Chaim Bloom walks away from this pleased with a 5-player haul. We all know what a great player (and person) Brendan Donovan is, but I can’t imagine the team getting more value for him than they appear to have pulled off today.
