SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 6: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors battle for position on MARCH 6, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s starting to look like the Jonathan Kuminga saga could drag out into the summer, even though that’s not what anyone had hoped for. Things have been trending in that direction for a while, despite Kuminga’s roller-coaster season with the Golden State Warriors, and now it really looks like they might end up that way.
Kuminga, after a long stalemate of an offense, returned to the Warriors on a 1+1, and it seemed there was an unspoken agreement that he would be dealt at the deadline. But then he was in the starting lineup on opening day, and thrived, and it briefly looked as though he would return to being a core part of the team going forward.
That didn’t last long. Kuminga was removed from the starting lineup and, eventually, the rotation altogether. When he became trade eligible on January 15, he asked for a trade, and it seemed the writing was on the wall.
Not so fast. The Warriors, while clearly trying to trade the fifth-year wing, poured some cold water on the idea when Mike Dunleavy Jr. pointed out that there needs to be an interested party with a compelling offer in order for a trade to occur. And all the rumors and reports have suggested that no such offer has taken place.
Which brings us to the star of the hour: Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Warriors are trying with all their might to trade for the two-time MVP, and all of their chips are on the table. Kuminga would almost certainly be involved in any deal for the superstar: his contract could be paired with Draymond Green’s to match salary, or, if the Dubs use Jimmy Butler III to match salary, Kuminga could be added on top to allow Milwaukee to offload a contract.
Golden State has put all of their eggs in the Giannis basket and, as such, they’re unlikely to entertain any other trades until the Antetokounmpo situation is fully resolved (there wasn’t even a hint that they were in on Anthony Davis, for instance, and he was just traded for peanuts).
That puts Kuminga in a funny situation. The Warriors are Giannis or bust, and so, it seems, is Kuminga. Appearing on an episode of Run it Back, The Athletic’s Sam Amick noted that the Sacramento Kings still had interest in Kuminga before the Antetokounmpo rumors heated up, but, “if Giannis doesn’t get traded, I think the Warriors hold him.”
A Jonathan Kuminga trade is dependent on Giannis, says Sam Amick 👀
It would potentially be a little awkward if Kuminga rides out the season on the Warriors. But, with Butler’s injury, he’ll have a big role on the Dubs or the rest of the year, if he can get and stay healthy. And if he plays well, the Warriors can opt into his contract for next season, and then make another run at trading him over the summer … maybe even revisiting an Antetokounmpo deal.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: Michael Fulmer #51 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during photo day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 18, 2025 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
He had missed all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery and last season for the Red Sox and Cubs he threw a combined 5.2 innings. Previously, he’d thrown 674 innings across three teams and seven MLB seasons with a 3.94 ERA (4.00 FIP), 7.7 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, and 1.0 HR/9. More importantly, he was AL Rookie of the Year in 2016 for Detroit and an All-Star the following season, in both seasons as a starting pitcher.
In his first three major league seasons, he made 75 starts and went 24-31 with a 3.81 ERA. His 8.2 fWAR over this stretch made him as valuable as David Price, Marcus Stroman, and Kevin Gausman.
He had knee surgery at the end of 2018 and missed all of 2019. When he came back, he wasn’t the same starter and was converted into a reliever and did very well there. He features a 94 mph fastball and a sweeper, so you can see how he vaguely fits into the mold the Giants have made for their relief corps. And 2026 being his second year removed from Tommy John is typically when the benefit of that procedure bears fruit, so, the Giants have added another high upside lottery ticket to their lottery bullpen.
Bericoto has some of the best power in the system […]
While Bericoto is a bat-first player, he’s no slouch with the glove. He’s perfectly competent at first base, and I’d go so far as to call him decent in the outfield. He doesn’t need to light the world on fire in the batter’s box to be a valuable Major Leaguer … if he can hit above league average, he can help the Giants, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he finds his way onto the big league roster sometime this summer.
Davidson offers one of the best combinations of raw power and speed among Giants farmhands, grading as plus in both categories. He won’t fully tap into his pop until he starts turning on more pitches and lifting them more frequently, but he has the bat speed and strength to hit 20 or more homers per season. He could be one of the best pure hitters in the system, as he has a sound left-handed swing and a fairly disciplined approach that allowed him to handle southpaws and all types of pitches in Single-A despite his inexperience.
Jared Oliva
Oliva had been signed to a minor league deal on January 12, and the 30-year old outfielder has a .755 OPS in 8 minor league seasons to go with 225 stolen bases. He’s had just 59 major league plate appearances (all for the Pirates), but the most recent were in 2021. In each of the last four seasons, he’s spent the full minor league season in Triple-A for the Pirates, then the Angels, then the Mariners, and last year with the Brewers.
Infielders
Osleivis Basabe
Basabe slashed .249/.309/.412 for Triple-A Sacramento last season and might provide another option if Christian Koss fails to hold on to hearts and minds or Casey Schmitt isn’t quite ready to go or Tyler Fitzgerald has fully turned back into a pumpkin.
Nate Furman
He was the player to be named later in the Alex Cobb trade of 2024. To quote me from my writeup of that transaction:
He’s 5’8”, bats left-handed, and has played second, third, and shortstop across his two minor league seasons. […] If the power really was coming along before [a] shoulder injury, you could imagine a ceiling of a left-handed version of Tyler Fitzgerald — that delicious power-speed combo. Although, don’t sleep on 91 walks and 93 strikeouts in his brief MiLB career (158 games, 666 PA).
Furman played four levels of Giants minor league ball in 2025 and slashed .369/.493/.601 across Rookie ball, A-ball, High-A, and Double-A. He spent the bulk of his time at High-A Eugene and posted a 1.139 OPS in 96 PA. He had a .970 OPS in the 39 PAs following his promotion to Double-A.
Buddy Kennedy
The Giants signed him to a minor league deal on December 15th. He has an .816 OPS in 8 MiLB seasons (3,004 PA) and a .545 OPS in 181 career MLB PA. Like Basabe and Furman, he can play multiple positions on the infield, but especially second base.
Parks Harber
Acquired from the Yankees in the Camilo Doval trade, he’s a corner guy (first and third bases) who can also play a little outfield (right field, specifically). The 23-year old right-hander lit up the Arizona Fall League with a line of .383/.513/.683 in 76 PA and even participated in the Home Run Derby:
Jake Holton
The Giants picked up this 27-year old first baseman on a minor league deal back in December. The former Tigers farmhand has a career .806 OPS in six minor league seasons and spent the last three full seasons playing all year for Detroit’s Double-A team. He has 69 career MiLB home runs.
The veteran backstop signed a deal back in January that could be worth at least $1.6 million (there are also incentives) if he makes the roster. His highwater mark was back in 2021 when he hit 22 home runs for the Tigers.
Logan Porter
He makes it onto the non-roster invite list for the second season in a row. This, despite Porter getting into five games for the Giants last season. He’s best known for his OBP. He had a .346 OBP in 286 PA with Sacramento.
Bednar has been rising in the CPL: last year he came in at No. 42, and the year before, he went unranked. But three years ago he was ranked No. 25, and in his CPL debut he was all the way up at No. 8.
[…]
Bednar will need to keep making strides in the walk department if he wants to follow in his brother David’s footsteps and become a high-quality MLB reliever. But he certainly did a fantastic job using 2025 to remake his game, and show off new electricity, as he added a few extra MPHs to his pitches, and flirted with triple digits. The strikeout stuff really was remarkable: his 14.49 strikeouts per nine innings ranked eighth out of the 1,383 Minor League pitchers who threw at least 50 innings last year (and if you remove his AAA stint, his 14.92 mark would have ranked third). There’s the makings of not just an MLB pitcher in there, but a very good one.
2025 was a tale of two stories for Harris. It was just his second full season of Minor League Baseball, as he joined the organization in the summer of 2023 as an undrafted free agent (remarkably, the Giants have three UDFAs in their top 30). Harris, who is 6’2 and well built, began the year with AA Richmond, where he was utterly dynamic. He posted a 1.69 ERA and a 1.73 FIP in 13 relief appearances, while striking out 25 batters in just 16 innings … and only walking four. Everything was going brilliantly, and he received an early promotion to AAA Sacramento.
That’s where the struggles began,
RHP Caleb Kilian
The 28-year old signed a minor league deal with the Giants back in December. In three seasons with the Cubs, he threw 27.1 innings, struck out 21, walked 20, and allowed just 2 home runs. He’s another fastball-sweeper combo reliever, but the Statcast numbers suggests he needs a little more velo and a lot more spin to make it an effective combo.
LHP Nick Margevicius
The Giants signed the 29-year old to a minor league deal at the end of December in a move I thought was strange. Bizarre. Dissatisfying. In 2019, this dude was front of mind as he handcuffed the Giants as a Padre, allowing just a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings. But his soft-tossing lefty ways only worked on that one team for that one season, because he hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2021.
RHP Wilkin Ramos
The Giants signed him to a minor league deal back in November and he spent all of 2025 in Pittsburgh’s minor league system, dominating at Double-A and struggling in Triple-A. He’s a sinker-slider reliever with perhaps below average spin on the latter type. This post makes a case that he keeps getting work because of his pitch shapes.
LHP Juan Sanchez
Now that he’s in his Tommy John recovery, the Giants will be very excited to get a look at this 25-year old long-time farmhand to see if his electric stuff from the left side of the plate can translate against minor league competition.
RHP Gregory Santos
The prodigal reliever returns? After a breakout 2023 with the White Sox (66.1 IP, 2.65 FIP) he struggled the past two seasons with the Mariners mainly due to injury (14.1 IP, 4.41 FIP).
The only other surprise for me was an omission. I was almost certain the Giants would’ve added left-handed reliever Matt Cronin, who is a free agent and did play for Tony Vitello at Arkansas.
The list also reflects the state of the Giants’ farm system. Bryce Eldridge is now on the 40-man roster and after him, the talent pool isn’t even ready to make the jump to Spring Training invites. Maybe next spring for some of the talent way, way down on the farm.
This year’s group is one less than last year’s group and we saw a decent bunch of them make it to the big league team in 2025, so, get familiar with some of these names!
Former San Jose Sharks forward Thomas Bordeleau has a new home.
The St. Louis Blues have acquired Bordeleau and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for veteran forward Nick Bjugstad.
The Sharks traded Bordeleau to the Devils during this past off-season in exchange for forward Shane Bowers. Now, he is heading to the Blues organization with this latest move.
Bordeleau spent the entirety of his tenure with the Devils organization down in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Comets. In 35 games with Utica this season before being traded to the Blues, the 24-year-old forward recorded two goals, six assists, and eight points.
Bordeleau was selected by the Sharks with the 38th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 44 games over four seasons with the Sharks, he recorded six goals, 12 assists, and 18 points.
TRADE ALERT! We’ve acquired Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional 4th-round pick from New Jersey in exchange for Nick Bjugstad. #stlblues
The Winnipeg Jets were not in the running to acquire New York Rangers superstar Artemi Panarin, but his trade to the Los Angeles Kings could make life even more difficult for Winnipeg as the playoff race tightens.
The Kings acquired Panarin in exchange for prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, immediately bolstering a Western Conference contender. If the Kings win a playoff round this year, the third-round pick becomes a second-round and if they win two playoff rounds, they will also receive a fourth-round pick in 2028.
New York will be retaining 50 per cent of Panarin's contract for the remainder of this season and the Kings have also agreed on a two-year extension with Panarin, that is believed to carry a cap hit of $11 million per season.
The deal sends Panarin, 34, to a team that will now be a major threat in the West, adding elite scoring and veteran leadership to a roster already built to compete. Panarin has 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games this season, putting him on pace for 86 points over 78 games.
This marks the ninth consecutive season he has averaged over a point per game. Since 2019–20, he ranks among the league’s top six scorers with 205 goals and 402 assists for 607 points in 482 games.
The Rangers are adding an exciting young talent in 20-year-old forward Liam Greentree, a first-round pick at 26th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, who is expected to develop further in the juniors before making his NHL debut.
The Oshawa, Ontario native likely won't join the New York till next season or possibly even later. Currently captaining the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL for the past three seasons, Greentree has been a standout performer this year, recording 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in just 34 games.
For the Jets, who are fighting to climb the Western Conference standings, the trade presents another obstacle. The addition of Panarin to a Western team creates a potential matchup nightmare in the playoffs, as Winnipeg would now have to navigate a matchup in what would be the conference finals with one of the league’s most dynamic forwards.
The move increases the Jets’ margin for error and reduces their already slim odds of a deep playoff run as the Kings are also fighting for a playoff spot as they currently sit one point out of a wild card spot.
Winnipeg’s current roster features talent and potential, but acquiring a superstar like Panarin was always unrealistic given the team’s position and cap space. Still, seeing Panarin land in the Western Conference underscores the level of competition the Jets face in their quest for a playoff spot, let alone the Stanley Cup.
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: Khris Middleton #22 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 1, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It may have taken way longer than Dallas Aggies may have liked, and it may not be for very long, but Texas A&M great Khris Middleton is finally a Dallas Maverick. Middleton was involved in a deal between the Mavericks and Washington Wizards centered around Anthony Davis, and is headed back to the Lone Star State at age 34.
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/sfrQQubI5i
Middleton is in his 14th NBA season, 12 of which were spend as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. During his tenure there he was a three-time All Star, and a member of their 2021 NBA Championship squad.
During his time at A&M, he averaged more than 13 points and 5 rebounds each of his final two seasons. He was a good, but not elite, player at A&M, so it’s fair to say that going from a relatively unheralded second-round pick to a three-time All Star with $288 million in career earnings means he vastly surpassed expectations as a pro. He’s been a fantastic ambassador for A&M athletics, and it’s great to have him back in Texas. Though considering that his contract expires at the end of this season, we don’t know how long he’ll stick around.
The Detroit Red Wings will not be adding New York Rangers star winger Artemi Panarin after he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in a blockbuster deal.
The Kings acquired Panarin in exchange for prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, leaving Detroit out of the running despite reportedly being in the mix. If the Kings win a playoff round this year, the third-round pick becomes a second-round and if they win two playoff rounds, they will also receive a fourth-round pick in 2028.
New York will be retaining 50 per cent of Panarin's contract for the remainder of this season and the Kings have also agreed on a two-year extension with Panarin, that is believed to carry a cap hit of $11 million per season.
Detroit has an opening on the top line alongside captain Dylan Larkin and rising star Lucas Raymond. Panarin, 34, would have been a natural fit, providing elite scoring, playmaking, and veteran leadership to complement the young core.
Panarin is having another standout season with 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games, putting him on pace for 86 points over 78 games. This marks the ninth consecutive season he has averaged more than a point per game.
Since 2019–20, Panarin ranks among the league’s top six scorers with 205 goals and 402 assists for 607 points in 482 games, making him one of the most productive forwards in the NHL over the past four seasons.
The Rangers are adding an exciting young talent in 20-year-old forward Liam Greentree, a first-round pick at 26th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, who is expected to develop further in the juniors before making his NHL debut.
The Oshawa, Ontario native likely won't join the New York till next season or possibly even later. Currently captaining the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL for the past three seasons, Greentree has been a standout performer this year, recording 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in just 34 games.
The Red Wings’ pursuit of Panarin showed GM Steve Yzerman potentially eyeing a move to accelerate the rebuild, but in the end, they could not convince the star winger to join the Motor City.
Detroit will now continue its season without the veteran star and while missing out on Panarin is a setback, it also leaves the Red Wings with flexibility to explore other options before the trade deadline or in future seasons.
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks warms up before their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 06, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One month and three days of hell is over. Anthony Davis is no longer a Dallas Maverick.
The blockbuster trade was announced by Shams Charania, who reported that Davis will be traded to the Wizards for four players and five draft picks.
But how does this trade effect the Mavericks?
Well, let’s break it down.
Trade terms:
Mavericks receive: Khris Middleton, A.J. Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2026 OKC Thunder first round pick, 2030 top 20 protected Warriors first round pick, 3 second rounds picks
Wizards receive: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, Dante Exum, D’Angelo Russell
On the surface the trade return seems underwhelming, as the picks the Mavericks are receiving very late first-round picks, but that wasn’t the reason they made this trade. The primary motivation for this trade is to clear the books for the future with Cooper Flagg at the franchise helm. The Mavericks will free up over $70 million dollars next year, with every player outside of A.J. Johnson being on an expiring contract.
The Mavericks are also trading two other bad contracts; those being both D’angelo Russell, and Jaden Hardy.
This added flexibility is huge for the Mavericks, both in the short and long term. In the short term, these moves will allow for the Mavericks to sign both Ryan Nembhard, and Moussa Cisse to standard NBA contracts this offseason (as it did not create open roster spots for them), while also creating a $20 million rade exception.
But the biggest advantage of the trade is the long-term flexibility it affords the Mavericks, as now the team has ample room under the salary cap and extra draft picks to build around Flagg. They also gained two more draft picks in a stacked 2026 draft class, giving them even more bites at the apple. It will also allow them to tailor the roster around Flagg. With three more players on expiring deals, the Mavericks can bring in 4-5 new players during the offseason. This should allow them to focus on bringing in shooting and playmaking to supplement Flagg and avoid repeating the mistakes of last offseason.
While this may not be the team’s final move, it certainly gives the Mavericks room to be more discerning with other trade possibilities, seeing as how they no longer need to worry about large looming cap ramifications heading into next season.
With Davis gone, the remnants of Nico Harrison’s vision are well and truly buried, and a new era can begin. While the focus is certainly on the objective changes this will bring to the team, it should also help speed up the healing process and allow Mavericks fans to fully focus on the team’s 19-year-old generational talent.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Ke'Bryan Hayes #3 of the Cincinnati Reds waits for the pitch against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park on September 13, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s easy to forget, but Elly De La Cruz made 29 starts (and appeared in 32 overall games) as the 3B of the Cincinnati Reds back in his first year in the big leagues in 2023. That was in deference to Matt McLain, current 2B and resident backup SS, who made 52 starts at short that year.
Though I doubt there’s a realistic scenario that sees Elly ever need to play some 3B on the regular, he’s got the chops and the experience there. That’s some versatility from the planned starting middle-infield, with McLain also having a wealth of outfield experience from his days at UCLA, in Cape Cod League play, and even in the Arizona Fall League, too.
To their collective left is a logjam at 1B, it would appear. The way the Reds plan to un-jam those logs is, once again, through versatility. Sal Stewart, a 3B and 2B by trade prior to his 2025 call-up, will presumably rotate through all three positions (as well as DH). The recently signed Eugenio Suárez is himself a former shortstop of these very Reds, and while those days are long over, he’s been a 3B at the big league level for a decade and will presumably be fully capable of providing cover there when not at DH or 1B himself.
Then, there’s Spencer Steer, a Gold Glove finalist at 1B this past season who may well be staring at the starting LF job right now. He’ll play both of those spots often, while there’s word that the former 3B and 2B will get time at 2B, at least, to keep his bat in the lineup. Though putting him at SS for any serious time is a bridge too far, Steer profiles as the most versatile player on the roster – that is, of course, if the Reds remain committed to keeping former 3B/SS/2B Noelvi Marte as their everyday RF, something he only just began to to last August.
(Even then, it’s easy to see Marte sliding back into the infield mix in a 15 inning game with tons of other switches, or if someone gets injured unexpectedly, and the club wants him to learn more CF, too.)
There’s been some talk of seeing if TJ Friedl can get some run in LF, as that would allow Dane Myers – a platoon OF who’ll play all over the OF – to cover CF and increase the defensive quality of the overall outfield. Catcher Tyler Stephenson has played 1B in 32 games in his career, with 76 additional appearances at DH to keep his bat in the lineup against LHP. Even fringe roster guys like Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Tyler Callihan have positional versatility, with CES experienced at both corners on the infield and Callihan playing just about everywhere but short.
That’s a comical level of flexibility, really. If it were truly his goal, manager Terry Francona could go weeks of fielding lineups every single day that a) were actually feasible and b) never played the same player in the same position two days in a row, especially with the likes of Will Benson and JJ Bleday experienced at all three OF spots on top of all the rest.
Then, though, there’s Ke’Bryan Hayes. Somehow, every time I try to figure out what the Reds are actually up to, it all seems to make sense until we get to Hayes.
Hayes has over 9100 innings logged as a professional since being a 1st round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates all the way back in 2015, and all but 5.0 of those innings have come as a 3B (with those handful in a trio of late-game appearances at short back in 2022). He’s a 3B, a 3B only, and does so with glovework that may well be the best of any player in the sport despite a bat that’s been one of the worst of any regular for over two seasons running.
Hayes is the lone position player on the roster outside of backup catcher who plays nowhere else, making him something of a unicorn on a roster that’s otherwise put together specifically to highlight versatility. Hayes is also a unicorn in the sport itself as a glove-first player at a position otherwise populated by big-hitting sluggers, a glove-first player who doesn’t play the defensive positions higher up the pecking order of importance like CF or SS.
If you look at how this roster is actually put together, the one glaring thing they don’t seem to have is a classic glove-first guy who can fill in at every single infield position as a late-inning guy, as a utility knife for precisely the right scenarios and alignments. You know the archetypes – the Jose Oquendos, the Tony Phillips, the Craig Counsells, the Juan Uribes, the Ryan Freels (RIP). In Hayes, they found a guy with two of the most overriding characteristics of classic utility guys – great glove, no bat – but didn’t get a guy who, for whatever reason, has never been tasked with taking that elite defense all over the diamond to unlock the rest of his roster.
So, he’s on a versatile roster as the guy who most profiles as a player who should move around a lot, but doesn’t. Instead of being paid like a guy who’s a utility player, he’s on a long-term deal that guarantees him $36 million and makes him one of the higher-paid guys on the team. Despite all of that, he’s not just a guy that the Reds overpaid for something he’s not and ended up in this situation of mutual volition, he’s the guy the Reds went out and got specifically because this is who he is, and did so despite having a handful of better bats who also look like they should probably play 3B most days.
Perhaps there’s a renaissance with Hayes’ bat in there somewhere that I don’t see. Perhaps the Reds are, for whatever reason, simply content to get 1.6 dWAR from Hayes at 3B batting 9th most days and nothing more, all while one of Stewart, Suarez, or Steer sits on the pine those days.
The Yankees made a roster move on Wednesday, claiming outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez off waivers from the Colorado Rockies.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-handed pitcher Dom Hamel for assignment.
Fernandez, a 23-year-old corner outfielder, made his major league debut with the Rockies this past season. He appeared in 52 games overall, slashing .225/.265/.348 with four home runs, 11 RBI, and a 62 OPS+.
Hamel's stint with the Yankees didn't last very long, as the team had just claimed him off waivers from the Texas Rangers on January 27. The former Mets prospect -- who turns 27 in March -- made his major league debut with the Mets last season, pitching just 1.0 inning while allowing three hits and walking a batter, though he was not charged with an earned run.
He was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles last September and then claimed off waivers yet again, this time by the Rangers, a week later.
The Blues announced the trade that they acquired forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Bjugstad, 33, was signed by the Blues as a free agent last July when he signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract that carries a $1.75 million average annual value. He played in 35 games this season and had seven points (six goals, one assist). Bjugstad has played in 795 NHL games and the Devils will be eighth club; he has 337 points (163 goals, 174 assists).
Bordeleau, 24, was playing at Utica of the American Hockey League and will join Springfield; he has played in 35 games for the Comets this season and had eight points (two goals, six assists).
Bordeleau has experience in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks; he has played in 196 AHL games (115 points; 49 goals, 66 assists) but has also made 44 NHL with the Sharks and had 18 points (six goals, 12 assists). Bordeleau was drafted by the Sharks in the second round (38th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.
The NHL Olympic roster trade freeze was set for 2 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday and runs through 10:59 (CT) on Feb. 22.
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If Les Bleus click, the results could be spectacular against a much-altered Ireland with umpteen questions to answer
The Six Nations is kicking off on a Thursday this year to avoid a direct clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. In at least one key respect, even so, the two events are perfectly aligned: one early stumble for France or Ireland and a potentially painful descent awaits.
Despite the possibility of first‑night nerves and some Parisian drizzle it should still make for more intriguing viewing on ITV1 than the alternative of Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice on BBC One. Unless, of course, France are so far out of sight inside 40 minutes that they cannot be caught and the audience are free to switch over in good time to watch Sir Alan Sugar say: “You’re fired!”
Nov 12, 2019; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Chaim Bloom speaks during media availability at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
It is with much happiness that I say out loud that we are now only days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. That means we can now look at what St. Louis Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom was able to accomplish. What grade would you give him for his first real offseason of work?
Chaim got an early jump on the winter months by trading Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox. That was followed by convincing Willson Contreras to also waive his no-trade clause and accept a trade to Boston. He also signed free agent pitcher Dustin May to a one-year deal. Chaim also managed to find a home for Nolan Arenado as he was traded along with several briefcases of cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a low-end prospect. Finally, this week the St. Louis Cardinals only all-star last season Brendan Donovan was traded to the Seattle Mariners for 3 prospects and 2 draft picks.
While I am more interested in your take on Chaim Bloom’s many offseason moves, I’ll kick in my two cents. My grade for Chaim Bloom would be an A-. He accomplished nearly everything he said he wanted to do when the offseason began. He moved veteran players that were impeding play time for young talent along with big chunks of their large salaries and he acquired young players, some with a very high upside. Why not a perfect score? As of this moment, the St. Louis Cardinals still have JoJo Romero on their staff which isn’t a bad thing, but he’s likely a valued trade option for many teams needing a left-handed relief arm. In the press conference explaining the Brendan Donovan trade, Chaim Bloom did say that he would not be turning his phone off if other teams wanted to make additional moves so maybe that perfect A grade is still attainable.
Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or not), what is your opinion of the St. Louis Cardinals offseason moves? Would you give Chaim Bloom a high grade or is there something about the trades and acquisitions that trouble you?
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28: Cody Bradford #61 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game at Surprise Stadium on February 28, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rangers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
As things currently stand, the Texas Rangers have four spots in their Opening Day rotation filled, with Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore and Jack Leiter.
The fifth spot is a question mark currently. The Rangers no doubt hope that Cody Bradford will be healthy and ready to join the rotation at some point in May, but even if things going as well as could be hoped with Bradford, and even if everyone else stays healthy all spring, someone will have to man the fifth starter spot in the interim.
So in our Rangers Reacts Survey today, we want to know…who do you think should be the team’s fifth starter?
April 4, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte (46) throws a pitch in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
“Back in Pinstripes and on Mound, but Only for Fun.”
So read The New York Times’ headline when word got out that Andy Pettitte — winner of 240 big league games, five-time World Series champ, and the man who had started more games as a Yankee than anyone but Whitey Ford — was making his way to spring training in 2012. The 39-year-old, who had retired after the 2010 season, was the latest in a long line of legends transitioning gracefully into an elder statesman of the game. Pettitte had gamely volunteered to throw some batting practice to the current team, a role that everyone understood as more tongue-in-cheek than consequential. “I’m not looking to coach anybody or anything,” said the retiree. “If guys want to ask me questions or anything, then obviously I’ll be more than happy to talk to guys. I’m here to hang out and mess around.”
A couple of weeks later, Andy Pettitte was no longer messing around. Instead, he was putting pen to paper and signing on for his 14th season in pinstripes.
Andy Pettitte Signing Date: March 6, 2012 Contract: One year, $2.5 million
As one of the most famous Yankees in modern memory, the average fan probably already knows the story of Andrew Eugene Pettitte. But before getting to March 2012, we’ll offer an abridged refresher.
Born in Baton Rouge in 1972 and raised just outside Houston, Pettitte performed well enough at Deer Park High School to catch the eye of the Yankees, who selected him as a draft-and-follow pick in the now-defunct 22nd round of the 1990 MLB Draft. After spending another year pitching for San Jacinto College North, Pettitte signed with New York in 1991, beginning a long and deeply fruitful partnership. The southpaw rose quickly through the ranks, excelling at each level of the minor leagues until earning his promotion to the Yankees in 1995. He was effective immediately, winning 12 games and posting a 4.17 ERA in 175 innings en route to a third-place Rookie of the Year finish—and the first of 44 career playoff starts.
If 1995 was an encouraging debut for Pettitte, ’96 was his coming out party. The 24-year-old went 21-8 with a 3.87 ERA, finishing second to Pat Hentgen for the Cy Young and helping the Yankees to their first championship in nearly 20 years, a run that included one of the signature performances of his career. Fresh off a seven-run drubbing at the hands of the defending champion Braves in Game 1 of the World Series, Pettitte rebounded to outduel future Hall of Famer John Smoltz, twirling 8.1 innings of scoreless ball on the road to win a crucial Game 5 in Atlanta.
Pettitte remained a key cog in the Yankees’ rotation throughout their dynasty run, starting 276 games between 1995-2003 while maintaining a sub-4.00 ERA in an era of high-flying offense. When he became a free agent after the ‘03 season, however, the team’s front office slow-played negotiations, failing to make a formal offer during their window of exclusive negotiations with their homegrown starter. “He’s come this far,” GM Brian Cashman said matter-of-factly. “He’s going to go out and find out what his market is first. He’s going to elect free agency.”
Pettitte’s camp expressed bewilderment at the lack of momentum towards a long-term deal. He was hearing very little from owner George Steinbrenner too, which was a bit insulting with the owner not hesitating to try to woo the likes of Gary Sheffield. “They keep saying he is their No. 1 priority,” said Tom Pettitte, Andy’s father. “’We’ve been hearing that since that day we left. If 14 days goes by before you even call someone you’re interested in, you’re dragging your feet. That doesn’t seem like a whole lot of interest to me.”
Whether due to this breakdown in negotiations or an interest to return home to Texas, on December 11th Pettitte agreed to sign a three-year, $31 million deal to join the Astros. The Yankees had reportedly scrambled to make a higher offer, but by then, Pettitte had already given his word to Houston. By way of explaining his decision, in clear contrast to his view of the Yankees’ negotiations with him, the newest Astro said simply, “They really wanted me here.”
While injuries limited Pettitte in his first season in Houston, he had a monster year in 2005, posting a career-best 2.39 ERA in 33 starts while helping lead the team to their first-ever National League pennant. After a strong follow-up campaign, the veteran was once again on the open market. Upon evaluating his options—including returning to Houston and retiring—Pettitte made the decision in December 2006 to rejoin the franchise with which he’d found his greatest success, signing a one-year deal for his age-35 season with a player option for the following year. That turned into four years back in New York, a renaissance during which he secured his fifth ring in 2009 while winning the clincher in each round of the playoffs.
Following the 2010 campaign, Pettitte hung up his spikes, ostensibly content to leave baseball behind. There was even a press conference to announce his retirement in February 2011.
But the door never fully closed.
Cashman engaged Pettitte in December 2011 about a possible comeback, reportedly offering him between $10 million and $12 million. He demurred until spring training, by which point contractual commitments limited Cashman’s offer to a $2.5 million, minor-league deal. But, after spending time with the team at spring training and some encouragement from Mariano Rivera — who, upon seeing his longtime teammate in Tampa, reportedly “pinned him against a wall and implored him, ‘Let’s go!’” — Pettitte threw a secret bullpen session. The itch was back.
YES Network’s Jack Curry reported the news of the stunning un-retirement, causing a social media stir:
The Yankees have signed Andy Pettitte to a 1-year minor league deal worth $2.5 million. The team is thrilled to have 240-game winner back.
“I expect to be as good as I was,” Pettitte said when combatting concerns about his age and long layoff. “I don’t think I’m going to fail.” His GM expressed similar confidence. “I know what a healthy Andy Pettitte from the left side can do,“ said Cashman. ”We’re all in, and he’s all in.”
The other reviews on Pettitte’s return were mixed. With CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Freddy Garcia, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda, and Phil Hughes already slated for rotation spots, adding the aged Pettitte seemed likely to block the ascent of young starters in favor of what, to some extent, was an unknown quantity. As The New York Times’ Tyler Kepner wrote at the time, “grooming young starters for sustained success is tricky enough as it is. Adding another veteran, no matter how revered, could make it even harder.”
Some of Pettitte’s new teammates seemed to agree. In light of the new competition created by the franchise icon’s signing, Hughes somewhat dejectedly said, “I worry about things I can control. What’s going to happen is going to happen. It is what it is.” When asked if he thought the signing would be good for the Yankees, Pettitte’s fellow veteran Garcia said, “I don’t know. Ask the people. I don’t know. I guess.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Of course, as the old saying goes, you can never have too much pitching. Pineda would miss the whole season (and the next one) with a shoulder injury. Garcia saw his ERA balloon to 5.20 as he lost his spot in the rotation. And Pettitte himself would be limited to 12 regular-season starts after beginning the year late as he stretched out in the minor leagues and subsequently missing time with a broken fibula sustained on a Casey Kotchman comebacker. Still, when on the field, he was sharp as ever, using his pitching smarts and guile to post a 2.87 ERA that was his best mark as a Yankee.
May 13, 2012 Andy Pettitte makes his 2012 debut after coming out of retirement pic.twitter.com/2RMGTwzFMw
— NY Yankees Throwbacks (@yankeethrowback) March 1, 2023
Pettitte returned in time to make two more playoff outings, both of which were quality starts at age-40, though the team was swept out of the postseason by the Tigers in the ALCS.
Pettitte returned for one last ride in 2013, making 30 starts and ending his career once and for all with yet another homecoming, tossing a complete-game victory over the Astros in Houston in his final start. That year was about Mariano Rivera’s farewell tour, but Pettitte’s fate was unclear until he broke the news in September that he’d be walking away as well.
Pettitte’s legacy in pinstripes begins with his incredible model of consistency, both in the regular and postseason, over 15 seasons in baseball’s toughest market. But surely, too, a part of his legacy is his multiple reunions with the Yankees, first from Houston and then out of retirement. They paint a picture of a tenacious competitor who charted his own path, with love for both his home state of Texas and his adopted city of New York.
The Yankees retired Pettitte’s No. 46 in 2015, cementing that legacy among the greatest players in their franchise’s history. His 2012-13 comeback was just another fun chapter in his remarkable journey — the cherry on top.
The Philadelphia Flyers’ 4–2 win over the Washington Capitals wasn’t loud, or flashy, or emotionally overwrought, and that was precisely the point.
After a stretch where Philadelphia too often looked disconnected from its own identity, Tuesday night felt like the course correction they needed. It was the first of four meetings between the teams this season, and a notable one considering the Flyers were swept in all four matchups by Washington last year. This time, however, the game unfolded on Philadelphia’s terms.
1. The Flyers Fixed Their Start, and Everything Flowed From There.
For weeks, the Flyers’ biggest problem has been pacing and timing. Poor starts have forced them into reactive hockey that see them chasing games more than shaping them. Against Washington, that pattern was broken.
Owen Tippett’s opening goal—his 19th of the season—gave the Flyers an early boost, and their direct, fearless waves of attack on the Capitals reflected that early confidence. Philadelphia played straightforward hockey early, won races, and established inside positioning before Washington could settle.
Tippett, who now has six points (4G, 2A) in his last six games and 10 points (5G, 5A) in 15 career games against the Capitals, continues to thrive when the Flyers play decisively rather than desperately.
“We knew we needed to have a good start,” Tippett said postgame. “I think that’s what hurt us a little bit in the past… getting the first [goal], doesn’t matter who it is. It goes a long way and gets everyone going and then builds confidence, for sure.”
The key factor is that the Flyers didn’t overextend for offense after scoring. They didn’t abandon structure when Washington pushed back. Instead, they smartly layered their game—forecheck pressure supported by responsible tracking, offensive zone time paired with smart changes. It was professional hockey, and it set the tone for everything that followed.
2. Dan Vladar’s Night Was About Leadership As Much As Goaltending.
Dan Vladar was insanely sharp against Washington. But more importantly, he was commanding.
He gave the Flyers crucial stability in moments where Washington threatened to tilt the ice, and he did so with elite instincts, puck tracking, and athleticism. Rebounds were controlled, and there was an unmistakable calm to his game.
Rick Tocchet made it clear afterward that Vladar’s value goes well beyond the crease.
“He doesn’t have a letter on his jersey, but he could,” Tocchet said. “He does have one for me, in my head.”
Rick Tocchet on Dan Vladar: “He doesn’t have a letter on his jersey, but he has one to me, in my head.”
Said Vladar skated to the bench during a break and said to his teammates to not hang their heads and get it going, presumably after the Capitals tied the game up.
Tocchet pointed to Vladar’s offseason as evidence of why his voice carries weight, recounting a story where Vladar identified a weakness in his game, hired a coach to address it, and arrived at camp in top shape.
"That's being a leader," Tocchet said.
But it was an in-game moment that best captured his leadership.
“When he came on our bench [during a break in play], he said, ‘Guys, why are you holding your head down? Let’s go here,’” Tocchet said. “And I love that. It’s good to hear that. He’s been like that all year.”
Matvei Michkov (39) and Dan Vladar (80). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
3. The Offense Was Not Just Effective, But Balanced.
Philadelphia scored four goals, and none of them required the Flyers to break character.
Carl Grundstrom’s eighth of the season came from effort and positioning. Jamie Drysdale’s fourth, a power-play goal, showcased his growing confidence and leaves him tied for second among Flyers defensemen with 22 points. Rasmus Ristolainen capped the night with an empty-net goal, his first of the season and first multi-point game, extending his point streak to two games.
Travis Konecny, playing in his 700th NHL game and becoming just the 13th player in franchise history to reach that milestone with the Flyers, didn’t score, but he controlled pace and extended his point streak to four games with two assists. He now leads the team with 15 multi-point games and has 15 points (8G, 7A) in his last nine outings.
Trevor Zegras recorded his 28th assist and has points in back-to-back games. Travis Sanheim picked up his 18th assist and continues to lead Flyers defensemen with 24 points. Matvei Michkov added his 16th assist and now has six points (3G, 3A) in five career games against Washington. Even Nic Deslauriers found the scoresheet with his first assist of the season.
This wasn’t a top-heavy night. It was a functional lineup, with contributions arriving organically throughout all four of the Flyers' lines.
Travis Konecny (11) celebrates with Rasmus Ristolainen (55). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
4. The Flyers Carried Belief Through the Entire Game.
Perhaps the most encouraging part of the night wasn’t any single goal or milestone, but the absence of panic.
The Flyers have had wins this season where confidence appeared suddenly and vanished just as quickly. Against Washington, it held. When the Capitals pushed, Philadelphia didn’t retreat into survival mode. When they had a lead, they didn’t stop playing. Fundamentals—puck support, gap control, disciplined changes—stayed intact from the opening minutes through the final horn.
That’s what made this win different. It didn’t feel like a temporary spike. It felt repeatable.
“It’s a long year,” Vladar said afterwards. “It’s not easy, especially with the Olympics and you’re taking those days off, but I think everybody’s doing the best we can to just be ready.”
The Flyers obviously didn’t solve their season in one night. But they re-established a baseline built on structure, leadership, and collective responsibility. As they head toward the Olympic break, that's a valuable outcome, and one they can absolutely build on after their time off.
