#trade-speculation

#trade-speculation

When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Bobby McMann to a two-year extension following the 2023-24 season, it was a big bargain. McMann had just scored 15 goals in 56 games with the idea that he had much more to give. He's currently in the middle of a career year with the Maple Leafs in the second and final year of his contract, with a career-high 17 goals in 53 games to date.

Yes, the man that many Red Sox fans have been shipping out the door in imaginary trade scenarios all offseason is, according to MLB Network, the best left fielder in the game. Of course, the reason why so many fans are keen to ship him out is because of the guy that MLB has at number two on the list - not to mention a couple other guys who will end up on the center and right field lists to be published in a few days.

One moment, I'm a vat of coffee in, watching the Washington Wizards game, swearing to myself that I'm not watching another game. Trade the whole lot of 'em. THEY STINK. Then, literally days apart, there I am, holding on to my couch for dear life, scaring the shit out of my already neurotic dog, cheering wildly as the Warriors/Magic comebacks mount. I love this team! Everyone! Playoffs here we come!

GM Brad Treliving signed Stolarz to a four-year extension worth $3.75M AAV one year in advance, which in hindsight was probably a bad move. In 13 games before getting injured, the goaltender posted a terrible .884 SV% and 3.51 GAA. He looked lost in net, especially compared to his previous season where he led the NHL with a .926 SV%.

With Kovacevic back and Simon Nemec, 21, needing to play games in the eyes of Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, and Brett Pesce a bright spot on the team's blue line, Hamilton is, in the words of New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe, the odd-man out. It's not that simple, according to Hamilton's agent, J.P. Barry, who told The Athletic he views Hamilton's scratching as a calculated maneuver intended to force the 2020-21 NHL All-Star to accept a trade.

Are the Miami Marlins getting ready to move Edward Cabrera? In the immortal words of Adele, rumor has it. Or if you prefer getting your insights from a Magic 8-ball, signs point to yes. Anyway you slice it, the odds are really starting to look long that Cabrera is still a member of the Miami Marlins come Opening Day 2026.

Trae Young could be on the trade block and, if he is, the Miami Heat can't help but explore what a potential pursuit could look like. Young may not be the perfect trade target for the Heat, but he's a superstar guard who does check a lot of the boxes of what the team could be looking for in a mid-season acquisition.

The No-Movement Clause will come into play, so you have to do this together. It's not just your decision to do you, you have to go up to Auston and say 'You know, it's been a rough year and a half now'. Two years when you factor in what happened last year the injury, or the trip to Germany or whatever, it's been a tough two years.

The New York Islanders have had one heck of a resurgent season. Entering Friday night's action, the Isles are one point off the Metro Division lead. That's a huge difference over last year's frustrating season. That's nothing to sneeze at. It's been the product of several key players turning things around. For instance, Ilya Sorokin is back to his Vezina Trophy-caliber play. Anders Lee looks rejuvenated and reinvigorated. Bo Horvat, recent injury notwithstanding, is playing at career-best levels.

"He's one of the best players in baseball, is a two-time Platinum (Glove) winner,"

Perez is already under team control through the 2029 season and doesn't even become arbitration-eligible until next winter, so there is zero urgency on Miami's part to move a pitcher who looks like a cornerstone. Of course, the Marlins' stance could change if a team approached them with a truly huge trade proposal for Perez, but barring that type of Godfather offer, Perez will surely be staying put.

Nolan Arenado is a veteran third-baseman known for his very good defense (he has 10 Gold Gloves to date). He was on the Rockies from 2013-2020 before being traded to the Cardinals in 2021, where he has since remained, until very possibly this offseason. Trading for him would likely cost some minor prospects and money for the Cardinals to use in their rebuild.

I ain't saying nothing. I'm just trying to win, that's it. That's what we're going to keep doing.

Trade speculation on Lowe is an annual offseason tradition. His salaries have escalated over the course of the extension he signed in Spring Training 2019. They've remained below market value for one of the better offensive middle infielders in the sport. That surely has led to a lot of trade interest over the years, but the Rays have valued Lowe highly enough to not bite on anything they've been offered thus far.

If the Dallas Mavericks move to trade Anthony Davis, which appears to be getting more and more likely by the day, the Miami Heat could have a potential superstar target that may be worth going all-in for. And, in theory, the idea of trading for AD should be viewed as a very appealing option for the Heat. Whether or not the Mavs will pivot to shopping AD is still in question,

Landing a premiere talent, who proved to be one of the most dynamic scorers in the NBA at his peak seemed like a can't lose situation for the Clippers, especially considering the discounted price they landed him at. Beal joined the Western Conference contenders with the chance to not only prove he had plenty left in the tank, but that the Suns could be to blame for his career falling off the rails over the last few season.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote on Monday that the Diamondbacks could shop second baseman Ketel Marte before he gets to 10 years of service time and locks in full no-trade rights two weeks into next season. Under the CBA, any player with 10 years of service, the past five of which have come with one team, cannot be traded without their consent.

As a 22 year old D-man, Owen Power came into the league as one of the most promising players, especially lining up with fellow first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin. As a right and left defensive pairing, the Sabres would have one of the most exciting and promising blue lines, but four years in so far, Power doesn't loom first overall caliber.

Gold Glove defense. Abreu won the AL right field Gold Glove in 2024 and is a finalist for 2025. Back-to-back Gold Gloves isn't nothing. It's in fact a lot. For as maligned as the Red Sox defense is (largely confined to errors, the Sox rated better by other metrics) Wilyer Abreu has been an excellent fit. Right field at Fenway Park is big. It has corners. It has a bullpen. It has the Pesky Pole. It's a challenge and Abreu handles it with aplomb.

Ever since he first joined the Bruins back in 2014, David Pastrnak has gone on to be the franchise guy in Boston. He's the number one intangible, and somewhat untouchable guy for the Bruins. Pastrnak has played with the best of the best -- Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and Zdeno Chara -- but as of late, he seems to be the only real elite guy left.

Munetaka Murakami to be posted for MLB clubs this offseason (2:20) Ten teams will go into 2026 with a new manager, with eight of those jobs currently vacant (18:50) Plus, we answer your questions, including... Can the Mets get Tarik Skubal from the Tigers? (29:55) Would Pete Alonso return to the Mets if they offered $150MM over five years? (38:20)

Anders Lee has two frames of reference as he enters the final season of his seven-year, $49 million deal at age 35. The first is, the Islanders captain went through this all before and can take an objective view on how it all may play out. Secondly, he watched former teammate and longtime friend Brock Nelson go through this last season, ending with his trade to the Avalanche.

While we don't particularly enjoy thinking about the Leafs parting ways with someone who has been a joy to watch hit unsuspecting forwards as hard as possible, it might just come down to a numbers game. As The Athletic's James Mirtle wrote in a recent mailbag, the Leafs are looking for more of a puck-moving presence on the blue line and that should then result in them moving on from one of the more defensively minded defensemen.