LeBron James’ camp responds to ‘Last Dance’ documentary report
LeBron James and his camp swiftly responded to a report suggesting that he would be the subject of a “Last Dance”- style documentary as part of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported Thursday that James was in talks with ESPN about a behind-the-scenes documentary similar to the network’s “The Last Dance.” The report says James “will have a camera crew documenting his time with the Philadelphia 76ers” during the upcoming season.
Maverick Carter, James’ longtime business partner, quickly took to X to suggest that the report is false.
“We are NOT doing anything like the ‘last dance’ LeBron doesn’t even know when his last season is,” Carter wrote in a post that James reposted to his own feed.
We are NOT doing anything like the “last dance” LeBron doesn’t even know when his last season is
— Maverick Carter (@mavcarter) July 30, 2026
It should be noted that Marchand’s report suggests a James documentary would be similar in style to “The Last Dance,” but not necessarily the subject matter. That documentary was about Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls. There is no reason James could not be part of a documentary series that chronicles his Sixers tenure even if he does not retire after the 2026-27 season.
It is no secret that James’ career is winding down. He did sign a two-year contract with Philadelphia, and left a lot of money on the table to join the 76ers. An all-access ESPN documentary would certainly supplement his income, not that he really needs it.
Baker Mayfield calls out Buccaneers after failed contract talks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said Thursday that he felt “disrespected” by the team during recent failed contract negotiations.
Mayfield set a self-imposed deadline of training camp to agree to a new deal with the team as he heads into the final year of his current three-year, $100 million agreement. Ultimately, the two sides were unable to come to an agreement, and Mayfield suggested Thursday that he felt the Buccaneers had simply not offered to pay him what he think he deserves.
Though he made clear that he still loves it in Tampa and wants to stay long-term, Mayfield said Thursday that he was disappointed that the Buccaneers were, in his mind, undervaluing him through their offers.
“I’m very, very thankful for the chance they gave me, do not get me wrong on that,” Mayfield said. “But I also know what I’ve brought to this franchise leadership-wise and even play-wise. It’s been some of the best years of my career and I think it’s only going to trend upwards. Disappointing in that regard to feel disrespected a little bit. That’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it.
“I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down here. So to not have a deal done is very disappointing, but I said the deadline was the deadline, and I addressed the team to let them know I meant that.”
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield says he felt “disrespected” and “undervalued” by the contract offers he received. He believes he’s a franchise QB, says he’s going to have a big year, and that the team is going to pay for it in the end.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 30, 2026
Here’s everything Mayfield said. He was very… https://t.co/W38UH7pPPp pic.twitter.com/hq4GRZkKwU
In a separate interview with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Mayfield said he was also frustrated that the Buccaneers only offered him a two-year contract, and that they wound up being “pretty far” from offering him $50 million annually.
Baker Mayfield tells ESPN the Bucs offered him a two-year deal, which was ‘probably the most disappointing’ part. Wanted long-term commitment.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 30, 2026
Added Bucs were ‘pretty far’ from $50+M per club, which he wanted to enter.
More to come on @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/B0ydNRWG8U
Mayfield is not necessarily wrong about his value. The Jacksonville Jaguars are paying Trevor Lawrence $55 million annually, and Mayfield is more accomplished than Lawrence is. He had previously hinted that contract talks were not going well, but had still held out hope to get something done before the start of training camp.
Mayfield, 31, threw for 3,693 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season despite playing through some fairly significant injuries for much of the year. He is famous for using perceived disrespect as fuel, so a big season might be coming from him.
Josh Allen sends a blunt message on hate for new uniforms
Josh Allen doesn’t want to hear it anymore. Near the end of his conference on Wednesday, the Buffalo Bills star quarterback defended the team’s new “Nickel City” alternate uniforms amid criticism they’ve gotten since being revealed on Monday.
“Stop hating on the jerseys, guys,” the former NFL Most Valuable Player said, via Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.
The Bills have yet to announce which games they’ll wear the uniforms, but as far as Allen is concerned, he’s clearly digging the new threads.
“I enjoy them. I think it’s very symbolic of what we want to do and what we want to be,” Allen shared. “I understand people want the old jerseys and the old helmets and all that.
“But at some point, too, we are moving forward. We have to move forward and do something new — and that’s what we’re doing.”
The new kits feature an all-gray combination of pants and jersey. Completing the look is a blue helmet that comes with the iconic red charge.
According to Alec White of the Bills’ website, the “design is a tribute to the strength, grit and authenticity of Western New York’s hard-working people throughout history.”
Here is a video shared by the Bills on X, introducing the uniform.
A blue collar town that never backs down.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 27, 2026
We are the Nickel City. pic.twitter.com/nDja8yhTMW
The Bills won’t just have a new alternate uniform in 2026, as they’ll also have a new home. The team is moving into the new Highmark Stadium, located at Bills Plaza in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The only thing missing, it seems, for Allen and the Bills is the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which they will be aiming for again after going 12-5 and reaching the AFC Divisional Round last season.
Kyle Hamilton’s take on Lamar Jackson’s speed is downright scary
The 2025 NFL season wasn’t Baltimore Ravens superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson’s best, but an observation from All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton will have opposing defensive coordinators sweating bullets.
At the Ravens’ training camp at Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Wednesday, Hamilton praised the dual-threat quarterback for adjusting nicely to becoming more of a passer while hinting that Jackson has found another gear as a rusher.
“He might have gotten faster somehow,” Hamilton said of Jackson, via Clifton Brown of the Ravens’ official website.
“I don’t want to age him, but he’s turning a certain age next year. It doesn’t seem like that.”
Jackson will always be a threat whenever he tucks the ball and runs, but his evolution as a passer shouldn’t be overlooked despite his relatively mediocre 2025 season, during which he threw for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns and 7 interceptions while completing only 63.6% of his passes. He also rushed for a career-worst 349 yards and 2 touchdowns on 67 carries.
The important thing for the Ravens is that Jackson is healthy after missing games due to injuries last season. He has looked great in the early goings of the training camp, with Brown noting that the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player “threw the ball crisply all day.”
Dave Roberts had a great reaction to Edwin Diaz’s return
The sound of the trumpets in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., was music to the ears for LA manager Dave Roberts.
That meant the first appearance of closer Edwin Diaz since April after dealing with an elbow issue that needed surgery.
“It was good hearing the trumpets,” Roberts told reporters about Diaz’s return after the reigning World Series champions eked out a 4-2 victory, via SportsNet LA.
It wasn’t entirely smooth on the mound for Diaz, however, and something more sinister may have played in Roberts’ imagination before the three-time All-Star closer finally finished the job.
With the Dodgers holding a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, Diaz allowed 2 hits and 1 earned run, but that was all the Mariners could muster in their failed comeback attempt as the 32-year-old reliever notched his fifth save of the season.
The Dodgers have kept their heads above water during Diaz’s long absence, thanks in part to Tanner Scott, who was steady in his role as the team’s de facto closer over that stretch. While Diaz was out, Scott recorded 16 saves and posted a 2.65 ERA.
The Dodgers’ win improved their record to 68-40 and tied their series against the Mariners. Los Angeles can claim the series win Thursday, when they give the ball to Roki Sasaki.
Jeremiah Smith responds to possibility of staying at Ohio State longer
Jeremiah Smith has the NFL on the horizon, but he will have to get over one more season in college with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The incoming junior wide receiver can technically prolong his college career, though that doesn’t seem to be part of his plan.
“Kind of sad, but I’m going to give it everything I’ve got,” Smith said during Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday about the 2025 college football season being his last in the amateur ranks, via Eleven Warriors.
When reminded that he will have two years of eligibility remaining beyond his junior campaign, Smith respectfully hinted that he doesn’t plan to spend more than one additional season in college.
“I know, but I think it’s time for me to go,” he said.
While the NFL awaits him, Smith will have a big responsibility once again for the Buckeyes’ offense, particularly in their passing attack. Alongside Heisman Trophy finalist and quarterback Julian Sayin, Smith is expected to make big, explosive plays downfield for an Ohio State squad that is looking to bounce back from an early College Football Playoff exit last season.
In his first two seasons with Ohio State, Smith has recorded a head-turning total of 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns on 87 receptions through 29 games.
Smith can start racking up yards again on Sept. 5, when the Buckeyes open their 2026 season against the Ball State Cardinals at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Report: Anthony Davis’ issues changed Warriors’ Jimmy Butler plans
The Golden State Warriors might have won the LeBron James sweepstakes if they had pulled off a trade to acquire Anthony Davis from the Washington Wizards.
But Davis’ durability issues (and stance on contract extension) ultimately led the Warriors to abandon the idea of trading Jimmy Butler to the Wizards for Davis, according to Logan Murdock of The Ringer.
“At summer league in Las Vegas, a small contingent of Golden State’s front office pushed for that path, but AD’s injury history and desire for a new extension ultimately convinced team brass to stay put,” Murdock wrote.
Davis has all the talent to make a team a title contender, but his availability has been a constant source of headaches throughout his career. Last season, he appeared in only 20 games with the Dallas Mavericks before being dealt to the Wizards just before the trade deadline. The Wizards never had him in uniform the rest of the way because of hand and groin injuries.
Plus, even if the Warriors had pushed through with a trade for Davis, there was never any guarantee it would have persuaded James to take his talents to the Bay Area. Golden State seemingly just did not want to push so many of its chips to the center of the table for nothing more than a chance to get rewarded by James’ signature.
At the same time, Butler is also likely to miss several games in the 2026-27 season after suffering a serious knee injury in the last campaign.
With James choosing to go to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Warriors are merely left with what-ifs.
Former Heat leading scorer announces his retirement at age 32
Rook 2 is ready to hang up his sneakers.
Veteran NBA swingman Josh Richardson announced in a post to social media on Wednesday night that he is retiring from basketball. Richardson said, “I always gave my best, that’s why i can say this with no regret,” and proceeded to issue a statement of gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and fans.
You can see Richardson’s full post here.
Still only 32 years old, Richardson was a four-year player at the University of Tennessee, making two SEC All-Defensive teams and earning a First Team All-SEC selection in 2015. He then went to the Miami Heat as a second-round pick (No. 40 overall) in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Richardson quickly developed into an important player for the Heat, getting key minutes as a rookie during their 2016 Eastern Conference playoff run. By 2019, Richardson had become one of Miami’s best homegrown success stories, leading the team in scoring that year with 16.6 points per game.
Eventually, Richardson was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the deal that sent Jimmy Butler to Miami. He bounced around the league after that, playing for the 76ers, the Dallas Mavericks, the Boston Celtics, the San Antonio Spurs, and the New Orleans Pelicans before ultimately returning to the Heat as a little-used reserve for the final two seasons of his NBA career from 2023-25.
Richardson produced some highlights and some lowlights over the course of his time in the league. But he will ultimately go down as a surprise NBA success story after 10 career seasons and over $62 million in total salary.
Ex-Packers All-Pro RB reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis at age 49
A former All-Pro player for the Green Bay Packers is sharing some difficult health news this week.
Retired ex-NFL running back Ahman Green appeared this week on the “Go Long” podcast. During the episode, Green revealed that he has been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease.
Green said that he was not scared of the disease and added that he was determined to keep a positive mindset. Here is the video clip.
Ahman Green has Early Onset Parkinson’s. He looks around. He knows one domino can tip to the next, but hell no. He’s not scared.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) July 29, 2026
“My clock is going to stop ticking when I want it to stop ticking.”
Full ep: https://t.co/F5sprLFqAQ pic.twitter.com/10h9FJ0OVb
The 49-year-old Green played in the NFL from 1998-2009, spanning stints with the Packers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Houston Texans. But Green’s most productive and best-remembered years came during his time in Green Bay from 2000-06.
Green, a former Nebraska standout, was a four-time NFL Pro Bowler with the Packers and also made one All-Pro team. He posted six different seasons of 1,000 or more yards rushing, including a monstrous 2003 campaign in which Green ran for 1,883 yards (tied for 12th all-time in a single season) and 15 touchdowns.
After brief stints in the United Football League and the Canadian Football League, Green retired as a player in 2011. Still Green Bay’s all-time leading rusher, Green was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2014.
Though Green was also in the news several years back due to a troubling incident, he remains a beloved Packers great and a local fan favorite. The news of Green’s Parkinson’s diagnosis comes weeks after another great running back of the 2000s shared a very tough health update of his own too.
Angels trade a former 20-HR hitter to a division rival
The Los Angeles Angels are starting to liquidate some assets.
Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe has been traded to the Texas Rangers, the team announced on Wednesday. RHP Chase Silseth is also headed to Texas as part of the deal while the Rangers are sending 19-year-old shortstop prospect Angel Arredondo back to the Angels in return.
O’Hoppe, 26, had spent his entire MLB career with the Angels up to this point and at one point was their No. 1-ranked prospect. He peaked in the 2024 season, hitting .244 with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs through 136 games.
But O’Hoppe’s production had been cratering ever since then. That included this year where O’Hoppe had become a negative WAR player in Anaheim with a career-low .209 batting average to go along with four home runs and 23 RBIs through 75 games.
Now O’Hoppe will be headed elsewhere in the division with the Rangers. Also coming along with him is Silseth, a 26-year-old converted reliever who had gone 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA over 47 appearances out of the bullpen for the Angels this season.
The Angels themselves do have something to be excited about too with Arredondo, a righty batter who hit .310 with an .813 OPS in rookie league for the Rangers last season. But the bigger storyline here is that the Halos (under new interim GM John Mozeliak) appear to be willing to sell at this year’s trade deadline, begging the question of if this notable name will be the next one to go.
Angel Reese gets heated with Paige Bueckers during game
Angel Reese has found another former No. 1 overall pick to mix it up with.
The Atlanta Dream star Reese got heated with Dallas Wings counterpart Paige Bueckers in the middle of their game on Wednesday. During the first quarter at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, Bueckers got switched onto Reese in the post.
Reese drove down the lane on the undersized Bueckers, but Bueckers held her own and forced Reese to give up the ball. While Bueckers was whistled for a foul on the play, she was hyped at her defensive stand and starting loudly clapping in Reese’s direction.
That led to Reese approaching Bueckers and exchanging some heated words with her. Here is the video of the incident between the two.
Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese are going at itpic.twitter.com/djYWjzzX9d
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) July 30, 2026
No technical foul resulted there on either player. But it was the Wings who ended up taking a 38-32 lead over the Dream into the halftime buzzer.
Despite their heated incident on Wednesday, Reese and Bueckers are actually friends off the court. In fact, they even spent time hanging out together during WNBA All-Star Weekend last week.
Paige and Angel Reese are happy too see each other this morning at practice :) pic.twitter.com/Ysw1WHYhNx
— Symone (@Symone_Stanley) July 24, 2026
That said, Reese is no stranger to mixing it up with opponents on the court and even made the news earlier this month for a cold mid-game taunt. Meanwhile, Bueckers is herself somewhat of an instigator as well.
Taysom Hill makes major announcement about his future
The NFL’s favorite gimmick player is officially headed for greener pastures.
Veteran New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill announced in a post to X on Wednesday that he will not be returning to the team in 2026. Hill said that “I still don’t have a clear answer about what the future holds” but added that “returning to New Orleans is not in the cards.”
The former BYU standout Hill also expressed his gratitude to the Saints and their fans for all the memories of the last nine seasons. Here is his full post.
Thank you New Orleans pic.twitter.com/Q27EJAg4Xk
— Taysom Hill (@T_Hill4) July 29, 2026
Hill, who turns 36 years old next month, went undrafted in 2017. But he signed with the Saints as a UDFA later that year and ended up having a productive and unconventional career.
Playing at quarterback, tight end, and wide receiver, Hill became the ultimate Swiss army knife for the Saints offense. Over his nine seasons in New Orleans, Hill was called on in all kinds of goal-line and short-yardage packages thanks to his versatility and athleticism.
Hill ultimately produced 34 total touchdowns as a runner, 11 total touchdowns as a receiver, and 12 total touchdowns as a quarterback. He even spent time over the years returning kicks and punts for the Saints.
That said, the injuries had begun to pile up for Hill in recent seasons, compounding a natural decline in his physical skills with age. Now with training camp officially kicking off, the unsigned Hill will be deciding what comes next for him outside of New Orleans.
Yankees are being linked to a 3-time All-Star hitter
The New York Yankees are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a better backstop.
New York is among the teams to have checked in on Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported Wednesday. Heyman adds that the Yankees are also eyeing Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers and Cincinnati’s Tyler Stephenson.
Rutschman, a three-time MLB All-Star, is obviously the most intriguing of those names. Reports last week even suggested that the Orioles might be very open to the possibility of moving Rutschman as well.
A former No. 1 overall pick, Rutschman has been putting together a strong 2026 campaign for Baltimore. While he is currently on the injured list due to a wrist issue, Rutschman is hitting .251 this season with eight home runs and 47 RBIs to go along with his usual superb defense behind the plate.
Meanwhile, the Yankees’ issues at catcher are no secret. Austin Wells (hitting .161 this season) and Ali Sanchez (hitting .255 but with a subpar .656 OPS) are not quite getting the job done right now for the 61-46 Yankees.
It remains to be seen if the Orioles would actually be willing to send a key piece like Rutschman to a division rival in the Yankees. But if not, New York still has some additional targets at catcher ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Bengals star suffers concerning injury on 1st day of training camp
The first day of training camp was one to forget for the Cincinnati Bengals and 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart.
The Bengals pass rusher had to be carted off the field following a gruesome leg injury on Wednesday.
🎥 Video of Shemar Stewart’s injury:
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) July 29, 2026
Fair warning… It’s not a fun watch 😕#Bengals @WCPO pic.twitter.com/IPjcI2Qhlx
Stewart, who was a star for the Texas A&M Aggies, was selected at No. 17 overall by the Bengals in 2025. Unfortunately, he played just eight games as a rookie with 11 tackles and 1 sack as he battled various injuries throughout the season.
Still, Stewart was expected to be a big piece of the new-look defense with new coordinator Al Golden.
According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, no imaging had been done just yet, but Stewart was wearing a protective leg brace and was seen on crutches after leaving training camp.
Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer also mentioned that Stewart wasn’t able to put any weight on his leg before he was taken off on a cart.
Stewart infamously took a long time to sign his deal last season, and he was the last first-round pick to come to terms on a contract.
Now, Stewart’s sophomore season might be coming to an end already, although the Bengals are hoping for the best when it comes to the imaging.
NBA investigation involving Kawhi Leonard takes major turn
The NBA investigation regarding the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard might not come to an end anytime soon.
On Wednesday, ESPN insider Baxter Holmes revealed that this investigation could “drag” into 2027.
“The NBA investigation into whether the LA Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard could drag into 2027 if the parties don’t agree on the findings or any proposed settlement that involves punishing the team,” Holmes wrote.
Holmes adds that if the two sides can’t agree on a settlement, the case will head to a “neutral arbitrator who is jointly appointed by the NBA and the NBPA.”
The Toronto Raptors had agreed to acquire Leonard in a trade with the Clippers, but Toronto decided to put it on hold until the investigation was completed.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league didn’t pause the trade, but the Raptors did as they waited for things to be finalized. Silver also added that it is a complicated investigation and he said that it has gone on much longer than anybody thought, and he understands why there is so much frustration.
“And at the same time, we want to be able to answer to our teams and our fans and to all of you that this is comprehensive and that to the best of our ability, we’ve discerned what actually happened in this situation,” Silver said, via Baxter Holmes.
Right now, there is no end in sight, and it could be next year before something gets finalized on the investigation.
Ole Miss seeking nearly $1 million from former players
Lane Kiffin’s exit from Ole Miss to LSU is still causing a ripple effect.
Now, with weeks to go before the regular season starts, Ole Miss is suing two former players who are now at LSU. The lawsuit asks for a total of $1 million from the players due to a “breach of contract.”
“The Rebels are seeking $550,000 from former defensive end Princewill Umanmielen and $400,000 from former guard Devin Harper, plus attorneys’ fees and court costs, in a breach of contract complaint,” as reported by ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.
Ole Miss released a statement regarding the breach of contract.
“The University of Mississippi has a responsibility to enforce its contractual terms, and this position is consistent with the actions of other institutions in the current landscape of college athletics.”
Both players signed deals to return to Ole Miss before reversing course and deciding to follow Lane Kiffin to the LSU Tigers.
Umanmielen, a star pass rusher, entered the portal on January 20 but signed his deal on January 3, and Harper signed a deal with Ole Miss on January 6 before signing with LSU on January 16.
Ole Miss announces it’s filed suit for breach of contract against former players and current LSU players Devin Harper and Princewill Umanmielen. Included are these timelines. pic.twitter.com/fxNwilBk8L
— Chase Parham (@ChaseParham) July 28, 2026
According to Rivals, Umanmielen’s NIL valuation this season is at $1.5 million.
LeBron James reportedly had a $20 million offer from 1 NBA team
LeBron James ended the long decision-making process and wound up choosing the Philadelphia 76ers as his next team.
The other rumored finalists were the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. But plenty of teams had at least a discussion regarding James.
On Wednesday, ESPN insider Dave McMenamin even revealed the Los Angeles Clippers offered James $20 million on a one-year deal.
“The LA Clippers even discussed a lucrative one-season contract north of $20 million that would allow him to stay at his Brentwood, California, home, sources said,” McMenamin wrote.
He also added that the Boston Celtics “expressed interest,” although it wasn’t mentioned how far those conversations went.
The Clippers teaming up LeBron James with Kawhi Leonard would’ve been a fun sight. On the other hand, the Clippers and Toronto Raptors agreed to a deal sending Leonard back to Toronto, although it was canceled due to the ongoing Aspiration investigation.
In the end, James wasn’t worried about the money. He signed a two-year deal worth $8 million and a player option to go play with the 76ers. Rich Paul, James’ agent, also explained how the relationship with Tyrese Maxey played a factor in the decision as well.
James going to play for the other Los Angeles team would’ve been quite a story, especially after spending eight seasons with the Lakers.
Orioles considering unconventional deadline approach
The Baltimore Orioles came into Wednesday with a 52-56 record, which means their hopes of an American League Wild Card spot are shrinking.
However, it seems the Orioles are considering buying and selling at the MLB trade deadline on August 3, according to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi. The Detroit Tigers are also considering taking a similar approach.
“The Orioles are open-minded; they may have a hybrid type of Trade Deadline, buy and sell, because of the complexity of where they’re at.”
"The Orioles may have a hybrid type of Trade Deadline, buy and sell… simply because of the complexity of where they're at."
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 29, 2026
– @jonmorosi on #MLBCentral pic.twitter.com/obJlgZBqDM
Despite the sub-.500 record, Baltimore came into Wednesday just 2.5 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot, which makes them an interesting team to watch ahead of the deadline.
Reports swirled recently that catcher Adley Rutschman, the top pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, could be moved. However, Rutschman was placed on the IL recently due to left wrist inflammation, making it difficult for him to be traded in the next few days.
Jackson Holliday’s name has also surfaced in trade rumors, so there are several ways the Orioles could go at this year’s deadline. Jeff Passan also mentioned Colton Cowser as a player who could be moved, so only time will tell what the Orioles decide to do going into the trade deadline.
Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal interest gets new update amid Shohei Ohtani concerns
The Los Angeles Dodgers might really be landing Detroit Tigers star Tarik Skubal at this year’s trade deadline.
On Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani and manager Dave Roberts said the two-way star is dealing with a biceps issue as well as a sore knee. He hasn’t pitched since July 3, and there is now no timetable for Ohtani’s return to the mound.
Ohtani threw a bullpen recently in Philadelphia, although they admitted his body didn’t respond well after that.
As such, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the Dodgers’ interest in Skubal has “increased” due to the Ohtani update.
The Dodgers’ interest in Tarik Skubal has increased due to questions surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s availability to pitch, as I reported on @MLBNetwork earlier.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2026
Yet it is unlikely the Tigers could obtain OF prospect Josue De Paula as the headliner in a multi-player package.
Earlier in the week, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan said that his “guess” was that the Dodgers would win the Skubal sweepstakes, and things might get more hectic given Ohtani’s uncertainty.
The Tigers’ reported asking price for Skubal is a “controllable starting pitcher plus quality prospects,” according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, and Morosi mentioned that it is “unlikely” that Josue De Paula is part of any deal.
Nonetheless, the Dodgers have not been shy to make major moves in the summer or the offseason, and landing Skubal could expedite contract discussions with the reigning American League Cy Young winner as LA eyes a third straight World Series title.
Biff Poggi lands new job after Michigan stint
Biff Poggi just keeps on finding new jobs in college football, although this time he is moving to television.
Poggi is set to join the Big Ten Network as an analyst for a series of shows, including B1G Countdown to Kickoff.
Former Michigan associate head coach Biff Poggi is a new addition to Big Ten Network's on-air roster for this college football season.
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) July 29, 2026
Poggi will serve as an analyst on shows such as The B1G Show, B1G Today, B1G Countdown to Kickoff, B1G Live: Football Game Break, B1G Live:…
Poggi’s journey has been interesting. He was most recently the interim head coach for the Michigan Wolverines after Sherrone Moore was fired in December due to an inappropriate relationship with a staff member that led to his arrest.
Biff Poggi went 6-16 in two seasons as the head coach of the Charlotte 49ers before being fired prior to the end of the 2024 season.
Poggi was also an assistant at schools such as Brown, Temple and The Citadel before coaching prep and high school football. He had three separate stints at Michigan as an assistant, but now he will transition to being an analyst.
Brian Kelly, who was fired last season by the LSU Tigers, is also making his way to the booth as he will call Mountain West Conference games for CBS.
