Sports
Who has the most work to do? Where all 30 MLB teams stand ahead of winter meetings
As the baseball industry prepares to convene in Orlando, Florida, for the winter meetings, we note that is seems like yesterday that the focus was much farther north, in Toronto. That was where, just over a month ago, the 2025 season reached its crescendo and conclusion with the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ thrilling Game 7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch their second straight World Series crown.
As the focus shifts to every team’s retooling effort for 2026, one thing we already know about next season: It’s going to have a tough act to follow.
The early steps toward accomplishing that have already taken place in the form of a handful of trades and free agent signings. While the heavy lifting of this hot stove season still lies ahead, things could really get percolating next week with every team’s chief decision-makers in the same place, at the same time.
For now, we’ll check in with our first offseason Stock Watch, which looks at how the landscape has shifted since the World Series ended and glimpses at how things might unfold from here. The numbers set a baseline for the rest of the winter and give us some markers from which to compare everyone’s progress when we check in again after the new year.

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Win average: 98.6 (Last Stock Watch: 92.9, 4th)
In the playoffs: 94.7% (Last: 99.9%)
Champions: 22.4% (Last: 10.6%)
So far: The Dodgers have done a little roster pruning and a lot of waiting for the market to take shape.
To do: The champs haven’t done much — non-tendering reliever Evan Phillips has probably been the headline move — but no team is better positioned to sit back and see how the offseason unfolds. The Dodgers’ lineup is getting pretty old, and you’d like to see a little more youth injected into the mix. Some of that is keeping opportunities open for Dalton Rushing and, later, Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope, among others. But signing Kyle Tucker would boost the outfield, and as he’s only 28, he would make the Dodgers a little younger. The bullpen needed to be reshuffled and will be. Last year’s ploy to stock the relief crew with big-name closer types flopped and yet it feels very Dodger-like to plug Edwin Diaz into the ninth-inning role.
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Win average: 91.0 (Last: 74.1, 24th)
In the playoffs: 77.2% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 7.7% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: The Braves have been active on the margins with low-level trades and waiver claims. They will have a hectic spring training when it comes to sorting out all of their depth options. The trade of glove-first Nick Allen for utility player Mauricio Dubon, in conjunction with Ha-Seong Kim‘s decision to opt out, threw the shortstop position into even more flux than it already was.
To do: The Braves are poised for a big-time bounce-back season on paper, thanks to a healthy dose of positive regression in both the performance and health departments. They probably want to add at least a midrotation veteran starter. But the top priority is shortstop, and it’s not clear how many good options there are. Bo Bichette‘s bat would be a great fit, but his defense wouldn’t be. On our trade candidates list, the presence of CJ Abrams should perk up your ears.
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Win average: 90.5 (Last: 90.5, 8th)
In the playoffs: 73.3% (Last: 98.9%)
Champions: 8.2% (Last: 10.6%)
So far: Trent Grisham accepted their qualifying offer, and they non-tendered some relievers.
To do: The Yankees have a lot of work to do but obviously, given this ranking, they are building up from a strong baseline. On the pitching side, they need to add relief options, perhaps even at the back of the pen if they don’t want to ride with either David Bednar or Camilo Doval as a pure ninth-inning hammer. They also need to add rotation depth, though that’s going to be an interesting group that in theory will improve periodically next season as Carlos Rodon, Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt return from injuries. The heavier lifting needs to be done on the position side, where Cody Bellinger‘s bat needs to be replaced. Tucker is an obvious fit but so, too, is Bellinger himself. The degree of the need depends on how the Yankees view the progress of Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones. The Yankees have a strong offensive forecast as is but there is room for an impact righty bat (Pete Alonso?) or just some better options on the right side for the bench.
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Win average: 89.8 (Last: 86.7, 11th)
In the playoffs: 72.6% (Last: 88.2%)
Champions: 6.6% (Last: 5.2%)
So far: After last season’s collapse, the Mets have been hard at work to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The additions of Marcus Semien and Devin Williams add a couple of splashy names, but the Mets also have big names to replace (Alonso, Diaz and Brandon Nimmo, who was the return for Semien).
To do: The Mets need at least one everyday outfielder, so Tucker and Bellinger make sense. If the Twins are willing to part with Byron Buxton, he would look good in center field. The bullpen needs more, with a possible reunion with Diaz the obvious but pricey option. And while the Mets have a surfeit of exciting young rotation candidates, after last season’s injury issues they need some stability, so a veteran with a track record of durability should be high on the list.
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Win average: 89.7 (Last: 91.7, 6th)
In the playoffs: 69.3% (Last: 99.4%)
Champions: 8.1% (Last: 7.7%)
So far: After coming probably as close to winning a World Series as a team can get without actually winning it, the Blue Jays aren’t messing around this offseason. After adding Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to a deep rotation, the Blue Jays’ hot stove campaign is already sizzling.
To do: Like all teams, the Blue Jays can stand to add in the margins in terms of bullpen help and general depth. The big to-do item concerns the free agency of Bichette, whose personality and bat were so crucial to Toronto’s 2025 success. Toronto can be satisfied at shortstop defensively with Andres Gimenez, but Bichette looked pretty good at the keystone in the World Series, especially considering he was limited physically, and really good hitting behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. But Tucker would look good too, and the Blue Jays have the positional flexibility to make pretty much any impact lineup acquisition work. The addition of Cease already wards off the ghosts of frustrating free agent pursuits past so it’s all poutine from here.
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Win average: 89.7 (Last: 86.5, 12th)
In the playoffs: 71.7% (Last: 74.1%)
Champions: 7.2% (Last: 2.6%)
So far: The Mariners got out ahead of the free agent market by re-upping with first baseman Josh Naylor on a five-year contract that solidifies what has long been a problem position for Seattle.
To do: Eugenio Suarez hit free agency, which opens up the need for a power bat in the Seattle lineup, especially when you have to assume that Cal Raleigh probably isn’t going to hit 60 home runs again. That bat doesn’t have to be another third baseman, though bringing back Suarez on a short deal makes sense. But the Mariners could also use Ben Williamson at the hot corner while waiting on the arrival of Colt Emerson. The bat also could be an outfielder or a DH. How about Kyle Schwarber? Whatever path Jerry Dipoto takes, the Mariners are sitting pretty, especially when you consider how far short last season’s rotation fell in relation to expectation. Now imagine last season’s Mariners with the rotation we thought they were going to have.
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Win average: 88.5 (Last: 98.7, 1st)
In the playoffs: 69.0% (Last: 100.0%)
Champions: 5.2% (Last: 18.3%)
So far: Milwaukee issued a qualifying offer to Brandon Woodruff, which he accepted.
To do: The young Brewers are well situated and can hope for organic improvement from maturing players, as long as they don’t start straddling the fence between winning now and sustainability. The time to strike is now, especially with Woodruff back in the fold to pair with Freddy Peralta. (Trading Peralta would be an example of fence-straddling.) It’s hard to look at this roster and not dream what it could be with a prime-time power bat in the middle of the everyday lineup. And that player could be a DH, which means that every hitter who is a free agent and a potential trade candidate can work. Let’s hope the Brewers see this offseason as a chance to splurge on that final piece of the puzzle.
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Win average: 87.2 (Last: 93.8, 2nd)
In the playoffs: 60.2% (Last: 100.0%)
Champions: 3.9% (Last: 10.6%)
So far: The Phillies haven’t done much, but there has been a good bit of hand-wringing by their always impatient fans.
To do: There’s a Schwarber-shaped hole in the Phillies’ lineup and a J.T. Realmuto-shaped void behind the plate. Ranger Suarez, Max Kepler, Jordan Romano also factor as the Phillies have quite a list of free agents. The list of roster holes might need to include Zack Wheeler if his recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome is longer than the currently projected end of May. The Phillies are already projected to exceed the first luxury tax threshold by Cot’s Contracts despite all of those high-profile expiring deals. The top of the payroll chart is Wheeler, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola and Nick Castellanos. All but Turner on that list carries a major question concerning injury or age-related decline. So what do the Phillies have to do? A lot — but the baseline, for now, appears strong enough to justify trying for another push in 2026.
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Win average: 86.9 (Last: 89.7, 9th)
In the playoffs: 56.2% (Last: 97.9%)
Champions: 5.1% (Last: 6.7%)
So far: The Red Sox traded for starting pitcher Sonny Gray.
To do: The Gray trade gives Boston some innings surety behind Garrett Crochet and means the Red Sox don’t have to push too hard on Connelly Early and Payton Tolle in the early stages of next season. The lineup, sans Alex Bregman, has plenty of options, but there’s a gaping need for a legitimate power bat, or two. Schwarber would be an ideal fit, but you could make an argument for a short deal involving Suarez as well, if bringing back Bregman isn’t on the table. This would be an epic fit for Alonso as well, if the Red Sox aren’t sold on Triston Casas at this point.
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Win average: 86.5 (Last: 92.9, 5th)
In the playoffs: 57.0% (Last: 100.0%)
Champions: 4.2% (Last: 11.3%)
So far: If anything, the Tigers have shown the culture they’ve created is strong enough that players don’t flee at the first opportunity. First, starter Jack Flaherty picked up his player option to stick around, then Gleyber Torres accepted the team’s qualifying offer. The Tigers haven’t done much else, but at least they have fewer holes.
To do: First, the Tigers need to not trade Tarik Skubal. That’s easy enough to do. Signing him to a fat extension also would be nice. Otherwise, what are we doing here? Skubal can be a free agent after the 2026 season, and the Tigers’ payroll space is largely wide open starting in 2027. As for improving the offense, Detroit can reasonably count on progress from Riley Greene and Colt Keith, and perhaps less so from Spencer Torkelson. Top prospects Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark are looming, but a veteran lineup anchor can easily be accommodated. A stopgap shortstop makes sense as well, maybe someone such as Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
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Win average: 85.8 (Last: 88.1, 10th)
In the playoffs: 51.3% (Last: 85.3%)
Champions: 3.4% (Last: 3.6%)
So far: Houston acquired infielder Nick Allen for Mauricio Dubon and signed starting pitcher Ryan Weiss.
To do: On the same day the Blue Jays signed the reconstituted Cody Ponce, the Astros inked his Hanwha Eagles teammate, Weiss. In the KBO, the pair were like expatriate versions of Koufax and Drysdale. We’ll see how that translates to MLB, but Weiss adds a rotation solution at a contract price point that allows for more additions. Houston still needs another veteran rotation addition, preferably one with more of a big league track record than Weiss. The Astros might need to make a splash in the outfield, depending on how they view incumbents Jake Meyers, Zach Cole and prospect Jacob Melton in the context of their right-now contention timeline.
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Win average: 85.5 (Last: 93.3, 3rd)
In the playoffs: 53.6% (Last: 99.9%)
Champions: 2.7% (Last: 7.2%)
So far: The Cubs reworked the contract of starter Colin Rea, re-signed starter Shota Imanaga — after everyone opted out of the labyrinthine contract that might or might not serve as the basis of a Dan Brown novel — and signed reliever Phil Maton.
To do: The Cubs are in pretty good shape on the position player front, assuming prospects Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara are ready for prime time. That’s good because they need to add impact pitching. There is plenty of competence and decent depth already on hand, but the group lacks any semblance of star power — which is expensive. So expect more competence and more depth. If it were me, I’d trade for Pablo Lopez, then sign Ranger Suarez and Edwin Diaz.
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Win average: 84.9 (Last: 90.6, 7th)
In the playoffs: 49.1% (Last: 99.4%)
Champions: 2.3% (Last: 4.0%)
So far: The Padres declined an option on last year’s Cody Ponce — Kyle Hart — then signed him back. They also added veteran right-handed reliever Craig Stammen. … Wait, Stammen is what? OK. Never mind.
To do: The Padres need a power bat and rotation help. They have the flexibility to be creative with addressing both needs, and when it comes to creative baseball solutions, A.J. Preller is your man. The rotation saw Cease and Michael King hit free agency, and Cease is now in Toronto. That’s some high-impact stuff that’s not easy to replace, unless you decide to make Mason Miller a starter again. Doing that and re-upping with Robert Suarez would be a less pricey proposition than what it would cost to land a top free agent or trade candidate. As for the power bat, San Diego has plenty of playing time to offer a first baseman or designated hitter type, both spots that ought to be a good source of the home run power the Padres need.
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Win average: 84.5 (Last: 82.5, 14th)
In the playoffs: 45.7% (Last: 11.3%)
Champions: 2.6% (Last: 0.2%)
So far: The Royals re-signed catcher Salvador Perez, tendered a contract to and re-signed infielder Jonathan India, and traded for outfielder Kameron Misner and starter Mason Black.
To do: The Royals’ new deal with Perez probably means the future Hall of Fame catcher (yes, he is) will probably finish his career with the club, as it should be. The decision to bring back India on a one-year, $8 million deal to avoid arbitration was a head-scratcher. It’s not so much that India can’t recover his past value, but given the Royals’ roster and apparent reluctance to stretch payroll much further, it seems like that money could have been better stashed for an outfield upgrade that the team desperately needs. The Royals can hope Jac Caglianone makes a leap after his first look at the majors, but they need more than that. Rumors suggest a swap of a starting pitcher to address the need. That can work, but it also depends on which starter you’re talking about. But the Royals can’t come up empty in this pursuit again, after a season when the need was so apparent in nearly every game they played.
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Win average: 83.2 (Last: 72.3, 26th)
In the playoffs: 37.9% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 2.0% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: The Orioles traded starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez for outfielder Taylor Ward, traded for reliever Andrew Kittredge and signed closer Ryan Helsley.
To do: Even this jump back into the middle of the Stock Watch pack should buoy the spirits of Orioles fans after last season’s debacle. It’s a reminder that, yes, this is an organization with a lot of talent. The move for Helsley clarifies the bullpen picture, both in terms of the roles for current players and the roles for the pitchers Baltimore still needs to acquire. That’s the beauty of a legit ninth-inning reliever. The rotation needs more, especially given the risky Rodriguez deal. But Ward slots in as the cleanup hitter in a Baltimore lineup that retains the upside of youth. Of the nine batters who figure to get the most at-bats, Ward (32) is the oldest, but the second oldest is Adley Rutschman (27), which is kind of mind-blowing. The youth is a feature, not a bug.
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Win average: 82.9 (Last: 83.6, 13th)
In the playoffs: 36.5% (Last: 28.7%)
Champions: 2.0% (Last: 1.1%)
So far: The Rangers traded Semien for Nimmo.
To do: After a disappointing 2025, the Rangers are going to look different in 2026. The addition of Nimmo, 32, actually makes the lineup a little younger, though he is nearing the outer range of the typical prime for a hitter. The rest of the lineup has a lot of trend-related potential, from injury bounce-backs (Corey Seager), young hitters on the upswing (Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter, Josh Jung) and performance regression (Jake Burger, Joc Pederson). Fast-rising prospect Sebastian Walcott should be ready to help at some point in 2026. Texas needs help behind the plate after non-tendering Jonah Heim, though Heim might be the most palatable option on the market. More than anything, Texas needs to add to the bullpen at every level of leverage. In other words, the Rangers have plenty to do.
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Win average: 81.8 (Last: 73.8, 25th)
In the playoffs: 32.8% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 1.2% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: The Twins acquired backup catcher Alex Jackson.
To do: One reason the Twins rate this high is the ongoing presence of Buxton, Lopez and Ryan — three veterans at or near the top of Minnesota’s payroll tree, and all ranking members of our trade candidates list. If the Twins’ roster trends even younger and cheaper, this ranking will tumble accordingly. Until we know just how lean the Twins want to go, it’s hard to say what they should or might do, because nothing might be the unfortunate answer.
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Win average: 81.4 (Last: 78.9, 19th)
In the playoffs: 32.5% (Last: 0.5%)
Champions: 1.1% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: The initial moves have been low-level stuff.
To do: It’s important to keep in mind that Arizona ranked eighth in runs per game after the 2025 trade period, during which they offloaded Eugenio Suarez, Naylor and Randal Grichuk. This is a team still brimming with offensive talent, less so if rumors of a possible Ketel Marte deal prove to be prescient. The outfield could use a boost, though you don’t want to block the path if prospect Ryan Waldschmidt proves to be on the fast track. More than anything, Arizona needs to inject some veteran innings into the rotation. Also, please bring back Paul Goldschmidt.
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Win average: 81.3 (Last: 81.6, 16th)
In the playoffs: 31.2% (Last: 4.8%)
Champions: 0.8% (Last: 0.1%)
So far: The Giants added some depth options.
To do: San Francisco’s big splash was to make Tony Vitello baseball’s first college-to-MLB manager. With the rotation down a future Hall of Fame veteran as Justin Verlander hits free agency, should the Giants just go ahead and sign longtime Vitello friend and advocate Max Scherzer? Why draw it out? The rotation could use the help. MLB’s decision to go with the challenge version of the new automated balls and strikes system preserves most of the value of Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey, but the offense needs more slug, probably coming in the form of an outfielder. This is another team for which Tucker or Bellinger would be a fit, if they can stomach the challenges of Oracle Park.
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Win average: 80.6 (Last: 79.4, 18th)
In the playoffs: 27.7% (Last: 0.9%)
Champions: 1.0% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: They did ink reliever Connor Brogdon on Wednesday.
To do: More than anything, Cleveland fans can look forward to Chase DeLauter playing in the regular season after his debut during the 2025 playoffs. The Guardians need offense. Badly. And we know they aren’t going to spend for it, so keep an eye on Cleveland in the trade market. As far as non-elite free agents, I kind of like the idea of Luis Arraez for this group as a DH/utility type who adds batting average to the mix and takes the team’s existing ethos to another dimension. But more than that, Cleveland needs a proven masher. Can’t we afford at least one Eugenio Suarez?
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Win average: 80.4 (Last: 80.8, 17th)
In the playoffs: 25.2% (Last: 3.6%)
Champions: 1.0% (Last: 0.1%)
So far: As usual, the Rays have made a lot of moves and not one would merit any kind of a headline. That doesn’t mean they weren’t good moves, it just means that even with a new owner, these are still the Rays.
To do: The return of Jonny DeLuca and the ongoing ascension of Carson Williams has the position group in good shape, pending the dealing of veterans such as Brandon Lowe. The Rays probably will target veteran rotation options from the second and third tiers of free agency, and the trade market. It won’t be make headlines, but it will probably work.
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Win average: 79.2 (Last: 81.6, 15th)
In the playoffs: 24.0% (Last: 6.8%)
Champions: 0.7% (Last: 0.2%)
So far: The Reds haven’t done much yet, beyond re-signing closer Emilio Pagan on Wednesday, but the rumor mill has been picking up.
To do: So who knows what to make of it, but reportedly there is mutual interest between the Reds and Schwarber to bring the slugger to the team he grew up rooting for. This is almost heartbreakingly tantalizing for the good people of Cincinnati. First, it would be a shocking free agency win for a team that doesn’t get many of them. Second, it would make Schwarber the de facto mayor of the Queen City. Third, he’s exactly what the Reds need — a legit home run hitter who would yank fly ball after fly ball in the general direction of Kentucky. Get it done, and then we can worry about the rest of the roster.
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Win average: 76.7 (Last: 78.1, 20th)
In the playoffs: 15.9% (Last: 0.4%)
Champions: 0.3% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: The Cardinals traded Gray to Boston for pitchers Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke.
To do: New lead executive Chaim Bloom seems intent on embarking on the full reset the Cardinals should have begun last year if they were going to do it at all. Now the task is to move Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras and, perhaps, Brendan Donovan for prospects. The Cardinals have young talent in the majors — Masyn Winn, Victor Scott II, Jordan Walker — and more on the horizon — Thomas Saggese, JJ Wetherholt. This doesn’t have to be a long process.
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Win average: 76.2 (Last: 74.2, 23rd)
In the playoffs: 12.6% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 0.3% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: The Athletics DFA’d and non-tendered JJ Bleday.
To do: The lineup, even without further additions, remains really exciting. The pitching staff needs work, but at least the A’s can mostly focus on that area. It’s a worthy project for a team that has gone from 50 to 69 to 76 wins over the past three seasons. It’s likely that the A’s will focus on bounce-back candidates and other wild-card types to join a legion of nondescript pitchers on the 40-man roster, though few who follow the team would root against another Luis Severino-like splurge. The task for the winter is figuring out if three or four of the rotation candidates (one of whom is Severino) have any shot at a sub-4.00 ERA. If so, the A’s can hang around wild-card contention and enter the add category by the trade deadline.
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Win average: 75.0 (Last: 75.8, 21st)
In the playoffs: 10.6% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 0.1% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: It has been crickets so far for the Marlins, or whatever the aquatic equivalent to crickets might be.
To do: Miami is well positioned to enter wild-card contention after a 79-win season in 2025. It’s a roster with clear strengths (rotation depth) and weaknesses (offense). Thus, there are deals to be made. If the Marlins really want to get splashy (see what I did there) they could also deal from their enviable depth at catcher. The obvious lineup slots to upgrade on offense are all the corner positions not occupied by Kyle Stowers. This could be an interesting winter in a good way for Marlins fans.
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Win average: 73.6 (Last: 71.6, 27th)
In the playoffs: 8.7% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 0.1% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: For the Pirates, it has been a lot of DFAs and non-tenders to clear 40-man roster space for Rule 5-eligible prospects.
To do: It might be an exciting time? Even with Jared Jones still recovering from elbow surgery, the Pirates’ Paul Skenes-led rotation is ripe with potential. Konnor Griffin is still only 19 with just 21 games at Double-A under his belt, but as the consensus top prospect in the game, he carries the promise of a looming Skenes-like impact on the position side. On top of all that, the Pirates might actually spend some money. With a lineup that currently projects to feature only three above-average hitters, upgrading should not be difficult.
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Win average: 69.0 (Last: 75.4, 22nd)
In the playoffs: 2.8% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 0.0% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: The Angels traded Ward for Rodriguez and signed starter Alek Manoah.
To do: On Nov. 2, the Angels had nine players 31 years old or more, plus a 29-year-old, reach free agency. When they dealt Ward on Nov. 19, that subtracted another over-30 player. This will be a younger version of the Angels. So far, the Angels have added two injury bounce-back candidates for the rotation, both of whom were not so long ago considered Cy Young candidates, either in the present (Manoah) or the future (Rodriguez). It’s a good strategy that lessens the pressure on the younger starters on the 40-man roster now probably slated for Triple-A. The Angels have a dire need for bullpen help and can probably use a glove-first center fielder (Harrison Bader?). Though you wouldn’t peg the Angels as contenders just yet, the direction does seem more coherent.
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Win average: 63.7 (Last: 64.5, 28th)
In the playoffs: 0.7% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 0.0% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: It has been the bare minimum of administrative roster maneuvering.
To do: The Nationals have turned the page completely on the Mike Rizzo era everywhere but on the field. There’s a new regime putting a new spin on things, with Paul Toboni taking over the front office and Blake Butera assuming control of the clubhouse. The presence of Abrams and MacKenzie Gore, among others, in the rumor mill might be smoke and mirrors, but it’s also suggestive. The last rebuild didn’t work and the best thing Toboni can do is spin the value of those players into more players. For Nats fans, the wait for relevance will continue into the uncertain future.
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Win average: 56.2 (Last: 59.6, 29th)
In the playoffs: 0.0% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 0.0% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: The White Sox acquired outfielder Everson Pereira from the Rays for starting pitcher Yoendrys Gomez and reliever Steven Wilson, and signed starter Anthony Kay.
To do: Even as the White Sox bide their time, building out their prospect base and waiting for those in or near the majors to develop, Chris Getz keeps attacking all sectors of the 40-man roster. Kay, who flamed out with the Blue Jays, is the latest pitcher to head to the Pacific Rim to rebuild his value and come back for a nice contract. The White Sox had a lot of success a couple of years ago when Getz landed just such a pitcher in Erick Fedde, who performed well for Chicago and was spun into a nice trade return that included Miguel Vargas. The White Sox need to figure out once and for all what to do with Luis Robert Jr., but the wide-net approach of Getz and his staff continues to improve the position of the organization. At some point though, the White Sox will have to actually, you know, win games.
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Win average: 49.7 (Last: 45.9, 30th)
In the playoffs: 0.0% (Last: 0.0%)
Champions: 0.0% (Last: 0.0%)
So far: There hasn’t been much on the roster front for the Rockies, but the news has still been pretty good.
To do: Free agency began on Nov. 2 and the Rockies hired Paul DePodesta as president of baseball operations five days after. So not surprisingly, Colorado’s hot stove season is off to a sleepy start. DePodesta hired Josh Byrnes from the Dodgers on Wednesday to serve as his GM, and if nothing else, the Rockies will move toward an organizational approach that should be much more in step with the current best practices in the sport. The roster needs everything, but at least there will be some fresh eyes on it.
Sports
PCB announces complete schedule for PSL 11
- PSL 11 scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.
- Gaddafi Stadium will host most number of matches.
- PCB allots reserve day for the PSL final on May 4.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday unveiled the complete fixtures for Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, scheduled from March 26 to May 3.
The 11th edition of the tournament league will see eight teams, including two new entrants, Pindiz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, playing a total of 44 matches in the 39-day event.
The tournament will commence with defending champions Lahore Qalandars taking on Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen at their home ground on March 26.
As per the schedule, each team will play a total of 10 matches, with the top four qualifying for the playoffs, comprising Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, followed by the final, scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on May 3.
Furthermore, the PCB has also allotted a reserve day for the final on May 4.
The PSL 11 will also feature six double-headers, out of which three will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium.
The landmark 11th edition will be played across six venues in Pakistan, with Faisalabad and Peshawar to host PSL matches for the first time, joining Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar and Rawalpindi.
Among the six venues, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host the most number of matches (15), followed by Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium with 11, while Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium will host seven.
The iconic National Bank Stadium in Karachi will host six matches, while four matches will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Peshawar’s Imran Khan Cricket Stadium to host one match – a day fixture between home side Peshawar Zalmi and Pindiz on March 28.
PSL 11 match schedule
March 27 – Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
March 28 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Rawalpindi Pindiz at Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
March 28 – Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
March 29 – Quetta Gladiators vs Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
March 29 – Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
March 31 – Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 1 – Multan Sultans vs Hyderabad Kingsmen at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
April 2 – Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 2 – Rawalpindi Pindiz vs Karachi Kings at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 3 – Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
April 4 – Rawalpindi Pindiz vs Islamabad United at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 5 – Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
April 6 – Multan Sultans vs Rawalpindi Pindiz at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
April 8 – Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Peshawar Zalmi at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 9 – Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
April 9 – Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 10 – Quetta Gladiators vs Rawalpindi Pindiz at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 11 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
April 11 – Karachi Kings vs Hyderabad Kingsmen at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 12 – Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Islamabad United at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 13 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
April 15 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
April 16 – Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Rawalpindi Pindiz at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
April 16 – Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
April 17 – Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
April 18 – Lahore Qalandars vs Rawalpindi Pindiz at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
April 19 – Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 19 – Quetta Gladiators vs Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 21 – Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 21 – Rawalpindi Pindiz vs Multan Sultans at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 22 – Karachi Kings vs Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 22 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 23 – Rawalpindi Pindiz vs Islamabad United at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 23 – Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 24 – Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 25 – Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 25 – Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
April 26 – Rawalpindi Pindiz vs Peshawar Zalmi at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 26 – Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 28 – Qualifier at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
April 29 – Eliminator 1 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
May 1 – Eliminator 2 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
May 3 – Final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Sports
College football teams, players poised to improve in 2026
With spring finally on the horizon after a long winter for much of the country, optimism is in the air.
In that spirit, we asked our college football reporters about teams and players they think will be on the rise in the 2026 season.
No one rose higher than national champion Indiana and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza last year, but plenty of teams took big steps in the right direction. Texas Tech, Miami, Oklahoma and Ole Miss are among the teams that made the College Football Playoff for the first time, and Houston, Utah and Virginia went from losing records in 2024 to double-digit wins in 2025.
Who could be in store for similar improvement this fall and beyond? These are the potential CFP contenders, breakout performers and bounce-back candidates our reporters have their eyes on.
Which non-CFP team from last year do you expect to make the playoff in 2026?
Adam Rittenberg: Texas. If the Longhorns can’t make the College Football Playoff in quarterback Arch Manning‘s second season as the starter, with all the talent around him on both sides of the ball, something is wrong in Austin. Manning looked like a Heisman Trophy candidate late in the 2025 season, and Texas made major portal investments in wide receiver Cam Coleman, linebacker Rasheem Biles, running back Hollywood Smothers and others. The Longhorns face a challenging schedule, but several of their toughest games (Ohio State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss) will be at home. Coach Steve Sarkisian’s team is talented and experienced enough to return to the CFP.
Jake Trotter: Notre Dame honestly should have been in the playoff this past season. CJ Carr had a strong freshman season, ranking eighth nationally with a QBR of 83.4, and figures to be sharper with a year of experience under his belt. Even with running back Jeremiyah Love moving on to the NFL, the Irish will still have weapons, especially if wideout Jaden Greathouse can return to his 2024 playoff form coming off a serious hamstring injury. The defense will be seasoned. And off the playoff snub, coach Marcus Freeman will have his team playing with an edge.
Andrea Adelson: I was tempted to say LSU because Lane Kiffin put together one of the best portal classes in the country, but then I remembered Brian Kelly put together one of the best portal classes in the country last year and that did not exactly work out. Still, I think LSU will be in the mix late. The team I am going with is BYU. The Cougars return quarterback Bear Bachmeier and leading rusher LJ Martin, shored up their offensive line and made some key transfer portal additions on defense, starting with standout linebacker Cade Uluave from Cal. The schedule is manageable, though an October matchup with Notre Dame in Provo could have huge CFP implications.
Heather Dinich: Texas is my preseason No. 1, but I’ll add USC to this conversation. The pressure is on coach Lincoln Riley, who hasn’t reached 10 wins since his first season, and the pieces are in place to get there. With quarterback Jayden Maiava returning, along with all five starting offensive linemen and running back King Miller, the offense has the potential to be potent. Riley lured in the No. 1 recruiting class and also has help coming from the transfer portal. If he can upgrade the defense, which allowed 23 points per game last year, USC should be a playoff team. The Trojans should be 3-0 heading into their Sept. 26 home game against Oregon, and a win against the Ducks would change the narrative and position USC for a playoff run.
David Hale: This is, perhaps, an outside-the-box pick, but I’ll offer Louisville as an under-the-radar option. The ACC may have a clear-cut favorite in Miami, but beyond that, the league is wide open. The ACC has given us two first-time playoff programs in the past two years — SMU and Miami — and it certainly wouldn’t be a stretch to add another in 2026. And although Louisville hasn’t been a true playoff contender late in the season the past few years, the Cardinals’ 28 wins since 2023 are the second most by any Power 4 program to not make the playoff (Missouri has 29). What’s more, of Louisville’s 12 losses under Jeff Brohm, eight have come by a touchdown or less, including three by a field goal or less last year. Brohm might have something special in QB transfer Lincoln Kienholz, who brings an added dimension of athleticism to the position that Brohm hasn’t had in the past. Add in a deep corps of running backs and an improved defense, led by Clev Lubin, and there’s a lot to like about this year’s Louisville team.
Eli Lederman: This prediction relies on a lot of “what ifs,” but why can’t a Michigan team that finished 9-4 with loads of on- and off-field issues a year ago play its way into the 12-team field in 2026? The arrival of longtime Utah coach Kyle Whittingham should bring sorely needed stability to Ann Arbor this offseason, and he brought a number of key former Utes with him, including offensive coordinator Jason Beck and star defensive end John Henry Daley. Any level of success this fall will be tied heavily to the Year 2 progression of coveted quarterback Bryce Underwood. Beck’s innovative scheme and fresh skill talent, including five-star freshman rusher Savion Hiter and Utah transfer pass catcher JJ Buchanan, should certainly help. Meanwhile, Michigan plugged some key holes on defense through the additions of Daley and fellow ex-Utes Jonah Lea’ea and Smith Snowden. Visits from Oklahoma, Penn State and Indiana combined with November trips to Oregon and Ohio State make for a daunting schedule but could provide the platform for the Wolverines to get back to the CFP if Whittingham can execute a quick turnaround.
Schlabach: BYU narrowly missed making the CFP in 2025, losing to Texas Tech 34-7 in the Big 12 title game. The Cougars fell to the Red Raiders twice last season — they lost 29-7 on the road in the regular season — so they’re going to have to figure out how to crack Tech’s stingy defense. But the Cougars did a great job of keeping coach Kalani Sitake around after he was wooed by Penn State. BYU brings back Bachmeier, who completed 64.9% of his passes for 3,033 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a freshman. He should be much better in Year 2. Martin, the Big 12’s leading rusher with 1,305 yards and 12 scores in 2025, also came back. BYU will need to rebuild its offensive line and find some reliable receivers. The best news? The Cougars won’t play the Red Raiders nor Houston in the regular season, and they’ll face Arizona and Arizona State at home.
Which team will show the greatest improvement from last year?
Rittenberg: Virginia Tech. I also expect James Franklin’s former Penn State team to rise in 2026, but Virginia Tech certainly will improve on a 3-9 mark from last season. Franklin has had a head start on most new coaches in implementing his vision and had a solid portal haul, which included Penn State imports quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and tight end Luke Reynolds. A favorable first-half schedule should help the Hokies build confidence and belief. Expect them to pull off one notable upset in November, too.
Trotter: After going 0-18 in the Big 12 over the past two years, Oklahoma State, behind new coach Eric Morris and an array of talented transfers, will bounce back to finish with a winning conference record in 2026. The North Texas star transfer trio of quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins and wideout Wyatt Young will ensure that the Cowboys get back to putting up points after two dismal offensive seasons in Stillwater. Don’t be stunned if the revamped Pokes make a run to the Big 12 title game.
Adelson: I think Florida will have a chance to double its win total from a year ago for a few reasons. First, new coach Jon Sumrall made a great hire in offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who will have familiarity with his quarterback, Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo, plus former Jackets receivers Eric Singleton Jr. and Bailey Stockton. Jadan Baugh, Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III return on offense, giving Florida playmaking ability. Second, the schedule sets up nicely for a rebound. Florida had one of the toughest schedules in the country the past two years. With the new nine-game conference schedule in the SEC, Florida has a more manageable nonconference slate and faces only four teams ranked in our Way-Too-Early Top 25.
Dinich: Clemson because … there’s just no way Dabo Swinney can lose six games again. Can he? Bringing back former Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris is interesting because he hasn’t called plays since 2020 and hasn’t coached at Clemson since 2014. He’s a proven playcaller, though, who helped the Tigers to a 41-11 record during his tenure. How first-year starting quarterback Christopher Vizzina fares is a valid question, but when searching for a team that will make a significant leap this fall, it’s hard to believe Clemson will continue to be irrelevant in the ACC race. With a road opener at LSU, the Tigers will find out early how far their climb back will be.
Hale: Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State feel like obvious answers here, if only because there’s so much room for improvement. And it’s tempting to say Bill Belichick will pull off a miracle at North Carolina after a disastrous 4-8 campaign in 2025, but its schedule doesn’t look promising. So, who’s someone a bit outside the box? How about South Carolina? The pressure is on coach Shane Beamer after a disappointing 4-8 year, but LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart are back, five of the Gamecocks’ first six games come against teams that missed a bowl last year, and although the back end of the schedule is tougher, it would take only an upset or two to get South Carolina into the eight- or nine-win range. And if there’s anything we’ve learned from the Beamer-era Gamecocks, it’s that they tend to play their best when no one’s expecting it.
Schlabach: Penn State was finally able to lure Matt Campbell away from Iowa State, and he could be poised for a big turnaround in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions won their last four games to salvage a 7-6 campaign in 2026. Much of the roster followed Franklin to Virginia Tech and ex-defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to Tennessee. But Campbell brought in 39 transfers, including two dozen from Iowa State. Quarterback Rocco Becht, tailback Carson Hansen, receiver Chase Sowell and tight end Benjamin Brahmer are plug-and-play starters on offense. The Nittany Lions don’t play Indiana, Ohio State or Oregon in the regular season, so a 10-win season isn’t out of the question.
Which player do you think could take a major step forward in 2026?
Trotter: We started to see Manning live up to the hype and potential late last season, as he posted a QBR of 92 or above in four of his final five games. There’s little reason to believe he won’t carry that over into next season. With Coleman’s arrival, Manning will have a legitimate No. 1 receiver. With a year of experience, he could reemerge into the conversation as the top QB prospect heading into the 2027 NFL draft.
Adelson: As Jake noted above, Notre Dame’s Carr was one of the most impressive freshman quarterbacks in the country a year ago, and his trajectory should only go up from here. He was poised, accurate, did not make many mistakes and rarely got flustered last season. It will be an adjustment not having Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price in the backfield, but Carr is more than capable of shouldering the load if necessary.
Rittenberg: Remember Ryan Williams‘ electrifying, spin-infused 75-yard touchdown against Georgia early in the 2024 season? Then a 17-year-old freshman, the Alabama wide receiver was the talk of college football following a blistering start to his career. But Williams struggled with drops and inconsistency during a sophomore season that fell well short of expectations. He’s pushing forward, though, and clearly has the talent and experience to break through as a junior. The road to stardom isn’t always linear, and Williams shouldn’t be overlooked in 2026.
Dinich: Alabama linebacker Caleb Woodson, who transferred from Virginia Tech, should be someone casual fans get to know this fall. Coach Kalen DeBoer told me he was looking for a mature guy to help compensate for the loss of three senior linebackers who graduated, and Woodson started 17 games for the Hokies. Last year, he was second on the team with 58 tackles and had 2.5 TFLs. He’s the kind of player who can get to the quarterback, disrupt passing lanes and make game-changing plays. With the Tide’s entire secondary returning, Alabama’s defense should be fast and physical.
Hale: If you’re a buyer on Dabo Swinney’s “what’s old is new again” approach to Clemson’s offense for 2026 with new coordinator Chad Morris, then you might as well invest heavily in running back Gideon Davidson‘s stock, too. Entering his true freshman year in 2025, Davidson was hyped as a game changer, with Swinney lauding him as one of the most talented backs he’d ever recruited, and an expectation that, at least by year’s end, Davidson would seize the primary role in the ascendant Tigers’ backfield. Instead, both Davidson and Clemson disappointed. Davidson had just 12 carries by the end of October, and it was only after Clemson had effectively punted on any hopes for 2025 that he carved out a bigger role. Down the stretch, though, he had a few moments for optimism, and switching from the clearly ineffective RPO game favored by Garrett Riley back to a more straightforward, vertical offense with a power run component under Morris should help Davidson’s growth. It’s a dice roll, but there’s a lot of upside here.
Lederman: Cal‘s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele emerged as the most productive freshman quarterback in the country last fall when he threw for 3,454 yards, 12th most among returning FBS starters in 2026. With another year of experience, a new offensive coordinator in Jordan Somerville and a fairly generous ACC schedule, there’s every reason to believe the left-hander from Hawai’i will make another big jump this fall. First-year coach Tosh Lupoi has injected new energy in the Bears’ program, and Sagapolutele — the quarterback Lupoi went to see hours after his hiring back in December — is at the center of all the optimism hovering over Cal right now.
Schlabach: Georgia is going to have to identify playmakers at receiver after losing Zachariah Branch, Colbie Young, Dillon Bell and Noah Thomas to the NFL draft. The Bulldogs picked up Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Canion in the transfer portal, but the buzz in Athens is that sophomore Talyn Taylor is poised to break out in a big way. He had a critical drop in the Bulldogs’ 24-21 loss to Alabama and missed a long stretch with a broken collarbone. He finished with two catches for 28 yards in six games. But Taylor was the No. 4 receiver in the country as a senior at Geneva (Illinois) High School in the class of 2025 and has elite speed.
Which off-the-radar team will we be talking about in December?
Rittenberg: Washington. I actually liked Jedd Fisch’s team in this category a year ago, but the Huskies struggled to keep pace with their toughest opponents. In hindsight, Year 3 always seemed more sensible for a potential breakthrough, as Fisch and his staff have gradually improved the roster. The fallout from quarterback Demond Williams Jr.’s near exit in January is worth watching, but if things are stable there, Washington should take a step forward offensively. Washington’s schedule also helps as its toughest games in September and October are at home — USC and Iowa in consecutive weeks. The Huskies conclude the regular season with Indiana (home) and Oregon (road).
Trotter: Last season was a disaster for the Gamecocks, who finished with only one SEC win. But two years ago, South Carolina was the hottest team in college football heading into December and nearly snuck into the playoff. The Gamecocks return two absolute stars in Sellers and Stewart. With better pass protection for Sellers — the Gamecocks are hopeful left tackle transfer Jacarrius Peak (NC State) will be ready to go after an offseason basketball injury — South Carolina could be a sleeper playoff contender come December.
Adelson: I am not sure whether it is fair to call SMU under the radar considering the Mustangs have won 42 games over the past four years, including 20 in their first two years in the ACC. But SMU should be considered a CFP contender this year. With quarterback Kevin Jennings returning, a strong offensive line and another solid portal class, SMU simply finds ways to win and stay relevant in the national conversation. The first three weeks of the season are hugely important. SMU opens at Florida State on Labor Day night, then plays at Louisville two weeks later.
Dinich: Boise State. The highest-ranked Group of 6 team will make the playoff this year — not the highest-ranked Group of 6 champion, which is different from previous seasons. Boise State will also be competing for a Pac-12 title this year after conference realignment, and the Broncos have one of the better schedules to impress the selection committee, starting with their season opener at Oregon. With senior quarterback Maddux Madsen returning, the Broncos should be in a position to contend for the Group of 6 spot.
Hale: Let’s go way off the radar. Like, so far off the radar, many people might not even realize what conference this team is in. But, here’s the case for Cal. First, the Golden Bears might have the best young QB in the country in Sagapolutele. Second, new coach Lupoi is coming from a program (Oregon) that has created a strong blueprint on how to win in the Northwest. Third, Lupoi inked one of the top portal classes in the country, completely renovating an offense that offered far too little support for its burgeoning star QB last year. And Lupoi is a defensive guru who has brought a handful of impact players with him from Oregon and stocked the rest of the unit with plenty of upside. Then, look at the schedule: Aside from a trip to UNLV (no easy win), five of Cal’s first six opponents lost at least six games last year. The Bears miss Miami, Louisville and Florida State. The only games where Cal figures to be at a distinct talent disadvantage are vs. Clemson and at SMU (and that talent disadvantage isn’t as huge as it might seem based on reputations). A lot would have to go right for Cal to make a run at the playoff — and, frankly, Cal isn’t a place where a lot has gone right in recent years — but on paper, there’s certainly a formula in which this all works out beautifully in Year 1 for Lupoi.
Lederman: Predicting a Group of 6 CFP contender this time of year is a bit of a fool’s errand … which is why it’s fun to dive into all the various possibilities, including San Diego State building on its 2025 momentum and thrusting itself into the CFP mix this fall. The Aztecs followed up a 3-9 finish in 2024 with a 9-4 campaign in coach Sean Lewis’ second season ahead of the program’s long-anticipated move into the reformed Pac-12 in 2026. Between quarterback Jayden Denegal and reigning All-Mountain West first-team running back Lucky Sutton, SDSU returns the foundational players in the nation’s 19th-ranked rushing offense in 2025. How the Aztecs rebuild following the departure of coordinator Rob Aurich and a number of starters from college football’s No. 6 defense, including Trey White and Owen Chambliss, will, of course, be critical. But with a friendly schedule and résumé-boosting opportunity in a late November trip to Boise State, SDSU has every chance of being in the CFP conversation come late fall.
Sports
Pakistan launches school-based plan to revive national hockey | The Express Tribune
The meeting was attended by directors of physical education from educational boards as well
A view of the New Zealand versus Pakistan hockey final of the FIH Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. NZ proved much superior to Pak on the day, winning 6-2. PHOTO: AFP
Officials in Pakistan have unveiled a new strategy aimed at reviving the country’s national sport by strengthening hockey at school and education-board level.
The initiative was discussed during a meeting of the National Education–Hockey Coordination Committee hosted by the Inter Boards Coordination Commission at its secretariat in Islamabad on 10 March.
The meeting, focused on rebuilding Pakistan’s hockey talent pipeline through the education system, was co-chaired by Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah and Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani.
During the session, the Federal Secretary for the Inter-Provincial Coordination Division presented the IBCC–PHF School and Inter-Board Hockey Revival Programme (2026–2029).
The programme — developed in collaboration with the Pakistan Hockey Federation — outlines a roadmap to rebuild Pakistan hockey by expanding the sport across schools and educational boards.
Officials said the initiative will focus on increasing participation in school hockey in Pakistan, organising inter-board hockey tournaments, and establishing a structured pathway for talented players to progress from grassroots level to the Pakistan men’s national field hockey team.
The meeting was attended by directors of physical education from educational boards as well as former Olympians including Hassan Sardar, Islahuddin Siddique and Khwaja Junaid.
Participants welcomed the proposed strategy and expressed support for reviving Pakistan hockey through collaboration between sports authorities and the education sector.
A joint steering committee — which will include former Olympians and representatives from education boards — will oversee the implementation of the Pakistan school hockey revival programme and monitor its progress over the coming years.
Pakistan remains one of the most successful nations in the history of international hockey, but officials believe rebuilding the sport at grassroots level will be key to restoring its competitiveness on the global stage.
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