OFFICIAL TRADE TARGET: ADRIAN MOREJON NAMED AS THE YANKEES' TOP PRIORITY FOR 2026 BULLPEN
The New York Yankees are urged to trade for Padres All-Star Adrian Morejon to bolster a bullpen led by closer David Bednar in 2026.
The Yankees could use another good relief pitcher, and they might try to make a trade to get one.
Word is that David Bednar will close for the Yankees in 2026. Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz should be the setup men. Still, the Yankees could use another top-notch reliever, and a trade might be the way to get one.
Chris Kirschner from The Athletic thinks the team should try to get Adrian Morejon from the San Diego Padres.
Kirschner wrote that the Yankees would be better off if they could get another guy for the end of games. He says the Padres are open to trading their best relievers like Estrada, Mason Miller, and Adrian Morejon. Miller is the best of the bunch. but the Yankees probably couldn't swing a deal for him. Estrada and Morejon are more likely options, and either one would be a great addition.
Morejon would be a great left-handed relief pitcher for the Yankees in important situations. He was an All-Star in 2025 and would be a key guy in New York's bullpen.
Last year, Morejon went 13-6 with a 2.08 ERA in 75 games, which proves he can be a go-to guy for the Yankees. He's under contract through 2026, too.
The Yankees Need Another Reliever
The Yankees haven't done much this offseason, which is kind of surprising.
They're still talking to some of the big free agents, like Cody Bellinger, but they should also get some pitching help. Even though they have Bednar to close games, Kirschner thinks New York needs another great reliever.
Kirschner also added that the Yankees have too many question marks in their bullpen to feel good about them being much better in 2026. That's why Cashman needs to get at least one more good reliever before the season starts.
Since most of the good relievers have already signed, the only way for the Yankees to get a top-tier reliever is through a trade.
Aaron Boone Has Faith in the Bullpen
The Yankees' bullpen had some problems in 2025, but the team did a nice job fixing it as the season went on.
New York got Bednar and Doval at the trade deadline, and Bednar was a big help. Even though Doval struggled at times, Boone liked how he ended the season and expects him to play a key role in 2026.
Boone said earlier this month that he feels good about where Doval was at the end of the season and in the playoffs. He felt like Doval had some of his best outings at the very end and in the postseason.
Boone also mentioned that Doval cleaned up some things in how he gets set, which put him in a better position to throw strikes. And that he's had a good winter, communicating and working on his throwing program to get ready to go. Boone is really hopeful about what Doval will do for the team.
The Yankees' only bullpen move this offseason was re-signing Paul Blackburn.
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
