Sports
The Minnesota Twins Should've Traded Pablo Lopez Last Year
The Minnesota Twins have been among the unluckiest teams in baseball for most of the 21st century. More recently, they’ve assembled one of the better rosters in the American League, but it hasn’t led to much success in the postseason. They haven’t made it out of the ALDS since 2002, and with how their roster continued to fall apart at the worst times, they decided to close their window of contention at the trade deadline last season.
Minnesota blew up their roster, trading 10 players at the deadline, including Carlos Correa, Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and many other important pieces. They got some decent pieces back in these trades, but they made many of these moves to shed salary.
The way they tore things down never made much sense. They gutted their roster but kept their three most valuable trade assets, which will never be valuable pieces on a contender in Minnesota.
Byron Buxton is coming off one of the healthiest years in his career, but at age 32, how much time does he have before his play begins to suffer after dealing with as many injuries as he has? Buxton is signed to a relatively team-friendly deal, but only through 2028. I don’t see Minnesota as a serious contender over the next three years, so holding on to him only keeps this team from truly bottoming out and landing a top draft pick.
The move that really never made sense for the Twins was holding on to Pablo Lopez. Of course, it’s easier for me to say this after seeing that he will miss all of 2026 with a torn UCL Ligament, but even at the time, it never made sense to hold on to him.
The Twins were looking to shed money at the deadline, and Lopez was making $21.5 million. Not only that, but the last deadline was a complete seller’s market for pitchers. Even with a questionable bill of health for Lopez, he could’ve gotten a massive return for Minnesota.
Again, hindsight is 20/20, and nobody expected him to miss this entire season, but not cashing in on him after you had already traded 10 other players is organizational malpractice. It’s not like the Twins were even close to a playoff spot. Things really got worse down the stretch, but they still lost 92 games last year; it was simply not a good baseball team.
It might be a long few years for Twins fans. Detroit has one of the best rotations in baseball and multiple top prospects on the way. Kansas City has Bobby Whitt Jr. and a young core looking to compete.
Then there’s always Cleveland who manages to break the Twins’ hearts year after year. Get ready for some rough times in the Twin Cities.
Sports
Longtime NFL assistant Kris Richard is named Stanford DC
Oct 20, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images Stanford has hired longtime NFL assistant Kris Richard as its defensive coordinator under new coach Tavita Pritchard.
Richard, 46, spent 13 seasons as an NFL assistant with the Seattle Seahawks (2010-17), Dallas Cowboys (2018-19), New Orleans Saints (2021-22) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2024). He served as Seattle’s defensive coordinator from 2015-17 and shared the DC duties in New Orleans in 2022.
“Kris Richard is a proven winner and an exceptional defensive mind who has coached at the highest levels of this game,” Pritchard said in a news release. “His ability to develop elite defensive backs in the NFL is well-documented, but what really excites me is his background as a coordinator who builds relentless, attacking defenses.
“Kris brings a championship pedigree and an intensity that will shape our defense into a physical, run-and-hit unit that our guys will take immense pride in. He is a tremendous communicator who connects with people and demands excellence, and I am confident he will build a defense that reflects the energy and toughness that will embody our team.”
Richard, a cornerback, played in 39 NFL games over four seasons with the Seahawks (2002-04) and San Francisco 49ers (2005). He had eight career college interceptions — six in 1999 — at Southern California from 1998-2001 before being selected in the third round of the NFL draft by Seattle.
“My family, the defensive staff, and I are incredibly grateful to join the Stanford community,” Richard said. “Thank you for welcoming us with open arms. We are all eager to get to work cultivating a championship culture and mindset.”
Richard takes on a big task as the Cardinal were 134th and last nationally in passing yards allowed (288.9) per game and 95th in scoring defense at 29.2 points per game.
Stanford opens the 2026 season at home against Hawaii on Aug. 29.
–Field Level Media
Sports
ESPN replacing 'Sunday Night Baseball' with WNBA, NWSL games
Jul 18, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu is interviewed by ESPN reporter Holly Rowe after winning the three-point contest during the 2025 WNBA All Star Skills Challenge at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images With “Sunday Night Baseball” moving to NBC this season, ESPN revealed Thursday it has elected to fill its premium Sunday slot with WNBA and NWSL games and ancillary coverage.
“Women’s Sports Sundays” will debut in prime time this summer. ESPN said 12 live games and accompanying studio segments will air over nine weeks.
“Sunday Night Baseball” was a staple on ESPN for 36 years, but the network and MLB terminated their agreement three years before it was scheduled to end. NBC has committed to airing “Sunday Night Baseball” through at least 2028.
ESPN, meanwhile, believes it is catching two leagues on the rise.
“Women’s sports are experiencing continued momentum, and ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’ is ESPN’s next step in meeting that demand,” Rosalyn Durant, ESPN’s executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, said in a statement.
“This franchise is about more than showcasing games — it’s about building a consistent, high-profile destination that reflects the passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports today, while giving athletes and leagues the stage they deserve.”
Details about matchups and broadcast personnel will be announced at a later date.
More women’s sports properties, including college basketball, could be added to the Sunday night slate in future seasons, according to Front Office Sports.
The NWSL season starts March 13 and continues into November. The league expanded to 16 teams with the additions of Boston Legacy and Denver Summit.
WNBA training camps are scheduled to open April 19 ahead of tip-off on May 8, but a labor impasse threatens to delay the start of the season. The collective bargaining agreement with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association expired in January and negotiations about revenue sharing and salary structure have barely progressed.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Timberwolves eager to reclaim momentum against ailing Mavs
Feb 11, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) celebrates making a shot with guard Anthony Edwards (5) against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Anthony Edwards is excited to bring his NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy back to Minnesota.
Timberwolves fans welcome Edwards and his teammates back when they tip off against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night in Minneapolis. It is the first game since the All-Star break for both teams, who appear headed in different directions as the postseason approaches.
Edwards hopes that more trophies will follow, especially team trophies.
“It means a lot,” Edwards said. “I love Minnesota, and I know Minnesota loves me. I said I wasn’t going to put on a show for them, but I gave them a show. Appreciate y’all, Minnesota.”
Minnesota won two consecutive games before the break and holds the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings. Before NBA action resumed Thursday night, only 1 1/2 games separated the Timberwolves from the third-place Denver Nuggets in the playoff race.
The Timberwolves brought back a familiar face to add bench depth as they look to improve their playoff seed. They re-signed veteran guard Mike Conley during the break and he rejoined the team for practice Thursday.
Conley averaged 4.4 points and 2.9 assists in 44 games (nine starts) with Minnesota earlier this season. The Timberwolves traded him on Feb. 3 to the Chicago Bulls, who subsequently flipped Conley to the Charlotte Hornets. He didn’t play for either team.
The Hornets bought out Conley’s contract, which cleared the way for Minnesota to bring him back.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said he would be open-minded about when and how to reinsert Conley into the team’s rotation. Ayo Dosunmu, acquired in that Feb. 3 deal with the Bulls, has averaged 14.7 points and 28.0 minutes since his arrival and has forged chemistry with Bones Hyland.
“I think everything is on the table right now,” Finch said. “We’ve got some things to work through. Those two guys, Ayo and Bones, have been great, no doubt about it. They’re a nice little combination, too. We’ve just got to take it day by day. … We don’t have anything pre-scripted.”
As the Timberwolves look to build momentum after the break, the Mavericks are focused on how best to position themselves for next season and beyond.
Dallas arrives in Minnesota on a nine-game losing streak and, hypothetically, eager for its first victory since Jan. 22.
Impact rookie Cooper Flagg has provided a bright spot for the Mavericks by averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in 49 starts. But a foot sprain forced Flagg to miss the league’s All-Star activities, and he will not play Friday against the Timberwolves.
Dallas also will miss Kyrie Irving, who was ruled out of the remainder of the season this week as he recovers from a torn ACL.
“This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one,” Irving said in a statement posted on the team’s website. “I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows.”
This is the third of four meetings between the teams this season. Minnesota won each of the first two matchups by scores of 120-96 on Nov. 17 and 118-105 on Jan. 28.
–Field Level Medi
Longtime NFL assistant Kris Richard is named Stanford DC
ESPN replacing 'Sunday Night Baseball' with WNBA, NWSL games
