Sports
NL East capsules: Do aging Phillies still run the division?
Oct 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) reacts as he scores a run during the fourth inning in game three of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Philadelphia Phillies
2025 record: 96-66 (1st place, NL East)
He gone: LHP Ranger Suarez, OF Nick Castellanos, LHP Matt Strahm, OF Harrison Bader, OF Max Kepler
New faces: OF Adolis Garcia, RHP Brad Keller, OF Justin Crawford, RHP Andrew Painter, INF/OF Dylan Moore
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Will their aging star players perform well enough to overcome questionable depth in the lineup and bullpen? The Phillies’ roster has several of the best players in the game — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Jhoan Duran among them. But they also plan on Alec Bohm hitting cleanup, and they’re hoping Garcia can bounce back at 33 after two poor seasons at the plate. Harper, also 33, hit well last year, but wasn’t close to his career best. Wheeler, soon to be 36, is coming off thoracic outlet syndrome surgery that included a celebrated rib removal. He’s getting a late start on the season. Righty Aaron Nola (who looked great for Italy in the World Baseball Classic) needs to do better than his 6.01 ERA in 17 starts a season ago. Duran is a great stopper, but the bullpen as a unit was mediocre in ‘25 — although lefty Jose Alvarado is back after throwing just 25 innings a season ago because of a PED suspension.
2026 outlook: They should be a playoff team again, but the Phillies want more than a mere appearance in the postseason. Having a full complement of healthy starting pitching, a return to elite status by Harper and an 80th-percentile performance by the bullpen just might get a World Series championship done.
New York Mets
2025 record: 83-79 (2nd place, NL East)
He gone: RHP Edwin Diaz, 1B Pete Alonso, OF Brandon Nimmo, 2B/OF Jeff McNeil, OF/DH Starling Marte
New faces: RHP Freddy Peralta, 3B Bo Bichette, 2B Marcus Semien, OF Luis Robert Jr., RHP Devin Williams
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Are they good enough to win in the postseason (assuming they get there) after letting go of two club icons? Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns made some savvy additions in the offseason, notably bringing in Peralta for the top of the rotation. Bichette and Jorge Polanco should cover Alonso’s bat in the lineup. Robert is a fair gamble to bounce back in center. Williams and Luke Weaver are solid bets to have strong seasons in high-leverage relief situations. But losing Alonso and Diaz is like getting a soul transplant, and it’s not like they were the ones keeping the team from success in ‘25. Most of all: The starting pitching depth after Peralta and Nolan McLean seems very iffy.
2026 outlook: The Phillies would have to significantly regress (not impossible, but unlikely) for the Mets to pass them in the division. The Braves are wounded already. The Nationals are bottoming out. The Marlins are more irritating than dangerous. The Mets seem like a sure bet for second place.
Miami Marlins
2025 record: 79-83 (3rd place, NL East)
He gone: RHP Edward Cabrera, LHP Ryan Weathers, OF Dane Myers, INF Eric Wagaman
New faces: OF Owen Caissie, RHP Pete Fairbanks, RHP Chris Paddack, INF/OF Christopher Morel
Biggest question entering Opening Day: How can they tap into the mojo that rocked LoanDepot Park during the World Baseball Classic? The Miami area obviously has baseball fans, and they clearly know where the stadium is. It’s just a matter of giving them a reason to enter the ballpark for Marlins home games. The Fish have some talented pitchers (Eury Perez, Sandy Alcantara, Max Meyer) and intriguing pitching prospects (Thomas White, Robby Snelling). They’re hoping that Caissie develops like Kyle Stowers did in ‘25, and that Jakob Marsee performs all season like he did in August (but not September). If it all comes together, they could form the best young outfield in the majors. But it likely won’t spark a wave of enthusiasm like we saw from Team Venezuela, the Dominican Republic or even Italy in the WBC. A sustainably great young Marlins team would be great for the league. If only.
2026 outlook: President of baseball ops Peter Bendix and manager Clayton McCullough appear to be the right guys to run an organization. If Alcantara returns to All-Star form, and Perez fully finishes his recovery from Tommy John, the Marlins have a chance to repeat as third-place champs. Actual contention remains only vaguely on the horizon.
Atlanta Braves
2025 record 76-86 (4th place, NL East)
He gone: DH Marcell Ozuna, RHP Charlie Morton, RHP Pierce Johnson, OF Alex Verdugo, manager Brian Snitker
New faces: RHP Robert Suarez, OF Mike Yastrzemski, SS Mauricio Dubon, 1B/DH Dominic Smith, C Jonah Heim
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Will they stop having injuries long enough to have their best chance to rejoin the playoff hunt? Few if any teams have been affected by major injuries over the past two seasons more than the Braves. They’re still nicked up, with Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, Joe Jimenez, Sean Murphy and Ha-Seong Kim among those set to start the season on the injured list. Jurickson Profar isn’t hurt, but won’t play this season after getting popped for PEDs again. The good news: superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. is healthy and ready to get 600-plus plate appearances for the first time since 2023. The Braves also need bounce-back seasons from other key players who’ve been limited by injuries — notably sluggers Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies, and righty Reynaldo Lopez. Michael Harris II regaining his former form, as he showed signs of doing in the second half of ‘25, also will be key. Most of all, can Spencer Strider become the ace was in 2023? Regardless, some think Didier Fuentes, a rookie who is beginning in the bullpen, can make an impact like Strider did as a younger player.
2026 outlook: Walt Weiss takes over as manager, promoted from bench coach after Snitker retired. Even if the Braves can regain contending form, a goal like the World Series seems out of their grasp right now.
Washington Nationals
2025 record: 66-96 (5th place, NL East)
He gone: LHP MacKenzie Gore, 1B/DH Josh Bell, INF Paul DeJong, LHP Jose A. Ferrer
New faces: RHP Zack Littell, LHP Foster Griffin, RHP Miles Mikolas, manager Blake Butera, president of baseball ops Paul Toboni
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Is it a good or bad sign that top prospect Dylan Crews won’t make the Opening Day roster? It’s probably bad and reflects more on Crews’ struggles, because the Nats don’t have a lot of depth that projects to perform well. CJ Abrams and James Wood, even with their imperfections, are a strong way to start a lineup. After that, it gets really iffy, really fast. Be optimistic about Brady House, who didn’t hit a season ago as a rookie, but still has the potential to be an effective third baseman. Outfielder Daylen Lile probably over-performed as a rookie, so beware the regression monster. Keibert Ruiz has been a disappointment since coming over in an earlier rebuild, posting a career slash line of .248/.293/.372. Maybe he can get hot enough to be traded so prospect Harry Ford can come up and play. Luis Garcia Jr. didn’t build on his breakout 2024 season, but his peripheral numbers still indicate All-Star potential (partially because second base is a relatively weak position league-wide). The starting pitching is weak, but at least they signed Littell, who probably will be traded by the deadline.
2026 outlook: A consensus of projection systems (for example, PECOTA) says the Nationals are likely to go 66-96 or so in 2026. That seems optimistic. Very. If everything goes right, they’ll avoid losing 100 games, but there’s a nonzero chance they’ll lose 110.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Kansas coach Bill Self will take time to evaluate future
Mar 19, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self speaks at a press conference ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images Bill Self was noncommittal about his future as Kansas coach after the Jayhawks’ season-ending loss in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, saying he plans to meet with his family to discuss what comes next.
“I haven’t really gone through much on the court,” Self said after No. 4 seed Kansas fell to No. 5 seed St. John’s on a buzzer-beater in the second round. “I’ve gone through some stuff off the court. So I’ll get back and get with family and visit and see what’s going on.
“I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I’m feeling good and healthy to do it fairly well. I’ll get back home, and it will all be discussed.”
Self’s comments indicate his decision will be made based more on his own health than the turbulent season his team just completed, which was marked throughout by instability around freshman phenom Darryn Peterson’s availability. Peterson, one of the frontrunners to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this June, missed 11 games with multiple ailments, including quad and hamstring injuries, an issue that became a near-constant point of discussion.
Self’s own health issues first cropped up in 2023, when he was hospitalized with chest tightness and had two stents inserted to treat blocked arteries in his heart, causing him to miss the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. He had another two stents inserted in July 2025.
In mid-January, he was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital after he felt unwell and ultimately received IV fluids and did not travel with the team for a game at Colorado.
“I don’t know about completely,” Self said Sunday about his health, “but I’m feeling — I feel as good as I’ve felt in a long time. I’m not making any statements whatsoever.
“When you get to be doing it as long as I’ve done it, I look at it in five-year increments. Now I’m probably looking at it in more two-year increments, so to speak. So I try to focus on this season and try to get us to a second weekend, which we failed at. So I’ll go back now and break it down and see where that leads.”
Self, 63, has won two national championships (2008, 2022) and taken Kansas to four Final Fours since being hired in 2003, compiling a remarkable 648-167 (.795) record. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
–Field Level Media
Sports
World No. 3 Iga Swiatek splits with coach after just 18 months
Jul 12, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland poses with the trophy after winning the women’s final match against Amanda Anisimova of the United States on day 13 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images World No. 3 Iga Swiatek has parted ways with coach Wim Fissette following last week’s abrupt second-round exit at the Miami Open.
The 24-year-old tennis star announced the split on social media Monday, ending their partnership after an 18-month tenure highlighted by her sixth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last July.
Swiatek, who was eliminated by Polish compatriot (and World No. 50) Magda Linette in Miami last Thursday, said the rest of her team will remain in place. The loss snapped her streak of 73 consecutive opening-match wins.
“Sometimes life and sport bring moments like this,” Swiatek posted on Instagram, translated from Polish. “Miami was challenging for me. I feel disappointment, bitterness and responsibility for my performance on the court of course. I’ve also learned a lot of important lessons and I think that’s very human.
“That being said, after many months of working together with my coach Wim Fissette, I’ve decided to take a different path. It was an intense time full of challenges and many important experiences. I’m grateful for his support, experience, and everything we achieved together — including one of my biggest dreams in sport.”
Swiatek worked with former coach Tomasz Wiktorowski for three years before hiring Fissette in October 2024.
Fissette, 46, of Belgium, previously coached Kim Clijsters, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka to Grand slam titles. He also worked with Simona Halep and Sabine Lisicki.
“We both wanted and worked for more but shared important moments and lessons,” Fissette posted on Instagram. “Iga, I now wish you good luck and success in what’s next. I’m sure you will have it.”
Swiatek has won 25 career WTA Tour titles. In addition to Wimbledon in 2025, her major championships include the 2022 U.S. Open and four wins at the French Open (2020, 2022-24).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Union Prez: WNBA players nearly unanimous yes on CBA
Sep 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) shoots the ball against the Golden State Valkyries during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images The WNBA labor dispute moved one step closer to a final resolution with players voting to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement with the league, according to the players’ union president on ESPN’s “First Take” on Monday.
Women’s National Basketball Players Association president Nneka Ogwumike said the results of the ratification vote were a near-unanimous yes with 90% of players taking part in the voting.
The CBA will now go back to the league for its approval.
The league, in partnership with the Players Association, officially announced on Friday that a seven-year CBA had been agreed upon.
The agreement will run through the 2032 season.
The revenue-sharing deal will increase the average salary to $583,000 this season and the maximum salary to $1.4 million, while providing over $1 billion in salaries and benefits over the contract.
“This Collective Bargaining Agreement represents a defining moment in the WNBA’s 30-year history and all of women’s professional sports,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Friday in a news release. “Since its inception, the WNBA has been shaped by extraordinary athletes who believed in the league’s future. The agreement is a testament to that belief and to the tremendous progress we have achieved together.”
The salary increases represent a significant jump for WNBA players. Team salary caps will be $7 million this season — a huge leap from $1.5 million in 2025 — and will be adjusted annually based on teams and league revenue growth.
The deal projects the maximum salary to reach $2.4 million by 2032, and the average salary to surpass $1 million by then.
The minimum salary this season will range from $270,000 to $300,000, depending on service time. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft will earn approximately $500,000.
“We’ve always believed that as this league grows, the players who power it must grow with it, and we’re proud to see that belief shared,” Ogwumike, the league MVP in 2016, said Friday. “We love this game enough to push for what it can become, not just for ourselves, but for those who built this league and those who will carry it forward.
“This agreement reflects that shared commitment, with players owning their value and future alongside a league growing stronger because of it.”
The players have been without a collective bargaining agreement since they opted out of their existing agreement in October 2024, a year before its Oct. 31, 2025, expiration.
All players on the WNBA championship team will receive $60,000 — the payout was $22,908 in 2025 — and the runner-ups will receive $20,000 (up from $8,521). The WNBA Finals MVP will get a $30,000 bonus (up from $5,000).
The season MVP will receive a $60,000 bonus, the Defensive Player of the Year will get $30,000 and the Rookie of the Year will receive $15,000.
The All-Star Game MVP will receive $20,000.
The length of the regular season will increase to 50 games in 2027 and 2028 and 52 from 2029-32.
The WNBA Draft is slated for April 13 with training camps opening six days later.
–Field Level Media
Kansas coach Bill Self will take time to evaluate future
World No. 3 Iga Swiatek splits with coach after just 18 months
