I've used the word "penultimate" seemingly endless times in the last month or so, so here's one more. The WooSox capped off their finale in Lehigh Valley (Phillies AAA), finishing the PENULTIMATE series of 2026 in dramatic fashion despite outplaying the IronPigs for most of the game. Gage Ziehl had a gritty if not spectacular performance, pitching into the sixth and coming back from being taken yard in the fourth without his confidence shaken. All told, the 23-year-old righty struck out eight to bring his total to 126 in 116 innings pitched (96/85, respectively, of those being in Portland) and is really shaping up into someone to watch in 2027. The pitching staff as a whole issued zero walks despite being taken for nine hits, but the game never looked out of control save for when Noah Song came in to let two runs up in the sixth.
Luckily, though, the WooSox offense had a home run derby, sending five over the fence, including two from Allan Castro. That second one hoisted the WooSox from a deficit to a lead that Sam McWilliams wouldn't give up. Arias also hit his 24th home run of the season (and his 5th in Triple-A.)
Rain cancelled the last game of the season against Binghamton (Mets AA) in an anticlimactic fashion. But what a season it was for the Sea Dogs.
The season began with interested eyes watching Franklin Arias become an absolute hitting machine in the spring, along with Anthony Eyannson dealing, only for the former to be promoted to Triple-A and the latter dealt to Baltimore (or rather, Chesapeake) in the Adley Rutschman deal. Still, Brooks Brannon raked, the team had 8 walk-off wins and generally found ways to come up on top. The pitching staff headed by Hayden Mullins, in his own right a guy to watch, pitched a combined no hitter in April (but not a shutout). And Justin Gonzales looks formidable as an everyday outfielder a few years in the future. Overall, the cupboard is not as fully stocked as some teams, but there's some players to feel good about starting to make their mark in the mid-levels of the farm.

#pitching

The Boston Red Sox have reportedly pulled off a blockbuster with the Baltimore Orioles to acquire Adley Rutschman, but there is still time for them to make more moves.
Last week, CBS Sports' Julian McWilliams reported that George Springer was interested in joining the Red Sox via trade. However, McWilliams is now reporting that such a deal is unlikely. Springer will be a free agent after the seaosn, so trading him would make sense for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Even though the Blue Jays pulled off a big trade for José Soriano, they are still expected to be sellers. They already traded Kevin Gausman, and Springer is a few months away from free agency as well. He could be on the move, but his fit with the Red Sox never made much sense.
He is a designated hitter, and the Red Sox already have Masataka Yoshida in that spot. When Roman Anthony returns, he could also spend time as the team's designated hitter. Springer is not having a great year either, so trading for him would have been a puzzling move in the first place.
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#mcwilliams #free

The Eagles enter training camp with a defense that looks dramatically different from the one that finished last season, but the new structure may give Vic Fangio one of the most athletic and flexible groups in the NFC. Philadelphia is still built through the trenches with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo, but the strength of the roster could shift toward a loaded cornerback room led by Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen. The biggest questions are not about whether the Eagles have talent. They are about how quickly the new pieces settle, how the edge-rusher rotation forms, and who earns the safety and linebacker roles around the established core.
The defensive line begins with Carter, Davis, and Ojomo. Carter played through two badly injured shoulders last season and still became the Eagles' lone Pro Bowl starter, producing 33 tackles, 41 quarterback pressures, 11 quarterback hits, and three sacks in 12 games. Davis signed a three-year, $78 million deal and remains central to Philadelphia's run defense, while Ojomo enters the final year of his contract after seeing his snap count rise and finishing second on the team in sacks. Ty Robinson and Byron Young give the Eagles young rotational options, while Gabe Hall is trying to secure a depth role.
Edge rusher is one of the most important camp battles. Jonathan Greenard arrives as the projected top-of-the-rotation pass rusher, giving Fangio a veteran presence who can work off the interior disruption created by Carter and Davis. Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith remain major pieces of the plan, with Hunt coming off a season in which he led the team in sacks and interceptions, while Smith needs to turn pressure flashes into more consistent production after missing time in 2025. Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa, Uar Bernard, Jose Ramirez, Ta'Quon Graham, Keyshawn James-Newby, and Joshua Weru will compete for rotational snaps and roster spots after Joe Tryon-Shoyinka's retirement removed one veteran from the room.
Linebacker remains led by Zack Baun, while Jihaad Campbell's shoulder recovery will shape the rest of the depth chart. Campbell's playing time was limited when Nakobe Dean returned last season, but Dean's departure creates a clearer path once Campbell is healthy. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. enter camp looking for breakout opportunities, while Chance Campbell, Deontae Lawson, and Chandler Martin are battling for depth and special teams roles.
Cornerback could be Philadelphia's best position group. Mitchell is already one of the league's top young outside corners, and DeJean's versatility allows Fangio to move him around the formation without weakening the secondary. Woolen's arrival on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million gives the Eagles rare size, speed, and ball production opposite Mitchell. Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett can now compete from reserve roles instead of being forced into every-week starter responsibilities, while Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams,