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Trey Smith not worried about Chiefs contract, franchise tag deadline

The Kansas City Chiefs made significant changes to their offensive line during the 2025 NFL offseason, but they wanted to make sure star guard Trey Smith remained with the team.

Kansas City slapped Smith with the franchise tag to avoid letting the two-time Super Bowl champion hit the open market as a free agent. As a result, Smith is set to play the 2025 season on a one-year, $23.4 million contract, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history.

But will the Chiefs sign the 2024 Pro Bowler to a long-term extension? The two parties must agree to one before July 15 – the NFL’s annual deadline by which to agree to an extension with a franchise-tagged player. Otherwise, they may end up doing the same song and dance during the 2026 NFL offseason.

Despite this, Smith doesn’t seem overly worried about his future, as he expressed in an interview on FanDuel TV’s ‘Up and Adams’ Thursday.

‘I leave it to the hands of my agents,’ Smith said of any potential contract negotiations. ‘Obviously, the front office staff of the Chiefs are elite, and you know, at the end of the day, I just let them take care of it. I just have to focus on being the best version of myself, being the best football player and being prepared for training camp because St. Joe’s is around the corner.’

It isn’t clear whether Smith and the Chiefs will agree to an extension before the deadline. However, the 26-year-old has earned an endorsement from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who called Smith ‘one of the best protectors in the business,’ according to Kay Adams.

‘For him to say that means a lot to me,’ Smith said. ‘Like I said, I lose sleep thinking about protecting Patrick. I know the things that I need to get better in my game to be the best protector that I can and just be an asset for my team and help my team out.’

Kansas City has just under $10.9 million in cap space remaining for the 2025 NFL season. Extending Smith could create more, as the team could try to lower his $23.4 million cap hit for the upcoming campaign.

An extension would also replenish the long-term guard stability the Chiefs lost by trading perennial All-Pro Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears during the offseason.

However, the Chiefs are projected to be $37.2 million over the cap in 2026, per OverTheCap.com. That could complicate potential extension discussions, or at least force Kansas City to consider restructuring some contracts to give itself better maneuverability in 2026 and beyond.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Trump’s tariffs on Brazil could make your coffee even more expensive

President Donald Trump’s proposed 50% tariff on Brazilian imports is bad news for coffee drinkers.

Brazil, the largest U.S. supplier of green coffee beans, accounts for about a third of the country’s total supply, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Coffee beans need to grow in a warm, tropical climate, making Hawaii and Puerto Rico the only suitable places in the United States to farm the crop. But, as the world’s top consumer of coffee, the U.S. requires a massive supply to stay caffeinated. Mintel estimates that the U.S. coffee market reached $19.75 billion last year.

The increase in trade duties could leave consumers with even higher costs after several years of soaring coffee prices. Inflation-weary consumers have seen prices for lattes and cold brew climb as droughts and frost hit the global coffee supply, particularly in Brazil. Earlier this year, coffee bean futures hit all-time highs. They rose 1% on Thursday, although still well below the record set in February.

To be sure, there’s still time for Brazil to strike a deal with the White House before the tariffs go into effect on Aug. 1. Plus, food and beverage makers are hoping that the Trump administration will grant exemptions for key commodities. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in an interview in late June that the White House is considering exemptions for produce that can’t be grown in the U.S. — including coffee.

But if that doesn’t happen, coffee companies like Folgers owner J.M. Smucker, Keurig Dr Pepper, Starbucks and Dutch Bros will face much higher costs for the commodity. Giuseppe Lavazza, chair of Italian roaster Lavazza, said on Bloomberg TV on Thursday morning that the latest tariff could mean “a lot of inflation” for the coffee industry.

Roasters will try to mitigate the impact of the higher tariff, but it won’t be easy.

“Every company is always trying to eke out the next efficiency, to dial into their operations or find the way to minimize inflationary pressures, but a 50% tariff on a commodity that fundamentally is not available in the U.S. — you can’t really do much with that,” Tom Madrecki, vice president of supply chain and logistics for the Consumer Brands Association, a trade group that represents the consumer packaged goods industry.

One mitigation tactic could be to import beans from countries other than Brazil, but companies will likely still be paying more for the commodity.

“A characteristic of tariffs, especially when you have tariffs on multiple countries at once, is that not just the inbound cost rises. It allows the pricing floor to also rise,” Madrecki said. “If you have cheaper coffee in a country different than Brazil, you’re not inclined to sell it at a 30% lower cost. You’re going to try to bump your coffee up a bit more, too.”

At-home coffee brands, like JM Smucker’s Dunkin’ and Kraft Heinz’s Maxwell House, have already been hiking their prices this year in response to spiking commodity costs. More price increases could be on the way for consumers, although retailers may push back.

Keurig Dr Pepper would consider additional price hikes in the latter half of the year to mitigate the impact of tariffs, CEO Tim Cofer said in late April, after Trump introduced his initial round of so-called reciprocal duties.

And Smuckers warned investors on its quarterly conference call in early June that tariffs on coffee were weighing on its profits. Coffee accounts for roughly a third of the company’s revenue.

“Green coffee is an unavailable natural resource that cannot be grown in the continental United States due to its reliance on a tropical climate,” Smuckers CEO Mark Smucker said. “We currently purchase approximately 500 million pounds of green coffee annually, with the majority coming from Brazil and Vietnam, the two largest coffee-producing countries.”

Vietnam, which announced a tentative trade deal with the White House earlier this month, supplies about 8% of the U.S.’s green coffee beans. Under the agreement, the U.S. will impose a 20% duty on Vietnamese imports.

Consumers who prefer a caramel macchiato from Starbucks for their caffeine hit will likely see a more muted impact on their wallets.

After several quarters of sluggish U.S. sales, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said in late 2024 that the company wouldn’t raise prices in 2025, in the hopes of winning back customers who had complained about how expensive its drinks had gotten. While it waits for its turnaround to take hold, Starbucks might choose to swallow the higher coffee costs.

The coffee giant also benefits from its diversity — both in suppliers and the breadth of its menu, which now includes the popular Refreshers line. Starbucks imports its coffee from 30 different countries, and roughly 10% of its cost of goods sold in North America comes from coffee.

The new trade duty could mean a 0.5% increase in Starbucks’ North American cost of goods sold, assuming about 22% of its beans come from Brazil, TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles wrote in a note to clients on Thursday. Starbucks’ packaged drinks, which are distributed by Nestle, could see their cost of goods sold increase 3.5%. Altogether, that represents a 5-cent drag on annual earnings per share, according to Charles.

For rival Dutch Bros, higher coffee costs also wouldn’t hurt its bottom line much. Coffee accounts for less than a tenth of the drive-thru coffee chain’s cost of goods sold. Assuming that Dutch Bros sources more than half of its coffee from Brazil, its cost of goods sold would rise just 1.3%, according to Charles’ estimates.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
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FIFA lowers ticket prices two days before Club World Cup final

FIFA has already lowered prices for the Club World Cup final in an effort to attract more fans to attend the match on Sunday, July 13, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 

The cheapest standard admission ticket, to see reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Premier League standout Chelsea, has dropped from $312.20 to $249.75 two days before the final. 

Some seats in the back of the 100 sections were initially in the $440-$546 range, lowered to $334.50 to $473.90. 

However, premium club seats remained the same prices from Wednesday to Friday. Seats in the East Club remain $1,644.65, while seats in the EY Coaches Club are still $4,348.50. 

Watch Club World Cup free on DAZN

FIFA has been criticized for high initial prices for tickets, but has adjusted pricing, taking supply and demand into account. The cheapest tickets for half of the Club World Cup’s group stage matches (24 of 48 total) were under $36 all-in with fees before taxes before the tournament. The Associated Press reported June 28 that at least 1 million tickets were unsold during the group stage. 

Before the semifinals, FIFA president Gianni Infantino claimed “over 2.26 million fans” attended Club World Cup matches during an event at the organization’s new office at Trump Tower in New York City on Monday, July 7. 

The first semifinal between Chelsea and Brazilian side Fluminense had an announced crowd of 70,556. The Athletic reported tickets for that match lowered from $473.90 to just $13 in a three-day span before the Tuesday, July 8 match. 

The Club World Cup’s semifinal match, which saw PSG dismantle Real Madrid had an announced crowd of 77,542 people at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday, July 9. The vast majority were fans of Real Madrid — arguably the most popular team in the sport globally. Real Madrid’s elimination certainly doesn’t help ticket sales for the final, which could possibly see prices drop further into the weekend. 

However, the most attended Club World Cup match saw PSG beat Atletico Madrid in front of 80,619 fans at the Rose Bowl Stadium outside Los Angeles on June 20. 

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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State Department to axe 1,800 employees

The State Department will move to layoff nearly 2,000 employees on Friday as it begins its reorganization plan. 

An internal memo circulated Thursday evening by Michael Rigas, deputy secretary of management and resources, announced that domestic employees affected by the reduction in force (RIF) would be notified ‘over the coming days.’ 

Approximately 1,800 people will be affected, Fox News has learned. 

The RIF notices plus voluntary departures under the Trump administration amount to a 15% work force reduction. 

‘The departments, bureaus, offices and domestic operations have grown considerably over the last 25 years, and the resulting proliferation of bureaus and offices with unclear, overlapping or duplicative mandates have hobbled the department’s ability to rapidly respond to emerging threats and crises or to effectively advance America’s affirmative interests in the world,’ a senior State Department official said. 

The official added that there are ‘more than 700 domestic offices for 18,000 people.’ 

‘A lot of this, as we said, covers redundant offices and takes some of these cross-cutting functions and moves them to the regional bureaus and to our embassies overseas, to the people who are closest to where diplomacy is happening, to empower them with the resources and authorities they need to be able to carry out the President’s foreign policy.’

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce warned on Thursday the agency would move quickly after the Supreme Court stayed the lower court’s injunction blocking the administration from implementing widescale force reductions across federal agencies. 

A senior official said there are currently no plans for overseas closures of embassies and outposts. They added the State Department will work to preserve the dignity of affected workers. 

‘We’re going to work to preserve the dignity of federal workers,’ the official said. ‘We want to be sensitive to that process and make sure people have the resources they need … and make sure everyone is treated with dignity.’

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‘Nothing to stand on’: Ex-White House physician slams Biden doctor for silence during House GOP grilling

A former White House physician is criticizing Kevin O’Connor after the ex-Biden administration doctor refused to answer questions by House Oversight Committee investigators earlier this week.

Dr. O’Connor, who served as White House physician to former President Joe Biden, sat down for a transcribed interview with committee staff and panel Chair James Comer, R-Ky., on Wednesday. The closed-door meeting lasted roughly 30 minutes, with O’Connor invoking the Fifth Amendment to all questions, save for his name.

His legal team said there were concerns the broad scope of Comer’s probe could force O’Connor into a position of risking doctor-patient confidentiality privileges. 

‘Well, you can’t do both,’ Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, a former White House doctor himself, told Fox News Digital in an interview afterward.

‘I mean, the Fifth Amendment is designed to keep him from incriminating himself in some type of, you know, criminal or unethical behavior. He’d already addressed the issue of patient-doctor privacy, or confidentiality, with the committee.’

He pointed out that O’Connor’s lawyers had already raised issues with patient-doctor confidentiality in a letter to the committee trying to get the interview delayed, but Comer pressed forward.

‘They had already let him know that in this particular case, because he had been subpoenaed, and it was a legal process, he’d been subpoenaed to testify before Congress in this closed session, that the patient-doctor privilege no longer applied,’ Jackson said. ‘And President Trump had waived presidential privilege. So it left him with nothing. Nothing to stand on except for pleading the Fifth.’

Before being elected to Congress, Jackson served as White House physician to both former President Barack Obama and current President Donald Trump.

Comer told reporters on Wednesday that Jackson played a key role in crafting questions for O’Connor. 

‘We have a lot of questions that we’ve prepared for this. We’ve consulted closely with Ronny Jackson, my colleague, who was the White House physician in the first Trump administration. We’ve consulted with a lot of people in the medical community, so there’s going to be a lot of medical questions that are asked,’ he told reporters before the transcribed interview.

He is investigating accusations that Biden’s former top White House aides covered up signs of his mental and physical decline while in office, and whether any executive actions were commissioned via autopen without the president’s full knowledge. Biden allies have pushed back on those claims.

‘The cover-up could not have happened without the assistance and the help of his personal physician, Kevin O’Connor,’ Jackson said. ‘I think that’s why he pled the Fifth, because he realized he was about to implicate himself as a key player in this cover-up.’

O’Connor’s lawyers have denied any implications of guilt.

Jackson said some of the questions he recommended to the committee would have surrounded any potential neurological concerns or cognitive tests while Biden was in office.

But many of those were left unasked, it appears, after O’Connor’s brief meeting with House investigators.

The doctor’s lawyers said O’Connor’s refusal to answer questions on Fifth Amendment grounds was not an admission of guilt, but rather a response to what they saw as an unprecedented investigatory scope that could have violated the bounds of patient-physician privilege.

‘This Committee has indicated to Dr. O’Connor and his attorneys that it does not intend to honor one of the most well-known privileges in our law – the physician patient privilege. Instead, the Committee has indicated that it will demand that Dr. O’Connor reveal, without any limitations, confidential information regarding his medical examinations, treatment, and care of President Biden,’ the attorney statement said.

‘Revealing confidential patient information would violate the most fundamental ethical duty of a physician, could result in revocation of Dr. O’Connor’s medical license, and would subject Dr. O’Connor to potential civil liability. Dr. O’Connor will not violate his oath of confidentiality to any of his patients, including President Biden.’

Fox News Digital reached out to O’Connor’s lawyers for further comment.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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JONATHAN TURLEY: Justice Jackson plays pundit to dismay of SCOTUS colleagues

I wrote recently about the chilling jurisprudence of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who has drawn the ire of colleagues in opinions for her rhetoric and extreme positions. Many have expressed alarm over her adherence to what has been described by one as an ‘imperial judiciary’ model of jurisprudence. Now, it appears that Jackson’s increasingly controversial opinions are serving a certain cathartic purpose for the far-left Biden appointee.

‘I just feel that I have a wonderful opportunity to tell people in my opinions how I feel about the issues, and that’s what I try to do,’ Jackson told ABC News.

Her colleagues have not entirely welcomed that sense of license. The histrionic and hyperbolic rhetoric has increased in Jackson’s opinions, which at times portray her colleagues as abandoning not just the Constitution but democracy itself.

Her dissent in the recent ruling on universal injunctions drew the rebuke of Justice Amy Coney Barrett over what was described as ‘a vision of the judicial role that would make even the most ardent defender of judicial supremacy blush.’

‘We will not dwell on Justice Jackson’s argument, which is at odds with more than two centuries’ worth of precedent, not to mention the Constitution itself,’ Barrett wrote. ‘We observe only this: Justice Jackson decries an imperial Executive while embracing an imperial Judiciary.’

Jackson, however, clearly feels that opinions are a way for her to opine on issues of the day. 

She is not alone. Across the country, liberal judges have been adding their own commentary to decisions in order to condemn Trump, his supporters, and his policies.

I previously wrote about this pattern of extrajudicial commentary.

District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, an Obama appointee who previously presided over Trump’s election interference case, was criticized for failing to recuse herself from that case after she made highly controversial statements about Trump from the bench. Chutkan lashed out at ‘a blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.’ That ‘one person’ was still under investigation at the time, and when Trump was charged, Chutkan refused to let the case go.

Later, Chutkan again added her own commentary when asked to dismiss a case due to Trump pardoning January 6 defendants. She acknowledged that she could not block the pardons, but proclaimed that the pardons could not change the ‘tragic truth’ and ‘cannot whitewash the blood, feces and terror that the mob left in its wake. And it cannot repair the jagged breach in America’s sacred tradition of peacefully transitioning power.’

One of Chutkan’s colleagues, Judge Beryl Howell, also an Obama appointee, lashed out at Trump’s actions, writing, ‘[T]his Court cannot let stand the revisionist myth relayed in this presidential pronouncement.’

Then there is Judge Amit Mehta, another Obama appointee, who has been criticized for conflicted rulings in Trump cases and his bizarre (and ultimately abandoned) effort to banish January 6 defendants from the Capitol.

Last week, Mehta had a straightforward question of jurisdiction concerning a challenge to the denial of grants by the Trump administration. While correctly dismissing the challenge, Mehta decided to add his own commentary on Trump’s priorities and policies:

‘Defendants’ rescinding of these awards is shameful. It is likely to harm communities and individuals vulnerable to crime and violence. But displeasure and sympathy are not enough in a court of law.’

For Jackson, her opinions have at times left her isolated on the Court. Weeks ago, Jackson and Sotomayor were alone in dissent over the defiance of a district court judge of the Court’s decision on universal injunctions. To her credit, Justice Elena Kagan (who voted with Sotomayor and Jackson in dissent in the earlier case) voted with her conservative colleagues in rebuking Judge Brian Murphy in Boston.

Kagan joined in the reversal of Murphy’s conflicting order and wrote the new order ‘clarifies only one thing: Other litigants must follow the rules, but the administration has the Supreme Court on speed dial.’

This week, Jackson lost even Sotomayor and stood alone in her dissent in support of an injunction over plans to downsize the government. Sotomayor observed that the Trump order only directed agencies to plan for such downsizing and said that the courts could hardly enjoin such policy preparations in the Executive Branch.

However, Jackson could and would. 

The controversial position of Jackson on the Court is not due to her liberal views. We have had many such liberal jurists. The difference is how Jackson views her role as a justice.

The danger is not confined to opinions. For years, justices have yielded to the temptations of public speaking before supportive groups. I have long been a critic of what I called the era of ‘celebrity justices,’ where members seem to maintain political constituencies at public events. 

Such speeches not only undermine the integrity of the Court by discussing matters that may come before it, but they can create a desire to maintain the adoration of supporters. The greatest danger is that justices will consciously or subconsciously pander to their bases with soundbites and inflammatory rhetoric.

Judicial advocacy from the bench has been a concern since the founding. Article III can have a corrosive impact on certain jurists who come to view themselves as anointed rather than appointed. Most judges and justices are acutely aware of that danger and struggle to confine their rulings to the merits of disputes, avoiding political questions or commentary.

The ‘opportunity to tell people how I feel’ can become a slippery slope where opinions become more like judicial op-eds. The Court is not a cable show. The price of the ticket to being ‘one of nine’ is that you should speak only through your opinions and only on the narrow legal matter before you. 

Opinions must remain ‘opportunities’ to do simple justice, not a supreme editorial.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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MLB mock draft 2025: Who’s going No. 1? Final look at top prospects

Major League Baseball’s draft finally arrives July 13 from Cobb County’s Roxy Theater, and while it may not light up the Georgia skies like the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game to follow the next two nights, there’s no shortage of intrigue.

This much we know: Eight specific players are almost certain to go in the top 10 picks. Yet in what order and to which teams remains a game of dominos that will have to wait until the clock starts.

And 10 shortstops – from MLB legacies to high school stars to college All-Americas – will consume at least half of the top 20 picks, and while the game’s premier position tends to be a draft premium, this class boasts dudes who will almost assuredly stick on that position – and play at a very high level.

With that, USA TODAY Sports fires some darts one last time with a final mock draft before the pickin’ party commences Sunday:

1. Washington Nationals: Ethan Holliday, SS, Stillwater (Okla.) HS

This selection took on an entirely different level of intrigue when the Nationals blew out GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez just more than a week before the draft. They wisely left the remaining infrastructure intact, which should make their draft process flow smoothly, even as interim GM Mike DeBartolo is now the ranking voice in the room. We’re sticking to our guns here, even if as many as four guys might lay claim to this spot. Ultimately, the Nationals side with a potential building block rather than a ready-made ace with little present value as the franchise faces a total facelift.

2025 MOCK DRAFT EVOLUTION: First edition (May 6) || Second edition (June 10

2. Los Angeles Angels: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU

What a finishing kick for Anderson, who pitched a three-hit shutout against Coastal Carolina in the championship round of the College World Series, which followed a three-hit, seven-inning effort to beat Arkansas. Good luck splitting hairs between Anderson, Jamie Arnold and Liam Doyle, but we’ll side with Anderson’s K rate (NCAA-best 180 in 110 innings) and devastating pitch mix (think Max Fried, only firmer) with a rapid promotion in the offing in Anaheim.

3. Seattle Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State

Perhaps the most impactful pick in the top five, as plucking one of the top college arms or prep right-hander Seth Hernandez here would be a moderate disruption and likely introduce some exotic names into the overall top 10. But let’s stay consistent with this one as the Mariners opt for the physical presence and lineup punch that Arquette would bring up the middle.

4. Colorado Rockies: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS

What do you get the franchise that needs everything? They drafted Chase Dollander and got him to Coors Field quickly, and doing the same with deluxe lefty and fellow Tennessee product Liam Doyle would be highly tempting. Yet Willits, still just 17, represents the high-end building block the franchise lacks.

5. St. Louis Cardinals: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee

In this scenario, the Cardinals have their choice of remaining elite college lefties and opt for Doyle’s greater swing-and-miss upside over Florida State’s Jamie Arnold, though they may prove us wrong come draft night.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS

Hernandez represents the draft’s other great wild card and a test case for how high clubs would be willing to draft a prep right-hander. We’ll stop just shy of calling Hernandez’s repertoire “generational,” but his high-90s fastball and pro-caliber changeup give him a significant springboard to move quicker than your average high school arm.

7. Miami Marlins: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS

Make it back-to-back Panthers here, with Carlson the last of the elite-elite prep shortstops off the board. Imagine a larger version of Masyn Winn, with a similar hose at shortstop and, at 6-1, potentially greater offensive upside.

8. Toronto Blue Jays: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State

A real coup here for Toronto, getting a mature college arm with a big league-ready fastball-slider mix. Paired with last year’s No. 1, Trey Yesavage, the Blue Jays have the potential to quickly backfill a rotation that could lose Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman to free agency in consecutive years.

9. Cincinnati Reds: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma

The Reds may stray out of their comfort zone and go bat here, but Witherspoon could unlock an even higher level developing in their pitching program as he’ll bring a high-90s fastball and low-90s slider into pro ball.

10. Chicago White Sox: Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn

The White Sox quandary: Take the best of the next tier of prep shortstops or whichever advanced high-end college prospect almost mathematically certain to fall to them? In this case, it’s Irish, who popped 18 home runs with a .469 OBP for Auburn, and will likely have a permanent home in the outfield.

11. Athletics: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

A nice value for the Athletics, getting a consensus top-five guy before Bremner got off to a slow start for UCSB. But he finished strong and could reach the majors quick enough to try out that much-maligned mound in the A’s temporary Yolo County digs.

12. Texas Rangers: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (Miss.) HS

The math makes it highly likely Texas lands a prep shortstop and Parker is still around, high enough to keep him away from a Mississippi State commitment. That’s two years in a row a Mississippi prep shortstop goes in the top dozen picks, joining Konnor Griffin (No. 9, Pittsburgh).

13. San Francisco Giants: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek (Ga.) HS

Let the run continue. Pierce is already 19, which may make some clubs shy away, but still has significant offensive upside and fits in what will be the first pick under the Buster Posey regime.

 14. Tampa Bay Rays: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) HS

We’ll stick with Hall here, possessing the power upside and versatility the Rays value as the prep shortstop pool thins a bit.

15. Boston Red Sox: Gavin Kilen, INF, Tennessee

A Red Sox draftee out of high school, Kilen will do much better than the 13th round this time, with a strong offensive profile that saw him strike out just 27 times in 245 plate appearances, most of those against SEC pitching.

16. Minnesota Twins: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest

The question is whether Houston’s very sturdy defense and developing but incomplete offensive profile slots him higher than the prep stars slated to go before him. It’s hard to see him dropping any further than the Twins.

17. Chicago Cubs: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas

We’ll stubbornly keep Aloy ticketed to the Cubs, even as a strong postseason that ended in Omaha further buttressed his profile. He might have smoother actions around the bag than Arquette, even if his offensive punch grades out a notch below the fellow Hawaiian collegiate star.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson (Texas) HS

His offensive profile fits the Diamondbacks’ ethos very nicely: Contact-based and, at 5-10, 180, a compact frame that has the potential to grow into decent power.

19. Baltimore Orioles: OF Ethan Conrad, Wake Forest

The Orioles control three of the next 13 picks and can get creative with their bonus pool, certainly. We stick with Conrad and the classic O’s college hitter profile here.

20. Milwaukee Brewers: Andrew Fischer, INF, Tennessee

Bat first, figure out the position later. Fischer slammed 25 homers with a 1.205 OPS in an exuberant platform season, and is versatile enough defensively to move around some if the power doesn’t support a first base profile.

21. Houston Astros: Jace Laviolette, OF, Texas A&M

He’s going to be a great value somewhere, probably, as Laviolette faded from top three talk after a season slowed by contact issues, slumps and health. Wouldn’t be surprising if someone jumped on him sooner thanks to his elite raw power.

22. Atlanta Braves: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset (Ore.) HS

Quite a talent to land here, as the 6-8 prep lefty with a fastball that reached 97 mph gives them a daunting 1-2 punch with Cam Caminiti, currently thriving in low A one year after going 24h overall.

23. Kansas City Royals: Gavin Fien, INF, Great Oak (Calif.) HS

The prep version of Laviolette, in that someone may jump on him sooner based on equity already banked as opposed to an uneven platform year.

24. Detroit Tigers: Xavier Neyens, INF, Mt. Vernon (Wash.) HS

Big frame and potential big power in a nimble and athletic 6-4 package. In terms of offense, one of the top prep lefty bats available.

25. San Diego Padres: Sean Gamble, INF/OF, IMG (Fla.) Academy

Versatile and projectable, Gamble – at 6-foot-1, 190 – leveled up from Iowa to IMG Academy and is a potential impact player in the middle of the diamond.

26. Philadelphia Phillies: Slater de Brun, OF, Summit (Ore.) HS

The run of late-round high school players takes a few Philly targets off the board but they can still fulfill their prep preference with de Brun, a potential center fielder of the future whose speed will likely always trump his power.  

27. Cleveland Guardians: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina

The Guardians opt for Contact King, as Bodine finished the season with an absurd 24 strikeouts in 313 plate appearances while churning out a .915 OPS. As the Chanticleers reeled off 26 consecutive wins to reach the College World Series finals, Bodine’s stock rose along with it.

28. Kansas City Royals*: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina

Paired with Fien, this should be a bonus pool-friendly pick as the Royals opt for the steady Stevenson, two years after making prep catcher Blake Mitchell the eighth overall pick.

29. Arizona Diamondbacks**: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona

Would be a coup getting Summerhill this late, as he can man all three outfield positions and put up a .343/.459/.556 line to lead Arizona to the College World Series.

30. Baltimore Orioles**: Alex Lodise, SS, Florida State

The Dick Howser Trophy winner and ACC player of the year, Lodise is a solid defender who hit 19 home runs and should develop above-average pro power and likely stick at shortstop.

*- Prospect promotion incentive pick**- Free agent compensation pick

Note: The Mets, Yankees and Dodgers each received a 10-pick penalty on their first picks for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the competitive balance tax and their first picks will be 38th, 39th and 40th overall, respectively.

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Could Jon Jones, McGregor compete on UFC’s 2026 White House card?

The UFC is expected to hold an event at the White House in 2026. Could it be one of the biggest cards in MMA history?

“Everyone wants to fight on this card,” UFC CEO Dana White said on the ‘Full Send Podcast.’ “… We will absolutely, positively put on the baddest card of all time.”

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said the White House was going to host a UFC event in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

“When the fights are going on while we are filming, one side of the backdrop will be the White House and the other side will be the Washington Monument,” White said on the podcast.

Trump said that White and the UFC will utilize the available space on the White House grounds to host approximately 25,000 spectators.

Who could compete on the UFC’s White House fight card?

Could Jon Jones be featured in the main event? He expressed interest in fighting at the White House.

Jones vacated the UFC heavyweight championship in late June, saying he was retiring. Tom Aspinall was named the new champion.

But Jones has, seemingly, quickly changed course just two weeks later, saying he’s re-entered the UFC testing pool.

“It would be, for me it’s about the opportunity to represent America at the White House,” Jones wrote in a post on X. “I don’t care who I fight that night. I found my reason why, that’s what I needed, something that was more than money.”

White confirmed that Jones did re-enter the promotion’s anti-doping testing pool.

“(Jones) jumped back in the pool,” White said. “The dream main event would be Aspinall vs. Jones.”

Will Conor McGregor compete in the UFC again?

Conor McGregor is no stranger to the White House, meeting with Trump and Elon Musk on St. Patrick’s Day on March 17.

Could McGregor return to the White House in 2026 as a potential competitor on the card?

White hinted that there “could be” a scenario where Jones and McGregor could fight on the same card.

McGregor has not competed in a UFC octagon since losing to Dustin Poirier (twice) in 2021.

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WWE Evolution predictions: Who wins at all-women event?

Who will emerge victorious on a historic night in WWE?

Evolution returns to WWE programming seven years after its first event, dedicating a premium live event to the women of the company.

There’s no denying the WWE women’s division is one of the best in wrestling with a stacked roster from top to bottom. Evolution will allow all of the division’s talent the chance to showcase their stuff, with both the main roster and NXT taking part in the night. It’s not just a night celebrating the stars either, as there’s championships and massive opportunities on the line for everyone involved. It’s guaranteed to be an epic event, but with so many bright stars, it’s tough to guess who will be the big winners.

Battle royal for championship match at Clash in Paris

Jordan Mendoza: This is one of the few battle royal matches with actual intrigue just because the names involved. There’s Hall of Famers, established stars and up-and-coming younger talent all looking for a title shot. I don’t see any NXT talent winning this one, but rather one that just called up. Stephanie Vaquer is destined to be a mega star, and she starts her journey by eliminated Nikki Bella at the end to guarantee her shot. Winner: Stephanie Vaquer.

Richard Morin: Stephanie Vaquer is certainly the safe pick. She’s got a ton of heat since joining the main roster and seems destined for a world championship program. The sleeper here has to be Bianca Belair (if she returns here). Since the winner gets a title match at Clash in Paris, a win would set her up to face Jade Cargill or even Naomi after the events of SummerSlam are settled. Winner: Stephanie Vaquer.

No holds barred match: Jade Cargill vs. Naomi

Jordan Mendoza: Odd that this feels like it will be much better than their WrestleMania match, but that’s in part to Naomi turning it up a notch as Ms. Money in the Bank. The no disqualification actually favors Naomi, who will probably have plenty of tricks up her sleeve for her archrival. However, Cargill is still the powerhouse that can dominate her opponent. She’s able to get past Naomi again, which frustrates Naomi and eventually leads to a clash between the two when Naomi tries to cash in the briefcase. Winner: Jade Cargill.

Richard Morin: They can’t slow Cargill’s singles run now, and Naomi has the plot armor − the Money in the Bank briefcase − to survive a loss here. This feud will continue to build as the WWE Women’s Championship starts to bleed into this rivalry. Winner: Jade Cargill.

Fatal four-way tag team match for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Sol Ruca and Zaria vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)

Jordan Mendoza: This one is so hard to pick because a legit case could be made for each team to win. Storyline wise, it makes sense for Rodriguez and Perez to continue their friendship with Liv Morgan out. Flair and Bliss are future Hall of Famers that bring up the title prestige. Ruca and Zaria are young stars that would make the most of the push. Asuka and Sane are elite wrestlers. Give it to the decorated stars and continue their odd friendship. Winner: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss.

Richard Morin: Rodriguez and Perez need to consolidate power here after the former inherited her half of the titles in wake of Liv Morgan’s injury. The women’s tag division has been stale to say the least, but I could see them wanting to build Rodriguez and Perez for Morgan’s eventual return. Winners: Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez.

Triple threat match for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria

Jordan Mendoza: This really could be the main event of the night given it’s by far the best storyline heading into the event. With two great former WWE champions in the ring, expect Valkyria to put on another exceptional performance that should give her more credibility to become a big-time star down the road. Still, Lynch has done so well as a heel, and she keeps it going by capitalizing on someone else’s finisher and getting the pin. Winner: Becky Lynch.

Richard Morin: The title is eventually coming home with Valkyria but it’s ultimately the bad blood between her and Bailey that lets Lynch slip away with the title at Evolution. This feud will keep going to SummerSlam and perhaps beyond. Winner: Becky Lynch.

NXT Women’s Championship match: Jacy Jane (c) vs. Jordynne Grace

Jordan Mendoza: For as much Jane has deserved to hold the title, the sad reality is that she is a transitional champion. Grace has been touted as a future WWE star ever since she appeared in the company with TNA Wrestling, and she takes the first step toward that with her first gold in the company. Winner: Jordynne Grace.

Richard Morin: Following her shocking title win, Jane is really just keeping the title warm for the next champion. Grace takes the win and goes on to defeat Masha Slamovich at Slammiversary to win the TNA Knockouts World Championship and become a double champ. Winner: Jordynne Grace.

WWE Women’s Championship match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Trish Stratus

Jordan Mendoza: Imagine how great this match would be if they were both in their prime? Considering in-ring approach, Stratton is pretty much the Stratus of this generation and gets the battle of wrestling’s best. Stratus will show us that she still has it, but this certainly feels like a ‘passing of the torch’ moment for the champion. Winner: Tiffany Stratton.

Richard Morin: This is a tricky one to predict because of the lack of build. Is it really just a one-off just to have Stratus compete at Evolution? Or is the friendly match a smokescreen covering for an eventual Naomi cash-in? Winner: Tiffany Stratton.

Women’s World Championship match: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Rhea Ripley

Jordan Mendoza: Everything turns to gold when Sky and Ripley are in the ring together. What’s been unfortunate about Sky’s reign as champion is she hasn’t defended it, and she has to go against a woman that very well could capture it back. This will be the match of the night with all sorts of insane spots. Ripley has yet to get the best of Sky. That will remain the same in a triumphant victory for the ‘Genius of the Sky.’ Winner: Iyo Sky.

Richard Morin: Sky hasn’t defended her title in a televised match since WrestleMania 41. That’s nearly three months of silence. Given that, it has to be Ripley finally getting over Sky as the show closes with Ripley holding the belt. Winner: Rhea Ripley.

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Najee Harris injured in fireworks accident, per agent

Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris suffered a superficial eye injury in a fireworks accident at a Fourth of July celebration, but should be ready for the upcoming season, according to his agent, Doug Hendrickson.

‘Najee Harris was present at a 4th of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees,’ Hendrickson said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. ‘Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.’

The incident, which happened in Antioch, California, occurred at around 12:18 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, according to a Facebook post from Antioch police.

Multiple people were injured in the explosion, with police saying that some were treated at the scene and others were hospitalized.

‘This is an unfortunate accident, and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected during this difficult time,’ police wrote in the Facebook post. ‘We ask for patience and privacy for the families as the investigation continues.’

By all accounts, it’s good news for Harris and the Chargers after rumors swirled online about the running back’s status – with some going as far to claim that he lost an eye at the event.

Hendrickson’s statement puts those fears to rest after his client inked a one-year, $5.25 million deal to play for the Chargers in 2025. There is also $4 million in incentive bonuses tied to the contract, bringing the total value to $9.25 million.

The fireworks explosion likely will remind NFL fans of a similar incident involving then-New York Giants pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, which cost him two and a half fingers in 2015.

While Pierre-Paul did return to the field and make an impact, the fireworks moment became a defining one for his career.

Harris appears fortunate to have avoided a similar fate.

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