The San Diego Padres’ main focus has been revamping the starting rotation this offseason. But the start of Spring Training is less than a month away, and their efforts should turn to upgrading the backup catcher position.

Campusano is not the answer

Currently, Luis Campusano is the lone option behind starter Freddy Fermin. The Padres have little confidence in him, as Campusano has always been a lazy defender behind the dish, and his minor league hitting prowess has never translated at the major league level. 

But the clock is ticking on Campusano’s time with the organization, as the Friars have no more minor league options remaining for him. So, he either begins the 2026 season on the big league roster, or Campusano must be designated for assignment.

It was not too long ago that he was the top prospect of the Padres’ minor league system. But his production in the majors (0-21 in 2025) has been disappointing. However, it is not impossible to see him reach his potential this season. Late bloomers are a common thread in baseball today.

Who is available on the backup catcher’s market

With the Friars turning their attention to upgrading the backup catcher position, no one should expect that player to supplant Fermin as the starter. He has been outstanding since the Friars acquired him from the Kansas City Royals at last summer’s trade deadline.

In 42 games with the Brown & Gold, Fermin batted .244 with two home runs and 14 RBI, while quickly becoming a calming presence for the pitching staff. He learned what each pitcher does best and allowed them to succeed in their moment on the mound. 

If the Padres add another experienced catcher to the mix, it is because they want to keep Fermin fresh for an entire season. Giving him a lighter workload allows Fermin to remain an effective contributor deep into the dog days of summer. The Friars cannot afford a fall-off in production. 

You would expect the organization to bring other backup candidates to Peoria on minor league deals. However, finding a suitable replacement has not been easy. Still, the Friars have been linked to several catchers, notably Christian Vasquez, Reese McGuire, and Gary Sanchez. 

Each adds a veteran presence to the clubhouse. Vasquez and McGuire are known as defensive specialists who call a good game. Sanchez may not have the glove, but he does offer a proven power-hitting commodity off the bench.

The front office will not consider top catching prospect Ethan Salas to start the season in the backup role. Injuries have caused him to miss significant time since signing with the Padres. Salas needs more seasoning in the minors before any thought of him receiving a major league promotion.

The Friars need to upgrade their depth at the catcher’s position. However, the market is currently thin, as no one is willing to commit to one another.

However, that could change heading into the final weeks before the start of Spring Training. Expect the Padres to make a move soon.

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5. Let’s dive into the chatter and try to make sense of it all. 

Morten Stig Jensen: All right, Kelly. The NBA trade deadline is just two weeks away, and we’ve already seen Trae Young change addresses, with Ja Morant and Anthony Davis rumored to follow suit. 

But instead of regurgitating those same two names, I’m wondering if we should identify teams that are just generally in need of doing … well, something!

Detroit is No. 1 in the East, and that’s obviously good, but I can’t escape the feeling they aren’t that heavy in the talent department. 

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Tobias Harris’ expiring contract, worth over $26.6 million, could be a big trade chip, and now is the time to do something as Jalen Duren is going to earn a new paycheck this coming summer. 

Lauri Markkanen is a name often bandied about in connection with the Pistons, but should they even try to enter into negotiations with Danny Ainge? 

Kelly Iko: The Pistons are having a historic season, are loaded with young talent and have the league’s second-ranked defense. It would be an absolute buzzkill for them to stand pat before the trade deadline. 

From an offensive standpoint, Detroit is kind of meh. They’re 26th in offensive rating since Jan. 1, 23rd in halfcourt points per possession, 26th in 3-point attempt rate and 22nd in 3-point makes. 

In a perfect world, Cade Cunningham would be this prolific driver, drawing downhill gravity and spraying out to shooters on the perimeter who could either knock down catch-and-shoot looks or create their own if the defense adjusts. According to Second Spectrum, Cunningham is fifth in drives per game (16.8), but the difference between him and, say, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is stark. Cunningham shoots 10% worse on drives and 10% worse at the free-throw line than SGA.

The playoffs are essentially a math problem and when the book is out on Detroit — swarm Cunningham at the point of attack and dare their role players to make shots — the issues could come quickly. Houston’s 2024-25 season comes to mind: exciting young core with a kick-ass defense that struggles in the halfcourt. That was a first-round exit. 

So yes, I think Markkanen makes sense in a lot of ways as a jumbo creator with uber-spacing ability. Ditto for Michael Porter Jr. and Trey Murphy. Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor recently put together a nice list of names the Pistons should be chasing, but the overarching theme is as awesome as Detroit has been for a refreshing storyline, this is anything but a perfect team. 

Back to you, Mort. Who’s second on your list and why? Perhaps a team out West …

Mort: Sir, if you’re insinuating that I should bring up the Spurs here, I shan’t disappoint. This team is just so far ahead of where most had them pegged at this stage, and that leads to a similar conclusion as you had with Detroit. It’d be a buzzkill if they didn’t do, well, something.

So let me throw something your way that’s proper insanity. 

The Spurs need a more-than-solid wing big if they are to constantly go up against the Oklahoma City Thunder. We can sit here all day and talk about short-term solutions and who might come cheaper on the trade front, but let’s kill that noise and go all in. 

Deni Avdija. 

The Blazers have zero — and I mean ZERO — interest in moving off their 26/7/7 wing, who should make his first All-Star team this season.

As such, the Spurs need to make what we rarely see anymore: the Godfather offer. 

Kelly Olynyk for salary-matching and damn near every tradable pick under the sun, in particular the juicy ones, such as Atlanta’s 2027, a future Kings swap option and some of their own in the 2030s.

They’re clearly moving off Jeremy Sochan, and while Harrison Barnes is one of the best role players in the league, he’s getting up there in age. There’s going to be a need for a wing big who can play power forward, and they need someone who can shoot, handle the ball and initiate plays in such a role. 

Why not make a play for a guy who fits the timeline, is dirt cheap ($13.1 million in 2026-2027 and $11.8 million in 2027-28) and could realistically catapult you into championship contention this very season? 

At the very least, the Blazers can receive the offer. If they wish to stick with Avdija, which I think we both could understand, then so be it. But it’d show some aggressiveness on behalf of the Spurs in trying to fulfill their mission as soon as possible and while Victor Wembanyama is still young and (relatively) healthy. 

(I don’t want to put the injury hex on him, but let’s be real. Human beings who are 7-feet-5 and play professional sports historically play fewer years than, say, smaller lead guards.)

Iko: Love the idea of Avdija in San Antonio. So much of what the Spurs do — from a non-Wemby and offensive balance vantage point — revolves around the proficiency of their guard play. Bringing in a taller initiator with legit three-level scoring ability would give them an added wrinkle while still keeping their spacing in Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie. 

Here’s my devil’s advocate question for you, though. We just named two teams that could benefit from pulling the trade trigger. But what about the teams that would be letting these assets go? Is there a world where the Blazers ponder what Avdija looks like next to a healthy Damian Lillard? Is there a world where the Jazz start to actually build around Markkanen and Keyonte George? Or are those teams destined for NBA purgatory and should flip their hot commodities while they still can? 

Mort: I usually want teams in NBA purgatory to not go all in, as that often insinuates they don’t have their leading man. 

(Neither the Blazers nor Jazz are in purgatory due to their situations, but it’s fair to wonder if their ultimate ceiling is capped as none of Avdija, Markkanen or George projects as a Tier 1 superstar.) 

However. 

Allow me to just bring up the Bulls for a second. We don’t assume competence on their part, and probably rightly so, but have you seen the situation they’re in? 

If new leadership were to take over, it’d be licking its chops: an enormous bundle of expiring contracts, upward of $80-plus million, control of all of their picks and even some youngsters with trade value. 

Is this a team that should take a step back and build even more draft equity? Probably, but that’s never been its favorite song. Instead, this leadership has a history of buying and leaning into some questionable upgrades, such as Nikola Vučević at the trade deadline in 2021, when they then followed up in free agency by acquiring both Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan. 

Is this on-the-fence team one we should keep an eye on? 

Generally speaking, I’m curious how teams with numerous trade assets will decide to act before Feb. 5. Do they see this as a means of buying low on, say, Zion Williamson or Ja Morant? 

Williamson is reportedly off the table in trade negotiations, but excuse my French when I say, “Baloney!” 

Personally, I don’t think it’s a smart strategy, but reasonable people can disagree, and we must at least acknowledge there is star quality attached to both names. 

Iko: Ironically, we talked about Chicago prior to the season. These sneaky Bulls always mosey their way into the conversation.

I’m generally wary of anything going on in the Windy City (DJ Moore routes included), but if I’m in the Bulls’ front office and I’m pondering whether to make a move for Morant or Williamson, why not just go for both? 

It sounds ludicrous until you actually give it some thought. Health and availability is obviously the biggest factor in moving for either of these players, but they’re still young enough (Zion, 25; Morant, 26) where you could sell a core along with Matas Buzelis, who’s been a bright spot and showcased some underrated defensive versatility. Again, this only works if you can guarantee that both play in at least 65 games (big if), but I’m tired of the Bulls being boring. Shoot for the oft-injured stars. 

On a more serious note, I appreciate how each team approaches this time of the year. The rumor mill can get a bit mundane, but at least if you sift through enough, you’ll get an understanding of individual organizational goals and objectives. It should be a fun two weeks. 

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5. Let’s dive into the chatter and try to make sense of it all. 

Morten Stig Jensen: All right, Kelly. The NBA trade deadline is just two weeks away, and we’ve already seen Trae Young change addresses, with Ja Morant and Anthony Davis rumored to follow suit. 

But instead of regurgitating those same two names, I’m wondering if we should identify teams that are just generally in need of doing … well, something!

Detroit is No. 1 in the East, and that’s obviously good, but I can’t escape the feeling they aren’t that heavy in the talent department. 

[Subscribe to Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube]

Tobias Harris’ expiring contract, worth over $26.6 million, could be a big trade chip, and now is the time to do something as Jalen Duren is going to earn a new paycheck this coming summer. 

Lauri Markkanen is a name often bandied about in connection with the Pistons, but should they even try to enter into negotiations with Danny Ainge? 

Kelly Iko: The Pistons are having a historic season, are loaded with young talent and have the league’s second-ranked defense. It would be an absolute buzzkill for them to stand pat before the trade deadline. 

From an offensive standpoint, Detroit is kind of meh. They’re 26th in offensive rating since Jan. 1, 23rd in halfcourt points per possession, 26th in 3-point attempt rate and 22nd in 3-point makes. 

In a perfect world, Cade Cunningham would be this prolific driver, drawing downhill gravity and spraying out to shooters on the perimeter who could either knock down catch-and-shoot looks or create their own if the defense adjusts. According to Second Spectrum, Cunningham is fifth in drives per game (16.8), but the difference between him and, say, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is stark. Cunningham shoots 10% worse on drives and 10% worse at the free-throw line than SGA.

The playoffs are essentially a math problem and when the book is out on Detroit — swarm Cunningham at the point of attack and dare their role players to make shots — the issues could come quickly. Houston’s 2024-25 season comes to mind: exciting young core with a kick-ass defense that struggles in the halfcourt. That was a first-round exit. 

So yes, I think Markkanen makes sense in a lot of ways as a jumbo creator with uber-spacing ability. Ditto for Michael Porter Jr. and Trey Murphy. Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor recently put together a nice list of names the Pistons should be chasing, but the overarching theme is as awesome as Detroit has been for a refreshing storyline, this is anything but a perfect team. 

Back to you, Mort. Who’s second on your list and why? Perhaps a team out West …

Mort: Sir, if you’re insinuating that I should bring up the Spurs here, I shan’t disappoint. This team is just so far ahead of where most had them pegged at this stage, and that leads to a similar conclusion as you had with Detroit. It’d be a buzzkill if they didn’t do, well, something.

So let me throw something your way that’s proper insanity. 

The Spurs need a more-than-solid wing big if they are to constantly go up against the Oklahoma City Thunder. We can sit here all day and talk about short-term solutions and who might come cheaper on the trade front, but let’s kill that noise and go all in. 

Deni Avdija. 

The Blazers have zero — and I mean ZERO — interest in moving off their 26/7/7 wing, who should make his first All-Star team this season.

As such, the Spurs need to make what we rarely see anymore: the Godfather offer. 

Kelly Olynyk for salary-matching and damn near every tradable pick under the sun, in particular the juicy ones, such as Atlanta’s 2027, a future Kings swap option and some of their own in the 2030s.

They’re clearly moving off Jeremy Sochan, and while Harrison Barnes is one of the best role players in the league, he’s getting up there in age. There’s going to be a need for a wing big who can play power forward, and they need someone who can shoot, handle the ball and initiate plays in such a role. 

Why not make a play for a guy who fits the timeline, is dirt cheap ($13.1 million in 2026-2027 and $11.8 million in 2027-28) and could realistically catapult you into championship contention this very season? 

At the very least, the Blazers can receive the offer. If they wish to stick with Avdija, which I think we both could understand, then so be it. But it’d show some aggressiveness on behalf of the Spurs in trying to fulfill their mission as soon as possible and while Victor Wembanyama is still young and (relatively) healthy. 

(I don’t want to put the injury hex on him, but let’s be real. Human beings who are 7-feet-5 and play professional sports historically play fewer years than, say, smaller lead guards.)

Iko: Love the idea of Avdija in San Antonio. So much of what the Spurs do — from a non-Wemby and offensive balance vantage point — revolves around the proficiency of their guard play. Bringing in a taller initiator with legit three-level scoring ability would give them an added wrinkle while still keeping their spacing in Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie. 

Here’s my devil’s advocate question for you, though. We just named two teams that could benefit from pulling the trade trigger. But what about the teams that would be letting these assets go? Is there a world where the Blazers ponder what Avdija looks like next to a healthy Damian Lillard? Is there a world where the Jazz start to actually build around Markkanen and Keyonte George? Or are those teams destined for NBA purgatory and should flip their hot commodities while they still can? 

Mort: I usually want teams in NBA purgatory to not go all in, as that often insinuates they don’t have their leading man. 

(Neither the Blazers nor Jazz are in purgatory due to their situations, but it’s fair to wonder if their ultimate ceiling is capped as none of Avdija, Markkanen or George projects as a Tier 1 superstar.) 

However. 

Allow me to just bring up the Bulls for a second. We don’t assume competence on their part, and probably rightly so, but have you seen the situation they’re in? 

If new leadership were to take over, it’d be licking its chops: an enormous bundle of expiring contracts, upward of $80-plus million, control of all of their picks and even some youngsters with trade value. 

Is this a team that should take a step back and build even more draft equity? Probably, but that’s never been its favorite song. Instead, this leadership has a history of buying and leaning into some questionable upgrades, such as Nikola Vučević at the trade deadline in 2021, when they then followed up in free agency by acquiring both Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan. 

Is this on-the-fence team one we should keep an eye on? 

Generally speaking, I’m curious how teams with numerous trade assets will decide to act before Feb. 5. Do they see this as a means of buying low on, say, Zion Williamson or Ja Morant? 

Williamson is reportedly off the table in trade negotiations, but excuse my French when I say, “Baloney!” 

Personally, I don’t think it’s a smart strategy, but reasonable people can disagree, and we must at least acknowledge there is star quality attached to both names. 

Iko: Ironically, we talked about Chicago prior to the season. These sneaky Bulls always mosey their way into the conversation.

I’m generally wary of anything going on in the Windy City (DJ Moore routes included), but if I’m in the Bulls’ front office and I’m pondering whether to make a move for Morant or Williamson, why not just go for both? 

It sounds ludicrous until you actually give it some thought. Health and availability is obviously the biggest factor in moving for either of these players, but they’re still young enough (Zion, 25; Morant, 26) where you could sell a core along with Matas Buzelis, who’s been a bright spot and showcased some underrated defensive versatility. Again, this only works if you can guarantee that both play in at least 65 games (big if), but I’m tired of the Bulls being boring. Shoot for the oft-injured stars. 

On a more serious note, I appreciate how each team approaches this time of the year. The rumor mill can get a bit mundane, but at least if you sift through enough, you’ll get an understanding of individual organizational goals and objectives. It should be a fun two weeks. 

A judge has granted Duke’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking quarterback Darian Mensah from enrolling to play football at another school until a court hearing set for early February.

The school filed a lawsuit Monday in Durham County Superior Court against Mensah seeking to block his efforts to transfer and reach a contract with another school to play elsewhere next season. The complaint came three days after Mensah reversed his previously announced plan to return to the Blue Devils after leading them to the Atlantic Coast Conference title.

Judge Michael O’Foghludha signed an order Wednesday that prevents Mensah from enrolling elsewhere, signing a licensing deal with another school or taking any other action breaching the two-season contract Mensah signed with Duke running through 2026.

The order, formalizing a verbal ruling from Tuesday’s hearing, didn’t grant Duke’s additional request seeking to block Mensah from entering his name into the transfer portal entirely. But he otherwise can’t take additional steps in the process of reaching a deal to play at a new school, with the order designed to “preserve the status quo” until a Feb. 2 hearing.

“Mr. Mensah has an existing contract with Duke which the university intends to honor, and we expect he will do the same,” Duke said in a statement Wednesday. “The court-ordered temporary restraining order issued (Tuesday) ensures he does not violate his contract. The university is committed to supporting all our student-athletes, while expecting each of them to abide by their contractual obligations.”

The school argued its contract with Mensah — signed in July 2025 — paid him for exclusive rights to market Mensah’s name, image and likeness (NIL) tied to playing college football. Duke’s lawsuit argued that the contract requires parties to go through arbitration before any dispute can be resolved.

“This case arises out of the decision of a star quarterback in the increasingly complex world of college athletics,” the complaint states in its opening. “But at its core, this is a simple case that involves the integrity of contracts.”

In an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday, sports-law attorney Darren Heitner, who has worked with Mensah, noted Duke’s request for a temporary restraining order preventing Mensah from entering the transfer portal had been denied. Later in the day, however, Heitner said on social media that Mensah “is not, for the time being” allowed to enroll or play football elsewhere before a decision by a different judge set to preside over the next hearing.

Mensah, who transferred in from Tulane and even faced his former team, finished second in the Bowl Subdivision ranks by throwing for 3,973 yards while ranking tied for second with 34 passing touchdowns.

The Mensah-Duke case is the latest in what is becoming a more frequent occurrence in the revenue-sharing era of college sports: legal fights over contracts between schools and players seeking to transfer.

Earlier this month, Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. announced plans to transfer before changing his mind two days later, coming amid multiple reports that the school was prepared to pursue legal options to enforce Williams’ NIL contract.

And in December, Missouri pass rusher Damon Wilson II filed a lawsuit claiming the athletic department at Georgia was trying to illegally punish him for entering the portal in January 2025.

___

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine react to Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury and discuss its impact on Golden State. Is there a Kuminga or Butler trade that could possibly save the Warriors’ season?

Plus, they break down what’s going on with the New York Knicks as their downhill slide continues after the NBA Cup. Is the criticism of Karl-Anthony Towns fair, or should Mike Brown shoulder the blame?

(1:06) The Big Number: Jimmy Butler out for the season

(28:08) The Little Numbers: Warriors offense without Butler

(32:44) The Little Numbers: Draymond Green’s salary

(36:53) The Little Numbers: Golden State’s playoff odds

(42:56) Is KAT what’s wrong with the Knicks?

🖥️ Watch this full episode on the Yahoo Sports NBA YouTube channel

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

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The New York Mets struck big last year when they reeled in Juan Soto from the Bronx to headline an eventful winter. However, after a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Amazin’s have been on a mission to retool this offseason, and thanks to David Stearns, they’ll go into 2026 with plenty of new faces and hope for success.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the retooled lineup that the Mets have assembled, which includes signing Bo Bichette and trading for Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox. In addition to the signings of Devin Williams and Jorge Polanco, the new-look Mets are looking forward to a redemption season in 2026.

Later, Jordan and Jake talk about Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, why the Houston Astros cheating scandal caused Beltrán to have to wait and the improbable climb for Jones to make it into the Hall. Then the guys discuss the Philadelphia Phillies bringing J.T. Realmuto back to the City of Brotherly Love, Elly De La Cruz rejecting a big contract extension from the Cincinnati Reds and take a look at the LIDOM Championship Series.

1:12 – The Opener: New-look Mets

22:09 – Luis Robert Jr. trade

33:24 – Hall of Fame results

54:26 – Around the League: Phillies re-sign Realmuto

1:03:02 – Three-team trade

1:06:47 – Elly turns down extension

1:09:33 – LIDOM Championship Series

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

When the Los Angeles Dodgers added All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to their already All-Star-laden roster, questions swirled concerning the fate of resident slugging right fielder Teoscar Hernández.

The Dodgers officially introduced Tucker at a news conference Wednesday, and manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Hernández isn’t going anywhere. He’ll just shift to left field, while Tucker will play right. 

Per Roberts, Hernández is “excited” to play in left field.

[Get more Dodgers news: Los Angeles team feed]

Roberts also said Tucker will likely bat in the top third of the order. But he wasn’t ready to commit to a precise batting spot for the former Silver Slugger, who is a lifetime .273/.358/.507 hitter and has averaged 26.8 home runs the past five seasons.

He expects that Tucker will hit “second or third” behind leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani but added to reporters, “Don’t hold me to that.” In addition to four-time MVP Ohtani, the Dodgers have former MVPs Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts to work with near the top of the lineup.

Baseball isn’t celebrating Tucker to Dodgers

The Dodgers’ years-long spending spree to acquire a roster of All-Stars and MVPs has been the subject of consternation around baseball, as it has so far produced two consecutive World Series championships in Los Angeles. Per a report from Tuesday, competing owners are “raging” in the aftermath of the Tucker acquisition and contemplating a salary cap. 

Tucker was the top-rated free agent on the market this offseason. The Dodgers also added the top closer on the market, Edwin Díaz, to address the biggest weakness on their World Series-winning roster from last season.

Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract to join the Dodgers from the Chicago Cubs. He was asked Wednesday what he thinks about the state of baseball through the prism of the Dodgers’ spate of high-priced acquisitions.

“I think baseball’s in a good spot,” Tucker responded.

Legendary St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is returning to the franchise … as a member of the front office. Molina was announced as the team’s special assistant to the president of baseball operations on Wednesday.

The team announced the move on various social media sites, though it did not go into detail on the nature of Molina’s new role. 

Molina, 43, returns to the Cardinals after three seasons away. After a 19-year career in MLB — all of which came with the Cardinals — Molina retired following the 2022 MLB season. He finished his career with a .277/.327/.399 slash line and 176 home runs. He also won a Silver Slugger award.

While Molina had strong seasons with the bat, he was more known for his leadership and defense with the Cardinals. He was a 10-time All-Star who won nine Gold Glove awards and four Platinum Gloves. He also helped lead the Cardinals to two World Series titles. 

Following his playing career, Molina went into managing. He coached in both Puerto Rico and the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League before being named Puerto Rico’s manager ahead of the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Puerto Rico reached the knockout stage under Molina before it was eliminated by Mexico.

Later that year, Molina won the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League championship with the Criollos de Caguas. He made his return to the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League last season, and he was named manager of the year after turning around the Navegantes del Magallanes and leading the team to a playoff spot after a miserable start.

Given Molina’s importance to the franchise and previous experience as a successful manager, it’s possible the new role is setting up Molina’s eventual move to the Cardinals’ bench, especially if the team falters under Oliver Marmol in 2026.

In four seasons as Cardinals manager, Marmol has a 325-323 record. The team hasn’t reached the playoffs the past three years.