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Good morning! I hope you get a sweet deal in free agency today.
While You Were Sleeping
LeBron leaves a game injured
As if the Lakers’ season could get any worse, LeBron James left last night’s 114-101 loss to the Clippers with an apparent injury James described as a strain in his groin. James scored 30 points in the game. Hopes were never high, but the Lakers are now a mind-numbingly bad 2-9.
Hot Stove!
Silly season is upon us
MLB free agency officially starts today, which means two things: We’re about to see an absurd amount of money thrown around, and superagent Scott Boras has some cringey puns lined up.
A quick primer for Hot Stove Season:
Two guys we’re all waiting on: Carlos Correa and Aaron Judge. The latter’s monster season while betting on itself speaks for itself. The key question is if someone will actually pay enough money for the Yankees to let him go.
Correa also had a fantastic season after taking what was essentially a one-year deal last winter and, judging by recent comments, he’s looking for a payday. Tim Britton’s contract machine predicts something around eight years and $260 million.
Team to watch: The Mariners. This team made a surprise run to the ALDS and, in hindsight, gave the World Series champions all they could handle. It means they’re close, which means an already aggressive front office should open the checkbook. Corey Brock has insights into what’s at stake in Seattle. Xander Bogaerts? Andrew Benintendi? A lot is possible.
Favorite prediction: The Yankees land Shohei Ohtani. The Athletic‘s baseball writers logged bold predictions for each team this offseason here, which is worth a dive. Ohtani winding up in New York, with Judge or not, feels like the massive deal that Brian Cashman needs to re-engage a disenchanted fan base.
Worst Boras pun: Taipei. MLB’s most famous agent has made it his goal at the GM meetings to craft a cadre of puns that elicits a groan from everyone under 35. The best/worst one comes in regard to client Taijuan Walker:
- “Taijuan is on an island, and I think the only question is: Who is willing Taipei?”
When you help your clients rake in billions, I guess you can pull those off. I would’ve thrown a light boo in there.
Anyway: Make sure to refresh yourself on the top 50 free agents available before the big deals get signed.
Briefs
Nets removed Vaughn’s interim tag
No Ime Udoka after all in Brooklyn, apparently, as the Nets announced yesterday that interim coach Jacque Vaughn will be the permanent head coach. Vaughn has been on the Nets staff since 2016 and clearly has a good relationship with players. The Nets also beat the Knicks, 112-85, just hours after the announcement.
Griner reportedly moved to penal colony
WNBA star Brittney Griner was transferred to a penal colony Friday, according to multiple reports, although her legal team was unaware of the move until Tuesday. It’s another chapter in what has become a months-long saga. The White House said the US continues to pursue options for Griner’s return home.
World Cup
USMNT roster reveals a few surprises
The US men’s national team World Cup roster is set, an update that should show up in your rearview mirror as “World Cup Events Closer Than You Realize.” Some reactions to Gregg Berhalter’s choices:
- Wait, you’re here? Tim Ream, Haji Wright
- Wait, you’re not? Zack Steffen, Ricardo Pepi
- The predicted formation: 4-3-3
The rest of the lineup was largely expected, as Paul Tenorio and Sam Stejskal write in a thorough analysis. Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna will all be there. Expectations are high within the team, no matter Berhalter’s picks.
The only huge question mark for this roster? The No. 9 spot, where the US has struggled to find consistency. Wright, Jesus Ferreira and Josh Sargent are in the mix. Keep an eye on it.
Paul and Sam Stejskal also have a full podcast breakdown of the roster here. It’s worth a listen. The Americans open the World Cup against Wales on Nov. 21.
State of the Night
The shot Ben Simmons doesn’t miss
With Brooklyn’s win against the Knicks last night, Nets forward Ben Simmons is now 15-0 against New York, which feels impossible given that he’s played in the same division as the Knicks his entire career. Taking a whole season off helped, admittedly, as the Sixers lost two of four against New York last year.
Pulse Picks
・For what it’s worth, it sounds like Jeff Saturday has already won over the Colts. Zak Keefer has a great look at Saturday’s first 72 hours on the job.
・Jovan Buha addresses the state of the Lakers. Spoiler: not great!
・Do you know the Cavinder twins? Meet the Miami basketball players who have become darlings of the NIL world.
・An MLB trade already happened, actually: The Rangers acquired pitcher Jake Odorizzi from the Braves for cash considerations and reliever Kolby Allard. The deal makes a lot of sense.
・An infuriating read on Virginia Tech linebacker Alan Tisdale, whom the NCAA suspended for six games because he bet — legally in the state of Virginia, I might add — on the NBA Finals last year. Absurd.
・Midseason NFL MVP picks! Let’s open the envelopes from our voting panel.
・Will the expanded playoff format wreck a crucial aspect of the college football regular season? Ari Wasserman writes this is absolutely the case.
・Why is the NBA investing in companies like some kind of venture firm? Mike Vorkunov can explain.
(Photo: Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today)
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