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Singer Marc Anthony creates agency, signs Aroldis Chapman
Following in the footsteps of fellow entertainment mogul Jay Z, singer Marc Anthony announced the creation of Magnus Sports Agency on Monday. And he already has his first major client: Aroldis Chapman.
Teaming up with Praver Shapiro Sports Management, Anthony's new agency is already representing MLB players Adeiny Hechavarria, Jorge Soler, Raisel Iglesias and Juan Uribe, in addition to Chapman.
Chapman, however, is Anthony's first major coo. The Cincinnati Reds closer will be a free agent after the 2016 MLB season and is expected to receive a mega-contract once he hits the open market.
Keeping his Latino descent in mind, Anthony is expected to attract many athletes of Hispanic origin.
"Baseball, like music, is an ingrained cultural passion for many Latinos throughout the world, and there's no shortage of amazing stars of Hispanic origin," Anthony said on Monday.
Granted, it may sound silly that Jennifer Lopez's ex-husband is now representing MLB players, but it appears already that Anthony's new sports agency is the real deal.
More must-reads:
- Reds eager to trade Chapman before Winter Meetings
- Astros get pitching help just in the nick of time
- The 'MLB active hits leaders' quiz
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Tampa Bay Rays' Postseason Hopes Take Hit After Sweep by Seattle Mariners
The Tampa Bay Rays are in a precarious position after the Mariners closed out the three-game series in Seattle with a sweep. The 6-3 loss marks the sixth time the Rays have been swept this season. Tampa Bay had no answers for Seattle’s offense all weekend, specifically All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh. Raleigh homered in all three games of the series, with his latest coming in the form of a two-run shot off Tampa Bay’s Adrian Houser to kick off a four-run first inning. Houser threw 45 pitches in the first, the most by a Rays pitcher since Jake Odorizzi threw 48 pitches on June 2, 2017, also against Seattle. Fighting Back Over the next three innings, Tampa Bay began mounting a comeback. It started with a double by designated hitter Josh Lowe in the top of the second inning before shortstop Ha-Seong Kim sent a double of his own to left field to bring Lowe home and put the Rays on the board. The Rays continued to get after Seattle right-hander Bryan Woo when left fielder Chandler Simpson hit a leadoff triple to left field in the third. and first baseman Yandy Diaz brought him home with an RBI groundout. Kim got to Woo in the top of the fourth with a solo home run to pull the Rays within one run. Houser pushed through the rest of his outing without allowing another run. He exited after five innings with four strikeouts while allowing six hits, four earned runs and three walks. Lost Momentum The Rays continued to threaten Woo and the Mariners in the top of the fifth inning when Simpson delivered again, this time with a leadoff double. However, the Rays were unable to bring Simpson home to tie the game, and they failed to score for the rest of the afternoon. Right-hander Bryan Baker entered in relief for the Rays in the bottom of the seventh and gave up a solo home run to Josh Naylor, giving Seattle a 5-3 lead. Fellow righty Edwin Uceta entered in the bottom of the eighth and ended up fanning three straight batters, including Raleigh and Randy Arozarena, but not before surrendering two singles and a walk that gave Seattle a big insurance run. At 57-62, The Rays find themselves 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees (62-56) for the final American League wild card spot. Additionally, the Minnesota Twins (56-61) are also 5.5 games behind, while the Los Angeles Angels (56-62) are six back. The Rays will move on to West Sacramento, Calif., to face the Athletics, who won the most recent series between the two clubs. Tampa Bay will battle a familiar face on Monday night when southpaw Jeffrey Springs takes the mound for the Athletics to kick off a three-game set. Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot will make his 25th start. First pitch is at 10:05 p.m. ET. Springs spent four seasons with the Rays (2021-25).
A Hidden Prospect Could Open Big Trade Doors for the Oilers
With a stacked blue line and limited roster spots, Edmonton could turn one of its top young, somewhat undiscovered, defensemen into a key bargaining chip when the trade deadline approaches. That prospect is Beau Akey, and he’s looking to make a name for himself this season. The Oilers have a luxury most teams can’t claim — a veteran-heavy, Cup-contending blue line. But that depth also potentially blocks the path for Akey, who is one of their most intriguing young defense prospects. Akey is coming off a strong bounce-back season in junior after double shoulder surgery. A full season of good health could do wonders for his reputation as someone who has a bright future. Last year with the OHL’s Barrie Colts, he posted 32 points in 52 games, added five assists in the playoffs, and wore a leadership role. Known for his elite skating and crisp passing, he’s now set to make the leap to pro hockey in Bakersfield (AHL). “I’m 100 percent now,” Akey said during camp. “I’m looking to make the step to professional hockey (this season), so I’m looking to show the Oilers that at training camp. I want to give my all to try and make the Oilers and try to prove to them I can make an NHL roster.” Oilers development staff already love his mobility and offensive instincts, but they want him to sharpen the defensive side of his game. In the meantime, he’s a premium asset waiting in the wings — a 20-year-old right-shot defenseman with top-four potential. The Oilers know he can be a future impact player for them. That means he can also be an impact player for someone else. Edmonton won’t be looking to move the youngster. That said, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he pops up on radars around the league. Oilers senior director of player development Kalle Larsson said, “A healthy Beau Akey is an elite skater, he can break the puck out well and he has offense.” He added, “I think in pro, he’ll be a two-way defenseman that will need to be more reliable defensively.” Akey Will Be a Trade Piece that Other Teams Look At For a team chasing a Stanley Cup, players like this are gold. They can grow into future cornerstones or become the centerpiece of a trade for immediate help. If Edmonton needs a deadline boost — be it a depth scorer, penalty-kill specialist, or injury insurance — Akey could headline a package that draws serious interest from rebuilding teams or clubs on a timeline where they’ll be contenders in two or three seasons. The Oilers will decide later whether to keep him for the long haul or flip him for a win-now piece. Either way, they’re holding a hidden card that could make all the difference come spring.
Roger Federer Announces Tennis Return For Final Match
20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will return to the tennis court to play one more match at this year’s Shanghai Masters. Federer, who celebrated his 44th birthday on Friday, played his final match on the professional scene in September 2022 at the Laver Cup. It was an emotionally intoxicating doubles match in which Federer reunited with his great rival, Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer Announces Tennis Return Three years on from his retirement, Federer plans to grace the courts in Shanghai to play a celebrity doubles match. The tournament confirmed on X that the legendary Swiss will return to China at the start of October, when this year’s edition will be up and running. “Roger Federer is coming back to Shanghai. Join us on October 10th for the @rogerfederer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match!” The tournament relayed the news. While the full schedule of who Federer will partner or play with is unknown for now, that match will take place two days before the singles final of the 2025 Shanghai Masters. In a short video announcing his return for one more doubles match, the two-time Shanghai champion said, “Hello, this is Roger. I’m really happy to be returning to the Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai for the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Shanghai has always been a special place for me, with great fans and unforgettable memories, and a real love for the game. I look forward to seeing you there on October 10th. Shanghai, let’s meet.” Why Shanghai? Shanghai is the penultimate Masters 1000 on the calendar and has previously been voted as the best ATP tournament of the year by players. The tournament represents some of the world’s best brands, including Rolex, which is its title sponsor. The Swiss watchmaker company is one of Federer’s most valuable sponsors. Federer has endorsed Rolex since 2001, and that partnership continues to grow stronger post-retirement. Federer has visited Shanghai in each of the last two years and has toured the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, which serves as the main court in the tournament. In 2023, he was presented with the Icon Athlete Award by the tournament in honor of his illustrious career in front of a packed stadium. And last year, Federer watched on from the stands as Jannik Sinner defeated one of his former rivals, Novak Djokovic, in the final.
Commanders' signing of former third-round pick shows their opinions on the position group, and might foreshadow a current injury
Washington Commanders HC Dan Quinn spoke with the media before practice today and continued to express his displeasure with the team's results in their blowout loss on Friday night. He spoke about the depth he likes on the team, but also hinted at some positions that could use some help. Quinn also said that the team would be working out a handful of players following practice today, and that they are always willing to improve the team where it's possible. Well, the Commanders signed a player today following the workouts that could hint at what Quinn was talking about, and more. Commanders sign former third-round pick The Commanders are signing a former third-round pick in LB Duke Riley, who was actually drafted by the Atlanta Falcons when Dan Quinn was the head coach there. This signing comes after the Commanders worked out 14 players after practice today, which contained seven linebackers and no wide receivers. After the performance we saw in the first preseason game on defense and special teams, these workouts shouldn't be surprising though. Riley was a starting linebacker in Atlanta when he was drafted in 2017, and eventually landed in Miami in 2021, where he has been a rotational linebacker and special-teams defender. That tells me a lot about what they saw on film after watching the first preseason game. Could the writing be on the wall? This immediately raises two flags for me: who would he replace on special teams, and what does this mean for the health of another linebacker? When you go back and watch the film, Dominique Hampton did not look good at all at his new linebacker position, and I don't have him making the active roster. The team also drafted Kain Medrano, who is listed as a linebacker on the depth chart by the team. Other than that, the Commanders have no true depth at linebacker. You have a special-teams ace who can't play linebacker, and a linebacker who can't play special teams. That's not a good combo for roster cuts. Veteran Nick Bellore has been an outstanding special-teams player, but could his lack of ability at linebacker cost the 36-year-old? Hopeful second-round linebacker Jordan Magee has so much potential, but he's already dealing with an undisclosed injury after playing only 16 snaps in his rookie season due to injuries. Signing Riley, who can rotate at linebacker and be a key special-teams piece, means that the team either doesn't like what they saw on film with special teams, or they aren't sure if Magee can stay healthy. Either way, this signing is filling in two major needs right now.
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