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Every offseason, MLB Network collaborates to make a top 10 list at each position. I try to pay them no mind, because their usually laughably pathetic, but I just couldn’t ignore this list of the top 10 second baseman in the game, which didn’t include Ozzie Albies.
Betts in the world?
Mookie moves to the top of the list at 2B on @MLBNetwork’s #Top10RightNow. pic.twitter.com/AuqRGeEBHC
— MLB (@MLB) January 18, 2024
Last year, Ozzie Albies also wasn’t included, but I at least could stomach it a little bit because he was injured for most of the 2022 campaign. It was somewhat reasonable to wonder if he would come back the same player.
But Albies didn’t just bounce back, he arguably turned in the best season of his career, hitting a career-high 33 homers with an .849 OPS and accumulating 4.7 WAR. He was named an All-Star for the third time in his career and even finished 16th in the NL MVP race… yet, he’s not even a top 10 second baseman in the game.
Some of the names on the list in front of him are just mind-numbing as well. Nico Hoerner is a nice player, but take your defense and shove it where it came from. The guy has a career .723 OPS and has never hit more than 10 homers in a season.
Zack Gelof??? Is this some kind of joke? Gelof has 69 career games under his belt. What are we doing here? The same with Edouard Julien. He’s a promising player, but has only played 109 games and still isn’t putting up better numbers than Albies.
I could keep going, but you get the point. Ozzie Albies is undoubtedly a top 5 second baseman in the game. A lot of players at second base have experienced hot stretches or good years, but they always seem to fade. Albies hasn’t. In every full season he’s played, he’s basically a lock for 25+ homers, an OPS over .800, and 4+ WAR. There aren’t five other second baseman that can say that over a 5+ year sample size.
It goes to show, just because “analysts” are hired by a company with MLB in the name doesn’t mean they know a damn thing about the game of baseball. It’s pretty sad and pathetic honestly, because they are either that dumb, or they desperately need the clicks.
More must-reads:
- Why Brewers manager Pat Murphy continues to exceed expectations
- Why did the Orioles activate star player during last week of season?
- The 'Switch-hitter single-season HR leaders' quiz
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Why did the Orioles activate star player during last week of season?
Ahead of the final six games of the season (all against American League East foes), the Baltimore Orioles have activated catcher Adley Rutschman. The move may have little to do with this season and everything about what the Orioles may do with Rutschman in the offseason. Sidelined with a right oblique strain since Aug. 21 (retroactive to Aug. 18), Rutschman has struggled this season, slashing just .227/.310/.373 with nine homers and 29 RBI. His OPS+ of 92 is the lowest in the four years he has been behind the plate in Baltimore. While the Orioles certainly would like to get the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft back behind the plate to finish out the season, this short six-game stint against the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees may also serve as an audition for Rutschman should the Orioles decide to move him in the offseason. Why would the Orioles move on from Rutschman? After playing in just four games, Baltimore signed 21-year-old catcher Samuel Basallo to an eight-year extension worth $67M and could jump up to $88.5M with incentives. The deal means Basallo will be with Baltimore through the 2033 season and has an option to extend that to 2034 as well. With the Orioles investing so much in Basallo, could the 27-year-old Rutschman be on his way out of Charm City? Baltimore could well keep the younger and cost-controlled Basallo behind the plate and use Rutschman as a trade piece this offseason, helping the Orioles rebuild quickly from a season where they will likely finish in the division cellar. With Rutschman coming back, he has the chance to put a positive spin on what has been a disappointing season. If he can show well in the final six games, it could be a great selling point for the Orioles this offseason in any kind of trade talks surrounding him. Orioles are faced with one of two options with Basallo and Rutschman Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino has already hinted that Basallo and Rutschman could be in the same lineup together in 2026, emphasizing that Basallo could play first base (a position that could likely be his in 2026 if the Orioles decide to not push Coby Mayo there). Mansolino also added that between first base, catcher and designated hitter, there may be enough at-bats for both Basallo and Rutschman. If that's the case, Baltimore is believing that not only can Basallo play first base at an MLB-level (he has played there in one game so far this season) and Rutschman can bounce back from a down 2025. Baltimore could likely land a nice return package (perhaps centered around pitching) if it decides to trade Rutschman in the offseason, something that MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today believes will happen, writing, "There will be no bigger position player on the trade block this winter than Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman." These next six games may not determine much in the standings for the Orioles, but could give a hint about Rutschman's future and what is to come at catcher in 2026.
Andy Reid Sends Strong Message About Chiefs’ Suspended Star Ahead of Ravens Game
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off their first win of the NFL season Sunday night, defeating the New York Giants 22-9 to improve to 1-2 heading into Week 4, where they’ll host a marquee matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore wraps up Week 3 on Monday night against the Detroit Lions, but their meeting with Kansas City will be a rematch of the 2023-24 AFC Championship Game, which the Chiefs won. Ahead of the showdown, Kansas City received a boost on Monday when suspended wide receiver Rashee Rice was welcomed back into the facility. While he’ll remain suspended for three more games, Rice is now allowed to be alongside his teammates, attend meetings, and prepare for his return in Week 7. However, he is still not permitted to practice with the team. The Chiefs have been very supportive of Rice, who was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s conduct policy following an off-field incident in March 2024. The 25 year old vowed to mature and learn from the mistake. "I've learned so much from that," he said back in June of 2024. "All I can do is mature and continue to grow from that. This is a step in a better direction for me." Head coach Andy Reid spoke about the value of having Rice’s presence back in the building, even if he can’t yet take the field. "We do get 4 back, and I know the guys will be fired up to see him," Reid said on Monday. "He can't practice, he can't be on the field. But it'll be good to have him around." Rashee Rice has been one of the Chiefs’ top targets since breaking out as a rookie, but his sophomore campaign was cut short after he suffered a torn ACL in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. As a rookie, he recorded 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 11.9 yards per catch. In four games last season, he added 24 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns before the injury. When he returns, Rice will be a major boost to a Chiefs offense that has been without both him and Xavier Worthy, who went down with an injury in Week 1.
Waking 'Dancing Bear' could be steal of Bills' 2025 draft haul
When the Buffalo Bills selected Deone Walker in the fourth round, there weren't big expectations for the rookie heading into the 2025 season. Still, many fans wanted the Bills to draft a "big man" and assumed he fit into the 3-technique spot, currently occupied by DaQuan Jones. Walker stands at 6'7" and weighs over 330 pounds. Men that size are typically 3-tech players. Deone Walker is not an average big man Walker is different, though. His quick feet and agility have taken some by surprise. As pointed out by Sal Capaccio, "A man that big shouldn't be able to move that well." Ed Oliver nicknamed Walker the "Dancing Bear". Bills' defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said, "People that are his size shouldn't be able to do some of the things he does." Babich added, "But again, just like T.J., we need some consistency, because if we don't get the dancing bear, all that type of stuff, it doesn't matter." The consistency hasn't been there yet, but Walker has made some plays at points this season, including delivering a game-saving play against the Dolphins, when he shielded Tagovailoa's vision and tipped his pass, which linebacker Terrel Bernard picked off, sealing the win against the Dolphins. On a recent episode of Center Stage with Eric Wood and Josh Reed, Wood commented on Walker, "Well, he looks like a heck of a fourth-round pick, and if he leaves a year earlier, he's likely a first-round draft pick." Added Wood, "Right now, he looks like steal, and he's a guy who started last night with Ed Oliver out." Flashes of greatness and need for consistency "I think at times he's flashed and done a good job rushing the passer. At times he's made some splash plays in the run game as well. Consistency will come as far as him recognizing plays, seeing double teams coming, not getting washed out of his gap", said Wood. Walker fell to the Bills due to a previous back injury he suffered, but so far, that doesn't seem to be an issue. If Walker can hold up physically and start to build the consistency that Wood spoke of, Walker will become a serious part of the Bills' defense as the season progresses and into the playoffs. More Buffalo Bills News: What does Bills' perfect 3-0 start mean for playoffs and beyond Bills' defense under construction but blueprint is promising Bills' defensive woes plus 3 more quick reactions from win over Dolphins 'Comfortable' Elijah Moore shares insight on unique Bills' locker room Hawes Effect: How rookie tight end is reshaping Bills' offensive identity
Rockets Facing Russell Westbrook Decision After Fred VanVleet News
The Houston Rockets were among the biggest winners of the NBA offseason, making aggressive moves to raise expectations. They re-signed Fred VanVleet on a two-year, $50 million contract, secured Kevin Durant in a blockbuster deal, and built around a core of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. With a revamped roster, the Rockets have been labeled as serious contenders in the Western Conference. That optimism suffered a major setback Monday. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, a devastating injury that is expected to sideline him for most, if not all, of the 2025 season. The news immediately sparked questions about how Houston will replace VanVleet’s production and leadership — with NBA free agent Russell Westbrook entering the public conversation. Westbrook, who declined his $3.47 million player option with the Denver Nuggets, remains unsigned as training camp nears. A return to Houston, where he played in 2019-20, would be headline-worthy, particularly alongside Durant — who he starred with on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Rockets Have One Problem on Potential Russell Westbrook Signing All this being said, Houston's cap situation presents a roadblock. The Rockets are roughly $1.2 million from the first apron hard-cap, leaving little flexibility. They could apply for a disabled player exception, yet that doesn’t clear enough space to add a veteran minimum deal outright. "For those asking, the Rockets can't sign Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons, or anyone else since they are roughly $1.2M from the first apron hard-cap," Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints explained on X. "The Rockets can apply for a disabled player exception, but that doesn't change their financial restrictions." This is where the Rockets face a decision. Westbrook, who averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 75 games for the Nuggets last season, would be a great replacement for the injured VanVleet. He has familiarity with Durant, vocal leadership skills and remains productive at age 36. But the Rockets would have to disrupt their current roster via a cap-saving move in order to make this possible, which makes it a difficult decision. Aside from Houston making a cap-saving move, their best options are to wait for to sign a prorated minimum later in the year or turn inward. Rockets' Internal Options Amid Russell Westbrook Speculation This all likely means more minutes for Reed Sheppard and veteran Aaron Holiday. The Rockets cannot easily move recently signed players—Holiday, Jae’Sean Tate, Jeff Green, Josh Okogie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, or Clint Capela—until later in the season. Westbrook averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in his lone season with the Rockets in 2019-20, helping lead them to the playoffs. His chemistry with Durant from their Oklahoma City days and his past stint in Houston make the possibility of a reunion intriguing. However, given the Rockets’ financial restrictions and roster commitments, his signing is unlikely in the short term. Houston appears more inclined to lean on its depth until cap conditions shift later in the season. For now, Westbrook remains available, but a return to Houston is something the Rockets would have to make a complicated decision on.
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