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The Braves didn’t have many positional needs this offseason, but they did need to replace Eddie Rosario and Kevin Pillar, who split time in left field this past season. Pillar was a free agent, and the Braves opted not to pick up Rosario’s club option.
Without any more additions, the Braves two options seem to be Jarred Kelenic and Vaughn Grissom. Kelenic, a natural outfielder, was acquired from the Mariners in a trade this offseason. He’s oozing with upside, but he’s yet to realize his full potential at the major-league level since being drafted 6th overall back in 2018. The Braves are betting that a change of scenery induces better results, and FanGraphs sees him as a viable replacement for Eddie Rosario.
Jarred Kelenic 2024 Projections: 441 plate appearances, .245 AVG, .756 OPS, 1.0 fWAR
Based on what Kelenic has been to this point in his career, this is a fair projection, but he’s one of those players that is almost impossible to predict. His talent is undeniable, and there’s just something about the Braves when it comes to developing players. Once Kevin Seitzer gets his hands on him, Kelenic could start finding a lot more consistency. With improved results, comes confidence, and then the Braves could really have something special.
But even if Kelenic provides what FanGraphs projects, it’s not necessarily a bad result for the Braves, who have him under team control through 2028 for pennies compared to Eddie Rosario.
FanGraphs actually projects Vaughn Grissom to be as good, if not a better option than Kelenic.
Vaughn Grissom 2024 Projections: 189 plate appearances, .280 AVG, .761 OPS, 0.5 fWAR
There’s no question that Grissom has the hit tool to be a well-above average major-leaguer. It’s all about finding him the opportunities, and left field may be his shot in 2024. If Grissom remains with the team this offseason, I’m expecting this to be a legitimate competition between him and Kelenic that could last the entirety of Spring Training. Grissom has proven at every level that he has elite ability with the stick. He just needs a chance to prove it at the major-league level, and while Kelenic will be given every opportunity to win the job, nobody should be surprised if Grissom comes out of camp the starting left fielder.
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Padres' Manny Machado Bashes Cardinals Coach, Ex-Padre Jon Jay in Epic Rant
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado played a significant role in a benches-clearing incident against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, and exchanged words with Cardinals assistant coach and former Padre Jon Jay during the incident. The Cardinals plunked Machado twice in the contest, however the third baseman took exception with the second incident. After being hit, Machado had words for Andre Granillo, who threw the pitch, and home plate umpire Lance Barrett. The benches slowly cleared to diffuse the situation, however it exploded after Jay began speaking to Machado. The umpires tossed Jay after the scuffle. He is the only member of either team who left the game. Machado didn't reveal what was said during the exchange with Jay, but had no shortage of words for the assistant coach. “I mean, poor kid. … I know he probably doesn’t want to do that in that situation," Machado said of Granillo. "Obviously, you see him, what he does. He just kind of feels bad. You’re just pissed off, you know? It is what it is. I mean, there was nothing to it. But then you got somebody else coming up and yapping their mouth. That’s when s— starts getting real.” Machado and Jay have a history together, as they have previously worked out in the offseason with Machado's brother-in-law Yonder Alonso, who is also a former Padre and teammate of Jay's. After the game, Machado made it clear he was not friendly with Jay. “Yeah, right,” Machado said. “I know the real him. … No, absolutely not. Absolutely not.” Despite the incident, Jay also kept quiet about the specifics of the incident after the game, but acknowledged his lack of composure during the incident. “I was just having my team’s back, but I’m a coach, and I shouldn’t have said anything,” Jay said. For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.
Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
Shedeur Sanders has been working with the Cleveland Browns' equipment staff as the No. 4 quarterback this summer. He'll have a new opportunity following troubling injury news for Kenny Pickett. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice and will not receive reps until his issue is re-evaluated. "Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources," Schefter posted on X. "Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett's injury will shake up the quarterback race in Cleveland. Through OTAs and early in training camp, Sanders has been the odd man out as the only signal caller on the roster not to receive reps with the first-team offense. It's unclear if the Browns coaching staff intends to give Sanders reps with the first-team offense now that Pickett is sidelined, but the fifth-round pick will have more chances this week to prove that he deserves an opportunity to stay in Cleveland. The Browns are in a unique situation with their rookie quarterbacks. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was selected before Sanders, but the son of Deion Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft for reasons other than talent. The majority of draft analysts had Sanders as a better-graded quarterback than Gabriel, and many thought the Colorado product would be taken in the first round. The Browns can use the injury as an excuse to give Sanders reps with the first team, and it's a task they need to take advantage of before the team names a starter. Sanders has the potential to be a starter in the league, and this week is pivotal for his rookie season in Cleveland.
Can LeBron James Be Traded to the Dallas Mavericks?
This year’s NBA offseason could see a lightning strike in the near future. The Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus has suggested a new, three-team trade between the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets that would send LeBron James, alongside his son Bronny James, to Dallas in a dramatic, yet significant deal to reshape all three teams’ futures. Here’s why. LeBron James to the Dallas Mavericks LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season. However, James’ decision was met with skepticism by several NBA executives. Some NBA insiders expected James, 40, to opt out and sign a one-plus-one deal. The decision drove chatter of possible discontent and a potential end to his Lakers run. James holds one of the NBA’s rare no-trade clauses. Therefore, James can decide where he would land. Multiple NBA insiders have said that the Dallas Mavericks are high on James’ list. Joining the Mavericks would allow James to reunite with Kyrie Irving, join forces with Anthony Davis again, and play under Jason Kidd, who served as an assistant coach during the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship run. James, Mavericks Outlook LeBron James is 40 years old and will turn 41 on December 30, 2025. However, James is still playing like a top-tier NBA player. If the Dallas Mavericks acquire James, the Mavericks could receive star power, shot creation, and veteran leadership. A Mavericks goal appears to be winning while the team’s NBA championship window is still open. The Mavericks would receive LeBron James (via Lakers), Bronny James (via Lakers), Drew Timme (via Nets), Tyrese Martin (via Nets), a $1.8 million trade exception, and a $1.1 million trade exception. The Mavericks could benefit from a solid core of James, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively II. The Lakers would receive Daniel Gafford (via Mavericks), PJ Washington (via Mavericks), Naji Marshall (via Mavericks), Caleb Martin (via Mavericks), Jaden Hardy (via Mavericks), a 2030 Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick (via Nets), a 2031 Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick (via Nets) and a $24.1 million trade exception. The Lakers could start the Luka Doncic era. The Brooklyn Nets would receive Dalton Knecht (via Lakers), Maxi Kleber (via Lakers), Olivier-Maxence Prosper (via Mavericks) and Dwight Powell (via Mavericks). The Nets would serve as a facilitator, as the team would acquire assets while helping two contenders shift money around, and perhaps cash considerations. Final Thoughts It’s highly unlikely that LeBron James will be traded to the Dallas Mavericks. However, nothing can be ruled out. The NBA world saw the Luka Doncic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers this past February, and if they’re old enough to remember, the Jason Kidd trade to the Phoenix Suns in December 1996. If and when James is traded to Dallas, James’ presence can help the Mavericks succeed. James can help improve team chemistry, instill confidence in the team, and build a winning culture. James can play multiple positions as a forward, but a huge concern would be James’ declining gameplay and shooting stats.
Important trade stalls as Maple Leafs dangle bottom-six forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking for a solution to their bottom-six surplus, and veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok remains at the center of trade discussions. However, according to The Fourth Period, trade talks surrounding the 33-year-old winger have failed to gain momentum. They write: “He has a $2.1M cap hit and owns a 10-team no-trade list. The market hasn’t been vibrant, to this point, but the Leafs will continue to dangle him.” Why can’t the Maple Leafs find a taker for Jarnkrok? Jarnkrok has quietly been on the trade block for much of the offseason, but general manager Brad Treliving has yet to find a taker. After adding several depth forwards this summer, the Leafs now face a crowded bottom six — and Jarnkrok’s age, injury history and $2.1M cap hit through 2025–26 aren’t helping his value. Since joining Toronto, Jarnkrok has appeared in only 71 games over two seasons, scoring a modest 28 points. While his defensive versatility and penalty-killing ability are assets, his declining offensive production and durability concerns have made teams wary. With training camp approaching, the Maple Leafs may be forced to keep Jarnkrok on the roster — or retain salary in a deal — if they want to create space and flexibility. Dropping his cap hit down to just over $1M would open up the market a little. Until then, the Swedish forward remains a trade candidate in limbo. This isn’t great news as moving Jarnkrok from the roster is an important item on the team’s to-do list. Treliving would like more cap space, and with Jarnkrok and David Kampf both still on the roster, it hampers the GM’s ability to do other things.
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