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Former American League MVP and Chicago White Sox slugger Jose Abreu is looking to make a comeback. After a turbulent season with the Houston Astros, Abreu has found a fresh start in the Puerto Rican Winter League with los Senadores de San Juan, per Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com.
Abreu's 2024 season was less than ideal, culminating in his release from the Astros midway through a $58.5 million contract. Despite a storied career that includes a .283 lifetime batting average, three All-Star appearances, and an AL MVP award in 2020, the slugger faced an unprecedented slump, slashing a mere .124/.167/.195 through 34 games with the Astros in 2024. Despite a trip to the minors to work things out, Houston eventually decided to move on from the former MVP.
Yet, as winter approaches, so does a new chapter for Abreu, who turns 38 in January. The Puerto Rican Winter League presents not just an opportunity for Abreu to prove his worth but also a chance for MLB clubs to closely monitor his progress.
With the Astros still backing the remainder of his hefty contract, Abreu poses an attractive low-risk investment this winter for teams seeking veteran prowess without the financial burden.
More must-reads:
- Best MLB trades from the last decade: National League
- Best MLB trades from the last decade: American League
- The '250-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz
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Orioles claim pair of players
The Orioles have claimed infielder Vidal Brujan off waivers from the Cubs and right-hander Carson Ragsdale off waivers from the Giants, according to a team announcement. Brujan is out of options and must be added to the big league roster but has not yet reported. Ragsdale, meanwhile, was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles’ 40-man roster now stands at 37, so no corresponding 40-man moves are necessary. Brujan, 27, was a top-100 prospect in the Rays’ system for many years. He failed to establish himself at the big league level in Tampa, however, and hit just .157/.218/.221 across 99 games (272 plate appearances) between 2021 and 2023 for the club. Prior to the 2024 season, Brujan was shipped alongside reliever Calvin Faucher to the Marlins in a trade and he was able to take on a larger role with a rebuilding Miami club. With regular playing time available to him, his performance modestly improved. He remained a below-average contributor overall, however, with a 73 wRC+ despite a 19.4% strikeout rate and a 9.0% walk rate. Those solid discipline numbers were outweighed by a complete lack of power, less impressive speed on the basepaths than his days a prospect would’ve otherwise indicated, and a lackluster BABIP. While Brujan was versatile enough to hold onto a bench role for the Marlins, he was shipped to the Cubs last offseason in the Matt Mervis trade. He held onto a bench role with Chicago throughout the first half and had value on paper as a player who could help hold down third base while Matt Shaw developed in the minor leagues while also spelling Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field. Unfortunately, the fit didn’t work out as well in practice as Brujan posted an atrocious 43 wRC+ in 36 games and was designated for assignment just before the trade deadline. Ragsdale, meanwhile, is a 27-year-old right-handed starter. He was added to the Giants’ 40-man roster last November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft after he posted a strong 3.49 ERA in 14 starts at the Double-A level that year, but a career ERA north of 5.00 at Triple-A in conjunction with a 19.9% strikeout rate against a 13.0% walk rate at the level this year left Ragsdale as little more than a depth starter for a club with a number of viable young arms. San Francisco designated him for assignment to make room for top pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt on the roster prior to the trade deadline. Now, both players are ticketed to join the Orioles organization. Brujan figures to join the club’s active roster within the next couple of days and could serve as a versatility utility option for the infield after Ramon Urias was traded to Houston prior to the deadline this past week. Ragsdale, meanwhile, could make his big league debut at some point down the stretch to help the Orioles eat innings amid injuries to key arms like Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez, particularly after Charlie Morton was shipped off to Detroit.
Saints quarterback has 'convincing lead' in training camp battle
The New Orleans Saints' three-way quarterback competition is narrowing before the team's first preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Per Ross Jackson of Louisiana Sports, second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has looked the best at training camp this summer, going 83-of-114 passing (72.8 percent) for eight touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Rattler is beating out rookie Tyler Shough. The second-round pick has completed just 62 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and three interceptions. 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and one Interception. Jackson believes first-year head coach Kellen Moore is priming Rattler as the favorite to start in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. "Over the team’s 10 practices, these three young passers have seen their chance to earn the starting role to begin the season in a rotation of first-team reps," Jackson wrote. "But there are decisions the Saints have made in the process that indicate a favorite. "After looking over individual performance stats, practice rep distribution and the team’s treatment of each quarterback throughout the important and highly-productive scrimmages on camp day 10, it’s become clear that Rattler is comfortably in the lead, for now." Jackson thinks Rattler can fend off his "convincing lead" for the starting job if he plays competently against the Chargers on Sunday. Rattler feels like the safe choice for Moore over Shough and Haener, at least to start the regular season. He appeared in seven games and started in six in 2024. Rattler played inconsistently as a rookie, throwing four touchdowns to five interceptions. However, he's had time to develop. Given his numbers in training camp, Rattler appears to be the most polished quarterback before the regular season. Shough could eventually develop into the Saints' best option, but the rookie's completion percentage against friendly competition at camp is low before he even faces live action in the preseason.
How & Where To Watch Liverpool Vs Athletic Club?
Liverpool are back at Anfield on Monday, August 4, for a rare double-header against Athletic Club. The pre-season games are the final test for Arne Slot’s squad before the season starts, with two games back-to-back, in 5 hours, and two different Liverpool XIs. Kick-Off Time and Venue Both games are at Anfield. The first is 12:00 pm ET (9:00 am PT) and the second is at 3:00 pm ET (12:00 pm PT). This format allows the club to split the squad, give senior players, new signings and younger players minutes across both games. The double header will help Slot decide his options before the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on August 10 and the Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 15. For international viewers including those in the US and Canada, the games will be available in streaming on DAZN or CBS Sports Golazo Network. Expected Lineups and Team Selection Liverpool will use two different XIs for the two games. In the first one, the expected XI is Woodman in goal, Conor Bradley, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez at the back. Gravenberch and Mac Allister in midfield, Salah, Elliott and Ngumoha supporting new signing Hugo Ekitiké up front. 4–2–3–1 formation. The second one should see Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, Frimpong, Konaté, Tsimikas and Robertson at the back. Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo in midfield, Doak, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo behind Darwin Núñez. The split squad allows key players to get minutes and showcase the summer signings. Injury News and Squad Absences Luis Díaz has officially completed his €65.5m move to Bayern Munich and is no longer part of the squad. These absences give new signings a chance to impress. Wirtz, Ekitiké, Mamardashvili, Frimpong and Kerkez will all get minutes and fans will get to see the summer signings in action. Athletic Club will also rotate heavily across the two games. Defenders Aitor Paredes and Unai Egiluz are out injured and Yeray Álvarez is suspended. Despite those absences they still have attacking talent that can test Liverpool’s new look lineups. Nico Williams, Iñaki Williams and Oihan Sancet will play and can cause problems all evening. Also, in another emotional moment for our №20, fans will pay tribute to Diogo Jota before kick-off.
Browns' Shedeur Sanders addresses missing practice with arm soreness
Eyebrows were raised when it was learned that Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was held out of Saturday's training-camp practice due to arm soreness. Sanders returned to practice on Monday and noted he was "thankful" to be able to resume on-the-field work. He also said that experiencing such discomfort is nothing new for him. "Yeah, in college, it was often," Sanders explained, as shared by Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "It’s just adjusting to starting and stopping, honestly. That’s all it truly is. Sometimes you go in hot. Then, you’ll wait for a second and then get cold. Then, get back hot and then get cold. My arm and body wasn’t used to that. It’s just an adjustment within my body, within my arm." Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski hasn't hidden that Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round draft pick, has been the team's fourth-choice option at the position behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and 2025 third-rounder Dillon Gabriel. All signs are reportedly pointing to Flacco starting Cleveland's Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. Meanwhile, at least one Browns reporter believes that Gabriel, who is listed at 5-foot-11, is "just not a good quarterback" heading into Cleveland's preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers on August 8. It remains to be seen if Sanders will be an active participant in Cleveland's joint practice with Carolina on Wednesday. Logic suggests that Stefanski will want Gabriel and Sanders to see plenty of action versus the Panthers on Aug. 8 as long as the first-year pros are healthy that evening. "I think every rep I get in general is valuable," Sanders added during his comments. "We’re definitely taking things up a notch, I would say, with everything. Every rep. Anytime I step on the field, I take it like it could be my last. You don’t know. There were players we were practicing with last week that’s not here no more. It’s more about a bond. It’s more about going all out. It’s more about how you’ll be remembered." As of Monday afternoon, FanDuel Sportsbook had Flacco as the betting favorite at -245 odds to serve as Cleveland's Week 1 QB1. To compare, Sanders was a massive +2000 betting underdog to win the starting job this month. For an article published on Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated mentioned that "it’s been apparent to those watching that Flacco’s got the best command over the offense" during camp. It certainly sounds like Sanders will spend at least a portion of the fall as an backup.
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