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Mets reliever expects Steve Cohen to compete in 2024
New York Mets relief pitcher Adam Ottavino isn't worried about big-spending club owner Steve Cohen potentially punting on 2024 with 2025 in mind.
"He’s not gonna sit back and let the team drown," Ottavino insisted following a recent conversation he had with Cohen, per Dan Martin of the New York Post. "That’s not who he is. He didn’t get into this to not be competitive."
Questions about Cohen's short-term plans arose among fans and analysts, alike, after the club's much-publicized fire sale that involved acquiring prospects for proven commodities such as 2023 closer David Robertson and also starters Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. A story shared Wednesday then seemed to confirm information revealed by Scherzer last week about the Mets supposedly using 2024 as "a kind of transitory year" following one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
Ottavino expects Cohen and company will nevertheless be active in free agency and live up to a promise made in a letter sent to season-ticket holders about fielding a "formidable" team next year.
"Steve is still gonna have a better payroll than most teams and we’re still gonna have a chance to win every year," Ottavino explained. "He can still build up the good base [in the minor league system] that he wants and win at this level."
Ottavino turns 38 years old in November and intends to exercise his 2024 player option to stay with a Mets team that features star shortstop Francisco Lindor, All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso, Japanese ace Kodai Senga and exciting young catcher Francisco Alvarez.
"We have talent here," Ottavino continued. "(Baseball) turns on a dime. As quick as we got to 100 wins [last year] to whatever we’re gonna have this year, it can go in the other direction just as quick."
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported this past Sunday that the Mets could make both Alonso and All-Star closer Edwin Diaz available to would-be buyers this offseason. One wonders if Ottavino would have second thoughts about staying with the Mets if either of those fan favorites were traded before players report for spring training early next year.
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Regardless of what happens in October, the summer of 2025 will be remembered as the summer of Cal Raleigh. Raleigh has smashed record after record this season, starting in August when he became the first catcher to hit 50 home runs in one season. On Tuesday – in his MLB-leading 10th multi-home run game of the season – he passed Mickey Mantle for the most home runs by a switch-hitter in a season with his 55th before tying Ken Griffey Jr. for the most home runs by a Mariner on his 56th against the Kansas City Royals. The most recent homers also came in a 12-5 win that marked 10-straight for the surging Mariners, who have finally overtaken the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West. Which brings us to today’s quiz. A major league switch-hitter has hit at least 35 home runs on 35 occasions in MLB history. How many of the switch-hitters to reach that milestone can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Bombshell report expands on culture issues within 0-2 Dolphins
A Wednesday report shared that the Miami Dolphins "did a lot of work in the offseason to try to transform their team culture" before they opened the ongoing campaign with back-to-back losses. For a lengthy piece published on Thursday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN expanded on alleged culture issues that have impacted the Dolphins under head coach Mike McDaniel, who has been in his role since 2022. Mike McDaniel hasn't run a tight ship with Dolphins "Multiple sources in and around the team said tardiness was an issue throughout this past season," Louis-Jacques revealed. "...One current Dolphins player said he believed some captains this past season took advantage of the role. [Cornerback Jalen Ramsey] and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who were two of the eight players voted captains in 2024, were among repeat offenders who received numerous fines throughout the season. Players were often late to practice and meetings, with multiple team sources suggesting it reflected a lack of respect for the first-time coach McDaniel -- who was hesitant to publicly admonish players outside of posting fines." On Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that Dolphins players "believe the culture is better after the franchise moved on from several key players, many of whom did not appear happy there." Specifically, Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a pick swap in June. Safety Jevon Holland left the Dolphins and signed with the New York Giants in free agency. As for Hill, questions about his dedication to the cause arose when he subbed himself out of Miami's regular-season finale and then told reporters that he was "out" this past January. He later publicly apologized for his actions but has remained the subject of trade rumors through September. Are McDaniel and Dolphins general manager Chris Grier on the hot seat? Whispers throughout the offseason suggested Dolphins owner Stephen Ross could part ways with McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier if the club finished this season without at least a playoff appearance. McDaniel has yet to guide the Dolphins to a single postseason win, and his team was coming off an 8-9 campaign before it dropped two straight games this month. "A source familiar with Ross' thinking told ESPN this offseason they don't believe McDaniel's and Grier's job security is as simple as 'playoffs or bust,' and reiterated that sentiment after Week 1," Louis-Jacques wrote. "...Although there is a limit to [Ross'] patience with the team's results. After a winless start to the 2025 season, and prime-time games against division opponents coming, there will be increased outside attention on how far Ross' patience will stretch." As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the winless Dolphins as massive 11.5-point road underdogs for Thursday night's game at the 2-0 Buffalo Bills. One can't help but wonder how Ross may react if Miami gets blown out at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium.
Kyle Shanahan has surprising Brock Purdy update — 49ers are confident in QB situation regardless
Marvin Harrison Jr. brushes off potential Cardinals controversy
Second-year Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. added some muscle weight during the offseason in an attempt to improve after he experienced an up-and-down rookie campaign. However, eyebrows were raised when he recorded just two receptions on five targets for 27 yards in Arizona's 27-22 win over the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Harrison poured cold water over the idea that he cares more about his stats than about the fact that the Cardinals opened the season with back-to-back wins. Marvin Harrison Jr. brushes off "silly conversation" "That’s a silly conversation, really," Harrison responded when asked about the number of passes thrown his way across the season's first two weeks, per Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. "We’re 2-0. That’s the most important thing. We’ve got a big game this week, so that’s really my only focus. Anybody that’s a competitor loves the game, loves what they do. Everybody wants the ball. They want to impact the game. But most importantly, it’s all about winning." Many expected Harrison would take a major leap this season after the fourth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft finished his debut pro campaign with 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. Thus far, that hasn't happened. In the Cardinals' 20-13 Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 7, he caught five of six targets for 71 yards and a score. ESPN stats show that second-year New York Giants star Malik Nabers tallied a league-high 25 targets over the first two weeks of the ongoing season. To compare, Harrison enters Week 3 with seven receptions on 11 targets for 98 yards and one touchdown. Marvin Harrison Jr. insists he's happy despite lack of targets "It’s always frustrating when you may not get the impact that you kind of want in the game, especially when you put in so much work," Harrison acknowledged. "I know my process throughout the week and all the work that I put in throughout all season and leading up to the game. When you don’t get the results that you want to impact the game, that kind of is frustrating. But at the end of the day, you’re very happy that we’re 2-0 sitting here and got a victory." Earlier in the week, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warned that his team must be better about finishing games after Arizona flirted with snatching defeat from the jaws of victory on two occasions. Perhaps part of that process will involve Murray targeting Harrison early and often during this coming Sunday's game at the 2-0 San Francisco 49ers.
NHL Insider Links Kirill Kaprizov to New York Rangers
Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov has been in the headlines lately, reportedly turning down a massive extension with the team. This has opened the door for a potential trade of the star, and teams around the NHL have been paying close attention. Kaprizov remains one of the better players in the entire league, and he was extremely productive last season, despite some injuries limiting his ice time. In 41 games for the Wild, Kaprizov put up 25 goals and 31 assists. It remains to be seen if Minnesota will trade Kaprizov, but if the contract negotiations continue to stall out, their hands may be forced. Kirill Kaprizov to the New York Rangers? According to NHL insider Jeff Marek, one team to possibly watch in the Kaprizov sweepstakes is the New York Rangers. Due to the team potentially letting star Artemi Panarin's contract expire at the end of this coming season, New York could have a big opening on the roster. There have been plenty of rumors all offseason about the Rangers setting themselves up for a big move next offseason, with Panarin being involved. New York has been rumored to either desire to trade Panarin to clear up cap space or allow him to finish the year without retaining him. This could set them up to go after someone like Kaprizov, who could thrive playing in New York City. Kaprizov is the type of star that could help the Rangers get right back into Stanley Cup contention, and it's something that the team has likely been monitoring. There would need to be a few things to go down for this pairing to happen, but weirder things have happened before. Don't sleep on the Rangers as a true landing spot for the star if he is actually available.
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