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The St. Louis Cardinals attempted to trade Nolan Arenado to the Boston Red Sox last offseason, but Boston ultimately chose to sign Alex Bregman instead.
However, a trade took place on Sunday that shook the entire baseball world. After months of tension building, the Boston Red Sox sent slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants.
"The team's feeling was that a $313.5M contract comes with responsibilities to do what is right for the team and that Devers did not live up to those responsibilities. They had enough and they traded him," Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe wrote.
There had been growing tension between the Red Sox and Devers, which clearly led to the trade. However, they may have created a bit of an opening for another addition. Perhaps the Cardinals could swoop back in and potentially dangle Arenado to the Red Sox to help them replace Devers.
Devers was unwilling to move to first base this season, whereas Arenado said he was more than willing to move to first to help facilitate a trade last winter. Boston could also move Alex Bregman back to second base, where they had him at the start of the season.
If the Cardinals can finally trade Arenado, third base could be open for one of Nolan Gorman and Thomas Saggese. There is no indication that a trade is imminent, but the door could finally be open for St. Louis to get on with their "reset" and begin building for the future soon.
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Ichiro had the most backhanded compliment for Marlins during Hall of Fame speech
Ichiro Suzuki delivered an amazing speech as he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, and it even included a surprising swipe at one of his own former teams. During the iconic speech, Ichiro took the time to thank each of of the three MLB teams that he played for across his 19 MLB seasons. When he arrived at the Miami Marlins, he made a hilarious wisecrack about how he had never heard of the team before they offered him a contract in 2015. “And to the Miami Marlins: I appreciate David Samson and Mike Hill for coming today. Honestly, when you guys called to offer me a contract for 2015, I had never heard of your team,” Ichiro joked. Many were surprised to hear Ichiro deliver his speech in English, as he almost always used an interpreter in interviews during and after his playing career. The fact that the 51-year-old was able to entertain the crowd while not speaking in his native language made the speech even more iconic. While thanking the New York Yankees, Ichiro had a funny comment about how his former teammates were only there to support CC Sabathia, who was also being inducted into Cooperstown. Ichiro is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, and fans have enjoyed seeing the less serious side of him in recent months. Earlier this year, he also took a hilarious shot at the lone Hall of Fame voter who snubbed him. Ichiro called out the voter again during his speech on Sunday.
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
New report suggests Christian Wilkins release related to 'incident' with teammate
There may be more to Christian Wilkins’ recent surprise release from the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported Saturday that "some sources believe an incident involving a teammate may have factored in-part into the Raiders' fatigue and release" of Wilkins. The nature of the incident is not clear. However, many believe the Raiders had a very good reason to move on from Wilkins considering the money they had invested in him. It also suggests the Raiders saw no alternative if they went straight to a release. Wilkins was dumped by the Raiders just one year into a four-year, $110 million deal. The Raiders suggested Wilkins failed to take rehab seriously as he tries to work his way back from a foot injury. Other teams do not appear to have the same concerns about Wilkins as the Raiders did, and he should find a new landing spot fairly easily. That is one of the reasons some suspect there is more to the Raiders’ decision than they are publicly saying.
Fresh Terry McLaurin contract buzz abruptly silenced by Commanders insider
There were jubilant scenes at Washington Commanders training camp when wide receiver Terry McLaurin finally reported for duty. Most fans thought this could be a sign that progress was being made on a lucrative new contract extension, but one team insider poured cold water on this notion in no uncertain terms. McLaurin is back, but he's not practicing. The Commanders placed him on the physically unable to perform list with an ankle issue he was reportedly dealing with late last season. What ending his holdout does is ensure he won't be getting fined $50,000 per day for his absence. The wideout and Washington remain at loggerheads regarding a new deal. McLaurin is disheartened and feels disrespected after everything he's given to the franchise. Adam Peters is dug in with a price in mind that he's reluctant to go above. Commanders insider doesn't believe Terry McLaurin is any closer to new deal Everyone is still hoping for some middle ground to be reached, which remains the most likely outcome until further notice. But based on what John Keim of ESPN is hearing, that might be some way off just yet. This is not a sign of progress for a contract extension. It is not that at all. I've been told by multiple people that there doesn't seem to be a lot of movement. Both sides are pretty firm in how they view the situation. It's a good thing that he's here, but it is not a sign like, 'Oh my God, something is imminent.' That is not the feeling I get from, really, anyone involved. Make no mistake, this is a hold-in. But he is here, so that's a good sign.John Keim via YouTube The former third-round pick out of Ohio State wants to be paid among the league's most prolific wide receivers, of which he is one. Peters knows that McLaurin will be 30 years old in September, and this will be his third NFL contract. That's why the two sides remain so far apart, and it's already become a distraction the Commanders could have done without. McLaurin is back for the fans, his teammates, and his money. The business side of things has firmly taken over for now, and the wideout is unlikely to be on the field until he signs on the dotted line. When that time comes, the second-team All-Pro will be ready to hit the ground running. This relationship is a long way from souring to the point of McLaurin requesting a trade. The common goal to extend the player remains, but Peters isn't going to accept anything less than something that works for the Commanders' long-term planning. It's still a precarious situation and a waiting game for all involved. And it'll be fascinating to see what comes next now McLaurin has returned to the facility. More Commanders news and analysis
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