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The Boston Red Sox have come out of the gates slower than fans may have anticipated.
With a solid returning core of veterans, additions like Alex Bregman and Aroldis Chapman, as well as a youth infusion led by Kristian Campbell, there is no reason the Red Sox can not compete for an American League East title.
However, a lackluster 12-11 record could force Boston’s hand on the trade market.
One targeted area of improvement should be the bullpen. While Chapman has excelled as the closer with a 1.08 ERA, a 1.35 FIP, and four saves, the Red Sox could still use support on the back end.
And while Chapman has been terrific, he is also 37 years old, and finding him a running mate would lessen his load and keep him fresh for later in the summer.
A recent Bleacher Report article listed Washington Nationals’ closer Kyle Finnegan as a likely trade candidate, and Boston would be wise to check on his availability.
Red Sox receive: RHP Kyle Finnegan
Nationals receive: RHP Hunter Dobbins (No. 14)
The 33-year-old Finnegan has a career 3.51 ERA, a 4.18 FIP, and has recorded 74 saves since 2023, even for the non-contending Nationals. He would instantly boost a bullpen that has pieces but still ranks ninth-worst in the Majors with a combined 4.47 ERA.
He is also on a one-year, $6 million contract that should not require too hefty a payday considering Washington’s likely grim outlook on this season. It does have a nice young core of players and should look for future reinforcements.
Enter Dobbins, who has impressed in his first two MLB starts to the tune of a 3.27 ERA, a 3.03 FIP, and 11 strikeouts over 11 innings.
Boston could capitalize on his rising value and free up space for a pitching staff that has too many quality arms to hoard. Finnegan is a more immediate solution and would have a greater impact on the 2025 campaign.
More must-reads:
- Blue Jays' Trey Yesavage is already making the rest of MLB look foolish for passing on him
- Nationals set to hire MLB's youngest manager in over 50 years
- The 'World Series single-game K leaders' quiz
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Dodgers' Mookie Betts opens up about his World Series struggles
Los Angeles Dodgers star shortstop Mookie Betts is coming off the worst offensive season of his 12-year career, hitting .258/.326/.406 with 20 home runs, posting career lows in all slash line metrics. Now in the postseason, the 2018 MVP is costing the Dodgers their shot at consecutive World Series titles. After a hot start, Betts is 15-for-64 in the playoffs. In the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, he is just 3-for-23 without an extra-base hit. So far, Betts is one of two Dodgers players with more than 11 at-bats and no home runs, the other being Andy Pages. When asked by reporters about his struggles after the Dodgers' Game 5 loss, Betts had this to say as reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic: “I don’t want to speak on anybody else. But for myself, I’ve just been terrible … “I wish it were from lack of effort. But it’s not. I mean, that’s all I can say.” Mookie Betts is leading the Dodgers towards their demise With their loss on Wednesday, the Dodgers are on the ropes, down 3-2, facing elimination in Toronto on Friday. Overall, the Los Angeles offense has gone through detrimental quiet spells in inopportune times, scoring three runs in the past two games. If we include parts of the 18-inning game on Monday, that’s four runs in 29 innings. These lulls have greatly harmed the team’s chances at winning the World Series this season. And while the Dodgers have more than their fair share of laggards, Betts plays a crucial role for the team. His spot towards the top of the batting order is nestled among his fellow MVPs and top-producers. But unlike the other top bats around him, Betts has only accounted for a total of one run, scoring no RBI in this World Series. Every time the Blue Jays walked Ohtani, they did so inconsequentially, experiencing no trouble from Betts hitting behind him. Needless to say, if the Dodgers are going to hop back into the driver’s seat, their offense will need to wake up. Los Angeles has seen success despite Betts’ slump; but with no room for error, this is an all-hands-on-deck situation, and they will more than likely need something from their star shortstop aside from his stellar defense.
Cowboys WR George Pickens has telling response to question about contract
George Pickens is having an outstanding first season with the Dallas Cowboys, and the career-best pace has come at a time when he is preparing for potential free agency. Is it possible the star wide receiver could sign an extension before he gets to that point? Pickens says that is up to his boss. Pickens, who was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, is in the final season of his rookie contract. He was asked on Thursday if he would consider signing a new deal with the Cowboys before he becomes a free agent after the season. He had a noteworthy response. "That’s kinda up to what (Jerry Jones) wants to do. All I can do is perform at my best," Pickens said. George Pickens has earned No. 1 wideout money Pickens has 685 receiving yards through the first eight weeks of the season, which ranks third in the NFL. His six touchdown catches are already the most of his four-year career. CeeDee Lamb missed several games this season with an ankle injury, and Pickens showed during that time that he is more than capable of being the featured wideout in a quality offense. That should go a long way toward setting his market, whether he re-signs with the Cowboys or becomes a free agent. With Lamb making an average of $34M per year, the Cowboys probably cannot afford to keep Pickens. For now, the 24-year-old is at least giving off the impression that he is open to the possibility. He also suggested recently that money is not the most important thing to him with his next contract, which could keep Dallas in the running.
Three teams that should pursue a trade for Titans WR Calvin Ridley
As the Tennessee Titans are free falling towards another season as one of the NFL's worst teams, they will likely sell off some of their higher priced players before the NFL's Nov. 4 trade deadline. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley tops the list of available players on the trade block even as he deals with a hamstring injury. Ridley's big play ability makes him an attractive option for teams looking to add another wide receiver. Even though he's been experiencing an up and down season so far - Ridley has only 16 receptions for 290 yards, he surpassed 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons following sitting out 2022 due to being suspended for betting. So assuming Ridley is healthy enough to remain a trade target, here are the teams that should take a chance on the controversial wide out. Pittsburgh Steelers Aaron Rodgers may have stabilized the Steelers' quarterback position, but that doesn't mean the offense is as consistent as it needs to be for Pittsburgh to truly contend in the AFC. Pittsburgh has only exceeded 30 points twice through seven games. Desperate to increase their offensive output, especially with the defense struggling, the Steelers could use more receiver depth behind DK Metcalf. Acquiring Ridley would provide Rodgers another weapon and make the decision to place double coverage on Metcalf more of a risk for opponents. If Ridley can get back to form, he would unlock an extra dimension for a Steelers team that still holds a comfortable lead in the AFC North. New England Patriots One of the surprising results of the season so far, the Patriots are 6-2 and in first place in the AFC East. But if New England truly hopes to make a playoff push, second-year quarterback Drake Maye may need more at his disposal. To this point, Maye has been forced to work without a true deep threat. And while he's been able to methodically move the ball, Ridley would make his life much easier and stretch the field even more. Seattle Seahawks Another first place team who could use another playmaker, the Seattle Seahawks' offense has started to show signs of weakness in recent weeks. Much like the Steelers, the Seahawks have a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. He's been brilliant with three-straight 100 plus-yard games. However, Seattle has only scored 30 points once in its last four games. Pairing Smith-Njigba with Ridley would make the Seahawks more potent as they approach a stretch of the schedule with pivotal divisional matchups coming up.
Packers’ Tucker Kraft mulling Aaron Rodgers-sized Green Bay move
Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is becoming a legend in Green Bay. Kraft was the driving force behind the Packers’ 35-25 win over the Steelers, logging 131 of his 143 receiving yards After The Catch, on his way to a two-touchdown breakout performance. But, as the third-year emerging star continues his breakout campaign, Kraft appears set to lay down some serious roots in Green Bay. Packers’ Tucker Kraft contemplating buying Aaron Rodgers’ house After leading the charge to throttle Rodgers in Week 8, Kraft is contemplating an even bigger move. Buying Rodgers’ former Green Bay home. Kraft is likely viewed by the Packers’ organization as an offensive centerpiece, and could quickly sign a long-term extension when he is eligible, but the 24-year-old emerging star buying the former home of one of the franchise’s legends would be the type of decision that solidifies his place in franchise lore. EssentiallySports points out that the house has some incredible features, making it pretty unsurprising that Parsons and Kraft have already gotten into a bit of a metaphorical bidding war over the home: The property has a dedicated arcade room, an office/library, a poker room, a billiards room, and a brick theatre. Of course, the place also has a bar and a gourmet kitchen! Alongside this, the luxurious place offers four bedrooms and seven bathrooms. There’s an indoor swimming pool to beat the heat and a hot tub when you just want to relax, as well as a sports facility to test your physical prowess. Through his first 41 games, Kraft has caught 111 passes for 1,531 yards with 15 touchdowns, but as he continues to build on his already strong chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love, his role and production could each be on the cusp of exploding. Wherever Kraft winds up living, Green Bay could soon be home for the emerging star for years to come.
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