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The Boston Red Sox put their money where their mouth is this past offseason.
Boston quickly said after the 2024 Major League Baseball season came to an end that it was going to be aggressive in the offseason. That's exactly what the club did. The Red Sox went out and got Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Alex Bregman among others. That's certainly an aggressive offseason.
The Red Sox aren't messing around any longer and look like the front office of ol d. Boston started the 2025 season off with a win on Thursday and will get back in action on Friday against the Texas Rangers.
It could be a good year for Boston. Perception has completely shifted. ESPN's Jesse Rogers shared a post on Friday in which executives across the league were interviewed for wide-ranging questions. One that was asked was who was going to be the 2025 breakout team across the league. Boston got the most votes with six.
"Survey says: Red Sox 6, A's 4, (Minnesota Twins) 2, (Toronto Blue Jays) 2, (Texas Rangers) 1, (Washington Nationals) 1, (San Francisco Giants) 1," Rogers shared. "The execs who chose the Red Sox were fairly confident in their picks while most who picked other teams admitted they were taking "fliers" on them. The A's might be a surprising team to see here for casual fans but inside the game , they're intriguing. The move to Sacramento could turn into a home-field advantage if they embrace it, according to one exec.
"What they said: 'Boston is just primed for a breakout,' said one non AL East exec. 'And think about that division now that the Yankees are starting injured, and Baltimore did little in the offseason. The Red Sox could do more than just breakout.'"
It's a good time to be a Red Sox fan.
More must-reads:
- Orioles' latest extension could spell doom for All-Star catcher
- Justin Verlander needs to listen to Father Time despite desire to keep pitching
- The 'Active 20-home run MLB seasons' quiz
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Craig Kimbrel lands with World Series contender after latest release
Craig Kimbrel is hoping to make an impact with an MLB team down the stretch, and a World Series contender is giving the former All-Star reliever a shot. Kimbrel agreed to a big-league contract with the Houston Astros on Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Kimbrel began the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves after signing a minor-league contract with them in March. The right-hander started out with the Double-A Columbus Clingstones and did not give up a hit in three appearances. Kimbrel was then promoted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, where he went 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 18 innings. The Braves added Kimbrel to their active roster on June 6. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning in Atlanta's 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants that day. Kimbrel allowed a walk and a hit in the inning. The following day, Atlanta made the puzzling decision to designate Kimbrel for assignment. Kimbrel opted for free agency rather than accepting his minor league assignment. He then signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers but never made it to their MLB roster. Kimbrel was granted his release on Thursday and signed with Houston. Kimbrel, 37, is a nine-time All-Star who has pitched for eight different teams during his MLB career. He led the National League in saves four times and was one of the best relief pitchers in the league during his prime. Kimbrel also helped the Boston Red Sox win a World Series in 2018. The Astros were 69-58 entering Thursday and had a 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. If Kimbrel is healthy, he could provide Houston with some valuable bullpen depth over the final stretch of the season.
Cowboys' Micah Parsons seen taking bizarre action in preseason finale
Micah Parsons showed up for the Dallas Cowboys' preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons in body only. The star pass-rusher showed no spirit and did not dress amid his hold-in for a contract extension. On Thursday, Parsons scrubbed the Cowboys from his social media feed. During Friday's game, he couldn't be bothered to be with his teammates on the sideline watching the whole game. Per a photo posted on X by The Athletic's Jon Machota, Parsons was seen lying down on a trainer's table during the contest. Parsons' actions come amid a turbulent week between his representation and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. In separate interviews, Jones told both Michael Irvin and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that he did not plan to back down from his agreement with Parsons to work with agent David Mulugheta. During the pregame show on Friday, Jones boasted to 105.3 The Fan that defensive end is where the Cowboys have the most depth on the roster. "Frankly, our defensive ends may be the best depth, where we have the most talent of any position on the field," Jones said via Machota. "I'm excited about our depth and our numbers at pass rusher. ... I'm concerned because of having space on the roster to keep that many of our guys that have pass rushing ability." Following Friday night's game, the Cowboys' preseason is over. The situation between Jones and Parsons is not ideal for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who is tasked with trimming the roster to 53 players by Tuesday. If Parsons is traded or chooses not to play in Week 1, Schottenheimer is going to have to decide to take away depth from what Jones sees as a weaker part of the team to boost a unit that is without their best player because he won't negotiate with Mulugheta.
Pat McAfee has strong reaction to Hall of Fame honor
Former punter Pat McAfee is receiving an honor that is rare for a special teams member. On Friday, West Virginia announced that McAfee was one of six players entering the program's Hall of Fame for the 2025 class. McAfee is thankful for the recognition from his former school. He used some strong language to react to WVU's reveal. "It was nice to have an opportunity to think back and reminisce about a great era of my life," McAfee posted on X. "I am so thankful for the recognition. This is normally something I would try and f------ hate.. I’d say that it’s b------- and they feel obligated to do this but; this call made my soul feel good. Thanks for the opportunity to be a Mountaineer @RealCoachRod.. it was an honor." McAfee was a highly productive specialist at West Virginia, earning First-team All-American honors in 2008. During his time with the Mountaineers, he set the school record for most games played (51), scoring (384) and extra points made (210). He held the Big East record for most extra points made, when he made 210 of 212 attempts. McAfee's success at West Virginia propelled the Indianapolis Colts to select him in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. He earned All-Pro honors in 2014 and made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2016. He has the highest career net average in punting years with 41.1. McAfee should be proud of his achievements during his days in college and the legacy he is building with the program. The ESPN pundit even used his influence to speak with WVU athletic director Wren Baker to help with the coaching search that ultimately brought back Rich Rodriguez to the school.
Two NASCAR teams dealt serious penalties ahead of Daytona Cup Series race
A pair of NASCAR Cup Series teams will be at a major disadvantage when the green flag flies for Saturday's Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. An unapproved adjustment made by the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team led to William Byron's crew chief, Rudy Fugle, being ejected from the speedway. The No. 24 Chevrolet initially passed inspection before the adjustment was made. Byron will also have to drop to the rear of the field before the start of the race, and will also have to serve a stop-and-go penalty on pit road after taking the green flag. Byron's team also lost pit stall on selection for Saturday's race. The No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports team also incurred a penalty after inspection on Friday. B.J. McLeod's Chevrolet failed inspection twice, with car chief Lee Leslie also being ejected from the speedway. McLeod also lost pit stall selection, though he will not have to serve a stop-and-go penalty like Byron. Byron, the two-time defending Daytona 500 champion, will have a much tougher road to his fourth Daytona victory. He's looking for his first win in Daytona's summer race since 2020, when he earned his first career win in the 2020 Coke Zero Sugar 400. Ryan Blaney will start on the pole for Saturday's race, which serves as the Cup Series regular season finale.
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