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The Boston Red Sox have traded Rafael Devers, but the problems and dysfunction may not be finished in the organization.
A new story by Joon Lee of Yahoo Sports shed light on the many issues that led to the Red Sox trading Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a shocking move on Sunday. In it, Lee notes that there are ongoing issues between manager Alex Cora and the front office, particularly chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
Cora and Breslow “have not seen eye-to-eye” on the team’s direction, according to Lee. Cora wants to win now, while Breslow is more focused on trying to position the organization for long-term success. Cora’s recent willingness to bench top prospects like Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony for platoon matchups is seen as an indication of his own mindset being at odds with Breslow’s.
Red Sox coaches also feel that player development at the lower levels of the organization is not what it should be, and that players are not being taught proper fundamentals in the minor leagues. The Red Sox lead the league with 64 errors as of Monday.
Breslow has even alienated some within his own front office. Former scouting supervisor Carl Moesche was fired after the 2024 season after referring to Breslow as a “f—ing stiff” on a Zoom meeting that he thought had ended.
There were some signals that Cora and Breslow were not on the same page even earlier this season. Cora publicly stated that there had been no discussions about asking Devers to play first base following Triston Casas’ season-ending injury. Days later, it emerged that the Red Sox front office had asked Devers to do just that, a request Devers balked at.
Cora has won a World Series as Red Sox manager and is clearly valued highly by ownership. One has to wonder if he and the team’s current front office ethos can coexist long-term.
More must-reads:
- Reporter expands on why Red Sox traded three-time All-Star Rafael Devers
- Rafael Devers trade signals end of championship era for Red Sox
- The 'MLB active playoff home run leaders' quiz
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Three potential landing spots for Cody Bellinger
Cody Bellinger put a mediocre 2024 behind him in his only year with the New York Yankees. Acquired to protect outfielder Aaron Judge in the lineup after Juan Soto departed for the Mets, Bellinger was exactly what the Yankees needed. He posted a .272/.334/.480 batting line over 656 plate appearances, hitting 29 homers and 25 doubles. His 5.1 bWAR was his best mark since leading the National League with 8.7 bWAR during his MVP season in 2019. It was an easy decision for Bellinger to opt out of the final year of his contract and enter free agency. The 30-year-old Bellinger provides more than a solid bat in the middle of the lineup. He is capable of playing all three outfield positions and first base, typically providing above-average defense at each spot. Bellinger is the type of player who virtually every team could use in the lineup. Let's take a look at three possible teams that could sign him. Three potential landing spots for Cody Bellinger in free agency 1. New York Yankees No team may need Bellinger more than the Yankees. While Judge is a perennial MVP candidate in right, the rest of the outfield is far more uncertain. Center fielder Trent Grisham is slated for free agency, although he could accept the qualifying offer. Jasson Dominguez is penciled in as the starting left fielder, but he struggled in the second half as he lost playing time down the stretch. First base may be open as well, depending on whether or not the Yankees want Ben Rice to be their primary catcher. Even if Grisham accepts the offer and returns, the Yankees have plenty of holes. A reunion is possible. Bellinger was clear that he would be willing to return to the Yankees, the franchise his father, Clay Bellinger, won a pair of World Series titles with, saying that he had "an unbelievable time" in New York. The Yankees, likewise, want him back in pinstripes. It may just be a matter of getting the financials to work. 2. Los Angeles Angels The Angels desperately need an infusion of talent throughout the roster if they are going to even think about contending for a playoff spot. Although the Angels are focused on bolstering their pitching staff, they are also looking to improve the lineup, preferring to add a left-handed hitter to provide more balance to the lineup. While the Angels have a backlog of corner outfield/designated hitter types, center field is a distinct area of need. Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed the Angels as the best fit for Bellinger, as he would be a perfect fit for one of their biggest needs. However, it is fair to wonder if he would be willing to sign with a team that, even with his bat in the lineup, would need several more pieces to contend for the postseason. 3. Philadelphia Phillies If there is a team that needs Bellinger more than the Yankees, it may be the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber is a free agent, and although the Phillies would like to bring him back, he is best suited as a designated hitter defensively. Outfielder Nick Castellanos imploded last season and is expected to be traded or released. Fellow outfielders Harrison Bader and Max Kepler are also free agents, leaving Brandon Marsh as the only given in the Phillies outfield. Signing Bellinger could also improve the Phillies outfield at another position. Outfield prospect Justin Crawford may be ready for the majors offensively, but there are questions about his defense, especially in center. By slotting Bellinger in center, Crawford could move over to left, putting less pressure on his glove as he acclimates to the majors.
Islanders-Stars game ends with ejection, review and Patrick Roy screaming
The New York Islanders' 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night ended with complete mayhem that included an ejection, Islanders coach Patrick Roy screaming and a replay review on what could have been a potential buzzer-beating game-tying goal. It is probably the most chaotic ending of the 2025-26 NHL season to date. Here's what happened. Mikko Rantanen ejected for hit that enraged Patrick Roy Things really started to pop off when Stars forward Mikko Rantanen was ejected for boarding Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov with just 27 seconds remaining. Rantanen was assessed a match penalty for the hit, resulting in Roy screaming at him between the benches. Roy is no stranger to these sorts of altercations in his head-coaching career, and he has repeatedly gotten himself into verbal — and nearly physical — altercations with opponents. His first game as an NHL head coach with the Colorado Avalanche nearly resulted in him climbing over the glass to fight then-Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau. He has passion. But that was only the start of the crazy ending. Potential buzzer-beating game-tying goal overturned on replay review As the Islanders were attempting to cling to a one-goal lead, the Stars appeared to tie the game with a buzzer-beating goal that would have sent the game to overtime, completing a wild comeback that started with a goal just one minute earlier. The only problem: The goal was taken away when it was determined that Stars forward Jason Robertson interfered with goalie David Rittich. Robertson definitely makes contact with Rittich in the crease, and he is responsible for making every possible effort to avoid that. But it is also true that Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock gives him a pretty good hit that sends him into the crease and into Rittich. The officials and NHL clearly did not think that was the cause of the interference and overturned the goal, securing the Islanders win. Goaltending interference can be a pretty subjective call. In this case, it did not favor the Stars.
Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin breaks silence on reported ultimatum
The Ole Miss Rebels reportedly gave head coach Lane Kiffin a deadline of Nov. 28 to decide whether he wants to stay with the school. That was news to him. On Tuesday, Kiffin joined "The Pat McAfee Show" to discuss his future. The coach is widely considered a top candidate for the head-coaching jobs with the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators. He denied that Ole Miss gave him an ultimatum, which Stewart Mandel of The Athletic first reported. Lane Kiffin calls report false "That's absolutely not true," Kiffin said. "There hasn't been anything like that at all. And so, I don't know where that came from, like a lot of stuff that comes out there." After denying the report, Kiffin reiterated how much he loves Oxford and said he's ecstatic the team is in the thick of the College Football Playoff Hunt. As of Tuesday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives the 10-1 Rebels an 89.1% chance to make the CFP, the third-best odds in the SEC behind the Georgia Bulldogs (9-1) and Texas A M Aggies (10-0). "Like I said, man, we're having a blast," he said. "It just couldn't be better. Like I said, you pray for things. Our fans prayed for this type of thing, and now we're in the middle of it. So, enjoy it." Is Lane Kiffin telling the truth? While the school may not have issued an ultimatum, ESPN's Mark Schlabach reported that Ole Miss is "pressing" Kiffin and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, to inform the school of his decision soon. Schlabach added that Rebels athletic director Keith Carter wants to know his plans by this upcoming weekend. Kiffin may be able to provide an answer soon. He has reportedly met with Florida and LSU. Kiffin may ultimately stay with Ole Miss, where he has compiled a 54-19 record in six seasons. He's already making $9M this season, and the Rebels are reportedly willing to match contract offers from LSU and Florida. Still, Kiffin should make it clear what he wants to do soon. The Rebels host the Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-6) in the Egg Bowl on Nov. 28. He doesn't want rumors about his future to distract his team, especially when it can get even closer to securing the school's first CFP berth in the upcoming rivalry game.
Commanders RB Austin Ekeler turns devistating injury into one unique opportunity for life after football
The Washington Commanders have been riddled with injuries this season, including season-ending ones to multiple starters. Veteran running back Austin Ekeler was poised to have a massive season with a critical role on offense, but all of that was cut way too short. Ekeler went down in the second game of the season with a long road to recovery. Instead of sitting back and just giving up, Ekeler does what he always does: keeps his head up and makes the most of it. While he's recovering, Ekeler has a very unique opportunity that not many players get. Austin Ekeler to be a guest on Netflix during the Commanders' Christmas Day game Just because Ekeler's season is over, that doesn't mean he can't take part in the team, just in a much different way. The Commanders are hosting the Dallas Cowboys at home for a rivalry game on Christmas Day, and Ekeler will be there. He won't be on the field, but instead he'll be working on his life after football skills as a desk analyst for the game on Netflix. Ekeler will join Kay Adams, Devin McCourty, and Michael Irvin to discuss the Commanders vs. Cowboys game, which promises to be very entertaining. We all know Ekeler has a strong screen presence, and he's known for his activity in the fantasy football community, as well as podcasts and shows when he's not on the field. This gives him a big stage to show what he can do on the media side of football whenever he decides to hang it up. We aren't sure if Ekeler will come back to keep playing after his gruesome injury, and maybe this is it for him. Austin Ekeler's injury might be the end of a magical run It's weird to see a player in the media talking about a game involving a team he's still technically part of, even if his season is over. Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon during the Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and that's a tough injury to come back from. He will also be 31 heading into next season, so maybe this is a preview for what's to come if he decides to call it a career. Regardless, this is a big opportunity that he's going to crush, and be an enjoyable watch, which is great because we have no idea what to expect from this team anymore with a 3-8 record. This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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