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The best player from every MLB franchise who is not in the Hall of Fame
Ezra O. Shaw/Getty Images

The best player from every MLB franchise who is not in the Hall of Fame

Whether it be a career that was very good, but not all-time great, perhaps interrupted by injury, impacted by off-field decisions, or just some flat-out misses by voters, there is an impressive group of players on behalf of every MLB team that has NOT been inducted into Cooperstown. But who is the best player left out in the proverbial cold for every franchise? For the purposes of this list, we’ll use career WAR compiled during their team with the given team the deciding stat for who the top, non-inducted player all-time –with a few explained exceptions.

 
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Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb (31.1)

Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb (31.1)
Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images

Technically, Paul Goldschmidt owns the highest WAR of any ex-Diamondback, but since he’s still crafting out his legacy in St. Louis, Webb is next up. A three-time All-Star in his own right, Webb topped 200 innings for five straight seasons from 2004-2008, twice leading the NL in wins as well. His best season came in 2006 when captured the NL Cy Young Award, opening the season 8-0 over his first 13 starts and posting a 30-inning scoreless streak along the way.

 
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Atlanta Braves: Andrew Jones (61.1)

Atlanta Braves: Andrew Jones (61.1)
Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images

Jones burst onto the scene as a teenager, becoming the youngest player in MLB postseason history with a multi-home run game in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series. He would go on to top 30 homers in seven of his 12 seasons in Atlanta, with a high of 51 in 2008, when he finished as NL MVP runner-up. However, his main calling card was with the glove, where Jones won 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards in center field from 1998 to 2007, tied for second-most ever among outfielders.

 
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Baltimore Orioles: Mark Belanger (40.9)

Baltimore Orioles: Mark Belanger (40.9)
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Going back to their days as the St. Louis Browns, Bobby Wallace has the highest non-Cooperstown WAR in franchise history. However, we are going to limit this to the Orioles incarnation of the team and go with the defensive whiz that was Belanger. Although he was only a .228 hitter in his career, the eight-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop is second behind only Ozzie Smith in defensive WAR (39.5) all-time.

 
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Boston Red Sox: Roger Clemens (80.8)

Boston Red Sox: Roger Clemens (80.8)
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Counting only his Boston career alone, Clemens is at the least in the conversation as Hall of Famer. The Red Sox ace for his first 12 seasons, he won the first three of his seven record seven Cy Young Awards, including winning it consecutively in 1986 and ’87. In ’86, he also became the first pitcher since Vida Blue in 1971 to win MVP as well. Additional highlights of his Boston run included becoming the first pitcher to rack up 20 strikeouts in a game, winning 20 games three times while also capturing four ERA titles.

 
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Chicago Cubs: Sammy Sosa (58.8)

Chicago Cubs: Sammy Sosa (58.8)
Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images

Sosa hit 545 homers over his 13 seasons on the north side of Chicago, but his highlight came amid the most prodigious power run in MLB history. One half of the historic home run race of 1998, a season where he won NL MVP, Sosa hit the most home runs in history over a three-year span, connecting for 179 from ’98 to 2000. He is the only player to hit 60 home runs three times and has the second-most career home runs by a foreign-born player with 609.

 
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Chicago White Sox: Wilbur Wood (50.0)

Chicago White Sox: Wilbur Wood (50.0)
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After spending his early years with the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, Wood transformed his career after becoming a knuckleballer when he reached Chicago in 1967. Over the course of the next 12 seasons, he would first become a dominant reliever, pitching a modern-record of 88 games in 1968. After converting to a starter in 1971, Wood became a three-time All-Star, twice finished as a top 3 Cy Young finalist, and started over 40 games for five consecutive seasons from 1971-5.

 
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Cincinnati Reds: Vada Pinson (54.2)

Cincinnati Reds: Vada Pinson (54.2)
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Although Joey Votto is the most accomplished non-HOFer for the Reds, his Cincinnati career is ongoing. Instead, this distinction shifts to Pinson, who manned the outfield of Crosley Field for 11 seasons. He posted five seasons where he had 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, won one Gold Glove, and earned four All-Star selections. In 1977, he was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame.

 
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Cleveland Indians: Kenny Lofton (48.6)

Cleveland Indians: Kenny Lofton (48.6)
Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images

One of the great disrespects in recent Hall of Fame history came in 2013 when Lofton appeared on only 3.2% of ballots and failed to remain eligible. This came after a career where he led the AL in stolen bases five times, won four Gold Glove Awards, and made 11 postseason appearances. A career .299 hitter, Lofton totaled 2,428 hits in his career, while his 622 stolen bases are 15th all-time.

 
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Colorado Rockies: Todd Helton (61.8)

Colorado Rockies: Todd Helton (61.8)
Brian Bahr /Allsport

A five-time All-Star who finished in the top 10 of NL MVP voting three times between 2000 and 2004, Helton’s status as a non-Hall of Famer is beginning to look like a temporary tag. His performance on ballots has increased annually over his first three seasons from 16.5% to 44.9% in 2020. Helton is the Rockies’ all-time lead in a host of categories, including hits (2,519), home runs (369), extra-base hits (998), total bases (4,292), and games played (2,247).

 
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Detroit Tigers: Lou Whitaker (75.1)

Detroit Tigers: Lou Whitaker (75.1)
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Whitaker played 1,918 games alongside Hall of Famer Alan Trammell, becoming the greatest double-play combination in history along the way. Over the course of 19 seasons, they turned two together over 1,300 times, with Whitaker winning Rookie of the Year in 1978, picking up three Gold Glove Awards, making five consecutive All-Star Games. Considering this, it is increasingly curious that he hasn’t yet joined Trammell in Cooperstown, as his 75.1 WAR is the highest among any second baseman since 1900 to not be inducted yet.

 
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Houston Astros: Jose Cruz (51.4)

Houston Astros: Jose Cruz (51.4)
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“Cheo” is one of the most famous and respected Puerto Rican ballplayers of all-time. He spent 13 of his 18 seasons in Houston, finishing in the top 10 in NL MVP voting three times and leading the league in hits in 1983. All-time, he is behind only Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell in hits, with 1,937. His number 25 was retired by the Astros in 1992.

 
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Kansas City Royals: Kevin Appier (47.0)

Kansas City Royals: Kevin Appier (47.0)
STEPHEN DUNN/ALLSPORT

Appier owned the dubious distinction of being one of the best pitchers on bad teams through the 90s, reaching double digits in wins six times. He posted an ERA under 3.00 in three different seasons, with his 2.56 mark in 1993 being the lowest in the American League – one of two times KC posted a winning record during his tenure. Appier’s career 3.49 ERA is second-best in franchise history for pitchers with at least 220 starts.

 
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Los Angeles Angels: Chuck Finley (51.8)

Los Angeles Angels: Chuck Finley (51.8)
Stephen Dunn /Allsport

The obvious choice here is Mike Trout, whose future in Cooperstown is already a foregone conclusion despite still being shy of his 30th birthday. Instead, we’ll pivot to Finley, who is the all-time leader in nearly every pitching category. Over his 14 seasons in Anaheim, Finley became the franchise’s all-time leader in wins (165), innings pitched (2,675) games started (379), and made four All-Star appearances. Over the course of his Angels’ tenure, only two left-handers in all of baseball had more strikeouts than his 2,151.

 
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Los Angeles Dodgers: Willie Davis (54.6)

Los Angeles Dodgers: Willie Davis (54.6)
Bettmann / Contributor

Among the star-studded ranks of the Dodgers, it is easy to overlook the impact of Davis’s career. However, during his 13 seasons in L.A., he put together an impressive resume that included a pair of World Series titles, three Gold Glove Awards, and a franchise-record 31-game hitting streak in 1969. For the Los Angeles era of the franchise, Davis is the club’s leader in numerous categories, including hits (2,091), runs scored (1,004), and total bases (3,094).

 
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Miami Marlins: Hanley Ramirez (26.9)

Miami Marlins: Hanley Ramirez (26.9)
Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images

Giancarlo Stanton’s 35.7 career wins in a Marlins uniform are the most in club history, but it is Ramirez who is the best among the retired Fish. After winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2006, Ramirez ascended to being one of the elite shortstops in baseball. A three-time All-Star before turning 27, Ramirez’s best season came during his NL MVP runner-up campaign of 2009, when he hit an NL-best .342, with 42 doubles and 24 homers, while driving in 106 and stealing 27 bases.

 
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Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun (46.9)

Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun (46.9)
Rick Wood-Imagn Content Services, LLC

Braun is non-committal about if he will continue playing in 2021, so due to that he qualifies for this list currently. Over the course of his 14-year career in Milwaukee, Braun hit .296, with 352 homers, 1,154 RBI, and 216 stolen bases. In his first six seasons, he made five All-Star appearances, won NL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and MVP in 2011. Under normal circumstances, his resume is that of a Hall of Famer, but his involvement (and subsequent suspension) in the Biogenesis PED scandal of 2011, complicated that forecast.

 
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Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer (55.3)

Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer (55.3)
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Mauer is eligible for election in three years, so for the time being this title is his for the Twins/Senators. The 2009 AL MVP, the Minnesota-native spent his entire 15-year career with the club, earning six All-Star appearances and becoming the only catcher to win a batting title – something he did three times in his career, a record for the position.

 
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New York Mets: David Wright (49.2)

New York Mets: David Wright (49.2)
Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB via Getty Images

A seven-time All-Star, who is the Mets all-time leader in over 10 significant career categories, Wright certainly made a memorable mark on Flushing. In his prime, Wright was without a doubt one of the best players in the game, as his 39.6 WAR checking in second among all third basemen, behind only future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre. Wright spent his entire 14-year career with the Mets, although injuries cost him a significant part of 5 seasons and the entirety of another.

 
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New York Yankees: Willie Randolph (54.0)

New York Yankees: Willie Randolph (54.0)
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Alex Rodriguez equaled Randolph’s career WAR in pinstripes, but since he’ll appear again later on this list, let's lock in on Randolph for this slot. He spent 13 years at second in the Bronx, being named to five All-Star teams in the process (tied for the most by a 2B in Yankees history). Overall, Randolph finished his career fifth in MLB history in games at second base and had the third-highest WAR of any third baseman of the 80s.

 
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Oakland Athletics: Sal Bando (61.5)

Oakland Athletics: Sal Bando (61.5)
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The captain of the A’s team that won three consecutive World Series from 1972-74, Bando spent 11 years with the franchise. He made the All-Star team in each of those championship seasons, finishing in the top four of MVP voting in the latter two seasons. He also was MVP runner-up in 1971. For his career, Bando was the second third baseman in history to reach 200 career home runs.

 
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Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley (62.0)

Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley (62.0)
Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The heart and soul of the great Phillies’ teams of the 2000s, Utley’s all-out, gritty style of play endeared him deeply to the City of Brotherly Love. Between 2005-09, Utley averaged a .301 average, 29 home runs, 101 RBI, and 15 stolen bases per season, winning the NL Silver Slugger at second base each season. For the decade of 2000-09, Utley’s 42.2 WAR and .902 OPS was best among MLB second basemen, In the postseason, his seven career home runs are the most by a second baseman in MLB history.

 
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Pittsburgh Pirates: Babe Adams (52.9)

Pittsburgh Pirates: Babe Adams (52.9)
Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images

Adams spent all but one game of his 19-year MLB career in Pittsburgh, where he compiled a 194-140 record. Although he pitched his last game in 1926, he still ranks second among Pirates pitchers all-time in victories. He also checks in at first in shutouts (44), third in innings pitched (2,991) and fifth in games pitched (481). An extraordinary control artist, his 1.09 WHIP checks in at third all-time.

 
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San Diego Padres: Jake Peavy (26.8)

San Diego Padres: Jake Peavy (26.8)
Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images

Early in his career, Peavy was one of the most dominant young pitchers in the game, winning the NL Cy Young in 2007 after capturing the pitching Triple Crown. Peavy went 19-6, with a 2.54 ERA and 240 strikeouts for the year, one of two seasons that he led the NL in strikeouts or in ERA. His 1,348 strikeouts remain a franchise record, as does his 16-strikeout game from 2006.

 
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San Francisco Giants: Barry Bonds (112.5)

San Francisco Giants: Barry Bonds (112.5)
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During his 15 years in the Bay, Bonds won the final five of his record seven MVP awards – including four consecutive between 2001-04. He topped 30 home runs in his first 12 seasons with the Giants, including the single-season record of 73 in 2001. Among his other notable feats during his tenure include setting the MLB all-time season record for walks (232) in 2001, single-season on-base % (.609), and postseason home runs (8) in 2002, among many others.

 
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Seattle Mariners: Alex Rodriguez (38.1)

Seattle Mariners: Alex Rodriguez (38.1)
Jason Wise / Staff

With Ichiro being a no-doubt future first-ballot pick among retired Mariners, let's dig a bit deeper in the crates. After breaking in with the Mariners at 18, A-Rod quickly changed the expectations of offense from a shortstop in his early career in Seattle. He became the third-youngest batting champion ever when he hit .358 at 21. In 2000, he became the first shortstop in history to hit 40 home runs in three consecutive years. In the same season, Rodriguez became the first shortstop ever to total 100 runs, RBI, and walks in the same season.

 
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St. Louis Cardinals: Curt Flood (42.3)

St. Louis Cardinals: Curt Flood (42.3)
Bettmann / Contributor

While Flood is best known for how his challenge of the Reserve Clause that ultimately led to free agency, but effectively cost him his career in the process. Yet what gets lost in the mix is how excellent Flood was on the field prior to that. A member of two World Series championship teams in St. Louis, Flood won the NL Gold Glove in center field in each of his final seven seasons and made the All-Star Game in 1964, 1966, and 1968. At the plate, he hit .300 or better in six of his 12 Cardinal seasons and led the NL with 211 hits in ’64.

 
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Tampa Bay Rays: Carl Crawford (35.6)

Tampa Bay Rays: Carl Crawford (35.6)
Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images

In the relatively brief history of the Rays, they have yet to produce a Hall of Famer from their ranks. However, the most accomplished retired Ray is Crawford, who was one of the most dynamic players in the game during his Tampa career. The speedy outfielder led the AL in triples and stolen bases four times, doing so simultaneously in 2004 and 2006. A four-time All-Star, Crawford is the Rays all-time leader in 10 categories to date.

 
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Texas Rangers: Rafael Palmeiro (44.6)

Texas Rangers: Rafael Palmeiro (44.6)
Ronald Martinez/Allsport

Palmeiro hit 321 of his 569 career home runs with the Rangers, who he suited up for between 1989 to 1993, then again from 1999 to 2003. During his second stint with the club, he topped 40 home runs three times, averaged 122 RBI per season, and hit his 500th career homer in the uniform in 2003. All-time, he ranks second in home runs, runs scored, and RBI in Rangers history.

 
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Toronto Blue Jays: Dave Stieb (56.8)

Toronto Blue Jays: Dave Stieb (56.8)
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images

The long-time Blue Jay ace, Stieb pitched all but one of his 16 seasons with the Blue Jays cap on. His 140 wins during the 1980s are the second-most by any pitcher, while his 175 are a club record for Toronto. Stieb represented the club as an All-Star on seven occasions finished in the top five in AL Cy Young voting twice and threw the first no-hitter in Jays history in 1990, after twice losing bids for one in the ninth inning previously.

 
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Washington Nationals: Steve Rogers (44.8)

Washington Nationals: Steve Rogers (44.8)
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images

The history of the franchise as the Nationals is too new to have many notable non-Hall of Fame careers yet, so let’s turn the page back to the days of the Expos. A five-time All-Star, Rogers pitched his entire 13-year career in Montreal, winning 158 games to go with a 3.17 ERA. A workhorse, he completed 129 games in his career and topped 230 innings in a season nine times, and had 37 shutouts.

Matt Whitener

Matt Whitener is St. Louis-based writer, radio host and 12-6 curveball enthusiast. He has been covering Major League Baseball since 2010, and dabbles in WWE, NBA and other odd jobs as well. Follow Matt on Twitter at @CheapSeatFan.

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 Seattle Mariners Set to Promote Triple-A Standout to Big-League Roster
MLB

Seattle Mariners Set to Promote Triple-A Standout to Big-League Roster

According to multiple reports, the Seattle Mariners are set to promote minor league first baseman Tyler Locklear from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday. Locklear was removed from the Rainiers game in the fifth inning on Tuesday night, leading to speculation that he was being traded. It no longer appears that that's the case. There's been no indication as to what the corresponding move will be at this time, but there's certainly a few different things potentially in play. Is Luke Raley being traded? After the Mariners acquired Josh Naylor, Raley is no longer needed at first base. That pushes him to the outfield, where the team has clearly favored Dominic Canzone. Raley hasn't started a game since Naylor arrived. He's hitting just .220 this season with four homers, and he also missed more than a month with injury. However, he's under team control through 2028, so he would certainly have appeal to other teams. The Mariners are in the market for relief help and help at third base, so this is possible. Is Raley injured? Some internet sleuths noticed Raley wearing a back brace while the team was in Anaheim over the weekend, leading to speculation that he's hurt. The future of Donovan Solano? With Naylor in the fold, Solano's right-handed hitting first base ability hasn't really been needed. He's only hitting .243 with an 83 OPS+ this season. Is the team prepared to move on from him in order to give Locklear his chance at the backup first base job? And how about Dylan Moore? Keeping Solano and Locklear would seem redundant, but Moore is in a 2-for-56 slump (entering play on Wednesday), leading to speculation about how long he'll be around for. Locklear, 24, made his major league debut last season and hit .156 in 45 at-bats. He's hitting .316 at Tacoma this season with 19 homers and 18 stolen bases. He was just named the PCL's Hitter of the Week.

Jalon Walker’s Mysterious Injury Sparks Unease Among Atlanta Falcons Fans
General Sports

Jalon Walker’s Mysterious Injury Sparks Unease Among Atlanta Falcons Fans

Training camp is supposed to be a time of optimism for NFL teams, a moment to gauge the potential stars of tomorrow and fine-tune rosters for the regular season. For the Atlanta Falcons, however, the 2025 training camp has come with an air of apprehension. Rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker—widely regarded as one of their most promising young talents—has been mysteriously absent from team drills, leaving fans concerned about the severity of his injury and its potential impact on the season. On one hand, head coach Raheem Morris has reassured reporters that the issue is “not serious.” On the other hand, the team’s lack of transparency and Walker’s conspicuous absence have stoked fears that there may be more to worry about than the coaching staff is letting on. Here’s a closer look at why this situation has Falcons fans nervous, and why Walker’s absence is so significant given Atlanta’s high stakes this season. Jalon Walker’s Potential: A Key For The Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons drafted Jalon Walker in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, betting big on his ability to energize their pass rush. Coming out of the University of Georgia, Walker was praised for his athleticism, explosiveness, and versatility. While he split time between positions in college, Atlanta planned to focus his talents at edge rusher—a role they desperately needed to solidify after struggling to pressure opposing quarterbacks in recent seasons. Walker was touted as a player who could contribute immediately. His blend of size, speed, and raw power made him a natural fit for the Falcons’ defensive scheme. Pairing him with fellow first-round selection James Pearce Jr. and veterans along the defensive line seemed like a recipe for rebuilding a unit that had long been Atlanta’s Achilles’ heel. Simply put, the Falcons need Walker to bridge the gap between potential and production. For a franchise that has invested heavily in improving its front seven, the stakes are high. And that’s precisely why his current absence is causing so much unease. The Injury Mystery Jalon Walker’s training camp has been, at best, stop-and-start. He was seen participating in earlier sessions but has now missed two consecutive practices, relegated to a side field for conditioning work alongside injured linebacker Troy Andersen. The team has offered little in the way of an explanation. Reports have confirmed that Walker isn’t dealing with a major setback, but the lack of specifics has left fans speculating about the long-term implications. Raheem Morris attempted to reassure the fanbase, stating, “It’s not a serious issue.” However, those familiar with NFL injury narratives know better than to take those words at face value. Teams often downplay early injuries only for them to linger into the regular season—or worse, snowball into something that sidelines a player indefinitely. Adding to the anxiety are comments from outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith, who acknowledged the importance of Walker getting back on the field sooner rather than later. “Obviously, we would love for him to get the reps. I’m not a doctor, but he needs the reps,” Smith admitted. It’s a candid reminder that no amount of athletic ability can compensate for a lack of practice when it comes to transitioning from college ball to life in the NFL. Why Walker’s Absence is Significant The timing and nature of Walker’s absence are particularly concerning when considering Atlanta’s broader goals for the season. The Falcons didn’t just use their first-round pick on Walker—they restructured their defensive ambitions around improving the edge rush. After years of ranking near the bottom of the league in sacks and quarterback pressures, the 2025 offseason was all about reversing that trend. Walker is a linchpin in that strategy. A Critical Role in the Pass Rush Without consistent pressure from their edge defenders, the Falcons have often left their secondary exposed, resulting in a cascade of defensive breakdowns. Walker’s role isn’t just one of potential—he’s expected to actively anchor the pass rush alongside Pearce. The duo was billed as the future of Atlanta’s defensive front, tasked with turning around a unit that has long struggled to impose its will on opposing offenses. Missed practices mean missed opportunities to fine-tune his technique and build chemistry with teammates, two things critical for a rookie. The coaches can offer classroom sessions and film study, but on-field reps provide invaluable lessons in timing, angles, and adaptability that can’t be replicated off the gridiron. The Cost of Draft Capital Atlanta’s commitment to boosting its defensive line wasn’t cheap. By trading up in the draft and focusing on edge rushers in early rounds, the Falcons showed they were all-in on reshaping their front seven. Walker embodies this investment. If he isn’t available or fails to develop as planned, the ripple effects could undermine the entire defensive overhaul. A Lesson in Hope and Worry It’s important to note that panic might be premature. Training camp is a long process, and early injuries are sometimes no more than a bump in the road. Walker has shown himself to be a resilient competitor, and the coaching staff has maintained that this is a minor ailment. But the Falcons’ handling of this situation will be critical in easing tensions among the fanbase. Transparency can go a long way in restoring trust. For Jalon Walker, the immediate focus should be on returning to practice without rushing his recovery. The Atlanta Falcons need him to be ready for Week 1 against the division-rival Carolina Panthers, a game that will set the tone for the season. The Road Ahead While it’s too early to press the panic button, the situation serves as a reminder of the fine line NFL team-building walks. The Atlanta Falcons have a golden opportunity to turn the tide defensively this year. Their investments in young, athletic talent like Jalon Walker signal a bright future, but for that future to materialize, player development must align with health and availability. Fans, meanwhile, will continue to hold their breath until Walker is spotted in full pads, explosive as always. And when that moment comes, the nervous energy surrounding his mysterious injury might well transform into optimism.

Ben Roethlisberger Sends Serious Warning About Steelers' Broderick Jones
NFL

Ben Roethlisberger Sends Serious Warning About Steelers' Broderick Jones

The 2025 season will be a crucial one for the Pittsburgh Steelers and all of the decision-makers that completely revamped the roster during the offseason. The depth chart looks much different than it did back in 2024, so there will be several adjustments that need to be made. One positional group that looks relatively similar, but has been affected by some reshuffling, is the offensive line. Troy Fautanu is back after an injury-plagued rookie campaign, and Broderick Jones will finally get to play left tackle on a consistent basis for the first time in his professional career. Jones is, without a doubt, one of the most important players in the entire projected starting lineup. Keeping Aaron Rodgers upright will be crucial, and the third-year lineman has not necessarily proven that he can be trusted. He suffered an injury to begin training camp, but is reportedly going to be just fine and return to the field sooner rather than later. No one knows how important it is to have a strong offensive line more than future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers' legendary signal-caller never got to play with Jones, but he keeps tabs on the team and shares his thoughts often on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger. On the most recent episode, he highlighted how critical it is so have a good group up front blocking, and he mentioned Jones by name. "I would probably start, as I do a lot of times, about the importance of the offensive line," Roethlisberger began. "I'd say that's the biggest question, and it should be because to me, the line is always the MVP. The way the line plays, run game, pass game, everything revolves around that. More specifically, Broderick Jones, moving now back to left tackle." Training camp hasn't gotten off to a great start for Jones with the injury, but some may be happy that he lost some weight during the 2025 offseason. Roethlisberger said he understands why, but is still concerned. "I've heard he's thinned down, which is good to a certain extent, right," Roethlisberger said. "They want to work on getting tackles out and running the outside zones and stretch plays. So, you got to be a little, you know, more agile, but you know, you also don't want to be too small when you're supposed to be a tackle. So, that's always going to be a concern of mine, is him and the line in general staying healthy." There are some massive edge rushers in the NFL, and Roethlisberger is right in saying that being too small as a tackle can be problematic. Jones will have to go up against Myles Garrett twice in 2025, and the offseason weight loss won't look like a good thing if he is manhandled throughout those matchups. The Steelers' offensive line might be the unit that makes or breaks the team's season. Staying healthy will be the number one priority, but it is almost imperative that the group actually is successful. If edge rushers are constantly bulldozing through Jones, it could be serious cause for concern. It seems as if that it what Roethlisberger has some reservations about. If Jones doesn't perform at a high level in 2025, the 2023 NFL Draft day trade-up in the first round will be looked at as a failure. The organization has to make a decision on Jones' fifth-year option during the 2026 offseason, so the left tackle better hope that some of the weight he had shed ends up helping him significantly, instead of the other way around. Steelers Will Need Entire Offensive Line To Be Elite In 2025 While Jones is going to be the number one scapegoat if things go south, the big men up front will be a huge part of Pittsburgh's offensive failures or successes as the season progresses. Roethlisberger's comments regarding the starting left tackle's offseason will certainly cause a little bit of worry, but the unit as a whole has to prove consistency when the games matter.

1 last-minute trade New York Yankees must complete before 2025 deadline
MLB

1 last-minute trade New York Yankees must complete before 2025 deadline

After a strong start to the season, the New York Yankees have had a rough past few weeks. Now, the team is five games behind the division leading Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees have already made a couple of moves as the MLB trade deadline approaches. New York GM Brian Cashman traded for infielders Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario. Now, according to a recent report by the New York Post’s Jon Heyman on X (formerly Twitter), the team will focus on improving the bullpen. “Big priority now for Yankees and Mets is bullpen,” posted Heyman on the social media platform this past Saturday. “And many closers/back end guys are available/potentially available: J. Duran, Jax, Bednar, D. Santana, Helsley, P. Maton, Kittredge, Clasé, C. Smith, Halvorsen, S. Wilson, Jansen, Finnegan, Bender, P. Johnson, R. Iglesias.” In the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates, New York has two teams in which they’ve worked out plenty of deals in the past. Both teams are in positions to sell, and each of them have a pair of late-inning arms in which they could move in one or separate deals. In this scenario, the Bronx Bombers should try and get both arms from one team. Whether it’s the Pirates duo of David Bednar and Dennis Santana or the Twins’ Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, Cashman could fortify another weakness on his squad in one deal. With the Yankees requiring a spark to turn things around, it feels as if the latter duo from Minnesota would be a better fit in the Bronx. Trading for Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax would enhance Yankees bullpen The reason for this is simple: both of the Twins’ relievers have pitched in the postseason. Pittsburgh’s duo has not. Now, that’s not to say that Bednar and Santana couldn’t handle the pressure of October baseball. They certainly could. However, if Cashman and the Yankees brass are going to pay a high price for relievers, shouldn’t it be on ones with postseason experience? Duran would instantly slot in as the team’s closer. Imagine Yankee Stadium with his entrance. The crowd would lose their minds each time he came in to slam the door. Jax would combine with Luke Weaver and Devin Williams to form a very potent late inning trio of arms with the ability to halt any team’s attack. Both of these arms would be excellent additions to the Yankees pen, and it would further lengthen the team’s depth at a team where it is sorely needed. Cashman has also mentioned adding starting pitching, and there is a possibility he could also ask about Joe Ryan. However, if he was included in this deal, it might be too high a cost for Cashman to pay at this time. In a deal for Duran and Jax, it would take at least two to three quality prospects. Arms like Ben Hess and Bryce Cunningham would certainly be discussed. Outfielder Everson Pereira, who has struggled to break in at Yankee Stadium, could also be an intriguing fit. Shortstop Roderick Arias would also likely interest Minnesota. Let’s say the package for Duran and Jax includes Hess, Pereira and Arias. A fourth piece would likely be needed as well, but it would likely be another name besides Cunningham. Yes, they would likely be more expensive that Bednar and Santana. Yet, the Yankees need to remember something: they are the New York Yankees. They’ve won 28 World Series titles. They’d like to win their 29th, preferably this season. It’s time to go all in. Building a super bullpen with Duran, Jax, Weaver and Williams would be a good place to start.