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The 'NLCS MVPs' quiz
Can you name every NLCS MVP? An asterisk (*) indicates there were co-winners. There was no NLCS in 1994 due to players' strike. Quiz clue: Year / Team / Primary position / Jersey #. Good luck!
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More must-reads:
- Phillies 'Mr. October' doesn't melt in red-hot spotlight
- Orlando Arcia upset that comments on Bryce Harper leaked out of clubhouse
- The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Yankees trade options expand with Twins fire sale
While not exactly one-stop shopping, the New York Yankees could address multiple needs ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline with a call to the Minnesota Twins. That's because the American League Central club is open for business and bracing for a fire sale. "As of today, the Twins are now seriously listening on their rental players, including (Danny) Coulombe, (Harrison) Bader and (Willi) Castro," the New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Tuesday. "While they will listen on All-Star starter Joe Ryan and star closer Jhoan Duran they’d have to be blown away, especially for Ryan." For the Yankees, the three biggest names there are Coulombe, Duran and Castro. Let's start with the pitchers. It's no secret general manager Brian Cashman wants to upgrade his bullpen for the stretch run. Talk of the Yankees showing interest in Coulombe have been making the rounds for a while now. The 35-year-old left-hander is 1-0 with two saves and an incredible 0.65 ERA in 36 appearances this season. Coulombe is making $3 million this year and will be a free agent following the season. Duran, 27, will have a much higher price tag. The right-hander is 5-4 with 15 saves and a career-best 1.62 ERA in 45 appearances this season. Duran is making $4.125 million this season and has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining. While the Yankees also need starting pitching, it's expected that the Twins will ask for the moon in exchange for their ace. Ryan is tied for second in the American League this season with 10 wins and seventh with a 2.63 ERA. In addition, Ryan is making $3 million this season and also has two seasons of arbitration eligibility remaining. As for Castro, the Yankees' need for an upgrade at third base is well-known. So is New York's interest in Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star slugger Eugenio Suarez. But if Cashman whiffs on the biggest bat on the market, Castro could be an interesting fallback option. "Castro has been an above-average bat for three consecutive seasons and is in the midst of his best year since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season," The Athletic's Chris Kirschner wrote Monday. "He’s played second base, third base, shortstop, left field, center field and right field this season for the Minnesota Twins. Think of Castro as a better version of Oswaldo Cabrera, whom the Yankees love for his versatility." Castro, 28, is hitting .258 this year with 10 home runs and 27 RBI in 78 games. He was an All-Star last year, when he set career highs with 12 home runs and 60 RBI. He's making $6.4 million this season and will be a free agent after the World Series.
WNBA All-Star Game ratings paint a troubling picture
WNBA players sent a message to the league with T-shirts they wore ahead of the All-Star Game on Saturday night, but the ratings for the game did not exactly strengthen their stance. Prior to the All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., Caitlin Clark and other players warmed up in shirts that said “Pay us what you owe us” across the front. The message had to do with the current state of collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the WNBA and WNBA Player’s Association. Unfortunately for the players, the television ratings for the game were not very good. Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported on Tuesday that the WNBA All-Star Game drew 2.19 million viewers on ABC, which was down roughly 36% from a year ago. Last year’s game featured the WNBA All-Stars against the Team USA squad that was preparing to compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris. The dip in ratings is likely another example of the type of impact Clark has had on the WNBA. Although she was a team captain for this year’s All-Star Game, Clark did not play due to a groin injury. Clark played in last year’s game for the All-Star side, as she did not make the Team USA Olympic roster. Many fans were outraged that she was snubbed from the Olympic team, which added an element of intrigue to the All-Star Game. There is no way of knowing for certain whether more fans would have watched the All-Star Game on Saturday night had Clark played. It is a safe guess, however, especially when you look at some recent trends for the league.
Kelsey Plum takes shot at Caitlin Clark after WNBA All-Star Game
On Saturday night, Kelsey Plum was part of Team Collier's 151-131 win over Team Clark in the WNBA All-Star Game, scoring 16 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out three assists. Following the game, the Los Angeles Sparks star was asked about WNBA All-Stars wearing shirts before the game that read, "Pay Us What You Owe Us." Specifically, Plum was asked about how that idea came together. "The T-shirt — just a united front," she said. "That was determined this morning, that we had a meeting for. Not to tattletale, but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that." Plum said it with a chuckle. However, she was sitting next to New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who rolled her eyes and said, "Didn't really need to be mentioned" before laughing. It was awkward, especially because Caitlin Clark, as well as all of the members of Team Clark, wore the shirts. If Clark didn't wear the shirt, you could understand some backlash. But she did. It should also be noted that Team Collier featured the president of the WNBA Players Association, Nneka Ogwumike, as well as the first vice president, Plum, and two vice presidents, Napheesa Collier and Brenna Stewart. It makes sense if they took on greater leadership roles in a statement like this against the league. Whether Plum likes it or not, the reason the WNBA has any sort of leverage heading into these negotiations with the league is Clark. She would do well to remember that the next time she wants to take an unnecessary shot at Clark, who is responsible for the greatest surge in fan attention the WNBA has ever seen.
Penguins Poised for Potential Blockbuster Trade, But Draw Line in Sand
The Pittsburgh Penguins may be getting closer to making a big move, as multiple reports suggest the team is actively exploring trade possibilities involving defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. NHL insider Frank Seravalli revealed that the Carolina Hurricanes have shown interest in Karlsson. His $10 million cap hit for the Penguins is a major obstacle, however. For a deal to materialize, Pittsburgh would likely need to retain a significant portion of Karlsson’s salary. On the July 15 episode of the Steve Dangle Podcast, Chris Johnston said the Penguins aren’t going to retain half of Erik Karlsson’s salary for any team. A Karlsson deal might be more feasible closer to the March trade deadline. The 35-year-old former Norris Trophy winner also holds a no-movement clause, giving him final say on any potential trade. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Hockey Now reports the Penguins have set steep asking prices for both Rust and Rakell. The front office is reportedly seeking a guaranteed first-round pick and a high-upside young player for Rust, while Rakell’s value is pegged at a B+ level prospect, a late first or early second-round pick, and a depth NHLer. Among the teams already being linked to Rust are the Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs. GM Kyle Dubas is actively working the phones, and one of these veterans could be the centerpiece of a significant trade in the coming weeks. If not this summer, something it expected closer to the deadline. It has been reported that Dubas has told other teams, while the prices are up there, Pittsburgh is open for business. They are not afraid to make a bold move, and everyone not named Sidney Crosby is available.
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