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The Chicago White Sox sent All-Star starting pitcher Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox in a blockbuster trade this offseason. Now the two organizations are collaborating again, agreeing to terms on a slightly less impactful deal.
Chicago has acquired lefty reliever Cam Booser from Boston, per White Sox reporter Daryl Van Schouwen on X. The Red Sox will receive 18-year-old minor leaguer Yhoiker Fajardo in return. In a corresponding move, White Sox’s outfielder Corey Julks was designated for assignment so Booser could be added to the team’s 40-man roster.
Booser is one of the most interesting players you’ve never heard of. After signing with the Minnesota Twins as an undrafted free agent in 2013, Booser began his professional pitching career in the minors but failed to make it past Single-A ball. As an athlete he endured a broken femur, knee surgery, broken vertebra and labrum surgery before healing up just to be hit by a car that broke his sacrum.
Still Booser persevered. He returned from the sacrum injury to pitch in High-A but was suspended for 50 games for using cannabis. Ultimately, he decided to take the message and retired in 2017 to work as a carpenter. However, four years later, Booser resurfaced in the independent league. He then got a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022, making it all the way to Double-A before the team released him in the middle of the season. He caught on with the Atlantic League and finally signed with the Red Sox in 2023.
After holding his own with Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, Booser made the 40-man roster in 2024. He then, at long last, made his major-league debut at the age of 31.
White Sox land left-handed reliever Cam Booser
It being Booser, he was sent back to the minors shortly after. But ultimately he was recalled to Boston and stuck in the majors. And he pitched well for the Red Sox, producing a 3.38 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 42.2 innings over 43 appearances in 2024.
Now, the Frank Grimes of baseball will be rewarded for his absurd perseverance and remarkable success by being shipped off to the Chicago White Sox.
The 2024 White Sox were the worst team in modern baseball history. Chicago lost a record-breaking 121 games. And that was with Garrett Crochet pitching well for the team. The season was so awful that White Sox’s owner Jerry Reinsdorf is considering selling the team.
But overcoming Chicago’s historic ineptitude will be a comparably small challenge for Booser given his path to the majors. Perhaps Booser, who will turn 33 in May of his sophomore season, is exactly the pitcher to help turn the White Sox around.
More must-reads:
- Yankees eyeing Rockies one-time All-Star as backup plan at third base
- Four teams that should be sellers at the trade deadline
- The 'Multiple 100-RBI MLB seasons' quiz
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Phillies Predicted to Strike Three-Team Trade with Yankees for Outfield Upgrade
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be active ahead of the trade deadline, and one glaring need stands out above the rest: find a new center fielder. Philadelphia’s current outfield mix of Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, and Johan Rojas has underwhelmed, sending the president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, to the trade market to find an upgrade. While a long-term solution like Boston’s Jarren Duran or even a rental like Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins would be ideal, the Phillies may pivot toward a cheaper option. One name gaining traction is New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, who CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa predicts the Phillies to acquire in a three-team trade at the deadline. "The Phillies badly need an outfielder. A center fielder, preferably," wrote Axisa. "The Yankees are rumored to be open to moving one of their three non-Aaron Judge outfielders (Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez) for a badly needed third baseman.” Axisa continues by explaining how a trade between the Phillies, Yankees, and Minnesota Twins could fulfill each team’s deadline needs. “The Phillies and Yankees don't match up well for an outfielder-for-third baseman trade, which is where the Twins come in. Rental Grisham for rental (Willi) Castro makes no sense for Minnesota. If they're selling, they won't want a rental. They'll want controllable young players, so a three-team trade in which Grisham goes to Philadelphia, Phillies prospects go to Minnesota, and Castro goes to the Yankees could be in the cards." Grisham is in the middle of a career year, already tying a personal best in home runs (17) and posting a career-high .833 OPS. For Philadelphia, acquiring the left-handed hitter would almost be perfect, outside of a blockbuster deal for the aforementioned Jarren Duran. The Phillies would replace Kepler in the lineup with Grisham and shift Marsh from center to left field, adding depth to the outfield in the process. Moreover, Grisham, an impending free agent, wouldn’t disrupt the club’s long-term plan for top prospect Justin Crawford to take over center field in 2026. He wouldn’t crowd an already packed outfield full of players vying for roles, either. While the move could further agitate Kepler—who’s already criticized manager Rob Thomson over limited playing time—the Phillies must act now. With their World Series window closing, they must capitalize on every opportunity to strengthen the roster.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb sends strong message after tempers flare at training camp
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb reminded teammates to keep their cool after the team had multiple skirmishes during the first two days of training camp. Rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford got involved in a brief scuffle on Tuesday. At the following practice on Wednesday, a fight broke out between safety Markquese Bell and TE Tyler Neville. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer then stopped practice and pulled the whole team together. He said the next player who threw a punch would be kicked out of practice (via Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News). "We've got to be professional," Lamb said of the incident after practice, per ESPN's Todd Archer. "I get it that we have a lot of animosity and tension between us and understanding that we want to proclaim our dominance and show like aggressiveness on both sides of the ball, but then again, to what extent?" Fighting in training camp isn't uncommon. It's an intense environment. Many are trying to prove themselves before teams trim their rosters to 53 players. However, too much brawling can threaten to tear a locker room apart. A lack of discipline was also one reason the Cowboys replaced Mike McCarthy with Schottenheimer this offseason. According to NFLPenalties.com, Dallas drew the league's sixth-most flags (128) last season. Per Archer, there were no more fights after Schottenheimer pulled the team aside. Still, the incidents raise questions about his ability to maintain control. The coach spent Wednesday morning's meeting discussing two plays where DE Sam Williams was too physical and sent to the sideline. His players must not have received the message. It's good for Dallas that Lamb seems to be echoing Schottenheimer's sentiments, but the rookie HC still must get through to his team. Rebounding from a 7-10 season could already prove challenging for the Cowboys. As of Wednesday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives Dallas a 34.5% chance to make the playoffs. Infighting will make that even more difficult.
Pelicans’ exec makes team's stance on Zion Williamson crystal clear
It’s wild how quickly the NBA narrative can flip. A year ago, Zion Williamson was in every trade rumor possible. People were questioning his health, his work ethic, even his future in New Orleans. And the Pelicans? They didn’t really deny any of it. It felt like both sides were one step away from walking. But things have shifted this offseason — quietly, but clearly. The Pelicans could’ve pulled the plug. Zion’s contract gave them outs, and the trade market might’ve still brought back some real value. Instead, they stuck with him. And based on what one of their own just said, they’re not just keeping him around — they’re still betting big on him. In a recent interview with Spotrac’s Keith Smith, an anonymous Pelicans executive made it crystal clear. “Zion is still our guy. We’re all in on him. We think he’s going to have a huge year. We’ve had some bad injury luck and some things that just haven’t worked out. This partnership hasn’t even come close to reaching our best yet.” That’s not something you say if you’re halfway in. They backed it up with their offseason moves, too. They traded CJ McCollum and brought in Jordan Poole, a high-usage creator who can take pressure off Zion. They drafted Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick, a dynamic young guard. They added Kevon Looney, a reliable veteran who brings playoff experience and toughness. Those aren’t tear-it-down moves — those are “let’s try this another way” moves. Of course, Zion’s health is still the question. That never really goes away. He played just 30 games last season, but in those games he looked solid: 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per night on 56.7 percent shooting. The explosiveness was there. The playmaking was sharp. And the hope for New Orleans is that this time, he can finally sustain it. What’s interesting is how the front office is trying to create a better environment around him. Joe Dumars has stepped in to lead basketball operations and is reportedly building a closer relationship with Zion — dinners, real conversations, not just surface-level stuff. It feels like, for once, the team is trying to meet him halfway. It’s a risk, sure. But it’s a calculated one. The West is brutal and the margin for error is thin. Still, if Zion can stay healthy for 60 games, and if Poole finds a rhythm and guys like Trey Murphy and Herb Jones keep improving — this team has a shot to be in the mix. The quote from the exec says it all. They could’ve hit reset, moved on, cleaned house. But they didn’t. They’re still in. And now it’s on Zion to hold up his end of the deal. After everything that’s happened, they’re telling the world they still believe. Now it’s time to find out if they’re right.
Potential landing spots for Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen
As training camps begin around the NFL, the grand picture of positional rooms is starting to take shape. But not every team is finished making moves. In particular, one veteran is inching closer to transforming the wide receiver room for one lucky franchise. Veteran wideout Keenan Allen is still on the market as we head into the final month of the offseason and is ready to make his presence felt. The long-time Charger has reportedly been "waiting for training camps to open to assess the landscape better and get a clearer picture of each team's wide receiver situation." NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that Allen "has drawn interest from multiple teams in recent weeks." Months after his departure from the Chicago Bears, the free agent may finally be finding a new home. The 12-year NFL veteran has accumulated over 10,000 yards in his career, along with 59 touchdowns. In his lone season with the Bears in 2024, Allen tallied 744 yards and seven TDs. Even at 33 years old, the nimble receiver is capable of big plays. Allen has repeatedly dominated from the slot and racked up yardage operating in the middle of the field. He is as savvy as they come and a true mastermind in the NFL. There are numerous potential fits for Allen around the NFL. Namely, a reunion with either his most recent team, the Bears, or his long-time home in Los Angeles is not out of the picture. Chicago Bears The Bears are banking on breakouts from the 2024 first-round receiver Rome Odunze and 2025 second-round pick Luther Burden III to fill out their receiver room. If the Bears deem either of the two not ready, Allen could return. Los Angeles Chargers Similarly, the Chargers are relying on 2023 first-round selection Quentin Johnston and rookie Tre Harris to carry a significant portion of the load in Los Angeles. Like the Bears, if these youngsters aren't ready, Allen could come in and serve as a stopgap. New England Patriots Outside potential reunions, a selection of wide receiver-needy franchises remain as strong options. First, the Patriots have long sought help at receiver in recent years. Despite bringing Stefon Diggs this offseason, Allen could be added to help assist second-year quarterback Drake Maye in 2025. Pittsburgh Steelers Another potential destination resides in Pittsburgh. As the Steelers have loaded up on veteran talent as they push for a better season in 2025, Allen could start right away and push for a deep playoff run in the AFC. San Francisco 49ers Lastly, a name to watch for Allen's talents in the 49ers. The Niners have placed both Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall on the PUP list. Meanwhile, standout receiver Jauan Jennings has been holding out for a new contract. Things could get ugly in San Francisco in an instant; if they do, Allen would be the best possible option for them to bolster the unit.
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