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Mets' Pete Alonso received free-agency advice from former teammate
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso remains on track to reach free agency after the season and revealed he received some advice from former teammate and current Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer.
"Basically, he’s like, dude, it’s every other year," Alonso said about his conversation with Scherzer, as shared by Tim Healey of Newsday. "Nothing changes. Between your first year or any year for that matter, the only thing that changes are the external circumstances. The day-to-day stuff, you’re focused on winning and being the best version of yourself for your team and trying to win games."
Scherzer signed a three-year, $130M deal with the Mets shortly after the 2021 season but was traded to the Rangers last summer amid New York's fire sale. Alonso, meanwhile, seemingly never came close to inking an extension this past offseason with what's been his only MLB home. The fan-favorite slugger who turns 30 years old this December is routinely the subject of trade rumors but is doing all he can to remain focused on the task at hand.
"I feel like I’ve been myself," Alonso said about what's been an up-and-down season for the "Polar Bear" and the Mets. "I’m doing a good job of trying to win baseball games and putting my efforts toward that. Performing and not performing, there’s ebbs and flows to the season. Over the course of the year, everything will even out and be where it’s supposed to be."
The 35-38 Mets began Thursday afternoon a single game back in the battle for the National League's third wild-card spot. On Thursday morning, Will Sammon, Patrick Mooney and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted that much of the NL "is stuck in a holding pattern" as it pertains to the July 30 MLB trade deadline because of what could remain a crowded wild-card playoff picture through next month.
Alonso insisted he wants to stay with the Mets beyond 2024 because he loves both the club and New York. For now, he and his teammates must concentrate on winning to prevent Mets owner Steve Cohen from selling out-of-contract players before August.
More must-reads:
- Mets crediting something other than Grimace for hot streak
- Cubs sign former Mets catcher, designate struggling veteran for assignment
- The 'Highest-paid MLB players' quiz
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Dodgers address calls for lineup change after Teoscar Hernandez's latest blunder
The Los Angeles Dodgers are refusing to press the panic button on Teoscar Hernandez, at least for now. Hernandez’s name was trending for the wrong reasons on Monday after the Dodgers right fielder committed a crucial drop in the ninth inning of the team’s 4-3 contest against the MLB-worst Colorado Rockies. The botched play, which Statcast pegged at a 99.4% catch probability, allowed the winning run to reach second base and eventually score. It was far from the first time that Hernandez exhibited shaky play in right field this season. His defense has had some fans and pundits alike raise the idea of shifting a certain six-time Gold Glove winner back to his original position in right field. According to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was seen having an open-door conversation with Mookie Betts after Monday’s loss to the Rockies. The scene reportedly had some wondering if a Betts return to right field was looming. Roberts shot down that possibility for now, but left the door open if Hernandez fails to shape up. “I think that’s a fair question, but I don’t think we’re there yet,” Roberts said. “I think, just in totality, we can all do a better job. All of us. So I just refuse to pin it on one position, one person. … That’s just not what I do. But I do believe … if there’s ways to get better on the margins, I think that way to look at it is completely fair and completely honest. “I do know that [Teoscar Hernandez] feels more comfortable in right [field]. I know the numbers don’t speak to it this year. I’m counting on him to improve play out there. I really am. I’ll leave it at that.” Betts has more than held his own defensively at the more premium shortstop position. Moving his award-winning glove back to right field would come with its own issues, which Roberts may be trying to avoid. But if Roberts’ open challenge to Hernandez doesn’t spark improved defensive play from him, Betts may be back to tracking fly balls at season’s end.
New report sheds light on how Cowboys view Micah Parsons situation
It is no secret that the relationship between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys is not on solid ground, but that does not necessarily mean it is tarnished beyond repair. On the latest episode of his podcast, which was released on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter predicted that Parsons and the Cowboys are "headed towards divorce." Schefter said the two sides have not spoken since April and that it seems like a matter of when — not if — they part ways. Longtime NFL reporter Josina Anderson was told the situation is not quite that grim, at least from the Cowboys' perspective. Anderson reported on Tuesday evening that the relationship between Parsons and Dallas "has not deteriorated to the point of an imminent divorce." "I did not detect any obvious tones of concern in my sourced conversation when I recently asked about ESPN's Adam Schefter's report stating he sees 'these two sides headed towards a divorce, in time.' ... I just feel Dallas has so much history with protracted (and) sensitive negotiations, thus my current impression is the club remains unrattled, at this time," Anderson wrote in a post on X. Parsons is earning just over $24M in the final year of his rookie contract this season. The 26-year-old had 12 sacks in 13 games last season and has 52.5 sacks in 63 career games. Parsons is arguably the best pass-rusher in the NFL when healthy. Although Parsons has formally requested a trade, the Cowboys maintain that they have no intention of dealing their four-time Pro Bowl defensive end. The only real leverage Parsons has is creating a headache in Dallas. He remains under contract, and the Cowboys also can use the franchise tag on him in each of the next two seasons. If Parsons were to sit out regular-season games, his contract would eventually toll. Even with Jerry Jones publicly taking shots at Parsons, one massive contract offer could change everything.
Texas' Arch Manning reacts to grandfather Archie's 2026 NFL Draft prediction
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning should keep his family group chat updated about his decision for the 2026 NFL Draft. He doesn't want it tipping his plans, especially when they're not confirmed. Manning's grandfather, former New Orleans Saints QB Archie, told Texas Monthly his grandson isn't going to declare for the 2026 draft in a story published at the beginning of August. The 21-year-old passer, however, clarified he's keeping his options open. "I don't know where he got that from," Manning said Tuesday, via CJ Vogel of OnTexasFootball. "He texted me and apologized about that, but I'm really just taking it day-by-day right now." Manning attempted just 95 passes in his first two seasons at Texas but is already viewed as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. In a story published Tuesday, The Athletic's Dane Brugler tabbed him as his top QB entering the season. Still, it would reportedly take a special circumstance for Manning to declare for the draft in 2026. He would want to play for a team that has a stable head-coaching situation and front office. Most franchises that are picking near the top of the draft don't have that. More importantly, Manning must prove he's worthy of the No. 1 pick. Despite his family name, he doesn't have a large enough sample size to show he's pro-ready. "If his last name were 'Smith' and he were a three-star recruit instead of a five-star blue-chipper, would he still appear this high early in draft rankings? Who knows," wrote Brugler. "However, what he has put on film so far has been very impressive. Now, scouts need to see it consistently each week, especially against the top opponents on Texas' schedule." Manning faces an elite opponent in Week 1. The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes host the No. 1 Longhorns on Aug. 30 at noon ET (Fox). The QB should probably tell his family to deflect questions about the draft until he's ready to make a decision. Speculation about his future could create even more pressure, which he doesn't need.
Kyle Shanahan reflects on Trey Lance's failed 49ers tenure
Before Los Angeles Chargers backup quarterback Trey Lance became one of the standout players of the ongoing preseason, he failed to cement himself as a long-term option for the San Francisco 49ers after they made him the third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was part of the regime that brought Lance to San Francisco. On Tuesday, Shanahan reflected on Lance's failed 49ers tenure as Shanahan's club prepares to host the Chargers for this coming Saturday's preseason finale. "When I revisit that, we knew where our team was at and where it was going to be the next couple years, and we were committed to getting a rookie quarterback," Shanahan said about the 49ers' decision to draft Lance, as shared by Taylor Wirth of NBC Sports Bay Area. "We weren't sure that it would be forever, but we thought that was important, contractually, where our team was at, in order to keep a good team together." Lance spent the bulk of his rookie year as a backup, and he then suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 of the 2022 campaign. Later that year, Brock Purdy became a rookie sensation en route to guiding the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game. In the summer of 2023, Lance fell to third on the 49ers depth chart beneath Purdy and Sam Darnold. San Francisco then traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2024 fourth-round draft choice in late August 2023. In total, Lance made just four regular-season starts for the 49ers. More recently, he rushed for a touchdown and passed for 296 yards with two scores over the Chargers' first three preseason games. It seems he still has a fan in his former coach. "I'm pulling for Trey. I love Trey," Shanahan added about Lance. "One of the best people I've been around, and I really hope it works out for him." One may never know if Shanahan truly wanted to select Mac Jones over Lance in the spring of 2021. Jones is now on track to open the upcoming season as Purdy's primary backup, while Lance is trying to revive his career with the Chargers. It could be interesting to see if Shanahan and Lance get together for a chat after Saturday's matchup wraps up.
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