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Giants acquire Rafael Devers from Red Sox: Fantasy breakdown of the stunning blockbuster deal

In a stunning turn of events coming just hours after finishing off a momentum-building sweep of the Yankees at Fenway Park, the Red Sox traded three-time All-Star Rafael Devers to the Giants on Sunday. Going to Boston are two pitchers from San Francisco’s major league staff, Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks, 2024 first-round pick James Tibbs III and 20-year-old right-hander Jose Bello.

The Giants will be picking up the entirely of the nearly $260 million owed to Devers through 3033. It’s a major commitment to a player who is going to wind up remaining a designated hitter or maybe becoming a first baseman on a team that already has a top-flight third baseman in Matt Chapman. The Giants’ best prospect, Bryce Eldridge, is also a first baseman and should be ready to step in at some point next season.

Of course, it’s the bat of Devers that the Giants want. The 28-year-old launched his 15th homer Sunday and is batting .272/.401/.504 in 334 plate appearances. The Giants have had a hard time trying to sign power bats because of the difficulties of hitting in Oracle Park. Devers is used to having a tough time hitting homers to right in his home park, but Oracle is still worse than Fenway in that regard, and while Fenway takes away homers, it’s an outstanding offensive ballpark otherwise. Oracle isn’t. Statcast gives it the third lowest park factor for left-handers of the 28 active major league parks since 2023. Fenway is the second highest for lefties. Devers has been very successful at going the other way and taking aim at the Green Monster in Fenway. Opposite field homers and doubles will be harder to come by now.

So, Devers is likely to lose a fair amount of fantasy value with the trade. At least the Giants lineup on the whole has been better than expected; they’re right in the middle of the pack in runs scored even with their ballpark holding them back. Devers’ addition should mean much less of Dominic Smith in the San Francisco lineup, though it will be very interesting to see if Devers steps in at first. Wilmer Flores has been great as the Giants’ primary DH this season, but with the knee issues he’s had since last year, he can only play so much first base without breaking down.

Jung Hoo Lee and Heliot Ramos gain a little fantasy value with Devers’ bad added to the mix. Those holding on to Flores might want to look elsewhere now.

With Devers gone, the Red Sox have a lot more flexibility in their lineup, though it’s not needed at this moment with Wilyer Abreu on the IL due to an oblique strain. Once Abreu returns, the Red Sox could rotate Roman Anthony and Jarren Duran between left field and DH. Duran has been talked up as a trade candidate because of the crowd in the outfield, but he seems likely to stay put now. Until Duran gets back, Rob Refsnyder could do some DHing against right-handers.

This also opens the door for Masataka Yoshida to be more of a factor in the second half. Coming off surgery on his throwing shoulder, Yoshida has been working on a return to the outfield, but he seems to be making slow progress there. Perhaps the Red Sox could speed up his timetable to get back to hitting now that they have the DH spot open. Before being shut down, Yoshida seemed just fine with the bat this spring. It’s possible he’ll offer some mixed-league value in the second half.

The return for Devers isn’t what Red Sox fans would have hoped for, but ownership has to like it, considering that the team didn’t have to eat a portion of Devers’ contract. Boston did take on salary with Hicks, who is on the IL with an inflamed toe, but he could prove pretty helpful while making about $31 million through 2027. He had an ugly 6.55 ERA in nine starts before being moved to the pen last month, but his peripherals suggested he deserved a sub-4.00 ERA. The Red Sox might just leave him in the pen anyway. If he remains healthy, he could be a perfectly fine setup man and maybe a closer candidate next year.

Harrison was a top prospect two years ago, but he turned into a disappointment with his velocity down some last year. This season, though, he’s throwing all of his pitches harder and has been averaging right around 95 mph with his fastball. If he keeps it, he should prove to be an average or above average starter. Alas, his fantasy ceiling does take a hit with the ballpark switch.

Tibbs, a Florida State product, was the 13th overall choice in last year’s draft, going one pick after Boston’s own selection of Braden Montgomery (since traded to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet deal). He was hitting .245/.377/.480 as a 22-year-old in high-A ball. A right fielder now, he’d seem to fit better at first base. Bello, 20, was signed out of the Dominican Republic two years ago and currently has a 28/3 K/BB in 18 innings over eight relief appearances in rookie ball.

As much as the Red Sox will miss Devers in their lineup for the short term, this does give them much more flexibility for 2026 and beyond. They will have Triston Casas and Yoshida back next year, but they’re clearly not committed to Yoshida as a regular and they had already seemed to sour some on Casas before his season-ending knee injury. Perhaps they’ll try for Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber in free agency this winter or pursue a first baseman in trade. They could also work out a new deal with Alex Bregman. He can opt out this winter, but he’d probably rather stay on a long-term pact.

For now, the Red Sox offense takes a hit, probably leading to a little less fantasy value for Duran and Bregman. However, Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela get boosts here, since they are quite a bit more secure as lineup fixtures going forward. It’s a whole new era in Boston, for better or worse.

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Red Sox trade Devers to the Giants in a blockbuster deal

LOS ANGELES — The Boston Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in a blockbuster deal.

Devers’ agent, Nelson Montes de Oca, confirmed that the slugger had been traded to San Francisco. ESPN reported that the package of players going back to the Red Sox includes starter Jordan Hicks and left-hander Kyle Harrison.

Devers, 28, is one of baseball’s most feared hitters. He is batting .272 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs in 73 games after he connected for a solo drive in Boston’s 2-0 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Devers, a three-time All-Star, agreed to a $313.5 million, 10-year contract in January 2023, but his relationship with the Red Sox began to deteriorate when the team signed third baseman Alex Bregman during spring training.

Devers insisted he was the team’s third baseman before switching to designated hitter. When Triston Casas was sidelined by a season-ending knee injury, the Red Sox approached Devers about filling in at first base. He declined, and suggested the front office “ should do their jobs ” and look for another player.

A day after Devers’ comments to the media about playing first, Red Sox owner John Henry, team president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow flew to Kansas City to meet with Devers and manager Alex Cora.

Bregman has been out since May 23 with a strained right quadriceps, similar to his left quad strain that cost him 58 games for the Houston Astros in 2021.

The Red Sox improved to 37-36 with their three-game sweep against New York. But they are fourth in the AL East, trailing the division-leading Yankees by 6 1/2 games.

Devers first signed with Boston as an international free agent in August 2013. He was 20 when he made his major league debut with the Red Sox on July 25, 2017.

He helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series and led the team in RBIs for five consecutive seasons from 2020-24. He has finished in the top 20 in voting for AL MVP five times.

Devers is not the first Red Sox All-Star to be traded away: The team sent Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2020 season -- just a year after he won the AL MVP award and led Boston to a franchise-record 108 wins and its fourth World Series title since 2004.

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Mets 'turn the page' from season-first sweep against Rays as 'bulldog fight' with Braves looms

Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Rays was a rock-bottom point of the weekend for the Mets, who lost all three games against Tampa Bay (39-32) by a combined 24-9 margin, but National League-leading New York (45-27) is not dwelling on its season-first sweep as it prepares for this week's series at the Atlanta Braves.

"You hate to get swept here at home, but you've got to move on," said Carlos Mendoza. "You've got to turn the page. We've got an off day. And then we've got a stretch here where we're playing the Braves, we're playing the (Philadelphia) Phillies, we've got the Braves again.

"So, again, it's 162 (games) -- you're going to go through stretches where this is going to happen. Obviously, we've got to play better. We didn't execute, we didn't play clean baseball and they made us pay. So, like I said, we've got to turn the page and start -- be ready to go Tuesday."

The sweep marks just the second time this season where the Mets have lost three straight games, with the first and only other instance coming May 18-20 at the Yankees (one) and Boston Red Sox (two).

"I think there are things you take away from it," said Brandon Nimmo, whose first-inning single was the first of only five hits by the Mets in Sunday's shutout. "You try and take it for a learning moment. People will look at this series and see if there's a recipe on how to beat us. And so, I definitely think there's something to learn from it.

"But at the same time, you try and not make it bigger than it is. We've been very good to this point, so you try and build on that. But there's always something to learn, so we will go ahead and look at those small things and learn from that and take 'em into the Atlanta series."

New York enters Atlanta with the Braves (31-39) under .500 since May 22 and fresh off Sunday's 10-1 loss to the MLB-worst Colorado Rockies (14-57).

"We know, when you look at that team on paper, that's a really good team," Mendoza said. "Obviously, they have some struggles. And then the three guys that we're facing, they're elite pitchers. And then you look at their lineup, they're healthy.

"So, yeah -- from the beginning, before the year started, we knew there were some good teams, really good teams in our division and the National League overall and here we are. We've got to get ready and the next 10 days are -- we've got to play well."

After the 7:15 p.m. starts on SNY across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Atlanta, the Mets' three-game series at the Phillies (42-29) opens Friday.

"Just take it one day at a time," Nimmo said. "The Braves are a very good team -- I don't care what their record says -- very good team that can play very good baseball, pitch very well, hit very well, especially in their home ballpark, so we're going to be going in there expecting a bulldog fight, be ready for Game 1.

"Same thing with Philadelphia -- we know they're an extremely talented team, very, very good, very dangerous at home, great pitching staff. So, tough stretch coming up and we're just going to have to take it one game at a time."

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Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Colorado Avalanche

Martin Necas (Jerome Miron , USA TODAY Images)

The Buffalo Sabres are entering the 2025 off-season as one of the key NHL teams to watch. As they try to re-jig the roster with the goal of ending their 14-year streak with no playoff appearances, the Sabres are highly-motivated to make a splash. But what are they likely to do on the trade front -- and what teams are out there that could be a trade partner? That's the focus of this new series on THN.com's Sabres site. 

We began the series with a look at the Utah Mammoth. And today, we're turning our attention to one of the most active teams on the trade front last season -- the Colorado Avalanche:

TEAM: Colorado Avalanche

CAP SPACE: $1.2 million

FREE AGENTS:  Jonathan Drouin, LW; Jimmy Vesey, LW; Joel Kirviranta, LW; Erik Johnson, D; Ryan Lindgren, D; Tucker Poolman, D; Sam Malinski, D (RFA)

NEEDS: Offensive help, strength on the wing

SABRES FIT? Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland was a mad wizard of sorts this season, completely making over his goaltending, and shocking the NHL with the trade of star right winger Mikko Rantanen. But while the deal gave a terrific jolt to the Avs in the regular season, they didn't have playoff success, losing to the Dallas Stars in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. That's simply not acceptable to a franchise with an extremely high-set competitive bar, so we expect the Avs will once again be a team that makes significant moves this summer.

Thus, it shouldn't be surprising that rumors are bubbling up concerning Avalanche forward Martin Necas -- the main part of the package MacFarland got from the Carolina Hurricanes in the first Rantanen trade. Speculation is that Necas isn't particularly pleased with the way he was used in Denver, and he'd be looking to explore other options.

Necas still has a year left on his contract at $6.5 million per season, but the key part here is that he doesn't have any no-trade or no-move protection in his contract. And that's where the Sabres come into play. Buffalo could deal for Necas, employ him for the 2025-26 season, and see what happens at that point. And really, if Necas is looking to maximize his earnings, the Sabres could do that for him.

Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Utah MammothSabres Potential Trade Partner: Utah MammothThis is the first file in what will be an ongoing series on THN.com's Buffalo Sabres site. In these files, we're going to identify a number of teams the Sabres could be making a trade with this summer, and we'll be picking out specific players who could be trade targets for Buffalo.

Now, would Buffalo probably have to overpay Necas to stay long-term? Absolutely. But that's true of most players, given how much the Sabres have struggled for the past decade-and-a-half. You're not going to have many veterans of Necas' caliber giving Buffalo some type of hometown discount. But if you make the winning bid, and money is really what a top UFA is looking for, Buffalo can and should be the team that makes the most lucrative offer.

What would it take to acquire Necas? Probably winger J.J. Peterka, an RFA also looking for a significant raise. Something tells us Peterka would love the opportunity to play alongside Avs superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. And Colorado would make this deal knowing they'd open up a good deal of salary cap space that allows them to make other moves this off-season. Peterka made only $855,834 this year, and while we still think the Sabres should try to keep him, moving the 23-year-old to Colorado in a deal for Necas would give Buffalo a dynamic offensive force, and the Avalanche would get a player who could get a healthy raise and still be paid far less than Necas is earning next season.

In acquiring Necas, the Sabres would bring in someone determined to play well in a contract year, and given that Necas is still only 26 years old, he's still entering his prime. Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams should be taking big swings on the trade front, and landing Necas would certainly be a move that tells Sabres players the team intends to be a high-octane offensive group. 

Is Peterka In Position For An Offer Sheet?Is Peterka In Position For An Offer Sheet?Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has a lot of balls in the air as the NHL Draft and July 1st approach. The Sabres have the ninth overall pick later this month, they are reportedly fielding offers for RFA defenseman Bowen Byram, and also have to deal with the contractual situation of winger JJ Peterka. Adams at the end-of-season media availability indicated that the Sabres hope to sign Peterka to an extension this summer, but rumors persist that the 23-year-old may prefer to play elsewhere, which prompted Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff to place the young German forward as one of his top-five offer sheet candidates.

A Necas/Peterka trade works for both sides. The Avs would get a youngster who could easily break the 30-goal mark as part of their elite offense, and not cost them as much as they were paying Necas. The Sabres, on the other hand, would add a veteran with something to prove, and money to aim for. The deal could pay dividends for each team, and those are the type of moves  that get consummated.

Even if Buffalo had to add a mid-tier draft pick to satisfy Colorado, it would be worth it for the Sabres. They've got enough draft assets and young players to turn to after dealing Peterka. They could use a top-tier offense creator to play with proven veterans like Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, and Necas would certainly help in that regard.

In any case, we expect the Avalanche and Sabres to be notable movers-and-shakers in terms of trades this summer. They've got a potential match here, and we can definitely see a scenario in which Necas becomes a Sabre, and Peterka becomes an Av. Let's see if Adams and MacFarland can make it happen.

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Mets' Griffin Canning gets honest after season-high six runs, five walks in Sunday's 9-0 loss to Rays

Mets right-hander Griffin Canning allowed a season-high six runs and five walks in Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

While the Rays (39-32) made timely plays, Canning's 50 strikes on 89 pitches over 4.1 IP put New York (45-27) in a tough spot.

"You've got to give them credit," Mendoza said of Tampa Bay, which went on the road and won all three games against the team with the National League's best record and gave the Mets their season-first sweep. "But at the same time, we're giving them too many free passes and we gave them extra outs -- and they're going to make you pay.

"That's a team that I've been saying it -- they're going to put the ball in play, they play the small ball and today was a perfect example. Walks -- they get bunt down, we don't make a play. Before you know it, we're down three. So, yeah, we just didn't play well."

Canning, who is 6-3 in 14 starts with a 3.80 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 68.2 IP, was direct about the struggles.

"Just falling behind guys, walking guys," Canning said. "Probably shying away from contact a little too much, but it's a good lineup with a hot team right now.

"Just can't give them free bases."

Mendoza delved deeper into Canning's issues.

"Ability to throw strikes," Mendoza said. "The walks, we saw it again today -- a lot of arm-side misses with the breaking ball, the fastball, then he gets behind and, when he comes in, they're going to make him pay. So I think it's just strike-throwing ability.

"When he's been on ... he's giving us a chance and giving us solid outings, he's on the attack and staying on the attack with all of his pitches. And I feel like, right now -- we saw it today -- like I said, a lot of arm-side (misses), and the walks are hurting him."

While Canning has been on a downward trend over the totality of his past five starts, he did just throw six scoreless innings of three-hit ball June 4 at the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 6-1 win -- not by coincidence, he walked only one batter while striking out seven and scattering three hits.

"I've just go to get back to trusting my stuff in the zone," Canning said. "My changeup felt pretty good (Sunday). But yeah, just getting back to what makes me good and just trusting it."

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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani to return to mound as starting pitcher Monday vs. Padres

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani to return to mound as starting pitcher Monday vs. Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

For the first time in nearly two years, Shohei Ohtani is back where he belongs—on a major league mound.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Sunday night that their two-way superstar and reigning National League MVP will start Monday night’s series opener against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.

It will be the first time Ohtani has pitched in a big league game since August 23, 2023, when he exited early against the Reds while still wearing the red and white of the Angels.

Twenty-two months and one elbow surgery later, Ohtani is finally ready to toe the rubber again—this time in Dodger blue.

“Shohei is getting antsy, which is a good thing for us,” said Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts after Sunday’s 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants. “He’s ready. It’s time to go.”

The plan is for Ohtani to serve as an opener, likely throwing one or two innings before giving way to right-hander Ben Casparius, who will handle the bulk of the workload. The strategy is as cautious as it is electric. For the Dodgers, it’s less about stretching Ohtani out and more about finally letting the world witness something we’ve all been waiting for.

“He’s going to open for us,” said Roberts of the plan for Ohtani. “The live simulated games have run its course and he’s ready to make his debut on the mound. “It’s great for the game. I’m excited for Shohei”

Ohtani told reporters through a translator after his two-homer performance on Saturday night that he was ready to get back on the mound in a big league game.

A pitcher. A slugger. A $700 million miracle.

It’s not often a Monday night in June becomes appointment television—but when the unicorn returns to the hill, the sport pays attention.

Ohtani, 29, underwent surgery on his right elbow on September 19, 2023, after tearing his UCL for the second time in his career. He had previously undergone Tommy John surgery in 2018. Since signing a historic 10-year deal with the Dodgers last December, the Japanese sensation has focused solely on hitting—until now.

His ramp-up began quietly behind the scenes. He paused pitching activities after a mound session in February to focus on Opening Day as a hitter, then resumed bullpens on March 29. Just last Tuesday, in San Diego, he faced live hitters for the first time, throwing 44 pitches over three simulated innings.

It wasn’t long before he let the team know he was ready for more.

“He said doing the three innings live is taxing on his body,” said Roberts about why the team changed course from their original plan of letting Ohtani ramp up to five or more innings in simulated games with his debut expected to come sometime after the All-Star break. “He’s ready to pitch in a major league game, and he let us know that.” 

While Ohtani hasn’t pitched a single inning this season, he’s still been the Dodgers’ most valuable player—and arguably the face of baseball.

Through June 15, he leads the National League with a 1.035 OPS, while batting .297 with 25 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. He’s made the extraordinary look routine. Moonshot homers. Blistering line drives. Game-winning sprints around the bases. Every time he steps into the batter’s box, there’s a hum in the air.

And now, that hum is heading to the mound.

The timing of Ohtani’s return couldn’t be more crucial.

The Dodgers are scraping together bullpen games just to survive a brutal wave of injuries. Roki Sasaki, the heralded 23-year-old rookie from Japan, hasn’t pitched since May 9 due to a right shoulder impingement and is likely out long-term. Former Cy Young winner Blake Snell is battling shoulder inflammation. Tyler Glasnow, arguably L.A.’s ace this season, just landed on the IL with the same diagnosis.

Sasaki’s status, in particular, is murky. He began a throwing program earlier this month but felt discomfort again last week and has since been shut down.

“He’s just not feeling strong,” Roberts said. “We’re not going to push him.”

With innings at a premium and the postseason picture beginning to sharpen, Ohtani’s return—however brief—offers a glimmer of relief and a whole lot of hope.

This isn’t just about one inning, or even two.

This is about history in real time.

Ohtani’s presence on a big-league mound reminds us of what’s possible when perseverance meets transcendent talent. It’s a story that stretches from the Tokyo Dome to Chavez Ravine, one filled with setbacks, surgeries, speculation, and now—redemption.

“This is very exciting,” added Roberts of Ohtani making his Dodgers debut on the mound. “I’m a baseball fan first. The anticipation here for the game, man it’s going to be bananas.”

Come Monday night, when the No. 17 jersey jogs out from the Dodgers dugout and takes that slow, deliberate walk to the mound, the roar won’t just be for a pitch.

It’ll be for the moment.

A moment 659 days in the making.

A moment worth every second of the wait.

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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani to return to mound as starting pitcher Monday vs. Padres

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani to return to mound as starting pitcher Monday vs. Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

For the first time in nearly two years, Shohei Ohtani is back where he belongs—on a major league mound.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Sunday night that their two-way superstar and reigning National League MVP will start Monday night’s series opener against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.

It will be the first time Ohtani has pitched in a big league game since August 23, 2023, when he exited early against the Reds while still wearing the red and white of the Angels.

Twenty-two months and one elbow surgery later, Ohtani is finally ready to toe the rubber again—this time in Dodger blue.

“Shohei is getting antsy, which is a good thing for us,” said Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts after Sunday’s 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants. “He’s ready. It’s time to go.”

The plan is for Ohtani to serve as an opener, likely throwing one or two innings before giving way to right-hander Ben Casparius, who will handle the bulk of the workload. The strategy is as cautious as it is electric. For the Dodgers, it’s less about stretching Ohtani out and more about finally letting the world witness something we’ve all been waiting for.

“He’s going to open for us,” said Roberts of the plan for Ohtani. “The live simulated games have run its course and he’s ready to make his debut on the mound. “It’s great for the game. I’m excited for Shohei”

Ohtani told reporters through a translator after his two-homer performance on Saturday night that he was ready to get back on the mound in a big league game.

A pitcher. A slugger. A $700 million miracle.

It’s not often a Monday night in June becomes appointment television—but when the unicorn returns to the hill, the sport pays attention.

Ohtani, 29, underwent surgery on his right elbow on September 19, 2023, after tearing his UCL for the second time in his career. He had previously undergone Tommy John surgery in 2018. Since signing a historic 10-year deal with the Dodgers last December, the Japanese sensation has focused solely on hitting—until now.

His ramp-up began quietly behind the scenes. He paused pitching activities after a mound session in February to focus on Opening Day as a hitter, then resumed bullpens on March 29. Just last Tuesday, in San Diego, he faced live hitters for the first time, throwing 44 pitches over three simulated innings.

It wasn’t long before he let the team know he was ready for more.

“He said doing the three innings live is taxing on his body,” said Roberts about why the team changed course from their original plan of letting Ohtani ramp up to five or more innings in simulated games with his debut expected to come sometime after the All-Star break. “He’s ready to pitch in a major league game, and he let us know that.” 

While Ohtani hasn’t pitched a single inning this season, he’s still been the Dodgers’ most valuable player—and arguably the face of baseball.

Through June 15, he leads the National League with a 1.035 OPS, while batting .297 with 25 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. He’s made the extraordinary look routine. Moonshot homers. Blistering line drives. Game-winning sprints around the bases. Every time he steps into the batter’s box, there’s a hum in the air.

And now, that hum is heading to the mound.

The timing of Ohtani’s return couldn’t be more crucial.

The Dodgers are scraping together bullpen games just to survive a brutal wave of injuries. Roki Sasaki, the heralded 23-year-old rookie from Japan, hasn’t pitched since May 9 due to a right shoulder impingement and is likely out long-term. Former Cy Young winner Blake Snell is battling shoulder inflammation. Tyler Glasnow, arguably L.A.’s ace this season, just landed on the IL with the same diagnosis.

Sasaki’s status, in particular, is murky. He began a throwing program earlier this month but felt discomfort again last week and has since been shut down.

“He’s just not feeling strong,” Roberts said. “We’re not going to push him.”

With innings at a premium and the postseason picture beginning to sharpen, Ohtani’s return—however brief—offers a glimmer of relief and a whole lot of hope.

This isn’t just about one inning, or even two.

This is about history in real time.

Ohtani’s presence on a big-league mound reminds us of what’s possible when perseverance meets transcendent talent. It’s a story that stretches from the Tokyo Dome to Chavez Ravine, one filled with setbacks, surgeries, speculation, and now—redemption.

“This is very exciting,” added Roberts of Ohtani making his Dodgers debut on the mound. “I’m a baseball fan first. The anticipation here for the game, man it’s going to be bananas.”

Come Monday night, when the No. 17 jersey jogs out from the Dodgers dugout and takes that slow, deliberate walk to the mound, the roar won’t just be for a pitch.

It’ll be for the moment.

A moment 659 days in the making.

A moment worth every second of the wait.

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Sharks Should Target Brad Marchand This Offseason

The San Jose Sharks will have plenty of money to spend this summer, and they should be pretty active in free agency this summer. While they may not be ready to make a playoff push as early as next season, they should be willing to spend big so they can finally start to win more games.

One player they should target is veteran forward Brad Marchand, who is proving his worth to the Florida Panthers as they are just one win away from winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup. After a shocking trade from the Boston Bruins at the 2025 Trade Deadline, Marchand joined the Panthers, and while he has fit quite well, he is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA). 

The Sharks should be all over him without question. There have been rumors that Marchand will consider all 32 teams when free agency opens, which includes the Sharks. If the Sharks are willing to overspend a touch and Marchand is willing to join on a short-term deal, it should be a no-brainer. 

He could be a perfect mentor for the Sharks’ young guns, and he could help guide them as they try to get back into serious contention. Realistically, a two-year deal worth $8.5 million annually should be enough to bring him in, and considering how offensively dominant he looks, even as a veteran, there shouldn’t be a second thought, and the Sharks should get it done. 

3 Things The Sharks Can Do With Klim Kostin3 Things The Sharks Can Do With Klim KostinThe 2024-25 season is almost finished, with the Stanley Cup Final closing in on being completed, and a champion soon to be crowned. The Edmonton Oilers trail the Florida Panthers heading into Game 6, and while there are some former San Jose Sharks that fans can cheer for, fans are mainly focused on what the offseason will look like for their team. San Jose Sharks Weekly Rundown: June 15, 2025San Jose Sharks Weekly Rundown: June 15, 2025Happy Sunday, San Jose Sharks fans, and a very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Hopefully, you're getting some well-earned time to relax, maybe fire up the grill later, and enjoy the day. Sharks Top Prospect Sam Dickinson Wins Top CHL AwardSharks Top Prospect Sam Dickinson Wins Top CHL AwardSan Jose Sharks fans haven't had much to cheer about over the last little while, but one positive note recently is that one of their top prospects, Sam Dickinson, won defenceman of the year in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).
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Mets' Brett Baty day-to-day with right groin tightness after exiting Sunday's 9-0 loss to Rays

Brett Baty is day-to-day with right groin tightness, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after New York's third baseman left with right groin tightness in the seventh inning of Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

"I was going for a foul ball that was flared towards the tarp and I kind of, like, stepped over with my left -- kind of backwards -- and I just felt just a little tightness in my right groin," Baty said.

Ronny Mauricio replaced the seventh-batting Baty with a pinch-hit single to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Mets have Monday off before a three-game series at the Atlanta Braves starts with Tuesday's 7:15 p.m. opener on SNY.

"We're not doing any X-rays or MRI as of right now," Mendoza said. "... We'll see where we're at Tuesday, but that's what I've got so far."

Baty's 0-for-2 performance followed a 1-for-4 effort in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Rays, which included his third-inning home run.

"I want to see how it feels (Monday) first," he said. "I think what we're going to do is just take it day by day because something like this has happened to me in the past, and I responded well to treatment and stuff, so we're just going to see how it feels (Monday)."

The previous instance was two years ago, Baty said, while "trying to steal a base."

"It was actually my other side, but it was a similar motion -- stepping over and pushing off," Baty said. "... And I responded well to treatment, so we'll see how it feels (Monday)."

Through 54 games this season, Baty is slashing .219/.267/.419 with eight home runs and 24 RBI.

"It feels numb because I've been icing it," Baty said. "But like I said, we're just going to see how it feels (Monday) -- take it day by day."

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US Open golf: JJ Spaun holes long-range putt on 18 for victory – as it happened

Robert MacIntyre starts the day just about within striking distance of the leaders. But at +3 he’s not got much margin for error. So he could do without sending a wild Hovland-esque drive towards the bushes down the right. It stops just short, but he’s still hacking out of the thick stuff, and the errant tee shot leads inevitably to bogey. He’s now +4 and the look on his face suggests he knows any slim hope of a sensational Arnold Palmer style comeback is gone. He’s +4.

Seems clearing out the pipes last night did Rory some good. A weight lifted. He should bollock the press pack more often.

Continue reading...
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3 Things The Sharks Can Do With Klim Kostin

The 2024-25 season is almost finished, with the Stanley Cup Final closing in on being completed, and a champion soon to be crowned. The Edmonton Oilers trail the Florida Panthers heading into Game 6, and while there are some former San Jose Sharks that fans can cheer for, fans are mainly focused on what the offseason will look like for their team.

One player who has yet to announce his plans for next season is Klim Kostin. He is a pending restricted free agent (RFA) and former fan favorite with the Oilers, and there are some questions about what the Sharks plan to do with him, as well as what Kostin’s plans are. 

Kostin, who is 26 years old, was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft at 31st overall. He scored one goal and added six assists for seven points this season. Throughout his career, he has scored 25 goals and added 28 assists for 53 points through 190 games, which comes out to a 0.28 points-per-game average.

He is an unproven forward who looks strong as a bottom-six piece at times, but he wasn’t utilized much as a member of the Sharks after joining them from the Detroit Red Wings. There is a slight possibility the Russian youngster heads back to Russia and plays in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) next season, but if he’s open to staying in North America, here are three options the Sharks have with Kostin. 

Trade His RFA Rights At The Draft

If the Sharks recognize they won’t be playing him much next season, it would make sense for them to move his RFA rights at the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft. It’s fair to assume a team would be willing to pay a mid-round draft pick to have the chance to sign him, and the Sharks could benefit from doing so. It’s always better to add future capital than lose somebody for nothing, which they risk doing with Kostin. 

The Oilers are the first team that comes to mind as a potential fit. The fans loved him, Kostin has spoken openly about his enjoyment during his time as an Oiler, and they could use a cost-efficient player heading into the 2025-26 season, as they risk losing several depth forwards. The Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks also make sense for Kostin, but time will tell if any teams fork over a draft selection to bring him in. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals have reportedly been looking to add forward depth recently, so they could also look into what Kostin would cost and consider bringing him in as well. 

Re-Sign Him For Cheap, If He’s Open To Depth Role

A possible, but less likely option, is the Sharks re-signing Kostin for cheap, if he’s open to remaining a depth piece for them next season. He’s still a good player who could break out at any moment, but his lack of offensive confidence, combined with the lack of trust from the coaching staff, hinders the possibility of him becoming a mainstay in their top-nine forward group next season. 

It will depend entirely on what Kostin is looking for in his next deal. Considering he left the Oilers to get a better contract, he may try and do the same thing with the Sharks. The problem now is that he doesn’t have as much leverage to work with. The Oilers could take a chance on him again and give him close to what he wants, but it doesn’t make sense for the Sharks to give him anything more than league minimum. 

Realistically, the Sharks probably want him on a two-way deal, but that could be a deal breaker for Kostin. 

Package Him To Trade Up In 2025 NHL Draft

The last option is that the Sharks could try and trade up in the draft. They have the second overall pick, and Kostin might not be enticing enough to move up to select first, but adding him with other future assets, including first-round picks, could help them move up.

If the New York Islanders see a world where Kostin could be a helpful player for them next season, they could accept the second-overall selection, the Sharks' other first-round pick, Kostin, and a second-round pick in exchange for the right to select one pick sooner. 

At the end of the day, the Sharks and Kostin will have to decide where they go from here. He is a solid player who has plenty left in the tank, and while he ultimately has the choice of where he plays next season, the Sharks should look to one of these three options. I would personally give him another short-term deal and let him work his way up as he proves himself, but that doesn't seem likely right now.

San Jose Sharks Weekly Rundown: June 15, 2025San Jose Sharks Weekly Rundown: June 15, 2025Happy Sunday, San Jose Sharks fans, and a very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Hopefully, you're getting some well-earned time to relax, maybe fire up the grill later, and enjoy the day. Sharks Top Prospect Sam Dickinson Wins Top CHL AwardSharks Top Prospect Sam Dickinson Wins Top CHL AwardSan Jose Sharks fans haven't had much to cheer about over the last little while, but one positive note recently is that one of their top prospects, Sam Dickinson, won defenceman of the year in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). 2 Trade Targets The Sharks Should Explore This Summer2 Trade Targets The Sharks Should Explore This SummerThe rumor mill is heating up. With only two weeks until the NHL Draft, there’s more and more buzz circulating around the league. For the San Jose Sharks, they find themselves in a spot where they’ll more than likely be taking on a few tough contracts — but ones tied to players who can still make an impact on the roster and in the room. 2 Trade Targets The Sharks Should Explore This Summer2 Trade Targets The Sharks Should Explore This SummerThe rumor mill is heating up. With only two weeks until the NHL Draft, there’s more and more buzz circulating around the league. For the San Jose Sharks, they find themselves in a spot where they’ll more than likely be taking on a few tough contracts — but ones tied to players who can still make an impact on the roster and in the room.
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Texas rookie Kumar Rocker keeps scoreless start intact with help from pickle juice

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers rookie Kumar Rocker kept a scoreless start intact by working through an eventful fifth inning that included downing three small bottles of pickle juice, the last of which resulted in a mound visit charged to a ball boy.

The 25-year-old right-hander apparently cramped up after striking out White Sox outfielder Michael A. Taylor for the first out of the fifth Sunday, prompting a visit from the trainer along with manager Bruce Bochy and pitching coach Mike Maddux.

During the roughly five minutes the staff and the infielders were at the mound, first baseman Jake Burger went to the dugout, grabbed two small bottles of pickle juice and jogged back to the mound.

Rocker quickly downed both bottles, then stretched his legs and threw several warmup pitches, with another break in between for another chat with the trainer.

Rocker stayed in the game and gave up a single to Josh Rojas. With Mike Tauchman at the plate, a ball boy jogged to the mound with a third bottle of pickle juice, which Rocker promptly drank and gave back to him.

Home plate umpire Marvin Hudson, the crew chief, huddled with the other three umpires, and they ruled the Rangers should be charged with a mound visit for the ball boy’s trip.

Rocker retired Tauchman on a grounder to Burger, and after another trip to the mound from the trainer, Rocker got out of the inning with a groundout from Chase Meidroth.

Getting through the fifth gave Rocker a shot at being in the winning pitcher. The Rangers led 2-0 when Rocker was replaced by Chris Martin to start the sixth. Martin gave up a solo homer to Miguel Vargas.

Rocker started in place of right-hander Tyler Mahle on the same the day that Mahle was placed on the injured list with right shoulder fatigue.

Rocker allowed four singles and a walk in five innings. He struck out six.