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Toronto Blue Jays’ Trade Deadline Strategy Amid Playoff Picture Uncertainty

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As the American League playoff picture continues to rapidly take shape, the odds of the Toronto Blue Jays becoming major players at the MLB trade deadline only increase.

Heading into Wednesday’s games, the Jays are nine games under .500 with a 41-50 record, which is nine and a half games behind the AFC draft race.

Since June 17, Toronto has a dismal 5-14 record. At this point, general manager Ross Atkins knows it will take a most unlikely push to put his team in the discussion.

In short, it is fair to say that the idea of ​​taking part in the qualifiers this fall has lost a lot of its luster.

“The message I’m hearing about the Jays is that they’ve mentioned to other teams, ‘If we decide to sell, we’ll hear from you in the next few weeks,’” the insider summarized.ESPN Buster Olney.

Olney concedes that talks of potential trades could become more serious after the MLB draft, which will be held July 14-16.

“My sense in talking to some of the big leagues is that people are starting to talk. But in reality, it’s more likely that we’ll see trades announced after the draft is over, starting Sunday. A lot of teams are choosing to focus almost exclusively on that right now.”

The first half of the Jays’ schedule will be completed on the road with stops in San Francisco and Arizona, as well as a three-game homestand against Detroit, before the All-Star break.

“I think this staff would like to see this group win before they resign themselves to stirring the pot. The window of opportunity is about to close,” the manager of a National team told Olney.

Which shows that some leaders still believe that the Jays can cling to the hope of getting back on track in the coming months.

The Jays’ group of potential free agents includes veteran infielder Justin Turner, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, right-handers Yimi Garcia and Trevor Richards, and catcher Danny Jansen.

Of the lot, Kikuchi, Garcia and Richards could represent nice bargaining chips. The contracts of Turner ($13 million in 2024) and Kiermaier ($10.5 million) are less obvious obstacles to overcome. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Several MLB sources say the Jays have no problem trading any of those players at the end of their contracts, but that assets under contract beyond the 2024 season will not be traded.

“I think they’ll trade the upcoming free agents, but the rest will stay with the team, unless they’re impressed with a trade proposal,” said a National team executive.

Before the start of this season, the Jays had the 24th best prospect pool in Major League Baseball, according to the specialist site MLB Pipeline.

The Jays’ high-profile players with known financial futures are first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($19.9 million in 2024 and arbitration-eligible for 2025), shortstop Bo Bichette ($12.083 million in 2024, $17.583 million next year) and right-hander Chris Bassitt ($22 million in 2024 and 2025).

Among relievers, Chad Green will earn $10.5 million in 2025, while Jordan Romano ($7.5 million in 2024) will be eligible for salary arbitration for the first time next winter.

The idea of ​​bringing back Guerrero, Bichette, Bassitt and Romano from last year and keeping the core intact with George Springer, Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios is certainly being considered.

“I see a possibility that they bring the same group next year,” conceded the head of a club of the American. They should be much better. It was an extremely frustrating first half of the season for them.”

For its part, the ownership group is possibly leaning towards continuity, given the major investment (to the tune of $400 million) recently made in renovations to the Rogers Centre.

The MLB trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. ET on July 30.

2024-07-10 20:22:14
#MLB #trade #deadline #Blue #Jays #plan #clearer

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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Our Expert’s Pick of the Day: Bet on the Steelers and Lions

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Are you ready for two NFL betting suggestions for Week 6?

CHOICE #1

My first choice is the game between the Pittsburgh Raiders defeated Chargers in final play in overtime”>Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders. In this game, I’m betting on the first half point spread in favor of the Steelers.

I like the Pittsburgh club’s chances in this matchup, but a three-point spread for the entire game doesn’t reassure me much. It’s hard to bet on a team that has averaged 18.4 points per game and is favored by three points in an away game. For this reason, I chose to bet on the lead in the first half.

The Raiders are a disaster. Wide receiver Davante Adams has asked to be traded, and there are rumors that some players are unhappy with their coach, Antonio Pierce. Maxx Crosby played through a sprained ankle last week, but the team will be without Christian Wilkins on Sunday. Additionally, three of their offensive linemen are currently questionable cases.

After surprising the NFL world by beating the Baltimore Ravens, the Raiders followed with a horrendous 36-22 loss at home to the weak Carolina Panthers. They then took advantage of DeShaun Watson’s largesse to win, before losing 34-18 to the Denver Broncos last week.

For me, it comes down to the fact that Pittsburgh’s defense is much better than Vegas’. The Steelers weren’t very impressive on offense against the Dallas Cowboys last week, but things will be easier against the Raiders.

The state of mind is probably much better on the Pittsburgh side. After starting the season 3-0, they lost their last two games, and I think they will get back to winning ways this week. They will start strong against a rusty Aidan O’Connell, who will make his first start in 2024.

CHOICE #2

We have a great NFC game taking place at the beautiful AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In this game, I am betting on the Detroit Lions.

Jared Goff lacks mobility, so he tends to struggle under pressure. When he has time to analyze the field, he dissects the defense.

Knowing this, who will put pressure on Goff in this matchup? The Cowboys will be without their two best quarterback hunters, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Even defensive end Marshawn Kneeland will not be in the game. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Linebacker Eric Kendricks made a big impact in his first month with his new team. However, he is hampered by calf and shoulder injuries, so he could be sidelined. It would be a big blow for this defense.

Meanwhile, Detroit’s offense is healthy, while their defense will have safety Brian Branch back.

I’ve read statistical reports that show that elite teams after their bye week tend to perform well. In other words, they really benefit from the extra time. Also, the away favorites after their bye week beat the point spread at a high rate.

The Lions meet both of those criteria, so I like our chances of winning this bet.

The little extra is the “revenge” factor. Do you remember last year’s meeting between these two teams? The Lions scored a touchdown with 23 seconds left and trailed by one point. Instead of attempting the extra point to send the game into overtime, they decided to attempt a two-point conversion.

Offensive lineman Taylor Decker caught a pass on what appeared to be the game-winning play, but he was ruled ineligible as a receiver. The video shows him talking to the referee before the play, so it looked like a bad call. Coach Dan Campbell still seems upset about the game, which should add some extra motivation.

I also think the Cowboys will play under pressure. After winning 16 straight home games, they lost their first two home games this season.

Detroit’s offense wasn’t in great shape through the first three games, averaging 18.7 points scored per game. But they ultimately exploded for 42 points against the Seattle Seahawks, so I think they’ll continue that momentum. I don’t think Dallas can stop them with all these missing pieces on defense.

Have a great and lucrative weekend, my sports bettor friends!

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