Category: Sports Daypop

The New York Mets are finalizing a trade to acquire Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco, in exchange for young shortstops Andres Giménez and Ahmed Rosario as well as pitching prospect Josh Wolf and minor league outfielder Isaiah Greene.

Lindor has been the franchise’s top player since entering the majors in 2015. He is a four-time All-Star with three top-10 MVP finishes in his career. He posted a career-low .750 OPS last season but recorded 103 home runs and 329 runs scored from 2017-2019. 

Cleveland will receive a pair of potential starting middle infielders along with the two prospects. Rosario tallied 177 hits in 157 games in 2019, leading MLB in triples. Giménez posted a .732 OPS in just 132 plate appearances last year, though he previously ranked No. 3 on the Mets’ prospect list.

Mets acquire Lindor, Carrasco in blockbuster deal

Via www.espn.com

The New York Mets have acquired star shortstop Francisco Lindor and right-hander Carlos Carrasco…

01/07/2021 6:29 PM

 

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Clemson Tigers star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the likely No. 1 overall pick, announced Wednesday he will skip his senior season and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

Lawrence said in a video posted on social media, “My time here has been amazing, and I’ll be a Clemson Tiger forever… Looking back on it, I hope my legacy is that I was a great teammate and a great person overall, more than how I played. It’s how I treated people. I want that to be the main thing I’m known for. To all my teammates over the past three years, it’s been the most fun ride I’ve been on. I’ll look back on these last three years and have the best memories.”

The 21-year-old Lawrence help bring Clemson to a national championship as a freshman in 2018 and won his first 25 starts at the school before losing to LSU in last year’s College Football Playoff title game. He reached the College Football Playoff in all three years of his career at Clemson. Over his three years, Lawrence finished third in school history in passing yards (10,098) and second in touchdown passes (90).

 

Lawrence, likely No. 1 overall pick, enters draft

Via www.espn.com

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence officially declared for the NFL draft on Wednesday, saying…

01/06/2021 7:14 PM

 

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The Orlando Magic expect point guard Markelle Fultz to undergo an MRI after he left Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a left knee injury. At the time the team ruled him out for the remainder of the game, saying he would be further evaluated.

The 22-year-old Fultz played only 14 games as a rookie and averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds while attempting just one three-pointer. A shoulder injury kept him off the court and seemed to impact his shooting form when he played. After 19 games in his second season, his agent told the 76ers at the time that Fultz wouldn’t play or practice until seeing a specialist.

The point guard bounced back last season and averaged 12.1 points, 5.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals while helping lead Orlando into the playoffs. Through seven games this season with 14.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per night.

Magic’s Markelle Fultz Injures Left Knee, Will Not Return Against Cavaliers

Via www.si.com

Magic guard Markelle Fultz suffered a non-contact left knee injury during the first quarter of…

01/06/2021 6:58 PM

 

The Detroit Tigers have signed veteran free agent outfielder Robbie Grossman to a two-year deal. The 31-year-old Grossman signed a 2-year, $10 million deal.

Grossman spent the last two seasons with the Oakland Athletics after three years each with the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins. During the shortened 2020 season, Grossman posted an .826 OPS with 12 doubles, eight home runs, 21 walks and 38 strikeouts in 192 plate appearances.

Grossman has a career .730 OPS across 2,362 at-bats. Defensively, he’s about average and plays primarily left field. Over the last four seasons, Grossman posted WARs of 0.9, 1.7, 1.0 and 1.2.

Source: Tigers land OF Grossman on 2-year deal

Via www.espn.com

The Tigers have signed outfielder Robbie Grossman to a two-year, $10 million deal, a source told…

01/05/2021 5:20 PM

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Cleveland Browns announced that head coach Kevin Stefanski, two other coaches and two players tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. The Browns are scheduled to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs on Sunday in Pittsburgh. 

Stefansk must miss the game due to the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol, and will work virtually from his home to prepare for the game. The team said special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will serve as acting head coach until further notice. 

The Browns said in a statement: “Our facility is currently closed while contact tracing is taking place. The team will continue to consult with the league and medical experts to determine the appropriate next steps as the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority.”

The Browns have a COVID-19 outbreak days before playoffs, but it might not be bad enough for the game to be postponed

Via www.msn.com

As of Tuesday, the Browns had 10 players on the COVID-19 Reserve list. —Adam Schefter…

01/05/2021 3:50 PM

 

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The Los Angeles Chargers announced they have fired coach Anthony Lynn, posting the news Monday on social media. The team said they will begin their search for a replacement immediately.

Chargers owner Dean Spanos said Monday in a statement, “This morning I informed Anthony Lynn that we have made the decision to part ways with him as our head coach. I’m not sure there is another person in this league more respected as a human being than Anthony, and I want to sincerely express my deepest gratitude for his leadership during a time of great change for our organization.” Lynn had signed a one-year contract extension this offseason, but ends his four-year run with the franchise with a 33-31 record after only one playoff appearance.

Meanwhile the Denver Broncos announced Monday that John Elway will take on a new role with the franchise, but will continue to serve as the president of football operations. The team will be signing a general manager who “will have final say on the draft, free agency and our roster.” The new general manager and head coach Vic Fangio will report to Elway in the revised structure. Elway said Fangio will be involved in the hiring of the new general manager.

Broncos to hire GM as Elway takes elevated role

Via www.espn.com

The Broncos will hire a new general manager to oversee the personnel and football departments as…

01/04/2021 4:05 PM

NCAA tournament to be held entirely in Indiana

Via www.espn.com

01/04/2021 11:50 AM

 

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Aaron Rodgers threw for four touchdowns to help the Green Bay Packers clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, beating the Chicago Bears 35-16 on Sunday.

The Packers (13-3) earned a bye while winning their sixth in a row and beat Chicago (8-8) for the 19th time in 22 games, counting the postseason. The Bears are headed to the playoffs for the second time in coach Matt Nagy’s three years despite the loss because Arizona fell to the Los Angeles Rams. Chicago will be at New Orleans (12-4).

Rodgers broke his franchise record for scoring passes in a season, and joined Peyton Manning (2004 and 2013) as the only players to throw for at least 45 touchdowns in multiple seasons. He now has 48, surpassing his previous high of 45 in his first MVP season of 2011. Rodgers completed 19 of 24 passes for 240 yards without an interception and had a 147.9 rating. He also improved to 21-5 against Chicago, counting the postseason.

The Packers are off next weekend, while the Bears will be on the road to play New Orleans.

Packers clinch NFC’s top seed, first-round playoff bye with 35-16 win against Bears

Via www.usatoday.com

Aaron Rodgers delivered another virtuoso performance against Green Bay’s archrivals, leading the…

01/03/2021 7:20 PM

 

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Jonathan Taylor rushed for a franchise-record 253 yards and two scores to bring the Indianapolis Colts‘ a 28-14 victory over Jacksonville on Sunday, earning them a spot in the playoffs.

Indianapolis (11-5) will make its first postseason appearance since 2018 and its second since 2015. The Colts will be the No. 7 seed and face Buffalo on the road. Jacksonville (1-15) lost its final 15 games and will have the No. 1 overall draft pick in April.

The Colts will be on the road next weekend to face the Buffalo Bills.

Colts punch playoff ticket with win over reeling Jaguars

Via www.reuters.com

Jonathan Taylor rushed for 253 yards and two touchdowns, Philip Rivers threw for another score…

01/03/2021 7:15 PM

 

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