Oct 29, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) prior to game six of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
The Alex Bregman sweepstakes look to be progressing into the finalist stage.
On a livestream Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers are the two “most likely” teams to land the multi-time All-Star infielder Bregman in free agency. Heyman did also note though that the Chicago Cubs appear to be an “outside possibility” for Bregman as well.
The 30-year-old righty hitter Bregman is one of the top offensive players left on the market and is coming off a 2024 campaign where he posted 26 home runs and won a Gold Glove Award at third base. The door seems to be closed on a return to the Houston Astros for Bregman as Houston added multiple new quality infielders this offseason.
Detroit was a playoff team last year, and Toronto is trying to stay relevant in a potential walk year for their star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Based on previous reports though, it looks like one of those two teams may have the upper hand for the former Silver Slugger Award winner Bregman.
Dec 3, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Detroit Lions helmet during warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions have had to deal with a rash of defensive injuries for the better part of the season, but could actually be getting some good news on that front at the perfect time.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone, who has been out since Week 11 with a broken forearm, returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Anzalone has a “realistic chance” of playing in the decisive Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Anzalone has been a stabilizing force in Detroit’s defense since his arrival in 2021. In nine games this season before getting hurt, he had 56 total tackles, and led the team in tackles in each of the last two seasons. His return would be a big boost to a defense that has really struggled in recent weeks as injuries have piled up.
The Lions need to beat the Vikings at home in Week 18 to clinch the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Failing to do so would see them fall all the way to No. 5. The defense will need to be more stout than it has been recently, and Anzalone’s potential return would be a massive boost.
Arizona State star running back may not have been feeling his best during Wednesday’s College Football Playoff game against Texas.
Skattebo was seen vomiting on the sideline during the second half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. ESPN sideline reporter Taylor McGregor said at the start of the fourth quarter that Skattebo was “vomiting profusely” in the bench area and requesting fluids.
“Arizona State star running back Cam Skattebo here on the sideline requested liquids. He’s trying to catch his breath,” McGregor said. “Moments ago he was vomiting profusely, so we’ll pay attention here on the sideline.
Skattebo was shown on the ESPN broadcast during McGregor’s report, and he appeared to be struggling.
Skattebo entered Wednesday’s game with 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season. The Heisman Trophy candidate has averaged a whopping 6.0 yards per carry, but he had a difficult time finding room against Texas’ stout rushing defense.
Fans mocked Skattebo after some comments he made earlier in the week came back to bite him, but it is possible he was feeling under the weather in the game.
Dec 9, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) warms-up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James reacted via Instagram Wednesday to his son Bryce’s college announcement.
Bryce James announced Wednesday that he will be playing at Arizona in college. LeBron shared a photo that showed Bryce in an Arizona uniform next to Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd.
In his Instagram post, LeBron shared the Arizona “bear down” chant.
“CONGRATULATIONS MAXIMUS!! SO PROUD OF YOU!!!” James wrote, while sharing multiple emojis on his post.
You can see his full post:
Bryce is a senior at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif. He is listed by 247 Sports as a 3-star recruit and was considering Duquesne, Ohio State and USC, in addition to Arizona.
Bryce’s older brother Bronny went to USC but only stayed one season before leaving for the NBA draft. It remains to be seen whether Bryce will follow a similar 1-and-done path in college.
Bryce is a 6-foot-5 guard and part of the 2025 class, meaning he will be set to head to college in the fall.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) walks off the field during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis.
The Green Bay Packers will likely be without one of their key players for the remainder of the season, and he may have even played his final down as a member of the team.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur announced Wednesday that defensive back Jaire Alexander underwent arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to try and address his lingering knee problems. Alexander is unlikely to return this season, though he has an outside chance to play in the Super Bowl if the Packers were to make it that far.
While a notable short-term loss for the Packers, there is reason to believe that the cornerback might not even be brought back next year. As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted, Alexander’s $16.15 million salary for 2025 is non-guaranteed, and that sum, combined with his lingering injury issues, could lead the Packers to move on from him.
Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension with the Packers prior to the 2022 season, but has been unable to stay healthy for most of that deal. Shoulder injuries cost him the bulk of the 2021 and 2023 seasons, and it was the knee that derailed his 2024 campaign. The Packers had been optimistic that he would be able to return for the tail end of the season, but when Alexander’s knee did not progress, they were left with no real choice but to shut him down.
Though an elite defensive back when healthy, Alexander has played 14 games over the last two seasons and would not be cheap to retain. The Packers might have no choice but to move on and try to fill his spot with someone more reliable.
Arizona State star Cam Skattebo got off to a slow start in the Peach Bowl on Wednesday, and he appeared to take his frustrations out on a teammate at one point.
Skattebo did not find much room to run during the first half of Arizona State’s College Football Playoff game against Texas at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. He was stuffed on a huge 4th-and-2 play early in the second quarter with the Sun Devils trailing 14-3.
After Skattebo failed to pick up the first down, Arizona State tight end Markeston Douglas helped the running back to his feet. Skattebo appeared to shove his teammate.
Skattebo was also shown looking angry on the sideline.
Skattebo, a Heisman Trophy finalist, rushed for just 45 yards on 13 carries in the first half against Texas. Fans all said the same thing as the star running back was struggling.
Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; The Los Angeles Rams logo at midfield at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams announced some big news on Wednesday.
Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters that Matthew Stafford will not play in the team’s game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Instead, backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will start.
Both the Rams and Seahawks will be 10-7 if Seattle wins the head-to-head matchup on Sunday. But the Rams have already clinched the NFC West thanks to a strength of victories tiebreaker with Seattle. Having the division in hand has convinced the Rams to protect the health of Stafford.
The Rams enter Week 18 holding the three spot in the NFC. They could drop to the four spot with a loss and Tampa Bay Buccaneers win, which would put them in line for a tough playoff matchup at home against the loser of the Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game on Sunday night. The Buccaneers will face the struggling New Orleans Saints in Week 18.
Garoppolo is in his first season with the Rams and has not seen playing time this season.
Nov 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the Dallas Mavericks logo during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Charlotte Hornets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Mavericks have had a mostly middling defense this season, and they may be trying to address that ahead of the trade deadline.
In a feature on Wednesday, Christian Clark of The Athletic mentioned New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones as a possible trade target for the Mavs. Clark notes that Dallas has contemplated trying to add an impact perimeter defender before the Feb. 6 deadline.
Jones, 26, certainly fits that billing as a disruptive 6-foot-7 wing stopper who made the All-Defensive First Team last season. While Jones’ offensive game is inconsistent, he is averaging career highs across the board this year with 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
Though Dallas is 20-13 this season (No. 4 in the West), they have had a defensive drop-off relative to their Finals run last season, likely due to the departure of top perimeter defender Derrick Jones Jr. in free agency. Thus, the Pelicans, who are the worst team in the NBA right now at 5-28, are a plausible trade partner for them (though there are some signs that New Orleans may not necessarily be willing to trade Jones).
Dec 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) on the field after the game against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not had the best time with the New York Jets, but he certainly sounds like he has no regrets about the move to play there.
Rodgers told reporters Wednesday that he has nothing but “gratitude” toward the Jets for bringing him in and letting him play there for two years. He went even further by saying his time with New York represented the best years of his life.
“I mean, gratitude, honestly. It’s been the best two years of my life,” Rodgers said.
Perhaps Rodgers is just saying this, but regardless of his intent, it makes for effusive praise. That is especially true since things have not gone according to plan at any point. Rodgers infamously tore his Achilles four snaps into his first regular season game with the team, costing him the entire 2023 season. He returned for 2024 but has not been good, averaging a modest 226.4 passing yards per game while throwing 24 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. The team has been plagued by off-field drama and unflattering rumors, and it led Rodgers to publicly decry the leaks coming out of the organization earlier this year.
Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, winning a Super Bowl and four MVP awards. Obviously, the Jets years have not been as good professionally for him, but apparently they have been on a personal level. It appears unlikely he will get a third year, though no final decision will likely be made until the Jets hire a new coach and general manager.
Cam Skattebo struggled during the first half of Arizona State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Texas Longhorns on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., and he made his frustration known.
Skattebo had been unable to break any big runs and had been stuffed on a 4th-and-2 by Texas. He was shown frustrated while sitting on a bench on the Arizona State sideline.
Skattebo was so frustrated about being stuffed on 4th-and-2 that he pushed one of his teammates who had helped him off the ground.
According to one of ESPN’s reporters, ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham had said that Skattebo should be frustrated after the way things went in the first half. The Arizona State running back finally started to get things going in the third quarter of the game with his team down 17-3.
