Basketball

Orioles Star Corbin Burnes Shakes Up Offseason: Chooses Free Agency, While Boston’s Lucas Giolito Stays Put!

01/11/2024 Raymond 0

Corbin Burnes, a right-handed pitcher, had a strong first season with the Baltimore Orioles, finishing with a record of 15-9 and an impressive 2.92 ERA across 32 games. This year marked his debut with the Orioles after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers, where he won the National League Cy Young Award in 2021. Alongside him, outfielder Anthony Santander had a productive season in 2024, hitting .235 while belting 44 home runs and driving in 102 runs.

In addition to Burnes and Santander, several other players opted for free agency, including right-hander Brooks Kriske, left-hander John Means, catcher James McCann, and outfielder Austin Slater. The Boston Red Sox announced that right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito has exercised his player option worth $19 million for the 2025 season. This decision was anticipated following Giolito’s March surgery on his pitching elbow, which kept him from playing during his first season with the Red Sox after signing a two-year, $38.5 million contract.

Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox decided not to exercise their 2025 option on infielder Yoan Moncada, allowing him to enter free agency. Moncada, who had previously signed a five-year, $70 million contract extension, struggled with injuries, limiting his appearances in recent seasons. In addition, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that they would not be exercising their options on right-handed pitchers Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, and Keynan Middleton, further reshaping their roster for the upcoming year.

Why the Conventional Wisdom May Be Wrong About the Phillies’ NLDS Chances

30/09/2024 Raymond 0

As the Phillies prepare for Game 1 of the National League Division Series, some familiar postseason truisms come into focus. One widely held belief is that division winners with byes, like the Phillies, may be at a disadvantage due to the five-day layoff. Recent history seems to support this — five teams with 100+ wins over the past two seasons have failed to advance, often without even pushing their series to the limit. However, the Phillies have thrived entering the playoffs through the wild card in recent years and now enjoy the advantage of home-field dominance. With a 54-26 record at Citizens Bank Park this season, their path to the World Series may be closely tied to their ability to maintain that home field magic.

Still, momentum matters too. Teams that enter the postseason on a hot streak often stay hot, while those that stumble risk an early exit. The Phillies have been streaky, finishing 4-6 in their last 10 games, and will need to find their groove quickly to keep their championship hopes alive. Ultimately, their pitching trio of Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, and Aaron Nola could be key, but with bullpen depth, the Phillies have the tools to make a deep run — if they can overcome the usual pitfalls of postseason play.

Celtics Teammate Defends Jaylen Brown’s Team USA Comments

08/08/2024 Raymond 0

Jaylen Brown’s omission from the United States Olympic roster raised concerns about potential tension within the Boston Celtics, but these fears seem to be unwarranted. Despite his status as the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, Brown was not selected to replace Kawhi Leonard, leading him to publicly criticize Nike, believing the company influenced his exclusion. While some labeled Brown as “selfish” for his comments, teammate Payton Pritchard defended him, stating that there were no hard feelings from Derrick White, who took Leonard’s spot, and reaffirming the Celtics’ unity.

Celtics Sign 2024 Second-Round Selection To Two-Way Contract

03/08/2024 Raymond 0

The Boston Celtics have successfully retained all key members of their championship-winning roster and have now officially signed both rookies selected in the 2024 NBA Draft. On Friday, Boston announced a two-way agreement with Anton Watson, the 54th overall pick from June’s draft. Watson, who spent five seasons at Gonzaga, showcased his skills with an impressive average of 14.5 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 57.8% from the field during the 2023-24 season. His defensive versatility stood out during Boston’s Summer League campaign, giving the 23-year-old a solid first impression of NBA basketball.

Watson participated in five games in Las Vegas, averaging 11.8 points and 5.2 rebounds. He demonstrated his engagement on both ends of the floor and displayed his athleticism. By staying active with Boston’s ball-handlers, Watson created opportunities for easy baskets and showed his capability to hit 3-point shots. Although this might not secure him a permanent roster spot with the Celtics, the G League affiliate in Maine will offer ample opportunities for Watson to hone his skills, readying him for when head coach Joe Mazzulla might need him, potentially as soon as the upcoming season.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, who chose two 23-year-old prospects (including Baylor Scheierman), was not deterred by Watson’s age. Stevens emphasized that Boston would only draft players they felt confident in and comfortable with, regardless of their age.