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Rafael Devers trade, Shohei Ohtani on the mound, and Mets face the NL East | New York 4 To 7
On New York 4 To 7 presented by Verizon, SNY's Niki Lattarulo is joined by MLB.com's Anthony DiComo to break down the Mets backlog in the infield, react to the Rafael Devers trade, and assess Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound. The two also share some insight as to how the Phillies and Braves have been this season as New York enters a 10-game stretch against their two biggest NL East rivals.

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Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers trade grades for Giants, Red Sox
The post Rafael Devers trade grades for Giants, Red Sox appeared first on ClutchPoints. In one of the most shocking trades in recent memory, the San Francisco Giants have acquired All-Star slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in a blockbuster deal that sent Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, James Tibbs, and Jose Bello to Boston. The Giants also agreed to take on the remaining $280+ million of Devers' 10-year, $313.5 million contract. Advertisement This move didn't just shake up the National League West — it sent shockwaves across Major League Baseball. Let's be real: this is a steal for San Francisco. Devers is a 28-year-old three-time All-Star with 200+ career home runs and a Silver Slugger pedigree. He's slashing .272/.401/.504 this season with 15 bombs and 58 RBIs — all while dealing with a toxic environment in Boston. Even in a DH role he didn't want, he was producing at an elite level. And now? He gets a fresh start on a contender. Giants get offensive boost, but Bryce Eldridge questions arise Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images San Francisco, currently sitting at 41-30 and second in the NL Wild Card race, badly needed a thumper in the middle of the lineup. Their offense ranks 15th in runs and 23rd in OPS. Plug in a lefty bat with a .900 OPS and proven postseason pedigree, and suddenly this team goes from 'dangerous' to 'legit threat.' Devers will likely get his wish to return to third base while Matt Chapman recovers, and even if he slides back to DH later, it'll be in a clubhouse that didn't just undermine him for six months. Advertisement Sure, the Giants took on a massive contract, but this is San Francisco — a team that's struck out on big names like Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa, and Shohei Ohtani in recent offseasons. They landed Willy Adames in the offseason, and now, they've landed another star. Devers is signed through 2033. The Giants didn't just get a bat — they got a face of the franchise. As for the talent they gave up? Jordan Hicks has electric stuff but a 6.47 ERA. Kyle Harrison has upside, but his MLB track record is inconsistent. Tibbs has power but is still in High-A. Jose Bello's been dominant in rookie ball, but he's years away. None of these players scream 'future All-Star.' None are blue-chip prospects. In short: Buster Posey fleeced Boston…for now. Give him the Executive of the Year award already in June. Grade: A Red Sox ship Rafael Devers to San Francisco Eric Canha-Imagn Images This trade feels like the Red Sox just… gave up. Advertisement Rafael Devers wasn't just their best hitter — he was supposed to be the guy. After Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts walked, Boston committed $313.5 million to Devers to be the face of the franchise. Now, in year two of that deal, they've traded him away for a pitching dart throw, a couple of young lotto tickets, and some salary relief. The optics are terrible. The Red Sox just swept the Yankees and sit at 37-36, technically still in the Wild Card hunt. And yet they're punting on a star in his prime because they couldn't figure out how to handle a position dispute? Let's rewind: they signed Alex Bregman to take over third base. They moved Devers to DH. Then they tried to shove him to first base after Triston Casas got hurt. Devers — understandably — refused, especially after being told in spring training he wouldn't need to bring a glove. That triggered behind-the-scenes tension, a closed-door meeting with ownership, and eventually this trade. According to reports, Devers never even requested a trade — but the team was clearly ready to move on. It's clear they prioritized getting Devers' contract off the books more than they cared about the actual return. Hicks is barely a backend starter at this point. Harrison has potential, but nothing resembling consistency. Tibbs is intriguing, but years away. Bello is a project. And remember — this is all they got for a 28-year-old power-hitting lefty with an OPS north of .890 and nearly a decade of big-league production. Advertisement That's why executives across the league reacted with stunned disbelief. This wasn't just a trade — it was a surrender. Grade: D- Final Verdict This isn't just a trade that helps the Giants in the short term — it positions them for the next half-decade. They now have a middle-of-the-order anchor locked in for the long haul. Devers' contract is massive, sure, but if you're going to spend $300 million on someone, it better be a bat like his. Boston? They've lost their identity. Again. In a span of five years, they've let go of Betts, Bogaerts, and now Devers — all before their age-30 seasons. And for what? A lukewarm batch of maybes? Advertisement The Devers trade will be remembered as the moment the Giants went all-in — and the Red Sox waved the white flag. Related: Logan Webb gets 100% real about Giants' Rafael Devers trade Related: Giants president Buster Posey's breaks silence on Rafael Devers' position dilemma


Fox News
16 minutes ago
- Fox News
Cooper Flagg names Caitlin Clark to his WNBA Mount Rushmore: 'Changed the game'
Caitlin Clark might only be in her second season in the WNBA, but what she's already done for women's basketball is enough for Cooper Flagg to place her on his Mount Rushmore. During his introductory press conference after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, the Duke product was asked what players were on his NBA and WNBA Mount Rushmore. Flagg rattled off Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant as his top picks in the NBA. For the women's game, he named Candace Parker, Brittney Griner and A'ja Wilson. For his last pick in the WNBA, Flagg named the Indiana Fever star and qualified his pick, saying that he believes she's earned that spot because of her impact on women's basketball. "I might put Caitlin Clark on there, just because she's changed the game so much and it's heading in the right direction," he told reporters Friday. "I just love what she's been able to do." Clark was the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft following a standout career at Iowa. She had an immediate impact in the pros, helping the Fever make a playoff appearance for the first time since 2016. She was named WNBA Rookie of the Year in a season that saw record viewership and attendance. The viewership boost includes fans like Flagg. "Honestly, it means a lot to me, seeing how far they have come, and I am going to continue to watch," Flagg said while attending the Dallas Wings home game against the Fever on Friday night. "I am a big fan, so it's really cool to just be here and be in this environment and get to watch a great game." Clark was sidelined from Friday's matchup, missing her second straight game due to a groin injury. The Fever still outlasted the Wings in the 94-86 victory, where Paige Bueckers, the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, dropped 27 points. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.


Forbes
29 minutes ago
- Forbes
A Home Ground For Washington Freedom Could Ignite Cricket In Maryland
Cricket is developing in Washington DC In the words of owner Sanjay Govil, a highly successful tech entrepreneur, Major League Cricket defending champions Washington Freedom have sought an 'aggressive campaign' to become a visible part of the sports landscape in Maryland and beyond. It has seemingly done the trick so far with the fledgling American T20 competition only in its third season. Freedom games have been broadcast live at certain bars in the DC area while the team have received healthy media exposure, including regular spots on National Public Radio. Making use of being nestled in the nation's capital, Freedom also have held major events, including with the Department of State, in efforts to build strong relations among powerbrokers and also raise the profile of cricket - by some metrics the world's second most popular sport. 'We've been received very well by the community and the local media,' Govil told me in a phone interview. Washington Freedom are defending MLC champions (Photo Arjun Singh / Sportzpics for MLC) It's promising first steps, but Govil knows a permanent home ground is needed to unlock Freedom's potential. The unusual dimensions of an oval-shaped cricket ground, with a turf strip in the middle, makes it challenging for MLC franchises to find suitable infrastructure. Only Texas Super Kings have a permanent facility after repurposing a vacant baseball ground in Dallas, which has become the hub of American cricket and hosted most of the MLC games over the first two seasons. Kick-starting this ongoing tournament with a bang, the MLC was played in the west coast for the first time with San Francisco Unicorns playing its home games at the iconic Oakland Coliseum in what is currently a one-season arrangement. Plans to build a cricket stadium at George Mason University were scrapped, but Freedom's pursuit has continued with a site earmarked. Govil was tight-lipped on specific details, but there have been reports that Freedom are looking to develop in Frederick, about 45 miles north of Washington DC. Govil said he hoped government approvals would be sorted by August and that initial plans centered on a 10,000-seat multi-purpose stadium being built in time for the 2028 season. 'We really need a cricket stadium for the D.C. area, Virginia and Maryland,' Govil said. 'That's really going to grow the fan base, so they can watch us in person. There are a lot of other opportunities too.' A home ground could also lure international cricket with the U.S. men's and women's teams likely to host series ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics, cementing the country as a big ticket destination beyond traditional boundaries. 'The potential is huge. The east coast is ideally suited for the Indian market, so we want to host international cricket series,' Govil said. Along with Unicorns, Freedom are outliers without Indian Premier League investment ties but do have a partnership with Cricket New South Wales. Their international footprint has expanded after Govil secured a 50 per cent stake in Welsh Fire, a professional cricket team in the Hundred competition that has a $110 million valuation. 'Absolutely going to have a partnership (between Freedom and Fire),' Govil said. "We can offer players and coaches to be engaged in the U.S. and U.K. through the summer, essentially part of the same program as the synergies develop between the two." Glenn Maxwell is Freedom's captain (Photo by Arjun Singh/Sportzpics for MLC) As more cricket leagues emerge, while established ones like Australia's Big Bash League consider privatization, Govil looms as an intriguing figure in a traditionally staid sport undergoing rapid change and an influx of cash. He was born in Montreal before moving to India during his formative years with his parents, where he naturally developed a love for the country's favored sport. 'Growing up in India, the love of cricket was there, and even when I moved back to the U.S. I was constantly engaged in watching and playing cricket," he said. Govil's career took off when he moved to Washington D.C. and started Infinite Computer Solutions in 2001. It boasts an annual revenue of $2 billion with 20,000 employees globally while he also owns Zyter TruCare, a leading healthcare technology platform. 'Washington D.C. is obviously where I started my business. It's been a very good place for me and it's very multicultural,' Govil said. 'I couldn't have found a better way of giving something back to the community than the Washington Freedom.' Freedom - a 'unique name that everyone stands for', says Govil - are now entrenched in an underrated sports city marked by a passionate fanbase enduring plenty of heartbreak over the years by their seemingly cursed franchises. Just recently the Wizards, whose only NBA championship was as the Bullets in 1979, had the second worst record this season only to miss out on the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes and slide to No.6 in the upcoming draft. The Freedom's emergence might just change the city's sports luck. They have already brought home an elusive title having stormed to victory last season under legendary Australian Steve Smith. Those hard-bitten local sports fans needing a tonic might just want to jump on the Freedom bandwagon. Steve Smith captained Freedom to the title in 2024 (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) ... More 'It's a very hungry sports market, with amazing fans who haven't had a lot of success," Govil said. "We have an opportunity to capture the market in the southeast of the country, which has no other teams. 'We're trying to create a movement and at the same time grow a league.'