Latest news with #Passan
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Phillies 2-Time MVP Confronts MLB Commissioner In Clubhouse: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Each season, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred visits all 30 team clubhouses in an effort to improve relations between players and the league office, and to brief them on coming changes to the game. But his visit to the Philadelphia Phillies clubhouse last Monday did not work out quite how he probably imagined. Manfred found himself going "nose to nose" with one of the game's biggest names, who confronted him using a harsh expletive, according to a report Monday by ESPN senior baseball insider Jeff Passan. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 20: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Los Angeles Angels at Citizens Bank Park on July 20, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Angels defeated the Phillies... PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 20: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Los Angeles Angels at Citizens Bank Park on July 20, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Angels defeated the Phillies 8-2. MoreThat star player was the Phillies' eight-time All-Star first baseman and outfielder Bryce Harper, who in the seventh year of a 13-season, $330 million contract remains among MLBs highest-paid players. The issue that caused Harper and Manfred to go "nose to nose," according to Passan: Manfred's reported plan to implement an MLB salary cap, similar to the caps implemented in the NFL, NHL and — though in somewhat different and more complicated fashion — the NBA. In the midst of the meeting at Citizen's Bank Park, according to the Passan report, Harper "stood nose to nose with Rob Manfred" and told him "get the (expletive) out of our clubhouse" if he planned to so much as discuss a salary cap. The salary cap issue is expected to be a top point for discussion during the upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations between MLB and the player's union, which will come to a head following next season. "There is expectation that the owners will lock the players out on Dec. 1, 2026 with the conclusion of the CBA," wrote MLB insiders Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post on Monday. More MLB: Phillies' Bryce Harper Breaks Silence on 'Great' Roster Addition: 'So Excited' "There is widespread concern within the game about how much (if any) of the 2027 season will be played as there are hardliners in management that insist a salary cap must be part of a new CBA against the historic imperative in this union not to accept it," Heyman and Sherman reported. Harper also told Manfred in the meeting that players were "not scared to lose 162 games," in other words, to strike or be locked out for an entire season, to stop the imposition of a salary cap, Passan reported. More MLB: Two-Time All-Star Goes on Rant Against MLB Decision on Pete Rose in Hall of Fame Manfred never actually spoke the phrase "salary cap" during his hour-plus meeting with Phillies players, according to Passan's report, based on information he received from his sources. But when he began to brief players on economic issues facing the baseball industry, Harper became triggered. Harper signed his contract with the Phillies in 2019. As a result, though his salary is certainly among the game's elite, his ranking may not be as high as would be generally assumed. Per figures compiled by the sports business site Spotrac, Harper will be paid $27,538,462 for this season. That ranks him 23rd in MLB, behind New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon at No. 22 ($27,833,333), and one place ahead of another Yankee, outfielder Cody Bellinger who will make $27,500,000 this season. More MLB: Rob Manfred Says MLB Must Address 'Issue' Regarding Non-Competitive Teams
Newsweek
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Eugenio Suárez Rumors? Why Cubs Blockbuster Deal Makes Sense
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. ESPN's MLB insider, Jeff Passan, recently suggested there was a 90 percent chance the Arizona Diamondbacks will trade slugger Eugenio Suárez ahead of the trade deadline. Passan also listed the Chicago Cubs as one of the best fits for the star infielder. "Suárez is in a contract year and playing like one of the best players in baseball. Only Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge have more home runs than his 35. Despite turning 34 years old before the trade deadline, Suárez is sitting near career highs in isolated power and wRC+ (which measures overall offensive performance)," Passan wrote. "His fielding metrics have declined in recent years, but he's still an acceptable defender at third base. Even if the Diamondbacks don't offload all their free agents-to-be, Suárez could be moved because they've got Jordan Lawlar raking in Triple-A and primed to take over at third." PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Chase Field on July 20, 2025... PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Chase Field on July 20, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. MoreThe Cubs could be the perfect landing spot for Suárez for a few reasons, but there's bound to be a lot of competition on the trade market, notably from the New York Yankees. The top reason the Cubs could be favored over the Yankees in the potential Suárez sweepstakes is their farm system. Chicago has a much better farm system than New York, so it would be easier for the front office to acquire Suárez. Chicago could use a one-year rental third baseman, too. Matt Shaw has struggled this year, but he remains supremely talented. Shaw might not have been ready to be the third baseman of a World Series contender this year, but if Suárez can help the Cubs win a championship in the coming months, Shaw will be primed to take over at the hot corner in 2026. The Yankees are desperate, so it won't be easy for the Cubs to poach the infielder from the Diamondbacks, but it's a move Chicago needs to make to solidify itself at the top of the league. More MLB: Desperate Yankees Urged To Avoid Reunion With $15 Million Infielder
Newsweek
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees' Pursuit of Third Baseman Eugenio Suarez Ramps Up Ahead of Deadline
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The New York Yankees have waited too long to address their need at third base, but it seems they'll finally do so before the trade deadline passes. Eugenio Suárez was already one of the most-coveted players at the deadline, but his recent performances are increasing his value even more. MLB insider Jeff Passan believes the Yankees are still one of the best fits for him. PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a three run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Chase Field on July 20,... PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a three run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Chase Field on July 20, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. More"Suárez is in a contract year and playing like one of the best players in baseball," wrote Passan. "Only Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge have more home runs than his 35. Despite turning 34 years old before the trade deadline, Suárez is sitting near career highs in isolated power and wRC+ (which measures overall offensive performance)." "His fielding metrics have declined in recent years, but he's still an acceptable defender at third base," added Passan. "Even if the Diamondbacks don't offload all their free agents-to-be, Suárez could be moved because they've got Jordan Lawlar raking in Triple-A and primed to take over at third." Suárez would certainly be an upgrade even defensively over the rotation of players the Yankees trot out onto the field right now. League average defense would help the Bronx Bombers out tremendously, but his bat is the prized possession. In the three games that have been played since baseball resumed from the All-Star break, Suárez has been one of the game's best hitters. He's boosted his home run tally up to 35 heading into Monday's game against the Houston Astros, and he doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon. "Best fits: New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants," wrote Passan. However, there are a lot of teams that will be vying for Suárez's services just looking at the list above. The Yankees will certainly have to provide a stellar package going back to Arizona to land him. More MLB: Cardinals May Keep Ryan Helsley at Deadline, Aim for Better Return in Winter, Per Report
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB insider floats Red Sox trade to build ‘elite setup-closer combination'
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan thinks the Boston Red Sox have the makings of a very good team in the second half" of the season. They just need to add some pitching help. On Thursday, Passan released his top trade fits for each MLB team that currently has a winning record. For Boston, Passan proposed the acquisition of St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley. Passan noted that the Red Sox have 'the best reliever in the AL this season' with Aroldis Chapman, but need more help in their bullpen. 'Getting Helsley from St. Louis would give Boston arguably the top setup-closer combination in baseball and go a long way toward supporting a rotation that has been among the game's best over the past month,' Passan wrote. The 30-year-old Helsley is a two-time All-Star who has spent his entire professional career in the Cardinals organization. Helsley has been an effective closer in St. Louis for the last four seasons, recording a league-high 49 saves last season. So why is he floated in trade rumors? Hesley is set to hit free agency this offseason. So if another team is willing to pay a high price for a half-season rental, the Cardinals could benefit from parting ways early. The Cardinals (49-44) and Red Sox (49-45) are in similar spots in the standings, buried in a stacked division while very much in the wild card hunt. At this point, both teams have been teetering between being strong buyers or potential sellers at the trade deadline. BETTING: Red Sox -1.5 runline is +180 on BetMGM for Thursday's game versus Tampa Bay. Our complete list of the best Massachusetts online sportsbook promos will help you determine which sportsbook to use. More Red Sox coverage Fenway Insider Live: Sean McAdam on outfield decisions, Alex Bregman's return Red Sox' playtime is over as schedule gets far more challenging | Sean McAdam Boston Red Sox hurler shouts out teammates for 'huge' play Boston Red Sox' Masataka Yoshida told Alex Cora he needed 'two days' Red Sox' Lucas Giolito closes out first half of season on upswing Read the original article on MassLive.
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB Insider Calls Streaking Red Sox 'Legitimate World Series Contenders'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jeff Passan of ESPN appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" and stated that the Boston Red Sox are going to be buyers this season and, with the right move, World Series contenders. The Red Sox currently hold a wild card spot in the American League and are getting ready to make a second-half push to hold off the rest of the junior circuit. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 11: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run walk off home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Fenway... BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 11: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run walk off home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Fenway Park on July 11, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. More Photo byPassan refuted rumors of the potential trade of Aroldis Chapman and Alex Bregman, saying that the pair is "going nowhere". Passan declared the Red Sox as buyers, saying, "They're going to add, and if they can get another starting pitcher who can be at the top of that rotation with Garrett Crochet, with Brayan Bello pitching so well, Lucas Giolito, the Boston Red Sox are legitimate World Series contenders." It's a bold claim for a team that is currently in third place in its division, but Passan might not be that far off. The youngsters in the Red Sox clubhouse have started to make the turn, with the team going on a 10-game winning streak just before the trade deadline and looking to make it 11 straight wins on Friday. There was some speculation that Bregman, who has an opt-out after this season, could be moved, but the Red Sox have gotten hot and are looking to overtake the Yankees, placing themselves squarely in title contention. The trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Red Sox have some needs to fill if they want to return to the Fall Classic, but according to Passan, they are right in the mix. More MLB: Royals Trade For Former Utility Man From Pirates Before Trade Deadline: Report
