Latest news with #Simpson
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Chandler Simpson, Noelvi Marte and Austin Hays
FANTASY BASEBALL WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS Chandler Simpson (OF Rays): Rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues Simpson earned a surprisingly quick recall to the majors this week after hitting .366/.416/.465 with 11 steals in 16 games for Triple-A Durham and has started all three games since his return. The Rays seem committed to giving him a lengthier look this time, and he'll probably be the league's leading basestealer while playing regularly. Advertisement There's nothing really unknown about Simpson at this point. He's one of professional baseball's fastest players, and he makes a great deal of contact at the plate. Although he's a little stronger physically than some would suspect, he offers no in-game power, with his one professional homer being an inside-the-parker. Even doubles are something of a rarity for him. A middle infielder in college, he still has issues defensively in the outfield, which was the biggest reason the Rays sent him down at the end of May. For Simpson to be a viable major league regular, he simply has to become an above average defensive center fielder. It's quite possible he'll get there, and it looks like the Rays are going to leave him alone in that spot now after using him in left field about half of the time during his first stint in the majors. They might eventually decide again that they need more defense in that spot, but for now, Simpson's steals and batting average should make him a top-40 fantasy outfielder. Noelvi Marte (3B Reds): Rostered in 22% of Yahoo leagues With three homers, 17 RBI and four steals, Marte was very helpful in fantasy leagues over 19 games before suffering an oblique strain in early May. He's nearly ready to return now after going 5-for-18 with a homer in his first five games on a rehab assignment. Advertisement Marte was a big question mark coming into this season and failed to make the Reds out of spring training. Once considered one of the game's top 20 or so prospects, he was busted for PEDs in 2024 and struggled mightily after returning from suspension, hitting just .210/.248/.301 in 66 games. He proceeded to get off to a great start with Louisville, and after barely playing in his first callup to Cincinnati, he received a real chance due to Christian Encarnacion-Strand landing on the IL and started tearing it up immediately. His biggest game was kind of a fluke; he had a grand slam and a two-run double while facing Orioles position players on Apr. 20. Still, even taking that out of the equation, he hit .280 with two homers and 10 RBI over his remaining 13 games before getting hurt. The Reds kicked Jeimer Candelario to the curb and haven't gotten much of anything from Santiago Espinal, so third base should belong to Marte once he's activated. He probably won't match his early pace, but between his ability to steal bases and him getting to play half of his games in a great park for hitters, he should offer lasting value. Austin Hays (OF Reds): Rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues Let's stay with Cincinnati here and try someone already back from the injured list. Hays was activated Friday after missing four weeks with a foot contusion and is expected to go right back into the middle of the lineup while splitting time between outfield and DH. Advertisement Although he's already experienced three IL stints, Hays has been a nice surprise while healthy this year, batting .303/.346/.555 with six homers in 130 plate appearances. He's driven in 25 runs and scored 23 times in 31 games. No one should expect quite that same level of production going forward -- his current 139 OPS+ is far better than his career mark of 106 -- but hitting in Cincinnati is a great help, especially for a right-handed batter who had to deal with the Camden Yards modifications while playing for the Orioles. Pulling the ball is much better rewarded in Great American Ballpark, and after posting a career-high pull rate last year, Hays has gone even a tad higher in his limited action this season. The Reds are still figuring out the second spot in their lineup (Matt McLain is back there now), but they've gotten excellent production from TJ Friedl leading off and Elly De La Cruz batting third, leaving a whole bunch of RBI opportunities for their cleanup man. That's been Hays' spot 28 of the 29 times he's been in the starting lineup. If he gets moved down at some point, maybe he'll no longer be worth rostering. For now, though, he looks like an asset. Waiver Wire Quick Hits - I'm not going to feature Ben Casparius again after just writing about him a couple of weeks ago, but it seems like people stopped picking him up because he's working as a bulk guy instead of a starter for the Dodgers. In truth, though, he's more valuable as a bulk guy than he would be as a starter, just because his chances of a victory go way up. He's 2-for-2 winning games while pitching behind Shohei Ohtani these last two weeks. Four times this year, he's entered a game in the second inning, and all four times, he's gotten a win. - The Tigers' Parker Meadows is still mostly unrostered and has been dropped by some who did pick him up because of his slow start after coming off the IL. That slow start, though, includes exit velocity numbers and a strikeout rate a little better than his career norm. Statcast says he should be batting .251 and slugging .430, rather than his actual figures of .191 and .338. He remains an intriguing outfield option going forward.
NBC Sports
11 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Chandler Simpson, Noelvi Marte and Austin Hays
FANTASY BASEBALL WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS Chandler Simpson (OF Rays): Rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues Simpson earned a surprisingly quick recall to the majors this week after hitting .366/.416/.465 with 11 steals in 16 games for Triple-A Durham and has started all three games since his return. The Rays seem committed to giving him a lengthier look this time, and he'll probably be the league's leading basestealer while playing regularly. There's nothing really unknown about Simpson at this point. He's one of professional baseball's fastest players, and he makes a great deal of contact at the plate. Although he's a little stronger physically than some would suspect, he offers no in-game power, with his one professional homer being an inside-the-parker. Even doubles are something of a rarity for him. A middle infielder in college, he still has issues defensively in the outfield, which was the biggest reason the Rays sent him down at the end of May. For Simpson to be a viable major league regular, he simply has to become an above average defensive center fielder. It's quite possible he'll get there, and it looks like the Rays are going to leave him alone in that spot now after using him in left field about half of the time during his first stint in the majors. They might eventually decide again that they need more defense in that spot, but for now, Simpson's steals and batting average should make him a top-40 fantasy outfielder. Noelvi Marte (3B Reds): Rostered in 22% of Yahoo leagues With three homers, 17 RBI and four steals, Marte was very helpful in fantasy leagues over 19 games before suffering an oblique strain in early May. He's nearly ready to return now after going 5-for-18 with a homer in his first five games on a rehab assignment. Marte was a big question mark coming into this season and failed to make the Reds out of spring training. Once considered one of the game's top 20 or so prospects, he was busted for PEDs in 2024 and struggled mightily after returning from suspension, hitting just .210/.248/.301 in 66 games. He proceeded to get off to a great start with Louisville, and after barely playing in his first callup to Cincinnati, he received a real chance due to Christian Encarnacion-Strand landing on the IL and started tearing it up immediately. His biggest game was kind of a fluke; he had a grand slam and a two-run double while facing Orioles position players on Apr. 20. Still, even taking that out of the equation, he hit .280 with two homers and 10 RBI over his remaining 13 games before getting hurt. The Reds kicked Jeimer Candelario to the curb and haven't gotten much of anything from Santiago Espinal, so third base should belong to Marte once he's activated. He probably won't match his early pace, but between his ability to steal bases and him getting to play half of his games in a great park for hitters, he should offer lasting value. Austin Hays (OF Reds): Rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues Let's stay with Cincinnati here and try someone already back from the injured list. Hays was activated Friday after missing four weeks with a foot contusion and is expected to go right back into the middle of the lineup while splitting time between outfield and DH. Although he's already experienced three IL stints, Hays has been a nice surprise while healthy this year, batting .303/.346/.555 with six homers in 130 plate appearances. He's driven in 25 runs and scored 23 times in 31 games. No one should expect quite that same level of production going forward -- his current 139 OPS+ is far better than his career mark of 106 -- but hitting in Cincinnati is a great help, especially for a right-handed batter who had to deal with the Camden Yards modifications while playing for the Orioles. Pulling the ball is much better rewarded in Great American Ballpark, and after posting a career-high pull rate last year, Hays has gone even a tad higher in his limited action this season. The Reds are still figuring out the second spot in their lineup (Matt McLain is back there now), but they've gotten excellent production from TJ Friedl leading off and Elly De La Cruz batting third, leaving a whole bunch of RBI opportunities for their cleanup man. That's been Hays' spot 28 of the 29 times he's been in the starting lineup. If he gets moved down at some point, maybe he'll no longer be worth rostering. For now, though, he looks like an asset. Waiver Wire Quick Hits - I'm not going to feature Ben Casparius again after just writing about him a couple of weeks ago, but it seems like people stopped picking him up because he's working as a bulk guy instead of a starter for the Dodgers. In truth, though, he's more valuable as a bulk guy than he would be as a starter, just because his chances of a victory go way up. He's 2-for-2 winning games while pitching behind Shohei Ohtani these last two weeks. Four times this year, he's entered a game in the second inning, and all four times, he's gotten a win. - The Tigers' Parker Meadows is still mostly unrostered and has been dropped by some who did pick him up because of his slow start after coming off the IL. That slow start, though, includes exit velocity numbers and a strikeout rate a little better than his career norm. Statcast says he should be batting .251 and slugging .430, rather than his actual figures of .191 and .338. He remains an intriguing outfield option going forward.
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
FSF Turns 60, Minister Acknowledges Invaluable Work As Voice Of The Specialist Lenders
Press Release – Financial Services Federation In his address, Minister Simpson thanked the FSF for its commitment to the sector. He also spoke of the Government's policy reforms towards a more streamlined financial services regulatory environment, commending the FSF on its valuable input into the … The Financial Services Federation (FSF) has commemorated 60 years driving New Zealand's economy forward as the industry body for specialist lenders and fleet leasing providers. The milestone was marked with a celebration at Parliament this week attended by members and esteemed guests including Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson and Financial Markets Authority Chief Executive Samantha Barrass. The event highlighted the evolution of the FSF, from its inception in 1965 as the NZ Finance Houses Association with 10 members — to what is now a thriving, $20 billion industry serving more than 1.7 million New Zealander consumers and businesses. 'Specialist lenders are no longer on the periphery,' Executive Director Lyn McMorran said. 'The membership today spans 100 consumer and commercial lenders, non-bank deposit takers, fleet leasing firms, credit unions and building societies, insurers, and credit reporting agencies – all unified by their role in enabling financial access and injecting competition into a market long dominated by large, registered banks. 'From vans powering small Kiwi businesses to large commercial fleets servicing the primary sector and national infrastructure, our members give businesses the tools to grow, to keep New Zealand moving, and provide the flexible finance options that consumers increasingly rely on.' In his address, Minister Simpson thanked the FSF for its commitment to the sector. He also spoke of the Government's policy reforms towards a more streamlined financial services regulatory environment, commending the FSF on its valuable input into the consultation process. Don Atkinson, CEO of UDC Finance (FSF's founding member organisation in 1965) commended the FSF on its dedication to members. 'Through education, advocacy, and high standards of conduct, the Federation has lifted the bar for our industry and given us a unified voice and a seat at the table which has proved especially valuable with the regulatory upheaval of the last few years.' Atkinson spoke of what sets specialist lenders apart, and why the sector matters for New Zealand such as its ability to reach underserved communities, take risk, and drive innovation. 'From online working capital to buy-now-pay-later, insurance premium funding to the challenge of guaranteeing electric vehicle values – specialist lenders have consistently delivered first-to-market, transformative products.' The anniversary highlighted key milestones in FSF's history, including pivotal legislative reforms like the Credit Contracts Act and ongoing advocacy for proportional and common-sense regulatory frameworks. Challenges and opportunities were also acknowledged such as the 2008 Global Financial Crisis which caused 67 finance companies to fail – two of which were FSF members. This time of huge change for financial services emphasised FSF's ethos to only admit companies it truly believes are committed to responsible practices — an approach to membership that remains today. The event also recognised FSF's role in pioneering educational initiatives like the NZQA Level 5 Micro-Credential in Consumer Credit, aimed at raising industry standards and promoting professional development. 'In our journey from humble beginnings to today's vibrant sector, FSF has played a pivotal role in shaping New Zealand's financial landscape,' concluded Lyn McMorran. 'We're committed to leading the charge to ensure that New Zealanders have access to diverse and practical financial solutions that meet their evolving needs, and contributing to a financial ecosystem that fosters growth and opportunity.' About the Financial Services Federation: The (FSF) is the non-profit industry association for specialist financial services providers who are not registered banks. Its members collectively reach 1.7million New Zealanders, and support both businesses and consumers across the country with competitive and innovative options from traditional finance providers. FSF's 99 members include finance, leasing and credit-related insurance providers, and include the likes of Turners, UDC, MTF, several credit unions and building societies, and the finance arms of global motor vehicle brands including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz (see the full member list here). With 60 years of history, FSF has stringent membership criteria and enforces a Code of Conduct to maintain high standards in responsible non-bank lending. FSF members prioritise compliance, support consumer protection enforcement, and advocate for balanced regulations that ensure New Zealanders have access to responsibly-provided credit.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Webb Simpson odds to win the 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic
Rocket Mortgage Classic details and info Watch golf on Fubo! Simpson odds to win the Rocket Mortgage Classic PGA odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 3:10 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Simpson odds to finish in the top 5 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Simpson odds to finish in the top 10 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Other betting markets for Simpson at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Simpson recent performances Simpson is still looking for his first top-10 finish this season (he has taken part in six tournaments). In his past four events, Simpson has an average finish of 36th. In Simpson's last five trips to this tournament, he has finished in the top 10 one time. His average finish at the event is 39th.
CNN
3 days ago
- Business
- CNN
One small thing you can do to save food from the trash
Sophia Kokolakis doesn't always know what she's having for dinner, even after she's been to the store. A large paper bag brimming with food rides shotgun on the way home, but she has no clue what's inside. The Toronto resident ordered the bag on Too Good To Go, an app where grocery stores and restaurants can list their excess, soon-to-be-trashed food for pickup at discounted rates. For $8.99, Kokolakis said she got three burrito wraps, a Thanksgiving stuffing dish and three containers of imitation crab salad. As more people aim to cut down on weekly food spending, markdown apps are an increasingly popular way to score cheap meals destined for garbage bins. Part of the appeal? App developers say they might offer a meaningful solution to the world's major food waste problem. The United States wasted 73.9 million tons of unsold or uneaten food, or nearly one-third of the country's total food supply, in 2023, according to data from ReFED, a nonprofit focused on food system reform. Retailers and restaurants accounted for about 17.2 million tons of that waste. The most widely used markdown apps include Too Good To Go, with about 120 million users, and Flashfood, with more than 1.5 million users, which both partner with businesses in dozens of major cities throughout the US and Canada. Before the end of each day, Clifford Simpson, the owner of the Atlanta restaurant Soul Good Fine Food, takes stock of how many dishes he has sold and lists a handful of 'surprise bags' for $5.99 each on Too Good To Go. Users stake their claim on Simpson's bags without knowing what they'll get. The app only guarantees an $18 value, with combinations of wings, fried fish, black-eyed peas, ribs, grits and more listed as possibilities. 'Before (using) the app, we would just throw out tons of food every day. It cost us a lot of money,' Simpson said. 'Now we got more new customers coming in, maybe they haven't heard of us before, and they come back another day.' Partnering businesses pay a membership fee and give a percentage of each sale to the app in exchange for their listing service, according to a Too Good To Go spokesperson. 'It saves a lot of waste and at least covers my cost of food and labor. I'm not making money on it, but I'm also not losing money,' said Atlanta-based Pizza Jeans owner and Too Good To Go partner Jeremy Gatto. If a customer isn't happy with their purchase, they can write a review in the app for other users to see. Flashfood functions similarly, but it only partners with food stores and grocers. Participating businesses list their items on the app at a discount two to three days before the 'best-by' date, according to Flashfood spokesperson Esther Cohn. While eating day-old food doesn't appeal to everyone, most markdown apps' policies require partnering businesses to follow local food safety regulations, said Patrick Guzzle, vice president of food safety for the National Restaurant Association. Most state health departments follow the US Food and Drug Administration Food Code model, which requires that vendors throw out cooked food after seven days to prevent the overgrowth of dangerous, invisible pathogens like listeria, salmonella and E. coli, Guzzle said. Both Flashfood and Too Good To Go allow users to report spoiled food for refunds and remove businesses that violate their policies. On the other hand, there are limited state regulations against wasting food that is perfectly good to eat, Guzzle noted. Liquid separation, discoloration and loss of shape, for example, are all common reasons businesses may opt to throw things out to protect their brand reputation, he said. 'There's a lot of differences between food quality and food safety. … Many people don't know the difference,' Guzzle explained. 'The food code, all of that's built around those pathogens. … 'Freshness' on the other hand, is a food quality concern.' After the Covid-19 pandemic drove up food insecurity and damaged food supply chains, more vendors started to take notice of just how much food was going to waste, said Jeffrey Clark, the National Restaurant Association's director of business engagement, in an email. 'Many consumers began demanding more action from the companies they patronize, and the restaurant industry is starting to respond,' Clark said. As markdown apps become available in more cities across the US, ReFED estimates the technology could potentially save up to 881,000 tons of food waste per year, based on annual reports from the apps. Still, a general lack of awareness about these apps among food vendors and customers alike, as well as an overly cautious food culture, have posed a challenge to expansion efforts, said Jackie Suggitt, vice president of business initiatives and community engagement for ReFED. Stephanie Smith, who lives outside of Wilmington, North Carolina, said she loves the concept of food markdown apps like Too Good To Go. But even with a population of more than 100,000 people, there aren't enough businesses listing food on the app for her to use it consistently. 'I've used it twice at a local bakery, I went and picked up a box of pastries that they had,' Smith said. 'But I'm hoping that a lot more businesses will pick up on it.' In the bustling city of Toronto, where Kokolakis lives, demand can be so high that there aren't enough offerings for everyone who wants them. Many surprise bags sell out within mere minutes, she said. 'The demand is there,' Cohn said of Flashfoods in an emailed statement. 'Our job is to get more items on the platform that people can purchase and allow them to shop at more places. We ultimately want to be available everywhere groceries are sold today.' A big driver for awareness about these apps has come from user testimonials posted on social media platforms. However, some showcase less than glamorous surprise bags and excessive loads of bagels, for example, that may be impractical for a regular Tuesday night dinner. 'One of the biggest unknowns is we don't know how much of that food is still not going to waste,' Suggitt said. 'We assume they're eating it. We hope they're eating it. But I think a big question still is, how much are they eating versus how much is still ending up in the garbage?' Still, Kokolakis said by reading online reviews and using the apps mindfully, she can still limit her purchases to foods she will actually eat. 'It's such a cool way to help out,' Kokolakis said. 'You feel good about your purchase, and you get to try something new.' Sign up for CNN's Life, But Greener newsletter. 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