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Forbes
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
It's Time For Hoyer, Cubs To Think Pitching In The Draft
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 13: Cade Horton #22 of the Chicago Cubs pitches during the first inning ... More against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on June 13, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by) Cade Horton isn't going to the All-Star Game but he's quietly been a valuable part of a Cubs team that is leading the National League Central. The former College World Series star for the University of Oklahoma star slipped into the starting rotation on May 10, after fellow lefty Shota Imanaga was sidelined with a hamstring injury, and has pitched well enough for Craig Counsell's team to win six of his first nine starts. It's worth considering that impact as the Cubs head into the amateur draft on Sunday. They will pick 17th and have only one other pick in the first 94, so it's important they make the most of their first-rounder. Horton, who struck out 13 against Ole Miss in the deciding game of the CWS, was selected with the seventh overall pick in 2022. He's something of an outlier for the Cubs, who have strongly favored college hitters with their first-round picks. They hit it big with Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Ian Happ in 2013-15. Theo Epstein trusts college hitters more than any other draft commodity. That preference left the Cubs with a quantity over quality approach in assembling amateur pitching since Epstein's arrival. He worried about both the greater likelihood of pitcher injuries and the volatile nature of their performances. Left unsaid — at least publicly — was the hope pitchers would, as they matured, regularly out-perform their amateur standing. Because the Cubs had overspent their international signing limit in 2013 (when they spent heavily on Eloy Jimenez, Gleyber Torres, Jen Ho Tseng and others), they were limited to a maximum bonus of $250,000 in '14. Epstein's strategy was to round up as many hard-throwing leftovers and give them $20,000 apiece, searching for diamonds in the rough. Organizational results have been telling. The Cubs haven't drafted or signed a pitcher with staying power beyond a few seasons since Jim Hendry was in charge, when they built teams around Kerry Wood, Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano. The closest they have come is Kyle Hendricks, the Game Seven starter in 2016 who spent 11 seasons in the starting rotation. But the Professor, as he was known, was already in Double-A when the Cubs acquired him from Texas in one of Epstein's earliest trades. Justin Steele, a left-hander who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, seemed set to break through after a 16-win season in 2023. But Steele instead has demonstrated the precarious nature of pitching. He battled hamstring and elbow injuries in '24, working only 134 2/3 innings, and underwent Tommy John surgery in April. He'll need to re-establish himself when he returns next season. The Cubs have selected a pitcher in the first round only four times in their last 13 drafts, with Horton the only one they've taken with a top-20 pick. This is the ninth time since Epstein's arrival they've pick as high as 17 but they've used seven of those eight picks on infielders Nico Hoerner, Ed Howard, Matt Shaw and Cam Smith in addition to Bryant, Schwarber and Happ. Since 2012, the Cubs have used 36 of their top 65 picks on pitchers but invested $2 million in only four those pitchers, with Horton's $4.45-million bonus their biggest. They did spend over-slot to sign high school pitchers Dylan Cease in ($1.5 million) in 2014 and Jeremiah Estrada ($1 million) in '17) but then traded Cease and lost Estrada on waivers. The failure to develop a pipeline of minor-league pitching has forced the Cubs to rely on acquiring pitchers in trades or through free agency. They'll need a pipeline of homegrown pitching more than ever if they do extend run-producer Kyle Tucker beyond this season, given the percentage of payroll Tucker will command. This draft will be remembered as a success if they can find a long-term piece of their rotation with the 17th pick.
New York Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- New York Times
The question again hanging over the Cubs at the trade deadline: If not now, when?
CHICAGO — In closing a controversial deal that aimed to end the Chicago Cubs' 108-year World Series drought, Theo Epstein memorably declared: 'If not now, when?' Back in the summer of 2016, the Cubs had built a star-studded lineup and a dominant rotation that kept them on pace to win 100-plus games. Feeling the weight of the franchise's disappointing history, and sensing an enormous opportunity at the trade deadline, Epstein gave up future All-Star Gleyber Torres to get Aroldis Chapman, who had begun that season with the New York Yankees serving a suspension under Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy. Advertisement Without Chapman that October and November, the Cubs believe they would not have advanced through three postseason rounds and won Game 7. That history is relevant because Chapman is still an exceptionally talented closer, now with the Boston Red Sox, one of several underperforming teams that could swing the July 31 trade deadline by deciding to sell. And it's instructive when the Cubs are in a buying mood, feeling like they are having one of those magical years. Though 1908 no longer hangs over their players and management team, the Cubs will be operating with a sense of urgency and from a position of strength. As a first-place team on the Fourth of July, the Cubs are in the market for a late-game reliever, a solid starting pitcher and a right-handed hitter. The larger context also matters. The big-game energy has returned to Wrigleyville, enhancing ownership's portfolio of investments around the neighborhood. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer entered this season in the final year of his contract, putting pressure on the entire front office. At the age of 23, Pete Crow-Armstrong is blossoming into a superstar. In a few months, All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker will likely explore his options as a free agent. Seven strong from Cade 😤 — Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 4, 2025 The Cubs are 52-35 after sweeping the Cleveland Guardians out of Wrigley Field with Thursday night's 1-0 victory, which featured seven stout innings from rookie pitcher Cade Horton, yet another bullpen group effort and Matt Shaw's sacrifice fly off Emmanuel Clase in the 10th inning. A crowd of 38,450 watched the Cubs increase their lead to four games in the National League Central. Again, the question will be asked: If not now, when? 'Let's wait (to) make that determination,' said Hoyer, who previously worked as Epstein's longtime general manager in Chicago. Experience has taught Hoyer that so much will happen in the final month before the trade deadline, and he noted that the Chapman transaction wasn't finalized until July 25 that year. Advertisement 'When you think about that deal, it wasn't about playoff odds,' Hoyer said. 'That was about World Series probabilities. You add a dominant closer like that because there was a gap for us. We talked over and over throughout August and September about not using him for more than three-out saves because we wanted to be able to unleash his talent in the postseason to get to the World Series.' The Cubs were fortunate in that the Yankees, a perennial contender, sold at the trade deadline for the first time in a generation. That will be part of the scoreboard-watching this July, seeing what the Arizona Diamondbacks decide to do at the last minute, whether third baseman Eugenio Suárez and pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen become available. The Kansas City Royals are among the clubs also in a holding pattern, with Seth Lugo profiling as the type of pitcher who would be a good fit in Chicago. MLB's gambling-related investigation into Cleveland pitcher Luis Ortiz, who was scratched from Thursday's start at Wrigley Field, could ultimately force the Guardians to unload major-league talent and reposition for the future. Either way, the playoff format still accentuates the value of high-leverage relievers, which means the Cubs can fully believe in Daniel Palencia right now and still look to acquire another closer this summer. Héctor Rondón had been an excellent closer in 2015 (1.67 ERA, 30 saves) and the first half of 2016 (1.72 ERA, 14 saves), but Chapman pitched at a higher level, with an air of intimidation. Then and now, adding Chapman would potentially keep him away from a team the Cubs would have to beat in October. While a 100 mph fastball is almost normal now, Chapman's velocity was a real outlier in 2016, when the Cubs had five healthy starting pitchers who routinely pitched deep into games. The current formula is more complicated. Advertisement 'There's a difference between playoff odds and World Series odds,' Hoyer said. 'Just getting in is not necessarily the ticket. High-leverage relievers do have a significant impact on your World Series odds. We obviously have those discussions all the time, but I don't think we're there yet in those discussions. We'll give that some time. There are different ways to think about what you're trying to accomplish.' That is the internal mandate: Get creative. Perhaps that means a three-team deal, taking on contracts that go beyond 2025, targeting younger players or some combination of moves. Trade talks will likely accelerate after the All-Star break, given the timing of the MLB Draft (July 13-14) that occupies all 30 front offices. The Cubs entered Thursday with a 97.1 percent chance to qualify for the playoffs, according to Baseball Reference, and a 16.1 percent chance to win the World Series. FanGraphs presented a slightly less optimistic, though still rosy, picture, setting Chicago's playoff odds at 90.3 percent, with a 5.7 percent probability of winning the World Series. 'Not to be Belichick about it,' said Hoyer, who graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, the same school that once produced the famously grumpy football coach. 'But you have to take it one series at a time.' (Photo by Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images)
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Cubs Could Wind Up Paying Heavily To Add Starting Pitching
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 17: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs dives head first into third ... More base after hitting a triple in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/) Jed Hoyer's intention is clear. He plans to identify the best available pitchers — starters and relievers — and move to acquire a few of them before the trade deadline. It's a reasonable and perhaps unavoidable plan given how well the Cubs are positioned for the postseason after the run of frustration and irrelevance that followed the tingly feelings that came with the 2016 championship. But history says Hoyer and his general manager, Carter Hawkins, need to proceed cautiously as July 31 approaches. Mid-season trades work out in favor of the team shedding established talent far more often than for the teams adding those veterans for the stretch run of the season. Yet the short-term rewards — not to mention the adrenaline rushes — are always tempting. This can be especially true for an executive nearing the end of his contract, such as Hoyer, the Cubs' president of baseball operations. Hoyer was Theo Epstein's assistant in '16, when the Cubs made a trade with the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman. They may not have rolled through the Giants, Dodgers and Indians without having imported Chapman to supplant Hector Rondon as closer but the cost to get Chapman was then 19-year-old infielder Gleyber Torres, pitcher Adam Warren and two other prospects. Since Epstein reluctantly parted with Torres — who at the time was blocked by Javier Baez and Addison Russell — he has accrued 17.5 career WAR with the Yankees and Tigers. He's currently hitting second for a Detroit team that is among the American League's best teams. The Cubs opted not to re-sign Chapman, who has since passed through the Yankees (returning after the trade), Royals Rangers and Pirates and is now closing games for Boston. But Chapman did all he needed to do in Chicago when he worked a scoreless ninth inning in Game Seven of the World Series, famously won in 10 innings (after a dramatic rain delay). If the Cubs can get back to the Series this October, few will quibble about however high of a price Hoyer pays to get there. But there's always a risk in trading prospects. Just ask the Mets. They were 55-47 in the summer of 2021, leading the NL East by four games, when the Cubs made free agents-to-be Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Baez available after not signing them to contract extensions. The Mets added Baez to play alongside Francisco Lindor, giving up then 19-year-old center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, In only his third big-league season — the first in which he was on the Opening Day roster — Crow-Armstrong has already accumulating 6.6 WAR over 215 games. The two-way talent is hitting .308 with 21 home runs and 24 stolen bases, along with elite defense. As for Baez and the '21 Mets, they went 22-38 after the trade and missed the postseason. However, the Cubs have more often made aggressive trades since winning the World Series. These trades have rarely yields the critical wins to justify their high costs. When Epstein wanted a proven starter in 2017, he sent then 21-year pitcher Dylan Cease and power-hitting outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez to the White Sox for Jose Quintana. The Cubs, who were 43-45 at the time of the deal, rallied to win the NL Central with 92 wins but reached the end of their promising, three-season postseason run in the National League Championship Series. Quintana was 33-23 in his four seasons based at Wrigley Field. That was far better than the work of left-handed reliever Justin Wilson, who cost Epstein then-23-year-old third baseman Jeimer Candelario and 18-year-old infielder Isaac Paredes in a trade with Detroit. A year later, Epstein added lefty Cole Hamels and potential closer Brandon Kintzler in deadline trades. Then he reached for Nick Castellanos, catcher Martin Maldonado and reliever Brad Wieck in '19. These trades weren't nearly as costly as the Quintana and Wilson trades but failed to add much when it mattered. Baseball's current landscape seems set for the Cubs to be one of the busiest pursuers of roster upgrades. The lineup is humming behind Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong, with run production at 5.4 runs per game, second in the majors. The rotation has been thin since early injuries to Justin Steele and Javier Assad, and the largely untested Daniel Palencia is filling the closer's role. Meanwhile the Cubs may have the deepest inventory of minor-league talent among buyers. Hoyer should be able to swing major deals if he willing to sacrifice advanced prospects like catcher-DH Moises Ballesteros, first baseman Jonathan Long, infielder-outfielder James Triantos and outfielders Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara, who continue sharpening their skills in Triple-A. But the biggest risk may come in trading teenagers who are on the fringe of the radar. Think about the 2016 White Sox. They were trying to win behind Jose Abreu, Todd Frazier, Chris Sale and Quintana but felt they were a starting pitcher short. The front office duo of Rick Hahn and Ken Williams traded a 17-year-old shortstop for James Shields. That shortstop, Fernando Tatis Jr., reached the big leagues only two years later and now holds a $340 million contract with the Padres. There's a likelihood that opposing front offices will ask about a trio of Dominican middle infielders the Cubs recently signed. Hoyer invested a combined $4.9 million in Wilfri De La Cruz, Juan Cabada and Juan Tomas, and all of them excite scouts. One scout sees Tomas as being similar to the Reds' Elly De La Cruz, presenting 30-homer, 30-stolen base potential. He stands 6-2, switch hits and flashes a big arm. Yet MLB Pipeline ranks him as only the Cubs' 11th best prospect, which could make him seem like a small part of a big trade. These are intriguing times for contenders. But it's the teams trading veterans who are likely to be the long-term winners.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Notebook: Where does the Rafael Devers trade rank with other surprising Red Sox blockbusters?
Red Sox fans of a certain age could be forgiven for experiencing some deja vu when the Rafael Devers trade was announced Sunday night. The deal sent shockwaves throughout New England and the industry. Most everyone knew that there was dysfunction between Devers and the club; but few expected it would come to this, at least not during the season and on the heels of the best stretch of play the team had enjoyed all season. Advertisement But you never know. In recognition of that, here are some other deals the Red Sox have made in the last few decades, so that we can compare and contrast. 1) Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs as part of a four-team trade in 2004. The shock value: Off the charts. Yes, the Red Sox were underperforming. And yes, Garciaparra was in the middle of his worst year in Boston, on and off the field. But trading a five-time All-Star and two-time batting champion in a season in which the team was decidedly all in? Nah, couldn't happen. Until it did. GM Theo Epstein had concerns that the team's infield defense could turn out to be his team's 'fatal flaw.' Advertisement The reaction: Call it (for the most part): stunned outrage. Garciaparra was hugely popular and this was a huge gamble. Epstein was set upon by an irate fan as he left his office to get dinner in Kenmore Square. The return: Somewhat light, in retrospect, but perfect for the time. Orlando Cabrera gave them a healthier, better defender at short and his upbeat personality was in sharp contrast to Garciaparra's mood, which had turned dour and bitter. Doug Mientkiewicz represented a defensive upgrade at first, even if he didn't hit much. How it's like the Devers deal: The Red Sox had an unhappy player on their hands and decided that this was a case of 'addition by subtraction' move. How it's not like the Devers deal: Garciaparra was eligible for free agency after that season; Devers still has another eight years of control remaining. Also, while Garciaparra had some physical issues that threatened to limit him, Devers was healthy. Advertisement How it turned out: Pretttttty, pretttty well, as Larry David would say – the team's first World Series in 86 years helped everyone forget Garciaparra, who was never the same after leaving. And while neither Cabrera not Mientkiewicz played another game for the Sox after the parade, they had done their part. 2) Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a three-team trade in 2008. The shock value: Given that you could never be entirely surprised by anything involving Ramirez, only moderate in one sense. But given that the Red Sox were defending world champs at the time and seemingly well positioned to defend their title at the time, it was something of a surprise. The reaction: Epstein had built up trust with the fan base, having put together two championship clubs. And because he had gambled before on a mid-season deal with another superstar and won, he was due the benefit of the doubt. But there were some who couldn't accept moving a hitter the caliber of Ramirez – regardless of the considerable baggage he carried. Advertisement The return: Jason Bay came to Boston via Pittsburgh. He may not have been the hitting savant that Ramirez was — few could be — but he posted an .897 OPS the rest of the way and was even better the following year (36 homers, .921 OPS). The fact that the Sox didn't win it all in either of his two seasons wasn't held against him. How it's like the Devers deal: Ramirez was a complete handful almost from the time he arrived as a free agent. There were trade demands, threats and strange behavior. Devers didn't have that sort of reputation, but he certainly alienated some this year by his reaction to moving to DH and later, his refusal to play first. How it's not like the Devers deal: Trading Devers stripped the Red Sox of their only true run-producer; when Ramirez was shipped out, the Sox still had David Ortiz on hand and Bay incoming. How it turned out: Mixed. The Sox reached the ALCS, but lost in seven games to Tampa. Would Ramirez have made the difference and helped them win a third World Series in the span of five years? Perhaps. After 2008, the Red Sox didn't win another postseason series until they won it all again in 2013. But before that, Ramirez began to age quickly and was popped for PED use twice. Advertisement 3) Mookie Betts (and David Price) to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2020. The shock value: Minimal. There had been rumors all winter, and reports of other interested teams (San Diego was one). But again, the timing was curious — days after the start of spring training, with the start of the season just weeks away. The reaction: In a word: outrage. This was increased by the fact that this was so obviously a salary dump. It would be one thing had Betts been a distraction (he was not), or in decline (far from it). But because this was a big market team waving the white flag because of its unwillingness to pay market value to a star player, the anger was white-hot. The return: Negligible, which only makes things worse. After an aborted deal was nixed by the Sox over medical concerns (the Sox had been in line to acquire Brusdar Graterol), they ended up with Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. Some five years later, Verdugo and Wong are long gone and Wong is, at best, a back-up catcher. The inclusion of Price, with the Dodgers taking on half of his remaining money, didn't help here. Advertisement How it's like the Devers deal: Only in the sense that the Red Sox moved a homegrown star and received far less in return than most expected. How it's not like the Devers deal: While Devers is under control through 2033, Betts was entering the final season before being eligible for free agency. (Post-script): Before he played a regular season game for L.A. in the Covid-delayed 2020 season, he signed a landmark 12-year extension with the Dodgers). Also, while Devers was either a limited third baseman or full-time DH, Betts was/is a Gold Glove outfielder who's also played extensively in the infield. How it turned out: Disastrously. The trade remains a sore spot with the fan base and many point to it as the origin of the team's downturn this decade. They've had just one winning season since the trade was made. I deliberately avoided citing several other deals in the last 20 or so years for any number of reasons. Advertisement The 2012 sell-off of Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford was very obviously a salary dump and those players, other than Beckett for a short period of time, were never hugely popular in Boston. Also, among those three, only Gonzalez was performing at all. Nor was the 2014 sell-off included. At that deadline, in two separate trades, the Sox unloaded Jon Lester (to Oakland) and John Lackey (to St. Louis). Lester was headed to free agency that fall and the team had famously low-balled him in spring training, making a trade seem like a fait accompli. Finally, the Chris Sale trade in December of 2023 is also not included here, because, although the Red Sox got only the slightest return, no one seemed to care that Sale was being moved. It was only after Sale rebounded and achieved good health to win the NL pitching Triple Crown and Cy Young Award did people feel outraged. Advertisement ____________________________ The Red Sox are, publicly and privately, sending signals that they very much intend to be active buyers at the deadline — and perhaps they will. They quite obviously have a giant-sized hole in their everyday lineup, one that now doesn't have a single accomplished run producer. That must be addressed if the Red Sox are going to be postseason contenders. Unloading more than a quarter billion dollars in payroll commitments gives them payroll flexibility, yes, but it will be difficult to utilize that in-season. Sure, with Devers money off the books, they'll have much more flexibility going forward. Maybe that will fuel a run at free agent Kyle Tucker, the star of next winter's free agent class. Advertisement But in the more immediate aftermath, it's hard to see how that newfound financial clout can work to their advantage at the deadline. They could potentially absorb another big contract, like Christian Yelich or Kris Bryant, but those players are significantly underperforming. What good would that do? Unless a team on the fringes of contention decides to cut payroll in a big way – San Diego with Fernando Tatis Jr. or Atlanta with Matt Olson — it's hard to see anyone out there who would be of immediate and long-term help. It's more likely the Red Sox aim smaller and save their dollars for the winter. Someone like Baltimore's Ryan O'Hearn would make sense, since he's headed for free agency and the Orioles appear to be DOA this season. Advertisement The bullpen could use some improvement, too. Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals almost certainly will be available – as long as the Cards aren't in the running for a wild card berth post-All Star break. Helsley is on an expiring deal and is paid $8.25 million for 2025. That would not represent an impediment. _____________________ One last aspect of the Devers trade that I find curious: it's often said that those steeped in analytics don't pay much attention to intangibles like clubhouse chemistry or leadership. But that clearly wasn't the case here. Craig Breslow is as data-driven as any lead baseball executive in the game. He relies a great deal on data, not just to evaluate pitching but also hitters. Advertisement And yet, in his media availability Monday night, during which he explained the rationale behind the stunning trade, he made several references to clubhouse culture. And indeed, MassLive reported that fear of what lessons were being learned by Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell and others in the wake of Devers' refusal to change positions was a driving force behind the trade. That's not to suggest that Breslow was being disingenuous when he cited those factors. For a team in transition, and given how central a role that trio of rookies will be going forward, it's completely understandable. It's just that it doesn't fit the prototype for executives who are identified with the analytics movement. In that sense, the fact that Breslow was able to recognize the importance of clubhouse culture and off-field leadership is encouraging and suggests that he is not, in fact, a slave to the data only — as some have alleged. Advertisement BETTING: Red Sox -1.5 runline is listed at +200 on Caesars for Friday's matchup with San Francisco. If you want to learn more about how to bet on sports, check out our Massachusetts sports betting guide. More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Liverpool owners FSG 'identify ideal LaLiga side to buy' - as Premier League champions look to develop multi-club model
Liverpool 's owners FSG have reportedly identified their 'ideal club' to buy in LaLiga as they press ahead with developing a multi-club network. The Premier League champions have had their eye on acquiring a second football team, with the pursuit among the reasons Michael Edwards returned as FSG's chief executive of football. 'It was vital for me that, if I did return, it had to be with renewed vigour and energy,' Edwards said last year. 'In practice, this means having fresh challenges and opportunities. As such, one of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organisation. 'I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.' Edwards was placed in charge of overseeing the identification of a second club, alongside former Boston Red Sox chief Theo Epstein. Reports earlier this year suggested FSG were pursuing a deal to buy Malaga, before cooling their interest amid legal hurdles. According to Marca, FSG have now targeted buying LaLiga club Getafe. The report claims FSG believe Getafe are the ideal club after conducting feasibility studies of several clubs, including Levante, Elche Espanyol, Valladolid, Malaga and Bordeaux. Getafe's status as an established top flight club, the potential to develop players and the club's location in Madrid are reportedly among the factors in favour of the potential purchase. The club are also in the middle of a stadium redevelopment, which will modernise and take their Estadio Coliseum ground to a 19,000 capacity. Getafe's owner Angel Torres, however, has claimed he will leave the club when the stadium redevelopment is complete in December 2027. Getafe have been a LaLiga club for the past eight seasons and finished 13th in the 2024-25 campaign. Getafe are currently in the process of redeveloping their stadium to boost its capacity The multi-club ownership model became widely popular due to the success of City Football Group, which has included 13 teams with Man City at the centre. Several Premier League clubs have owners involved in multi-club networks, including Man United, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
