Sports
Yankees’ Offseason Turmoil: Can They Recover from Soto’s Exit and a Spring Training Curse?
Christmas hadn’t even come, and New York Yankees fans probably felt like Santa Claus was never going to bring them another World Series trophy again.
On the heels of losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the biggest stage, the Yankees also lost slugger Juan Soto in a defection to the crosstown New York Mets in December. Being handed the biggest free-agent contract ever by Mets owner Steve Cohen, Soto was another in a continuing line of top free agents who chose not to fall in with the Bronx Bombers.
It seemed like too much indignity to bear. But general manager Brian Cashman was going to remove any egg sitting on his face and try to make an omelet anyway. He had a Plan B.
“In Juan Soto’s case, he was a generational talent that came off the board and went a different direction,” Cashman told reporters ahead of spring training. “So we adjusted.”
The Yankees traded with the Cubs for slugger Cody Bellinger and added closer Devin Williams in a trade with the Brewers. The big splash in free agency came with left-hander Max Fried, and they’re pinning hopes on slugger Paul Goldschmidt returning to form at first base after two declining seasons with the Cardinals. He replaces Anthony Rizzo. That should be a good swap, though.
They also took a flier on Carlos Carrasco. It’s not an even trade with the Mets for Soto, but it has to do for the moment. Right-hander Fernando Cruz is a promising bullpen addition from the Reds. Left-hander Tim Hill re-upped a week before spring training started. Left-hander Brent Headrick was a savvy waiver claim from the Twins. Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, a former annoyance with the Rays, signed in the waning days of spring training.
But more curveballs were coming in spring training thanks to an ever-expanding list of injuries. Biggest of all, ace right-hander Gerrit Cole is out for the season with Tommy John surgery. Can’t really plan for that.
But wait, there’s more—or is it less? Postseason hero Giancarlo Stanton felt something akin to tennis elbow in both arms. He’s out indefinitely. Infielder DJ LeMahieu is injured, too. And Cole wasn’t the only member of the starting rotation to go down. Luis Gil has a strained lat, and Clarke Schmidt has rotator cuff tendinitis. Bullpen depth Jake Cousins, Scott Effross and Ian Hamilton started the season unavailable, as did free agent Tyler Matzek, though he’s expected back any moment. Hamilton’s injury is a viral illness, so that’s better than a strain, right?
It was like somebody was messing with a Yankees voodoo doll. (Was it you, Santa?) Did Cashman have a Plan C through J to follow up? No matter, it was darn inconvenient considering who Cashman let go from the 2024 roster.
Left-hander Nestor Cortes was part of the cost for Williams, along with infield prospect Caleb Durbin. Utility player Jon Berti and reliever Tim Mayza were non-tendered. Lou Trivino had his option declined. Tommy Kahnle went to free agency. It might all seem short-sighted now to let these players go, but how was Cashman to know about the voodoo doll?
Also, Dom Smith had a promising camp as a free agent, but he opted out of his minor league deal. Does nobody want to be here?
All in all, first impressions for 2025 went OK on opening day at Yankee Stadium, with Bellinger and Williams helping the Yankees win their opener against the Brewers. Williams needed a little drama to give him some juice, so he worked out of a bases-loaded jam against his old team. Consider it a little karmic payback for making him shave his beard and then, literally a day later, changing the Yankees’ infamous facial hair policy.
Fried gets his first crack at taking over for Cole on Saturday when he takes the mound in a start against Cortes. That won’t make anyone squirm in their seats a little bit, will it?
The Yankees still have Aaron Judge and enough depth to be contenders in the AL East and perhaps more, but they have little margin for error and no tolerance for additional significant injuries. Here’s a mission for manager Aaron Boone: Find that voodoo doll and bury it in Monument Park.
Sports
Curtis Mead, Keibert Ruiz help Nationals tame Giants
Apr 19, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (45) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Curtis Mead hit a two-run homer, Keibert Ruiz had two hits and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 in Washington on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.
Andrew Alvarez (1-0), called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, allowing three hits and striking out five without a walk.
PJ Poulin opened for Washington and was replaced by Miles Mikolas with two outs and two on in the first. Mikolas, who began the day with an 11.49 ERA, pitched four scoreless innings while allowing four hits in his best outing of the young season.
Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert had two hits each for the Giants, who had won three straight, but went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
San Francisco’s Robbie Ray (2-3) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.
The Giants put runner on first and second with two outs in each of the first two innings but did not score.
The Nationals got an infield single and a walk to open the third inning but couldn’t cash in. Curtis Mead hit a blooper to shallow left field that dropped, but Keibert Ruiz briefly broke back towards second and was thrown out at third. Brady House flied to the warning track in center and CJ Abrams flied out.
Washington took a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Nasim Nunez reached on a bunt single and stole second. Ruiz hit shot to left center and Heliot Ramas made a diving effort but couldn’t come up with it. Nunez scored and Mead lined the first pitch he saw from Ray out to left for a two-run homer.
The first two Giants reached base in the eighth inning on an error and a single, but Casey Schmitt grounded into a double play and pinch hitter Jerar Encarnacion struck out.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Best Value Betting Picks Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
It’s hard to believe that the 2026 NFL Draft is already almost here. It’s the perfect time to cash in on some draft betting picks.
Over the last few months, countless NFL mock drafters have taken stabs at where these top prospects could be selected.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best value on the board, utilizing FanDuel Sportsbook odds. Remember, this doesn’t mean that we’re predicting these players will be drafted in these spots.
Rather, we’re going to try to cash in on some valuable plus money opportunities for the NFL Draft, an event that is always capable of a few surprises.
No. 3 Overall: Francis Mauigoa (+650)
The Arizona Cardinals have the No. 3 overall pick – and they have needs all over their roster.
David Bailey (+110) and Arvell Reese (+260) are the betting favorite to come off of the board in this spot. But what if the Cardinals want to hook up new offensive minded head coach Mike LaFleur with a player to help fix his offense?
That could lead the Cardinals to Mauigoa, who was a standout right tackle for the Miami Hurricanes. 31-year-old veteran Elijah Wilkinson is expected to start at right tackle for the Cardinals.
They’ll probably take an edge rusher. But if they don’t Mauigoa would be the play at +650.
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No. 6 Overall: Caleb Downs (+1200)
The Cleveland Browns don’t need a defensive player. But Browns general manager Andrew Berry continues to float the idea of the team trading down. It’s a safe bet to expect the Browns to try and trade back.
Who would be worth another organization deciding to trade up for? Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs, who should still be on the board if the New York Giants select his Buckeyes teammate, Sonny Styles, at No. 5 overall.
Obviously, a lot has to go right for this selection to cash. But Downs is one of the best players in the draft. If he’s still available outside of the top five selections, he won’t last much longer.
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No. 10 Overall: Jordyn Tyson (+440)
Tyson is the one player in this class that could cause a major shakeup inside the top 10 picks.
According to reports, 20 teams attended the Arizona State star’s private workout, where the consensus seemed that most teams were comfortable with his medical situation.
The Giants just acquired the No. 10 selection from the Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Giants GM Joe Schoen had dinner with Tyson the night before the private workout.
If Tyson is still available at No. 10 overall, the Giants could load up on offense for Jaxson Dart.
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Timberwolves look to shake off rust in Game 2 vs. Nuggets
Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles the ball up the court during the first half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images The Denver Nuggets’ halftime adjustments in Game 1 on Saturday spurred them to a 116-105 win over Minnesota. Now, it’s the visiting Timberwolves’ turn to adjust for Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Monday night.
Minnesota missed 14 of its first 16 shots in the third quarter, when Denver built a 15-point lead. The Timberwolves cut it to 97-95 in the fourth quarter, but two turnovers contributed to a Nuggets’ run that put it away.
It is only one game, and No. 6 Minnesota has an opportunity to steal one from No. 3 Denver before heading home for Games 3 and 4.
“No one wants to have a moral victory, but we understand we had every opportunity to win that game and down the stretch, we cut it to two,” Ayo Dosunmu said. “We just have to be better.”
Composure and the ability to defend without fouling will be vital if the Timberwolves want to even the series. Jaden McDaniels hit a turnaround jumper that ended a Minnesota drought in the third quarter, and then drew a technical for pushing Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in the back after the bucket.
The Timberwolves had 25 personal fouls that led to 33 free-throw attempts for Denver, 16 by Jamal Murray. He didn’t miss from the line, and the Nuggets missed just three overall.
Minnesota’s chances to pull off the upset in the series hinge on star guard Anthony Edwards. He missed 11 of the final 14 games of the regular season due to a balky right knee, and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said Edwards looked “rusty” Saturday.
Edwards acknowledged he struggled.
“I haven’t played in like a month, month and a half, so, I was a little fatigued,” he said despite tallying 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.
Denver is hoping to get fully healthy for the rest of the series if forward Peyton Watson can return from a right hamstring strain. Watson has not played since aggravating the hamstring injury on April 1. He initially sustained the injury Feb. 4 and missed more than six weeks.
The Nuggets do have Jokic and Murray healthy, and they were a force in Game 1. Jokic recorded the 22nd triple-double of his playoff career, and Murray scored 30 points despite going 7-for-22 from the field. He did most of his damage from the line and disputed Minnesota’s grumblings in the disparity of foul calls.
“I thought I got fouled on every single one of them. I don’t know what everybody is talking about,” Murray said. “They were real fouls.”
Denver has been on a roll since losing to Memphis on March 18. The Nuggets won their final 12 games of the regular season to overtake the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed and secure a third playoff meeting in four years against the Timberwolves to build on a budding rivalry.
“I think some people say it’s the same teams. I don’t think it’s the same teams,” Jokic said. “People are more experienced, different players. One player can change the whole situation, the whole rotation, the whole momentum of the team.”
–Field Level Media
