data-mm-id=”_4gnw0kubx”>The Boston Red Sox are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2019 campaign that saw them finish in third place in the American League East. That was especially embarrassing considering that they paid $13 million above Major League Baseball's luxury tax and still failed to make the playoffs. In 2020, the Red Sox hope to trim payroll, and the biggest name left on their ledger is 2018 AL MVP outfielder Mookie Betts. Last season, Betts hit .295 with 80 runs batted in while scoring a major league-leading 125 runs. Many teams could use his services, if the price is right.1. San Diego PadresThe most likely option at this point, although according to Dennis Lin of the Athletic (behind paywall), even this is looking like a long shot. In return for Betts, the Red Sox would receive "a significant amount of prospect talent" as well as Padres outfielder Wil Myers. The Padres underachieved last season despite the efforts of newly-acquired Manny Machado, so this offer has to be somewhat tempting for Padres fans who haven't seen their team in the playoffs since 2006.2. New York YankeesThe idea of the Red Sox trading their most prominent player to the Bronx again — a century after the most infamous deal in sports history, and for nearly the same reasons as the Ruth trade — would send shudders through every Sox fan. The Red Sox and Yankees haven't made any sort of deal with each other since 2014, but there was speculation of a Betts-to-Yankees deal in November. After general manager Brian Cashman went all-out for Gerrit Cole, the chances are low that there's room left for another big fish in the Yankee pond.3. New York MetsLast year's Mets defied the odds and came close to making the playoffs in the league's toughest division. An offense consisting of both Betts and NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso would be positively lethal and would make them a true contender with the Braves and Nationals in the NL East. It would also make life much easier for the Mets' incoming manager, Luis Rojas.4. Cincinnati RedsThe Reds have been the doormat of the NL Central for the past six seasons, and general manager Nick Krall has made it clear that he is willing to spend to get the team back into contention. Obtaining Betts would be difficult since the Reds already have nine outfielders on their 40-man roster, and would likely need to pay a steep price. But as the saying goes, "you've gotta spend money to make money."5. Chicago White SoxWhite Sox fans are still bitter over their club's lack of desire to acquire any big-name free agent talent in recent years, and their unsuccessful low-ball offers to Manny Machado and Bryce Harper were especially frustrating. This offseason, White Sox management has a chance to right those wrongs and invest heavily in their roster. The team's signing of catcher Yasmani Grandal in November shows the franchise is already committed to rebuilding fast, and pairing him in the lineup with a power hitter of Betts' stature could boost the White Sox into contention.
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Out with the old and in with the new.
Happy new year! Happy new decade! To your health, and to your wealth. May your future be prosperous and your family live in abundance.
Remember when we d greet each other with such forceful cheer, way back in 2020? When Donald Trump was merely a White House tweeting machine, and not yet a challenger to Jack Nicklaus golf majors record.
This is a message dispatched from Tuesday, January 1, 2030, and you ve just swallowed the theory that the so-called former commander-in-cheat might legitimately win not one golf tournament but upwards of 18 against the world s elite.
The funny thing is, had it happened, perhaps it would not have been the most seismic event of the past 10 years a turbulent, anything-goes period in spo…
RB Leipzig snatched a late 2-1 victory against Atletico Madrid thanks to Tyler Adams deflected strike, booking a Champions League semi-final date with Paris Saint-Germain.
Leipzig, shorn of top scorer Timo Werner following his move to Chelsea, stunned Atletico in another dramatic finish in Lisbon after Joao Felix had pulled the LaLiga club back into the tie.
Julian Nagelsmann s side matched experienced European campaigners Atletico stride for stride but looked to have lost their momentum when substitute Joao Felix cancelled out Dani Olmo s opener.
However, Adams – with the aid of a stray Stefan Savic foot – hit his first Leipzig goal to seal a maiden Champions League semi-final for the club.
RESULT
Late drama!
Leipzig reach UCL …
With the Premier League taking centre stage in midweek, Tuesday offers a host of intriguing battles from both ends of the table.
On a Tuesday schedule that is highlighted by Newcastle’s trip to Aston Villa, we have found a couple of noteworthy Premier League betting markets that are worth keeping an eye out for.
19:45 Luton vs Brighton
Extending on their FA Cup adventure last weekend as they secured an action-packed 5-2 victory away at Sheffield United, Brighton will certainly be calling on a repeat display here. Once again impressing this season under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, the Seagulls are dreaming of the chance to mount another top-six finish this season.
Signing off 2023 with a stunning display at the Amex as they picked up a 4-2 win a…
Antonio Conte drew the best out of Romelu Lukaku at Inter after showing him support that felt lacking at Manchester United, the striker s agent has claimed.
As Conte emerges as a possible candidate to become the next United manager, should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continue to struggle, his credentials as a coach who helps players to achieve their potential have been underlined by remarks from Lukaku s representative Federico Pastorello.
When Lukaku joined Inter from United in August 2019, it was on the back of a disappointing second year at Old Trafford in which he scored 15 goals in 45 games – 32 were starts – at a rate of one every 201 minutes.
That was the fewest goals he had managed in a full season since establishing himself in the Premier League during …
Ashley Young was sent off as Manchester United s Champions League qualification hopes were dented by a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Wolves on Tuesday.
United would have moved up to third in the table, ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham, with victory at Molineux but Nuno Espirito Santo s side came from behind to win thanks to a Chris Smalling own goal.
Scott McTominay s first Manchester United goal put his side ahead but Diogo Jota, who scored as Wolves knocked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s men out of the FA Cup last month, levelled.
Young s dismissal, the 100th of Mike Dean s Premier League career, came for a foul on Jota and in the 77th minute Smalling bundled the ball into his own net to ensure United have now lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.…
The Premier League is back after the international break, with plenty more thrills and spills to keep everyone entertained.
Manchester United got back to winning ways with a sweeping 3-0 win over Southampton, while Nottingham Forest stunned Liverpool at Anfield.
Manchester City continued their perfect start with a comeback win over Brentford, and on Sunday Arsenal claimed bragging rights in the North London derby.
But who were the lucky winners and the unlucky losers to emerge from this weekend s set of fixtures, according to the underlying metrics?
With the help of Opta data, let s find out.
1995 1969 Nottingham Forest have won four consecutive away Premier League matches for the first time since March/April 1995, with today’s win their first a…
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick says the club s transfer strategy needs to improve and is one of the key reasons why they have fallen behind Manchester City and Liverpool.
United trail Sunday s Premier League opponents Manchester City by 19 points and have not finished above their Mancunian neighbours on the table since 2012-13 when Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
The Red Devils have spent more than £1 billion on players since Ferguson s departure yet have not been genuine title contenders in that time.
It’s a question of consistency, continuity, knowing exactly how I want to play as a club, as a manager, former RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg head coach Rangnick told reporters.
Having a clear transfer strategy, signing players who fit in…
Chelsea finished the day top of the Premier League for the first time since September 2018 after their win against Leeds United on Saturday.
The Blues came from behind to win in the late game, having seen Manchester United do the same at West Ham earlier on.
Manchester City also earned three points, but the spoils were shared between Burnley and Everton.
We reflect on another day of drama in the top flight with the help of Opta data.
Burnley 1-1 Everton: Dom frustrates Dyche in milestone match
Sean Dyche could not become the fifth English manager to win their 200th Premier League game in charge as Burnley were held 1-1 at home to Everton.
Dyche was the 35th coach to reach the milestone and the 16th English boss, but a stalemate at Turf…
Market: Lautaro Martinez to score anytime
Odds: 1/1 @
Looking to lay down another maker in midweek, a high-flying Inter Milan will make the trip to relegation scrappers Parma on Thursday night.
Starting with the hosts, throwing away the lead last weekend and shipping two second-half strikes away at Spezia, Parma have really gained a reputation for their extended issues at the back. Now coming off the back of those back-to-back 2-2 draws, the Crusaders still find themselves sat down in 19th and tipped as a leading contender in the relegation race. Coming under a string of criticism on either side of Italy s festive break, Roberto D Aversa s side have remarkably failed to win any of their last 16 straight matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to the …
Serge Gnabry has signed a new deal with Bayern Munich until 2026, putting an end to speculation he could leave the club in this transfer window.
The Germany international had just one year remaining on his previous contract at the Allianz Arena, and reports suggested the club could look to move him on in this window should an agreement not be reached for an extension.
Links with Real Madrid, Chelsea and former club Arsenal were put to bed on Saturday, though, as Bayern announced Gnabry had penned a new deal.
On the same day the German giants confirmed they had reached an agreement to sell star striker Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona, news of Gnabry s extension will give Bayern fans with something to smile about.
Gnabry has made 171 appearances in all com…