April 8, 2022
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OTD in 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s MLB record. His 755 HRs are second to Barry Bonds’ 762.
Red Sox Risk Infield Exodus Without New Bogaerts, Devers Deals
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Rafael Devers have been in a holding pattern waiting for new contracts — despite their overwhelming importance to the Boston Red Sox.
One day after Devers turned down an offer for being too low [[link removed]], Boston and Bogaerts reportedly couldn’t agree on a deal before [[link removed]] Friday’s season opener in New York.
Bogaerts wanted compensation similar to several of the league’s top shortstops (Carlos Correa, $35.1M/YR; Corey Seager, $32.5M) and rejected an even lower extension this offseason.
Bogaerts’ five-year, $132M deal from 2019 ranks 48th in MLB by AAV ($20M) — but includes a player opt-out after this season.The 25-year-old Devers is playing on an $11.2M salary in his second of three arbitration years.Both were crucial to Boston’s World Series win in 2018 and have four All-Star appearances between them.
The offseason acquisition of SS Trevor Story further complicates things: He’s a better fielder than Bogaerts, and his six-year, $140 million contract pushed the Sox over the luxury tax threshold for 2022.
As such, Boston could be looking at a similar situation to that of Mookie Betts, whom the Red Sox notoriously traded to the Dodgers — and who then signed a record $365 million deal.
Heat Clinch Eastern Conference With Smart Spending On Defense
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Two years removed from a Finals appearance, the Heat quietly clinched the first seed in the East for the first time since 2012-13 — when they last won a title.
But unlike that “Heatles” superteam — boasting the offensive prowess of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade — this is a more well-rounded edition predicated on defense.
Tyler Herro’s 20.8 PPG lead the Heat in scoring — but rank only 25th in the NBA. Meanwhile, Miami leads the league in OPP FGM (37.4), OPP 3PT FG (33.9%), and OPP RPG (41.6) while allowing the second-fewest PPG (105.3).
Miami’s $140.8 million payroll is just the eighth-highest in the NBA — and executive Pat Riley’s decision to spend the money constructing a defensive powerhouse has paid off perfectly.
Bam Adebayo signed for five years, $163M— Miami’s biggest contract ever by total value. Opponents are shooting 32.7% against him.Gritty on-ball defender P.J. Tucker joined from the champion Bucks on a two-year, $15M deal. Five-time All-Defensive star Jimmy Butler signed a four-year, $184M extension.
This rock-solid foundation is overseen by Erik Spoelstra, who is the winningest coach in franchise history (659) and has the second-best odds to win his first Coach of the Year award (+700).
Miami is still a long shot to win it all (+1200) — but this season, in a league obsessed with threes and analytics, the Heat are out to prove that defense still wins championships.
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Auston Matthews’ Historic Season Could Pay Off In 2024
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Auston Matthews’ electric season is now part of hockey history.
Matthews’ second-period goal against the Stars on Thursday was his 55th of the campaign, passing Rick Vaive for the most in a single Maple Leafs season. He followed it up with an overtime game-winner for his 56th — the most for an American-born player in NHL history.
The 24-year-old is accomplishing remarkable things on the five-year, $58.2 million deal he signed in 2019.
Matthews’ contract ranks 45th in the league by total value.But his $11.6 million AAV is the highest on the team and third-highest in the league.Fellow former No. 1 overall pick Connor McDavid tops the NHL in AAV ($12.5M) and is third in total value ($100M).
Though his contract lacks the years or total value compared to some of his peers, Matthews is setting himself up for a massive payday in 2024 if he hits the open market at 26.
The question, as always in Toronto, is whether his brilliance will translate into a Stanley Cup run. The Leafs’ elite power play could lead the way — the unit [[link removed]] converts an astounding 30.2% of chances, tops in the league.
Thanks to Matthews’ prolific scoring, bookmakers are starting to believe: Toronto is tied with Calgary for the third-best odds (+900) to lift the Cup, trailing Colorado (+350) and Florida (+550).
Making Headlines
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Aaron Judge and the Yankees are not expected to reach an agreement on an extension by today’s player-imposed deadline, per ESPN [[link removed]]; New York offered a seven-year deal worth up to $225 million. Also: J.P. Crawford signed a five-year, $51 million contract with the Mariners.
NFL: Brandin Cooks agreed to a two-year, $39.6 million contract to stay with the Texans; the receiver has 573 catches for 7,917 yards and 46 touchdowns over his eight-year career.
NBA: With 35 points and 16 rebounds in a win over the Grizzlies, Nikola Jokic became the first player to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single season; Denver clinched its fourth consecutive postseason berth.
Written by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]], Anthony Puccio [[link removed]]
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