May 2, 2022
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The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin tonight. The Tampa Bay Lightning (+1100) are looking to become the first team to win three consecutive Cups since the New York Islanders captured four in a row from 1980-83.
MLB-Best Yankees Justifying Low Offseason Spending
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Yankees took an uncharacteristically frugal approach to free agency this offseason, but it’s working — to the tune of the best record in MLB.
A whopping 18 clubs spent more than the $35.4 million New York handed out to FAs in 2022, down from $114.5 million it spent in ’21 and $336.5 million in ’20.
But on Sunday, the Yanks (16-6) reeled off their ninth consecutive victory and 11th in their last 12. They lead the AL East in their latest tilt at a first World Series title since 2009.
The key to the Yanks’ latest hot streak is, unsurprisingly, power hitting. The Bronx Bombers are living up to their nickname, led by Anthony Rizzo and Aaron Judge — two stars in very different contractual circumstances.
Rizzo was their only marquee FA signing in 2022 (2 years, $32M) — he leads MLB in HRs (nine) and is tied for second in RBI (21).Judge is tied for second in HR (8) and T-10 in RBI (16); he could be looking [[link removed]] for a possible $200 million extension this offseason.The Yankees are tied with the Blue Jays for most HRs (31) and have the best run differential in the AL (+41).
The Yankees were wary of overspending for a reason: They still carry the third-highest payroll in MLB ($245.4M).
For now, GM Brian Cashman’s relatively conservative strategy is paying off: New York is tied with the third-best odds (+750) to win the World Series.
Will Saints Give Tyrann Mathieu a Record Safety Contract?
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
One of New Orleans’ native sons is coming home — and one of the NFL’s top defensive units is getting even stronger.
Safety Tyrann Mathieu is reportedly signing with the Saints, per multiple reports.
Details haven’t been disclosed at press time, and the deal isn’t likely to be finalized until after 4 p.m. ET on Monday — when [[link removed]] any new unrestricted free-agent signings will not count against the compensatory draft-pick formula.
But Mathieu could earn a deal that eclipses the record set for a safety set by Jamal Adams’ four-year, $72 million contract with the Seahawks in 2021. Mathieu is coming off a three-year, $42 million pact with the Chiefs, and the Saints have [[link removed]] the fifth-most effective cap space in the NFL ($18.9M).
His impressive track record — and the fact that he’ll only be 30 at the start of the season — would justify the payday.
Mathieu won Super Bowl LIV with Kansas City, racking up 18 combined tackles and three pass deflections during the playoff run.He’s a three-time Pro Bowler (‘15, ‘20, ‘21) and First Team All-Pro (‘15, ‘19, ‘20).Since coming into the league in 2013, Mathieu is tied [[link removed]] with Tashaun Gipson and Harrison Smith for the most safety interceptions (26).
The Saints had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season — they ranked [[link removed]] third in defensive DVOA — and should be even stronger in that department under their new head coach, former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
If the Jameis Winston-led offense can follow suit, the Saints could quickly be contenders once again.
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Chasing Success After the Game
When Andrew “Hawk” Hawkins made it to the NFL and had a chance to compete for a contract, all he wanted was to play one game and retire. After he played one game, he realized he had an opportunity to do far more – not just in the NFL, but in life outside of football.
In episode four of Second Acts [[link removed]], presented by Fidelity [[link removed]], Hawk shares some incredible stories about his career including:
Growing up a Bengals fan, and playing for the team in the NFL (1:50) Making the most of every opportunity football gave him (7:45) StatusPro, his tech company with Troy Jones, and partnering with the NFL (10:45)
Watch the full episode [[link removed]] now.
Jordan Poole Has Already Earned His Warriors Extension
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
In one season, Jordan Poole has gone from role player to a present and future core piece of the Warriors’ bid to reestablish their dynasty status.
The 22-year-old — not the Splash Brothers — led the Warriors to victory in Game 1 against Memphis on Sunday, going 12-20 for a team-high 31 points, his fourth game shooting better than 60% this postseason.
But if Golden State wants the third-year pro to slot in with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson going forward, he’ll be expensive after a breakout postseason — he’ll likely command [[link removed]] more than the four-year, $80 million deal he’s rumored to be seeking.
Golden State ($179M) has the highest payroll in the NBA and a league-high $170.3 million luxury tax [[link removed]] bill.Six games in, Poole’s averaging 22.7 points and six assists on 56% FG and 48.8% from three — the highest 3PT% on the teamHe’s the 11th-highest-paid Warrior this season ($2.2M).
The Warriors can delay the extension and make him a restricted free agent during the summer of 2023, but that would put them in risky territory.
Other teams with more cap space would be able to put down an offer sheet that Golden State might not be able to match.
The Warriors will have roughly $11 million in cap space if they pass on an extension this summer — which will give them more flexibility to sign Poole for the right price and duration.
Making Headlines
PGA Tour
Golf: Jon Rahm went wire-to-wire to capture the Mexican Open, the world No. 2’s first tournament win since the U.S. Open last June; Rahm has now won seven PGA Tour events, raising his earnings this season to $3.6 million.
MLB: The Mets designated eight-time All-Star Robinson Cano for assignment; the 39-year-old infielder is hitting .195 with one home run and three RBIs in 41 at-bats this season, but is owed $24 million in each of the next two seasons.
NBA: Kings’ chief strategy officer Joe Dumars is leaving the organization for a role in basketball operations with the NBA.
NFL: The Steelers declined to pick up the $10.8 million fifth-year option for LB Devin Bush, per Adam Schefter [[link removed]]; Pittsburgh selected Bush 10th overall in the 2019 Draft.
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