Rimas Sports, the agency launched last year by Grammy-winning rapper and singer Bad Bunny, is fac...

<p>Rimas Sports, the agency launched last year by Grammy-winning rapper and singer Bad Bunny, is facing punishment from the Major League Baseball Players Association after complaints from other agencies indicated improper benefits provided to clients, sources told <a href="https://theathletic.com/5411135/2024/04/12/rimas-sports-bad-bunny-mlbpa-punishment/">Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic</a>.</p><p>Rimas, which launched in April 2023, was reportedly offering cash and other gifts to convince players to switch representation. Other complaints involve uncertified employees acting as agents, Ghiroli reports.</p><p>William Arroyo, the main baseball agent at Rimas, has reportedly seen his certification revoked following the union's investigation.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Rimas represents New York Mets catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10690" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/10690">Francisco Alvarez</a>, San Francisco Giants infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2270" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/2270">Wilmer Flores</a>, Cincinnati Reds utility man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9688" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/9688">Santiago Espinal</a>, and Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Diego Cartaya, among others. Hall of Fame catcher Iván Rodríguez was also hired as an ambassador.</p><p>"At Rimas Sports, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity of our industry," the agency said in a statement obtained by Ghiroli. "Out of respect for an ongoing process within the context of the MLBPA agent regulations, we will refrain from making any comments at this time. We remain committed to continue serving our clients with excellence."</p><p>Bad Bunny launched Rimas Sports alongside Noah Assad, his manager. Assad also founded Rimas Entertainment, an independent record label. Rimas Sports has sought to represent "the next generation of great Latin American athletes."</p>

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 06: Bad Bunny performs onstage during his "Most Wanted Tour" at Little Caesars Arena on April 06, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26968767/related

Report: Bad Bunny's agency facing MLBPA sanctions

New York Mets reliever Yohan Ramírez has been suspended three games for throwing near the head of...

<p>New York Mets reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11760" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/11760">Yohan Ramírez</a> has been suspended three games for throwing near the head of Milwaukee Brewers slugger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8228" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/8228">Rhys Hoskins</a> during Saturday's game at Citi Field, the league announced.</p><p>Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was also given a one-game ban.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yohan Ramírez gets a standing ovation from the crowd at Citi Field for throwing a 94-mph fastball behind Rhys Hoskins.<br><br>And now, after a delay, Ramírez has been ejected. <a href="https://t.co/HoXWEC4os3">pic.twitter.com/HoXWEC4os3</a></p>— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/1774156489781051421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Ramírez is appealing the suspension and will be available Sunday. Mendoza, meanwhile, will serve his ban immediately. Bench coach John Gibbons will be in charge of the lineup card for Sunday's series finale against the Brewers.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The spat began during Friday's Opening Day contest, with Hoskins making contact with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4912" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/4912">Jeff McNeil</a> on a slide into second base, prompting a short benches-clearing incident. Hoskins was ruled out on the force play but wasn't found to have broken the slide rule.</p><p>Hoskins then went on to have a 3-for-3 day at the plate on Saturday before getting thrown at by Ramírez. He finished the game with four RBIs, a homer, and a walk.</p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Manager Carlos Mendoza #64 of the New York Mets argues with umpire Alfonso Marquez #72 after pitcher Yohan Ramírez #46 of the New York Mets was ejected for throwing at Rhys Hoskins #12 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the top of the seventh inning at Citi Field on March 30, 2024 in New York City.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26852131/related

Mets' Ramírez banned 3 games for throwing at Hoskins

Your favorite baseball team has played at least one game of its 162-contest schedule for the 2024...

<p>Your favorite baseball team has played at least one game of its 162-contest schedule for the 2024 season. While one doesn't seem like a lot, the opener clearly means more than any other game, and if you disagree, you're simply struggling to cope because your winless team doesn't have it this year. Let's get to our overreactions for every club.</p><h3>Arizona Diamondbacks</h3><p>The Diamondbacks should play three-inning games. It would be MLB's best attempt at a mercy rule. After a two-run first frame, Arizona cashed in another 14 in the third and coasted the rest of the way to a 16-1 win over the Rockies. If the league really wants to improve the pace of play, why even bother playing the final six innings against the D-Backs?</p><h3>Atlanta Braves</h3><p>Spencer Strider has levelled up again, adding a curveball that hitters and pitch-tracking technology alike can't comprehend. If you check Savant, it just looks like Strider threw more sliders. But that goes to show that even computers can't process how he gets so much spin on an 80-mph curve. It's impossible to overreact about how good Strider is at this point. Is he the greatest pitcher of all time? May as well be. Is he an alien? Yes, from the mustache and huge quads planet.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Baltimore Orioles</h3><p>Adley Rutschman is the greatest Opening Day player of all time. It took him until this year to make his first out in an opener, and even then, he reached base - a fielder's choice in the fourth inning. Until that point, he'd been a perfect 8-for-8.</p><h3>Boston Red Sox</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622533/cropped_GettyImages-2113303336.jpg?ts=1711726998" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622533/w220xh124_GettyImages-2113303336.jpg?ts=1711726998 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622533/w320xh180_GettyImages-2113303336.jpg?ts=1711726998 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622533/w640xh360_GettyImages-2113303336.jpg?ts=1711726998 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622533/w768xh432_GettyImages-2113303336.jpg?ts=1711726998 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622533/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2113303336.jpg?ts=1711726998 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Actually, Tyler O'Neill is the best Opening Day player of all time. This year, the two-time Gold Glover made it five consecutive openers with a homer, which is an MLB record. Will the Red Sox get the 2021 version of him that hits 33 more over the campaign or the guy who hit eight more like last year?</p><h3>Chicago Cubs</h3><p>Christopher Morel is bound to hit for the cycle this year. Through 220 games entering this campaign, Morel had seven triples. But the Cubs DH kicked off this season with one, so it's just a matter of time before he gets another and follows it up with a single, double, and homer.</p><h3>Chicago White Sox</h3><p>Time for the White Sox to trade Garrett Crochet. Their goal this year is to lose a lot of games, and sending Crochet to the mound every fifth day will be a major obstacle. It's a risk they can't afford, even if they did lose 1-0 on Thursday thanks to their anemic offense. May as well grab a prospect or two who will never approximate Crochet's value from the Dodgers.</p><h3>Cincinnati Reds</h3><p>Nick Martini, a 33-year-old journeyman, entered the 2024 season with eight career homers. He's on pace to hit 324 dingers this year after a two-homer Thursday. Factoring in his previous total, he'll wind up in a dead heat with Bobby Bonds and Moises Alou with 332 career long balls.</p><h3>Cleveland Guardians</h3><p>Shane Bieber is so back. The former Cy Young winner racked up 11 strikeouts through six shutout innings. Even if he only manages 128 innings like last year, he's on pace for 235 Ks. Will he do it? Who knows. But a couple more games against the A's can't hurt.</p><h3>Colorado Rockies</h3><p>Relegate the Rockies. This isn't even an overreaction. Fans waited months to watch this game and the team promptly coughed up 14 runs in a single inning, an Opening Day record. Every other club in the NL West is trying while Colorado is resigned to doing this.</p><h3>Detroit Tigers</h3><p>The Tigers have the best bullpen in baseball. Protecting a one-run lead for the final three innings, Shelby Miller, Andrew Chafin, and Jason Foley combined for a perfect finish, racking up five strikeouts to seal a 1-0 win over the White Sox. And no, that doesn't have anything to do with Chicago's lineup being horrendous.</p><h3>Houston Astros</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622535/cropped_GettyImages-2120791167.jpg?ts=1711727127" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622535/w220xh124_GettyImages-2120791167.jpg?ts=1711727127 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622535/w320xh180_GettyImages-2120791167.jpg?ts=1711727127 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622535/w640xh360_GettyImages-2120791167.jpg?ts=1711727127 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622535/w768xh432_GettyImages-2120791167.jpg?ts=1711727127 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622535/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2120791167.jpg?ts=1711727127 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>This is officially Jeremy Peña's, Jake Meyers', and Chas McCormick's team. If Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, or José Abreu had showed up in a meaningful way, the Astros wouldn't have coughed up a four-run lead to the Yankees.</p><h3>Kansas City Royals</h3><p>Maikel Garcia's leadoff homer guarantees the Royals a trip to the ALCS. The last time Kansas City's season began with a dinger was 1984 with a leadoff bomb from Onix Concepcion. The team finished as the AL runner-up in the postseason that year, losing to the Tigers.</p><h3>Los Angeles Angels</h3><p>Mike Trout is the best pitcher on the Angels. Have we ever seen him pitch? No. It doesn't matter. The void left by Shohei Ohtani's exit can't be filled unless Trout himself steps up, and he'd definitely post a lower ERA than Patrick Sandoval, who owns a 16.20 mark so far. Trout's homer was the team's only hit against Corbin Burnes. Let's make it a fourth MVP.</p><h3>Los Angeles Dodgers</h3><p>Fun fact: If you parlayed Cardinals moneyline, Betts under one homer, under two hits for Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, and over five strikeouts for Tyler Glasnow, you'd be down roughly $4.5 million.</p><h3>Miami Marlins</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622536/cropped_GettyImages-2121280126.jpg?ts=1711727353" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622536/w220xh124_GettyImages-2121280126.jpg?ts=1711727353 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622536/w320xh180_GettyImages-2121280126.jpg?ts=1711727353 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622536/w640xh360_GettyImages-2121280126.jpg?ts=1711727353 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622536/w768xh432_GettyImages-2121280126.jpg?ts=1711727353 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622536/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2121280126.jpg?ts=1711727353 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Brennan Asplen / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Marlins might be the best contact-hitting team ever created. They played 12 innings on Opening Day and collectively struck out seven times without a single player striking out more than once. The rest of the lineup obviously spent the offseason studying at the Luis Arraez School of Hitting.</p><h3>Milwaukee Brewers</h3><p>Introducing the Jackson Chourio cycle: A leadoff walk to start the game, a stolen base, and a single later on. Kid's a freak. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e-TXWIf_DE&amp;ab_channel=MarcusThomas">He's the fastest kid alive.</a></p><h3>Minnesota Twins</h3><p>A Twins lineup with Royce Lewis, Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Max Kepler is like an eclipse: It's rare, it's spectacular, and if you stare directly at it, you'll injure your quad.</p><h3>New York Mets</h3><p>A truly cursed 2024 Mets season is underway. It started by making fans wait an extra 24 hours for it to even begin, and then the wreath meant to be presented to Carlos Mendoza fell over at least twice before the opener. An omen of what's to come.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The wreath to be presented to Carlos Mendoza, as is tradition before the home opener, has been blown over by the wind at least twice. Some flowers fell off.</p>— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) <a href="https://twitter.com/timbhealey/status/1773759252923822211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>That was then followed up by the team recording one measly hit - a Starling Marte homer - against the Brewers pitching staff. Pack it in, Mets.</p><h3>New York Yankees</h3><p>The Yankees overcame an early four-run deficit for their largest Opening Day comeback since 1950. They just so happened to win the World Series that year. While 1950 may not be the last time the Yankees won the championship, it certainly feels like it sometimes.</p><h3>Oakland Athletics</h3><p>It's weird that the Athletics were the only team to trot out their spring training split-squad lineup for Opening Day. I mean, the fans seemed to know this game counted. It's still March, so maybe the A's were confused. But it's odd that MLB wouldn't intervene to make sure major leaguers played once the regular season officially got underw- <em>(taps earpiece)</em> I'm being told this is the Athletics' actual roster. We regret the error.</p><h3>Philadelphia Phillies</h3><p>Teams without domes should be banned from hosting Opening Day games - particularly ones in locations that frequently get rain in early spring, like Philadelphia. Sorry folks, you can either host the second series of the year or build a stadium with a retractable roof. That's the deal.</p><h3>Pittsburgh Pirates</h3><p>The Pirates narrowly escaped with an extra-innings win despite being the worst baserunning team of all time. In extras alone, Pittsburgh made at least two inexcusable gaffes on the basepaths, starting with an atrocious send from third base coach Mike Rabelo that had rookie catcher Henry Davis out at home by at least 20 feet.</p><h3>San Diego Padres</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622537/cropped_GettyImages-2113297299.jpg?ts=1711727450" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622537/w220xh124_GettyImages-2113297299.jpg?ts=1711727450 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622537/w320xh180_GettyImages-2113297299.jpg?ts=1711727450 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622537/w640xh360_GettyImages-2113297299.jpg?ts=1711727450 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622537/w768xh432_GettyImages-2113297299.jpg?ts=1711727450 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/622537/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2113297299.jpg?ts=1711727450 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Rob Leiter / Major League Baseball / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Xander Bogaerts will win the batting title in his redemption season. Almost sixteen months after signing his unfairly maligned 11-year, $280-million deal, Bogaerts has six hits through three games and a .462 batting average. Coincidentally, his old Red Sox teammate Mookie Betts is the only player with more hits (seven), but Betts has had his time in the sun.</p><h3>San Francisco Giants</h3><p>Pickoff attempts should be illegal after a player records their first career hit. This entry was suggested by Jung Hoo Lee, who was immediately caught napping at first base by Yu Darvish while celebrating a bloop single for his first MLB knock.</p><h3>Seattle Mariners</h3><p>The Mariners' pitching staff simply doesn't have it. Look, it's one game, but the staff played the hits in the opener, giving up at least one knock to each of Boston's starters. When Noevli Marte's suspension is over, Seattle should see if the Reds want Luis Castillo back.</p><h3>St. Louis Cardinals</h3><p>Paul Goldschmidt and the Cardinals as a team are both on pace for 486 hits. As the Dodgers pummelled them Thursday, only Goldschmidt recorded a hit -and he managed three. Seems like Goldschmidt was the only Cardinal prepared to be "<a href="https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/miles-mikolas-cardinals-2024-opening-day-starter?game_pk=634335">the hardest working group of Midwestern farmers we can be</a>," while Miles Mikolas was bested by "checkbook baseball."</p><h3>Tampa Bay Rays</h3><p>To make up for last year's season-opening dominance, the Rays will give the rest of the league a head start and go 0-13. To kick off the 2023 campaign, Tampa Bay tied the modern-era record by going undefeated through its first 13 games. The Blue Jays immediately ensured the Rays couldn't do that again, and now it's time to balance things out.</p><h3>Texas Rangers</h3><p>I never expected to have an opinion about a banner, but this is the ugliest championship banner I've ever seen:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s a banner day in Rangers history. <a href="https://t.co/Wpebn7F4vf">pic.twitter.com/Wpebn7F4vf</a></p>— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rangers/status/1773492293967769670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Bonus: The Rangers had to beat the Cubs <em>and</em> the umps. After a brutal call in the top of the ninth inning ruled that a foul tip off Miles Mastrobuoni's bat was a wild pitch, Chicago scored the go-ahead run. The defending champs still won on a walk-off hit from catcher Jonah Heim because ball don't lie.</p><h3>Toronto Blue Jays</h3><p>Homers and hits with runners in scoring position in a win against the Rays at the Trop? Are we sure these are the Blue Jays? After their interminable 2023 campaign, a sixth-inning Opening Day rally that featured two homers and two other hits with RISP is a completely unrecognizable performance. If Isiah Kiner-Falefa hadn't found a way to ground out twice in that inning, it'd be time to plan the parade.</p><h3>Washington Nationals</h3><p>Joey Gallo has three separate seasons in the top 30 for most strikeouts, and he's going for the all-time crown this year. Over a full season, his three Ks on Opening Day would put him on pace for 486 punchouts - comfortably eclipsing the record of 223 that Mark Reynolds set in 2009.</p>

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 28: The Opening Day is on display at Chase Field for the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies on March 28, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26833204/related

Opening Day overreactions for every MLB team

An explosive story involving star Shohei Ohtani, his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, and appro...

<p>An explosive story involving star Shohei Ohtani, his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, and approximately $4.5 million that initially came from Ohtani's account to pay off a gambling debt to a southern California bookmaker has sent the baseball world into a frenzy. Another part of the saga unraveled Monday as the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger made his <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2877054" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2877054">first public comments about the scandal</a>, during which he pinned the entire fiasco on his longtime friend Mizuhara while effusively stating his own innocence.</p><p>Here's everything you need to know as the story continues to unfold.</p><h3>How did this start?</h3><p>The Dodgers' sudden and shocking firing of Mizuhara last Wednesday is the moment most would associate with the beginning. The dismissal occurred shortly after Ohtani's lawyers, Berk Brettler LLP, claimed the 29-year-old had "been the victim of massive theft." His lawyers didn't mention who they believed was the perpetrator, refused to take questions, and said authorities were involved. However, we now know the earlier parts of the story. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>According to ESPN, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred knew of an investigation involving people close to Ohtani as late as Sunday, March 17, and the league contacted federal authorities in search of answers. This developed as the Dodgers and San Diego Padres prepared to play the first regular-season games of the 2024 season in Seoul, South Korea, that Wednesday and Thursday - roughly one week before the rest of MLB embarks on Opening Day. Ohtani, Mizuhara, and Manfred were all in Seoul at the time.</p><h3>What happened last week?</h3><p>Over the next couple of days, the Dodgers hired a communications expert specializing in crisis management, who said Ohtani paid off approximately $4.5 million in gambling debt on Mizuhara's behalf in $500,000 increments. The spokesperson spoke with Ohtani through Mizuhara.</p><p>Mizuhara then sat down for a 90-minute interview with ESPN, during which he explained that he initially began gambling with Mathew Bowyer's southern California book shortly after meeting him in 2021. Bowyer himself is now also the subject of a federal investigation. Mizuhara also claims that he approached Ohtani to help pay off his debts when they reached $4 million by early 2023. He also states that Ohtani has never gambled and that Ohtani believes gambling is "terrible."</p><p>Following the Dodgers' 5-2 season-opening win against the Padres on Wednesday, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told the entire roster that a negative news story was coming out and that Ohtani helped Mizuhara pay off gambling debts. Later that day, Ohtani noticed the money missing from his account.</p><p>Mizuhara was fired after Thursday's game. Following his termination, he admitted that he lied during the 90-minute interview with ESPN, specifically walking back that Ohtani knew about his gambling, and stating that he is "ready to face all the consequences."</p><h3>Who is Ippei Mizuhara?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621309/cropped_GettyImages-1848359927.jpg?ts=1710975391" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621309/w220xh124_GettyImages-1848359927.jpg?ts=1710975391 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621309/w320xh180_GettyImages-1848359927.jpg?ts=1710975391 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621309/w640xh360_GettyImages-1848359927.jpg?ts=1710975391 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621309/w768xh432_GettyImages-1848359927.jpg?ts=1710975391 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621309/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1848359927.jpg?ts=1710975391 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Mizuhara met Ohtani in 2013 while they worked for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.</p><p>At the time, Mizuhara served as the interpreter for English-speaking players, including, at one point, Jeremy Hermida, Anthony Bass, and Chris Martin, among others.</p><p>Mizuhara and Ohtani developed a decade-long friendship, with the former getting hired as the latter's personal interpreter when the Los Angeles Angels signed Ohtani in 2017. Mizuhara even served as Ohtani's catcher during the 2021 Home Run Derby.</p><p>In the interview with ESPN, Mizuhara said the two were like "brothers" and that his wife knew less about his gambling debt than Ohtani. However, Ohtani later disputed knowing about the interpreter's gambling, and Mizuhara also admitted he had lied.</p><h3>Where are we now?</h3><p>On Monday, Ohtani made his first public comments since Mizuhara's termination. The Dodgers' new interpreter, Will Ireton, translated as the star read a prepared statement in Japanese.</p><p>In his statement, Ohtani said he didn't know about Mizuhara's gambling addiction or debt and found out about it during last Wednesday's team meeting. He added that he never agreed to pay off the losses, saying Mizuhara "was sending money, using my account, to the bookmaker."</p><p>This part arguably creates the most conjecture, with some suspicious that Ohtani wouldn't notice $4.5 million missing from his account. The two-time MVP's story also hinges on the idea that he learned about Mizuhara's claim that he paid off his interpreter's debts at the same time as everyone else on the Dodgers: in that team meeting last Wednesday.</p><p>Here's a potential way of making sense of both oddities.</p><p>First, Ohtani has made roughly $40 million in MLB career earnings to date and is likely in a financial situation that wouldn't warrant checking his account frequently. That estimate doesn't include endorsements or money made during his time in NPB. At first glance, his account being short $4.5 million might not have been noticeable.</p><p>Second, Friedman would've gotten the information that Ohtani was helping Mizuhara pay off his debts from Mizuhara. That would also mean Friedman was duped, and it's just an odd circumstance that Mizuhara didn't get a chance to tell Ohtani about the deception before Friedman told the team.</p><h3>Why didn't Ohtani take questions?</h3><p>In his first public statement since the news broke, many would expect Ohtani and the Dodgers' public relations staff to field some questions from media looking for clarity.</p><p>However, as previously stated, the matter is the subject of a federal investigation by the Internal Revenue Agency. The IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office is investigating Mizuhara as well as Bowyer, according to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/23/sport/ohtani-interpreter-theft-allegations-the-latest/index.html">CNN</a>. Bowyer's attorney Diane Bass noted that her client hasn't had contact with Ohtani. Even so, there are still wire transfers bearing Ohtani's name used to pay off gambling debts that are obviously the subject of a probe.</p><p>MLB is also investigating. While the IRS investigation could warrant a much more severe punishment than the league office can hand out, it's still ill-advised of Ohtani to take questions, most of which would inevitably be answered with "no comment."</p><p>Perhaps more questions will be answered eventually - by Ohtani, the league office, or federal investigators. No matter who it is, everyone will have to wait until investigators have gathered more evidence.</p><h3>Why should I care?</h3><p>Obviously, MLB's brightest star - who signed a record-breaking $700-million contract this past winter with the Dodgers - is embroiled in the biggest gambling scandal involving a star athlete since Michael Jordan in 1993. But this story could also carry immense legal implications.</p><p>Chiefly, there's the matter of sports betting. Bowyer's lawyers stated that Mizuhara would bet on "primarily soccer, occasionally football and basketball, but ... never baseball." There are a couple of possibilities to parse with this knowledge.</p><p>First, let's assume the extremely implausible worst: that Bowyer's lawyers, Mizuhara, and Ohtani are all lying and that Ohtani has secretly been placing bets on baseball through an intermediary. That would inevitably get Ohtani a lifetime ban from the league office, not unlike Pete Rose. However, it should be noted that Rose was a manager while committing his infractions. Ohtani would have his playing career interrupted in its prime.</p><p>Given what we know, that doesn't seem possible. So what if Bowyer's lawyers are lying simply about Mizuhara himself betting on baseball? Ohtani could be seen as giving Mizuhara information that helped him gamble - even unknowingly - as a result. And that would be worse if proof emerged that Ohtani did, in fact, know of Mizuhara's gambling. Remember: Mizuhara met Bowyer during a poker game also attended by David Fletcher, a friend of Ohtani's during their tenure with the Angels. It seems unlikely that Fletcher would be the only Angels player who would've been gambling with Bowyer and also not noticed Mizuhara's involvement.</p><p>Lastly, we can assume all the parties are telling the truth. This is still incredibly damning to the industry as a whole - it's proof that gambling addiction and gambling on sports by an accredited MLB team employee can go completely unnoticed.</p><h3>What's next?</h3><p>Following Monday's press conference, the story seems surprisingly clear for now: Mizuhara stole money from a trusting friend to pay off his own gambling debts and involved multiple people in his deception until it was too late. All of the stories seem to match at this point and now Mizuhara will undoubtedly face charges shortly.</p><p>As for Ohtani, that's less clear. If everyone is telling the truth, he's also likely making sense of it all as he goes. Up until last Wednesday, Mizuhara was a very close friend of his - and now he's not even a colleague. Everyone will have to await the investigation's results. Ohtani's next game is Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals - his first with his new team at Dodger Stadium.</p>

This picture taken on March 16, 2024 shows Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (R) and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (L) attending a press conference at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul ahead of the 2024 MLB Seoul Series baseball game between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. The Los Angeles Dodgers said on March 21 they had fired Shohei Ohtani's interpreter after the Japanese baseball star's representatives claimed he had been the victim of "a massive theft" reported to involve millions of dollars.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26802203/related

Everything you need to know: Ohtani's scandal

The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed utility man Kiké Hernández to a one-year contract, they announc...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed utility man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wbc/players/16053" href="https://www.thescore.com/wbc/players/16053">Kiké Hernández</a> to a one-year contract, they announced Monday.</p><p>Hernández's deal is worth $4 million, a source told <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJackHarris/status/1762233713583436286">Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources say….. I’m back!!! <br><br>1st to break news <a href="https://twitter.com/MyseLf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@myself</a></p>— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) <a href="https://twitter.com/kikehndez/status/1762209708314927244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The move comes after the Dodgers freed up a 26-man roster spot by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2853904" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2853904">trading</a> outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4713" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/4713">Manuel Margot</a> to the Minnesota Twins for shortstop prospect Noah Miller.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Manny still fit really well," Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJackHarris/status/1762241674506633248">Harris</a>. "Kiké we just felt fit a little bit better, plus we know what he brings come postseason time, hopefully, in the clubhouse, all those things."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kiké Hernández, who had double hernia surgery and will now have a late start to camp, is still expected to be ready to go for Opening Day in Korea in 23 days, according to GM Brandon Gomes.</p>— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabianArdaya/status/1762244079373697356?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Hernández, 32, finished the 2023 campaign with the Dodgers after spending the previous two-and-a-half seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Before his stint in Beantown, he spent six seasons in Los Angeles.</p><p>Through 86 games with the Red Sox last year, Hernández hit a disappointing .222/.279/.320 with six homers and three steals before he was traded back to L.A. for two minor leaguers.</p><p>He improved slightly after rejoining the Dodgers, posting a .731 OPS (95 OPS+) with five homers and one stolen base over 54 contests.</p><p>Throughout his career, he's posted a 93 OPS+ while playing all three outfield positions, second base, shortstop, third base, and occasionally first base.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 3: Enrique Hernandez #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat against the Oakland Athletics at Dodger Stadium on August 3, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26530417/related

Dodgers, Enrique Hernández reunite on 1-year deal worth reported $4M

Spring training is right around the corner, meaning fans will have a chance to watch some of thei...

<p>Spring training is right around the corner, meaning fans will have a chance to watch some of their team's top prospects.</p><p>Five of the main outlets - <a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects">MLB.com</a>, <a href="https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-top-prospects-2024/">Baseball America</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/39444466/2024-mlb-prospect-rankings-national-league-team-list">ESPN</a>, <a href="https://theathletic.com/5245693/2024/02/05/top-100-mlb-prospects-2024-keith-law/?source=googlesearchcontentads&amp;ad_id=681957296779&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA_aGuBhACEiwAly57MS1aE8akdNxr6npJ6_XnqDixyNPjdvJ6BfTTfLTUiQz2O7_A8MHNOxoCblAQAvD_BwE">The Athletic</a>, and <a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/87663/2024-prospects-the-top-101/">Baseball Prospectus</a> - published their top 100 lists, but there are inevitably some disagreements between them, with 146 farmhands getting named across the five platforms.</p><p>Here, we seek to settle those discrepancies by compiling all the lists, weighting each equally, and making one composite rankings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The composite rankings kick off with Baltimore Orioles shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15504" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/15504">Jackson Holliday</a>, who was the consensus top pick, sweeping the No. 1 selection on every list. He was followed by Milwaukee Brewers outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14481" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/14481">Jackson Chourio</a>, who came tantalizingly close to being the consensus No. 2, getting named second overall on four lists but ranking sixth at Baseball Prospectus.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Top 100 Prospects" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-T4kMY" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/T4kMY/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="5038" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Despite the Orioles having six players in the composite top 100, including Holliday at No. 1, they surprisingly don't have the most players named. That honor goes to the Chicago Cubs, with seven prospects making the list, led by outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12736" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/12736">Pete Crow-Armstrong</a>.</p><p>Only two teams fall short of having a single name on the list; the Los Angeles Angels and the Kansas City Royals. Angels slugger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17192" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/17192">Nolan Schanuel</a> was named on four rankings, but finished 107th on aggregate. Meanwhile, Blake Mitchell was the highest Royals player. The catcher finished 138th after making two lists.</p><p>Across the five lists it was agreed that 58 names are consensus top-100 prospects. The lowest ranked consensus player was San Francisco Giants two-way phenom Bryce Eldridge, who was places as high as 57th (Baseball America) and as low as 97th (Baseball Prospectus).</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26441454/related

MLB composite top 100 prospect rankings, takeaways

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed designated hitter/outfielder Joc Pederson to a one-year deal with...

<p>The Arizona Diamondbacks signed designated hitter/outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2517" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/2517">Joc Pederson</a> to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2025, the team announced Tuesday.</p><p>The deal is worth $12.5 million and guarantees Pederson $9.5 million in 2024, sources told <a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2024/01/25/joc-pederson-diamondbacks-contract-talks/72354150007/">Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic</a>. The pact also reportedly contains a $14-million mutual option for 2025 that includes a $3-million buyout.</p><p>Pederson, 31, has hit .237/.336/.464 with 186 homers and 22 stolen bases over his decade-long career. He posted a .764 OPS with 15 home runs and 14 doubles over 121 games with the San Francisco Giants in 2023.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Throughout his time in the big leagues, Pederson's been much more effective against right-handed pitching. Here's how he performed last season, broken down by opposing pitcher's handedness:</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>PA</th>
<th>HR</th>
<th>AVG</th>
<th>OPS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>vs. LHP</td>
<td>52</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>.186</td>
<td>.606</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>vs. RHP</td>
<td>373</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>.241</td>
<td>.786</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>While Pederson played the outfield earlier in his career, the lefty slugger only made 37 appearances in the field last season. He'll likely act as the primary designated hitter in Arizona, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12531" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/12531">Corbin Carroll</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12534" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/12534">Alek Thomas</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8264" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/8264">Lourdes Gurriel Jr.</a> manning the outfield.</p><p>The Diamondbacks will become Pederson's fifth MLB team and third in the NL West after breaking into the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers and spending the two most recent campaigns with the Giants. He also had stints with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves, with whom he won a World Series.</p><p>The Toronto Blue Jays <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2808707" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2808707">reportedly</a> showed interest in signing the two-time All-Star earlier this winter.</p>

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Joc Pederson #23 of the San Francisco Giants looks on during the fourth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on October 03, 2022 in San Diego, California.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26273063/related

D-Backs, Pederson agree to 1-year deal reportedly worth $12.5M

The St. Louis Cardinals and utility man Tommy Edman agreed to a two-year contract on Monday.  Whi...

<p>The St. Louis Cardinals and utility man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9695" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/9695">Tommy Edman</a> agreed to a two-year contract on Monday.</p><p>While the Cardinals did not disclose terms of the contract, the deal is worth $16.5 million, a source told <a href="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1749607316398231779">Mark Feinsand of MLB.com</a>. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tommy Two Bags!<br><br>We have signed INF/OF Tommy Edman to a two-year contract extension, avoiding arbitration.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheLou?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheLou</a> <a href="https://t.co/c3IhLA160R">pic.twitter.com/c3IhLA160R</a></p>— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1749539686077374676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Edman, 28, was heading into his second and penultimate season of arbitration eligibility. He originally requested a $6.95-million salary for 2024, while the team countered with $6.5 million. The former Gold Glove winner remains eligible to test free agency following the 2025 campaign.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Edman is hitting .265/.319/.408 with 53 homers and 106 steals over 596 games through five seasons. He's coming off a down year at the plate, during which he posted a .705 OPS while splitting time relatively evenly between second base, third base, and center field.</p>

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 29: Tommy Edman #19 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium on September 29, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26249823/related

Cardinals, Edman avoid arb with 2-year deal reportedly worth $16.5M

The Tampa Bay Rays signed Japanese right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa to a minor-league contract with a...

<p>The Tampa Bay Rays signed Japanese right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training, the team <a href="https://x.com/RaysPR/status/1745625942041514056?s=20">announced</a> Thursday.</p><p>The 29-year-old has played 11 years in NPB, all with the Nippon-Ham Fighters. Over 225 games, Uwasawa has authored a 3.42 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 1,367 1/3 innings.</p><p>He is coming off a season during which he made 24 starts, posting a 3.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 170 innings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I'm excited to join the Rays organization and grateful for the opportunity to begin a career in Major League Baseball," Uwasawa said in a statement. "I decided to play for the Rays because the success and the rich history of pitching development really intrigued me."</p><p>Financial terms of the deal were not made available.</p>

TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 10: Naoyuki Uwasawa #15 of Team Japan pitches during the Japan All-Star Series game against the MLB All-Stars at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday, November 10, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26165500/related

Rays sign Japanese righty Uwasawa to minors deal

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs was ruled out for Monday's game against the Kansas Cit...

<p>Las Vegas Raiders running back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/110848" href="https://www.thescore.com/nfl/players/110848">Josh Jacobs</a> was ruled out for Monday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs and will miss a second straight contest.</p><p>Jacobs was listed as questionable due to an illness and quadriceps injury that also prevented him from playing on Dec. 14. The Raiders blew out the Los Angeles Chargers 63-21 in that Week 15 Thursday night matchup.</p><p>The 25-year-old has rushed for 805 yards and six touchdowns on 233 carries. He's also added 296 receiving yards on 37 catches.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The two-time Pro Bowler is in his fifth NFL season, racking up 5,545 rushing yards over 73 career games.</p>

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs after a catch in the second half during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Fla.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/26044084/related

Josh Jacobs inactive for Christmas Day game vs. Chiefs

No one loves a record-breaking payday for an athlete quite like ... other athletes. Let's take a ...

<p><em>No one loves a record-breaking payday for an athlete quite like ... other athletes. Let's take a look at some of the best posts from the sports world after two-way superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> secured a mind-bending 10-year, $700-million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.</em></p><p><strong>🤨 You've likely heard of <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/shelbyheinrich/girl-math-tiktok-trend">girl math</a>. Now here's Brandon McCarthy math:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">400 million dollar hitter, 300 million in commercial value, so any pitching is actually surplus value?</p>— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) <a href="https://twitter.com/BMcCarthy32/status/1733585367725641971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>🤣 Dodgers ace <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8193" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/8193">Walker Buehler</a> asking the tough questions:</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So his dog was named Dodger after all?</p>— Walker Buehler (@buehlersdayoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/buehlersdayoff/status/1733583862234497054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>🤯 Retired NFL defensive end J.J. Watt - a future Hall of Famer with approximate career earnings of $130 million - was left borderline speechless: </strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My goodness. <br><br>🤯 <a href="https://t.co/I6f6OGnnwH">https://t.co/I6f6OGnnwH</a></p>— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/1733580740548538393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>😂 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/89514" href="https://www.thescore.com/nfl/players/89514">Patrick Mahomes</a> couldn't believe it either, prompting Watt to suggest the Chiefs quarterback become two-way like Ohtani:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">start working on those pass rush moves 😂<br><br>Imagine being able to do both at an All-Pro level.<br><br>Guy is insane.<br>🤯🤯🤯</p>— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/1733581825216532726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>🤔 J.P. Arencibia - a former Blue Jays catcher - wants to know how much Ohtani will pay <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2141" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/2141">Joe Kelly</a> to have No. 17:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Everyone talking about Ohtani but what kind of gift will he give Joe Kelly for the #17??? That’s what I want to know!!</p>— Jp Arencibia (@jparencibia9) <a href="https://twitter.com/jparencibia9/status/1733583460852203558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>😔 Speaking of the Blue Jays, retired right-hander Phil Hughes had a picture ready to go that represented how they'll feel:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/0yVtIHzxyv">pic.twitter.com/0yVtIHzxyv</a></p>— Phil Hughes (@PJHughes45) <a href="https://twitter.com/PJHughes45/status/1733584889742803392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>🤭 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/754" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/754">Joey Votto</a> couldn't hold his reaction in public:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I chortled out loud in a shop. Person asked if I was ok.</p>— Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeyVotto/status/1733584280851202432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>😴 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8195" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/8195">Gavin Lux</a>, Ohtani's new teammate, woke up to the news:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I wake up from a nap…. And BANGGG!🤣 <br>LFG</p>— Gavin Lux (@TheRealGavinLux) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealGavinLux/status/1733594794213974065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>😱 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2444" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/2444">Kiké Hernández</a> is aghast:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If anybody knows of a company that can pick up jaws from the floor, please let me know!!! 😱</p>— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) <a href="https://twitter.com/kikehndez/status/1733589774034714798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>💩 Giants lefty Alex Wood couldn't help himself:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">OMG $700 million holy shit lol</p>— Alex Wood (@Awood45) <a href="https://twitter.com/Awood45/status/1733579373549146422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>💰 And RGIII kept it matter of fact:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shohei Ohtani announced he is signing with the LA Dodgers for $700 MILLION. The Biggest Contract in MLB history. <a href="https://t.co/dfCG9ylkzS">pic.twitter.com/dfCG9ylkzS</a></p>— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) <a href="https://twitter.com/RGIII/status/1733583442267209754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 31: Shohei Ohtani #17 laughs with Brandon Marsh #16 of the Los Angeles Angels ahead of a game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 31, 2022 in Anaheim, California.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25930794/related

Athletes react to Ohtani's record $700M deal

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was ejected from Saturday's game due to a second technical f...

<p>Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was ejected from Saturday's game due to a second technical foul issued after a verbal exchange with Los Angeles Lakers superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/72" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/72">LeBron James</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ime Udoka ejected after exchanging words with LeBron. <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/qMIVT1yuyo">pic.twitter.com/qMIVT1yuyo</a></p>— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1731185763302453749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>James was also given a tech for the incident by referee J.T. Orr. Udoka had already been handed a tech earlier in the game, which resulted in his ejection.</p><p>When asked about what he and Udoka were talking about, James wryly responded, "Thanksgiving. How much we enjoyed Thanksgiving."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron James on what he and Ime Udoka were discussing to warrant double technical fouls tonight: “Thanksgiving.” And on the string of techs he’s been picking up - three in L.A.’s last five games: “It’s a wild season” <a href="https://t.co/WbfZ00ivJk">pic.twitter.com/WbfZ00ivJk</a></p>— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcten/status/1731213735652737509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Following the game, Udoka expressed his displeasure with how the Rockets played in the 107-97 loss.</p><p>"I don't love our physicality on (James) ... to kind of get punked by a team that's not known for physicality or punking people is not a good sign," Udoka, who was 2-6 for his career as a player against LeBron, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PauSF2Gd-e0&amp;ab_channel=HouseofHighlights">said</a>.</p><p>James, who has been handed three technicals over the past five games, scored 16 points while adding seven assists and four rebounds over 35 minutes in the win. The Lakers improved to 12-9 on the season, while the Rockets are below .500 at 8-9.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 2: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game on December 2, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25886266/related

LeBron downplays exchange that led to Udoka ejection: We talked about Thanksgiving

The Milwaukee Brewers and outfield prospect Jackson Chourio are closing in on what would be a rec...

<p>The Milwaukee Brewers and outfield prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14481" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/14481">Jackson Chourio</a> are closing in on what would be a record-breaking eight-year deal worth close to $80 million, <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1730217176978616799?s=20">Jon Heyman of the New York Post</a> reports.</p><p>The contract would be the richest in MLB history for a player yet to make his major-league debut. The record is currently held by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9624" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/9624">Luis Robert Jr.</a> and the Chicago White Sox, who agreed to a six-year, $50-million pact prior to the 2020 campaign.</p><p>Chourio currently ranks as the No. 2 prospect in baseball, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects/top100/">MLB Pipeline</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 19-year-old from Venezuela has only played six games above Double-A, which came last season with the Nashville Sounds of the International League.</p><p>Chourio spent most of the 2023 campaign with Double-A Biloxi, slashing .280/.336/.467 with 22 home runs, 23 doubles, 89 RBIs, and 43 steals.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BOT 5️⃣ | CHOURIO SLAMS IT OFF THE POLE AND WE'RE UP 5!!!<br><br>🐟: 0 | 🦪: 5<br><br>📻: <a href="https://t.co/V2DhTuVY10">https://t.co/V2DhTuVY10</a><br>📺: Bally Live, <a href="https://t.co/5dYqzkzNIs">https://t.co/5dYqzkzNIs</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShuckYeah?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShuckYeah</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brewers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brewers</a> <a href="https://t.co/RCyTHqjJFu">pic.twitter.com/RCyTHqjJFu</a></p>— Biloxi Shuckers (@BiloxiShuckers) <a href="https://twitter.com/BiloxiShuckers/status/1647040630026018821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>An $80-million deal for Chourio would equal the third-richest contract in Brewers history.</p><p>Milwaukee signed outfielder Lorenzo Cain to a five-year, $80-million free-agent contract in 2018, while extensions for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3338" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/3338">Christian Yelich</a> (a nine-year, $215-million deal in 2020) and Ryan Braun (a five-year, $105-million deal in 2011) were worth more.</p>

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 24, 2023: Jackson Chourio #94 of the Milwaukee Brewers runs off the field after the eighth inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on March 24, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25859347/related

Report: Brewers, Chourio nearing record 8-year pact worth close to $80M

The Los Angeles Angels and left-handed reliever Adam Kolarek have agreed to a one-year, $900,000 ...

<p>The Los Angeles Angels and left-handed reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wbc/players/4313" href="https://www.thescore.com/wbc/players/4313">Adam Kolarek</a> have agreed to a one-year, $900,000 contract, the team announced Sunday.</p><p>The 34-year-old threw six shutout innings last year between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters. He spent the majority of 2023 in the minors.</p><p>A seven-year veteran, Kolarek owns a 3.62 ERA and 4.09 FIP in 149 1/3 innings for his MLB career, including debuting with the Tampa Bay Rays and also making appearances for the Oakland Athletics.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Kolarek joins fellow southpaws José Suarez and Kenny Rosenberg in the Angels' projected bullpen for 2024.</p>

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 22: Adam Kolarek #66 of the New York Mets pitches during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 22, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25837541/related

Angels add Kolarek on 1-year, $900K contract

Three-time world champion Max Verstappen can add a rare new achievement to his resume - winning i...

<p>Three-time world champion Max Verstappen can add a rare new achievement to his resume - winning in Las Vegas.</p><p>The Dutch driver claimed his 18th victory of the season, finishing first in the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sunday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Red Bull team radio = good vibes<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LasVegasGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LasVegasGP</a> <a href="https://t.co/KKGbCBcQ08">pic.twitter.com/KKGbCBcQ08</a></p>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1726143257493602784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"I think it created quite a good amount of racing here, so it was a lot of fun" Verstappen said following the race, according to <a href="https://x.com/F1/status/1726146331348176989?s=20">F1</a>, "I hope everyone enjoyed it a bit, already excited to come back here next year."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 26-year-old had been critical of the event heading into race day, stating that it was "99% show, 1% sporting event," and comparing it to low-level "national league" soccer.</p><p>Ferrari pole-sitter Charles Leclerc passed Sergio Perez, Verstappen's Red Bull teammate, on the final lap to finish second. Checo placed third.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Verstappen has left the competition in the dust!<br><br>But, it's the move by Leclerc on the final lap that will catch the highlight reel to capture a well deserved 2nd place finish.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LasVegasGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LasVegasGP</a> <a href="https://t.co/hgQrB5Qtm6">pic.twitter.com/hgQrB5Qtm6</a></p>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1726142880144617874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Leclerc earned Driver of the Day honors for his efforts.</p><p>Despite getting passed, Perez guaranteed himself second place in the drivers' championship standings for the 2023 season with the result. The final race runs next weekend in Abu Dhabi.</p><p>The Las Vegas GP, a street circuit that prominently features the city's iconic strip, was added to the F1 calendar this year and is the third and final American race of the season following Miami and Austin. Vegas will remain on the itinerary at least through 2032.</p><p>This is the first time F1 has raced in Vegas since the second and final running of the Caesars Palace Grand Prix in 1982. However, that track did not feature the infamous strip.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 18: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25775442/related

Verstappen wins inaugural Vegas GP, Leclerc passes Perez on final lap

Nothing will stop baseball fans from overreacting after the first contest of a 162-game campaign....

<p>Nothing will stop baseball fans from <a href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2595054">overreacting</a> after the first contest of a 162-game campaign. However, when the season ends - mercifully for many fan bases and victoriously for one lucky one - it's time to look back and be pragmatic.</p><p>Here's a reasonable reaction for every National League team.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2747266" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2747266">American League reactions</a> were published Saturday.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599720/cropped_GettyImages-1524273208.jpg?ts=1699196943" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599720/w220xh124_GettyImages-1524273208.jpg?ts=1699196943 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599720/w320xh180_GettyImages-1524273208.jpg?ts=1699196943 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599720/w640xh360_GettyImages-1524273208.jpg?ts=1699196943 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599720/w768xh432_GettyImages-1524273208.jpg?ts=1699196943 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599720/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1524273208.jpg?ts=1699196943 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Coduto / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Arizona Diamondbacks:</strong> Don't get greedy. At the end of the day, this was an 84-win team that posted a negative run differential in both the regular season and postseason despite reaching the World Series. Optimism is good, and Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, and Zac Gallen are franchise-defining pieces to build around. There's still work to be done, but the system is loaded with talent coming up, and Mike Hazen seems invested in building a sustained winner.</p><p><strong>Atlanta Braves:</strong> Major League Baseball needs a regular-season trophy. Atlanta was one of the most dominant teams ever assembled but wound up winning only one postseason game before getting bounced by a red-hot Phillies team because of the randomness of the sport's playoffs. This Braves squad shouldn't be forgotten.</p><p><strong>Chicago Cubs:</strong> Run differential isn't everything. The Cubs outscored opponents by 96 runs this past season, better than the Phillies (plus-81) and NL Central-winning Brewers (plus-81). They likely deserved a better fate. With just one more win, Chicago would've had the same record as the D-Backs, and we know how that ended.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599721/cropped_GettyImages-1694434195.jpg?ts=1699197904" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599721/w220xh124_GettyImages-1694434195.jpg?ts=1699197904 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599721/w320xh180_GettyImages-1694434195.jpg?ts=1699197904 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599721/w640xh360_GettyImages-1694434195.jpg?ts=1699197904 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599721/w768xh432_GettyImages-1694434195.jpg?ts=1699197904 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599721/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1694434195.jpg?ts=1699197904 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Cincinnati Reds:</strong> What's better, being good or exciting? In an ideal world, the Reds are heading toward both. However, they settled for exciting this past year, with Elly De La Cruz being the most captivating rookie in the league, even if he doesn't come close to winning NL Rookie of the Year.</p><p><strong>Colorado Rockies:</strong> A franchise defined by mediocrity, the Rockies lost more than 100 games in a single season for the first time in their 31-year history. Everyone knows the problems, and they start at the top. There's really nothing more to say about a rudderless team with a minus-236 run differential and no legitimate reason to hope for improvement.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599722/cropped_GettyImages-1732229389.jpg?ts=1699197976" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599722/w220xh124_GettyImages-1732229389.jpg?ts=1699197976 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599722/w320xh180_GettyImages-1732229389.jpg?ts=1699197976 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599722/w640xh360_GettyImages-1732229389.jpg?ts=1699197976 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599722/w768xh432_GettyImages-1732229389.jpg?ts=1699197976 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599722/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1732229389.jpg?ts=1699197976 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Los Angeles Dodgers:</strong> The Dodgers will be at least a fringe contender as long as Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman are on the roster. But are we nearing the club's nadir? It seems like a whacky thing to say after a 100-win season, but L.A.'s pitching isn't what it used to be. And if Betts and Freeman go cold in the playoffs, no one is around to pick them up. Andrew Friedman and Co. may need to consider some serious retooling in the near future.</p><p><strong>New York Mets:</strong> Spending like God doesn't make you God. Baseball needs owners like Steve Cohen, who treat their teams like a toy and throw gobs of cash at every problem - including how to offload those bad contracts and still get a good prospect. It's hard to build a championship roster in any sport, especially baseball. Cohen will find a way, but looking at how the Rangers emphasized culture might help the Mets stop being, well, the Mets.</p><p><strong>Miami Marlins: </strong>How is an 84-win season (the same amount of victories as the NL-pennant-winning D-Backs) looking this miserable a month later? Less than two years after Derek Jeter stepped down as Marlins CEO due to disagreements with chairman Bruce Sherman, Miami has now lost star general manager Kim Ng. Sherman was reportedly searching for an executive to work above Ng after she helped right a ship that seemed destined to sink at times. One step forward, two steps back.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599723/cropped_GettyImages-1715798594.jpg?ts=1699198148" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599723/w220xh124_GettyImages-1715798594.jpg?ts=1699198148 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599723/w320xh180_GettyImages-1715798594.jpg?ts=1699198148 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599723/w640xh360_GettyImages-1715798594.jpg?ts=1699198148 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599723/w768xh432_GettyImages-1715798594.jpg?ts=1699198148 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599723/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1715798594.jpg?ts=1699198148 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Milwaukee Brewers: </strong>It sure feels like fire-sale time. The Brewers lost top executive David Stearns, are on the cusp of losing manager Craig Counsell, and have already traded Mark Canha because they didn't want to pay a supremely affordable $11.5-million team option. Could Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes - both heading into their final years of arbitration eligibility - be gone next?</p><p><strong>Philadelphia Phillies:</strong> Slaying the Braves two years in a row in the postseason feels nice, but can the Phillies reach that extra level? Dave Dombrowski will certainly try to see to it so long as he's running things. Bryce Harper seamlessly becoming a great first baseman so he could return from Tommy John surgery sooner was an incredible boon. Like previous Dombrowski-led teams, the bullpen - and Craig Kimbrel in particular - was an issue. With plenty of star power elsewhere, Philadelphia must focus on the bullpen moving forward.</p><p><strong>Pittsburgh Pirates:</strong> Mitch Keller proves Pittsburgh can, in fact, develop starting pitching. Pirates fans don't need a reminder about Gerrit Cole, Tyler Glasnow, or Jameson Taillon. Keller is a late bloomer at 27, but he made 32 starts this past year while posting a 4.21 ERA. His underlying 3.80 FIP indicates he was actually kind of unlucky. The Pirates need more, but this is a great sign.</p><p><strong>San Diego Padres:</strong> You have to run it back. Honestly, maybe this isn't reasonable at all. However, this Padres team deserved a better fate. Only the Dodgers and Braves posted better run differentials in the NL. The vultures are swarming already to offer their best package for Juan Soto, but San Diego has to double down on this roster, address the potential free-agent loss of Blake Snell, and hope the lessons from last year sink in.</p><p><strong>San Francisco Giants:</strong> Farhan Zaidi, rightly or wrongly, has to be on thin ice. Gabe Kapler's successor as manager will perhaps entirely dictate whether Zaidi keeps his job beyond 2024, so new skipper Bob Melvin frankly has to be perfect. Kapler has his deficiencies, but this team's underperformance ultimately wasn't his fault. After missing out on Aaron Judge and having the Carlos Correa acquisition blow up rather spectacularly, the Giants must be looking to spend, and those signings need to work immediately.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599725/cropped_GettyImages-1132303306.jpg?ts=1699198201" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599725/w220xh124_GettyImages-1132303306.jpg?ts=1699198201 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599725/w320xh180_GettyImages-1132303306.jpg?ts=1699198201 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599725/w640xh360_GettyImages-1132303306.jpg?ts=1699198201 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599725/w768xh432_GettyImages-1132303306.jpg?ts=1699198201 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/599725/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1132303306.jpg?ts=1699198201 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>St. Louis Cardinals:</strong> Maybe stop trading away outfield prospects. It doesn't take a genius to realize this Cardinals roster would've been much better with Randy Arozarena and Adolis García. However, pitching was the real defect, and it doesn't feel even remotely close to getting resolved, even if St. Louis signed the top five free-agent starting pitchers.</p><p><strong>Washington Nationals:</strong> It was a bit of a roller coaster, but a full season of MacKenzie Gore seemed relatively promising. When the 24-year-old lefty misses the zone, he misses badly, and it's a problem. But Gore can look like a dominant future starter at times thanks to elite swing-and-miss stuff. The Nationals may have a future ace if he can improve his command.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25654065/related

Reasonable end-of-season reactions for every NL team

James Harden said he'll "definitely" make his Los Angeles Clippers debut Monday against the New Y...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/351" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/351">James Harden</a> said he'll "definitely" make his Los Angeles Clippers debut Monday against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38825919/james-harden-make-clippers-debut-monday-vs-knicks">ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk</a>.</p><p>Harden is expected to start alongside <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4200" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/4200">Kawhi Leonard</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/1889" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/1889">Paul George</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/347" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/347">Russell Westbrook</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52287" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/52287">Ivica Zubac</a>, according to <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1721217165141880868?s=20">The Athletic's Shams Charania</a>.</p><p>The Clippers landed Harden, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/24498" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/24498">P.J. Tucker</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96041" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/96041">Filip Petrusev</a> from the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday in a blockbuster deal for a package including <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/412" href="/nba/players/412">Nicolas Batum</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/2444" href="/nba/players/2444">Marcus Morris</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4724" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/4724">Robert Covington</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93895" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/93895">Kenyon Martin Jr.</a>, and draft picks.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>A 10-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA guard, Harden has averaged 24.7 points, seven assists, and 5.6 rebounds over 1,000 career games.</p><p>"I'm very elite as an individual and then I can fit in with anybody and make a championship run work," Harden said during his introductory presser in L.A. on Thursday, according to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2752884" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2752884">Associated Press</a>. "I think all of us are on the same page in the sense of the individual stats and all those things are past us, and we all got one goal, and I think everybody knows what that is."</p><p>Harden's relationship with 76ers president Daryl Morey soured over the past few months, leading to him demanding a trade and sitting out the beginning of the campaign. Monday's contest will mark his 2023-24 season debut.</p>

PLAYA VISTA, CA - NOVEMBER 02: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers speaks to the media during a press conference at Honey Training Center on November 02, 2023 in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25651625/related

Harden to make Clippers debut Monday vs. Knicks

Max Verstappen won Sunday's Brazil Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, cruising to another victory to set a ...

<p>Max Verstappen won Sunday's Brazil Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, cruising to another victory to set a new record for most podiums in a single season.</p><p>The Dutch driver also broke the record for win percentage in a campaign, eclipsing Alberto Ascari's 70-year-old milestone. Even if Verstappen loses the remaining two races, he won't fall below Ascari's 75% mark set in 1952.</p><p>McLaren's Lando Norris finished second, while two-time champ Fernando Alonso crossed the line third to round out the podium. Alonso narrowly beat Sergio Perez by five one-hundredths of a second in an exciting battle between the two drivers.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT A RACE FOR 3RD!<br><br>Verstappen best Norris in Brazil, but it's a photo finish for the final podium spot between Alonso and Perez with the Spaniard just edging out the Red Bull driver.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrazilGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BrazilGP</a> <a href="https://t.co/djsyLA0iha">pic.twitter.com/djsyLA0iha</a></p>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1721242256672256168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Alonso was ecstatic to earn his eighth podium of the season, as he hadn't recorded a top-three finish since the Dutch Grand Prix in August.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That drive was pure gold 🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrazilGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BrazilGP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/alo_oficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alo_oficial</a> <a href="https://t.co/isGbngcewQ">pic.twitter.com/isGbngcewQ</a></p>— Formula 1 (@F1) <a href="https://twitter.com/F1/status/1721245728083718624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Sunday's race also featured several retirements, with six drivers unable to finish for various reasons.</p><p>Ferrari's Charles Leclerc retired before the race began after losing hydraulics during the formation lap.</p><p>A heavy collision between Kevin Magnussen and Alex Albon during the first lap resulted in red flags being thrown and the drivers exiting the race.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="ht" dir="ltr">Crash POV💥: Alex Albon and Kevin Magnussen <a href="https://t.co/rPPvaR66TT">pic.twitter.com/rPPvaR66TT</a></p>— Matthew Kanniah (@matthewkanniah) <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewkanniah/status/1721215999737819602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2023</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>George Russell retired due to an oil temperature issue. Both Alfa Romeo drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, exited due to technical problems.</p>

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 05: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 leads Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL60 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 05, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25651621/related

Verstappen wins Brazil GP, sets single-season podiums record

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker missed his second straight game Sunday against the Detroit Piston...

<p>Phoenix Suns guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37815" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/37815">Devin Booker</a> missed his second straight game Sunday against the Detroit Pistons due to a strained right calf.</p><p>The three-time All-Star originally sustained the injury Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs. It also forced him to miss Saturday's contest versus the Philadelphia 76ers.</p><p>The 27-year-old is averaging 31.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games this season. He was originally sidelined due to foot and ankle ailments. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Suns, a presumptive championship contender, are off to a cold start to the 2023-24 campaign at 2-4. Key offseason acquisition <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/11887" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/11887">Bradley Beal</a> has yet to make his debut with the team, having also been sidelined due to a back injury.</p><p>Following Sunday's game in Detroit, the Suns have two days off before taking on the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.</p>

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 2: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns arrives to the arena before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 2, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25650196/related

Suns' Booker out 2nd straight game with strained calf

Nothing will stop baseball fans from overreacting after Game No. 1 of 162. However, when the seas...

<p>Nothing will stop baseball fans from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2595054" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2595054">overreacting</a> after Game No. 1 of 162. However, when the season ends - mercifully for many fan bases and triumphantly for a single lucky one - the time is right to look back and make honest assessments.</p><p>Here's a reasonable reaction for every American League team.</p><p><strong>Baltimore Orioles:</strong> Open that wallet, John Angelos. We are eight months removed from the Orioles CEO saying his team overachieved and overperformed as a way to justify a sleepy offseason. Despite a lack of genuine reinforcements, the upstart O's dominated the regular season with 101 wins. There's no excuse, now. The young core has gotten a taste of the postseason and the team needs investment - particularly in the rotation. The free-agent market isn't especially inspiring this winter, but this is the corner Angelos has painted himself into.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Boston Red Sox:</strong> Craig Breslow has his work cut out for him. It's pretty damning that the search for the next executive to run baseball operations for the Red Sox included so many people declining an interview, and that might indicate some issues with ownership. However, it's Breslow's burden now, and the pitching staff is the biggest issue in an ultra-competitive AL East. The rotation ranked 22nd in ERA last year and collectively threw 774 1/3 innings - more than only the Rockies, Athletics, and Giants.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/583537/cropped_GettyImages-1506625806.jpg?ts=1688589100" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/583537/w220xh124_GettyImages-1506625806.jpg?ts=1688589100 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/583537/w320xh180_GettyImages-1506625806.jpg?ts=1688589100 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/583537/w640xh360_GettyImages-1506625806.jpg?ts=1688589100 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/583537/w768xh432_GettyImages-1506625806.jpg?ts=1688589100 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/583537/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1506625806.jpg?ts=1688589100 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Chicago White Sox:</strong> At least they've got Luis Robert Jr. to build around. The White Sox endured an incredibly disappointing season relative to expectations. Perhaps it was partially foreseeable after ownership didn't invest in a rebuilt roster that seemed to be just a few pieces away from legitimate contention. Some of the hard work has already been done, kicking Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn to the curb and promoting Chris Getz. How long until he can build around Robert, though?</p><p><strong>Cleveland Guardians:</strong> Tito deserved a better send-off. Terry Francona, one of the greatest managers ever, opted to quietly retire in lieu of what would've certainly been a very grand final tour. That's his prerogative. But the AL Central was very winnable this past year, and the Guardians finished under .490 for the first time since 2012, not coincidentally the year before Tito took the post. Whether the results can be pinned on the players underperforming or on ownership not spending is largely moot; Francona deserved better.</p><p><strong>Detroit Tigers:</strong> This was a promising step in the right direction. The pitching will need a lot of help, especially with Eduardo Rodriguez opting out and likely not returning. But Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, and Spencer Torkelson all seem like bats worth building around. With Miguel Cabrera off the books, the future is now.</p><p><strong>Houston Astros:</strong> So this is what it's like to not make the World Series? It's hard to call a season a failure when your team makes the ALCS, so we won't. This is an incredible run from these dynastic Astros who continue finding ways to win, extending their streak of advancing beyond the divisional round to seven consecutive years. If that - in tandem with two championships - isn't a dynasty, you don't know ball.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/523901/cropped_GettyImages-1241905356.jpg?ts=1657850571" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/523901/w220xh124_GettyImages-1241905356.jpg?ts=1657850571 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/523901/w320xh180_GettyImages-1241905356.jpg?ts=1657850571 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/523901/w640xh360_GettyImages-1241905356.jpg?ts=1657850571 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/523901/w768xh432_GettyImages-1241905356.jpg?ts=1657850571 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/523901/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1241905356.jpg?ts=1657850571 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Kansas City Royals:</strong> Bobby Witt Jr. is the real deal. After a merely decent rookie campaign, Witt took a leap forward in his sophomore season, hitting 30 homers, stealing 49 bases, and saving nearly 15 runs at shortstop, according to FanGraphs Def. Of course, there's still the small matter of figuring out the entire remainder of the roster.</p><p><strong>Los Angeles Angels:</strong> Building a winner around Mike Trout is starting to seem impossible. You've heard the story already many times: The Angels had the best player since Barry Bonds and weren't good enough, then they added the best player since Babe Ruth and still weren't good enough. Now, Shohei Ohtani is presumably leaving. Sports are all about hope - any team can pull off the impossible in any given year. But is there any reason for hope in Anaheim?</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/596133/cropped_GettyImages-1734044137.jpg?ts=1697293985" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/596133/w220xh124_GettyImages-1734044137.jpg?ts=1697293985 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/596133/w320xh180_GettyImages-1734044137.jpg?ts=1697293985 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/596133/w640xh360_GettyImages-1734044137.jpg?ts=1697293985 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/596133/w768xh432_GettyImages-1734044137.jpg?ts=1697293985 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/596133/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1734044137.jpg?ts=1697293985 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Brace Hemmelgarn / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Minnesota Twins: </strong>Winning playoff rounds is possible! Detractors may point out that it was just a best-of-three wild-card round, but facts are facts: The Twins snapped a truly dire slump of losing nine straight postseason rounds dating back to 2003, which included 18 consecutive losses. Maybe the Twins are now ready to make some real noise in October, though losing Sonny Gray in free agency would certainly sting. But they're a force in the AL Central - and maybe contention isn't far away.</p><p><strong>New York Yankees:</strong> Are we witnessing the demise of Brian Cashman? Maybe this teeters on overreaction, but the Yankees' longtime general manager has been afforded ample wiggle room for roster construction that just frankly isn't working. Most recently, the investment into Carlos Rodón has blown up in rather epic fashion. If the Yankees push their streak without an AL pennant to 14 years, it's hard to imagine Cashman keeping his job. It could be a busy winter in the Bronx.</p><p><strong>Oakland Athletics:</strong> Athletics fans deserve better. There's very little to add here, but no fan base should be put through the mess that John Fisher has orchestrated. To focus more on the baseball here, though, which was nearly impossible to do in Oakland all year, Zack Gelof looks like he could be a future star second baseman after hitting 14 homers over 69 games in an abbreviated rookie campaign.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/587509/cropped_GettyImages-1608907614.jpg?ts=1691818686" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/587509/w220xh124_GettyImages-1608907614.jpg?ts=1691818686 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/587509/w320xh180_GettyImages-1608907614.jpg?ts=1691818686 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/587509/w640xh360_GettyImages-1608907614.jpg?ts=1691818686 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/587509/w768xh432_GettyImages-1608907614.jpg?ts=1691818686 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/587509/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1608907614.jpg?ts=1691818686 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alika Jenner / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Seattle Mariners: </strong>The Mariners remain a bit of an enigma. They were one of two teams this past season to rank in the top six by pitcher and hitter WAR, according to FanGraphs, and the only other team was the 99-win Rays. Every team that was better by position-player WAR made the postseason. The two teams better by pitcher WAR won at least 90 games. And then there's Seattle, finishing one game back of the final AL wild-card spot despite a better run differential than the Blue Jays.</p><p><strong>Tampa Bay Rays:</strong> Maybe it'll be a historically hot end to the season next time instead. The Rays won 13 straight games to start the 2023 campaign, tying a record set by the 1982 Braves and equaled later by the 1987 Brewers. Unfortunately for the Rays, the comparisons don't end there, as none of these teams won a playoff game. (The Braves got eliminated in three straight and the Brewers missed the postseason by seven games.) At 99 wins, the Rays still seemed like a powerhouse and arguably deserved a first-round bye over the 90-win Astros who won their division. But, as the Rangers showed, all that matters is getting hot at the right time.</p><p><strong>Texas Rangers:</strong> There's no such thing as buying a World Series. Some casuals will point to the team making Texas-sized additions in free agency, signing Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and others for a combined $719 million. However, the Rangers still had an Opening Day payroll lower than the Mets, Yankees, Padres, Phillies, Dodgers, Angels, Blue Jays, and Braves. Plus, deGrom made just six starts before requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. This team <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2752255" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2752255">built a winning culture</a> quickly, and kudos to ownership for bringing in players who bought in.</p><p><strong>Toronto Blue Jays:</strong> Daulton Varsho needs to be a full-time center fielder. The entire baseball world got to watch both Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. carry the Cinderella Diamondbacks to the World Series, and that really stings for the Jays. Varsho underperformed in his first year, but part of that is because he was confined primarily to left field, where his defensive metrics just don't play as well. Credit to Kevin Kiermaier for carrying the load in center, but it'll be best for the Jays if Varsho takes that role next year and they focus on getting a better hitter to stick in left.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/25639620/related

Reasonable end-of-season reactions for every AL team

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/michael-bradburn/content_cards

Michael Bradburn

Supervising editor

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/bryan-mcwilliam/content_cards