Mohamed Salah has paid the price for his recent poor form and been dropped to the bench by Liverpool boss Arne Slot for the clash with West Ham. And the Reds' boss has explained his reasoning behind the move after making sweeping changes to the side in the wake of the dreadful 4-1 midweek home defeat by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
South Africa could have been in a better position had they not dropped four clear chances
Firdose Moonda20-Oct-2025The calendar has moved forward a week from the Lahore Test, but you’d be forgiven for thinking the clock has stopped. In an almost exact replica of day one at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan established a position of control in Pindi, moving to 259 for 5, after choosing to bat on a surface that is already tough, and will get tougher.The major difficulty, at this stage, is the lifelessness of the track, which is not offering significant spin (yet) but there have been signs of deliveries keeping low. South Africa also benefited from reverse swing with the older ball. Pakistan’s top and middle order navigated the challenges well, albeit not quickly. Their scoring rate remained under three an over as they batted conservatively and will be happy to have only lost five wickets on a day where many more could have gone down.South Africa put down four clear chances: Abdullah Shafique on 0, 15 and 41, on his way to a sixth Test half-century, and Shan Masood on 71 but also created several others. They found the edge several times with balls falling short of the slips or short leg on at least seven other occasions and will know they could have Pakistan in a much tighter spot.Their innings was built largely on the 111-run second-wicket stand between Shafique and Masood, and Masood went on to top score on 87. Saud Shakeel added a handy 42 and remained unbeaten overnight.Keshav Maharaj was South Africa’s most effective bowler•AFP/Getty ImagesSouth Africa should have had a wicket in the first over when Kagiso Rabada found Shafique’s outside edge, but Tristan Stubbs at third slip dropped the chance. Shafique immediately got his revenge as he pushed the ball past point for the innings’ first boundary. Rabada then also found Imam-ul-Haq’s edge twice, but both fell short of the cordon.Left-armer Marco Jansen shared the new ball and beat Shafique’s inside edge as the ball touched the stumps but did not dislodge the bails. Another early opportunity went down when Shafique got a leading edge back to Keshav Maharaj, but he could not hold on to the return catch. In his next over, Maharaj spun the ball away from Shafique and found the edge, but the chance did not carry.Just as South Africa may have wondered if anything was going to go their way, Simon Harmer’s third delivery turned past Imam’s outside edge and bowled him. Harmer then almost had Masood caught at short-leg but the ball didn’t carry to Tony de Zorzi.With all that was happening, Pakistan’s progress was sedate for the first 16 overs, in which they only managed a scoring rate a shave about 2.5 runs an over. By the start of the 17th, Masood had enough – he charged down the track to hit Harmer for six at the start of his next two overs, and then meted out similar treatment to Senuran Muthusamy.Abdullah Shafique scored a half-century as well•AFP/Getty ImagesPakistan went to lunch on 95 for 1 and progressed slowly but steadily in the afternoon. Shafique continued to provide chances when he came forward to defend against Maharaj, and got an edge which deflected off Kyle Verreynne’s gloves to Aiden Markram at slip. Markram went left instead of right. By the time he readjusted, he was not able to hold on. Riding his luck, Shafique got to a patient fifty off 120 balls, but would only add seven more runs before he followed Harmer down leg and got a fine edge through to Verreynne.Babar Azam announced himself when he smashed Harmer through the covers but almost lost Masood the over later. The Pakistan captain was on 71 when he swept Maharaj to Muthusamy at short fine. He had to make some ground to his right and was in an awkward position trying to take a two-handed catch and put it down. With Babar spanking another two poor balls for fours, South Africa’s desperation grew and they decided to review a Maharaj lbw shout against him. Babar had come forward to defend and the ball seemed close to the bat, which was confirmed on UltraEdge.After four drops and four more that didn’t carry, South Africa’s moment of magic came. Babar lunged forward to defend the last ball of Maharaj’s over and the ball lobbed up in the air. De Zorzi, at silly mid-off, dived one-handed to his right and took the catch inches off the turf. Pakistan were 177 for 3 at tea.Markam bowled himself for an over before the break and three after, raising questions over why Muthusamy was being so sparingly used before Maharaj took over. The first ten overs after tea brought 31, largely untroubled runs, before Jansen was given a 72-over old ball and a license to see what it could do. He found reverse swing and beat Saud Shakeel several times and there was growing anxiousness among the batters. Masood, in search of his century, tried to sweep Maharaj over square leg but top-edged to Jansen.Jansen could have had Mohammad Rizwan three overs before the second new ball was due, but the edge fell short of Harmer at wide slip. Muthusamy finally returned in the 80th over and South Africa did not take the second new ball until the 85th, when it worked for them. Rabada, with his fifth ball, jagged one back in and hit Rizwan on the knee roll. Shakeel and Salman Agha took Pakistan to the close on a day when 91 overs were bowled in the scheduled time.
How long will Daniel Farke be given to turn around the ongoing Leeds United mess?
After so much joy at Elland Road, Marcelo Bielsa was put out of his misery 26 games into the 2021/22 season in the Premier League, mustering up just a measly five victories.
By way of comparison, the German is only two victories away from matching that amount right now, with 15 fewer league games under his belt.
Of course, Bielsa was handed more time in the hot seat due to his iconic status in West Yorkshire, but Jesse Marsch was also given 20 league games the following campaign when the Leeds ship looked to be sinking.
A trigger-happy dismissal might not be forthcoming, then, but Farke will know he needs to turn fortunes around quickly, as a whole raft of players continue to underperform.
Bielsa and Marsch were no strangers, either, to players joining the Leeds ranks and ultimately flopping, with Robin Koch one costly error that must still generate grimaces at the Premier League newcomers.
It’s fair to say there were an awful lot of misses in the transfer department when the South American and his Wisconsin-born counterpart occupied their dug-outs.
Faces such as Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams, and Rasmus Kristensen all joined for big bucks, and then disappeared when relegation was served up at the end of the gloomy 2022/23 season, with Sinisterra and Adams alone costing a whopping £41m to pick up at the time.
Thankfully, the bruised Whites managed to recoup £40m when selling the disappointing duo to AFC Bournemouth. On the contrary, the aforementioned Koch would return to his native Germany for zilch after a largely woeful three seasons in England.
In the end, Leeds were probably just happy to get their former £12m purchase off their roster, even if it was on a free transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt, with the German only managing to collect a dire ten clean sheets from 73 Premier League appearances.
Once branded as being simply “not good enough” by The Athletic’s Beren Cross and looking like a “fish out of water” by pundit Danny Mills, it really was a transfer saga that hurt Leeds, and it still does, arguably, considering Koch has since returned to his more well-known comforts of the Bundesliga and has excelled. This season, he has two goals from ten league appearances, winning a mighty 5.4 duels won on average, too, for Frankfurt.
For context, the no-nonsense Joe Rodon has averaged 5.3 duels won back in the Premier League, but he’s far from a transfer misfire.
Rather, it’s another expensive defensive recruit who could be deemed Leeds’ biggest disaster signing since Koch
The most frustrating aspect of Koch’s Leeds career, looking back, is that he had a promising debut campaign in West Yorkshire, even if it was ravaged by injury.
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Only 13 starts came his way, but four clean sheets were collected, with a final day showing to close out the 21/22 campaign, even seeing him win seven duels against Tottenham Hotspur.
Unfortunately, Jaka Bijol can’t even cling to any early promise at the moment, having cost £3m more than Koch when leaving Udinese behind.
It should have been a giveaway that the Slovenian might struggle, considering Farke was hesitant to chuck the ex-Serie A titan into his starting XI at the start of the season, with the German eventually chucking Bijol into the Premier League deep-end against West Ham United in late October.
|
Bijol’s PL numbers for Leeds |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Bijol |
|
Games played |
3 |
|
Goals conceded |
6 |
|
Losses |
2 |
|
Clean sheets |
0 |
|
Tackles won |
3 |
|
Duels won |
12/19 |
|
Stats by Sofascore |
|
He did win six duels against the Hammers as Farke’s men got the better of their relegation rivals 2-1, but his showings against Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest since must be leaving a similarly bad taste in the mouth that the German defender once left.
He found himself in no man’s land when Morgan Gibbs-White had all the time in the world to head home this decisive goal at the City Ground, with the out-of-sorts number 16 only managing to win one lacklustre tackle across both heavy away defeats.
The £45k-per-week defender will surely be fearful for his starting spot moving forward; therefore, as Pascal Struijk waits in the wings, with Bijol also yet to show off his prowess in the air, which saw him bag four goals for Udinese in Serie A action.
If Farke is to persist with Bijol, he could go on to be viewed as a Koch-type weak link for oppositions to hone in on, with a potential relegation on his CV also no doubt making him hard to shift for anywhere near his £15m valuation, like the forgettable 29-year-old.
He does still have time to turn around his Elland Road playing days, but the early signs are not good, as Leeds have been here before with a hyped up European import that never lives up to his high price tag.
Leeds stance on recalling Joe Gelhardt in January as Hull eye Harry Gray
He’s been on fire in the Championship.
By
Charlie Smith
Nov 19, 2025
We’ll never forget the beautiful offseason chaos that occurred on Dec. 8, 2023.
At the time, the biggest storyline in all of sports was where two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and his adorable puppy Decoy were going to sign in free agency. Ohtani had just wrapped up his sixth season with the Angels and had two MVP award and three All-Star nods to show for it.
There was no question that Ohtani was going to sign the biggest free-agent contract in baseball history—and likely, North American sports history. The question was … where?
As we all know, Ohtani ended up signing a record-breaking 10-year contract with the Dodgers worth $700 million, a contract that included $680 million deferred for a decade. Although Ohtani spending his next 10 years starring at Dodger Stadium seemed like a foregone conclusion that offseason, there were other serious contenders to sign the two-way superstar, including the Blue Jays. In fact, on Dec. 8, 2023, there were inaccurate reports swirling around the internet that Ohtani was on a private flight heading to Toronto—interpreted as an indication he was going to sign with the Blue Jays.
It was debunked an hour or so later, but what a time that was to be online.
Less than two years later, the baseball gods provided us with a storyline almost too good to be true—Ohtani’s Dodgers will attempt to defend their World Series title against the Blue Jays, the team that came oh-so-close to signing the two-way superstar.
Ahead of Game 1 on Friday night, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the flight to Toronto that never was:
As early as the All-Star Game in July 2023, Ohtani’s pending decision dominated the headlines. At the time, Tom Verducci considered the Dodgers the favorites to land Ohtani, followed by—in order—the Padres, Giants, Mariners, Rangers and Mets.
In the months following, the Blue Jays crept their way into the Ohtani sweepstakes and surged past the other contenders. By December, Verducci reported the Blue Jays were one of two serious finalists for Ohtani along with the Dodgers, and the Cubs and Giants were “hanging in there.”
Could the Blue Jays actually pull it off and outspend the Dodgers? Well, uh …
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi broke the internet.
At 4:01 p.m. ET on Dec. 8, 2023, Morosi reported, citing sources, that Ohtani was “en route” to Toronto and his agent would not comment when asked about his travel plans. Morosi made sure to note that as that flight left the ground, Ohtani had not signed any contract with an MLB team.
Earlier that week, it was reported that Ohtani was touring the Jays’ spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla. There was also a rumor floating around Toronto media circles that Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi made a Friday night reservation for 50 people at a sushi restaurant near Rogers Centre. Certainly, a private jet flying from Southern California to Toronto reportedly carrying the two-way superstar meant he intended to sign with Toronto. Right?
Well, not so fast.
’s Bob Nightengale—in perhaps the defining moment of his reporting career—shut it down.
“Shohei Ohtani is NOT in Toronto,” he wrote in an X post published at 5:11 p.m. ET. “Ohtani is NOT on a flight to Toronto. Ohtani is at home in Southern California.”
After Nightengale swatted the rumors of a Toronto flight, other reporters confirmed that, in fact, Ohtani was still in the Los Angeles area and not headed north across the border. Morosi, to his credit, issued a heartfelt apology later that night for getting it wrong.
But here’s the thing: There a private flight in the air traveling from Southern California to Toronto. And it was carrying a celebrity—just not a two-way baseball phenom.
Robert Herjavec, the Canadian billionaire best known for his role on the hit show , boarded flight N616RH out of John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif., and headed to Toronto on Dec. 8, 2023.
Traveling with his two sons, Herjavec had no idea fans and journalists alike were tracking Flight N616RH through the air. When Herjavec landed in Toronto and was welcomed by a sea of Canadian media, he was beyond confused. He was even asked by a Canadian customs agent whether Ohtani was on the plane.
Just before 6 p.m. ET, a CBC photographer on site at the airport reported that Flight N616RH was carrying Herjavec, not Ohtani.
Later that night, Herjavec himself posted to social media and confirmed the news.
“I’d like to thank the @bluejays organization for signing me today!” Herjavec wrote in an Instagram post. “All joking aside—I’m not @shoheiohtani and he was not on my plane today! Not sure how it all started but I’m calling the jays and seeing if they’ll sign my 5 year old for 600 mil (he WAS on the plane and throws a mean pitch).”
The very next day, Ohtani signed his lucrative contract with the Dodgers. He led Los Angeles to a World Series in his first season with the club, defeating Aaron Judge and the Yankees in five games.
But if Ohtani is going to add a second World Series ring to his trophy case, he’ll have to go through the Blue Jays—the organization that will forever be linked to his free-agent decision.
يخوض منتخب مصر الثاني بقيادة مديره الفني حلمي طولان اختبارًا مهمًا مساء اليوم، عندما يلتقي منتخب الأردن في مواجهة مرتقبة ضمن منافسات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العرب 2025، في مباراة تحمل طابعًا تنافسيًا قويًا بين المنتخبين.
طالع | فيديو | بهزيمة وتعادلين.. منتخب مصر يودع كأس العرب بالخسارة بثلاثية أمام الأردن
ودخل منتخب مصر هذه الجولة بعد تعادل في المواجهة الماضية أمام الإمارات بهدف لكل فريق، وهو التعادل الذي حافظ على حظوظ “الفراعنة” في التأهل، لكنه في الوقت نفسه جعل من لقاء الأردن مواجهة لا تقبل التفريط، خاصة مع تقارب ترتيب المنتخبات داخل المجموعة.
ويأتي منتخب مصر ضمن المجموعة الثالثة إلى جانب منتخبات الأردن والإمارات والكويت، وهي مجموعة صعبة اتسمت نتائجها بالتقارب الشديد منذ الجولة الأولى، مما جعل الجولة الثالثة والأخيرة حاسمة في تحديد المتأهلين.
ويسعى المنتخب المصري لتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية أمام الأردن، لضمان العبور رسميًا إلى الدور التالي، في حين يدرك الجهاز الفني بقيادة حلمي طولان أهمية المباراة وضرورة الحفاظ على التركيز طوال الـ90 دقيقة، خاصة في ظل الأداء القوي الذي قدمه المنتخب الأردني في الجولتين السابقتين.
طالع أيضًا | القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر والأردن في كأس العرب 2025
ويحتل منتخب مصر المركز الثاني في ترتيب المجموعة برصيد نقطتين حصدهما من تعادلين أمام الكويت ثم الإمارات، بينما يدخل الأردن المواجهة بعد أن حسم التأهل كمتصدر للمجموعة بـ 6 نقاط. موعد مباراة مصر والأردن اليوم في كأس العرب 2025
تنطلق مباراة مصر والأردن اليوم الثلاثاء في تمام الساعة 4:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، و5:30 مساءً بتوقيت السعودية وقطر والأردن، في لقاء ينتظر أن يشهد حضورًا جماهيريًا كبيرًا ودعمًا ملحوظًا من جماهير البلدين داخل الملاعب القطرية.
ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا
The 2025 MLB season featured a wild finish, with a seven-game World Series that captivated the sports world. Less than a week after the Dodgers raised the Commissioner’s Trophy for the second straight year, all focus has turned to 2026. Based on early discussions, there should be a ton of player movement this offseason.
The free agent class has a decent number of big names in it, but the competition for those players could send teams browsing on the trade market. There should be plenty of options available. What follows is a look at the 10 best players who could be on the trade block this winter.
1. Tarik Skubal, SP, Detroit Tigers
Skubal is about to win his second AL Cy Young in a row, and he’s the Tigers’ best player. Despite that, the two sides remain far apart in discussions over a long-term contract. The ace lefty will be 29 when the 2026 season starts and will be a free agent after it ends. If they’re not going to pay him what he’s worth, the Tigers may be better off getting a haul for him before he walks away, especially if they don’t plan on spending enough cash this offseason to build a World Series contender.
In 2025, Skubal went 13–6 with a 2.21 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 241 strikeouts against 33 walks in 195 1/3 innings. He was second in baseball in FIP (2.45), third in strikeouts per nine innings pitched (11.1) and led MLB pitchers in fWAR (6.6). Over the past three seasons, Skubal has made 77 starts, going 38–13 with a 2.39 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 175 ERA+ and 571 strikeouts in 467 2/3 innings. He’s baseball’s most dominant pitcher and is in the middle of his prime. Any contender would be crazy not to at least explore a deal to get him.
Fits: Mets, Giants, Padres, Red Sox, Astros
Duran’s name keeps popping up in trade rumors as a young core continues to fortify Boston’s ranks. The Red Sox could attempt to move the veteran outfielder in order to fortify their starting rotation. Duran regressed a bit in 2025, but still provides a ton of value as a speedy corner outfielder who consistently produces good exit velocities.
The 29-year-old was phenomenal in 2024 when he slashed .285/.342/.492 with 21 home runs, 75 RBIs, a 131 wRC+ and 34 stolen bases. He produced 6.8 fWAR (which was almost cut in half in 2025) while also leading the league in doubles and triples. This season, he slashed .256/.332/.442, with 15 home runs, 84 RBIs, a wRC+ of 111 and 24 stolen bases. His 3.9 fWAR was solid, but sent the message that he’s unlikely to ever reach the highs he experienced in 2024. Still, he’d be one of the top bats on the market if Boston made him available, and given that he’s under team control through 2028, he would net a hefty return.
Fits: Phillies, Dodgers, Royals, Orioles
3. Freddy Peralta, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers had an outstanding season in 2025, and Peralta was a big part of that. But he’s due for free agency after next season, and, like Milwaukee did with Corbin Burnes, it looks like they club will move him before he walks in 2026. Peralta was excellent this season, going 17–6 with a 2.70 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and 204 strikeouts in 176 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old continued showing he’s a durable frontline guy, having made 95 starts over the past three years.
Peralta is under contract for $8 million next season, so virtually any team could afford him. That’s great news for Milwaukee, as there could be a bidding war for his services. He’s widely regarded as the second-best arm on the market, and if the Tigers opt to keep Skubal, he’d jump to the top of the list. The Brewers should be able to net a substantial return in that case.
Fits: Padres, Yankees, Mets, Orioles, Diamondbacks
Ryan has slowly broken out over the past two years, but he took things to another level in 2025. In 31 appearances (30 starts), the 29-year-old went 13–10 with a 3.42 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 194 strikeouts against 39 walks in 171 innings. Ryan, a first-time All-Star, allowed a .233 xwOBA on his sweeper, and his fastball was almost as good (.277). His 4.89 ERA over the final two months of the season raised some red flags, but Minnesota was awful as a whole over that stretch.
The Twins sold big at the deadline and are looking at a full rebuild centered around one of the best farm systems in baseball. They can enhance that by moving Ryan, who will be one of the hottest names on the trade market this winter. He’s under team control through 2027, so he should net a larger return.
Fits: Red Sox, Padres, Tigers, Angels
5. Steven Kwan, OF, Cleveland Guardians
Despite all the issues listed above, Kwan was a popular target at the trade deadline. Other teams are interested, and the Guardians could choose to sell while he’s still a hot name. He’s under team control through 2027, which will only add to his allure.
The Guardians floated Kwan at the trade deadline, but were asking for a significant return that they couldn’t find. The 28-year-old is a four-time Gold Glove winner and has been an All-Star in each of the past two seasons. He’s one of the best defensive corner outfielders in MLB, but his bat is a bit of a problem. Kwan rarely strikes out and regularly squares balls up (99th percentile) but produces weak exit velocities, which leaves him mostly powerless. In 2025 he slashed .272/.330/.374 and had a wRC+ of 99. In his four seasons, he has never broken the .800 OPS barrier. His career slugging percentage of .390 is incredibly weak. Despite stellar defense, he only produced 3.2 fWAR in 2025.
Fits: Dodgers, Orioles, Cubs, Phillies
Two years ago, this would have been unthinkable when Rutschman was the Orioles’ cornerstone and was named first-team All-MLB. His decline began in 2024, but the 27-year-old bottomed out this season as he only played 90 games due to strains in both obliques, and slashed a woeful .220/.307/.366, with nine home runs, 29 RBIs and a wRC+ of 91. With top catching prospect Samuel Basallo now in the big leagues, the writing is on the wall for Rutschman.
The Orioles were MLB’s most disappointing team in 2025 and need to bounce back in 2026. Trading Rutschman could beef up the MLB roster. He’s still well-respected as a leader and solid defensive catcher, and he’s only two years removed from an .809 OPS and 20 home runs. He’s under team control through 2027, so there will be no shortage of teams interested.
Fits: Rangers, Phillies, Nationals, Rays
7. Sandy Alcántara, SP, Miami Marlins
Alcántara struggled for much of the 2025 season after returning from Tommy John surgery. In 31 starts, the 2022 NL Cy Young winner went 11–12 with a 5.36 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 165 strikeouts and 57 walks in 174 2/3 innings. He produced 1.7 fWAR, his lowest total ever in a full season. On the bright side, his xFIP was 4.19, much lower than his bloated ERA. He’s only 30 and should be much better in his second season back from elbow reconstruction.
The Marlins missed the playoffs by four games this season, but they have a new front office regime in place led by Gabe Kapler. That group will likely want to be bold in establishing a new direction. Alcántara is set to make $17.3 million in 2026, and his contract has a club option for $21 million in 2027. Yes, Miami would be selling low here, but dealing him could clear some cash off the books while netting a solid return.
Fits: Braves, Giants, Blue Jays, Angels
After years of waiting, Adell finally broke out in 2025 and delivered on some of the promise he showed as a top-five prospect in the game back in 2020. Adell slashed .236/.293/.485, with 37 home runs and 98 RBIs, and produced a career-best wRC+ of 112. Can he repeat that in 2026? The jury is still out, but he’s under team control through 2027, so there’s value to be mined here.
The Angels lost 90 games, Mike Trout is a shell of his former self and they own one of baseball’s worst farm systems. It would be wise for L.A. to start unloading the few assets it has and look to the future. Taylor Ward, Luis Rengifo, Jorge Soler and Kenley Jansen should also be on the table. As for Adell, a team needing some pop from a corner outfield spot could buy high on the 26-year-old banking that 2025 represented his immense underlying talent showing through, not a fluke.
Fits: White Sox, Royals, Orioles, Red Sox
9. MacKenzie Gore, SP, Washington Nationals
Gore was excellent in the first half of the season, showing the stuff that led the Padres to select him with the third overall pick in the 2017 draft. He made his first All-Star team as he entered the break with a 4–8 record, 3.02 ERA, 2.96 FIP and 138 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings. He still surrendered too many walks, but he was mostly in command on the mound. Then it all fell apart. Over his final 11 starts, Gore went 1–7 with a 6.75 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 47 strikeouts against 29 walks in 49 1/3 innings. That kicked his ERA up to 4.17 on the season. Simply put, he walks too many guys, and his fastball is too hittable, as opponents had an xSLG of .497 against it.
Despite his second-half struggles, the 26-year-old should be a popular target this winter as the Nationals rework their roster to build for the future. He’s under contract through 2027, and when he’s on, Gore has the stuff to be a frontline starter. He may not garner as big of a return as he would have two years ago, but in the hands of the right pitching coach, he could quickly turn things around.
Fits: Braves, Mets, Giants, Padres
10. Luis Robert Jr., OF, Chicago White Sox
Robert has seemingly been on the trade block for a solid two seasons now, but the White Sox haven’t found a deal they like. That might change this offseason. The 28-year-old had a monster year in 2023 in which he hit 38 home runs and boasted an OPS of .857 and a wRC+ of 129. But he’s looked like a totally different player at the plate since then. In 2025, he slashed .223/.297/.364, with 14 home runs and a weak wRC+ of 84. Some of that decline might be due to the White Sox just being terrible, but there are legitimate concerns that Robert’s best days are behind him. He has also missed significant time in 2024 and ’25, only playing a total of 210 games.
Chicago picked up the $20 million option on Robert’s contract for 2026 and holds another at the same price in 2027—so he’s not a rental, is still a plus defender and can still run, as he stole 33 bases this season. The power/speed combination is still there if someone can get him back on track. When he’s right, Robert is a 30/30 threat who plays good defense in center. There are plenty of teams who could use someone like that, but there is quite a bit of risk here.
Fits: Cubs, Royals, Mets, Orioles
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“A VaideBet informa que tem acompanhado atentamente as publicações e manifestações envolvendo o comissionamento do contrato de patrocínio ao Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, e que desde o mês de abril tem solicitado esclarecimentos sobre o caso.
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Durante as últimas semanas, a VaideBet pediu informações ao Corinthians em ocasiões variadas e realizou reunião presencial na sede do clube no dia 8 de maio, além de ter enviado um comunicado à diretoria na última segunda-feira (20).
Desde o primeiro momento, a VaideBet foi contatada por um agente intermediário sobre a possibilidade de se firmar um acordo para patrocínio master do Corinthians e foi conduzida pelo referido interveniente até a diretoria do clube para o início das negociações. Nunca houve contato com qualquer outra empresa a respeito da negociação para o acordo de patrocínio.
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A VaideBet observa com atenção os desdobramentos do atual cenário e avalia os próximos passos.”
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Suspended Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is in line for a surprise return to action next month after not featuring for over a year, according to reports.
Mykhailo Mudryk banned for positive drugs test
Mudryk’s absence from Chelsea’s first-team setup has now exceeded twelve months, with the Ukrainian international last appearing competitively on November 28 last year before his career ground to a dramatic halt.
The 24-year-old tested positive for meldonium, a performance-enhancing substance prohibited under anti-doping regulations.
Following confirmation of his B sample analysis in June, the FA formally charged Mudryk, leaving him facing a potential ban ranging between two and four years if found guilty.
Throughout the ordeal, Mudryk has maintained complete innocence, and even voluntarily undertook a lie detector test which supported his version of events.
Ukrainian sports journalists have theorised that contaminated stem cell treatment administered during international duty may explain the adverse finding, suggesting the injection originated from cattle previously exposed to meldonium.
Chelsea sanctioned the record £88.5 million transfer from Shakhtar in January 2023, initially viewing him as a transformative attacking signing after hijacking Arsenal’s deal.
However, his Stamford Bridge career proved underwhelming even before the suspension materialised, with inconsistent performances failing to justify the enormous investment.
The club reassigned his prestigious number ten shirt to Cole Palmer following Mudryk’s suspension, signalling their acceptance of a prolonged absence.
Chelsea also reinforced their attacking options by striking deals for Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens in the summer, further blocking any potential pathway back into Enzo Maresca’s plans.
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Reports have suggested that, once Mudryk is eligible to play again, Chelsea could allow the forward to join sister club Strasbourg on loan in a bid to reignite his career.
Mykhailo Mudryk in line for January return as Sevilla eye Chelsea loan deal
Now, according to journalist JM Villalba and Canal Sur Radio, that eligibility could be as early as next month.
Speaking to the Spanish broadcaster, Villalba has reported that Mudryk will be able to play again after January 17, and this has piqued interest from La Liga side Sevilla.
The club are considering a deal for Mudryk once he comes back midway through next month, which is a surprise when factoring in how very little we’ve heard about the winger’s return timeline.
If Mudryk is indeed eligible for a January renaissance, BlueCo should certainly green-light a temporary move away for him.
He quite simply needs game time and renewed confidence following the lengthy layoff, controversy and serious drop down Maresca’s pecking order, with the Spanish top flight potentially providing that needed reintroduction to competitive action.
That being said, it should be a dry loan with no option or obligation to buy, with Chelsea poised to make a key decision about Mudryk’s long-term future.
He still has six years remaining on his current contract, giving the Blues plenty of time to do so.
Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy were dropped from the T20I side
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Dec-20252:14
Hardik back in T20I squad; Washington preferred over Rinku
Hardik Pandya has been named in India’s 15-member squad for the T20Is against South Africa after an injury layoff kept him out of action for over two months.India’s T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill, who has been recovering from a neck injury he sustained in the first Test in Kolkata, was also named in the squad, but his participation will depend on his fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE). Suryakumar Yadav will lead the squad for the five-match series starting on December 9.There was no place in the side for Rinku Singh and allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy who had toured Australia recently for the T20I series. Those were the only two omissions from India’s last T20I assignment.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Hardik returned to action on Tuesday in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), India’s domestic T20s, for Baroda. He opened the bowling for figures of 1 for 52 and then batted at No. 4 to smash an unbeaten 77 off 42 balls with four sixes and seven fours for a seven-wicket win over Punjab. That was his first match since the Asia Cup Super Fours match against Sri Lanka on September 26.Rinku didn’t bat at all on the Australia tour and was picked in the XI only for the last T20I of the series, in Brisbane, which was washed out after 4.5 overs. That was his only international outing since hitting the winning runs in the Asia Cup final and he is currently playing in the SMAT for Uttar Pradesh.Reddy also didn’t get any chances in the T20Is in Australia but his exclusion was expected once Hardik was fit again.If Gill doesn’t regain his fitness in time, Sanju Samson could open along with Abhishek Sharma, which he has been doing while leading Kerala in the ongoing domestic T20s. In Australia, Samson batted at No. 3 in the only chance he got, in the second T20I in Melbourne. He was also in the XI for the opening game but Suryakumar batted at No. 3 and the match was washed out after 9.4 overs.Jitesh Sharma is the second wicketkeeper in the side. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the fast-bowling attack along with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. Hardik, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are the allrounders while Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav are the frontline spinners.The five matches will be played on December 9, 11, 14, 17 and 19 in Cuttack, New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow and Ahmedabad respectively. South Africa won the two-Test series 2-0 and India led the ODI series 1-0 when the T20I squad was announced during the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday.
Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Shubman Gill (vice-capt)*, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar
*Subject to fitness clearance from BCCI CoE.
USA cricketer Akhilesh Reddy has been charged by the ICC with three violations of the Anti-Corruption Code and is suspended from playing effective immediately.The charges stem from alleged misconduct during the ongoing Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, where Reddy is playing for Aspin Stallions and has featured in two matches so far.He has been booked under the following sections of the anti-corruption code:Article 2.1.1 – Attempting to fix, contrive, or improperly influence, or being party to an agreement or effort to improperly influence, the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of matches in the ADT10 2025.Article 2.1.4 – Soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging, or intentionally facilitating (or attempting to do so) another Participant to breach Article 2.1.1 during one or more matches in the ADT10 2025.Article 2.4.7 – Obstructing the investigation by deleting data and messages from a mobile device that may have been relevant to the inquiry.Reddy, 25, had only made his international debut earlier this year, when he played four T20Is for USA in the North America T20 Cup. He has 14 days to respond to the charges.