Latest news with #AboveAverage
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Eugenio Suárez compliments ‘hungry' Yankees while leaving door open to trade
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free ATLANTA — Eugenio Suárez said he is 'happy' in Arizona and is doing his best to help a club that entered the All-Star break floundering but fighting: three games under .500, 11 games removed from the NL West lead and 5.5 games out of a wild-card spot. But an All-Star in whom the Yankees have interest is not shooing away the trade-deadline rumors that he acknowledged are flattering and could culminate with Suárez playing in The Bronx for a franchise he respects. 'Yankees is Yankees — I feel like it's a team that wants to win,' Suárez said at Monday's media availability. 'They had the [World Series] chance from last year, but they are hungry still. 'If I go over there, like I said, I would do my best over there. Try to help them win the World Series.' There might not be a better fit on the market to help the Yankees' World Series odds. 4 Eugenio Suárez would be a perfect fit for the Yankees. AP Suárez checks off every box for a team that needs a sure-handed, righty-swinging third baseman who can help now and wouldn't clog a position that the club could envision top prospect George Lombard Jr. claiming in the next few years. The 33-year-old, now two-time All-Star is enjoying another strong offensive season, clubbing 31 first-half homers, posting an .889 OPS and leading the NL with 78 RBIs. He swings hard and often — his 105 strikeouts are tied for the 19th-most in the game — but that has not scared off the Yankees in the past. 'I never try to hit homers,' Suárez said with a smile, 'but [the power] is in there.' His power does not discriminate: He has crushed both righties and lefties this season, which would particularly fit on a Yankees club that is largely lefty outside Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. 4 Eugenio Suárez had high praise for the Yankees. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect He has played third base the most often through his 12-year career and is fine if not fantastic, ranking 33rd among 39 qualifiers at the position this season in Outs Above Average. Jazz Chisholm Jr. would not need to be moved back to a third base that might strain his arm more and minimizes his legs. And on a Yankees team that has plenty of long-term deals and probably does not want to import more 30-somethings who are locked up for years, Suárez would make sense as a true rental. He is making $15 million this season before he hits free agency. The Venezuela native makes perfect sense for the Yankees — and perhaps for the Diamondbacks and a team such as the Cubs or Tigers, too. There are worlds in which the Diamondbacks — who as recently as 2023 snuck into the postseason as a wild card and raced to the NL pennant — go on a run and decide against selling at the July 31 deadline. Arizona has suffered several significant injuries throughout the first half, but still is talented. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS And if the Diamondbacks do sell, the Yankees would have to fight with several clubs to win the bidding. No team has seen worse production (.531 OPS) at the hot corner than the Cubs, who have given rookie Matt Shaw a chance to run with the spot, and he has not. 4 Eugenio Suárez was named an All-Star for the second time of his career. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect A win-now team, with only one guaranteed season of Kyle Tucker, will want to win now. Detroit, too, likely would be interested in Suárez, who would represent a major upgrade for the team with the best record in MLB and should be pushing its chips in. Suárez has noticed the attention from top teams. 'When you see your name around, and you hear the different teams want you, it's something that you have to feel proud,' he said. 'Let's see what happens in the next couple weeks.' Adding to the Yankees' urgency are the alternatives. The Rockies' Ryan McMahon owns a .683 OPS and is a perhaps declining 30-year-old due $32 million in 2026-27. 4 A number of teams are interested in Eugenio Suárez. Getty Images Nolan Arenado's bat has not bounced back. Maybe Ke'Bryan Hayes can be pried from the Pirates, but the excellent third baseman has a .576 OPS. Other options include Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Luis Rengifo. Suárez plans to be slugging and not sweating the deadline. 'It's something that is out of my control,' he said. 'I'm happy where I am right now, like I always say, but, at the same time, I understand the game, I understand the business.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Victor Scott II Mistake Leads to Cardinals Motto, New Apparel
One simple slip of the tongue from St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II has turned into the motto for one of baseball's youngest and most exciting teams. 'I said the word 'Yungry' when I meant to say youthful and hungry… but that's kind of what this group is,' Scott said. Advertisement Now, that accidental phrase has become a brand. According to Baseball Reference, the Cardinals have the seventh-youngest team in MLB, with an average age of 27.2. The youth wave is headlined by standouts like Masyn Winn (23), Jordan Walker (22), Iván Herrera (24) and of course, Victor Scott II (24). To celebrate the growing 'Yungry' movement, Scott II is hosting an in-person launch party on Saturday, May 24 at 6 p.m. at Arch Apparel's Ballpark Village store following the Cardinals' home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The event will feature the debut of two new 'Yungry' apparel designs, along with giveaways, autographs, photo opportunities, ticket raffles and even a preview of Scott's new music — released under his stage name, Argo. Advertisement The 'Yungry' collection includes shirts, hoodies, hats and crewnecks, each featuring bold 'Yungry' lettering with a subtle 'VS2' logo below. Victor Scott II (11) high fives teammates after hitting a three-run home Stratman-Imagn Images Scott II has been nothing but electric to start his 2025 campaign. After earning the starting center field job out of spring training, he's made an impact with his speed, defense and consistency. Through 44 games, he's slashing .271/.344/.375 with two home runs, 13 stolen bases and 18 RBIs. He currently ranks tied for sixth in MLB in stolen bases. Defensively, the Cardinals top all of Major League Baseball in Outs Above Average (OAA), with Scott II leading the team with six. Advertisement The club is currently 27-21, sitting just one game behind the division-leading Cubs. Winners of 13 of their last 15, the Cardinals are finding their identity and culture within the clubhouse— and it just might be 'Yungry.' Related: Cardinals Lead MLB in Ever Important Category Related: Former Cardinals All-Star Announces Retirement from Baseball
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Three Landing Spots for Rays Closer After Recent Trade Prediction
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. With it appearing that the New York Yankees may run away with the AL East division championship, the rest of the teams in the division may need to start plan on being sellers at this season's trade deadline. That includes the Tampa Bay Rays, who have been predicted by Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter as sellers, with their most likely trade piece being closer Pete Fairbanks. If the Rays do decide to move him, here are three potential landing spots. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: Pete Fairbanks #29 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after a strike out ends the game for the 8-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 16,... ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: Pete Fairbanks #29 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after a strike out ends the game for the 8-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 16, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. MoreAtlanta Braves Atlanta has been one of the best stories in baseball over the last month, as it has scratched and clawed back to a .500 record after beginning the year 0-7. A bit of a weak spot still for the Braves is the bullpen. Rasiel Iglesias is the current closer in Atlanta and he is having one of the worst seasons of his career. Iglesias has a 5.71 ERA and is 7-for-10 on save chances. He's already allowed six home runs this season, two more than he allowed all of last season in 69 1/3 innings pitched. Making a move for Fairbanks would allow Iglesias to move to the 8th inning role and regain his confidence before what Atlanta hopes is a deep postseason run this season. Chicago Cubs Chicago has been one of the best teams in all of baseball this season, and if it had a halfway decent bullpen, it would be considered a true contender in the National League. The offseason acquisition of Ryan Pressly has not worked out the way the Cubs had hoped it would. He has a 6.91 ERA and just seven strikeouts in 16 appearances and 14 1/3 innings pitched. The acquisition of a closer feels like a much-needed move and Fairbanks could fill that need nicely and help improve a Chicago bullpen that ranks No. 28 in Wins Above Average from relief pitchers. San Francisco Giants San Francisco already has one of the best bullpens in the league and the addition of Fairbanks to that bullpen would make the Giants true competitors to the Padres and Dodgers in the NL West. Fairbanks could join a bullpen that ranks third in Wins Above Average from relief pitchers and features both Camilio Doval (1.37 ERA, five saves) and Ryan Walker (seven saves). It is unclear if San Francisco is looking for bullpen help and if they are, Fairbanks could be a viable option for a team hoping to win its first division title since 2021. More MLB: How to Buy Boston Red Sox "Green Monster" 2025 City Connect Jerseys, Hats, Gear
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 NFL draft class ranks top 10 in intriguing PFF metric
Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 NFL draft class ranks top 10 in intriguing PFF metric The Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 NFL draft class ranks in the top 10 in this intriguing metric from Pro Football Focus. The Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 NFL draft class ranks in the top 10 in this intriguing metric from Pro Football Focus. In an effort to help quantify and compare draft classes without any subjectivity, PFF utilized its Wins Above Average (WAA) metric, which is similar to Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in baseball. "Wins Above Average (WAA) is designed to help cut through that subjectivity," wrote PFF. "It estimates how many wins a player is worth above an average college football player, offering a standardized, data-driven method of assessing performance." Of the 32 NFL teams, the Jaguars' draft class ranked ninth in this metric, with 1.784 WAA added. At the top of the list were the Cleveland Browns with a WAA of 3.203, followed by the New York Giants, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and San Francisco, rounding out the top five. As you'd expect, Travis Hunter, with a WAA of 0.86, provided the biggest jolt for the Jaguars. Wyatt Milum, Jack Kiser, Jalen McLeod, and Rayuan Lane all provided modest boosts to Jacksonville's overall score, while Bhayshul Tuten, Jonah Monheim, and LeQuint Allen hovered around the average mark to varying degrees. Hunter, of course, was a two-way star, but Milum, Kiser, McLeod, and Lane all graded out well by PFF's metrics in specific areas that helped increase their WAA. Milum was all-around dominant last season at left tackle. Kiser graded out well as a tackler and run defender, Lane was very good in coverage, according to PFF, and McLeod was a top-graded pass rusher. As PFF also noted, WAA is not a projection of what each team's draft class will do, but instead measures what they've already done.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts' 2025 NFL draft class ranks among the best in this PFF metric
Indianapolis Colts' 2025 NFL draft class ranks among the best in this PFF metric The Indianapolis Colts' 2025 NFL draft class ranks among the best in this intriguing metric from Pro Football Focus. The Indianapolis Colts' 2025 NFL draft class ranks among the best in this intriguing metric from Pro Football Focus. In an effort to help quantify and compare draft classes without any subjectivity, PFF utilized its Wins Above Average (WAA) metric, which is similar to Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in baseball. "Wins Above Average (WAA) is designed to help cut through that subjectivity," wrote PFF. "It estimates how many wins a player is worth above an average college football player, offering a standardized, data-driven method of assessing performance." Of the 32 NFL teams, the Colts' draft class ranked fourth in this category, with 2.231 WAA added. In front of them were Cleveland at No. 1, followed by the New York Giants and Philadelphia. The biggest WAA boost that the Colts received came from first-round pick Tyler Warren. Not too far behind him was quarterback Riley Leonard, while defensive end JT Tuimoloau ranked well by this metric. Warren was considered the most well-rounded tight end prospect in this year's class. Tuimoloau ranked among the best at his position against both the run and the pass, while Leonard helped lead Notre Dame to the National Championship game. Those three players in particular accounted for 1.96 of the Colts' draft class WAA. The other five players were all around slightly above average. As PFF also noted, WAA is not a projection of what each team's draft class will do, but instead measures what they've already done.
