Manchester United are now looking to sell a £10 million-a-year player and have already identified his replacement, according to a new report.
Man Utd receive injury boosts during international break
The Red Devils have enjoyed a rather successful international break so far, as they didn’t have many players away on international duty and have seen striker Rasmus Hojlund among the goals once again, as he helped Denmark beat Portugal 1-0 last week.
Man Utd to battle Barcelona for £20m full-back with triple Dalot's assists
United are keen on signing a new defender but face strong competition from several European clubs.
By
Brett Worthington
Mar 25, 2025
United are not back in action until next Tuesday and the break has come at the right time to allow some of the injured players to return to training. Ruben Amorim had nine players out in the game against Leicester City, plus Patrick Dorgu suspended, but he could be set to receive a welcome boost.
Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are targeting a return to the matchday squad for the game against Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, Ayden Heaven is also in contention for that game at the City Ground after coming out of his protective boot. Manchester Evening News report that their chances of playing against Forest rest on how they come through training this week.
Meanwhile, winger Amad Diallo teased supporters on Monday evening that he could be available sooner than expected. The Ivory Coast international damaged his ankle ligaments in training last month, and it was suspected that he would be out until the end of the season, but Amad could be back before the campaign comes to a close.
Man Utd desperate to shift Harry Maguire's wages
As Amorim prays that he has some of his key players back for the final run-in, INEOS are looking ahead to the summer transfer window and are keen to offload several players. According to TEAMtalk, Man United are now ready to sell Maguire and replace him with Jarrad Branthwaite.
Harry Maguire
The report states that the Red Devils have been trying to move the 32-year-old on over the past two transfer windows, but due to him earning £10 million a year at Old Trafford, clubs have backed out of any potential deal.
It goes on to add that United are now ‘desperate’ to sell Maguire, as they want to get his wages off their books and bring in money which can help them sign Branthwaite, who has been dubbed a “monster” by scout/writer Jacek Kulig.
Maguire and Branthwaite – Premier League 24/25
Maguire
Branthwaite
Apps
20
22
Goals
1
0
Progressive carries
6
8
Progressive passes
42
46
Passes attempted
879
841
Passes completed
762
689
Tackles (Won)
24 (13)
31 (17)
Blocks
13
23
Interceptions
35
23
Clearances
66
141
Errors leading to shot
1
3
Branthwaite is high on United’s list of targets, but Everton’s valuation may make it hard for United to sign the Englishman. So, the Red Devils will hope moving Maguire on can clear some money and space to bring Branthwaite to Old Trafford.
Maguire has been a United player since August 2019, and despite the negativity towards him, he has continued to be an important player at the back. He has played 28 times in all competitions this season and has started 12 games in the Premier League under Amorim so far.
تعادل نادي حرس الحدود مجددًا مع النادي الأهلي، بتسجيله الهدف الثاني في المباراة المقامة بينهما الآن، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، لتصبح النتيجة 2-2.
ويلتقي الأهلي مع حرس الحدود، في إطار الجولة الثامنة من عمر مواجهات بطولة الدوري المصري، على ملعب الكلية الحربية.
وسجل إسلام أبو سليمة لاعب نادي حرس الحدود، هدف فريقه الثاني في الدقيقة 53 بعد متابعة لكرة عرضية مرسلة من ركنية من الجانب الأيمن وارتطمت في طاهر محمد طاهر وسكنت شباك مصطفى شوبير. هدف حرس الحدود الثاني أمام الأهلي
طالع | ترتيب هدافي الدوري المصري بعد هدف تريزيجيه أمام حرس الحدود
وكان النادي الأهلي تقدم عن طريق جراديشار في الدقيقة 3 وتعادل الحدود بواسطة لاعبه محمد حمدي في الدقيقة 8، قبل أن يسجل محمود حسن تريزيجيه هدف المارد الأحمر الثاني في الدقيقة 45+3 من الشوط الأول للمباراة.
Leeds United have issued an unreserved apology to fans after being told by German authorities that supporters will not be permitted to attend their pre-season friendlies in the country. Despite months of planning and written assurances from organisers, local police denied permits, leaving fans and the club frustrated just weeks before the Premier League restart.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Leeds fans banned from attending Germany pre-season friendliesClub apologises after late U-turn by local German authoritiesSupporters can attend Stockholm, Dublin and Elland Road friendliesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Leeds arranged an eight-day pre-season camp in Germany ahead of their return to the Premier League. The club believed fans could attend and received written assurances from the German FA and tour partners. However, just a week before the tour, local authorities denied permits for public attendance, live updates, or streams, citing logistical issues post-Euro 2024. Leeds have now released an apology to their fans and told them not to travel to Germany.
On Friday morning, Leeds released a statement, which read: "Leeds United will travel to Germany in pre-season as part of preparations for the upcoming 2025/26 Premier League season, after the technical success of the camp last year helped us win the Sky Bet Championship title.
"Opponents and venues for fixtures were arranged earlier this year, and written assurances secured from both the German FA and our tour operator as well, given last summer we were asked at short notice by the police and local authorities not to bring supporters due to a resource strain following UEFA Euro 2024.
"Frustratingly, despite having matches agreed for a number of months, we have in the last week been informed that the police and local authorities will once again not grant a permit for us to play matches in front of spectators, will prohibit us from providing live updates and video streams, and have requested we discourage supporter travel.
"This comes despite multiple attempts to find a solution including offering various assurances, pursuing alternative scenarios that would allow for fan attendance, and even evaluating moving camp to a different location on short notice. Unfortunately, those efforts were fruitless due to the last second nature of our change in circumstances.
"This result is deeply frustrating to all of us, just as it is sure to frustrate and anger you, our loyal supporters, to whom we apologise unreservedly for this outcome.
"We remain excited about our summer friendlies against Manchester United, Villarreal CF, and AC Milan, with tickets available for all three matches, and the opportunity for supporters to travel with the team to Sweden and Ireland.
"Ticket information for our friendly against Villarreal will be released in due course."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This marks a second straight summer in which Leeds fans have been shut out of pre-season fixtures in Germany. Leeds attempted to explore alternatives, including relocating the camp, but were unable to secure a solution in time. The Leeds United Supporters Trust criticised the decision per the BBC, and is seeking formal clarification from the German authorities.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LEEDS?
The fans of the Premier League side can still attend three other friendlies: against Manchester United in Stockholm, AC Milan in Dublin, and Villarreal at Elland Road on August 2. Leeds will look to make the most of the closed training camp and focus on preparations before they kick off the 2025/26 Premier League season at home to Everton on August 18.
The inconsistent Melbourne Renegades look settled in the top four after three wins on the spin, while Elyse Villani has impressively led Perth Scorchers from the front
Geoff Lemon and Adam Collins28-Dec-2017Rising Renegades, hapless Heat At last. Since the very start of this competition in 2015, Melbourne Renegades have threatened to contend. But so far, their only consistent quality has been inconsistency. When losing a close one early this season – another common trait – it looked the same old story.But three wins on the spin has popped them into the top four, looking one of the most settled squads in the league. They did the double over Brisbane Heat in style, first holding them back from chasing 133, then pulverising them for 66 bowling first.At the top of the list, Sophie Molineux cannot be far from an Australian call-up, while Sri Lankan powerhouse Chamari Atapattu is fresh off one of the greatest ever ODI innings against Australia at the World Cup. The first drop is Jess Duffin, the former Australian international, a great poach from crosstown rivals Melbourne Stars. At four, there has been no better acquisition than New Zealand allrounder Amy Satterthwaite, the skipper who holds her side together with bat and ball.With an attack led ably by Australian T20 offspinner Molly Strano, along with the league’s quickest seamer in Lea Tahuhu, the Renegades may be going places. We thought the same of Brisbane a fortnight ago but one win in four starts puts them well off the pace. Getting bowled out in such dismal fashion will badly dent their confidence.Villani finds range, but Stars find a wayLike the Renegades, consistent inconsistency has been Elyse Villani’s story in national colours. But cricket’s shortest format is Villani’s natural habitat, where she can clear her mind and swing.Leading Perth Scorchers for the season in place of injured recruit Meg Lanning, Villani hasn’t let the newfound responsibility cramp her style. To the contrary, she slammed her second and third fifties of the competition so far. A hefty 84 off 53 balls on Boxing Day was enough to knock off the Stars’ impressive score of 164. A day later, she went faster, with 72 off 44. This time, she was dismissed before the end, and Melbourne’s green team held off Scorchers by 12 runs.The double has seen Villani skip to the top of the runs list, with 261 in five innings. Her nominal captain, Lanning, led the list in the first two WBBL editions, with 502 last year and 560 the year before that. If Villani can stay consistent, there could be records in her future. Nine hits to go.Slow over rates are overrated, but are fines fine?On the list of positives, Cricket Australia has listened to concerns from last year and abolished the practice of docking partial points for slow over rates. Under the old system, half a point could be deducted for being tardy with the overs, but in a system where each win is worth two points, losing half a point effectively meant losing a whole win.Less positive is moving to a fines system, like the men’s competition. While the amounts liable are lower in the WBBL, each player on a team can be fined $AUD250 for a slow rate, which can be halved to $125 if the club doesn’t appeal the charge. This takes it into the realm of your average Australian parking ticket, but in a league where base contracts are worth just over AUD$10,000 for a two-month season, something about financial stings still doesn’t sit right.Games that are on the line will likely see players taking their time to make sure they get the final few deliveries right. Observers have also raised the question of whether over rates are as important for games that aren’t televised. It’s a tricky problem without an obvious answer, but it still seems like there must be a better way.New Year’s HeaveA quintet of fixtures awaits before clearing the throat to sing . The carnival returns to Adelaide for the third time in four weeks, the Strikers fresh from a week off to tackle Heat in two rubbers. The second of those, on New Year’s Eve, is the televised feature game of the round. If the visiting Brisbane side can’t find something, their finals hopes will be close to over.It is a similar story for Hobart Hurricanes, who have the daunting task of playing the Thunder on consecutive days over the weekend. The talent divide between these sides is as pronounced as any two teams in the WBBL. Hurricanes have home advantage with the games played in Launceston, but little else.On a brighter note, Saturday’s early game has the Scorchers up against the top-ranked Sixers in a replay of last year’s final. With two quality outfits full of international talent, don’t miss the scenes from Western Australia’s picturesque Lilac Hill ground.
da betobet: A Adidas, fornecedora de material esportivo do São Paulo, divulgou oficialmente na manhã desta sexta-feira (12) o novo segundo uniforme do clube do Morumbi, a tradicional listrada em vermelho, branco e preto. A peça já está à venda na internet a R$ 349, nas versões masculina e feminina.
Apesar do Tricolor não ter feito nenhum anúncio oficial, a estreia da nova camisa já deve acontecer neste domingo (14), no clássico contra o Corinthians, fora de casa, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.
RelacionadasSão PauloOrganizada do São Paulo promete pagar balada ao elenco por vitória em clássico contra o Corinthians e fim de tabu na arena rivalSão Paulo12/05/2023São Paulo‘Pesado, difícil e complicado’: Dorival projeta clássico contra o Corinthians em Itaquera pelo lado do São PauloSão Paulo12/05/2023São PauloOPINIÃO: São Paulo de Dorival aposta no pragmatismo. Mas invencibilidade mostra que caminho está certo…São Paulo12/05/2023
da bet sport: + ATUAÇÕES: Com “mistão” pouco inspirado, São Paulo faz jogo sonolento contra o Fortaleza
Como é usual em lançamentos de camisas de clubes nos tempos atuais, imagens do uniforme foram vazadas nas redes sociais no início da semana. Até por conta disso, o anúncio gerou pouco impacto entre os torcedores.
A nova camisa reserva do São Paulo é baseada no template padrão da marca alemã usado nos uniformes da Copa do Mundo e traz as tradicionais listras verticais tricolores, desta vez, com uma faixa central vermelha. A novidade está nas mangas, que são pretas e lisas. As faixas laterais que se juntam na barra são vermelhas, enquanto as três listras nos ombros são brancas. A gola redonda e os punhos têm a cor vermelha.
Na nuca, um selo especial traz o escudo do clube junto da palavra ‘Origens’. O novo manto ainda possui shorts preto com listras brancas nas laterais e o meião preto com detalhes em vermelho e branco.
A expectativa é que essa seja a última camisa desenhada pela Adidas para o São Paulo. Isso porque o contrato da multinacional alemã com o clube vai até o final do ano e há grande pressão interna para que não seja renovado. O LANCE! já revelou que o próprio Tricolor negocia com outras fornecedoras de material esportivo, como New Balance e Puma, entre outras.
PARTES VIVEM RELAÇÃO DE AMOR E ÓDIO
São Paulo e Adidas vivem relações extremamente tumultuadas nos bastidores. Primeiro, o Tricolor reclama da diferença de valores pagos e tratamentos dados a ele e o Flamengo. Há queixas de que até Atlético-MG e Internacional seriam melhores servidos pela marca.
Além disso, episódios recentes escancaram o que torcedores e dirigentes chamam de descaso.
Em dezembro do ano passado, o capítulo de desacordos entre as partes ganhou mais um capítulo, com os uniformes do clube usados na pré-temporada ainda exibindo a marca da Roku, fabricante de players de mídia on-line, cujo acordo venceu há três meses e não foi renovado.
A promessa era de que a situação deveria mudar no fim de janeiro, quando, enfim, o clube lançaria antecipadamente parte da sua nova coleção. Até agora, contudo, não houve fornecimento de novas camisas.
+ OPINIÃO: São Paulo de Dorival aposta no pragmatismo. Mas invencibilidade mostra que caminho está certo…
Em setembro do ano passado, o clube se viu refém da marca esportiva e taxou como ‘descaso’ o fato da terceira camisa são-paulina, que faz alusão ao agasalho usado pelo elenco campeão mundial de 1992, ter sumido das lojas após esgotado o primeiro lote.
Lançada em agosto, a peça esgotou em um fim de semana. E a reposição do lote de 3 mil unidades, prometida pelo Tricolor à torcida na ocasião em até 15 dias, demorou quase dois meses. Depois de arrecadar quase R$ 1 milhão no fim de semana de lançamento da camisa, a previsão do marketing são-paulino é que o clube deixou de arrecadar mais R$ 6 milhões com a peça por causa das listas de espera de clientes feitas por lojas.
No início de 2022, a rescisão chegou a ser estudada pelo jurídico tricolor, mas os valores da multa impediram o avanço do planejamento. O contrato entre as partes vai até o fim do ano que vem. A desavença é tamanha que o técnico Rogério Ceni entrou no ‘fogo cruzado’ ao usar roupas da Under Armour, antiga fornecedora são-paulina, no jogo contra o Juventude, em abril daquele ano, pela Copa do Brasil.
A última faísca ocorreu em março, quando torcedores, sócios e conselheiros reclamaram publicamente da Adidas ter ignorado o São Paulo em uma campanha que lançou uniformes inspirados em peças desenhadas nos anos 1990. O clube do Morumbi não apareceu no post que anuncia a coleção nas redes sociais, em que modelos vestem a camisa dos principais clubes e seleções atendidos pela multinacional alemã. E também não foi contemplado com uma camisa na coleção.
Entre selecionados e equipes europeias, somente três sul-americanos aparecem na campanha: Flamengo e a dupla argentina River Plate e Boca Juniors. Único tricampeão mundial do futebol brasileiro, o São Paulo foi completamente ignorado.
+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados da Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!
Only three members of New Zealand’s squad will be below 30 by the time the team returns home
Andrew Fidel Fernando15-Jun-20243:49
‘If this is their last tournament, Southee and Boult can hold their heads high’
Could it be the end? Is it over? For Trent Boult, at least, it is.”Speaking on behalf of myself, this will be my last T20 World Cup,” Boult told the media after taking a tone-setting 2 for 7 in what was essentially a dead rubber against Uganda.In T20 World Cup matches all told, his returns are excellent. He has 32 wickets in 17 outings, and an economy rate of 6.07, the second-best among the tournament’s top ten all-time wicket-takers.Boult, now 34, has anyway only been a sporadic presence in New Zealand international sides since he was released from his central contract almost two years ago. If this is his last T20 World Cup, it may follow that the world has seen the last of him in ODI World Cups as well – the next T20 World Cup is set for 2026, but the next ODI World Cup is scheduled only for the year after that.Although New Zealand have not made the Super Eight of this ongoing tournament, Boult still has one final T20 World Cup match remaining, against Papua New Guinea on Monday.Trent Boult has 32 wickets in T20 World Cups and an economy rate of 6.07•ICC/Getty Images
Confirmation that Boult will not play another T20 World Cup brings into sharp focus the future of what is now an ageing New Zealand team. In this squad, only three players will be under 30 years of age by the time the team returns home (Mark Chapman has a birthday over the next few days).It is natural to question whether this is the beginning of a transition period for New Zealand, particularly after they failed to progress out of their group. New Zealand had made the semi-finals of every ODI and T20 World Cup since 2015.Boult and Tim Southee had played significant roles in the majority of those campaigns. After this game – in which they bowled unchanged through the powerplay to leave Uganda 9 fo 3, and finished with combined figures of 5 for 11 in eight overs – Boult spoke as if he felt there would be limited opportunities for the two to play together in the future.”I look at the partnership with Tim with very fond memories,” he said. “We bowled a lot of overs together. I know the partnership very well, and obviously he’s a very good friend on and off the ground. It was nice to wind back the clock a little bit and see a bit of swing bowling at the top. Some great memories, and hopefully a couple more still to come.”Earlier in the tournament, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson had also been asked whether he saw this tournament as the end of a generation, to which he replied: “No, I think there’s still guys that will be here for some time.”But at the very least, New Zealand will soon have to find a replacement for one of their greatest-ever quicks.
Millwall have emerged as a late contender to snatch a Championship playoff slot and could now strike in the summer window to secure a talented youngster.
Millwall's late bid for promotion to the Premier League
Four victories in the last six under Alex Neil have put Millwall five points behind sixth in the race for a playoff berth, giving the Lions an outside chance of stumping their rivals for a shot at promotion to the Premier League.
Admittedly, they will need to string together a near impeccable run of results to pull off such a feat, beginning with their clash against Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon. Holding previous experience of winning promotion with Sunderland and Norwich, you wouldn’t bet against Neil doing the trick again should his side manage to upset the odds over the next few weeks.
Casper De Norre has urged fans to get behind Millwall’s late bid to reach the top six, stating ahead of their clash against Boro: “It is going to be very important to have the support. It is a huge game.
“Now you need that extra fire from the fans – that extra support – to give you that five per cent extra or to help make that one final sprint to block a ball or try to score a goal.”
Millwall’s Championship run-in
Middlesbrough (H)
The Den
Blackburn Rovers (A)
Ewood Park
Norwich City (H)
The Den
Swansea City (H)
The Den
Burnley (A)
Turf Moor
Regardless, the Londoners appear to be active ahead of the summer window. The Lions are reportedly keen on Cheltenham Town winger Jordan Thomas after identifying the 23-year-old as a replacement for Romain Esse, who is now on the books at Crystal Palace.
Now, they also have a free deal in their sights alongside one of their Championship rivals, according to recent developments.
Millwall leading race to sign Charlton star Thierry Small
According to Football Insider, Millwall are leading the race to sign Thierry Small from Charlton, making an approach to register their interest in the 20-year-old’s services for when his contract expires this summer.
Preston are interested as well, and the Addicks have also offered a new contract to the defender, who has notched two goals and five assists in 42 appearances across all competitions this season.
Millwall leading race to sign "excellent" winger to finally replace Esse
He’s enjoyed an impressive season…
ByTom Cunningham Mar 27, 2025
Potentially available on a free transfer this summer, former Everton man Small is predominantly a left-back, though he has also featured on the right flank under Nathan Jones. Labelled a “fantastic guy” by Ralph Hasenhuttl, he has also spent time out on loan at Scottish Premiership side St Mirren and Port Vale, building his portfolio of first-team experience.
Now, it remains to be seen if Millwall can see off competition from Preston to land his signature. Securing promotion would give them a major advantage over any rival suitors, offering Small a chance to ply his trade in the top-flight as he continues to develop.
Either way, supporters can take encouragement from the fact that transfer cogs appear to be turning in South London ahead of the summer.
The story of the fast bowler’s arrest and subsequent life ban to now, when the ban has been reduced to seven years
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Aug-2019Sreesanth reacts after the Supreme Court set aside the life ban in March 2019•Getty ImagesMay 16, 2013 Sreesanth – along with Rajasthan Royals team-mates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan – is arrested by Delhi Police for fraud and cheating in IPL 2013. The three were allegedly promised money ranging from US$36,000 to 109,000 for each fix. Eleven bookies are arrested too. The BCCI suspends the three players, pending enquiry. A few days later, the Royals franchise suspends their contracts.June 10, 2013 Sreesanth and Chavan are granted bail by a trial court in Delhi, with the judge stating that Delhi Police had not produced enough evidence to charge players under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), a special law passed by the Maharashtra state government in 1999 to tackle organised crime and terrorism, with stricter provisions relating to bail and admissibility of confessions compared to the Indian Penal Code. On the same day, Ravi Sawani, then chief of the BCCI’s anti-corruption unit, submits his interim report on the spot-fixing allegations against the players.July 30, 2013 Sreesanth, Chavan and Chandila are among 39 people named as accused in a 6000-page chargesheet filed by Delhi Police in the IPL spot-fixing case. The trial court issues notices to Sreesanth and Chavan in response to Delhi Police’s plea to cancel their bail.September 12, 2013 Following the submission of Sawani’s final report on the spot-fixing allegations in the IPL, the BCCI summons Sreesanth, Chavan and three others (Harmeet Singh, Siddharth Trivedi and Amit Singh) for a disciplinary committee hearing. The following day, Sreesanth and Chavan are handed life bans by the BCCI for their involvement in the scandal.July 25, 2015 A Delhi trial court drops charges against Sreesanth, Chavan and Chandila in the matter. However, the decision has no bearing on the life bans imposed by the BCCI. Anurag Thakur, BCCI secretary at the time, says the penalties imposed by the board would not be lifted.January 25, 2017 The BCCI denies Sreesanth permission to play in Scotland, after the fast bowler asks for a no-objection certificate to turn out for Glenrothes CC. In February, Sreesanth files a writ petition in Kerala High Court challenging his ban.August 7, 2017 Kerala High Court orders the BCCI to lift the life ban on Sreesanth, observing that the board’s refusal to do so is a “violation of natural justice”.September 19, 2017 The BCCI challenges the Kerala High Court judgement, asking whether the writ court could “sit in appeal” and “alter the quantum of penalty imposed” against the findings of the board’s disciplinary committee. A month later, a division bench of the Kerala court negates the judgement issued in August and rules that the BCCI ban cannot be overturned or reduced.March 15, 2019 The Supreme Court of India sets aside the life ban on Sreesanth and asks the board to “reconsider” and “revisit” the length of any fresh ban, “preferably” within three months. The court rules that while the BCCI did not violate any principles of natural justice in determining the sanction, it did not “advert to the aggravating and mitigating factors” as listed under its code.August 20, 2019 BCCI Ombudsman Justice (retd) DK Jain reduces Sreesanth’s ban to seven years, with the sanction period set to end in September 2020. Jain states that he had found a “few mitigating circumstances” under the BCCI’s code as pointed out by Sreesanth, such as no record against the player by the BCCI regarding his erratic behaviour, and “no allegation that he did not cooperate in the inquiry”.
Liverpool are expected to complete the transfer of Senegalese wonderkid Sidy Barhama Ndiaye for a fee of €1m.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Winger impressed at U17s Africa Cup of Nations
16-year-old will join Liverpool's academy
Ndiaye makes the move from Diambar
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
French journalist Nabil Djellit reports that Liverpool's scouts were impressed by the 16-year-old winger's performances in the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations held earlier this year. The diminutive winger is currently on the books at Senegalese club Diambars FC. Should he complete the move to Merseyside, he will join Liverpool's academy setup.
Advertisement
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The move will likely invoke comparisons to Sadio Mane. Ndiaye's compatriot played 269 games and scored 120 goals for the Reds. If the youngster can provide even a fraction of that output if his number is called for the first team, it will be €1m well spent.
DID YOU KNOW?
Liverpool have been active in the transfer market already this summer, completing moves for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, both of whom join from Bayer Leverkusen. Alongside those big name signings, the Reds have also looked to the future, snapping up 20-year-old Hungarian keeper Armin Pesci on a five-year deal.
Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
Arne Slot and the Liverpool top brass refuse to rest on their laurels after their Premier League winning season. It is expected that Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez will complete his transfer to the Anfield-club in the next few days.
Welcome everyone to the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline live blog.
I’m Matt Martell, the baseball editor here at . For the next eight hours, Emma Baccellieri and I will be hanging out here talking baseball while providing updates, analysis and silly commentary as we watch the chaos unfold in real time. Looks like the Twins are getting started, so we will too. Let’s have some fun.
Gary Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
Matt Martell (10:51 AM): Hello, Emma! The Twins got started before us today! They are getting Orioles closer Jorge López to shore up their pretty iffy pitching staff. Seems like a great move.
Emma Baccellieri: (10:52 AM): Jorge López to the Twins! A great pick-up for Minnesota—this is the first year he’s worked full-time out of the bullpen, rather than as a swingman, and he’s been excellent there. First All-Star appearance, 1.68 ERA (241 ERA+), a career-high strikeout rate. But I must say this somewhat bums me out for the Orioles. Trading López—who won’t be a free agent until 2025—is markedly different than trading Trey Mancini, who reaches free agency at the end of this season. The last few months have been the first time in a long time that it’s been fun to be an O’s fan, and at just two-and-a-half games out of a playoff spot, it’s a bummer to see them trading not just short-term rentals like Mancini, but players who could be around for years to come like López.
MM (10:53 AM): I agree. This is such a slap in the face for Orioles fans. It’d be one thing to trade López for controllable hitters who could help Baltimore this year and in the future, considering this team has such a deep bullpen. But trading him for four young pitchers is such a bummer, even if this does give the O’s more pitching depth in the long run.
MM (11:05 AM): Well, Emma. I just realized I haven’t eaten anything yet but am on my fourth cup of coffee. Must be deadline day!
EB (11:06 AM): That’s a dangerous game. Marathon, not a sprint!!
(I’m technically still on my first cup but it’s a large cold brew, so perhaps not within the spirit of “cup.“)
MM (11:07 AM): So, basically, your diet for the entirety of All-Star week.
MM (11:15 AM): Do you have a prediction for where Soto ends up?
EB (11:16 AM): Well, I was about to say I have to stick with my not-fun, un-sexy answer of thinking it’s still more likely that he doesn’t get moved until the winter. But now…
If he does move, I think Padres. I think the Cardinals would be the most logical destination, but the Padres have the front office with the drive to actually make it happen.
MM (11:20): Yesterday, I was still convinced Jerry Dipoto would come out of nowhere and bring Soto to the Mariners. But now, I think you’re right that it’s either the Padres or Cardinals. In my column this morning, I wrote about a few of the wrinkles that each team could use to get him.
Basically, the Padres could possibly trade something like their top six prospects plus Eric Hosmer for Soto and Josh Bell. I don't think the Nationals are too concerned about taking on Hosmer's $13M/year salary if it means getting a major return of prospects.
For the Cardinals, I talked about how they could structure a contract extension of $530 million over 12 years for Soto, with a higher salary concentrated in the middle years, after Goldschmidt and Arenado’s contracts expire or diminish in price.
EB (11:25): I think that makes sense—the timing for the Cards would just be perfect in terms of a big-money extension for Soto right when those two start to come off the books.
But…
It just seems like such a classically A.J. Preller move. Land an elite closer yesterday without giving up any of your top prospects, then turn around and pull this today.
MM (11:27 AM): It does, for sure. But this makes me think the Dodgers are lurking again. Way too early there were reports that the Padres were getting Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Nationals, before the Dodgers swooped in and made a much better offer.
MM (11:29 AM): I hate to say it, but it would be such a buzzkill for Juan Soto to get traded before 5 p.m. ET.
EB (11:30 AM): It really would! We get this at noon and then six hours of, what, waiting for Sean Murphy and Noah Syndergaard to move? Sigh.
MM (11:30 AM): The Nationals could be leaking this to get the Dodgers, Cardinals and others to up their offers.
EB (11:30 AM): But I wouldn’t be surprised if this takes a while. If the leaks are starting in earnest now… could still be hours left to go.
EB (11:43 AM): We’ve moved on to the football analogy portion of the deadline!
I do grasp the logistics here, but this still just seems so early in the day for it.
MM (11:46 AM): The Padres and Nationals reportedly have a deal “in principle” with Soto and Josh Bell going to San Diego for four prospects: C.J. Abrams, OF Robert Hassell III, OF James Wood, RHP Jarlin Susana.
EB (11:48 AM): Wow. Wow! In any other context, that would be an incredibly striking haul — three of the Padres’ top four prospects and four of their top eight, per FanGraphs — but for Soto… I expected even more.
EB (11:49 AM): Especially with Bell in there, too! If this was the price, I’m shocked that the Dodgers, Cardinals, and other teams, too, weren’t in there right to the end.
MM (11:49 AM): Finalizing the deal. No Josh Bell here from Jeff Passan. Others saying it’s done, but Passan is usually the one to break these things.
EB (11:50 AM): Ok, package would make more sense, but still!
MM (11:50 AM): That would make more sense. Need at least five of them, in my opinion, for Soto alone. And then adding Bell? Four is way too light.
MM (11:52 AM): Not done yet.
This deal hinges on one more MLB player
NUTS!
I realize this is excellent analysis here, Emma.
EB (11:54 AM): It’s true! It’s nuts!!!
I mean, what’s most nuts about it is that it’s all-time, crazy, historic haul, and that’s only enough for my reaction to move up to, “O.K., so the Nationals aren’t getting , I can see how this makes sense.”
MM (11:57 AM): Jon Heyman says the other MLB player is Eric Hosmer.
This makes sense, as I wrote this morning. The Nationals aren’t in cost-cutting mode. They want to get as many prospects back as possible.
EB (11:58 AM): Eric Hosmer at first base for the Nationals for the next three and a half years of trudging through this rebuild… completely checks out.
MM (12:01 PM): HAHAHA IMAGINE HOSMER SAYS NO.
EB (12:02 PM): Can you imagine the power he feels right now??
MM (12:04 PM): What would Hosmer’s San Diego teammates says if he is the reason the Padres don’t get Soto and Bell?
EB (12:07 PM): This is just so funny. I hope we eventually get a tick-tock rundown of how this is going for him.
MM (12:08 PM): Congrats, Nats fans: You get to watch Eric Hosmer play first base for the next three years! Unless he says no!
MM (12:10 PM): Live reaction from a Nationals fan: SI’s Claire Kuwana just texted me: “I’m struggling to see the silver linings right now… but i’ll get there.”
This is waiting to become a meme.
EB (12:12 PM): Hosmer approval secured?
MM (12:12 PM): What a great teammate, that Eric Hosmer is, huh!
EB (12:14 PM): So! Six hours until the deadline? And this is where we are?
MM (12:15 PM): Watch the Angels see the return for Soto and say, “Actually, never mind, we’re listening to offers to Shohei Ohtani again.”
MM (12:23 PM): The Nationals traded Ted Williams for Willie McCovey and a lot of other prospects! They win the deal!
EB (12:25 PM): Ha! This is what all of this comes down to for me… sure, maybe James Wood is Willie McCovey. Maybe! Maybe all five of the young players here become All-Stars. But you Juan Soto is Juan Soto.
MM (12:25 PM): Exactly! And that’s why the Padres made this trade.
EB (12:26 PM): AHHHHH
MM (12:27 PM): HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA — this is incredible.
MM (12:35 PM): Here’s the Baseball Trade Values evaluation of the trade:
They note there are specific motivations that the Nationals had for making this trade now, assuming it goes through.
Seems about right. If nothing else, this indicates that the Lerners aren’t just fielding the team to see what they could get in a sale, as the family initially suggested. Instead, new ownership appears likely sooner than later.
EB (12:37 PM): Right — if you’re going to trade him, this is probably close to as good an outcome as you could for, yet it still involves trading Juan Soto, which… fair value doesn’t exist.
EB (12:45 PM): O.K., it’s only one source, but…. if this happens, oh my goodness.
MM (12:45 PM): This comes two minutes after Jon Paul Morosi tweeted the exact opposite.
This is exactly the chaos we needed to keep this deadline fun after a Soto deal was reached.
MM (12:49 PM): Some #analysis from our pal Cronko Tonko!
I told him I’d get Cronko Tonko in an SI story this week, so here we are!
MM (12:50 PM): That makes sense, though. The Padres weren’t going to let this trade collapse because of Eric Hosmer’s $13 million per year.
EB (12:51 PM): Right—there’s no way.
Frankly, it’s incredible we had even an hour to contemplate a world where they pulled this off with offloading Hosmer’s deal and not taking on Corbin’s.
MM (12:54 PM): So does this mean it’s finished? I’ve only seen Nightengale report this, and there’s no context beyond what he’s saying about the deal no longer including Hosmer.
EB (12:55 PM): I’m still waiting for confirmation from at least one more party. But I wouldn’t be surprised if this is it — the same basic package we saw earlier with only a slight adjustment, if any.
EB (12:56 PM): Oh now THIS is interesting.
MM (1:08 PM): Question: Are other teams waiting for this Soto deal to go through before making other trades?
EB (1:08 PM): I’ve been curious about that!
MM (1:08 PM): Right! I mean, is there a version of this trade that happens without Josh Bell, and therefore, he becomes available?
EB (1:10 PM): I suppose it’s possible? But it’s still a bit strange to me we haven’t seen, say, some more bullpen arms move (David Robertson?) or other smaller transactions
MM (1:10 PM): Indeed, it is. Are there some organizations that think this is all going to blow up, so they’re waiting on standby just in case?
MM (1:13 PM): Hmmm intriguing!
EB (1:15 PM): Here’s another one: The Blue Jays have been quiet. Are they going to get in on any of this?
I suppose their biggest need is pitching depth and that’s in kind of short supply. But it still feels odd they haven’t done anything given their position!
MM (1:16 PM): I think the Jays are the perfect team for a Happ/Robertson trade. I also wrote about that in this morning’s column!
MM (1:22 PM): And here’s some Blue Jays buzz:
It would be a nice get for the Jays if they can swing both Iglesias and Noah Syndergaard.
MM (1:24 PM): Also…
Does this mean the deal is done between the Padres and Nationals? Or that there is something else still to come that will change the terms?
EB (1:26 PM): I’m assuming that the deal is still on, sans Hosmer, but the Padres are still trying to figure out how to move him. I feel like a three-way trade should still be possible? But I understand if they’re not willing to attach any additional prospects to move him to the hypothetical third team there.
MM (1:28 PM): I wonder if Josh Bell would go to the third team. Or, if Bell is no longer included.
EB (1:37 PM): And here’s a Blue Jays deal! Albeit not a particularly flashy one — they can use the bullpen help they’ll get from Pop, but I’d expect Toronto to keep trying to make deals elsewhere.
MM (1:40 PM): It’s Anthony Bass and Zach Pop. That sounds reasonable. The Jays definitely need some bullpen reinforcements. This will help.
EB (1:42 PM): Yeah, Bass + Pop is for sure a quality upgrade.
MM (1:58 PM): Well, I guess there’s that!
EB (1:59 PM): Passan, Rosenthal, Nightengale, they have nothing on Victor Oladipo.
MM (2:00 PM): FOUR MORE HOURS!
Let’s reset with another round of predictions: What’s the biggest trade still to come?
EB (2:02 PM): I think we’ll see some kind of splashy deal with the players left on the Cubs. If they package Contreras, Happ and Robertson? That feels about as big as we could get at this point. I’ll make a guess that it would be to the Mets: They could use the catcher and the bullpen help, and they could use a statement move, even though they’re in first place.
MM (2:06 PM): I’m with you on the Mets’ needing to make a statement move, but I truly wonder what that is going to be. I don’t think they give up top prospects Francisco Álvarez and/or Brett Baty for some combination of Contreras, Happ and Robertson, with only Happ controllable beyond this year.
The Cardinals still have prospects to trade and a need for some pitching. I could see a deal where they trade Matthew Liberatore and Juan Yepez to the Giants for Carlos Rodón. Would that be enough for the Giants to agree to it? If not, I could see the Cards including another prospect, too, though not Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker and or Masyn Winn. And surely not Dylan Carlson, since he reportedly was untouchable in the Soto sweepstakes.
MM (2:19 PM): Do you think it’s odd that the 52–51 Orioles would trade away Trey Mancini and Jorge López, but the 40–62 Pirates are not trading Bryan Reynolds?
EB (2:20 PM): I was also surprised the Pirates decided to keep Reynolds—he could have been the best hitter on the market outside of Soto. I guess part of the calculus here is that the immediate future of the NL Central looks like an easier ride than that of the AL East, and so the Orioles probably feel they have to be more ruthless, but it’s curious for sure.
MM (2:21 PM): Right, that checks out. But let’s hold the Reynolds talk for now because of this:
MM (2:26 PM): LET’S GET WEIRD!
EB (2:27 PM): WOW
MM (2:28 PM): I wonder what the Red Sox are getting for helping the Padres out. Other than Hosmer, I mean.
EB (2:28 PM): This really does not feel like a Chaim Bloom deal. Curious!
MM (2:29 PM): You’re right! I feel like there’s gotta be another prospect here, right? San Diego is presumably going to eat some or most of Hosmer’s remaining salary, but still.
MM (2:32 PM): There it is.
Also, I’m very glad we can bring back Cronko Tonko here… because his point is absolutely correct:
EB (2:34 PM): Yeah, this is… I don’t know, man! I assumed would want to take a chance on the rebound potential here, but I’m surprised it was the Dodgers, who, you know, look at that meme.
MM (2:50 PM): I chuckled at this one.
The deals seem to be coming in spurts. Now we’ve settled in for 15 or so minutes with little movement.
MM (3:17 PM): Without Hosmer this is a more balanced trade. This looks like the best the Nats could do other than, well, not trade Juan Soto.
via Baseball Trade Values
MM (3:21 PM): Also, looks like the pitching market is starting to heat back up again. Several rumors going around now about the Angels’ Noah Syndergaard and Raisel Iglesias and Carlos Rodón of the Giants. Jon Heyman reports that the Phillies could be in on Syndergaard and Iglesias, while Derrick Goold of the says the Cardinals have been in talks with San Francisco.
EB (3:24 PM): I’m truly baffled at how little we’ve heard around Syndergaard today! If the Angels don’t move him, I’m not sure what they’re doing—given how their season has gone, there’s simply not any reason to hang onto him, given that he’s on a one-year deal.
EB (3:41 PM): Well, the Phillies did need center field defense but…. Wow.
EB (3:48 PM): And it feels like the dam broke just now!
MM (3:50): But wait, there’s more!
First, a note on how Ruf fits with the Mets from Joel Sherman:
And now, other updates!
EB (4:00 PM): The Twins really needed starting pitching—Mahle is a big get there. While this season has been a slightly down one for him, he’s under team control for all of next year, too. The prospect return here was no joke, but that’s the cost of doing business for a starter who’s more than a rental with just two hours to the deadline.
MM (4:03 PM): Wow, that’s a crazy good get for the Reds, especially coming on the heels of the Luis Castillo trade with the Mariners. I hate to glorify tanking, but this is about as well as it could’ve gone for Cincinnati
EB (4:07 PM): They could use a reliever, but man, I’d still like to see them grab a catcher!
And now that Houston has its backstop in Christian Vazquez, I wonder how much competition there is for Willson Contreras
MM (4:07 PM): Don’t you dare speak disrespect Tomás Nido!
MM (4:09 PM): O.K. did we miss anything because my head is spinning?
EB (4:10 PM): I don’t think so? We can do more Phillies chat if we want because there’s a lot happening there.
MM (4:10 PM): Right – THE PHILLIES!
I actually really, really like what they’ve done this deadline. They greatly improved their defense at shortstop with Edmundo Sosa on Saturday and today with Brandon Marsh in center field. And now they’ve improved their bullpen with David Robertson. And they won’t lose any offense by going from Didi Gregorius/Bryson Stott and Odúbel Herrera/Matt Vierling to Stott/Sosa and Vierling/Marsh.
MM (4:16 PM): Both Willson Contreras and Ian Happ are in the Cubs’ lineup today.
Obviously things could change quickly, but it’s still worth noting. It’s #HugWatch time.
EB (4:28 PM): Would love to gain access to the inside of A.J. Preller’s mind. Sounds like an incredible, terrifying place.
MM (4:32 PM): ”One crazy, caffeinated psycho brings you inside the mind of another… Emma Baccellieri profiles A.J. Preller. Coming to newsstands near you.”
EB (4:32 PM): Wait did you see?
This is what i got on my walk im literally pouring coffee into a McFlurry right now.
And even i think Preller needs to chill a tad.
MM (4:34 PM): At least it’s not Red Bull.
EB (4:34 PM): So true.
MM (4:35 PM): So… about Brandon Drury?
EB (4:37 PM): I really like him in San Diego! Bolsters that lineup even more, comes with a lot of defensive flexibility… they look like a much bigger threat for October than they did 48 hours ago.
MM (4:41 PM): And now… THIS
Get ready for the Giants to keep Carlos Rodón and Joc Pederson and then trade for Willson Contreras and Ian Happ!
MM (4:43 PM): I wonder if this is the only thing Jerry Dipoto is going to do today. Can’t be, right?
EB (4:44 PM): Yeah, I really thought we were going to see more from them!
Second base was the other obvious area for an upgrade, but admittedly, Adam Frazier’s been hitting a lot better over the last few weeks
MM (4:45 PM): Right, and who exactly would they get to play second who would hit better than him, especially now that the Reds have traded Drury?
EB (4:46 PM): Yep, exactly
MM (4:50 PM): This would be an utter waste for the Cubs, in my opinion, unless they truly think they can extend him before the season ends. Yet, wouldn’t you think if they haven’t done it by now, they probably won’t be able to? Whatever they can get from the Mets or another team has to be better than the draft pick they’d get as compensation for signing elsewhere, right?
EB (4:52 PM): Yeah, I’m confused by this one (ditto if they keep Ian Happ). It just seemed very clear that they stood to gain a little here by making those moves and I’m not sure why they wouldn’t, even if the return somehow isn’t quite what they were originally expecting.
MM (4:53 PM): I guess Happ is slightly different because he’s controllable for one more year. But still, they’re probably better off moving him.
MM (4:56 PM): Looks like the Twins wanted a defensive catcher and will have Gary Sánchez as the DH and backup catcher, with Jose Miranda also seeing time at DH.
MM (4:58 PM) Also, this wasn’t the additional move I was expecting from Dipoto.
EB (5:00 PM): Wow, I’m surprised there’s another piece here! (Also surprised to go check and realize Groome is still just 23… feels like we’ve been hearing about him for a decade.)
MM (5:01 PM): Isn’t Groome the only piece in this trade? I don’t remember a return for Hosmer, though I could be wrong.
EB (5:01 PM): Whoops, you’re right, I was so tangled in the earlier versions that I hadn’t realized a return was never announced.
EB (5:03 PM): Supposedly with more details to come.
MM (5:03 PM): Woahhh!
MM (5:12 PM): The Brewers traded their All-Star closer yesterday and today are getting back Trevor Rosenthal, who was an All-Star closer in 2015.
EB (5:13 PM): Gotta say I completely forgot about him! Wow. (Last pitched in the bigs in 2020 for those keeping track.)
MM (5:22 PM): No wonder they haven’t been able to swing anybody big. Maybe that’ll change as we get to the end here.
EB (5:24 PM): If I’m a Blue Jays fan, I’m really, really pushing for them to make Syndergaard happen—if their only moves today end up as Bass and Pop, that’s gotta be a disappointment.
MM (5:25 PM): I agree with you here, regarding Syndergaard and the Blue Jays. They need at least one more starter.
MM (5:26 PM): I really like this move for the Mariners. They needed one more lefty bat, and they got it. Lamb isn’t a star, but he’s a suitable depth piece.
And the Dodgers didn’t have room for him after acquiring Gallo.
MM (5:28 PM): This is poetry:
EB (5:28 PM): HAHAHA
Still amazed at them extending Daniel Bard, who could have yielded something. Oh, well!
MM (5:30 PM): This would be a fascinating final move:
For those wondering, Juan Soto’s lifetime numbers vs. Pablo López: .348/.483/.739 (8-for-23) with three doubles and two home runs.
MM (5:35 PM): And now the Yankees are in on López, too!
MM (5:36 PM): And Brett Phillips is heading to the Orioles!
EB (5:45 PM): Wow! Nice day for the Twins
MM (5:47 PM): Yes, the Twins have greatly improved their pitching staff. They are a legitimately good team now instead of just the best club in MLB’s weakest division.
MM (5:53 PM): BOOM!
Rejoice, Phillies fans! That’s one heck of a rotation you’ve got now. Really, really impressive deadline showing from Dave Dombrowski.
EB (5:54 PM): Yeah, they really managed to address just about all their needs without having to give up too much! As for the Angels… I mean, their coaching / player dev staff is not who I would count on as the best bet to get things turned around for Moniak, but you’re still talking about a former first overall pick. It’s an interesting return, but not necessarily a bad one.
MM (5:55 PM): THIS IS NUTS—CHAOS!
EB (5:55 PM): WHOA! Well, can say I didn’t see that one coming.
MM (5:55 PM): This is crazy! Bader is hurt right now, so the Yankees must feel comfortable with the medicals.
Bader is from Bronxville, NY. This means Dylan Carlson is the Cardinals’ long-term center fielder, and in return, they get Jordan Montgomery, who’s having a sneaky good year, and he’ll get to pitch in front of a really good Cardinals defense. This is a win-win for both teams. The Yankees get a starting center fielder when Bader comes back, so they can have Judge move back to right field full-time.
EB (6:00 PM): We’ve made it.
MM (6:00 PM): A few deals will still trickle in, so stay tuned, folks.
EB (6:03 PM): Speaking of which…
MM (6:03 PM): You’ve gotta think he’s going to get vaccinated now, right?
EB (6:05 PM): You would think so……
EB (6:07 PM): I still would have preferred to see the Jays prioritize a starter, all else being equal, but at least that gives them something else from today—Merrifield is having the worst year of his career at the plate, but he has two more years under contract and is still a stolen base threat
MM (6:07 PM): Agreed. The Jays needed more pitching. Also:
MM (6:09 PM): I really wonder what teams were offering for Contreras. This feels like a giant missed opportunity for the Cubs, unless they are convinced they can extend/re-sign him.
MM: (6:10 PM): WHAT ARE THE ANGELS DOING?!
EB (6:11 PM): Oh my God. And how many career trades is that for Jesse Chavez now?
MM (6:15 PM): By my count, nine times. Chavez was traded for the first time in 2006, by the Rangers to the Pirates, for Kip Wells!
MM (6:18 PM): After this season, Iglesias has three years and $48 million remaining on the deal he signed this offseason with the Angels. They have to be in cost-cutting mode. Will this be to restock for a Shohei Ohtani mega-deal, or to begin a long-term teardown and rebuild?
Note: this does not mean they will actually re-sign Ohtani. I don’t think he wants to re-sign with the Angels, at least not with how things stand now.
EB (6:20 PM): Yeah, what a strange, strange choice.
MM (6:21 PM): Hold on… the Yankees will make Bader cut his hair!
EB (6:21 PM): !! A devastating loss.
MM (6:27 PM): Well, I think that about wraps things up for us with the live blog. Before we go, we’ll leave you with our big takeaway from Trade Deadline Day. Emma, whatcha got?
EB (6:29 PM): Hard not to go with the obvious here: Look at the Padres! The Juan Soto trade is among the biggest of all time—certainly the biggest in recent memory—and that was only of their moves. (Remember, they extended Joe Musgrove, too!) I don’t think it’s necessarily enough for them to win the division. But it’s enough to make them very interesting in October, and it’s exciting to see a team say that it doesn’t care to hug its prospects and just go way, way, in.
MM (6:33 PM): Absolutely. Just so we’re not both saying the Padres, I want to shout out the Yankees. They greatly upgraded their pitching staff, with Frankie Montas, Lou Trivino and Scott Effross, and boosted their outfield with Andrew Benintendi and Harrison Bader, and they did so without trading any of their top position player prospects. They did have to trade away Jordan Montgomery, but if you look at it as Montas-for-Montgomery, it’s a net gain for them. Bader brings Gold Glove defense and elite speed, and is under club control for another year after this one. Judge gets to move over to right field a lot more often once Bader comes off the IL (he’s out with plantar fasciitis). This is a much better team than the one that had already won 70 games entering play tonight.