The Los Angeles Dodgers have retained a big piece of their bullpen, signing veteran reliever Blak...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers have retained a big piece of their bullpen, signing veteran reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3013" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3013">Blake Treinen</a> to a two-year, $22-million contract, a source told <a href="https://x.com/AriA1exander/status/1865963213650612565">Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston</a>.</p><p>The 36-year-old missed all of 2023 because of a shoulder injury but emerged as a critical weapon for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after returning in early May. Treinen posted a 1.93 ERA, 2.99 fielding independent pitching, and 0.94 WHIP along with 56 strikeouts and a 10.8 K/9 rate across 46 2/3 innings.</p><p>He then enjoyed an excellent October, putting up a 2.19 ERA and 0.76 FIP with 18 strikeouts and three saves over nine appearances during the Dodgers' run to the World Series title. Treinen was masterful in the clinching Game 5 at Yankee Stadium, gutting out 2 1/3 scoreless innings to save a tired bullpen and earn the win.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Dodgers' reunion with Treinen comes a few hours after they <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3154560" href="https://thescore.com/news/3154560">reportedly</a> added outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4772" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4772">Michael Conforto</a> in free agency. L.A. also signed two-time Cy Young winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5351" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5351">Blake Snell</a> earlier this offseason.</p>

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: Blake Treinen #49 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after pitching during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in New York, New York.

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Report: Dodgers re-sign Treinen on 2-year, $22M deal

Juan Soto is crossing town.  The superstar outfielder agreed to a 15-year, $765-million contract ...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8271" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8271">Juan Soto</a> is crossing town.</p><p>The superstar outfielder agreed to a 15-year, $765-million contract with the New York Mets, sources told <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1865957135760142837">Jon Heyman of the New York Post</a>.</p><p>Soto's contract is the largest in professional sports history, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1865957256824750297">ESPN's Jeff Passan</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Richest MLB contracts" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-ieYCF" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ieYCF/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="663" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>The contract contains no deferred money, <a href="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1865957979125596174">Mark Feinsand of MLB.com</a> reports. Soto also gets an opt-out after the 2029 season, per the <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/1865958409289203996">Post's Joel Sherman</a>. However, the Mets can void that opt-out by raising Soto's annual salary over the final 10 seasons from $51 million to $55 million, a source told <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1865972699077755312">Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic</a>.</p><p>It comes with a $75-million signing bonus, <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1865958148902957479">Rosenthal</a> reports. Soto also has a full no-trade clause, according to <a href="https://x.com/timbhealey/status/1866169257513431054">Newsday's Tim Healey</a><em>.</em></p><p>The 26-year-old is coming off another All-Star campaign, winning a Silver Slugger with the New York Yankees. In his only season with the Yanks, he hit .288/.419/.569 with a career-high 41 home runs to go with 31 doubles and 109 RBIs across 157 games.</p><p>Soto, acquired from the San Diego Padres last offseason, appeared to begin crafting his Yankees legacy with a postseason run to remember. He hit .327/.469/.633 in 14 games and crushed the ALCS-winning homer in Game 5 against the Cleveland Guardians.</p><p>Steve Cohen, the richest individual owner in baseball, outbid his crosstown counterpart, Hal Steinbrenner, to lure Soto to Queens. The Yankees' final offer to the four-time All-Star came in at $760 million over 16 years, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1865958845664653692">Heyman</a>, for an average annual value of $47.5 million compared to the $51 million he'll get from the Mets.</p><p>The Yankees' last offer didn't contain deferred money, sources told <a href="https://x.com/martinonyc/status/1866168992026808392">Andy Martino of SNY</a>.</p><p>The Boston Red Sox, one of the other finalists for Soto's services, tapped out after a final offer of around $700 million over 15 years, a source told <a href="https://twitter.com/Sean_McAdam/status/1865960179847561236">MassLive's Sean McAdam</a>. The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers were also finalists.</p><p>Soto joins a Mets team looking to build on last year's surprising run to the NLCS. He'll likely bat behind leadoff hitter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2909" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2909">Francisco Lindor</a> to create one of the best one-two punches in baseball. He also gets to call one of his favorite ballparks home, as he's hit .333/.466/.709 with 12 homers in 35 games at Citi Field.</p><p>The Mets have made the playoffs twice in the past three seasons but haven't won a pennant since 2015 and the World Series since 1986.</p><p>Soto was signed by the Washington Nationals out of the Dominican Republic in 2015 and reached the majors three years later. He immediately established himself as one of baseball's best hitters and led the Nats to a World Series title as a 20-year-old in 2019.</p><p>Soto turned down a 15-year, $440-million extension offer from the Nationals in July 2022, a decision that now looks quite prescient. Shortly after declining, Washington traded him to the Padres where he spent a year-and-a-half.</p><p>Over his seven-year career, Soto is a .285/.421/.532 hitter with 201 home runs and 592 RBIs. The four-time All-Star has won five Silver Sluggers, a batting title, and two on-base percentage titles while never posting an OBP below .400.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most consecutive seasons with .400+ OBP to start career, AL/NL in live-ball era (1920):<br><br>Ted Williams: 17<br>Frank Thomas: 8<br>Wade Boggs: 8<br>Juan Soto: 7 *active<br>Ferris Fain: 7</p>— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1865973154637652394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Yankees, meanwhile, will receive an additional draft pick as compensation after the fourth round in July's draft, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/2024-25-qualifying-offer-candidates-and-decisions">Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com</a>, as Soto declined their qualifying offer in November.</p>

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 19: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees hits a three-run home run during the tenth inning of Game Five of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on October 19, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Report: Soto inks record 15-year, $765M deal with Mets

The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their outfield corps, agreeing to a one-year, $17-million deal ...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their outfield corps, agreeing to a one-year, $17-million deal with free agent <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4772" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4772">Michael Conforto</a>, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/Alden_Gonzalez/status/1865945639474852276">ESPN's Alden González</a>.</p><p>Conforto, 31, spent the last two seasons with the San Francisco Giants, where he primarily faced right-handed pitching as one half of a left-field platoon. In 130 games last year, he hit .237/.309/.450 with 20 home runs and 66 RBIs.</p><p>In Los Angeles, he'll likely continue to serve as a platoon bat who can start in either corner outfield spot against righties.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Conforto joins a group of outfielders that also includes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12600" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12600">James Outman</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9695" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9695">Tommy Edman</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3941" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3941">Chris Taylor</a>. Edman, currently slated to be the Dodgers' center fielder, could be a potential platoon partner for Conforto based on his superior splits against left-handed pitching.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Career splits, OPS:<br><br>Conforto: .838 vs RHP, .705 vs LHP<br>Edman: .689 vs RHP, .831 vs LHP <a href="https://t.co/0QCJ3TWAh9">https://t.co/0QCJ3TWAh9</a></p>— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/1865949499061071927?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Signing Conforto does not take the Dodgers out of the race to re-sign outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4472" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4472">Teoscar Hernández</a>, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1865952658063839293">Feinsand</a>. Hernández's reported <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3154115" href="https://thescore.com/news/3154115">preference</a> is to remain with the Dodgers, where he was a key member of their World Series-winning club.</p><p>The Dodgers are hoping that leaving San Francisco will help Conforto rediscover the form that made him an All-Star in 2017. Conforto struggled to hit at Oracle Park while with the Giants, putting up a .632 OPS with three homers in 58 home games last season compared to .852 with 17 homers on the road.</p><p>Conforto is a lifetime .251/.348/.456 hitter with 167 home runs and 520 RBIs across parts of nine seasons with the Giants and New York Mets.</p>

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Michael Conforto #8 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates his single against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning at Oracle Park on September 29, 2024 in San Francisco, California.

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Report: Dodgers agree to 1-year, $17M deal with Conforto

The Boston Red Sox are ramping up their search for starting pitching in a big way.  Boston met wi...

<p>The Boston Red Sox are ramping up their search for starting pitching in a big way.</p><p>Boston met with star free-agent pitchers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9580" href="/mlb/players/9580">Corbin Burnes</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4259" href="/mlb/players/4259">Max Fried</a>, sources told <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/08/sports/red-sox-max-fried-corbin-burnes/">Alex Speier of the Boston Globe</a>.</p><p>Burnes sat down with the Red Sox virtually, according to Speier, who adds it's unclear whether the meeting with Fried was in person or online.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Red Sox have been pushing hard for top-tier starting pitching upgrades this offseason. They were chasing two-time Cy Young winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5351" href="/mlb/players/5351">Blake Snell</a> before he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. After missing on Snell, the Sox <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3141595" href="https://thescore.com/news/3141595">reportedly</a> shifted focus to Fried. Boston is also said to be <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3153381" href="https://thescore.com/news/3153381">dangling</a> first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12885" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12885">Triston Casas</a> in potential trades for pitchers.</p><p>Burnes finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting this past season after a stellar campaign with the Baltimore Orioles. The 30-year-old's 2.92 ERA was his lowest since his NL Cy Young-winning campaign in 2021. He also topped 190 innings for a third straight year.</p><p>The right-hander is drawing plenty of interest across the AL East, having already reportedly talked to Boston's division rivals in New York and Toronto.</p><p>Fried, who will turn 31 next month, put up a 3.25 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 166 strikeouts, two complete games, and one shutout across 29 starts for the Atlanta Braves in 2024. The southpaw was runner-up in NL Cy Young voting two years ago.</p><p>Fried is a longtime friend and former high-school teammate of Red Sox starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4272" href="/mlb/players/4272">Lucas Giolito</a>. Earlier this offseason, Giolito said he planned to recruit Fried to Boston, calling him a "great fit" for the club.</p><p>The Orioles, Blue Jays, and Yankees have also been connected to Fried this winter.</p><p>Both Burnes and Fried are attached to draft-pick compensation after rejecting qualifying offers from their former teams.</p><p> </p>

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 20: Corbin Burnes #39 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday, September 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Report: Red Sox met with Burnes, Fried

Cooperstown welcomed two new members to its ranks Sunday, as Dick Allen and Dave Parker were elec...

<p>Cooperstown welcomed two new members to its ranks Sunday, as Dick Allen and Dave Parker were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2025.</p><p>The pair will be inducted as part of Hall of Fame Weekend on July 27 alongside whomever is elected on the writers' ballot next month.</p><p>Parker received 14 of 16 votes from the Classic Baseball Era Committee to gain election, while Allen earned 13. Allen, who died in 2020, missed induction by one vote on committee ballots in 2015 and 2022.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dick Allen’s family reacts to his induction to the Hall of Fame <a href="https://t.co/K6ia70P95F">pic.twitter.com/K6ia70P95F</a></p>— James Fegan (@JRFegan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRFegan/status/1865918781035249682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Allen was one of the most feared hitters in baseball during his 15-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Oakland Athletics. A lifetime .292/.378/.534 hitter, he led his league in OPS four times, slugging and OPS+ three times, and home runs twice. His individual accolades include the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year with the Phillies and the 1972 AL MVP with the White Sox.</p><p>The Phillies elected Allen to their Wall of Fame in 1994 and retired his No. 15 in 2020, only a few months before his death.</p><p>Parker, 73, compiled a .290/.339/.471 slash line with 2,712 hits, 339 home runs, and 1,493 RBIs across 19 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, and Toronto Blue Jays. "The Cobra" was considered one of the best players in baseball at his peak, wielding both a dominant bat and powerful arm in right field.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1PH6XJypKno?si=PGtX9luiRBenxsie" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Parker was a seven-time All-Star and won three Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and two batting titles, along with the 1978 NL MVP. He's mostly associated with the Pirates, where he served as an anchor of their great lineups in the late 1970s and was a key figure in their 1979 World Series title. Parker also earned two top-five MVP finishes with his hometown Reds in the 1980s and is a member of both the Pirates' and Reds' Halls of Fame.</p><p>Later in his career, Parker became a steady veteran DH and won a second ring with the A's in 1989.</p><p>Parker never received more than 24.5% of the vote in 15 years on the BBWAA ballot. This was his fourth appearance on an Era Committee ballot; he earned seven votes in 2020.</p><p>Allen and Parker were the only two names on the eight-player ballot who received more than 10 votes from the Classic Baseball committee. Tommy John earned seven votes, while Ken Boyer, John Donaldson, Steve Garvey, Vic Harris, and Luis Tiant each received fewer than five.</p>

CHICAGO, IL - CIRCA 1970's: First baseman Dick Allen of the Chicago White Sox watches the flight of his ball as he follows through on his swing during a mid circa 1970's Major League Baseball game at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. Allen played for the White Sox from 1972-74.

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Dick Allen, Dave Parker elected to Hall of Fame

The National Baseball Hall of Fame will announce the results of its 2025 Classic Baseball Era Com...

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2025 HOF classic baseball era ballot preview

Walker Buehler ended the New York Yankees' season last month. Now, he might be ready to join them...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8193" href="/mlb/players/8193">Walker Buehler</a> ended the New York Yankees' season last month. Now, he might be ready to join them.</p><p>The Yankees and Buehler, now a free agent, have some mutual interest in a union this winter, <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1860036275266552105">Jon Morosi of MLB Network</a> reported.</p><p>New York got a close look at Buehler during this year's World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander shut down the Yankees' lineup, throwing seven shutout innings across two appearances in Los Angeles' five-game victory. He secured the series-clinching win with a flawless ninth inning to close out Game 5 at Yankee Stadium.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Yankees are looking to upgrade their rotation behind ace <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2913" href="/mlb/players/2913">Gerrit Cole</a> this winter, according to Morosi. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4763" href="/mlb/players/4763">Carlos Rodón</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9586" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9586">Clarke Schmidt</a>, and AL Rookie of the Year <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11752" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11752">Luis Gil</a> are likely penciled in for 2025, leaving one spot potentially open. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4101" href="/mlb/players/4101">Marcus Stroman</a>, the team's big free-agent addition last offseason, didn't pitch in the playoffs after a disappointing 2024 and could be a trade candidate, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9727" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9727">Nestor Cortes</a> battled elbow troubles and finished his year in the bullpen.</p><p>Buehler's coming off a rough 2024 campaign - he posted a career-worst 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP along with 64 strikeouts in 16 regular-season starts for the Dodgers. It was the two-time All-Star's first action in nearly two years following Tommy John surgery.</p><p>But the 30-year-old rediscovered his old form in October, turning in three scoreless outings during the Dodgers' run to their second championship in five years. The only six runs he allowed in the playoffs all came during the second inning in Game 3 of the NLDS.</p><p>Buehler, who isn't tied to draft-pick compensation, has also reportedly drawn interest from the Atlanta Braves and Athletics this winter.</p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 16: Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after a inning ending strikeout to Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets during the second inning in game three of the National League Championship Series at Citi Field on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 in New York. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Report: Yankees, Buehler have mutual interest

The Philadelphia Phillies put one of their highest-paid players on the block as they look to resh...

<p>The Philadelphia Phillies put one of their highest-paid players on the block as they look to reshape their outfield.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2880" href="/mlb/players/2880">Nick Castellanos</a> is available in trade talks, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5941104/2024/11/22/phillies-austin-hays-outfield-2025/">Matt Gelb of The Athletic</a>. While the Phillies are open to trading Castellanos, no deal is imminent and it's not clear who his potential suitors could be.</p><p>His contract also hinders a potential trade. The outfielder is owed $40 million over the next two seasons, and the Phillies would likely have to pay down a large chunk of the remaining money, according to Gelb. Castellanos does not own a no-trade clause, per <a href="https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/national-league/philadelphia-phillies/">Cot's Contracts</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Castellanos signed a five-year, $100-million contract with the Phillies before the 2022 season on the heels of a Silver Slugger-winning campaign in Cincinnati. The 32-year-old was an All-Star in 2023 and slugged 23 homers this past year while appearing in all 162 regular-season games as well as four playoff contests.</p><p>However, his Phillies tenure has fallen short of expectations overall. Castellanos owns a .263/.309/.435 slash line in Philadelphia and has yet to post an OPS above .788 despite playing in the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park. His outfield defense has also been poor, with a career-worst minus-11 defensive runs saved in 2024.</p><p>The Phillies appear ready to shake up their roster following their early playoff exit, targeting the outfield for improvements. Philadelphia is reportedly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3136256" href="https://thescore.com/news/3136256">non-tendering</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8511" href="/mlb/players/8511">Austin Hays</a>, who struggled after joining the club in a midseason trade. The Phillies are also reportedly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3133357" href="https://thescore.com/news/3133357">meeting</a> with superstar free agent <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8271" href="/mlb/players/8271">Juan Soto</a>.</p><p>With Hays gone, the Phillies' outfield consists of Castellanos in right, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12670" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12670">Johan Rojas</a> in center, and a platoon of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8188" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8188">Brandon Marsh</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8890" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8890">Weston Wilson</a> in left. Any outfield upgrades likely have to come from outside the organization; top prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17816" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17816">Justin Crawford</a> is expected to need more development time, while the Phillies won't move <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1688" href="/mlb/players/1688">Bryce Harper</a> back to the outfield, according to Gelb.</p><p>Philadelphia reportedly put third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10702" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10702">Alec Bohm</a> on the trade block earlier this offseason. The team has also been gauging interest in left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9813" href="/mlb/players/9813">Ranger Suárez</a>, Gelb reports.</p>

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts following an at bat during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Report: Phillies shopping Castellanos

The Philadelphia Phillies are non-tendering former All-Star outfielder Austin Hays ahead of Frida...

<p>The Philadelphia Phillies are non-tendering former All-Star outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8511" href="/mlb/players/8511">Austin Hays</a> ahead of Friday's 8 p.m. ET deadline, <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1860028264208818465">Jon Heyman of the New York Post</a> reports.</p><p>The move will make Hays a free agent for the first time in his career, a year earlier than expected.</p><p>Philadelphia acquired Hays, an All-Star in 2023, from the Baltimore Orioles ahead of this year's trade deadline. He was supposed to form the right-handed half of a left-field platoon with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8188" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8188">Brandon Marsh</a> but was limited to 22 games down the stretch because of a kidney infection. When he was healthy, he struggled, hitting .256/.275/.397 with two homers and six RBIs over 80 plate appearances for the Phillies.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>His struggles likely prompted the Phillies to move on rather than pay him a higher salary through arbitration. <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2025.html?utm_source=twitter">MLB Trade Rumors</a> projected he'd earn $6.4 million in 2025 if Philadelphia tendered him a contract.</p><p>Hays, 29, offers some potential value for teams seeking outfield depth at a cheaper price in free agency. He's just one year removed from his best individual season, when he put up a .769 OPS with 16 homers and six defensive runs saved. Hays was named both an All-Star and AL Gold Glove finalist in left field in 2023.</p><p>A 2016 third-round draft selection by Baltimore, Hays is a lifetime .261/.313/.432 hitter with 68 homers and 248 RBIs over parts of seven big-league seasons.</p>

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 31: Austin Hays #9 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on after flying out to end the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Yankees defeated the Phillies 6-5.

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Report: Phillies non-tender former All-Star Hays

The Athletics' early pitches about life in Sacramento don't appear to be popular with free agents...

<p>The Athletics' early pitches about life in Sacramento don't appear to be popular with free agents.</p><p>During an appearance at the University of Southern California's Sports Business Association Summit on Thursday, A's manager Mark Kotsay revealed that the club had conversations with free-agent starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8193" href="/mlb/players/8193">Walker Buehler</a>. However, the skipper said that Buehler shot down the A's overtures because he didn't want to play in Sacramento, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/kaseyjkaz/status/1859737295399813247">Kasey Kazliner of Annenberg Media</a>.</p><p>The A's will call the Sacramento area home for the next three seasons while awaiting completion of their new ballpark in Las Vegas. They'll play at Sutter Health Park in the suburb of West Sacramento and share the venue with the Triple-A River Cats.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>That the Sacramento experiment isn't going over well with players isn't a huge surprise. The idea of playing MLB games in a small minor-league facility is likely undesirable for many, especially in a city that won't be their long-term home. MLB-caliber clubhouses and facilities are being built to house the A's, but questions remain about just how equipped those facilities will be.</p><p>Day games in Sacramento's summer heat - temperatures regularly top 100 degrees in July and August - also won't help the team's cause. This issue was a particular concern for the players' union due to the A's initial plans for an artificial surface at Sutter Health Park. These concerns were somewhat placated when MLB agreed to use natural grass.</p><p>Buehler's sentiments about joining the A's in Sacramento appear to be commonplace around the league. Los Angeles Dodgers reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1813" href="/mlb/players/1813">Ryan Brasier</a> hinted that the vagabond franchise might have better luck recruiting players had it remained in Oakland and used the aging Coliseum as an interim home.</p><p>"You have a - I'm not gonna say perfectly good stadium (in Oakland) - but you have a stadium," Brasier said on the <a href="https://twitter.com/bradfo/status/1859979814494769569">"Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast</a>. "And I know nobody shows up, but I'd rather play in a stadium with nobody than Sacramento."</p><p>Brasier continued: "You have to walk from the first-base dugout through the left-field fence to get to the visiting clubhouse (in Sacramento). (At least) it used to be (that way). And let's say, you know, (you) renovate it all and do some new stuff, but I think that is just complete B.S."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mark Kotsay said the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Athletics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Athletics</a>’ personnel ultimately doesn’t care about moving to Sacramento, they’re a baseball team first.</p>— Kasey Kazliner (@kaseyjkaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/kaseyjkaz/status/1859738215323926923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The A's called Oakland home for 56 seasons before officially becoming the first franchise to relocate three times. Sacramento-related branding will not be used by the franchise, which will play as simply the "Athletics" or "A's" until leaving for Las Vegas.</p>

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after closing out the ninth inning to win during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in New York, New York.

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Kotsay: Buehler rejected A's interest due to Sacramento move

Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki now has a timeline for his move across the Pacific.  Commissioner Rob...

<p>Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki now has a timeline for his move across the Pacific.</p><p>Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday that Sasaki is expected to sign as part of the 2025 international signing class, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/1859369106144653593">Evan Drellich of The Athletic</a>. That means Sasaki won't sign with an MLB team before Jan. 15, 2025.</p><p>Sasaki's Japanese club, the Chiba Lotte Marines, previously announced plans to post the 23-year-old pitcher for MLB clubs this winter. However, because he's being posted before turning 25, Sasaki is only eligible to sign a minor-league contract with a signing bonus that will come out of teams' international bonus money allocations. Usually, such money would be reserved for amateur prospects who are around 16 years old, primarily in Latin America.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>International bonus pools will reset for 2025 on Dec. 15, when last year's period officially ends. Players in next year's class can't sign between Dec. 15, 2024, and Jan. 15, 2025.</p><p>Although he's leaving a significant amount of money on the table by jumping to the majors now, waiting until January works to the benefit of both Sasaki and the Marines. Sasaki can potentially get a team's full bonus pool as part of his contract, while the Marines will earn a larger posting fee (a percentage of his contract) from his new team once he signs the deal.</p><p>Once Sasaki is officially posted, he'll have a 45-day window to negotiate with all 30 MLB teams and sign a contract. If for some reason he doesn't sign within 45 days, his rights would revert to the Marines. The actual date that he'll be posted is at the discretion of Chiba Lotte.</p><p>Eight teams can offer Sasaki the full bonus pool allotment of $7,555,500 next year. Teams can also grow or shrink their pools by including international bonus money in trades.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="2025 Bonus Pools" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-n1OZs" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/n1OZs/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="1545" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();</figure><p>Buzz surrounding Sasaki has grown across the globe ever since his unprecedented 19-strikeout perfect game in 2022. This past season, he went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 129 strikeouts, and one complete game with only two homers allowed over 18 starts for the Marines. He was limited to 111 innings because of arm fatigue.</p></script></figure>

CHIBA, JAPAN - MAY 05: Roki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines throws in the 5th inning against Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks at Zozo Marine Stadium on May 5, 2023 in Chiba, Japan.

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Manfred expects Sasaki to sign in January as part of 2025 class

The Chicago Cubs landed some much-needed bullpen help, acquiring right-hander Eli Morgan from the...

<p>The Chicago Cubs landed some much-needed bullpen help, acquiring right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12324" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12324">Eli Morgan</a> from the Cleveland Guardians for outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario, the teams announced.</p><p>To make room for Morgan on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated corner infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3893" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3893">Patrick Wisdom</a> for assignment.</p><p>Morgan, 28, is coming off a career-best season that saw him emerge as a key cog in the Guardians' league-best bullpen. Though he missed some time due to shoulder and elbow inflammation, he put up a 1.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP along with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks across 42 innings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>While his fastball isn't overwhelming, opponents hit just .176 against Morgan's fastball, which averaged 92.2 mph last year. His 2.5% barrel percentage - the amount of batted balls classified as barrels - ranked third among relievers with at least 40 innings.</p><p>He appears to have been an expendable piece for Cleveland due to the depth of its relief corps, which includes AL Reliever of the Year <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11259" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11259">Emmanuel Clase</a>, plus set-up men <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14023" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14023">Cade Smith</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15380" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15380">Hunter Gaddis</a>. That'll likely change in Chicago, where Morgan appears to be in line for a more prominent late-inning role. The Cubs' bullpen ranked 20th in total production last season.</p><p>Morgan is entering his first year of arbitration and is projected by <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2025.html?utm_source=twitter">MLB Trade Rumors</a> to earn $1 million in 2025.</p><p>Wisdom, meanwhile, was a feel-good story for the Cubs in 2021, when he hit 28 homers and finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in his age-29 season. But he's since struggled to recapture that form despite crossing the 20-homer mark again in 2022 and '23, and he was surpassed at both first and third base on the Cubs' depth chart last year. He hit a career-low .171/.237/.392 over 75 games in 2024, primarily as a pinch-hitter.</p><p>If he goes unclaimed, the 32-year-old could have some appeal to teams as a low-cost free agent who can capably cover first and third base, as well as the corner outfield spots in a pinch. MLBTR projected Wisdom, entering his fourth year of arbitration, to earn $3 million next year.</p><p>Rosario, who heads to Cleveland in the Morgan trade, was ranked as the Cubs' No. 27 prospect by <a href="https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2005-chicago-cubs/prospects/?season=2024">Baseball America</a>. The 20-year-old South Carolina native hit .230/.344/.423 with 16 homers, 73 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases across 109 games at Low-A in 2024, his first full professional season. He was Chicago's sixth-round draft pick in 2023.</p><p>The Cubs also made a second minor trade Wednesday, acquiring catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8187" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8187">Matt Thaiss</a> from the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations. Thaiss, 29, is a lifetime .208/.313/.342 hitter across parts of six seasons with the Halos.</p><p>Chicago DFA'd right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8861" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8861">Trey Wingenter</a> to make room for Thaiss on the 40-man roster.</p>

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: Eli Morgan #49 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch in the fifth inning against the New York Yankees during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Cubs acquire Morgan from Guardians, DFA Wisdom

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy was named 2024 National League Manager of the Year by the Ba...

<p>Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy was named 2024 National League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.</p><p>Murphy received 27 first-place votes to beat out fellow finalists Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets and San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt. He was the only skipper named on every ballot.</p><p>Here's a look at the full vote totals:</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>MANAGER</th>
<th>TEAM</th>
<th>1ST</th>
<th>2ND</th>
<th>3RD</th>
<th>POINTS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Murphy</td>
<td>MIL</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>3</td>
<td></td>
<td>144</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shildt</td>
<td>SD</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mendoza</td>
<td>NYM</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Torey Lovullo</td>
<td>ARI</td>
<td></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rob Thomson</td>
<td>PHI</td>
<td>1</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Snitker</td>
<td>ATL</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dave Roberts</td>
<td>LAD</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oliver Marmol</td>
<td>STL</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Murphy is the first Brewers skipper to win the award, which was established in 1983. Milwaukee had been the only franchise left without a Manager of the Year winner before Tuesday. Brewers managers had finished second in Manager of the Year voting six times in previous years.</p><p>The Brewers promoted Murphy from bench coach to manager last offseason when longtime skipper Craig Counsell left to take the Chicago Cubs' job. Murphy inherited a Brewers squad that wasn't expected to contend after the departure of Counsell and the trade of ace Corbin Burnes.</p><p>Under his watch, Milwaukee defied all expectations to go 93-69 en route to the club's second consecutive NL Central title and its fourth since 2018. Murphy kept the Brewers steady, pushing them to the playoffs despite not having starter Brandon Woodruff all season, missing closer Devin Williams for the first several months, and then losing Christian Yelich to a back injury late in the year.</p><p>Murphy becomes the 10th Manager of the Year winner who didn't play in the major leagues. He only played parts of three seasons as a professional, topping out at A-ball in 1983.</p><p>The 65-year-old is the second-oldest first-time winner of the award behind Jack McKeon, who won it at age 68 in 1999.</p><p>Murphy's award is the culmination of a long baseball coaching career that's taken him to multiple levels of the sport. He won over 900 games in the NCAA with Notre Dame and Arizona State before starting his professional managerial career in the Padres' system. Murphy was San Diego's interim skipper for 96 games in 2015 before moving to Milwaukee as Counsell's bench coach.</p>

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 01: Manager Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers makes a pitching change in the fifth inning against the New York Mets during Game One of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 01, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Brewers' Murphy named NL Manager of the Year

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes was named the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year...

<p>Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17521" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17521">Paul Skenes</a> was named the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Monday.</p><p>Skenes received 23 first-place votes to edge out San Diego Padres outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14111" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14111">Jackson Merrill</a> and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14481" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14481">Jackson Chourio</a>. Chicago Cubs pitcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17236" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17236">Shota Imanaga</a>, the only other rookie to receive votes, finished fourth. It's the fewest number of players to earn votes for NL Rookie of the Year under the BBWAA's three-player-per-ballot format, which began in 1980.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-tSj5m" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/tSj5m/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="470" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Skenes is the second Pirates player to win Rookie of the Year, joining Jason Bay in 2004, and the first NL starting pitcher to win it since <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4311" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4311">Jacob deGrom</a> in 2014. He's the fifth former first overall pick to earn the award in either league, following Bob Horner in 1978, Darryl Strawberry in 1983, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1688" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1688">Bryce Harper</a> in 2012, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3992" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3992">Carlos Correa</a> in 2015.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"This is cool, and I think the coolest part is it puts a bow on this past year, and we can kind of look forward to next year," the 22-year-old said on <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetworkPR/status/1858655204406927759">MLB Network</a> after receiving the award.</p><p>Skenes left quite an impression barely a year after the Pirates selected the pitcher out of LSU. Armed with a six-pitch arsenal that includes a fastball averaging 99 mph and a devastating "splinker," he went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 170 strikeouts, along with an 11.5 K/9 rate across 133 innings.</p><p>Though he didn't have a complete game, Skenes threw at least six innings in 16 of his 23 starts and worked into the seventh inning five times, including an 8 1/3-inning gem against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 23. He only allowed more than three runs in a start once - when he gave up four against the Dodgers on Aug. 10 - and had five starts with no runs allowed and eight-plus strikeouts. His season-high in Ks was 11, which he achieved twice.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Since Paul Skenes debuted on May 11, no one had a lower ERA than his 1.96. He did it with 170 SO in 133 IP. He allowed 2 runs all of September, a 196/255/314 slash line a 3rd time thru the order. At times, he seemed to carry an entire city on his shoulders. A worthy RoY.</p>— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alden_Gonzalez/status/1858657076370960703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Skenes was picked to start this year's All-Star Game for the NL despite having just 11 big-league starts under his belt to that point. He's also a finalist for this year's NL Cy Young Award, which will be announced Wednesday.</p><p>His award win also gained Skenes an additional full year of service time, meaning he'll now reach free agency in 2029 instead of 2030, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/Travis_Sawchik/status/1858659819109875892">theScore's Travis Sawchik</a>. The Pirates had Skenes open his season with Triple-A Indianapolis before he got the call-up May 11.</p><p>Despite his brilliant pitching, the Pirates finished 2024 in last place and posted a losing record for the ninth straight season. But Skenes said he feels positive about the team's future and is confident he'll be the ace of a contender in Pittsburgh next summer.</p><p>"I'm optimistic. We obviously have a really good core in our starting rotation. I think we have a really good core in the lineup, too," Skenes said, according to <a href="https://x.com/JMackeyPG/status/1858667683006251018">Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</a>. "We have an opportunity to get the guys that we have better. That's something I'm bought in on.</p><p>"You can say as much as you want about wanting to compete and wanting to win, but doing it and being intentional with it are two different things," he added. "I think we are on the right track there."</p><p>Skenes and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3132413" href="https://thescore.com/news/3132413">AL winner</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11752" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11752">Luis Gil</a> are the first pair of starting pitchers to win their respective league's Rookie of the Year award in the same season since Fernando Valenzuela and Dave Righetti in 1981, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1858660154574516653">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>. It's the fifth time pitchers have won in both leagues.</p>

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 11: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 11, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Pirates' Skenes claims NL ROY over Merrill, Chourio

The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Monday the ballot for the 2025 Hall of Fam...

<p>The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Monday the ballot for the 2025 Hall of Fame class, highlighted by newcomers Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Félix Hernández, Ian Kinsler, and Dustin Pedroia.</p><p>BBWAA voters with 10 years of active membership have until Dec. 31 to submit their ballots. The results will be revealed Jan. 21 on MLB Network. Eligible candidates that receive 75% of the vote will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown on July 27. Candidates who receive less than 5% of the vote will be dropped from future ballots.</p><p>Billy Wagner (73.8% of the vote in 2024), Andruw Jones (61.6%), and Carlos Beltrán (57.1%) are among 14 holdovers from last year's ballot that remain eligible for election.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><em>Note: This portion of the article was previously published in July. </em></p><h2><strong>The newcomers</strong></h2><h3>First-ballot lock</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/398651/cropped_GettyImages-1138897932.jpg?ts=1585156914" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/398651/w220xh124_GettyImages-1138897932.jpg?ts=1585156914 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/398651/w320xh180_GettyImages-1138897932.jpg?ts=1585156914 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/398651/w640xh360_GettyImages-1138897932.jpg?ts=1585156914 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/398651/w768xh432_GettyImages-1138897932.jpg?ts=1585156914 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/398651/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1138897932.jpg?ts=1585156914 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Michael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-8JryO" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/8JryO/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="136" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Ichiro owns the single-season hit record, compiled 10 straight 200-hit campaigns, and led the majors in hits seven times. His trophy case includes two batting titles, 10 Gold Gloves, and the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in 2001. He's a member of the 3,000-hit club despite not debuting in the majors until age 27. If you include his years in Japan, he recorded over 4,300 hits across 28 professional seasons. The only question is whether Ichiro will make even more history as the first position player to be elected unanimously. It's a real possibility.</p><h3>Likely first-ballot inductee</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/362976/cropped_GettyImages-1151920498.jpg?ts=1561685328" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/362976/w220xh124_GettyImages-1151920498.jpg?ts=1561685328 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/362976/w320xh180_GettyImages-1151920498.jpg?ts=1561685328 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/362976/w640xh360_GettyImages-1151920498.jpg?ts=1561685328 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/362976/w768xh432_GettyImages-1151920498.jpg?ts=1561685328 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/362976/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1151920498.jpg?ts=1561685328 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Steven Ryan / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-6FHnX" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/6FHnX/3/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="154" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Sabathia's career includes almost everything you could ask of a Hall of Fame pitcher: a Cy Young, 3,000 strikeouts, 250 wins, and playoff heroics that include an ALCS MVP and World Series ring. He was also one of the last true workhorse starters, standing out as a virtual lock for 200 innings during his prime and often putting teams on his back like a true ace. However, Sabathia's not necessarily a first-ballot lock like Ichiro, and some may balk at his rather high 3.74 ERA. Still, the combination of his on-field accolades and the respect he garnered around the baseball world should be enough. It won't be by much if Sabathia isn't elected in January.</p><h3>Most intriguing newcomers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/403479/cropped_GettyImages-150319563.jpg?ts=1589300576" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/403479/w220xh124_GettyImages-150319563.jpg?ts=1589300576 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/403479/w320xh180_GettyImages-150319563.jpg?ts=1589300576 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/403479/w640xh360_GettyImages-150319563.jpg?ts=1589300576 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/403479/w768xh432_GettyImages-150319563.jpg?ts=1589300576 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/403479/w1080xh607_GettyImages-150319563.jpg?ts=1589300576 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-44o6R" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/44o6R/5/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="296" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>During his all-too-brief peak, "King Félix" was indisputably one of the best in the business. Hernández won a Cy Young, claimed two ERA titles, earned six All-Star berths, tallied over 2,500 strikeouts, and threw a perfect game. But his drop-off was incredibly fast, with Hernández out of the majors before his 35th birthday. He also never got the chance to boost his resume by pitching in the playoffs. Voters have often spurned short-peak, high-value pitchers, but Hernández probably did enough to at least warrant a second look. As the first true "modern" starter to hit the ballot, his upcoming candidacy could help us define what makes a Hall of Fame pitcher in today's game.</p><p>Kinsler and Pedroia, two of the best second basemen of their era, both sit in the top 20 at their position in JAWS and the top 25 in WAR. Pedroia owns an MVP and was a staple of the Red Sox during their most successful era, while Kinsler has a pair of 30-30 seasons and multiple Gold Gloves. Yet the pair fell short of the standards in many other important areas, and both missed out on 2,000 hits, usually a benchmark for expansion-era Hall of Famers (Kinsler retired with 1,999). Kinsler and Pedroia also sit well behind the pack in many other more traditional stats, meaning their cases likely rest on metrics, peak performance, or other outside factors. They could rise or fall on the ballot together.</p><h3>Other notable first-timers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377043/cropped_GettyImages-620758238.jpg?ts=1569177110" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377043/w220xh124_GettyImages-620758238.jpg?ts=1569177110 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377043/w320xh180_GettyImages-620758238.jpg?ts=1569177110 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377043/w640xh360_GettyImages-620758238.jpg?ts=1569177110 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377043/w768xh432_GettyImages-620758238.jpg?ts=1569177110 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377043/w1080xh607_GettyImages-620758238.jpg?ts=1569177110 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Pool / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-nSOON" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/nSOON/4/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="804" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Martin and McCann were important cogs of winners at each stop. But they also retired with low counting stats, even by catcher's standards. Zobrist's HOF case rests almost entirely on him being arguably the best true utility player in MLB history - a unique distinction, but one that's hardly getting him into Cooperstown on its own. Still, Zobrist had a far better career than you might have realized and left an impact on the sport.</p><p>Granderson was a three-time All-Star, a key contributor to multiple playoff teams, and one of the most respected players of his era by peers and fans. He could get some courtesy votes, which wouldn't be out of place. Ramirez and Tulowitzki will go down as two of the biggest "what-ifs" in modern history. Both had a litany of injuries, and Tulowitzki, in particular, seemed snakebitten at times with his health struggles. However, they also ranked among the top shortstops of the 2010s when healthy.</p><p>While they're unlikely to receive anywhere close to 5% of the vote, González, Jones, and Rodney each earned a spot on the ballot after excellent careers with multiple franchises.</p>

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Ichiro, Sabathia headline 2025 Baseball HOF ballot newcomers

Toronto Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle was named the Most Valuable Player of the 111th Grey ...

<p>Toronto Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle was named the Most Valuable Player of the 111th Grey Cup on Sunday.</p><p>Argos wideout Dejon Brissett earned Most Outstanding Canadian honors.</p><p>Arbuckle completed 26 of 37 passes for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the victory. He also added 11 rushing yards.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 31-year-old's award-winning game will go down as one of the most unlikely and remarkable performances in Grey Cup history. Arbuckle spent the season as one of Toronto's backup QBs but was thrust into the starter's job when Chad Kelly suffered a leg injury in the East final.</p><p>Arbuckle, a six-year CFL veteran, joined the Argos in training camp after failing to stick in Ottawa. He had been considering retirement before Toronto called in late May.</p><p>"Without my family's faith and my wife's belief in me, and her sacrifices that she's made, and my kids have made ... we never thought that all of this would come," he told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXn_c3_qZCE">TSN's James Duthie</a>. "Like you said, I was a few weeks away from calling it quits when I got this opportunity, and it's unbelievable."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You couldn't have scripted it any better 🥹🌊 <a href="https://t.co/S5q2LAQb4W">pic.twitter.com/S5q2LAQb4W</a></p>— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) <a href="https://twitter.com/TorontoArgos/status/1858349790376923411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Georgia State product is the eighth Argos player to win Grey Cup MVP since the award returned to its current format in 1991. Arbuckle is also the club's first QB to claim the honor since Damon Allen in 2004.</p><p>Brissett, a native of Mississauga, Ontario, hauled in three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown and recovered an onside kick on special teams. His 17-yard major in the fourth quarter made it a two-score game and kick-started Toronto's 24-point outburst in the final period.</p><p>The 28-year-old is the fifth Argos player to win the Dick Suderman Trophy, joining Mike Vanderjagt, Paul Masotti, Ricky Foley, and Henoc Muamba.</p>

VANCOUVER, CANADA - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Nick Arbuckle #4 of the Toronto Argonauts throws a pass against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the first half in CFL football action during the 2024 Grey Cup at BC Place on November 17, 2024 in Vancouver, Canada.

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Argos' emergency starter Arbuckle named Grey Cup MVP

The Toronto Argonauts derailed another dynasty.  The Argos again upset the Winnipeg Blue Bombers ...

<p>The Toronto Argonauts derailed another dynasty.</p><p>The Argos again upset the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL championship game, riding a massive fourth quarter to win the 111th Grey Cup 41-24 at BC Place on Sunday. The result is their second Grey Cup win over Winnipeg in three years.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Toronto Argonauts lift the Grey Cup! 🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreyCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GreyCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/xhNLVJknV9">pic.twitter.com/xhNLVJknV9</a></p>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1858349845464928725?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Toronto pulled away with 24 fourth-quarter points, tying a Grey Cup record for the most put up in the final period, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/CFLStats/status/1858350855981785311">CFL Stats</a>. The last team to score 24 points in the fourth quarter was the Argos, who did it in 1938 against Winnipeg.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The title is the Argos' league-record 19th championship. The franchise has won each of its last eight Grey Cup appearances since 1991 and has never lost a title game with general manager and franchise icon Michael "Pinball" Clemons in the organization. Toronto also improved to 8-0 in Grey Cup contests against the Blue Bombers.</p><p>Although Argos quarterback Nick Arbuckle was <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3131817" href="https://thescore.com/news/3131817">named</a> Grey Cup MVP, the defense carried the team to victory. The Boatmen picked off Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros four times to tie a single-game Grey Cup record, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/CFLStats/status/1858346749112266770">CFL Stats</a>. They also set a new Grey Cup record with 164 interception return yards, shattering the old mark of 88.</p><p>Defensive back Robert Priester put the game away with a 61-yard pick-6 late in the fourth. His return was the second-longest pick-6 in Grey Cup history and third-longest interception return in a championship game.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">PICK! SIX! <br><br>Robert Priester has picked off Zach Collaros and returned it for a HUGE Argos touchdown! Argos lead BIG late in the game! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreyCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GreyCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/3kGW2AXFZt">pic.twitter.com/3kGW2AXFZt</a></p>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1858339753604599997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Wynton McManis, DaShaun Amos, and Benjie Franklin also hauled in interceptions during the victory. Franklin's <a href="https://www.x.com/CFL/status/1858311642657837077">pick</a> in the second quarter was his fourth INT in three playoff games this year.</p><p>Although the Argos' vaunted defensive line sacked Collaros only once, the defense held Winnipeg to 283 net offensive yards.</p><p>"We knew from actually the beginning of the season this was our destiny," McManis said postgame on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IeoTK-HeyM">TSN</a>. "Don't ride the wave, don't never be too high, never be too low. For us, it's just stay the course."</p><p>Collaros threw for 202 yards but failed to find the end zone for a third straight Grey Cup game. He was also hampered by a cut finger on his throwing hand late in the third quarter that forced him to the locker room for a series before he returned wearing a glove. Collaros threw three of his four picks while his throwing hand was gloved.</p><p>"Obviously, disappointed. Things kind of snowballed there," Collaros said about the cut. "It was just a tough situation."</p><p>The two-time Most Outstanding Player is the third QB to throw four picks in a Grey Cup game, joining Montreal's Sam Etcheverry in 1956 and Edmonton's Bruce Lemmerman in 1977.</p><p>Newly-crowned MOP Brady Oliveira rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. But the Argos did a great job containing him overall considering almost half of Oliveira's 84 yards came from one 35-yard gain.</p><p>The contest began as a tight defensive battle, with Winnipeg taking a 10-9 lead into halftime. Things began turning in Toronto's favor early in the third quarter when Blue Bombers returner Lucky Whitehead fumbled a punt back into the Argos' hands at Winnipeg's 17-yard line. On the next play, Arbuckle found slotback Kevin Mital for what ended up as the go-ahead touchdown.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">KEVIN MITAL! 🌊🌊🌊<br><br>HIS FIRST <a href="https://twitter.com/CFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CFL</a> TOUCHDOWN COMES IN THE <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GREYCUP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GREYCUP</a> <a href="https://t.co/ywGGr7AZKe">pic.twitter.com/ywGGr7AZKe</a></p>— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) <a href="https://twitter.com/TorontoArgos/status/1858327145900056976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Blue Bombers were playing in their fifth straight Grey Cup but lost the last two after winning consecutive titles in 2019 and '21. Instead, they became the first team since the 1954-56 Alouettes to lose three straight Grey Cup games.</p>

VANCOUVER, CANADA - NOVEMBER 17: DaShaun Amos #8 of the Toronto Argonauts lifts the Grey Cup after defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2024 Grey Cup at BC Place on November 17, 2024 in Vancouver, Canada.

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Argos upset Bombers again to win 2nd Grey Cup in 3 years

It's the Grey Cup rematch everyone wanted, one year later than expected.  The Toronto Argonauts a...

<p>It's the Grey Cup rematch everyone wanted, one year later than expected.</p><p>The Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers face off in the 111th Grey Cup on Sunday, and CFL fans everywhere are hoping this one's as thrilling as their last showdown. Two years ago in Regina, these teams played one of the greatest Grey Cup games ever, a 24-23 Argos win clinched on a last-second blocked field goal.</p><p>The dynastic Bombers enter their fifth straight Grey Cup looking to silence the critics and return to the top after two straight gut-wrenching defeats. Toronto, as in 2022, is the underdog with little to lose - although that's largely because of Chad Kelly's injury. Can the Argos improbably upend a dynasty yet again?</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Here's everything you need to know about the 111th Grey Cup.</p><h3>The basics</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/325708/cropped_GettyImages-1016632842.jpg?ts=1639013089" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/325708/w220xh124_GettyImages-1016632842.jpg?ts=1639013089 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/325708/w320xh180_GettyImages-1016632842.jpg?ts=1639013089 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/325708/w640xh360_GettyImages-1016632842.jpg?ts=1639013089 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/325708/w768xh432_GettyImages-1016632842.jpg?ts=1639013089 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/325708/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1016632842.jpg?ts=1639013089 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>When: </strong>Sunday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. ET<br><strong>Where:</strong> BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia (17th Grey Cup hosted by Vancouver, 10th at BC Place)<br><strong>Who:</strong> Toronto Argonauts (25th Grey Cup appearance) vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (29th)<br><strong>TV:</strong> TSN and CTV; RDS (French); CBS Sports Network (United States); <a href="https://www.cfl.ca/plus/">CFL+</a> (Outside North America)<br><strong>Line: </strong>Winnipeg -475<br><strong>Spread: </strong>Winnpeg -9.0<br><strong>Over/Under: </strong>50.5 points</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Tale of the tape" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-NKIV3" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/NKIV3/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="958" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>How they got here</h3><p><strong>Argonauts: </strong>Toronto's season began with a serious off-field issue. Star quarterback Chad Kelly was suspended for the first nine games of the regular season after violating the CFL's gender-based violence policy. On the field, the Argos went 5-4 to start the year before Kelly was reinstated under a last-chance agreement with the league. Kelly's return and a powerful defense helped the Argos clinch a home playoff date for the fourth straight year. Toronto put up a franchise playoff-record 58 points versus Ottawa in the semifinal, then got some revenge for last year against Montreal in the East final, holding them off after Kelly's injury to clinch their second Grey Cup berth in three seasons.</p><p><strong>Blue Bombers: </strong>It sure looked like the dynasty was ending at the start of the year. The Bombers had all of Manitoba sweating by stumbling to an 0-4 start and were 2-6 through eight weeks. Then something finally clicked in Week 9, when the Bombers shut out BC 25-0 to kick off an eight-game winning streak. They won nine of their final 10 regular-season games to finish on top of the West Division for a fourth straight year. After a bye, Winnipeg thoroughly dismantled Saskatchewan in the West final to become the third team in modern CFL history with five straight Grey Cup appearances.</p><h3>Previous meetings</h3><p>Both regular-season games between these clubs were tight, low-scoring battles. In Week 8 at BMO Field, the Argos won 16-14 despite QBs Cameron Dukes and Nick Arbuckle combining for just 124 passing yards. Bombers QB Zach Collaros threw for 317 yards, but it wasn't enough. The Argos' defense forced a late turnover on downs, and Lirim Hajrullahu booted a walk-off overtime field goal.</p><p>The Oct. 11 rematch in Winnipeg saw the Argos win 14-11 to clinch a playoff berth. Kelly threw for 203 yards and a touchdown, but once again Toronto's defense engineered the victory by forcing two turnovers and sacking Collaros seven times. Folarin Orimolade sealed the win with an interception on the final play. These two defeats to Toronto are Winnipeg's only losses since July 19.</p><h3>Storylines to follow</h3><p><strong>Arbuckle's moment</strong></p><p>All eyes will be on Arbuckle, the six-year veteran who's suddenly Toronto's unlikely Grey Cup starter following Kelly's season-ending leg injury last week.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754866/cropped_GettyImages-2163991553.jpg?ts=1731365124" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754866/w220xh124_GettyImages-2163991553.jpg?ts=1731365124 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754866/w320xh180_GettyImages-2163991553.jpg?ts=1731365124 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754866/w640xh360_GettyImages-2163991553.jpg?ts=1731365124 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754866/w768xh432_GettyImages-2163991553.jpg?ts=1731365124 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754866/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2163991553.jpg?ts=1731365124 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John E. Sokolowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>If Arbuckle has any nerves, he can seek counsel from head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, who found himself in this exact situation 17 years ago. Dinwiddie was Winnipeg's little-used backup QB in 2007 and was forced into action when Kevin Glenn <a href="https://youtu.be/uRRKhf6V6MU?t=6026">broke his arm</a> in the fourth quarter of that year's East final. After finishing the Bombers' 19-9 win over the Argos, of all teams, Dinwiddie made his first CFL start in the Grey Cup; though he held his own given the circumstances, he threw three interceptions in his team's loss.</p><p>While the 2007 parallels are fascinating, there's one important difference: Sunday won't be Arbuckle's first real CFL action. The 31-year-old's a veteran with starting experience, and won a ring as Bo Levi Mitchell's backup in Calgary (he had a few short-yardage rushes in the 2018 Grey Cup). Dinwiddie attempted just 52 passes in two CFL seasons before he was thrust into a championship game; Arbuckle, by contrast, completed 65 passes for 799 yards and four TDs this year alone, and won one of his two starts. He looked very comfortable after taking over for Kelly in the East final, especially on the final drive that sealed Toronto's win.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D02t_E03Jy4?si=oo5kERxJ6TXz3gqx&amp;start=569" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>This isn't to say Arbuckle's going to torch a powerful Winnipeg squad that's firing on all cylinders. He's likely going to face tons of pressure from a Bombers defense that allowed the fewest points in the CFL all season long. It will be an uphill battle. But having a veteran under center on Sunday instead of the inexperienced and inconsistent Dukes gives Toronto that much more a fighting chance. Arbuckle's waited a long time for this moment, he's got plenty of weapons at his disposal, and shouldn't be too overcome by the moment's magnitude. He'll be in Grey Cup lore forever if he can somehow pull this off.</p><p><strong>Keeping Brady Oliviera quiet</strong></p><p>Pulling off the upset will require Toronto to stop or at least slow down Oliveira. The Argos are talented enough to do that, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards in the league while holding Oliveira to only 160 yards across their two meetings with Winnipeg this season.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754867/cropped_GettyImages-2176823653.jpg?ts=1731365199" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754867/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176823653.jpg?ts=1731365199 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754867/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176823653.jpg?ts=1731365199 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754867/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176823653.jpg?ts=1731365199 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754867/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176823653.jpg?ts=1731365199 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754867/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176823653.jpg?ts=1731365199 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John E. Sokolowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Of course, those regular-season stats against the Argos may not matter. Oliveira was held to under 50 yards in each of his three regular-season games versus Saskatchewan, then torched the Riders for 119 yards and a touchdown in the West final. Toronto has to assume he'll want to do the same thing to them Sunday. The Argos' front should be focused on finishing tackles and not letting the newly-crowned Most Outstanding Player find even a sliver of daylight, which is where he thrives like no one else - Oliveira collected a league-leading 891 yards after contact in 2024.</p><p>There's another reason for the Argos to be a bit worried Sunday. Their normally stingy rush defense sprung a bit of a leak in the East final, when Montreal rushed for 156 yards while averaging over nine yards per carry as a team. The Argos' overall defensive performance Saturday was very good, with six turnovers and four forced fumbles, but the Als' success on the ground should cause a bit of concern. Whatever happened with the run D on Saturday needs to be patched up quick, because if Oliveira breaks free even a little bit, the Cup's probably coming back to Winnipeg.</p><p><strong>Bombers' line vs. the 'Sack Exchange'</strong></p><p>The Blue Bombers' offensive line, anchored once again by future Hall of Famer Stanley Bryant, remains a strength of the team and turned in perhaps its best performance of the season last week. But some cracks started to show at various points this year - particularly against the Argos.</p><p>The "Toronto Sack Exchange" is the league's most feared defensive front for a reason, tallying 48 sacks in the regular season and another six in the playoffs so far. Four Argos had at least six sacks this year; Jake Ceresna and Ralph Holley were both tied for the league lead with eight. This group ran wild against the Bombers, sacking Collaros 12 times in two games, with seven of those coming in Week 19. Winnipeg can't let that happen again Sunday.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754871/cropped_GettyImages-2163984881.jpg?ts=1731365611" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754871/w220xh124_GettyImages-2163984881.jpg?ts=1731365611 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754871/w320xh180_GettyImages-2163984881.jpg?ts=1731365611 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754871/w640xh360_GettyImages-2163984881.jpg?ts=1731365611 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754871/w768xh432_GettyImages-2163984881.jpg?ts=1731365611 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754871/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2163984881.jpg?ts=1731365611 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John E. Sokolowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Keeping Collaros protected against such a dominant defense is enough of a challenge on its own. But the O-line also has to worry about opening space for Oliveira, something it couldn't do against Toronto previously. And then there's the task of containing Argos linebacker and defensive captain Wynton McManis, who had eight tackles and a knockdown the last time he saw Winnipeg. McManis has been a beast in the playoffs so far, and will be all over the field Sunday. He may even try to get Collaros himself.</p><p>The key to a Bombers victory likely lies with their O-line. Protect Collaros as well as they did last week and he can turn this into a shootout, which should favor Winnipeg given the Argos' QB situation. A big day for the "Sack Exchange" will have the closing bell ringing loudly in Toronto.</p><p><strong>Special teams factor</strong></p><p>From rouges to blocks, special teams played a significant role in recent Grey Cup results for both these franchises. Expect this again Sunday.</p><p>The big game-breaker to watch is Janarion Grant, this year's Most Outstanding Special Teams player.<strong> </strong>Grant was a big part of two Bombers championship teams, and had a record 102-yard punt return TD in the 109th Grey Cup against Toronto - but he's an Argo now, and you know he's itching to stick it to his old club. His 71-yard TD return last week helped shift the East final's momentum back to Toronto. Beyond the house calls, Grant - who averaged nearly 15 yards per punt return - can tilt the field-position battle in the Argos' favor, a huge factor as they try to win a Grey Cup with their backup QB. A shorter field could allow Arbuckle to lean on star running back Ka'Deem Carey more often, rather than tempting fate by airing it out against the league's best secondary.</p><p>The Blue Bombers' special teams are solid; Sergio Castillo remains a reliable field-goal kicker, and they had a blocked punt in the West final. However, Saturday's game wasn't clean for their special-teams unit: they fell victim to a fake punt in the third quarter, and returner Lucky Whitehead's fumble of a punt deep in his own zone nearly got the Roughriders back into the game. Winnipeg will need to clean up those issues Sunday.</p><p><strong>Finish the job, Zach</strong></p><p>Collaros is one of the premier QBs of his era, yet his Grey Cup struggles are mounting. In four Grey Cup games with the Bombers, he's thrown just two touchdown passes, both in their 2021 win over Hamilton.</p><p>Certainly, some credit should be given where it's due for that performance three years ago. Collaros came up huge in 2021 despite also throwing two picks, and the Bombers don't go back-to-back without him. But he's hardly looked himself in the last two games and it's cost Winnipeg dearly. Point to Cody Fajardo engineering the drive of his life or Robbie Smith's shocking block all you want, but the fact is the Bombers lost the last two because Collaros didn't give his team - the better team - the best chance to win.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754513/cropped_GettyImages-2178642146.jpg?ts=1731205324" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754513/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178642146.jpg?ts=1731205324 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754513/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178642146.jpg?ts=1731205324 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754513/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178642146.jpg?ts=1731205324 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754513/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178642146.jpg?ts=1731205324 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754513/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178642146.jpg?ts=1731205324 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John E. Sokolowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>For the third straight season, the Bombers are the clear Grey Cup favorite, as they should be. They have the better record, the better QB, and enter the game playing their best football. Collaros was nearly flawless in the West final. Yet once again, none of that will matter if he fails to throw a TD in a third straight Grey Cup.</p><p>Collaros needs to do more than just win another ring Sunday. He needs to win it with a career-defining game. He's a Hall of Fame QB no matter what, but his legacy - and perhaps that of these great Blue Bombers teams, whose back-to-back Grey Cup wins to start this run might be forgotten with a third straight loss - are hinging on his performance.</p><h3>Prediction</h3><p>We picked the favorite Blue Bombers each of the last two years, only to watch them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory both times. These Bombers teams are among the best in CFL history no matter Sunday's result and deserve plenty of respect - but we're not falling for this a third time. Plus, Toronto's defense seems to have Winnipeg's number. <strong>Argos 16, Blue Bombers 13</strong></p>

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111th Grey Cup primer: Can Argos upset Bombers again without Kelly?

The CFL handed out its 2024 awards Thursday in Vancouver.  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto ...

<p>The CFL handed out its 2024 awards Thursday in Vancouver.</p><p>The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts, who'll square off in Sunday's Grey Cup at BC Place, were the evening's big winners, with each team claiming two of the seven major on-field awards. Voting for the seven major on-field awards was conducted by members of the Football Reporters of Canada, as well as the nine CFL head coaches.</p><p>Here's a look at all of the night's big winners:</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>George Reed Most Outstanding Player: Brady Oliveira, Blue Bombers</h3><p>Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira entered some rare company Thursday, winning the George Reed Most Outstanding Player award for the first time in his career. He beat Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback and two-time MOP Bo Levi Mitchell 31-25 to win this year's honor.</p><p>The Winnipeg native is the fourth Canadian in CFL history to win MOP, joining Jon Cornish in 2013, Tony Gabriel in 1978, and legendary QB Russ Jackson in 1963, '66, and '69.</p><p>Oliveira was dominant from start to finish in 2024. He earned his second consecutive rushing title by scampering for 1,353 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He was also an efficient weapon through the air, hauling in 57 receptions for 476 yards and one major, while his 420 yards after catch placed fourth in the league. His 891 yards after contact, 1,829 yards from scrimmage, and 11 rushing attempts of 20-plus yards were all tops in the CFL in 2024.</p><p>Oliveira is the 11th Blue Bombers player to win MOP, and the third Winnipeg player to win it since 2021. He's just the fourth tailback to take home this honor in the last 35 years, following Cornish, Mike Pringle, and Pinball Clemons. The only other Blue Bombers running back to claim MOP was Willard Reaves in 1984.</p><h3>Most Outstanding Canadian: Oliveira</h3><p>Oliveira's MOP win made him the easy choice to claim the CFL's top Canadian honor for a second straight year. He received 55 of 56 votes over Montreal Alouettes defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund.</p><p>Oliveira, a product of Winnipeg's Oak Park High School, joined Cornish and former Bombers teammate Andrew Harris as the only Canadians with multiple 1,300-yard rushing seasons. He's now the 18th two-time winner of this award and the sixth to claim it in back-to-back years.</p><p>"I stand up here with immense pride, gratitude, and (am) truly honored to receive the Most Outstanding Canadian award," he <a href="https://twitter.com/CFL/status/1857287823273202099">said</a> upon accepting the honor. "I just would like to thank all the great Canadians that have paved the way before me, and now I'm up here standing here receiving this amazing award. And now I hope to do the same, to inspire and pave the way for the younger generation."</p><p>This is the 12th time a Blue Bombers player has won Most Outstanding Canadian, moving them into a tie with the Ottawa franchise (across all three nicknames) for most in CFL history.</p><h3>Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Rolan Milligan Jr., Roughriders</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755438/cropped_GettyImages-2181905184.jpg?ts=1731644934" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755438/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181905184.jpg?ts=1731644934 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755438/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181905184.jpg?ts=1731644934 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755438/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181905184.jpg?ts=1731644934 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755438/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181905184.jpg?ts=1731644934 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755438/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181905184.jpg?ts=1731644934 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Brent Just / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Milligan was a beast in the secondary all season for Saskatchewan's stellar defense and led the CFL with eight interceptions. He also tallied 91 tackles, with 71 of those on defense. His 111 total defensive plays ranked fifth overall in the league. The Florida native is just the second defensive back to win this award since its inception in 1974, joining Winnipeg's Jovon Johnson (2011). He's also one of only three Roughriders players to be named Most Outstanding Defensive player, joining Jearld Baylis in 1983 and John Chick in 2009.</p><p>Milligan beat Montreal's Tyrice Beverette 35-21 for the award.</p><h3>Most Outstanding Rookie: Nick Anderson, Elks</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755443/cropped_GettyImages-2165273000.jpg?ts=1731645390" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755443/w220xh124_GettyImages-2165273000.jpg?ts=1731645390 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755443/w320xh180_GettyImages-2165273000.jpg?ts=1731645390 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755443/w640xh360_GettyImages-2165273000.jpg?ts=1731645390 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755443/w768xh432_GettyImages-2165273000.jpg?ts=1731645390 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755443/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2165273000.jpg?ts=1731645390 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Brent Just / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Anderson left a big impression on the CFL in his debut season, tying for the league lead with 111 defensive tackles. The Tulane product also had three sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception, along with an additional five tackles on special teams. Anderson is the fifth Edmonton player to win Most Outstanding Rookie, and the first since Derel Walker in 2015.</p><p>The 24-year-old linebacker earned 43 of 56 votes to win the award over Ticats wideout Shemar Bridges.</p><h3>Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Ryan Hunter, Argos</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755444/cropped_GettyImages-2182749705.jpg?ts=1731645467" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755444/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182749705.jpg?ts=1731645467 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755444/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182749705.jpg?ts=1731645467 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755444/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182749705.jpg?ts=1731645467 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755444/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182749705.jpg?ts=1731645467 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755444/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182749705.jpg?ts=1731645467 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John E. Sokolowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Hunter was one of the anchors of an Argos offensive line that paved the way for Toronto's running backs to rush for an East Division-high 2,183 yards in 2024. He was a constant presence all year, starting 17 games at both guard and tackle. This marks the second straight year an Argos lineman won this award, following Dejon Hunter in 2023. Hunter, a native of North Bay, is the first Canadian lineman to win it since Chris Van Zeyl in 2019.</p><p>Hunter was a runaway winner, receiving 40 of 56 votes to beat Saskatchewan's Logan Ferland.</p><h3>Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Janarion Grant, Argos</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755442/cropped_GettyImages-2182749839.jpg?ts=1731645291" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755442/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182749839.jpg?ts=1731645291 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755442/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182749839.jpg?ts=1731645291 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755442/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182749839.jpg?ts=1731645291 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755442/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182749839.jpg?ts=1731645291 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755442/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182749839.jpg?ts=1731645291 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John E. Sokolowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Grant is the second straight Argos return man to win this award, following Javon Leake last year. The 30-year-old was almost unstoppable on special teams, collecting 1,989 total return yards and four return touchdowns. He averaged nearly 15 yards per punt return, and was the only player in the CFL with multiple return touchdowns this season.</p><p>Grant was the consensus winner over BC Lions kicker Sean Whyte, receiving 45 of 56 votes.</p><h3>Annis Stukus Trophy (Coach of the Year): Jason Maas, Alouettes</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755448/cropped_GettyImages-2181846788.jpg?ts=1731646464" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755448/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181846788.jpg?ts=1731646464 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755448/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181846788.jpg?ts=1731646464 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755448/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181846788.jpg?ts=1731646464 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755448/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181846788.jpg?ts=1731646464 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755448/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181846788.jpg?ts=1731646464 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John E. Sokolowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>One year after leading the Alouettes to an unlikely Grey Cup win, Maas was named CFL Coach of the Year for the first time. The 48-year-old guided Montreal to a 12-5-1 record, its best mark in 14 years, and first place in the East Division for the first time since 2012. Maas joins Marv Levy (1974), Charlie Taaffe (1999 and 2000), Don Matthews (2002), and Marc Trestman (2009) as Alouettes coaches to win this award.</p><p>Maas earned 30 of 56 votes to defeat Saskatchewan's Corey Mace.</p><h3>Tom Pate Memorial Trophy: Adam Bighill, Blue Bombers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755446/cropped_GettyImages-2163978814.jpg?ts=1731645932" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755446/w220xh124_GettyImages-2163978814.jpg?ts=1731645932 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755446/w320xh180_GettyImages-2163978814.jpg?ts=1731645932 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755446/w640xh360_GettyImages-2163978814.jpg?ts=1731645932 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755446/w768xh432_GettyImages-2163978814.jpg?ts=1731645932 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755446/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2163978814.jpg?ts=1731645932 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John E. Sokolowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The CFL Players' Association bestows this award to recognize sportsmanship and significant contributions to both the team and the community. Bighill, 36, was honored for giving back to his community in Winnipeg as a coach with Football Manitoba and the Manitoba Minor Football Association, as well as community speaker and leader. Born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, he now works as the president of Making Faces, a charity organization that works with cranio-facial affected children and families.</p><h3>Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Award: Jorgen Hus, Roughriders</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755441/cropped_GettyImages-2181396551.jpg?ts=1731645238" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755441/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181396551.jpg?ts=1731645238 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755441/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181396551.jpg?ts=1731645238 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755441/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181396551.jpg?ts=1731645238 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755441/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181396551.jpg?ts=1731645238 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755441/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181396551.jpg?ts=1731645238 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Brent Just / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>This award is presented to a Canadian player "who demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans." Hus, the Roughriders' long snapper and Saskatchewan's longest-tenured player, was honored for his work in the Regina and Saskatchewan community. The Saskatoon native has made 127 school presentations through the Win with Wellness and Rider Reading programs over the last two years, and also works as an ambassador for Ronald McDonald House and the Roughriders foundation. On the field, the 35-year-old is a constant for the Green Riders, missing only nine games since 2016.</p><h3>CFL Commissioner's Award: Amar Doman, Lions</h3><p>This award is presented annually by the CFL commissioner to a person who's made significant contributions to the league. Doman purchased the Lions in August 2021 and the franchise has been revitalized in Vancouver under his watch. </p><p>"This award is in recognition of the foundations that Amar and his family have built, but it's also in celebration of what's to come," outgoing commissioner Randy Ambrosie said, per <a href="https://twitter.com/3DownNation/status/1857279829546041372">3DownNation</a>. "I know I'm not alone in saying the CFL and the entire Canadian football community can't wait to see what's next."</p><h3>Jane Mawby Tribute Award: Carolyn Cody, Lions</h3><p>This honor was established in 2019 and is given to an unsung CFL employee who works behind the scenes and outside of the spotlight. Cody, the Lions' vice president of business operations and marketing, has worked in BC's front office for over a decade.</p><p>The league <a href="https://www.cfl.ca/2024/11/07/best-of-the-best-oliveira-mitchell-lead-2024-all-cfl-selections/">announced</a> this year's All-CFL team, formerly known as the CFL All-Star team, last week.</p>

HAMILTON, CANADA - OCTOBER 4: Brady Oliveira #20 of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers reacts after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field on October 4, 2024 in Hamilton, Canada.

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2024 CFL Awards: Oliveira becomes 4th Canadian to win MOP

Major League Baseball announced its 2024 Silver Slugger winners Tuesday, honoring the best offens...

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Shohei Ohtani #17 and Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after Ohtani scored in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

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2024 Silver Sluggers: Dodgers, Padres win big

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