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  • Marcus Rashford, a Manchester United forward, is pursuing a move to Aston Villa following a £64 million deal.

    Marcus Rashford, a Manchester United forward, is pursuing a move to Aston Villa following a £64 million deal.

    Marcus Rashford, a forward for Manchester United, is getting closer to joining Aston Villa on loan.

    Following the £64 million sale of striker Jhon Duran to Al Nassr on Friday, Villa made an approach for Rashford. According to yesterday’s MEN story, Barcelona is open to permanently signing Rashford, 27, in the summer but was hesitant to push through a loan deal for him during the winter transfer window.

    Because Rashford wanted a “new challenge,” his representatives also spoke with West Ham United and Tottenham earlier in the transfer window.

    For the first time since 2022, Villa can provide Rashford with knockout football in the Champions League since they have automatically advanced to the round of 16.

    Because Rashford wanted a “new challenge,” his representatives also met with West Ham United and Tottenham earlier in the transfer window.

    Villa’s easy promotion to the round of 16 means they may offer Rashford Champions League knockout football for the first time since 2022.

    Last week, United’s head coach Ruben Amorim hinted that he would prefer to use his 63-year-old goalkeeping instructor, Jorge Vital, over Rashford or any other player who isn’t providing his “maximum” during practice.

     

     

  • Jets Predicted To Replace Aaron Rodgers With Superstar QB Prospect

    Jets Predicted To Replace Aaron Rodgers With Superstar QB Prospect

     

     

    New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks out onto the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

    New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks out onto the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

    The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting times for football fans. They get to watch their favorite team select a new crop of players that could come in and change the course of the franchise. It’s truly the opportunity for any franchise to turn itself around in a night.

     

    Eric Edholm of NFL.com recently made a shocking prediction in his first NFL mock draft. Edholm predicted the Jacksonville Jaguars would take Tyler Warren at pick No. 5 and the Las Vegas Raiders would select Ashton Jeanty at pick No. 6. This leaves Colorado quarterback available for Edholm to project at pick No. 7 to the New York Jets.

     

    “I’m not buying the ‘Sanders at No. 1’ talk, and I thought about sliding him down further (to the Steelers?), but then I remembered the Jets don’t really have a QB,” Edholm wrote. “Maybe it doesn’t happen, but this pairing would be … interesting.”

     

    This entire mock draft was much different than a lot of the projections, but if Sanders is available when the Jets are on the clock, it’s a no-brainer to select him.

     

    Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, has been incredible for his entire college career. In 2024, the 6-foot-2 signal caller threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. He finished his two years at Colorado with 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns, and only 13 interceptions.

     

    Mind you, there’s almost no chance Sanders will fall all the way to pick No. 7, but if the draft unfolds the way Edholm projects, the Jets may land their quarterback of the future.

  • How the Florida Gators’ Offensive Line Evolved in 2024

    How the Florida Gators’ Offensive Line Evolved in 2024

    The Gators offensive line had one of the biggest leaps during the 2024 season both as a unit and on the individual levels

     

    The Gators offensive line made major strides in 2024 / Matt Pendleton

    In a season where the Florida Gators seemed to flip the script of Billy Napier’s tenure as head coach, quickly going from a team with no hope to a team with plenty, the Gators offensive line unit was a huge catalyst.

     

    In the 2023 season, pass protection was a big struggle for the Gators. Florida’s offensive line was given a 66.0 pass-blocking grade by PFF, ranking 62 of 133 FBS schools. They allowed an average of 3.25 sacks a game, ranking 114th nationally, and starting quarterback Graham Mertz only saw an average time to throw of 2.46 seconds, ranking 113 out of 165 quarterbacks at the FBS level.

     

    In 2024, that all changed. Florida was the 5th most improved unit in the nation in sack rate from 2023 to 2024, Improving their PFF pass-blocking grade a whole 14.2 points and moving from 62nd in the FBS to 11th. They average only 1.7 sacks allowed per game, up 66 spots nationally from the year before, and co-starters Mertz and freshman DJ Lagway had a combined average time to throw of 2.65, .19 seconds more than the previous season. Lagway alone saw a time to throw of 2.76, which ranked 32nd amongst 334 FBS quarterbacks with over 100 snaps.

     

    The improvements weren’t just as a unit either. In the 2023 season, of the seven individual players to play in over 20% of snaps, only three saw a PFF passblock grade of over 65, while starting tackle Damieon George was graded a 56.7, ranking 75th out of 92 SEC players eligible. This year, Florida saw all but one player to play over 20% of snaps finish with a grade over 65, while four finished top 30 in the SEC, including George. George’s improvement was by far the most substantial, finishing with a 75.9 grade, 19.2 points higher than the year before.

     

    Though pass protection showed the biggest improvement, Florida’s offensive trench play improved in the run game as well. Despite already ranking 26th in the FBS with a 69.8 PFF run-blocking grade in 2023, the Gators unit improved their grade by over 10 points in 2024, finishing with an 80.0 grade and as the 7th best run-blocking unit in the FBS. This year, rushers gained around 38% of their yards before contact, up 4% from the season before.

     

    In the SEC, Florida had three players finish top 10 in PFF grade for run-blocking amongst players to play over 20% of snaps, Jake Slaughter, Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson and Kamryn Waites, as well as two more in the top 20, Damieon George and Knijeah Harris. If you were to remove the 20% snap minimum, Caden Jones and Roderick Kearney would enter the top 10 while Waites would drop to 12, making the top 12 graded players in the SEC over 40% Gators.

     

    The Gators ended as one of only three teams with PFF grades in the top 12 for both pass and run blocking this season, together with 11-2 Memphis and 6-7 West Virginia, and the only team in the nation to have both grades over 80. Compared to the SEC, Florida’s 80.1 combined grade was the best of any team in the conference. Their improvement not only made them an impressive unit but one of the best in the nation.

     

    Heading into a 2025 season with high expectations, Florida should be expected to continue their dominant offensive-line play as well. Of the eight players to start over 20% of the snaps in 2024, seven will return to Florida next season with only Crenshaw-Dickson graduating. As well, Florida will return to elite depth next year with 10 returning linemen earning PFF grades of 68.0 or higher, meaning they were close to or better than above average.

     

    For the first time in a long time, Florida’s offensive line feels like a reliable unit and a huge strength for the Gators. With a Heisman hopeful behind it, the unit’s success seems to be a key factor in the Gators’ ability to reach high expectations next season. If momentum carries over, it may be time for a fraction of the fanbase to finally give props to a certain Oline coach on the staff, though the turnaround was clearly the result of many influences.

     

     

  • £11m attacker who’s scored 52 career goals could be moving back to Leeds

    £11m attacker who’s scored 52 career goals could be moving back to Leeds

     

    Leeds United could be about to bring back an £11m attacking player to Elland Road, according to one journalist.

     

    Leeds remain patient in January transfer window

    The Whites are top of the Championship and on course to win promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking under Daniel Farke.

     

    However, despite leading the way in the second tier, it is turning into a four-horse promotion battle alongside Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland, all of which have bolstered their squads with new signings.

     

    The end for Wilfried Gnonto: Leeds plotting late move for “huge talent”

    Leeds are yet to make a 2025 addition, although Farke previously admitted that a centre-back, attacking midfielder and centre-forward are positions Leeds could still strengthen in, saying: “There are still a few positions we could have a deeper look at if they can improve the squad. But right now, I’m a little bit more calmer with not being in panic mode with the need to have to do something.

     

    “I think it’s fair to say if there is a creative offensive player out there, like a number 10 position, then it is something that could be beneficial for our group.

     

    “Brenden Aaronson has been excellent this season and a key player for us. But we might have a similar player like him in our group. Of course we have players who can play in this role.

     

    “If there is a solution for a creative midfield player it definitely make sense to stay awake. In all the other areas we are covered. The only two [positions] we have to stay awake in my head is the centre-back position… and perhaps a bit in the striker position.”

     

     

    In recent days, Leeds have taken Liverpool youngster Oakley Cannonier on trial at Thorp Arch, and there have also been links to Newcastle United full-back Matt Targett.

     

    It could go down to the wire in regards to if a new signing is secured by the 49er Enterprises, but a familiar face could well return to Yorkshire, going off a new update.

     

    Jack Harrison could make Leeds return

    Sharing a Leeds transfer update for The Daily Mail, relayed by Caught Offside, journalist Ian Herbert said that Leeds want a striker, left-back centre-back, central midfielder and winger.

     

    That winger could well be Jack Harrison, currently on loan at Everton, with Herbert stating the 28-year-old “may be the one heading to Leeds”.

     

    “They [Leeds] badly want a striker – [draw against Burnley] revealed why – and also seek a left-back, centre-back, central midfielder and winger.

     

    “If they had to put it all on one, it would be a striker, but PSR means they could end up with none. Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia didn’t want to go to Leeds, preferring Bayer Leverkusen on loan. Brighton’s Julio Enciso preferred a loan move to Ipswich.

     

    “Jack Harrison, shot on confidence after a torrid period on loan at Everton, may be the one heading to Leeds.”

     

    Jack Harrison for Everton

    Things haven’t gone to plan for Harrison during his second season on loan at Everton, failing to score or provide an assist in 21 games in all competitions.

     

    Harrison, who cost Leeds £11m from Manchester City, has also been an unused substitute under new Everton boss David Moyes for the last two wins against Tottenham and Brighton, so a return to Elland Road could make sense for all involved.

     

    Jack Harrison’s career

     

    Middlesbrough

    Granted, Leeds ideally could do with a central attacker to rival Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph or a number 10 to challenge Brenden Aaronson, but a fresh returning face in Harrison may have to do for the second half of the season.

  • Jerry Jones and Dallas Cowboys sign unexpected coach to help Dak Prescott and Brian Schottenheimer win a Super Bowl

    Jerry Jones and Dallas Cowboys sign unexpected coach to help Dak Prescott and Brian Schottenheimer win a Super Bowl

     

    Jerry Jones promised big changes for the Dallas Cowboys, aiming to end the historic franchise’s title drought. They haven’t won a Super Bowl in three decades and the NFC East looks daunting in the near future with teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders.

     

    His first big move was letting go of Mike McCarthy without offering him a contract extension. Then, when everyone expected a big-name replacement, Jones chose a familiar face, promoting Brian Schottenheimer, who had been the offensive coordinator for the past two years.

     

    Now, the key lies in Schottenheimer’s coaching staff. These decisions are crucial for a project that already has three stars like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons, but needs to strengthen the supporting cast.

     

     

    Who is the new Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator?

    The Dallas Cowboys confirmed that Matt Eberflus will be the team’s new defensive coordinator. The former head coach of the Chicago Bears takes the place of Mike Zimmer, who was with the team for just one season.

     

    Who is Matt Eberflus?

    Matt Eberflus already has experience working for the Cowboys. Between 2011 and 2017, he was part of Jason Garrett’s staff, holding various positions such as pass game coordinator and linebackers coach.

     

     

    NFL News: Jerry Jones makes big decision about Dak Prescott contract and future with Cowboys

  • Ipswich Town vs Southampton: Preview and Prediction

    Ipswich Town vs Southampton: Preview and Prediction

     

    Three points will be of utmost importance when Ipswich Town and Southampton meet at Portman Road on Saturday.

    The 2024/25 Premier League season resumes this weekend as Gameweek 24 begins on Saturday. The latest round of fixtures kicks off with the game between Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion at City Ground before the action continues with four simultaneous matches, including Ipswich Town vs Southampton at Portman Road.

     

    Ipswich Town and Southampton have struggled for most of the 2024/25 Premier League season, although the Saints have been dreadful throughout the campaign thus far. The visitors have been at the foot of the Premier League table for much of this term.

     

    Russell Martin could not galvanise his troops, and Ivan Juric has not fared much better, either. With Southampton managing only one win and six points in 23 Premier League appearances thus far, only a miracle can help them avoid relegation from the top flight.

     

    As for Ipswich Town, the Tractor Boys have been more resilient than the other promoted teams. However, failure to string a winning streak has been their undoing, with Kieran McKenna’s men losing their last three matches. The run has left the home side second from bottom in the Premier League standings, although they are only a point behind 17th-placed Leicester City.

     

    The reverse fixture saw Ipswich Town come from a goal down to hold Southampton to a 1-1 draw, with captain Samy Morsy rescuing a point for his team. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

     

     

    Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Walton; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Hutchinson, Enciso, Philogene; Delap

     

    Southampton

    Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Ramsdale; Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis; Sugawara, Aribo, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Armstrong, Onuachu

     

     

    Ipswich Town are unbeaten in the last four league matches vs Southampton (W2 D2) and won both meetings in the 2023/24 EFL Championship season. However, Southampton’s most recent Premier League game at Portman Road was a 3-1 win in March 2002.

    Ipswich Town have lost their last three matches by an aggregate score of 12-1. In addition, they have conceded four or more goals in successive Premier League games for the first time. The Tractor Boys have lost eight of their 11 most recent Premier League matches (W2 D1), keeping one clean sheet in their last 19 top-flight fixtures.

    Southampton are in danger of losing seven consecutive league games for the first time in their history. Their points tally (6) is the lowest by any side at this stage of a Premier League season.

    Southampton have dropped 20 points from winning positions in the 2024/25 Premier League season, second only to Tottenham. In addition, the Saints have won just one of their last 36 Premier League fixtures. They are on a 13-match run without victory since beating Everton at St. Mary’s in November.

    Ipswich Town have made a league-high 66 changes to their starting line-up this term.

     

    With goalscoring an issue for both teams, Adam Armstrong, Paul Onuachu, and Omari Hutchinson were viable candidates for this section. However, we have picked Liam Delap as our Player to Watch, considering his exploits in his breakthrough Premier League campaign. But the last few weeks have seen him being in prominence due to his disciplinary issues.

     

    Delap has conceded 48 fouls in this season’s Premier League, second only to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes. The Englishman has been cautioned eight times, including five in his last eight appearances. However, Kieran McKenna will hope that tag eludes the Englishman and that he delivers the goods in the final third.

     

    Ivan Juric has struggled to galvanise the Southampton squad this season, and the Saints have struggled to even rack up a point. While they tend to go ahead in games, no other team has dropped more points than them in the Premier League.

     

    So, while Southampton will give the hosts a run for their money, the Tractor Boys should script a comeback that can define their 2024/25 Premier League campaign. Liam Delap should rise to the occasion and deliver the goods in the final third. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Kieran McKenna and his charges.

  • Report links Cowboys DT to Commanders as potential free agent target

    Report links Cowboys DT to Commanders as potential free agent target

     

    One of Dan Quinn’s former defensive tackles for the Cowboys is already being linked to the Washington Commanders.

     

    Osa Odighizuwa was drafted in the third round (75 overall) in the 2021 NFL draft, Dan Quinn’s first year in Dallas as the Cowboys defensive coordinator. Thus, Quinn spent three seasons with Odighizuwa, his first three playing in the NFL.

     

    Jeremy Fowler of ESPN mentions Odighizuwa as someone who might want to reconnect with Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Fowler believes the Commanders could be the team to watch here because Quinn liked Odighizuwa in their three seasons together in Dallas.

     

    Fowler’s latest: Teams we’ve talked to think Odighizuwa is the top defensive tackle because of his versatility, durability and pass-rush traits. Washington is a team to potentially watch — coach Dan Quinn has been big fan of Odighizuwa from their Dallas days together.

     

    Now, of course, the Cowboys are in the driver’s seat for now, having the opportunity to sign their own free agents before the new NFL calendar year begins in March.

     

    Yet, Dan Quinn will undoubtedly be looking to improve the team’s defense, which was weak at times last season and certainly weaker than the offense.

     

    The Commanders currently have big money invested in Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. Other defensive tackles who saw plenty of action this season were Johnny Newton, Sheldon Day, and Jalyn Holmes. Carl Davis and Phidarian Mathis also saw time inside, but the Commanders released Mathis in December, and he was subsequently picked up by the Jets.

     

    Odighizuwa (6-2, 280) played his college ball at UCLA, started 12 games his rookie Cowboys season, and then all 17 games the following three seasons in Dallas.

     

    Remember, however, one of the concerns for the Cowboys was that their interior defense was too light and that good running teams were pushing them around. On the other hand, Odighizuwa is quick enough, and he gets good pressure inside often.

     

     

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  • Aston Villa open late talks to sign “great” UCL winner in Coutinho repeat

    Aston Villa open late talks to sign “great” UCL winner in Coutinho repeat

     

    Looking to finish the January transfer window with a flourish, Aston Villa have now reportedly opened talks to sign a Champions League winner in a repeat of their previous deal to sign Philippe Coutinho.

     

     

    It has been a hectic month for the Villans, from the arrival of Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia to the departures of Diego Carlos, Emiliano Buendia and most surprisingly Jhon Duran. Those in the Midlands simply could not turn down the reported €77m (£64m) offer sent their way by Al-Nassr and Duran, himself, could not turn down the Saudi riches this month, culminating in a shock move.

     

    Left with money to spend to ease any profit and sustainability concerns, the rumours have been coming thick and fast in the closing days of the transfer window. Among players mentioned includes Joao Felix, who even received a mention from Aston Villa sporting director Monchi.

     

     

    Aston Villa attempting quick deal to sign ace who’s close to joining Spurs

    The Villa chief told Cope, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano: “João Félix? Unai trusts João’s talent. We were close to getting deal done last summer. These years he’s always been part of our desires. João is a big talent, he needs the right environment… but it’s not an easy deal.”

     

    With that said, those in the Midlands could yet sign an alternative option. According to Romano, Aston Villa have now opened talks to sign Marco Asensio, who would be keen on a move from Paris Saint-Germain this month.

     

    A Champions League winner at Real Madrid, Asensio is a big name playmaker who burst onto the scene only to fail to fulfil his potential quite as expected in Spain, which makes a move reminiscent of Steven Gerrard’s attempts to revive Philippe Coutinho’s career at Villa.

     

    And whilst the Brazilian never hit consistent heights, he still had some special moments at Villa Park in a path that Asensio could now follow.

     

    “Great” Asensio can revive career at Aston Villa

    Whether it’s been at Real Madrid or at PSG, Asensio has never truly had the chance to become the main man and now at 29 years old, he’s in danger of leaving the spotlight with a whimper more than anything else. Aston Villa could yet change that and revive the Spaniard, however. A player who’s started just eight times in Ligue 1 this season, Asensio desperately needs a move.

     

     

    At his best, with all of that winning experience, he is still a player worth taking a gamble on. There’s still the player in there who he helped Real Madrid to three Champions League medals before leaving for PSG.

     

    Earning plenty of praise from Luis Enrique when he was at his best for Spain in 2022, the former national team boss told reporters as relayed by Madrid Universal: “It’s a pleasure too see how our six forwards press, they give is guarantees. Marco is a guarantee and he’s in great form for the World Cup.”

  • Panic Strikes Alabama Nation as Troubling 2025 Update Raises Concerns Over Kalen DeBoer’s Tenure Despite Damage Control

    Panic Strikes Alabama Nation as Troubling 2025 Update Raises Concerns Over Kalen DeBoer’s Tenure Despite Damage Control

     

    The Saturday afternoon on October 5, 2024, is the date every Alabama fan would like to forget. And why not? They lost against the most unexpected teams in their conference in Vanderbilt. And thus, as the game ended with a glaring scoreline of 40-35, Alabama’s structural problems were hard to ignore.

    This game probably sums up their whole 2024 season, where DeBoer and Alabama couldn’t just find their rhythm. But, one would expect the next season to follow their redemption, but their fans aren’t looking that optimistic. But why is that?

     

    Watch What’s Trending Now!

     

    Kalen Deboer knows that the way his season got finished is far from optimistic. Speaking after his last game, he said, “We know that we need to be better.

    That’s the expectation I had from day one, is that we perform at a championship level, and we certainly fell short of that. Whether you’re 0-12 or 12-0 in a regular season, you’re always gonna really critique and be detailed on how you’ve gotta improve.” He further added that Alabama will take lessons ahead and will bounce back in the next season. But there are still some perils for Kalen DeBoer to wade…

     

    Alabama faced another conundrum of its own when it lost almost 41 players going into the off-season. Amongst those 25 went to the transfer portal, 13 graduated and the rest 3 opted for the NFL draft. The departed players also include QB Jalen Milroe and Jihaad Campbell (LB). The situation was akin to a mass exodus and Kalen DeBoer is in damage control mode to fill the empty slots.

    Amongst the reinforcements in the class of 2025 are 5-star quarterback Keelon Russel, Cornerback Dijon Lee Jr., and 4-star names like Akylin Dear (RB) and Ivan Taylor (CB). Furthermore, the addition of defensive coach Jason Jones will definitely help the team forward. Jones is notably a former Alabama player who has deep connections with the coaching staff and understands the Bama culture well. So will it be all sunny in Bama after all?

     

     

    Well, Alabama has just announced its 2025 season fixtures and fans could not just stop venting their frustration against De Boer and Alabama. Notably, while their fixtures are relatively not that difficult compared to previous years, still there seems to be no optimism in their loyal fan base. Most of the problems seem to be revolving around their QB problems and their weak offensive line. But, is there any truth to their frustration? Let’s analyze piece by piece.

     

     

     

     

    Bama fans not looking forward to seeing Kalen DeBoer’s team in 2025

    We know that Kalen DeBoer is looking to change things in his second year at the Tide. However, some Bama fans haven’t forgotten how his first season fared.

    Naturally, the enthusiasm levels for the schedule are a little low right now. One of the users wrote, “I’m gonna say 11-2 just to be optimistic about it. Especially not knowing how our QB play will look“. Another wrote, “Not even a hard schedule. It’s just they aren’t as good as they used to be smh”. These comments highlight some glaring flaws in the QB situation at Alabama.

     

    Well, there are reasons. Jalen Milroe is not there anymore, but his performances also highlighted a deeper issue with the offensive schemes. Take, for example, the game against Oklahoma in which Alabama suffered a humiliating loss by 3-24. In that game alone Milroe was, to put it bluntly, ‘miserable’.

    Not only did he concede an interception and two fumbles early on, but couldn’t even land a good penetrating pass to the team’s receivers. Overall, he finished the season with almost 18 turnovers, 11 interceptions, and losing 7 fumbles. However, it’s not at all fair to blame him solely, because the problem in their O line was very visible and demanded immediate rectification. A user commented on the post and put it very bluntly.

     

     

     

    The user commented, “Depending on our QB situation and some o-line question marks this could be a demon of a season or the complete opposite“. Furthermore, their woes are not limited to their offense but also extend to the defensive setup. Another user presented it very accurately, “Watch Alabama be the next year FSU. Complain about not making the CFP, lose their bowl game, and then totally go off the rails“.

    Well, FSU’s story is a tale for another time, but the user’s observation here is quite accurate. Because this is the first time since 2007 that Alabama has finished without winning at least 10 games, finishing with a 9-4 record. Surely, questions will be raised against Kalen DeBoer who reportedly earns a $10.5 Million salary if the team fails to perform in 2025. So what’s next?

     

    Well, we can only wait and see if Kalen DeBoer can live up to Nick Saban’s legacy and forge his unique identity going into the next season. To do that he must address his quarterback problem. Ty Simpson is an option but it will still not guarantee a 100 percent improvement. Then, his WR room also needs depth, and finally, improve the O line. If these flaws are addressed then only one can bet on Bama in 2025.

     

     

     

     

  • Toronto Blue Jays sign three-time Cy Young winner Scherzer to one-year deal: reports

    Toronto Blue Jays sign three-time Cy Young winner Scherzer to one-year deal: reports

     

     

    Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer delivers a pitch during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Stephen Brashear

    TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly signed right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer.

     

    ESPN and the New York Post say the free agent and Toronto have agreed to a one-year deal worth US$15.5 million.

     

     

     

    Scherzer, 40, spent last season with the Texas Rangers where he posted a 2-4 record with a 3.95 earned-run average and 40 strikeouts, but missed much of the campaign due to injuries.

     

    The six-foot-three product of St. Louis, Mo., is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and a two-time World Series champion, having won with the Rangers in 2023 and the Washington Nationals in 2019.

     

    His career regular-season record stands at 216-112 with a 3.16 ERA and 3,407 strikeouts.

     

    The move comes after the Blue Jays signed outfielder Anthony Santander to a $92.5 million, five-year contract on Jan. 21.

     

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