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Will Irsay budge on trading Taylor? Will there be suitors? Answering the 5 biggest questions

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Will Irsay budge on trading Taylor? Will there be suitors? Answering the 5 biggest questions


Jonathan Taylor’s career has taken quite a turn since he led the NFL in rushing in 2021. The Indianapolis Colts running back struggled last season as Indy went 4-12-1, and now Taylor wants out.

Taylor, who’s entering his fourth season, had wanted a lucrative extension, but it became clear that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon, as owner Jim Irsay has been vocal in pushing back against running backs who claim the position is underpaid.

Taylor is part of a growing number of running backs who are unhappy with their contract situations — and who believe their position should be better compensated.

Irsay invited Taylor for a private conversation Saturday night during the Colts’ practice, and news of Taylor requesting a trade broke soon thereafter. Irsay responded that he has no plans to trade Taylor: “Not now. Not in October.”

When he’s at peak form, Taylor is one of the top running backs in the league. He’s averaged 108 scrimmage yards over the past three seasons, topped only by Derrick Henry (129.2) and Dalvin Cook (108.4).

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So what’s next? Are Taylor’s days with the Colts over? With this depressed market for running backs, will there be suitors for Taylor? Will Irsay stick to his position against a trade?

ESPN Colts reporter Stephen Holder and senior NFL national reporter Jeremy Fowler answer the biggest questions about what’s next for Taylor and the Colts.

How dug in are both sides, and what are the chances Taylor’s days with the Colts are over?

Holder: Multiple sources have told ESPN that Taylor is incensed about his situation and has been for quite some time.

Taylor’s agent, Malki Kawa, tweeted on Thursday that he doubted the relationship between the Colts and Taylor can be fixed. And that, as well as Kawa tweeting it’s bad faith not to pay your top offensive player, might have ratcheted things up.

As for the Colts, they have taken a firm position based on Irsay’s unequivocal statement about refusing to trade Taylor. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but the state of the relationship between Taylor and the Colts is as bad as it gets between a player and team.

Taylor is on the physically unable to perform list. When was he expected to return and will it affect that timetable?

Holder: The decision to place Taylor on the PUP list Monday, which prohibits him from practicing until he’s activated, came as somewhat of a surprise. Taylor had surgery on his right ankle earlier this offseason, but a few weeks ago, Irsay said in an interview with “The Pat McAfee Show” that Taylor was “healed up.”

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This situation, a source close to Taylor said, has helped fuel the frustration between Taylor and the team.

It is unclear when Taylor will be activated or — given the trade request — whether he suits up for the Colts at all.

What would the Colts be looking for in return if Irsay pivots about a trade?

Holder: The Colts, according to a source with direct knowledge of the conversations, would be seeking an early-round draft pick. That might be tough given the current climate about the value of running backs.

Former Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, for example, remains on the market after being released during the offseason. But the Colts have settled for less than optimum value in a couple of recent deals. Last season, Indianapolis traded running back Nyheim Hines to the Buffalo Bills for running back Zack Moss and a conditional sixth-round pick. Then, in March, the Colts traded cornerback Stephon Gilmore — the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year — to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth-round pick.

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How will this impact Indy with new head coach Shane Steichen and rookie QB Anthony Richardson?

Holder: It doesn’t help. The running game will be a big component of the offense given the presence of Richardson. This year’s fourth overall draft pick, Richardson thrives in the read option and run-pass option. Having a playmaker like Taylor in the backfield would be a huge asset for the Colts, keeping defenses honest and potentially freezing linebackers after the snap.

Taylor’s big-play ability is what makes him most dangerous. Even if Taylor does return to the lineup, the lack of practice time with Richardson and the offensive line is not ideal.

What would the market be for Taylor if Irsay decides to trade?

Fowler: What hampers Taylor’s market is a team having to relinquish draft capital for the right to give him a new deal in this running back climate. Given Taylor’s importance to the Colts’ offense, Indy would likely want significant draft capital as part of a deal.

But Taylor makes a compelling case for a lucrative deal. He’s 24 and was the best back in football in 2021. His big-play ability should warrant a deal that pays well north of the $10.1 million franchise tag benchmark per year.



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Indianapolis, IN

Indiana Grown: 8th Day Distillery

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Indiana Grown: 8th Day Distillery


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Each and every Saturday, WISH-TV highlights a local company together with our partners at Indiana Grown.

This week, Jaime and Matt Lamping with 8th Day Distillery in Indianapolis joined News 8 at Daybreak.

The Lampings share with News 8 what started their passion for the distillery, and elaborate on how Indiana’s state laws at the time impacted their plans.

They also share more about their Bottle Shop & Cocktail Bar, which recently celebrated its sixth anniversary. They discuss their various workshops and show off new releases ready to hit your shelves this year.

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Watch the full interview above to learn more.



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Indianapolis, IN

Report: Pirates Promote Top Pitching Prospect to Indianapolis

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Report: Pirates Promote Top Pitching Prospect to Indianapolis


PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly promoting one of their top pitching prospects in their minor league system, getting him closer to the MLB.

Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reported that the Pirates will promote right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler from Double-A Altoona Curve to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

Chandler played for North Oconee High School in Bogart, Ga., 60 miles east of Atlanta. He starred in multiple sports, including basketball, golf, football and baseball. He originally committed to Georgia to play baseball, but then decommitted and committed to Clemson to play both football and baseball.

He had a fantastic senior season for North Oconee, going 8-1 with just a 1.25 ERA, plus 96 strikeouts in 44.2 innings pitched, while hitting .411 with eight home runs, 12 doubles and 35 RBI.

The Pirates would select Chandler with the No, 72 overall pick in the Third Round of the 2021 MLB Draft and signed him for $3 millon signing bonus, an over slot signing.

He pitched and also played shortstop for the Rookie-Level Florida Complex Pirates in 2021 and 2022 and then earned promotion to the Bradenton Marauders in the Single-A Florida State League.

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Chandler chose to focus on pitching heading into the 2023 season, which would show his best talents. He started 24 games for the Greensboro Grasshoppers in High-A, with a 9-4 record, 4.75 ERA in 106.0 innings pitched, making 120 strikeouts to 51 walks and holding hitters to a .265 batting average.

He made it up to Altoona for just one game in 2023, allowing just one hit in five innings of work and getting the win.

Chandler has played all of 2024 in Double-A, starting 16 of 19 games, a 6-7 record, one save, one shutout. He also had a 3.70 ERA in 80.1 innings pitched, allowing 55 hits, 33 earned runs and 26 walks, while making 94 strikeouts and holding hitters to a .192 batting average, along with having a 1.01 WHIP.

His last start came Friday night against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, allowing just two hits and one run in 6.0 innings pitched, while making six strikeouts on 80 pitches.

Chandler has also pitched great since the start of June, with a 2.61 ERA and 10.6 K/9.

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MLB Pipeline ranks Chandler as the No. 49 prospect in their top 100 across baseball, the No. 9 right-handed pitcher and No. 12 pitcher. They also rate him as the highest Pirates prospect.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates.





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Indianapolis, IN

National discount retailer to make it's way to downtown Indianapolis

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National discount retailer to make it's way to downtown Indianapolis


INDIANAPOLIS — The downtown Indy building Claypool Court is getting a new retailer.

Officials hope major names like Burlington will bring more Hoosiers and visitors to Mile Square.

WRTV

“There’s definitely a lot of higher-end restaurants right around this area, so I think bringing in some retail stores isn’t a bad idea,” Wesley Slaughter, who lives downtown, said.

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The store will sit at Washington and Illinois Streets, an area Slaughter says will be a good fit because it’s a heavily trafficked intersection.

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“I could see it being beneficial to get more people in the area because otherwise you have to drive outside of 465 just to hit one of those stores,” Slaughter said.

TJ Maxx has been a big part of the downtown retail scene for many years, but now there is some competition with the Burlington that’s going to be a couple of doors down.

WATCH RELATED COVERAGE | Downtown Indy’s Future Plans announced

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Downtown Indy’s future plans announced

“We’re excited anytime that there’s a new addition to the retail landscape here in downtown Indianapolis,” Taylor Schaffer, with Downtown Indy Inc., said.

Schaffer says this is just part of a pipeline of new projects and development coming to the area.

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The space Burlington will take over is the lower level of Claypool Court. It used to be home to the Rhythm! Discovery Center.

The store is set to open this fall.





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