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Winning the World Series won’t make keeping Juan Soto any easier for the Yankees 

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Winning the World Series won’t make keeping Juan Soto any easier for the Yankees 

Aaron Judge left money on the table to stay in New York long-term. The Yankees won’t get as lucky with Juan Soto, even if they win the World Series.

Sure, Soto is an unquestionable competitor who will want to go somewhere he consistently has a chance to play in October. The pending free agent was just 20 years old when the Washington Nationals won the World Series in 2019. He still calls that team “a family” and for years after — even when the Nationals traded him away — Soto had that family and their trophy as his cell phone’s screen saver.

In San Diego, despite struggling at times, Soto was identified by numerous people in the organization as the rare star who truly cared more about winning than individual numbers. Losses bothered him equally when he was 0-for-4 or 4-for-4, though going hitless often led to hours in the cage. That was a habit he picked up while still in Washington; Soto spent one October night in D.C.’s batting cages with former hitting coach Kevin Long, working until well past midnight to get out of a slump, only to later emerge as a Nationals playoff hero.

Soto doesn’t just relish the game’s biggest moments, he feeds off them, as evidenced by his 10th-inning home run late Saturday night that sent the Yankees past the Cleveland Guardians and clinched New York’s first World Series appearance since 2009.

It would be foolish to think winning it all wouldn’t matter to a player like Soto, who is expected to sign a mega-contract this winter that could lock him up for the next decade or more. But records matter, too.

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Multiple people told The Athletic this spring they believe Soto’s camp is after Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking deal. Ohtani’s contract included 97 percent deferrals, but still put his present-day average annual value at roughly $43.78 million, or closer to $46 million when calculated for luxury tax purposes.

Soto, making $31 million in his final arbitration year, could easily eclipse both those numbers and set a new record, though Ohtani’s overall number of $700 million still seems like a pipe dream unless Soto is willing to accept heavy deferrals. (It’s worth noting that it’s not unheard of for Scott Boras clients to accept heavy deferrals. Soto’s former teammate Max Scherzer signed a seven-year, $210 million deal before the 2015 season that had record deferrals at the time.)

Soto, who will turn 26 on Friday, was widely thought before the season to be seeking offers starting at around $500 million. Fresh off a regular season in which Soto posted an 8.1 fWAR — trailing only Judge, Ohtani and Bobby Witt Jr. — it wouldn’t be a surprise if Soto’s youth and playoff performance push him closer to $600 million.

Boras, coming off a disappointing offseason for some of his top clients, shouldn’t have a problem getting Soto — who has drawn Ted Williams comparisons — every penny he deserves. But any notion that the Yankees winning the World Series would give them a significant leg up on re-signing superstar Soto seems wishful at best.


Juan Soto chats with Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, another team that could be interested in Soto. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

Trophies are nice, but Soto — who turned down $440 million from the Nationals before he was traded in 2022 — has often spoken about advancing the market and pushing things forward for the next group of players. That’s not exactly the mindset that signifies a willingness to leave tens of millions on the table, like Judge did in turning down the San Diego Padres.

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In finally getting to pick his team, Soto isn’t signing up to lose for the foreseeable future — I don’t think the Miami Marlins or Chicago White Sox could pay him enough, even if both very unlikely suitors decided to. But the other team expected to be a major player for Soto, the Steve Cohen-owned New York Mets? Well, they just had a heck of a run, finishing two wins shy of playing the Yankees.

Soto loves New York; he has family in the area and his parents can easily fly from the Dominican Republic to stay with him. If it truly is a two-team race for Soto’s services — and with him preferring the East Coast and the big money involved, it very well could be — it’s tough to imagine a scenario where a few more October wins play a tangible role in distinguishing the Yankees from the Mets.

Cohen is the richest owner in the sport, unafraid to storm through luxury tax layers. Should Cohen decide he has to have Soto, convincing him and Boras that the Mets are on the upswing shouldn’t be hard. Under president David Stearns, the organization is expected to undergo significant internal changes, replacing and restructuring more than 20 positions in his second full season at the helm. Stearns and rookie manager Carlos Mendoza squeezed the most out of the roster and the Mets rode a wild-card berth — clinched a day after the regular season was supposed to end — to the NL Championship series.

On neither New York team will Soto immediately become the team’s star; both Francisco Lindor and Judge are signed with their respective teams until 2032. Though if being the face of an organization is important to Soto, Lindor doesn’t get nearly the national spotlight or attention Judge commands.

The Yankees went all-in on trading for one year of Soto and they’re four wins away from having that bet pay off handsomely. But to keep him in pinstripes beyond 2024 will require one thing: record money. Any other talk is exactly that.

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(Top photo: Daniel Shirey / MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa open to fresh start elsewhere after disappointing season: ‘That would be dope’

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Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa open to fresh start elsewhere after disappointing season: ‘That would be dope’

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Tua Tagovailoa appears to be ready to move on from the Miami Dolphins – a feeling that seems mutual between the two sides. 

Tagovailoa was benched for the final three games of the season due to poor performance. A day after the Dolphins’ season ended with a 38-10 loss to division rival New England, the sixth-year signal-caller appeared open to the idea of a “fresh start.” 

Mike McDaniel speaks with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) in the fourth quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 25, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Florida.  (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

“That would be dope. I would be good with it,” Tagovailoa said Monday, according to The Palm Beach Post, when asked specifically if he was “hoping for a fresh start.” 

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When asked by another reporter if he understood “fresh start” as playing “elsewhere,” Tagovailoa reportedly confirmed it.

The remarks came the same day that head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that the team would be approaching the 2025-2026 season with a competitive mindset for the position. 

“In 2026, I think there will be competition for our starting quarterback. What that is and how that looks, there’s a lot that remains to be seen. It’s the most important position on the football field, and you have to make sure you do everything possible to get the best person out there on the field.”

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

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“Who that is – whether they’re in-house or somewhere else, that’s something that we’ll be extremely diligent on,” he continued. “But I know there will be competition for those reins. That much I do know.”

Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns this season, but he struggled with accuracy and mobility, throwing a career-high of 15 interceptions. His poor performance comes just one season after signing a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension in July 2024.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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The Dolphins face a serious decision regarding Tagovailoa, as releasing him next year would result in a $99 million dead cap charge. If the move is designated as a post-June 1 release, those charges would be split over two years, with $67.4 million allocated to the 2026 cap and $31.8 million in 2027.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Snoop Dogg hilariously keeps pace with furious Steve Kerr’s ejection-producing rant

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Snoop Dogg hilariously keeps pace with furious Steve Kerr’s ejection-producing rant

In a warm-up for his role in the upcoming Winter Olympics, Snoop Dogg was given a microphone during the second half of the NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome.

Can’t wait for those Olympics! Snoop hilariously sizzled when Warriors coach Steve Kerr stormed the court in the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 103-102 victory.

“The Arizona Wildcat done came out of him. Look at him!” Snoop said, alluding to Kerr’s college team. “Aw, Rawwwr, rawwwr, rawwwr!”

Kerr was hit with two technical fouls in less than a minute. He nearly got one with 8:44 to play when Warriors guard Stephen Curry made a shot that appeared to be a continuation after a foul, but the officials nullified the basket.

Less than a minute later, Kerr found a new level of vehemence after the Clippers’ John Collins wasn’t called for goaltending on a shot by Gary Payton II. The four-time NBA championship coach flew into a rage, aggressively gesturing at officials and screaming.

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Kerr picked up the two technicals — his first in nearly four seasons — and was held back by Payton and assistant coaches before exiting to the locker room.

Snoop Dogg, who had joined regular Peacock/NBC announcers Reggie Miller and Terry Gannon for the second half, rose to the occasion, his commentary keeping pace with Kerr’s antics.

“Oh, Steve gonna get thrown out! Get him out of there. Get him out of there! Back him up!” Snoop barked.

All Miller and Gannon could do was laugh as Snoop continued, referencing the location of the Intuit Dome and Kerr’s Southern California ties: “Steve back in Inglewood right now. Inglewooood!!! Get him, Steve! You in Inglewood, Steve!”

Snoop will join NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico in Italy in February, riffing on stories that unfold at the Winter Games the way he did at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. The NBA game was an indication he’ll again be up to the task.

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“We are excited to have Snoop bring his unique energy and passion to our NBA coverage,” NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood said in a statement. “It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch Snoop, Reggie and Terry talk hoops with a side order of fun.”

Snoop said in the release that his debut as an NBA game broadcaster “is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to bring a fresh vibe to the analysis.”

For the record, official Brian Forte acknowledged after the game that goaltending should have been called against Collins. Curry told reporters that he appreciated his coach’s passion.

“Two crazy calls in a row that you feel like can dictate the momentum of the game, it doesn’t mean a win or a loss, it just dictates the momentum,” Curry said. “I love that fired up Steve, for sure. Somebody had to do it.”

Visiting Los Angeles has been emotional for Kerr since the Pacific Palisades wildfire a year ago destroyed his childhood home, which his family bought in 1969. His mother, 90-year-old Ann Kerr, still lived in the house, located near Rivas Canyon, and was evacuated safely.

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Russell Wilson not thinking about retirement, plans to play in 2026: ‘I know what I’m capable of’

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Russell Wilson not thinking about retirement, plans to play in 2026: ‘I know what I’m capable of’

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Russell Wilson went from starting quarterback of the New York Giants to third string just a few weeks into the 2025 season, leaving many to question if the 10-time Pro Bowler decides to play next season.

Wilson, 37, doesn’t sound like he’s mulling over his decision. He wants to play in 2026.

“I’m not blinking,” Wilson said, per SNY. “I know [what] I’m capable of. I think I showed that in Dallas, and I want to be able to do that again, you know, and just be ready to rock and roll, and be as healthy as possible and be ready to play ball.”

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New York Giants’ Russell Wilson attempts to escape a sack by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.  (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

Wilson signed a one-year, veteran minimum deal with the Giants this past offseason worth $10.5 million, which had tons of incentives if he were to play the entire season.

That same offseason, the Giants traded back into the first round to select Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss, and he proved during training camp to have NFL-ready chops under center.

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Still, then-head coach Brian Daboll was steadfast in his decision to start Wilson despite Dart’s success. But, after just three games, where the Giants went 0-3, a change was made.

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Daboll went with Dart in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers at home, and the rookie defeated Justin Herbert and company to not only get his first career win, but cement himself as the team’s starter moving forward.

Even then, Wilson remained positive, saying in interviews after practice that he understands the direction of the team and wanted to help Dart develop and grow in his new role.

New York Giants’ Russell Wilson, left, and Jaxson Dart, right, talk on the bench in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.  (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

In his three starts for the Giants, Wilson threw for 831 yards with three touchdowns to three interceptions, though all of those touchdowns came in a Week 2 overtime heartbreaker for New York. Over half of Wilson’s passing yards also came in that game, throwing for 450 in the 40-37 loss.

Wilson also said that he tore his hamstring during that game against the Cowboys.

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“I played that game, you know, I tore my hamstring on Friday in practice – the last play of practice. And I had a Grade 2 (tear). I couldn’t tell anybody. I had to go and play on it just because I knew the circumstance, I had to play on it, no matter what,” Wilson explained.

“I actually ended up going to the Dallas Mavericks’ facility, training. And you know, just kept it quiet, just trying to get treatment on it and just knowing that I probably couldn’t run from the goal line to the 10-yard line if I wanted to, but I feel like… I got to play this game.”

New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scans the field at the line against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. (Rich Barnes/Imagn Images)

It will be interesting to see if Wilson will land anywhere, and better yet, if a team is willing to try him out as a starter again.

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