Free agency has started off with a bang for the San Francisco Giants, as they recently saw their top free-agent head to their arch rival. 

Coming into the offseason, the Giants knew that they were going to have a lot of work to do. With their new President of Baseball operations Buster Posey, the goal has been to improve a franchise that has missed the playoffs for three straight seasons and has fallen behind in the National League West. 

One player who San Francisco knew was going to be a hot commodity from their team in 2024 was starting pitcher Blake Snell. The Giants were able to sign the two-time Cy Young award winner to a very friendly contract just before spring training last season. 

However, likely due to the strange offseason and the lack of preparation, the southpaw got off to a really poor start to the season. After the All-Star break, when he got his feet under him, Snell became the pitcher the Giants expected him to be, as he had a (5-0) record and an ERA under 2.00 in the second half of the season. 

With a player option for 2025, Snell wisely declined that after the great second half, knowing he would get more guaranteed money in free agency. 

Well, that decision paid off, as Snell signed a five-year, $182 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The 31-year-old signing with the Dodgers is certainly a tough pill to swallow for the Giants, but letting him walk could be the best thing for them. 

While the Giants do have hopes of a quick turnaround with Posey in charge, that is still unlikely. This could be a couple of year process for them to get the team in place to truly compete with a team like the Dodgers or the San Diego Padres. Even though Snell is a great pitcher and would help them win games, this is a team that needs a lot more. 

If the Giants were to bring Snell back at the number that he signed with Los Angeles, that likely would have meant that they would have made very minimal upgrades to a lineup that desperately needs to improve. 

Also, the move by the Dodgers to bring in Snell and pay them what they are paying him is to help them win more World Series now. That more than likely wouldn’t have been a realistic thing to expect for San Francisco, and by the time they were ready to, the left-hander might not be the same caliber of pitcher. 

Even though it might feel like a tough blow for the Giants, it could be what’s best for them in the long-run if they allocate their resources to the right areas.  

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver police officers responded to areas along Federal Boulevard three times on Friday for incidents that occurred between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Person injured in crash

The Denver Police Department first reported at about 2:16 p.m. that officers were responding to a traffic crash with serious injuries that involved two motorists at the intersection of South Federal Boulevard and West Illif Avenue. The agency said one person was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries.

The area is near Compass Academy and the Abraham High School. It’s part of Denver’s Harvey Park neighborhood, bordering on the College View – South Platte neighborhood.

1 taken to hospital after shooting

Then, officers were called to North Federal Boulevard for a shooting. The incident was reported in the 4700 block of North Federal, and one person was transported to the hospital.

The area is near the roadway’s intersection with Interstate 70 and Rocky Mountain Lake and is part of Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood, near the border with the Berkeley neighborhood.

The agency did not know how serious the injuries were, but officers were investigating and working to develop suspect information. FOX31 crews went to the scene and found that a Conoco gas station had been taped off by the Denver Police Department.

Vehicle-pedestrian crash reported

At about 4:11 p.m., officers were called to a traffic crash in the area of South Federal Boulevard and Louisiana Avenue, which is in Denver’s Ruby Hill neighborhood, near the border of the Mar Lee neighborhood. The agency said that the crash involved a vehicle and a pedestrian, and one person was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries.

Police advised motorists to expect delays in the area, and find an alternate route if possible.

The New York Jets offense needs a jolt. Well, it’s actually needed it for a while.

While New York (3-8) has some good numbers on paper, it hasn’t translated in the win column this season as the Jets have lost seven of their last eight games since a 2-1 start. Now, they prepare to face Seattle on Sunday.

Yeah, little has worked out. That’s why the Jets are looking for a new head coach and general manager after the season. Well, the offense isn’t the ONLY reason.

Seattle (6-5) enters the game with a playoff berth on the line, as the Seahawks are tied for the lead in the NFC West and hold a tiebreaker over Arizona. But, the division’s other two rivals are one game back. So, every win matters to Seattle right now.

Here are the offensive players to watch for both teams entering Sunday’s game.

QB Aaron Rodgers

So now Rodgers isn’t sure if he’ll play in 2025, but he says his first choice is to play for the Jets. Whether the Jets want him back will be up to new leadership.  

Right now, Rodgers has 2,442 yards passing with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Those are solid numbers, but not the numbers he would post in his prime. In other words, the Jets paid for more.

He’s taken 26 sacks and he’s not a threat to throw downfield. Scheming for Rodgers is easier defensively, which means play-caller Todd Downing needs to get more creative to put the soon-to-be 41-year-old in position to make plays.

WR Garrett Wilson

Wilson’s goal is to cross 1,000 yards receiving for the third time in his career. There’s no reason to think it won’t happen. He has 69 receptions for 722 yards and five touchdowns, and he’s been targeted more than 100 times this season.

He’s not racking up many yards per catch, but he’s in line for the best year of his career as long as he continues to play to his season averages. New leadership will decide if he gets his fifth-year contract option. The answer, obviously, should be yes.

RB Braelon Allen

Breece Hall’s status is unclear as he’s dealing with an injury he suffered against Indianapolis. That could allow the Jets to hand more carries to their rookie.

Allen has rushed 62 times for 229 yards and two touchdowns and in stretches he’s shown real potential.

Hall is the clear No. 1, but as a non-first round pick, next season is his last under contract. A new general manager and head coach will decide Hall’s future, but the coaching staff would be smart to get Allen some additional reps down the stretch.

Hall was getting reps as of Thursday, so it’s encouraging that he’ll be available in some way.

QB Geno Smith

The Jets know Smith well. Or, one should say the Jets know the old version of Smith. The new version is one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL.

He’s resurrected his career with the Seahawks, earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors and two Pro Bowl nods. He leads the NFL in completions and yards passing per game (275.9).

While he’s completing nearly 70% of his passes, one thing to note is that he’s thrown 12 interceptions. That’s in your area for the Jets to scheme for on Sunday.

RB Kenneth Walker III

Watching Walker play, one can’t be helped but be reminded of Hall. The pair are similar in that they’re as capable running the football as helping in the passing game.

Much of what Seattle wants to do offensively flows through the 24-year-old. He’s rushed for 493 yards and seven touchdowns, while also catching 36 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown. He’s been targeted 42 times, so he’s not likely to drop the football when it’s thrown his way.

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Seattle has a talented group of wide receivers, many of which are NFL veterans. But the young pup from Ohio State, the same alma mater as Wilson, is having a terrific season.

Smith-Njigba leads the Seahawks with 66 catches for 755 yards and four touchdowns. Like Wilson, he’s been targeted frequently, a team high 93 times.

D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are more adept at stretching the field. So Smith-Njigba has emerged as a terrific possession target for Smith.  Like Wilson, he will need to be monitored closely on Sunday.