All Rangers fans around the world are finally rejoicing after an excellently executed game by the usual Rangers we all know and love against Tampa this last Wednesday. Finally putting Ben Bishops long running undefeated streak against them to rest after Dominic Moore sealed the deal with his game winning goal bringing the score 3-2. Followed by 2 more open netters by Viktor Stalberg and Rick Nash bringing the game to an end at 5-2.
The past month has been rough on the team with injuries and line changes. Having to suffer losing 12 out of the past 17 games has put Alain Vigneault in a more strict mindset to get back to the game they’re used to playing; aggressive, quick, and defensive hockey. With Kevin Hayes being scratched AV is finally putting his foot down to get the team back to where they started in the beginning of the season. This resulted in one of the best games of the season so far against Tampa.
A lot of blame being put on Henrik this past month is unwarranted in my personal opinion, because after all, it is a team effort. The defensive line still needs a lot of work, and AV knows this and is making sure the team is aware. If they can keep it in the direction it was this Wednesday then the Rangers are in for a more promising future for the remainder of the season. What every fan saw this Wednesday was the Rangers hockey we all loved to see in the beginning of the season.
Some honorable mentions as of late would have to be Dan Boyle, Mats Zuccarello, and Derick Brassard. Before Christmas break I was actually fortunate enough to attend December 22nd’s game against Anaheim and see them shine as they usually do. Derick Brassard burying 2 goals and almost pulling off a hat trick. Zuccarello finishing off the game in OT with an amazing game winning goal resulting in a 3-2 win. Zucc is now the lead scorer and rightfully so. Brassard trails behind him with 13 goals and 15 assists. Zucc 16 goals and 15 assists. Dan Boyle, who was mostly just racking up assists, has finally came out of his shell and really shined with a few really great goals the last few weeks. He now has 5 goals and 9 assists.
Do not lose hope just yet, Rangers fans. Still plenty more hockey to be played and if we can keep the new year rolling as we did against Tampa then we’re in for some excellent hockey to come.
The Rangers play the Florida Panthers this Saturday January 2nd in Sunrise, Florida at BB&T Center at 7:00 PM EST.
Chip Kelly didn’t see this coming himself and wasn’t already lobbying for the Miami or USC jobs. To make matters worse is the Eagles fired you before black Monday five days before the regular season ended. I’m actually shocked that you didn’t pull a Bobby Petrino on this one. If it was really that bad that you can’t coach the last game of the season you must have messed up badly.
One of the dumbest things you could have possibly done is have control over personal. Your refusal to give it up when the season was heading downhill really tackled you. When you didn’t have these responsibilities your teams finished 10-6 each time. You even appeared in the playoffs. While also being the “GM” you made a bunch of really odd moves that almost nobody would do especially after going to the playoffs and having a winning year. You traded LeSean McCoy for your old college player Kiko Alonso. Who has been a complete bust for you this season. You angered LeSean to the point where he won’t even talk to you let alone touch you. You also made up bogus reasons to trade guys such as DeSean Jackson. Plus what is up with you not getting rid of Riley Cooper? The guy said the worst word anybody in America could ever say to anyone and yet you kept him. You even let one of your best players in Jeremy Maclin leave during free agency. The funny thing about your firing is you barely had three years in Philadelphia. Almost like in a football game when your offense doesn’t go anywhere “three plays and out.” Chip everybody in that building hated you from the office people to the jocks. They just couldn’t stand looking at you and hearing the sound of your voice. It got so bad with the jocks that your star free agent pick up, DeMarco Murray, complained to your boss, Jeffrey Lurie, about his playing time. Notice he complained to him no you.
There have also been rumors going around saying that your ultimate boss, Lurie had no intention of firing you in that meeting you attended. You obviously rubbed him the wrong way or we wouldn’t be talking about this. Chip you’re not the first or the last guy to be a great college coach and not pan out in the NFL. Names such as Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier come to mind as I say this. If you want to be successful in the NFL your my way or the highway approach has got to go or your name will be on that list.
We are officially halfway through one of the most shocking Premier League seasons the world of football has ever seen. Would anyone have believed that Watford, Crystal Palace, and Leicester City would find their way in the top half of the table? Could anyone have guessed there would be five managers sacked by their respected clubs? How is it that the top four goal scorers would be Romelu Lukaku, Jamie Vardy, Odion Ighalo, and Ryiad Mahrez? Well, better believe it. Now, teams are open to the transfer market for this month, and one signing or sale could make or break a team’s season. Every team has played each other once, and if the first half had any indication, we’re going to have a great conclusion to the Barclays Premier League, but first we have to worry about week twenty’s matchups.
The early game has Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool heading to London to take on West Ham United. Both teams are missing their top players, Dmitry Payet still out after a slide tackle from James McCarthy, and Daniel Sturridge missing from Liverpool. The Reds are coming off a tight game on Wednesday against Sunderland, in which Christian Benteke scored twenty two seconds into the second half, but could not do much after. For the East London side, the phrase “no Payet, no party” has finally worn off after a 2-1 win at Upton Park against Southampton. Although his new hairstyle has caught the criticism of NBCSN’s Kyle Martino, Andy Carroll yet again delivered the game-winning goal on a header. It looks like a good matchup on paper, but Liverpool have had a short week, so Klopp may be forced to have either a poor or tired eleven. The Irons will get a 3-1 win with goals from Michail Antonio, two from Mauro Zárate, and Jordan Henderson for the Reds.
After that game goes final, six games start at ten. First, a battle of teams in the relegation zone, as Aston Villa head to the Northeast to face Sunderland. Villa’s season seems destined for relegation, with just eight points in nineteen games. To make matters worse, club top scorer Jordin Ayew will not play, serving a one-match ban for excess of yellow cards, and Gabriel Agbonlahor is struggling for fitness, so it looks like the ex-Blackburn player Rudy Gestede will be getting the start up front for the Villains. Villa have not won with new manager Rémi Garde, but this may be their best chance, playing an exhausted Sunderland side. Sunderland gave their full effort, but failed to put one past Simon Mignolet. Their defense must improve, last game was a very poor showing from center backs Sebastian Coates and Wes Brown. There may not be the most top-class players in either team’s lineup, but both will be desperate for the points, but with Villa’s energy, they’ll come out on top in a narrow 1-0, Jordan Veretout getting the goal.
Emirates Stadium has become a fortress for the Gooners, as they have only lost once at home, against West Ham on opening weekend. Now, Arsenal are top of the league, and look to start a strong second half of the season as they host Newcastle. Arsenal are plagued with injuries, with Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, and Francis Coquelin the big names on Arsenal’s IR list. But others have stepped up in their place, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny, and Olivier Giroud all in top form. Ozil only needs four more assists to break the Premier League assist record in one season. That record currently belongs to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Newcastle started December on form, besting top clubs Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, but ended the month poorly, being held goalless by Everton and West Bromwich Albion. One of the reasons has been new signing Aleksandar Mitrovic struggling to find the net, as well as ex-PSV midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum failing to score since the beginning of December. To make matters worse, Newcastle will face the new Premier League clean-sheet record goalkeeper of all time, Petr Cech. Cech held AFC Bournemouth to zero goals, and he will shut down Newcastle as well, as Arsenal will cruise to a 3-0 win with Joel Cambell, Olivier Giroud, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin scoring.
“Glory, Glory Man United” has been a hard song to sing at Old Trafford this season. Louis Van Gaal’s Red Devils have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League, have failed to get the best out of their players, and find themselves in sixth place. Now, Van Gaal has a must win game on Saturday, as the Swans head to the Theatre of Dreams. Manchester United “did not have luck” on Monday against Chelsea, according to manager Louis Van Gaal, but it saved him his job. Manchester United have had trouble scoring all season, Wayne Rooney’s form has reached rock bottom, and young stars Memphis and Anthony Martial have disappointed the United faithful. However, Swansea fans are dreaming they could be in Manchester United’s position, after such a strong 2014-15 campaign, the Swans find themselves in a hole. French striker Bafetimbi Gomis has failed to score since August, and only four players have scored other than Gomis. Gary Monk was sacked after a 3-0 loss at home to Leicester City, but interim manager Alan Curtis has got the Swans five points in four games. The Red Devils have not beaten Swansea since January 11th, 2014, that came on a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford, only five of those Red Devils are still playing in the famous red shirt(De Gea, Smalling, Carrick, Valencia, Lingard). But, with some alterations to the lineup, the Red Devils will score, but not win, it will be a 2-2 draw with goals from Ki Sung-yeung, Ander Herrera, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
There are also three other games starting at ten. Leicester will top AFC Bournemouth 2-0 on goals from Riyad Mahrez and Gohkan Inler. Stoke will take down Brom 4-1 with goals from Marko Arnautovic twice, Charlie Adam, Stephane Sessegnon, and Joselu. The last site for a ten o’clock game is Carrow Road, where Norwich City and Southampton will draw 0-0
The late game on NBC will be a top table clash at Vicarage Road, as ninth place Watford host third place Manchester City. The Hornets have been led by Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo, scoring twelve goals on the year, which has him in third in Premier League goalscorers. Odion was shut down by the Man City defense last time out, as the Hornets fell 2-0 at Etihad Stadium conceding two second half goals from Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho. The Hornets have had tough luck at home, losing draws in the 90th minute to Manchester United, and in the 89th on a Heung-min Son goal for Spurs on Monday. City’s form has dipped as of late, winning just two of their last five. With Vincent Kompany yet again missing with injury, Joe Hart will have a hard time shutting down the tag-team of Odion Ighalo and captain Troy Deeney. It will be a dogfight in Watford, with the final score finishing 3-3 with goals from Odion Ighalo, Abmen Abdi, and Etienne Capoue for Watford, and Nicolas Otamendi, Yaya Toure, and Raheem Sterling for City.
SkySports
Sunday consists of two intriguing top half versus bottom half games. First at 8:30 Eastern, a London derby, South London meets West London as Chelsea head to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace. Chelsea have played well under new interim manager Guus Hiddink, with five points in three games, beating Sunderland, and drawing Watford and Manchester United. Diego Costa may have flipped the goal scoring switch to on, after scoring two goals Saturday against Watford, but Chelsea were unlucky as Oscar missed a vital penalty with just ten minutes to go. Crystal Palace have shocked many, as they have jumped to fifth in the Premier League standings with help from French midfielder Yohan Cabaye, however Cabaye is suspended for Sunday’s clash from excessive yellow cards. Palace may not have the same spark without him, unless Lee Chung-yong or Marouane Chamahk can step up to the attacking midfielder role. Look for a very physical game with not many goals, as both sides were held goalless on Monday. In the end, with the form the Blues are in, Chelsea will get the one goal from Eden Hazard, who needs to recover his form to boost his transfer value, which will earn Guus Hiddink’s side a 1-0 win over Alan Pardew’s Eagles.
One more game remains, at Goodison Park in Liverpool, where at eleven o’clock eleventh placed Everton will play host to Tottenham Hotspur. The form Everton are in is quite poor considering they have the leading goalscorer in the BPL, Romelu Lukaku, but the Toffees cannot hold on to their points, last week losing to a controversial penalty call by Mark Clattenburg, where center back John Stones allegedly tackled Austrian winger Marko Arnautovic in the 90th minute, handing Everton the loss. Goalkeeper Tim Howard is at blame for many of the conceded goals, with just five clean sheets all season, but one of those is against Tottenham. Meanwhile the North London side have had lots of success in the 2015-16 campaign, with just two loses to Manchester United and Newcastle. Young prospects Dele Alli, Erik Lamela, Toby Alderweireld, and Eric Dier all having the season of their young careers. Spurs would qualify for the Champions League if the table were to remain the same for the rest of the season, which it most likely will not. Can this be the year the Spurs finally finish top four, or even more importantly, surpass rivals Arsenal? All will be answered soon enough. But for now, so little splits these two sides, and it will end 1-1 with Arouna Kone scoring for Everton, and Toby Alderwiereld for Spurs.
It will be an exciting week in the Premier League, the next Premier League action will take place on Tuesday, January twelfth, see you then!
During his five years in the NFL he has put up serious numbers. He is the Steelers go to guy. Brown and Big Ben have a special connection between them. Ben can always find him when he cannot find anyone else.
Brown is not the biggest receiver, but he plays big. Antonio was the 195th player picked in the 2010 NFL Draft. He was drafted in the sixth round. He reminds me of another player picked in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft. He was the 199th pick. This player will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. That player’s name is Tom Brady.
When Antonio Brown stepped onto an NFL field for the first time on 19 September 2010 in a game against the Tennessee Titans, he had 128 yards on 3 returns, 2 kick returns and 1 punt return. He scored a touchdown on the game’s first play. Brown would run 89 yards on a reverse.
That was his debut as a player. He is a duel threat, playing both wide receiver and return specialist. He has been building his resume as a receiver. In the 2014 season he would surpass all of his previous seasons, he had 129 receptions to go with 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns. He will surpass those numbers before in the last game of the season.
Brown proves that he is the best wide receiver in the NFL. He makes impossible catches or he will turn a 2 yard catch into an 80 yard touchdown. There is not a defender in the NFL that can guard him. In the game against the Denver Broncos a few weeks back Brown scored 2 touchdowns on a defensive back that has not been scored upon in 2 years.
When the Steelers play teams, there is always a strategy to stop Antonio Brown. He might get double or triple teamed, but he seems to always to open. He steps to the line of scrimmage, Ben calls his cadence and before the defender can set his feet Antonio is gone, a quick slant across the middle, he catches the pass in stride and that easily it is a 17 yard gain.
In just five short years he has amassed 513 catches, 6,906 yards, and 37 touchdowns. He is a triple threat because he returns punts and kickoffs. The Steelers use him in a variety of ways and that scares the heck out of some teams.
When it is all said and done Antonio Brown will go down as one of the best to ever play the game.
Being a fan of the New England Patriots is not as easy as it is played out to be. Sure, the constant domination is great, but there is much more to it.
When it seems that each of the other 31 teams in the league is out to get you, it isn’t the most pleasant feeling. I’ll be the first to say it: the Patriots can be a dirty team. The spygate scandal angered and irritated me greatly. But that does not detract from the fact that other teams have their flaws and downfalls as well.
As reports started to flow of the New England Patriots use of deflated footballs against the Indianapolis Colts in last year’s AFC championship game, I was in total shock and felt that it was spygate all over again. Though as new reports and information were released, I became more informed and came to realize that the whole deflategate debacle was blasphemy. Deflated footballs won’t dramatically enhance performance on the football field, especially considering the score of the game. Thus, I still cannot fathom why the NFL is out to get Tom Brady and the Patriots when there are clearly many more important cases to handle. (i.e. domestic violence.)
But enough about the Patriots.
Over the weekend, Al Jazeera, a publication company originated in Qatar, released a bombshell report accusing Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and other high profile athletes of purchasing human growth hormone. The report states that Manning acquired HGH by purchasing it under his wife’s name from a clinic in Indianapolis known as The Guyer Institute in 2011. There are disputes about the report’s credibility, but nonetheless Manning is in the limelight in the eyes of some.
My first reaction to these allegations was of joy for a number of reasons. As a Patriots fan, it is a natural-born instinct to not be a fan of Peyton Manning. The intense Brady-Manning rivalry leads to this mentality. So seeing Manning under major scrutiny for the first time made me quite satisfied. These reports also gave me hope that it would deflect attention from the New England Patriots and the gray cloud that still hovers over them that is deflategate. I had the belief that those who put Peyton Manning on a pedestal would get a taste of the sort of backlash and disgust that Tom Brady and the Patriots have received over the past decade, whether or not the reports were valid.
After a bit of consideration, I realized that isn’t the appropriate mentality to have. After all, the apparent attempt at defamation of Tom Brady by the NFL had me frustrated. Brady himself has voiced his support for Manning. It is only fair I give Manning benefit of the doubt as well. In his interview with ESPN for Sunday NFL Countdown, Manning was adamant in his denial of using performance enhancing drugs, and convincing at that. It is evident that he was clearly appalled by the reports.
What if Peyton Manning did indeed take HGH?
It doesn’t mean anything. It does not ruin his reputation. It does not ruin his career. If anything, it would actually be understandable. Manning was suffering from career-threatening neck injuries at the time, so it would make sense that he would like to prolong his career by taking HGH. The major difference here is that in comparison to PED use in baseball where hitters take them in order to be stronger and hit farther, Manning’s case would be to recuperate from catastrophic injury. As we all know, football is a punishing sport. So it makes complete sense that some players may opt the route of HGH to stay healthy as opposed to painkillers. Who knows how long NFL players have been using HGH? It wasn’t until 2014 that the league started testing for it. Manning was obviously still a stellar quarterback before 2011, light years better than the years following as well. It would be foolish to think his career would take a hit because of this scandal.
The worst part of all is that Manning’s career is nearly over. It is an absolute shame that he has to deal with this annoyance when he is bound to end his storied career anytime now. He will fight like hell through it though, just as he has throughout his career. As a Patriots fan, I can tell you firsthand that I have no doubt in my mind.
NASCAR legend Marvin Panch died today at age 89 of natural causes. Panch was born in Oakland, California on May 28, 1926. He was a veteran of what is now known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Marvin started 216 races over the course of 15 seasons. He won on 17 occasions, including 1961 Daytona 500. During his career, he amassed 126 top ten finishes and 96 top five finishes to go along with the 17 wins.
Panch’s biggest win came in the 1961 Daytona 500 driving a backup car prepared by Smokey Yunick in what was deemed a “hand me down” car that had been driven by Fireball Roberts in the previous season. The field was flooded in an attempted coming out for Pontiac’s new car on stock car racing’s grandest stage. Panch won after Roberts’ engine blew in the closing laps of the race, giving Marvin the win in his year old Catalina.
Two year later, Panch was scheduled to run the 1963 Daytona 500 in the now famous Wood Brothers number 21, but was unable to race after sustaining excessive burns resulting from a near death crash after a sports car he was driving on the Daytona road course flipped and caught fire. The car was still raced but, by Tiny Lund who went on to win the 1963 Daytona 500.
While Panch enjoyed a great career in NASCAR’s top series his racing career did not end there, he also ran 24 races over 4 years in the now defunct NASCAR Convertible Series, winning once in 1956 at Montgomery. Panch also ran in the earliest seasons of the Grand National West Series, winning five times over the first three seasons of the series. Then in 1991, Panch ran the Winston Legends at Charlotte Motor Speedway along with Donnie Allison, Tim Flock, Elmo Langley, Cale Yarborough and many other NASCAR Legends.
Marvin Panch will be missed greatly by the NASCAR community.
Just a month ago, Aroldis Chapman was living the dream. He was known as one the best closers in the league, had a new 1-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds, and was headed into the offseason ready for another season closing games for Cincinnati. In 6 seasons in the MLB for the Reds, he went 19-20, with 146 saves in 164 opportunities (89% Save Percentage) and a 2.17 ERA. He was also a 4-time All-Star and in 2012 came in the Top-15 in the MVP and Cy Young voting. His career was on the right track and it looked like he had a bright future with the Reds. Circumstances put that to a halt just as trades talks began between the Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers to send Chapman to LA for two prospects.
On the evening of December 7th, news broke that on October 30th, 2015 Chapman allegedly choked his girlfriend and fired eight gunshots in his home in Davie, Florida. No charges were filed by the police and his attorney denied the allegations but the damage had been done.
While MLB investigated the allegations, the trade with Los Angeles was put on hold. It was also discovered the Boston Red Sox were after Chapman. After hearing about the allegations, the Red Sox zoned in on getting Craig Kimbrel from the Padres. All trade talks eventually stopped as the Dodgers backed out of the deal. The Reds found themselves in an interesting position until the New York Yankees came knocking on the door.
The Yankees offered RHPs Caleb Cotham (1-0, 6.52 ERA in 9.2 IP in MLB) and Rookie Davis (2-1, 4.32 ERA in 33.1 IP in AA), and IFs Eric Jagielo (.284 BA, 9 HRs, 35 RBIs, 0 SB in AA) and Tony Renda (.269 BA, 3 HRs, 44 RBIs, 23 SBs in AA) to the Reds for Chapman, which w became official at about 4:30 in the afternoon of December 28th.
WHY THIS TRADE BENEFITS THE CINCINNATI REDS:
The Reds receive four prospects in this trade that may not be high-level prospects, but could be interesting to see what impact they can make for Cincinnati in the long run. IFs Jagielo and Renda had promising years in Double-A ball and in a year or two get an opportunity in the MLB. RHP Davis definitely has time to improve at 22 years old and already in Double-A Ball. And although at 28 years old, RHP Cotham may have struggled last year as relief for the Yankees, but it may have been because he got thrown in with the sharks, due to the Yankees suffering through an injury bug with many of their pitchers, when he obviously was not ready to be pitching with the big leaguers. Plus, they are getting rid of Chapman like they were planning to, even after the Domestic Violence allegations were released, which made some believe would kill any chance of Chapman leaving Cincy via trade. But, they were wrong. And in good time too, as it seems they were going towards the rebuilding route, as they had been collecting prospects since Winter Meetings began.
WHY THIS TRADE DOES NOT BENEFIT THE CINCINNATI REDS:
All four of these prospects were obviously to no value of the New York Yankees, as if they were, they would still be in Yankee/Thunder uniforms, which was proven when they refused to trade OF Aaron Judge, IFs Greg Bird and Jorge Mateo, RHP Luis Severino, C Gary Sanchez, etc. Cotham is already 28 Years Old, and although going into what is only his 2nd year, it seems like his career is not going anywhere. He may improve slightly, but not enough to make a huge impact for the Reds. Jagielo and Renda seem like they could be in the show in a year or two, but do not seem to be the missing pieces to the Reds crazy, confusing, oddly-shaped puzzle. Davis had a decent year relieving in Double-A for the Thunder last year, and has the talent to make the MLB roster, but doesn’t have the talent to be the next big thing in the bullpen. Rookie Davis is no Aroldis Chapman, a man who will definitely be hard to replace. Losing Aroldis Chapman will hurt a Reds team who has already sent Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox, and is also looking to send out Brandon Phillips. It’s obvious this team is going under an immense rebuilding process.
WHY THIS TRADE BENEFITS THE NEW YORK YANKEES:
They are receiving one of the best Closing Pitchers in the MLB, if not the best. And his stat line proves his worth. Through 6 seasons, he has asserted his dominance on the MLB, only having 18 blown saves in that span, which is a pretty phenomenal stat. They also dump some prospects they obviously did not see themselves having a future with, and with the prospects they currently have, these four probably would not see the field that much. Jagielo and Renda would be stuck behind Headley/Mateo and Refsnyder, respectively. And with a pretty dominant bullpen, Cotham and Davis would be pushed to the back end of the bullpen, barely making any strong appearances as Yankee relievers. This move gives the Yankees the opportunity to do what the 2011 Royals and 1990 Reds did and use three great closers to give themselves one of the greatest bullpens in the league. Cashman made a big move here, and Yankees fans are excited to see Chapman coming to pinstripes.
WHY THIS TRADE DOES NOT BENEFIT THE NEW YORK YANKEES:
There’s a really good chance Chapman could be handed a suspension. And due to the new MLB Domestic Violence policy, he could be sitting out the whole 2016 season, which really makes this trade look like four prospects for a player who could miss his only year on his contract with your team. So, the Yankees would have to re-sign him, even if he is getting paid to sit out a year, but it seems the Yankees are used to that (A-Rod). So there’s a chance he might not even suit up in pinstripes, as crazy as it sounds. Gaining Chapman also hurts their already tarnished reputation, which was caused by A-Rod’s use of steroids, and then the Yankees continuing the play him. So, instead of getting one of the best relievers in the game, they could be receiving a bad man who has a tarnished track record and gets paid a good amount of money for a year that he may not even step foot on a MLB field. Nice move, Yankees. Chapman will probably gonna leave after the year is up, after declining the arbitration, and move on to another team. Round of applause to Brian Cashman.
CONCLUSION:
Aroldis Chapman is in pinstripes. He will either be spending a year playing as closer/receiver for the Yankees and racking up a lot of saves and putting up great numbers for them, or sitting in the locker room all season, due to the suspension, and most likely leaving the Yankees, even though the possibility of Chapman coming back is there. And while it benefits both teams, it also does not benefit these teams in certain ways.
Featured Image Credit: TheSource.com
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Just a month ago, Aroldis Chapman was living the dream. He was known as one the best closers in the league, had a new 1-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds, and was headed into the offseason ready for another season closing games for Cincinnati. In 6 seasons in the MLB for the Reds, he went 19-20, with 146 saves in 164 opportunities (89% Save Percentage) and a 2.17 ERA. He was also a 4-time All-Star and in 2012 came in the Top-15 in the MVP and Cy Young voting. His career was on the right track and it looked like he had a bright future with the Reds. Circumstances put that to a halt just as trades talks began between the Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers to send Chapman to LA for two prospects.
Beyond The Grandstand 