Austin, 34, has spent the past six seasons with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He originally signed in NPB after spending parts of four big league seasons with the Yankees, Twins, Giants and Brewers, during which he posted a .219/.292/.451 slash with 33 homers in 583 turns at the plate.
"I spoke to him the first time he was called up to the first team and I told him how proud I was and the full confidence I had that he was fully capable and valid to take on that challenge," he told Sport. "For me he is a player who can be perfectly in the first team squad. Obviously he has to continue taking his steps and more now after being injured. He has to regain the trust of Barça Atletic with Belletti.
In the final days of the January window, AC Milan secured the promising Serie B talent Alphadjo Cissè, a signing that Peppe Di Stefano believes is reminiscent of the old Milan. The transfer was announced on the final day of the window and in the statement, it was confirmed that the attacking midfielder would remain at Catanzaro on loan. Then, in the summer, he will be at Massimiliano Alleghri's disposal at least for the pre-season.
On a roster filled with far too many guards, the two young ones most likely to be part of Chicago's long-term plan, Jaden Ivey and Rob Dillingham, played little to no minutes. Replacing them were two older players who likely won't even be on the team next year. So, today's players from the 2026 NBA Draft to watch this week will be potential replacements for them, but, knowing this coaching philosophy, they might struggle to see the floor on this team anyway.
The Dallas Cowboys officially introduced Christian Parker as the team's new defensive coordinator during a press conference on Wednesday. Parker has arrived in Dallas as the new architect of the defense, signaling a fresh start for a unit that struggled mightily last year. The change will bring a new scheme and hopefully renewed energy within the facility. The road to this hiring was anything but brief.
Former player Robinson Chirinos will return to the Orioles but in a new role. The club announced that he will be working as a special assistant in the baseball operations and player development department. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com was among those to relay the news, adding that Chirinos will "support players, coaches, and staff across our lower levels, providing leadership, mentorship, and reinforcement of organizational philosophies."
I've worked and played in many other countries: Germany, England, even the United States. Different cultures, different football. But we're in Italy and we have a strong culture: the important thing is that we change the process and mentality a little. We're here to help our players develop.
It's been four-and-a-half years since Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) took over at Newcastle United. On the pitch, a first trophy for more than half a century has been delivered, as has a return to club football's biggest stage, when Eddie Howe's men qualified for the Champions League at the end of the 2022/23 season. Progress off the pitch following the controversial 305 million takeover has been somewhat slower,
They pay the money, they spend the money, I mean they're a great team. They run their team like a business, and they run it the right way. They understand where they need to put their money into, but also - people don't look at this either - their draft and their development is unbelievable. They draft then they develop then they trade those guys for big name guys and they can spend the money.
In a period where continuity and leadership can define a club's trajectory, Bayern Munich has chosen stability (at least for now) at the heart of their defense and belief in a player who has steadily grown into one of Europe's most complete center-backs. CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen emphasized both development and unity when reflecting on the extension. "Dayot Upamecano has matured into a top-level player with us. We're delighted he'll continue his journey at Bayern, also proving once again our status in international football.
I'm very flexible. They know they have certain roles in our attacking plan, that they always need to be available for the ball. They also need to pose a threat. They also have an important role in shoring things up. I always try to look at the player's profile and give them a role in the overall picture. Pavlo's profile is activity, always being available. Jo has the final pass. Pavlo doesn't do what Jo does, and vice versa, but it's all compatible for us,
Like any class, college football's group of 2023 recruits has high-profile hits along with some notable whiffs. Our projections are based off college impact and NFL upside. There are 13 prospects from our original top 25 who are on Mel Kiper's Big Board rankings. Other high-profile prospects such as quarterbacks Arch Manning and Dante Moore decided to return to college even with high NFL grades. Both are listed in Matt Miller's top early 2027 NFL prospects.
There is no shortage of stats and metrics these days that attempt to predict how baseball teams will fare in an upcoming season. But there is one area lacking in all of it: human will, and how certain players can push themselves to be better than even the best analytical models could have foreseen. The foundation is laid over the winter, when pitches are learned and swing mechanics are tweaked and bodies are molded.
Bryn Ward was talking to his mother Wendy the other day when he suddenly remembered that his goal at the start of the season was to play five games for Ulster. Having only just turned 21, and still part of his home province's academy, it was a realistic target to set, only he managed to surpass it halfway through a season that has seen Ward play nine games for Ulster, and earn his first full call-up to the Ireland squad.
The Bees conducted interviews in January before settling on the appointment of Rainford. The 46-year-old former Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder joins Brentford having been the head of education and academy player care at the Premier League since 2020. Since Torpey left the role with Brentford's academy to join Manchester United in September, Jamie Greenwood has been in place as interim academy director.
As mentioned, there were expectations for him to be a top blueliner on the Leafs, along with former young prospect Rasmus Sandin, who was also envisioned as a top blueliner for the team. Niemela was mainly praised for the way he moves the puck as a defenceman. He also showed great vision and was able to make a pass whenever it was possible. He was also seen as someone who wasn't afraid to take a shot on goal and walk into the slot.
"Appreciate [Kevin Kiermaier] taking the time to work with [Zach Erhard] this offseason," Michael Dillon, who represented Kiermaier in the majors and currently represents Erhard, wrote via Instagram. "It's the little adjustments on and off the field that separate the good from the great. Z is well on his path to being great."
With a couple of the safer picks rounding out the top 30, we have begun to enter the part of the list that caters to some high upside prospects. Compared to recent years there is a lot more upside, and a lot more tools that are definitely louder than years prior. There is also considerable capital associated with this particular section of the system with high international signing bonuses, as well as a pair of players drafted within the first six rounds.
When the New York Rangers hired Mike Sullivan to replace Peter Laviolette, many were thrilled. Sullivan, a former back-to-back Stanley Cup winning coach, felt like a huge upgrade from Laviolette, and a potential overseer of a comeback season. Sullivan was the right coach to bring the Rangers back from their blip of a season and get the most out of this veteran core.
Some fans don't understand it, but it's easy to see why Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra values Dru Smith. It's because he falls right in line with previous developmental success stories of guards who can't really shoot the basketball efficiently, but can do virtually everything else. Smith epitomizes Heat culture, and in small doses, has proven to be quite productive for the organization. Perhaps most importantly, he's a true competitor. And that's what Spo has to like best.
