Daily Report – 2/14/25
Good afternoon,
Here is today’s report and weekend roundup:
Yankees
It seems that the media may have over-analyzed Marcus Stroman’s absence from Spring Training. Stroman was simply spending extra time with his son, whom Stroman didn’t get to see much during the offseason after his house in Los Angeles burned down. “I’m so grounded at this point," said Stroman. "Nothing can really faze me.” He returned to Spring Training this morning.
Brian Cashman met with the media today, and Greg Joyce reported that Cashman was never worried about Stroman’s absence or the pitcher’s future with the team. He said this despite reports suggesting that for luxury tax purposes, the Yankees have been unwilling to sign more players unless they trade Stroman’s $18 million contract. Cashman didn't comment on this today, though. “That’s vintage Stro,” Cashman said, before adding that Stroman has not requested a trade. The Yankees plan to train Stroman as a starting pitcher, and while their starting rotation is quite deep, Stroman could serve as a reliable sixth man.
In other news, Brian Cashman said that the Yankees are working to extend Aaron Boone’s contract before Opening Day. Boone’s contract expires at the end of this season, and last season was his best as Yankees manager. While fans tend to be critical of Boone, I must admit that I felt confident in his decision-making throughout the 2024 postseason. Even though his choice to pitch Nestor Cortes in Game 1 of the World Series will haunt the Yankees for some time, I respect the rationale behind that decision given the many factors involved.
Additionally, the Red Sox signed notorious Yankees nemesis Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract last night. The 30-year-old third baseman turned down a six-year, $156 million offer from his former team in Houston, as well as a six-year, $170 million deal from Detroit to play second base for Boston. The Yankees now face the challenge of a suddenly more formidable American League East opponent, for Boston also signed three star pitchers this offseason: Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and former Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman. Buehler closed out the World Series for Los Angeles last year before the Dodgers took over Yankee Stadium. Chapman left the Yankees on a sour note a few years back before winning a championship with the Texas Rangers, and he is now Boston’s new closer.
The AL East remains as competitive as ever, with Anthony Santander moving from Baltimore to Toronto and Tyler O’Neill transitioning from Boston to Baltimore. Don't count Tampa Bay out either; they will be playing with a chip on their shoulder after tragically losing their stadium to Hurricane Milton in October.
The bottom line is that this season won’t be easy for the Yankees, and winning the division will be as challenging as ever. I will break down the AL East in a report next week.
Position players are scheduled to report to Tampa on Sunday, February 16, and the team’s first full-squad workout is scheduled for Monday, February 17.
Rangers
Tomorrow, the Bell Centre will host two games in the second round of the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off (ABC). At 1 PM (12 PM CST), Team Finland will play Team Sweden, and at 8 PM (7 PM CST), Team USA will battle Team Canada in a marquee matchup.
Last night, Team USA beat Team Finland 6-1. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk scored two goals each, and Matthew added an assist.
Knicks
The Knicks will send Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to San Francisco to compete in the NBA’s 74th All-Star Game this weekend (TNT, TBS, TruTV).
Jalen Brunson, the Knicks captain, is averaging 26.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Karl-Anthony Towns, the team’s starting center, is averaging 24.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, and his rebounds per game rank second in the NBA along with his 657 rebounds this season. Brunson and Towns will serve as starters in the All-Star Game this Sunday, and Brunson will also participate in the three-point shooting contest tomorrow night.
Giants
As promised, I will briefly evaluate how the Giants should approach the 2025 NFL Draft:
With competitive NFC East opponents like Philadelphia and Washington, the Giants may need more than just a quarterback to become a playoff-contending team. They are fortunate to have future star Malik Nabers, but given the situation surrounding the Giants and their long-term goals, drafting a quarterback might not be the best decision for the club this offseason. But I’m going to advocate for it instead.
The Tennessee Titans hold the first overall pick in the draft, and given their lack of a franchise quarterback, they will likely draft Shedeur Sanders. If I were to create a draft bracket, I would also predict that the Cleveland Browns will select Cam Ward second overall. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Ward were chosen first overall and Sanders second.
Unless the Giants find a way to trade up their draft pick – which seems unlikely – they could be positioned to draft the Heisman-winning cornerback Travis Hunter. The Giants' secondary has struggled for several seasons, and General Manager Joe Schoen hasn’t identified an effective solution. Andru Phillips, whom the Giants drafted last year, became a productive cornerback, but the team still allowed one of the highest points per game totals in the NFL last season.
If Hunter is drafted first or second, I anticipate the Giants will select either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, depending on who is available. Jalen Milroe is also a potential quarterback option to draft, but he does not rank as highly as Sanders or Ward. Drafting a quarterback can significantly enhance a struggling team's performance, especially when that team lacks a franchise player. However, I need to withhold judgment on Sanders or Ward until after the combine.
There are also plenty of defensive players who could be available for the Giants to draft, including edge rusher Abdul Carter and interior defensive lineman Mason Graham. However, the Giants appear committed to their defensive line, which features Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux as outside linebackers and Dexter Lawrence as an interior lineman. Therefore, unless Ward and Sanders are drafted first and second overall, the Giants should prioritize selecting one of them.
There is also the possibility of the Giants trading for a quarterback. Regardless of what happens this offseason, the Giants will have a new starting quarterback by the time next season starts. Names like Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, and Matthew Stafford have been mentioned as potential candidates for a trade to New York. While I would prefer the Giants to draft Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, if they trade for a quarterback, they may still opt to draft one in a later round.
Additionally, there is a rumor circulating the NFL that the LA Rams may release wide receiver Cooper Kupp “in the coming days.” He is supposedly most likely to head to the Giants or the Minnesota Vikings.
Schedule
Tonight 2/14:
6:00 PM (5:00 PM CST) 2025 NBA Hall of Fame Press Conference; NBATV
7:00 PM (6:00 PM CST) 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend – Celebrity Game; ESPN
9:00 PM (8:00 PM CST): 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend – Rising Stars Competition; TNT, TRUTV
Saturday 2/15:
1:00 PM (12:00 PM CST): 2025 NHL Four Nations Face-Off, Second Round – Team Finland (0-0-0-1) vs. Team Sweden (0-0-1-0); ABC
2:00 PM (1:00 PM CST): 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend – Media Day & Practice; NBATV
7:00 PM (6:00 PM CST): 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend – Adam Silver Media Availability; NBATV
8:00 PM (7:00 PM CST): 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend – All-Star Saturday Night (Skills Challenge, 3-Point Shooting Contest, & Slam-Dunk Contest); TNT
8:00 PM (7:00 PM CST): 2025 NHL Four Nations Face-Off, Second Round – Team USA (1-0-0-0) vs. Team Canada (0-1-0-0); ABC
Sunday 2/16:
1:30 PM (12:30 PM CST): 2025 Daytona 500; FOX
2:00 PM (1:00 PM CST): 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend – NBA Legends Brunch; NBATV
8:00 PM (7:00 PM CST): 2025 NBA All-Star Game; TNT, TBS, TRUTV
That will do it for this report. Enjoy your weekend!
