Tag Archives: postseason

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Bears, 49ers clinch playoff spots thanks to the Lions’ loss

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It has been a very good weekend for the Bears. Their comeback from 10 points down to beat the Packers on Saturday night ensured they’d head into Week 17 in first place in the NFC North. They now know that they will be in the playoffs regardless of what happens in the final two weeks of the regular season.

Their ticket to the postseason was punched when the Lions lost to the Steelers 29-24 on Sunday. They weren’t the only team celebrating the Lions’ failure to score in the final seconds. The 49ers are also officially in the playoffs regardless of what happens against the Colts on Monday night or in their final two games.

While the 49ers don’t need a win on Monday to make the playoffs, a victory would give them a chance to end the season as the top seed in the NFC. They face the Bears and Seahawks in the final two weeks of the season, and winning out will leave them atop both the NFC West and the entire conference.

The Bears will clinch the NFC North with one more win but will need some help to wind up as the No. 1 seed.

Sunday’s loss was painful for the Lions, but it did not eliminate them from playoff contention. If they win out and the Packers lose out, the Lions will secure a spot in the playoffs as a wild card team.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bears-49ers-clinch-playoff-spots-with-lions-loss

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Mets Projected To Sign Slugger To Blockbuster 5-Year, $95 Million Deal

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The New York Mets came into the season with big expectations after adding Juan Soto and other top free agents last winter. But the Mets fell flat on their faces down the stretch and completely missed the postseason in favor of the Cincinnati Reds. This winter, the Mets need to add more talent to their roster if they want to get back to the postseason. Mets slugger Pete Alonso is headed to free agency, and the team’s first priority should be re-signing or replacing Alonso. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly recently predicted the Mets would sign Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a massive five-year, $95 million deal. “Many of the teams we will discuss with Schwarber and Alonso make sense as possible landing spots for Murakami, although he runs the risk of being option B or C for many teams,” Kelly wrote. They’ll need to replace his power production in some manner, and Murakami as a first base/DH option-president of baseball operations David Stearns did personally scout him in Japan in August-makes sense.” The Mets will need to replace Alonso’s power in free agency if he leaves. Murakami is one of the only free agents on the market who could replace Alonso’s power for the Mets. There are questions about his bat-to-ball skills, but his power potential should be enough for the Mets to take a shot on him in free agency, especially if he’s going to sign for less than $100 million.
https://www.newsweek.com/mets-projected-to-sign-slugger-to-blockbuster-5-year-95-million-deal-11059856

general

Mets Predicted to Sign $200M All-Star After Pitching Disaster Last Season

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The New York Mets’ starting rotation was a mess last season and played a major role in the team missing the postseason. However, the Mets have an opportunity to bolster their rotation this offseason.

One of the biggest issues for the Mets is the lack of a clear ace. Starting pitchers for the team posted a 4.13 ERA last season, ranking 18th in Major League Baseball. Fortunately, there are solid options available in free agency to help strengthen their pitching staff.

CBS Sports’ Dayn Perry recently predicted that the Mets would land Framber Valdez. “If the Mets are going to turn the page on a disappointing 2025, then they’ll probably need a true frontline presence in the rotation,” Perry wrote. “Valdez is that, and he’s been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in all of baseball over the last half decade. It says here Steve Cohen will meet the ask and fortify the Mets for a run at the NL East title in 2026.”

Valdez is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball, but he will come at a steep price in free agency. Spotrac projects him to sign a six-year, $200 million deal this winter.

A two-time All-Star and World Series champion, Valdez made 31 starts last season and posted a 3.66 ERA. Although that was one of his worst seasons statistically, it speaks volumes about his consistent performance over the years. Since 2021, Valdez has made 143 starts with an impressive 3.20 ERA. He has also received Cy Young Award votes in four separate seasons.

Adding Valdez to the Mets’ rotation would provide the true ace they’ve been lacking and significantly improve their chances in the upcoming season.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/mets-predicted-to-sign-200m-all-star-after-pitching-disaster-last-season-11030742