The Boston Red Sox are trying to make major player trades before the MLB trade deadline to improve their chances for the playoffs. They are interested in players for several key positions but have not completed any deals yet.
Key Facts
The trade deadline is at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
The Red Sox want players for shortstop, catcher, starting pitchers, and bullpen.
They have been linked to players like Elly De La Cruz, Adley Rutschman, Zach Neto, Otto Lopez, and Luis Arraez.
Luis Arraez was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
The New York Yankees added Luis Garcia Jr. to their team recently.
The Tampa Bay Rays traded for starting pitcher Freddy Peralta.
The Los Angeles Dodgers traded for starting pitcher Tarik Skubal in a big deal.
The Red Sox face pressure to make big trades to compete in the American League East division.
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Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, said there is no fighting or tension among the quarterbacks during training camp. The team’s goal is to focus on getting better, and the choice of starting quarterback will be up to the coaches.
Key Facts
Shedeur Sanders is in his second year with the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders became the starter last season after teammate Dillon Gabriel got hurt.
Sanders has a 3-4 record in seven starts, with 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
He was selected for the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.
This season, Sanders is competing with veteran Deshaun Watson for the starting job.
Dillon Gabriel is third on the depth chart, hoping for a chance to start.
Browns’ new head coach Todd Monken has not revealed who will be the starter.
Sanders says the quarterback room has good teamwork and no internal conflicts.
The Browns start preseason games on August 15 against the Chicago Bears.
Their regular season begins on September 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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The Philadelphia Phillies traded for relief pitcher Brooks Raley from the New York Mets. Raley has a low earned run average (ERA) of 1.96 this season and is expected to strengthen the Phillies' bullpen as they aim for the playoffs.
Key Facts
The Phillies acquired Brooks Raley from the Mets in exchange for pitcher Luke Gabrysh and outfielder John Spikerman.
Raley is a 38-year-old left-handed pitcher and a pending unrestricted free agent.
Before the trade, Raley pitched 45 games this season for the Mets with a 5-5 win-loss record, 1.96 ERA, and 40 strikeouts.
The Mets are among the worst teams in the league this season.
The Phillies aimed to improve their bullpen before the trade deadline and saw Raley as a strong addition.
Raley has played 302 MLB games over nine seasons with several teams including the Cubs, Reds, Astros, Rays, and Mets.
Over his career, Raley has a 14-16 record, a 3.60 ERA, 12 saves, and 318 strikeouts.
The Phillies hope Raley will continue his strong performance and help them secure a playoff spot.
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The San Francisco Giants want a high price to trade Luis Arraez, a baseball player available before the trade deadline. Although some teams show little interest, Arraez is performing well this season with a high batting average and solid statistics.
Key Facts
Luis Arraez is an eight-year veteran baseball player known for hitting singles.
The Giants’ asking price for Arraez remains very high at the trade deadline.
Arraez will become a free agent after the season.
He is not known for strong defense or base stealing but plays multiple positions.
This season, Arraez has a .324 batting average and a rising OPS, showing strong hitting performance.
His success seems genuine, supported by consistent stats like a .327 BABIP (a measure of batting average on balls in play).
Some teams like the Yankees or Red Sox could potentially benefit from adding him.
The Giants might keep him if they do not get any good offers, even though he is performing well.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded for pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. This move creates the first MLB team to have both the last two MVP award winner, Shohei Ohtani, and the last two Cy Young award winner, Tarik Skubal, playing together.
Key Facts
The Dodgers acquired Tarik Skubal in exchange for three players: Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith.
Shohei Ohtani has won the Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the past two seasons.
Tarik Skubal has won the Cy Young award, given to the best pitcher, in each of the previous two seasons.
This is the first time in MLB history a player with two consecutive MVPs and a player with two consecutive Cy Young awards are teammates.
Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to left knee inflammation.
Skubal had elbow surgery in May but returned to pitching on June 13.
This season, Skubal has a win-loss record of 7-5, an earned run average (ERA) of 2.79, and 116 strikeouts.
Skubal’s first start for the Dodgers will be on August 4 against the Chicago Cubs.
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Green Bay Packers player Zach Tom legally changed his name to Zach Bako-Bewele to honor his Nigerian heritage. He wants his new name to reflect his family roots and be passed down to his future children.
Key Facts
Zach Tom changed his name to Zach Bako-Bewele for cultural reasons.
The name change honors his Nigerian ancestry and family history.
His original last name, Tom, came from his grandfather’s first name.
Bako-Bewele wants to pass this name to his future children.
He was drafted by the Packers in 2022 in the fourth round from Wake Forest.
Bako-Bewele started all 17 games in 2023 and 2024 before facing injuries.
He is considered one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.
The Packers expect him to continue performing well despite the name change.
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Henry Pollock, a young rugby player for Northampton Saints, is expected to ask for a big pay raise to around £1 million a year. His current contract pays about £150,000 annually, but his recent achievements and popularity have increased his value. Northampton faces challenges meeting his demands due to a league salary cap and other player contracts.
Key Facts
Henry Pollock is a 21-year-old rugby player for Northampton Saints.
He currently earns about £150,000 per year under a contract ending in summer 2027.
Pollock has played for England and toured with the British and Irish Lions.
His agent says Pollock’s value is rising and expects him to demand £1 million annually.
The Premiership Rugby league has a £6.4 million salary cap for teams.
Each team can have one "marquee" player who does not count toward the cap; Northampton’s marquee player is currently Fin Smith.
Northampton struggled to keep other players due to salary limits, like George Furbank who left last season.
Pollock prefers to stay with Northampton to maintain eligibility for England’s national team, which usually only selects players playing in England.
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The Houston Texans have signed defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who was their first overall draft pick in 2014. Clowney returns to Houston to strengthen their defense after playing for several other NFL teams.
Key Facts
Jadeveon Clowney was the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2014.
He has played for the Seahawks, Titans, Browns, Ravens, Panthers, and Cowboys since leaving Houston.
Clowney signed with the Texans again in August 2024.
Last season with Dallas, he played 13 games, started 6, and made 8.5 sacks.
The Texans also extended contracts for players Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., and Azeez Al-Shaair.
Clowney visited the Browns and had other offers with guaranteed starting roles but chose Houston.
He aims to use his experience to help younger players and contribute to the Texans' success.
The Texans hope Clowney can help them win their first Super Bowl.
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Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new contract to coach the United States men’s national soccer team through the 2030 World Cup. He became the team’s head coach in 2024 and led the U.S. to the round of 16 in this year’s World Cup, achieving their best group stage performance ever.
Key Facts
Mauricio Pochettino is the head coach of the U.S. men’s national soccer team.
He joined the U.S. team in 2024 after leaving Chelsea.
His previous contract was set to expire after the 2026 World Cup.
The new contract extends his role through the 2030 World Cup.
Under his leadership, the U.S. finished first in their World Cup group with six points, the best ever for the team.
The team won against Bosnia in the round of 32 but lost 4-1 to Belgium in the round of 16.
Pochettino emphasizes an attacking style of play and has experience coaching top European clubs.
U.S. Soccer’s CEO JT Batson expressed confidence in building on the current team’s progress with Pochettino.
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Norris Brown, a former tight end for the University of Georgia and professional football player, has died at age 65. He was part of Georgia’s 1980 national championship team and played briefly in the NFL before continuing his career in the USFL.
Key Facts
Norris Brown was from Laurens, South Carolina, and played high school football at Laurens District 55 High School.
He played college football for Georgia from 1979 to 1982 and helped the team win the 1980 national championship.
Brown caught 44 passes for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns during his college career, setting a school record for touchdown receptions that lasted 40 years.
Georgia reached the Sugar Bowl twice while Brown played, in games against Pittsburgh (1982) and Penn State (1983).
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Brown in the 8th round of the 1983 NFL Draft, pick number 213.
Brown played two games in the NFL during the 1983 season.
He continued his professional football career in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals in 1984 and the Jacksonville Bulls in 1985.
Former teammates and sports figures expressed sadness and remembered Brown as a skilled player and good teammate.
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Manchester United’s women’s football team is facing challenges with no manager and a small squad just before the new season starts. Marc Skinner left as manager after five years due to disagreements with the club about spending and team direction, while other top teams are investing more heavily.
Key Facts
Marc Skinner ended his five-year role as Manchester United women’s team manager by mutual agreement.
The team currently has a thin squad and no manager with the new Women’s Super League season starting soon.
Skinner left partly because he and the club disagreed on spending and team development focus.
Manchester United’s women’s team budget and wages are much lower than top rivals like Chelsea.
United recently signed two young players but have spent much less than competitors who are buying high-profile players.
Earlier concerns included poor training facilities and a lack of investment in the women’s team.
Several key coaching staff members have left the club in recent years.
Previous manager Casey Stoney resigned over resource and facility issues with the team.
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Mimi Rhodes from Britain and Leona Maguire from Ireland have been chosen as wildcard players for Europe's Solheim Cup golf team. They will join other new and experienced players for the competition against the United States next month in the Netherlands.
Key Facts
Mimi Rhodes will play in the Solheim Cup for the first time.
Leona Maguire will play in her fourth Solheim Cup and has a strong past record.
Captain Anna Nordqvist also picked rookies Julia Lopez Ramirez from Spain and Nastasia Nadaud from France.
Maguire’s recent tournament results were weak, but she has done well in past Solheim Cups.
Rhodes recently turned professional and has won three times on the Ladies European Tour.
Julia Lopez Ramirez and Nastasia Nadaud are both new to major tournaments but were picked for their skills and energy.
Europe’s team also includes experienced players like Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit.
The Solheim Cup is a team golf competition between Europe and the United States.
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Liverpool played three pre-season games in the USA, winning two and losing one. The team’s defense showed weaknesses, conceding six goals in total, and Liverpool needs to strengthen its defense before the Premier League season starts.
Key Facts
Liverpool played three friendly matches in the USA, winning two and losing one against Leeds.
Liverpool conceded six goals in these games, with four goals allowed in the second half against Leeds.
The team used a young defensive lineup, with only Milos Kerkez expected to start regularly this season.
Key defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are not fully available yet due to injury or recovery.
Experienced defenders Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have left the club.
Liverpool’s coaching staff and sporting director agree the team is “thin” in defense and needs reinforcements.
Liverpool also struggled to cover the right-back position, using midfielders as emergency right-backs last season.
Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan said the club will continue investing in players, with Bradley Barcola as a primary target.
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Several well-known NFL players are entering the 2026 season motivated to prove themselves. Some want to show they deserve new contracts, some are overcoming changes like new teams or injuries, and others want to improve after weaker performances.
Key Facts
Breece Hall of the New York Jets signed a three-year, $45.75 million contract extension in May 2026.
Hall says the new contract makes him more determined to perform well.
Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not receive a contract extension and plans to finish his current three-year, $100 million deal.
A.J. Brown was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots in June 2026 for future draft picks.
Brown had 339 catches, 5,034 yards, and 32 touchdowns with the Eagles but had a tense relationship with the team.
Jalen Carter signed a four-year extension with the Philadelphia Eagles worth $106 million guaranteed.
Many players entering this season have reasons to prove themselves, such as new contracts, team changes, injuries, or past performance.
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Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to stay as the head coach of the U.S. men's soccer team with a new four-year contract, keeping him through the 2030 World Cup. He led the U.S. to the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup and aims to develop younger players and grow soccer’s popularity in the country.
Key Facts
Pochettino became U.S. head coach in October 2024.
The U.S. reached the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup but lost 4-1 to Belgium.
The 2026 World Cup included 48 nations, expanded from previous tournaments.
Pochettino’s new contract runs through the 2030 World Cup, lasting four more years.
Hedge fund manager Ken Griffin is the main supporter funding Pochettino’s contract.
Pochettino earned about $5 million in his first seven months as U.S. coach.
The U.S. team showed strong fan support and record TV viewership during the 2026 World Cup.
Pochettino wants to develop young talent, especially goalkeepers and defenders, for future success.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces growing pressure and may not win re-election in March, needing 106 votes from 211 members. Several officials, including Victor Montagliani and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, are potential successors if Infantino leaves.
Key Facts
Gianni Infantino plans to seek a fourth and final term as FIFA president in March.
Infantino needs 106 votes from 211 FIFA members to be re-elected.
Some national football associations, such as England and Wales, have withdrawn support for Infantino.
The FIFA Council might call an emergency meeting to try to force Infantino to resign.
Victor Montagliani is president of CONCACAF and helped organize the 2026 World Cup hosted by three countries.
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa is president of the Asian Football Confederation and has overseen growth in Asian football competitions.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of the European Football Clubs, is a possible candidate but reportedly does not want the FIFA president job.
Mattias Grafstrom became FIFA secretary general in May and is also noted as a figure within FIFA leadership.
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Mauricio Pochettino and the US Soccer Federation have agreed to extend his contract as head coach of the US men's national soccer team through the 2030 World Cup. The new deal includes a larger role for Pochettino, focusing mainly on the senior team while also advising on youth development and coaching across US soccer.
Key Facts
Mauricio Pochettino’s contract as US men’s national team coach is extended through the 2030 World Cup.
Discussions about the extension began months before the 2022 World Cup and continued after the US team's last-16 exit.
Pochettino will likely receive a salary increase from his previous $6 million per year, the highest paid US men’s coach salary.
Billionaire Ken Griffin, who initially funded Pochettino’s contract, is expected to support the new deal financially again.
Pochettino’s expanded role includes advising on youth soccer, coaching education, league cooperation, and technical matters beyond just the senior team.
The US team had strong World Cup group-stage performances but was eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16.
Pochettino is generally well-liked by players and staff and is credited with improving team mentality.
He has faced some public disagreements with players and tensions with the media during his time as coach.
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Mumbai Indians, a famous Indian cricket team, bought almost half of the Oval Invincibles, a team in The Hundred cricket competition in England. The team was renamed MI London, linking it to Mumbai Indians' other teams worldwide, but Surrey, the main owner, kept much of its original identity. The players and coaches say the changes have been smooth and mostly about the team’s name and colors.
Key Facts
Reliance Industries, owned by Mukesh Ambani, bought a 49% share in Oval Invincibles for about £60 million in January 2025.
The team was renamed MI London to connect with Mumbai Indians’ other teams like MI Cape Town and MI New York.
Surrey remains the majority owner of the team.
Oval Invincibles had won five titles before the takeover, making them very successful in The Hundred.
Values: MI London is worth about £120 million, second most valuable in The Hundred after London Spirit (£300 million).
Players and staff see little change in daily operations except for new team colors and kit design.
Kieron Pollard, formerly IPL player for Mumbai Indians, replaced Tom Moody as head coach.
The partnership aims to strengthen cricket through cooperation between Mumbai Indians and Surrey.
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Roger Craig was a key player for the San Francisco 49ers starting in 1983. His skill in running, catching, and blocking helped the team win three Super Bowls and made him the first NFL player to rush and receive over 1,000 yards in the same season. He will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Key Facts
Roger Craig joined the 49ers in 1983 as a fullback from Nebraska.
He was known for being able to run, catch passes, and block effectively.
Craig was the first NFL player to rush and receive 1,000 yards in one season (1985).
He helped the 49ers win three Super Bowl championships.
Craig scored three touchdowns in a single Super Bowl, a first in NFL history.
He was selected for the first-team All-Pro in 1988 after rushing 1,502 yards.
Craig is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.
Former teammates and other NFL players recognize him as a pioneer who changed the running back role.
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Tadej Pogacar, who recently won his fifth Tour de France, will compete in this month’s Vuelta a Espana race. Winning the Vuelta would make him one of the few cyclists to win all three major Grand Tours: the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a Espana.
Key Facts
Pogacar rides for the UAE Team Emirates-XRG team.
He shares the record for most Tour de France wins with five victories.
Pogacar won the 2024 Giro d’Italia by nearly 10 minutes.
He finished third in the Vuelta a Espana race in 2019, his first Grand Tour.
The 2024 Vuelta a Espana starts on August 22 in Monaco and ends on September 13 in Granada, Spain.
The race has 21 stages, including time trials, sprints, hills, and mountains.
Pogacar aims to win the Vuelta and then defend his Road World Championships title in Canada a week later.
He has won six of seven World Tour races competed in 2024 and came second at Paris-Roubaix in April.
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