Sorting Out the NFL MVP Race

Author: Max Greenberg

I think everyone can agree that this has been one of the more unpredictable NFL seasons in several years. There have been countless stunning upsets, and just when we think a certain player or team is at the top of the league, there is a new narrative the very next week or even day.

The MVP race has certainly been no different. The frontrunner at the beginning of the season was looking like Kyler Murray, but he fell out due to injuries and late-season ineffectiveness.

Derrick Henry looked like he had a good shot at one point, but his midseason foot injury took him right out of the race. Tom Brady even looked like he had a chance as well, but a shutout loss to the Saints at home in Week 15 might have derailed his chances, and with injuries to his top three weapons, it is going to be an uphill battle for him.

In terms of finding a list of clear cut players who are square in the mix for the most prestigious individual award in the NFL, it is really hard this year. There are usually around five quarterbacks who are clearly in the discussion, but that is not the case this year.

It is the boring answer because he won it last year, but it is looking more and more like it is Aaron Rodgers’ to lose this year. When you look at his stats, his team’s record, and the amount of bad games that he has had, he has been the best player in the NFL this season. There is an even stronger case to be made for his chances given that in the game that he did not play, the Green Bay Packers’ offense was stifled and only put up seven points.

There has been much discussion about Jonathan Taylor winning MVP, but that would be a hypocritical move by the NFL if they awarded it to him. Context matters yes, and the overall level of play is much worse than it was last year, at least in terms of results and stats. That being said, if Henry can have the season he did last year and not even be in consideration, by no means should Taylor win it.

Considering the current odds and how Rodgers’ performance has been in comparison to everyone else in the league, he should be given MVP for the second year in a row. It just does not make sense that anyone else, expect MAYBE Brady, should have a realistic chance.

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE

Top Free Agents after the Lockout

Author: Zachary Patlin

On December 1, the MLB owners unanimously agreed to lock out the MLB Players Association in order to discuss a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) before the next MLB season. What this means in more general terms is that the owners had the right to disallow any MLB baseball activity from occurring until the owners and the players association agree on a new deal to govern the sport for the next bunch of years.

With the lockdown going into full effect, the MLB is officially unable to benefit from the player’s likeness, a major reason why the players' pictures and any merchandise has been taken down from the MLB website. Also, GMs are not allowed to talk to agents or players until a new agreement is put into place, and that timetable remains to be unclear.

The week leading up to this very easily predictable lockout saw many top-tier free agents leave the board, as players looked to get their deals done early in the offseason in order to avoid waiting for a new CBA. Among some of those players are Max Scherzer (Mets), Corey Seager and Marcus Semien (Rangers), Robbie Ray (Mariners), and Javier Baez (Tigers). Many other teams made early splashes, while some large marquee teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox held out as they awaited the new luxury tax threshold in the new CBA.

With the lockout beginning December 1, that left a variety of star players on the open market for when teams are able to talk to agents again. Amongst some of the stars, none shine brighter than Carlos Correa, Freddie Freeman, Trevor Story, Kris Bryant, Nick Castellanos, Clayton Kershaw, and Japanese Phenom Seiya Suzuki.

Let us dig deeper into some of these names and some potential landing spots once the lockout ends. First, Carlos Correa is arguably the best player to hit free agency this year, coming off an incredible 2021 season where he won a platinum glove in the AL. He is 27, making him the youngest star shortstop to hit the open market in a long time. Correa’s market seems to be narrowing as the Rangers and Tigers both spent big on shortstops, but teams that are still in the market have deep checkbooks if they are willing to use them. The Yankees and the Red Sox are both in the market, but it remains to be seen if they will attempt to outspend the other and get Correa. Next comes World Series champion Freddie Freeman, who in my eyes will be Brave for life. Although he has yet to sign with the Braves, I simply cannot see him playing in any other uniform. Trevor Story is coming off a down 2021 campaign, however, he remains a 5 tool shortstop who, for the right price and length, could be the best signing of the entire offseason. His market will be large after the lockout because of his potential and the team's ability to possibly pay a discount.

Moving on to what I believe to be the next tier of stars remaining, Kris Bryant is as versatile as anyone on the market. Teams can plug and play him anywhere they choose, so his market will remain large and the Mets have been seen to have interest in KB. Also, a reunion with the Giants remains very much possible. Nick Castellanos might just be the best pure hitter still available. A line-to-line power guy who is not known for his defense could best fit on an AL team with the DH. However, it is very possible that the NL will adopt the universal DH in this CBA, opening up Castellanos market, a major reason why he is still available. Clayton Kershaw is coming off of an injury-plagued 2021 season, but this future first ballot hall of fame will have a market outside of LA. This, however, seems unlikely to me that he would play in a non-dodger uniform.

Lastly, Japanese star Seiya Suzuki is coming off a season in Japan where he hit .317 with 38 Home runs and 88 RBIs. He is also viewed by scouts to play all three outfield positions above average and can run a little bit too on the base paths. If all the hype is real surrounding this phenom, Seiya could very well be the steal of the offseason, and it is reported that some east and west coast teams are very much in the running to sign this free agent. Overall, there are a number of high-level talented players still available that can make an impact. If your team has yet to make a splash, that does not mean that they won’t. Just be patient as we await the end of the lockout after the new year, and look forward to MLB being back and better than ever in 2022.

Sports Are Our Universe

MLB Spent $2.5B in One Month, What Now?

Author: Spencer Reyes

After a successful 2021 season and a very active beginning to this offseason, everything has come to a halt. The most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement has expired on December 1st at 11:59 PM. The CBA is an agreement that must be reached every ten years between the MLB and the MLB Player’s Association.

Once everyone was finally able to get through the 2020 COVID season after a 4-month delay, most fans were skeptical about the partnership between the league and its players. People have a right to be worried as after only one day of meeting between both parties, they have decided that a lockout is the best course of action so they can reach a new agreement.

The MLB Player’s Association wants to alter the idea of a professional baseball player having six years of MLB service before they can receive a big payday, super-two eligibility, which allows a player to become eligible for arbitration depending on their MLB service, and revenue sharing between MLB teams and the league’s front office. The bottom line for the players is that they want more opportunities to make more money. If they are eligible for arbitration earlier in their career, they have a chance to get higher-level contracts at a young age. The players are also against the luxury tax, which is a line that is set for all MLB owners. If they spend past that line, they owe the league a specific percentage of what they spend. If owners are scared to spend because of the luxury tax, this will affect how much teams will spend on their players’ contracts.

The MLB proposed to get rid of qualifying offers, which is a set offer that teams can give to players worth $18.1 million, and if that player signs with another team, then the original team will receive a compensation draft pick. The league also wants to use a draft lottery that would operate based on how many wins a team gets in a season and would be like the NBA. They want to activate a universal DH, which will discontinue the idea of pitchers hitting in baseball games. Lastly, the MLB front office would like to increase the minimum player salary and increase the amount of time between each CBA contract.

This lockout may be as quick as a couple of weeks, or it could last four months and delay the start of Spring Training and the regular season. Both sides have strong opinions, and their proposals have opposite values regarding how money will be spent in the MLB for the next decade.

Sports Are Our Universe