The New York Mets secured some much needed outfield depth on Tuesday in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Mets acquired veteran outfielder Jose Siri in a one-for-one swap that will send relief pitcher Eric Orze to the Rays, according to SNY's Anthony DiComo.

Siri, 29, featured in 130 games for Tampa Bay last season. He recorded a career-high 1.9 WAR while slashing .187/.255/.366 with 18 home runs, 47 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Over his last two seasons, he's clubbed 43 home runs in 231 games while providing quality defense in center field.

Siri was hit with a three-game suspension early into the 2024 season stemming from an altercation with Milwaukee Brewers reliever Abner Uribe, during which the two sides exchanged punches in a benches-clearing brawl.

As for Orze, the 27-year-old right-handed reliever has only made two appearances in MLB in his career. He owns a 21.60 ERA across just 1 2/3 innings. Orze spent the majority of last season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he had a 2.92 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings.

Have you heard the news? Juan Soto is a New York Met.

Late on Sunday night, news broke that Soto had signed a 15-year, $765 million deal that will keep him playing baseball in Queens for the near-, mid-, and far-future.

The signing—the biggest in the history of professional sports—sent shockwaves across the baseball world. While the Mets popped champagne, Soto’s other suitors were left to go back to the drawing board to reload their rosters ahead of the 2025 season.

Chances are there are very few people on the planet more excited about Soto’s decision to join the Mets than manager Carlos Mendoza, but don’t worry, he’s playing it cool.

While speaking with reporters at MLB Winter Meetings after the deal was struck, Mendoza was asked, sarcastically, which of the Mets’ offseason acquisitions was his favorite thus far.

“Frankie Montas!” Mendoza responded without missing a beat. “Jose Siri! Frankie Montas and Siri. Exciting to have both of them.” The comment earned laughs from the gathered crowd.

The cheeky response wasn’t a shot at Montas or Siri, both of whom are set to be solid contributors to the Mets this season, but a way of laughing off the elephant in the room of Soto’s near-billion dollar deal. Given that the contract wasn’t officially official, Mendoza didn’t comment much further on the matter.

That said, there’s no rush now—Mendoza and the Mets now have 15 years of talking about how great Soto is that they can look forward to.

The Seattle Mariners boast one of baseball's most loaded pitching staffs. Despite that, they fell short of their goals in 2024 by missing the postseason for the second straight season and the 22nd time in 23 years.

One of the main culprits of their disappointing season was the lack of production from their lineup. For all the talent they boast in their starting rotation, Seattle had an extremely underwhelming collection of hitters. They didn't do much to improve on that during the offseason, as their lone signing was veteran infielder Jorge Polanco.

Their lack of spending to improve their lineup is potentially preventing them from being true contenders for the World Series, and it prompted a rather critical review of their offseason from former Mariners infielder Justin Turner, who left the team to sign with the Chicago Cubs in free agency.

Turner couldn't help but question the team's motivation and approach to the offseason, going as far as to rip them over their lack of a significant offensive signing.

"The fact that they missed the playoffs by one game, and didn’t go out and add an impact bat or two when you have the best pitching staff in baseball just seems absurd to me," Turner told USA TODAY Sports.

"Honestly, as much as I wanted to be back there, if I was the only piece they brought back in, I would be saying the same thing: 'What the hell are we doing? Are you trying?'" he said. "There's not going to a better time to go for it. So, I don't know what they're doing. I'm very confused. It's a head-scratcher for me."

Turner went as far as to suggest Seattle's rotation, consisting of Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller, was potentially the "best five starting pitchers in the history of the game." Yet, despite their abundance of riches on the mound, the team seemingly refuses to acknowledge or address their shortcomings offensively.

Turner made clear he feels the organization is wasting a shot at a World Series, and he couldn't help but express his confusion over the situation. "Big Red" featured in 48 games for the Mariners last year after being acquired in a trade from the Toronto Blue Jays, and he saw first-hand just how much potential this team had if they had only had a lineup on par with, or even close to as dependable, as their top-tier pitching staff. The lack of offseason activity to address that left him perplexed.

"I thought [Pete] Alonso was a slam-dunk. How can you not go after him? You kidding me?" Turner asked.

Alonso ended up re-signing with the New York Mets on a short-term deal, and Turner couldn't help but wonder why a team that's set to come in well under the luxury tax wouldn't pursue him more closely.

Weibgen rescued Queensland from 38 for 4 after Joel Curtis’ century had powered Western Australia to 321 for 9

AAP21-Sep-2025

Hugh Weibgen was the hero as Queensland recovered from a top-order collapse to post a thrilling two-wicket victory over Western Australia at Allan Border Field.Joel Curtis struck 116 off 108 balls and Sam Whiteman a run-a-ball 83 as WA posted a formidable 321 for 9 on Sunday.In reply, Queensland slumped to 38 for 4 before Weibgen (115* off 94 balls) produced a masterful knock to lift his team to victory with just five balls to spare. Jack Wildermuth (74 off 49) and Michael Neser (41 off 23) also produced important knocks in the remarkable chase.Weibgen, 20 and playing just his second List A match, cracked nine fours and five sixes in an unforgettable innings. Wildermuth provided plenty of fireworks with five fours and six sixes, while Neser (three fours, three sixes) produced a handy late cameo to ensure the required run rate stayed within control.Fittingly, Weibgen hit the winning runs when he crunched a Matthew Kelly full toss for four.WA looked to be in an unbeatable position after removing Queensland’s top order.Dangerman Marnus Labuschagne, who posted 130 in Queensland’s’ win over Victoria earlier this week, was out for 2 off 19 balls. Jack Clayton (5), Matthew Renshaw (5) and Jimmy Peirson (18) were also part of the top-order collapse.Weibgen walked to the crease with the scoreboard reading 38 for 4 in the 13th over.He was dropped on 109 by Sam Fanning with Queensland still needing 11 more runs for victory, and the miss proved costly.Earlier, third-gamer Curtis struck 12 fours and four sixes during his sparkling knock, combining with Fanning for a 124-run third-wicket partnership for WA. Curtis brought up his maiden One-Day Cup century by hooking Neser (1 for 62) for six.It would take something special to remove Curtis, and Mitchell Swepson obliged with a spectacular one-handed catch at mid-off while running with the flight of the ball. Cameron Bancroft’s quest for early-season runs went unfulfilled, as he was out for 12 when he edged Tom Straker behind.Legspinner Swepson snared 4 for 52 and Straker chipped in with 3 for 65, but it was Weibgen’s heroics with the bat that set tongues wagging.

Whether this is his final season at Manchester United or not, there will come a time sooner rather than later when the Red Devils will line up without Bruno Fernandes in tow, with the Portuguese’s future likely to again be a talking point next summer.

As the 31-year-old revealed in a tell-all interview ahead of making his 300th United appearance last month, he had held talks with Saudi side Al Hilal over the summer regarding a potential move, only to eventually opt to stay put in Manchester with his business still seemingly unfinished.

Also the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, the club’s long-serving talisman has rightly courted admiring glances amid his stunning form over the past five years or so, racking up 100 goals and 89 assists in his 302 outings to date.

While five of those goal involvements have come in this season’s Premier League already, it does appear that the baton is finally being passed, however, with Ruben Amorim’s influential skipper no longer the sole star attraction.

Indeed, all eyes are on INEOS’ £71m signing Bryan Mbeumo following his return of six goals in his first 12 games for the club, with Fernandes quietly pulling the strings in a deeper role.

With Amorim also outlining the prospect of his captain needing to adjust to potential “rotation” next season, should United return to European competition, the gradual phasing out of the playmaker might well have started…

The candidates to replace Fernandes as captain

Fernandes himself was awarded the honour back in the summer of 2023, with then-boss Erik ten Hag taking the decision to strip Harry Maguire of the captaincy, with reports subsequently stating that the Englishman was heading to West Ham United.

To his credit, the latter man stayed to fight for his place, since securing cult hero status with a string of vital goals, be it his last-gasp clincher against Lyon, or the late winner against Liverpool this season.

With the 32-year-old facing his own Old Trafford uncertainty amid his expiring contract, however, it would be unlikely to see him outlast Fernandes at the club, with other candidates in the running to take the armband.

Indeed, at present, Matthijs de Ligt – the hero against Tottenham Hotspur last time out – is showcasing captaincy material, albeit while not actually having been included in Amorim’s self-appointed leadership group in pre-season.

Instead, that experienced bunch includes Fernandes, Maguire, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot, with the ex-Sporting CP boss singling them out as the leaders in his first-team ranks.

Like Maguire, however, Casemiro’s current deal expires in 2026, while Martinez may be more concerned with getting back fit and firing again, having been absent since sustaining an ACL injury back in February.

Mazraoui, too, has also endured an injury-hit start to 2025/26, with the Moroccan defender also no longer a guaranteed starter, following Amad’s emergence in that right wing-back berth.

The form of the Ivorian – which includes his stunning equaliser against Nottingham Forest – has also plunged Dalot’s long-term future into doubt, with the Portuguese full-back potentially in line for the axe before too long.

Why Man Utd's 'future captain' needs to be sold

The merits of Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system have long been debated, although amid United’s five-game unbeaten run, it looks like a corner may have been turned, with the squad beginning to find its feet at both ends of the pitch.

Bruno Fernandes

52

Noussair Mazraoui

45

Diogo Dalot

45

Manuel Ugarte

44

Leny Yoro

44

Rasmus Hojlund

40

Alejandro Garnacho

40

Harry Maguire

40

Matthijs de Ligt

39

One area which remains something of a headache is at wing-back, however, with the 40-year-old coach having flitted between Patrick Dorgu and Dalot on that left-hand side in recent weeks.

While the latter man did assist Mbeumo from that role against Burnley, he has largely looked rather uncomfortable in an unorthodox role, having notably failed to prevent Nicolo Savona from converting at the City Ground two weeks ago.

In a system that demands an attacking intent from those on the flanks, even on his favoured flank, the one-time Porto man has hardly flourished in that sense in recent times, racking up just nine goals and 18 assists in 220 games for the club to date.

While once something of a “standout” under Ten Hag – having claimed the Players’ Player of the Year award at United in 2024 – Dalot no longer appears to have a defined role under the new regime, putting his future into doubt heading into 2026.

With a contract that expires in 2028, it could prove the perfect time to try and cash in on the £24m-rated defender – as valued by Transfermarkt – with the INEOS regime no doubt needing to do what they can to reshape the squad in Amorim’s image.

Of course, Dalot appears to be an influential figure under his compatriot, as his place in the leadership group showcases, having reportedly produced something of a rallying cry in the dressing room following the 3-3 draw with Porto last season.

It is for acts like that that the £90k-per-week star had emerged as one of the club’s “future captains” – as relayed by Samuel Luckhurst – although with his own form now under scrutiny, his Old Trafford stay should be coming to an end.

Forget Sesko: Man Utd's "anxious" dud is now becoming INEOS' worst signing

Manchester United have one player who has massively struggled to meet expectations at Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 11, 2025

Rangers are now on red alert in the transfer race to sign Shea Charles from Southampton, who are set to make their decision on selling the Manchester City graduate, according to reports.

Danny Rohl has settled well at Ibrox, much to the 49ers’ relief, and for the first time this season there is reason to be optimistic at Rangers. Their recent victory over Dundee made it three league wins from three for the new manager, who has already earned more points than predecessor Russell Martin in the Scottish Premiership.

Any talks about a potential title comeback are still incredibly premature, but the Gers are at least up to fourth and now just five points behind Celtic in second. For the first time in forever, both Old Firm sides have the task of catching alternative leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

There will be no one more relieved than Kevin Thelwell after Rohl’s solid start. The transfer chief has come under fire for his decisions over the summer and the role he played in hiring Martin.

There’s no doubt that he’s got plenty of making-up to do and that may well start in the January transfer window. On that front, Rangers are already reportedly interested in signing Lennon Miller from Udinese and Mujaid Sadick.

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A move for Miller would particularly make sense. He’s struggled since leaving Motherwell in the summer and a return to Scotland would certainly help turn his recent fortunes around.

He’s not the only name on Rangers’ reported shortlist, however. The Scottish giants have also set their sights on reuniting Rohl with former Sheffield Wednesday star Charles.

Rangers on red alert in Shea Charles race

According to Sports Boom, Rangers are now on red alert in the race to sign Charles from Southampton, who could look to sell the Man City academy graduate as part of a winter clear-out.

The Northern Ireland international has started 12 of Southampton’s 15 Championship games so far this season, but has failed to prevent a slump which has featured just four wins.

If an exit is now on the cards for the 22-year-old, then Rangers should take full advantage of their Rohl connection. The German manager worked with Charles at Sheffield Wednesday last season as he proved his worth in England’s second tier. Full of praise for his midfielder at the time, the Rangers boss described him as “fantastic”.

If Rangers want to hand Rohl an instant show of confidence in the winter window, then they should go all out to reunite him with a player who he rates so highly and worked so well with just one season ago.

"Huge potential" Rangers star can become the new Sima & Cerny under Rohl

South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke has revealed that he prepared for his record-breaking ODI innings against England at Lord’s on Thursday by watching Northamptonshire’s dramatic win over Surrey in the T20 Blast quarter-finals on his iPad, and he hopes to rejoin his county team-mates for Finals Day next Saturday.On his return from a hamstring niggle, Breetzke top-scored with 85 in South Africa’s five-run win, a victory which clinched their first ODI series win in England since May 1998 – six months before he was born. He became the first man to reach 50 in each of his first five ODI innings and averages 92.60 in the format after previous scores of 150, 83, 57 and 88.”It’s a bit worrying: it can only go downhill for me,” Breetzke said, laughing, after South Africa’s win. “It’s been a special start, to be honest. I’ve played on some really good wickets, and I just hope and pray that it’ll continue to go the way it’s gone… To be honest, I was bleak not to get to a hundred, because it would’ve been cool to be on the [honours] board.”Related

• Breetzke stars as South Africa seal series in five-run thriller

• Breetzke and Stubbs stamp their middle-order authority as SA build to 2027

Breetzke added 147 for the fourth wicket with Tristan Stubbs, his fellow Grey High School alumnus, and said that he had thrived on the opportunity to bat with him. “I played a lot of cricket with [Stubbs] in my younger days… We have a really good relationship, so hopefully it can keep going the way it’s gone.”Breetzke has scored 863 runs for Northants across the last two T20 Blast seasons – and recently signed a new two-year, all-format contract with them – but missed Wednesday night’s quarter-final at The Oval, and watched from his hotel room as Ravi Bopara’s century inspired them to a shock seven-run victory over South Group winners Surrey.Blast Finals Day falls between the second and third T20Is of South Africa’s series against England next week but as things stand, Breetzke is not part of their squad. As a result, he is hoping to be involved at Edgbaston as one of their two overseas players – a sentiment echoed by Northants captain David Willey.”I’m not 100% sure, but I think I will be [available],” Breetzke said. “I love playing in England: the crowds and the energy they bring, there’s nothing better, I feed off it… I was watching [the quarter-final] in bed on my iPad there, on YouTube. It was nerve-wracking, but I’m really happy for the boys and looking forward to meeting them on Finals Day.”Breetzke said that South Africa would celebrate their series win with “a few drinks” before looking to seal a 3-0 sweep in Southampton on Sunday, and said that their triumph in June’s World Test Championship final had taken their confidence to a new level. “It starts at the top with Shukri Conrad… He’s very clear on what he wants and there’s no grey area.”Breetzke admitted experiencing some fatigue after a busy workload this year, but is conscious of the bigger picture. “It does get to you sometimes,” he said. “But for me, I just look at it like I’m so grateful to be playing a sport for a living. I just try to take every opportunity I get and try to make the most of it. It doesn’t last forever.”

Over the last couple of years, Manchester United have shifted their focus in the transfer market to landing young talents who can make an immediate and long-term impact at the club.

Such a strategy may prove to be a risky one, but the benefits massively outweigh the negatives, with the huge development and room for profit no doubt a real contributing factor.

Leny Yoro joined the Red Devils in a £52m deal from Lille last summer, with the Frenchman seen as a huge addition for the backline in their attempts for Premier League glory.

At just 20, he’s racked up nearly half a century of appearances at Old Trafford and is likely to remain a key member of Ruben Amorim’s squad for the foreseeable future.

However, with January rapidly on the horizon, the hierarchy look set to make yet more additions, which could see numerous other youngsters take the jump to move to Manchester.

Man Utd’s hunt for new additions in January

Elliot Anderson is the player who has mostly been linked with a move to join United this winter, with the 23-year-old seen as the club’s marquee addition for the upcoming window.

However, his potential move to Old Trafford would likely be a club-record one for Amorim’s men, as current employers Nottingham Forest are currently demanding £100m for his signature.

Such a price tag is to be expected given his recent rise, which has seen him cement himself as a regular starter in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in 2025.

However, he’s not the only youngster in their sights, with AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit another talent the hierarchy are considering, according to CaughtOffside.

Their report states that the Red Devils have already reached out to the Dutch outfit over a move for the 19-year-old star, with a £25m price tag currently being mooted for his services.

The article also claims that local rivals Liverpool are also interested in a move for the teenager, but it remains to be seen where the player himself would prefer to move.

How Smit compares to Scott McTominay

United’s academy setup has often produced numerous top-level talents, with midfielder Scott McTominay just one player who has placed himself in that bracket.

The Scottish international rose through the ranks at Old Trafford, before making himself known to the supporters in the first team ranks – subsequently racking up a total of 255 appearances for the club.

However, last summer, the hierarchy decided it was best to move him on and cash in on his services, with the club offloading him to Napoli in a deal worth a reported £25m.

Such a decision has massively backfired, with the midfielder scoring 13 times in all competitions last season, resulting in the 28-year-old winning the Serie A MVP award for 2024/25.

He’s carried his phenomenal form into his international career as of late, even scoring a remarkable bicycle kick against Denmark this week to secure Scotland’s place at the 2026 World Cup.

His move away from Old Trafford has made him an elite-level talent, but the club could be about to land their next version of the star with a move for Smit in the coming months.

The Dutch youngster has also made a name for himself in recent months, as he’s already registered six combined goals and assists in his 19 appearances across all competitions.

He’s become a box-crashing midfielder who likes to pop up with a goal or an assist, something which McTominay has done excellently since his transfer away from his boyhood club.

Smit, who possesses “superstar potential” according to Ben Mattinson, has also completed 88% of the passes he’s attempted – resulting in 2.1 chances created per 90 this campaign.

Other figures, such as 1.2 successful dribbles per 90 and a 50% dribble success rate, further showcase his talent in possession, which makes him a huge threat in attacking areas.

Out of possession, the youngster has also thrived, subsequently making 6.3 recoveries per 90 and 0.9 tackles per 90 in the final third of the pitch – numbers which could add a new dimension to Amorim’s side.

£25m for a youngster with Smit’s quality and potential is an excellent deal, but the Red Devils board will need to act quickly to avoid missing out to Liverpool.

If he can replicate McTominay’s incredible nouse for goals and assists within the final third, it would be a phenomenal piece of business that could take the club to the next level in the years ahead.

Next Carrick: Man Utd want to sign "one of the best CMs in the PL" for £60m

Man United could enhance the quality of their midfield with the signing of another Michael Carrick.

By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 19, 2025

Hammarby manager Kim Hellberg has now travelled to the UK to hold talks with Swansea City about taking their vacant managerial role, with the Championship side advancing their move during the international break.

Since making the decision to sack Alan Sheehan, Swansea have been linked with moves for a number of names with Hellberg at the very top of their list. Alongside the 37-year-old, former Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has been linked with the job, whilst Russell Martin is reportedly open to making an unexpected return.

The former Swansea manager has endured a couple of years to forget in the dugout, having been sacked by Southampton in the Premier League and then by Rangers as one of their most unsuccessful managers of all time. Now, he desperately needs his next move to go well.

The Swans could also do with getting things right after sacking Sheehan. They currently sit 18th and seven points above the dropzone. Get things wrong and they face the risk of falling into a relegation battle this season.

With Middlesbrough and Norwich City also on the hunt for new managers, Swansea must also act fast if they are to secure their top managerial target. The last thing they want to do is miss their stop on the managerial merry-go-round in the Championship.

In an ideal world, those in Wales will have their top candidate through the door by the end of the international break and in time to face Bristol City on November 22. Whether that candidate will be Carrick, Martin or Hellberg is the big question.

Swansea advance Hellberg move

According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Hellberg has now travelled to hold talks with Swansea and is now in London as the Wales-based side look to advance their move for the Hammarby boss.

All signs are pointing towards the 37-year-old becoming the next Swansea manager as things stand, although things could still change. And if it is to be the Swede, then those in Wales will be welcoming yet another young manager.

Hellberg has only ever managed two clubs, with his time in Hammarby particularly standing out as a success. It’s there that he has maintained a points per game record of 1.89 across 73 games in charge to take his side into the top two of the Allsvenskan.

The Championship is another challenge entirely, but it’s not the first time that Swansea have thought outside the box when it comes to hiring a manager. They, of course, hired a young Graham Potter in 2018 after he left Swedish club Ostersunds FK.

Manager who called Swansea City fans "fantastic" now open to replacing Sheehan

Southampton are now eyeing Russell Martin as a replacement for Will Still, who was dismissed on Sunday night, but there could be competition for his signature from their Championship rivals.

After being relegated from the Premier League last season, the Saints were expected to mount a promotion push, but it has been nothing short of a terrible start to the campaign, having taken just 12 points from their opening 13 matches.

The 2-0 defeat at home to Preston North End was the final straw for Sport Republic, who relieved Still of his duties on Saturday, and Under-21s head coach Tonda Eckert has now emerged as a contender for the first-team manager’s job.

It would be a gamble to appoint Eckert, however, given that he is just 32-years-old and yet to prove himself at senior level, and an external appointment is also being considered…

Southampton eyeing Russell Martin to replace Will Still

According to journalist Alan Nixon (via GiveMeSport) Southampton are now eyeing former manager Martin as a replacement for Still, with the 39-year-old on standby for a swift return to management, having recently been dismissed by Scottish giants Rangers.

The Saints are not the only Championship club that hold an interest, however, with it being revealed that Norwich City are also considering the Englishman, given that there are doubts over Liam Manning’s future.

The Brighton-born manager is available without any compensation, which means he is an appealing option for the two Championship clubs, who could do battle for his services.

In truth, the former Rangers manager’s spell at Ibrox was a complete disaster, being sacked after just 17 games in charge, making him the shortest-serving permanent boss in the Scottish side’s history.

That said, the “exciting” manager, as hailed by analyst John Walker, could still be a good appointment for Southampton, considering the work he did at St. Mary’s previously, guiding them to promotion in the play-off final in the 2023-24 campaign.

The ex-Swansea City boss, who prefers to implement a 4-3-3 system, is also very experienced at Championship level, having taken charge of 138 second tier matches.

Games

138

Wins

60

Draws

34

Losses

44

Points per match

1.55

That said, it would arguably be a backwards step to appoint Martin, given that he was sacked by the Saints less than one year ago, after being unable to make the step-up to the Premier League, with his side losing 13 of their opening 16 Premier League games.

Southampton plotting move for James Ward-Prowse in January He's been told to leave: Southampton now plotting move to sign £30m PL star

The Saints could pull off an impressive move.

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