كشف الجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر الثاني بقيادة حلمي طولان، عن التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة الكويت في الجولة الافتتاحية للمجموعة الثالثة من بطولة كأس العرب، التي تنطلق مساء اليوم على استاد لوسيل.
ويشارك المنتخب المصري إلى جانب الكويت في المجموعة نفسها، والتي تضم أيضًا الإمارات والأردن، ضمن النسخة التي تحتضنها قطر في الفترة من 1 إلى 18 ديسمبر، وسط متابعة جماهيرية عربية كبيرة لمباريات الدور الأول.
ويأمل منتخب مصر في بداية قوية تحت قيادة المدرب حلمي طولان، الذي يسعى لتوجيه الفريق نحو الانطلاقة المثالية ومقارعة المنافسين على بطاقة التأهل إلى الدور الإقصائي منذ البداية.
من جهته، يدخل المنتخب الكويتي المباراة بعد تجاوز مرحلة الملحق، ويسعى لتقديم أداء مشرف أمام مصر وإظهار قدراته التنافسية، في مباراة تحظى باهتمام واسع من الجماهير العربية.
طالع أيضًا | بدلاء منتخب مصر أمام الكويت اليوم في كأس العرب.. الونش يُجاور أفشة تشكيل منتخب مصر الثاني أمام الكويت في كأس العرب
حراسة المرمى: محمد بسام
خط الدفاع: أكرم توفيق، رجب نبيل، ياسين مرعي، يحيى زكريا.
خط الوسط: محمد النني، عمرو السولية، غنام محمد.
خط الهجوم: مصطفى سعد “ميسي”، إسلام عيسى، محمد شريف.
ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا
This is getting serious now. Liverpool’s abject run of form under Arne Slot’s management this season has been a massive concern, but one which all of a Reds persuasion have been steadfast in their belief that the blip will be overcome.
Mohamed Salah’s flaming comments at the weekend have threatened to split the Slot machine wide open, with terms such as civil war and crisis being bandied about like never before.
What sparked this latest drama in a season weighed further and further down by setbacks? Well, Liverpool blew a two-goal lead at Elland Road in the Premier League, and Salah did not get even a flash of the action.
Liverpool's implosion at Elland Road
Liverpool just can’t pull all the strings together at the moment, having blown their two-goal advantage over Leeds United to draw 3-3. Dominik Szoboszlai thought he’d salvaged a draw late, but the hosts struck deep into stoppage time to condemn the Reds to their latest in a long litany of disappointments.
The frustrating part is Liverpool were comfortable and well worth their lead until spineless, error-riddled habits crept in after the break.
It was Konate’s lunging challenge, clumsy, needless, which started the Leeds fightback, and this underlines the point that Liverpool keep putting themselves through the wringer, incapable of playing to their strengths and retaining balance and composure throughout 90 minutes.
Konate is only months away from the end of his Liverpool contract, and while FSG continue to keep a door open regarding the France star’s renewal, Spanish sources suggest they could be open to cashing in for £15m this summer.
It would possibly be unwise to sell Konate right now, given the dearth of depth across Slot’s backline. Salah, too, is a player FSG wish to keep, but there is another struggler who flattered to deceive at Leeds and should be sold first.
FSG must get rid of Liverpool's "major issue"
Two things can be true: Salah has been well out of sorts this season, and he cannot convincingly tout the undroppable status he has carried through his glittering Liverpool career on his current form; Salah has every right to feel aggrieved, with players like Cody Gakpo reprising their starting berths in spite of dire performances.
It is Gakpo who is becoming a “major issue” for the Anfield side, and in more ways than one, as has been observed by analyst Raj Chohan.
Though the Dutchman has been a moderately efficient force on the left flank this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in the Premier League, it’s clear that he is limited in his approach, and that the Reds could do with a more dynamic left winger to replace Luis Diaz, sold to Bayern Munich in August.
Gakpo, 26, has been at Liverpool for three years, scoring 46 goals and providing 21 assists across 149 appearances. He is versatile and has played his role throughout his time on Merseyside, but the Netherlands man has been exposed as lacking dimensions as Liverpool’s main man on the left wing.
There’s no doubt that Gakpo is a naturally prolific player, but if anything, this underscores the significance of the concerns surrounding his name: thee is a lack of expansiveness about his skillset, and he is averaging just 0.4 shots on target per Premier League match this season, ranking among the bottom 4% of league forwards for percentage of shots on target per 90, as per FBref.
Most G+A under Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Player
G + A
Total
Mohamed Salah
39 + 26
65
Cody Gakpo
23 + 11
34
Dominik Szoboszlai
12 + 14
26
Luis Diaz
17 + 8
25
Alexis Mac Allister
8 + 8
16
Data via Transfermarkt
Someone like Antoine Semenyo, perhaps, who is ostensibly gearing up for an exit from Bournemouth in January, with Liverpool right at the top of the shopping list.
Liverpool may need a central defender, but there is a reason Slot suggested during a presser last month that he and sporting director Richard Hughes are looking further up the pitch as a priority position to smooth out the many wrinkles in the tactical fabric.
Though it would be foolish to start thinking about selling Gakpo in January, and an upgrade on the left is desperately needed, and bringing someone like Semenyo in would solve a ‘major issue’ and help launch Slot’s squad back into the ascendancy.
Salah and Konate’s respective futures are in doubt, but it might be that getting rid of Gakpo is the move Hughes needs to make first.
Salah upgrade: Liverpool prepare British record bid to sign £131m magician
Mohamed Salah may leave Liverpool in January after an extraordinary outburst at Elland Road.
علق الإعلامي خالد الغندور، على هزيمة منتخب مصر الثاني أمام الأردن بثلاثية دون مقابل، والخروج المبكر من بطولة كأس العرب، مؤكدًا حجم الخلل الذي تعانيه المنظومة الكروية في مصر.
وقال الغندور في تصريحات عبر برنامج “الحريفة”، على إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “ماذا أقول؟ ماذا تريدون أن أقول بعد ما شاهدناه أمس في مباراة منتخب مصر أمام الأردن؟ للأسف، كانت نتيجة غير متوقعة، كارثية لكرة القدم المصرية 3-0 أمام المنتخب الأردني، الذي كان يلعب بالفريق الثاني، مع غياب حوالي خمس لاعبين أساسيين، بالإضافة إلى خمس لاعبين محترفين بالخارج”.
وتابع: “يقول البعض: نحن كنا نلعب بالفريق الثاني، لكن مهما كان، فهو منتخب مصر، الحقيقة أن المنتخب، سواء في الفريق الأول أو الثاني، كان يقدم نتائج أفضل سابقًا، المنتخب الجزائري، على سبيل المثال، حقق نتائج أفضل، وكذلك المنتخب التونسي، خرج لكنه على الأقل فاز بمباراة وتعادل بأخرى، بينما نحن جلبنا نقطتين فقط من تسع نقاط، ومع كل مباراة نتأخر ثم نتعادل، وأمس قدمنا نتيجة سيئة للغاية، إلى أي مدى ستصل الكرة المصرية؟”.
وأضاف: “بالطبع، هذه النتائج تعكس الخلافات المستمرة بين كابتن حلمي طولان وكابتن حسام حسن، وبين الاتحاد والأندية وعدم تأجيل مباريات بيراميدز، وما حدث بين الأندية والمنتخب، وكذلك وجود بعض الخلافات بين المدربين أنفسهم، مثل التصريحات على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، كل هذا أدى إلى حالة من الفوضى في التنظيم والنظام”.
طالع أيضًا | شوبير يُفجر مفاجأة من العيار الثقيل بشأن موقف حلمي طولان من جهازه المعاون قبل كأس العرب
وأردف: “الجمهور المصري كان موجودًا في الملعب أمس، حوالي 30 ألف متفرج، وشاهد كل شيء، ومن المثير للانزعاج أن الأندية تلعب باسم مصر، وعندما يأتي المنتخب للعب، لا يجد الدعم الكافي، كل نادٍ يسعى لمصلحته الخاصة، وهذا ما يضر بالمنتخب ويظهر عشوائية في اتخاذ القرارات”.
وواصل: “هناك غياب واضح للتنسيق بين المنتخب الأول والثاني، مثلًا، اللاعب إمام عاشور لم يكن جاهزًا للمشاركة بالشكل المناسب، وبعض اللاعبين الآخرين مثل حسام عبد المجيد، محمود صابر، وغيرهم، لم يكونوا متواجدين رغم أنه كان بإمكانهم المشاركة، وهذا يعكس غياب النظام والاستراتيجية”.
وتابع: “المنتخب الثاني، هل هو موجود فقط للبطولة العربية؟ أم لتجهيز لاعبين للفريق الأول وكأس الأمم وكأس العالم؟ لا يوجد وضوح في الهدف أو الاستراتيجية، وهذا يظهر في طريقة الاختيار والتجهيز، حيث يُختار اللاعبون بشكل غير منظم، ما يؤدي إلى نتائج سيئة وأداء متراجع”.
واختتم: “حتى اللاعبون الذين كان من المفترض أن يكونوا جاهزين للمشاركة في عدة مباريات لم يحصلوا على فرص كافية، ما يعكس نقص التخطيط والتنظيم داخل المنظومة الكروية”.
Shohei Ohtani is plenty familiar with all of the animosity that comes with the rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Every time the two teams meet, it makes for a tense game and plenty of jeering from fans.
One heckler during Sunday's game at Petco Park was silenced by Ohtani the old fashioned way: with one swing of the bat. In the ninth inning of the Dodgers' 8–2 win, Ohtani parked a ball in the bleachers, hitting a solo shot out to center field. When he got back to the visitors dugout, he paused to shake the hand of a Padres fan who had been relentlessly heckling him throughout the game.
The fan looked totally shocked to see Ohtani coming up for a handshake, and he shrunk in his seat as Ohtani packed his bat while celebrating his solo homer.
Dave Roberts and some others in the dugout were loving their front-row seats to Ohtani's bit of sassy retaliation. The team was all tuned in and laughing as the Dodgers' designated hitter addressed the heckler head-on.
Sunday's win sees L.A. get back on level-pegging with the Padres for the NL West lead, with both teams now tied up at 74-57 on the year.
After a number of years of drought, the promise of renewal has arrived with four centurions on this tour of Bangladesh
Firdose Moonda30-Oct-2024If it feels like it’s taken a long time for South Africa’s batting line-up to find some solidity, that’s because it has. Since May 2018, of teams in the World Test Championship, only West Indies have a lower average runs-per-wicket figure, and South Africa’s batters have scored the fewest hundreds. Over the last two weeks, that seems to be changing.In the Chattogram Test, South Africa have posted their highest away total in 12 years, with three of their batters scoring their maiden Test centuries. Numbers aside, they also appear to have found an opening partner for Aiden Markram who can balance batting time and scoring runs, a No.3 who fits the role, a middle order that does not melt at the sight of spin, and a lower-order allrounder. This seeming overnight success has been about a year in the making.Related
South Africa's batting close to finding the 'sweet spot' again
'Big, strong, strapping' Stubbs to be South Africa's new Test No. 3
Sweeping success – Stubbs takes the cue from de Zorzi
Rabada's strikes, Mulder's century pile on the pain for Bangladesh
Stats – Three first-time Test centurions in South Africa's batting feast
“It probably started with Shukri [Conrad, South Africa’s Test coach] against India [in the 2023-24 home summer]. That was a tough series against a really good side, and there was a young team as well, and guys put their hands up in different situations. So, I think it’s just been building on that,” Tony de Zorzi, whose career-best 177 is South Africa’s highest individual score away from home since Graeme Smith’s 234 in Dubai in 2013, said after day two in Chattogram.”There’s a few young guys but a lot of them play around the world so guys are coming in with different types of experiences. It might not necessarily be in age, but they’re all pretty mature and clever about how they go about things. And even though we haven’t been playing for a while and we’re maybe not 30 or 40 years old, we have our own experiences which allow us to perform.”Tony de Zorzi’s 177 demonstrated his ability to weather an intense physical toll over a long period•AFP/Getty ImagesLet’s start with de Zorzi’s example. He made a promising start to his career for the then-second-tier Pretoria-based side Northerns in the 2016-17 season but then dropped off the radar once he graduated to their senior side, the Titans, and moved provinces to the Western Cape. There, he flourished with an average of 49.42 in the 2021-22 domestic four-day competition and 101.40 in the 2022-23 season to earn a Test call-up. By then he had also played four first-class games for South Africa A.Then he had to start all over again, but his experience through the domestic system meant his development at the highest level has come quicker. He scored a promising 85 in his second Test, an important half-century in his fifth, and now, in his eighth Test, a daddy hundred that showed what he can offer long-term.Technically, de Zorzi’s ability to adjust to conditions, especially the amount of spin being bowled, stood out. Mentally, his capacity to stay at the crease, even when battling cramps in his hand, forearm, side and legs on the first day, and for a total of seven hours and 12 minutes, was impressive. This can be developed with the practice of time in the middle and de Zorzi has some marathon domestic innings – including a triple-hundred two seasons ago – to draw on. “Once you get in, it becomes pretty much just [about] your decision-making and your ability to stay focused. It’s definitely mental but you also have to be physically fit enough to be able to do it and be able to concentrate for long periods of time; be able to switch on and switch off,” he said. “I’d say to do it for a long time, you’ve got to be 100% present as much as you can and focused.”Wiaan Mulder has had a similar experience in biding his time. He made his Test debut in February 2019, a year-and-a-half after getting his ODI cap. Batting at No. 7 behind the likes of Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock, and bowling second change after Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier may have made it tough for Mulder to fully carve out a role for himself. He didn’t play another Test until that December and then only made sporadic appearances until being recalled for the West Indies tour this winter, as a levelled-up batter in particular.Tristan Stubbs has vindicated Shukri Conrad’s move to promote him to No. 3 after just one Test match•AFP/Getty ImagesIn 2022, Mulder played for Leicestershire, batted at No.6, and made 689 runs at 49.21, scoring two hundreds including a career-best 235 not out. Last summer, he was promoted to No.5 for his South African domestic team, the Lions, and in six matches scored two hundreds and two fifties to average 54.90. The results of the work he has put into his batting over the last two years all showed in his innings today, which was well-paced and purposeful, with plenty of powerful shots. The twin sixes he hit off Mahmudul Hasan to bring up South Africa’s 500 and push himself towards 70 were highlights. “This is the pinnacle for me,” he said afterwards. “That’s why I get up in the morning – to try and score a hundred in a Test match.”Tristan Stubbs, whose century was sandwiched between those of de Zorzi and Mulder, had the same feeling. He called his innings his “favourite hundred”. Before this he had one in ODIs and eight in domestic cricket, including one at first-class level, and he has repaid the faith Conrad showed in him. Conrad gave him a Test debut when he had only played 15 first-class games, and announced he would promote Stubbs to No.3 after one Test. Whatever Conrad saw has come to fruition and the results that are showing in the batting is as much a credit to Stubbs’ work as it is to his selection and the knowledge of the 66-Test-capped Ashwell Prince, who is the batting coach. It helps that Prince also has recent experience of coaching in Bangladesh.It may be premature to suggest South Africa’s batting blues are behind them but the numbers from this series are a move in the right direction. Their 575 in Chattogram is their highest away total since they scored 637 for 2 at The Oval in 2012, where they were on a journey to win the Test mace. The closest they have come to that trophy since then is now. South Africa are four wins away from the WTC final, and while there is still much cricket to be played between now and then, their fate is in their own hands.With de Zorzi, Stubbs and Mulder adding to Kyle Verreynne’s 114 from the first Test in Dhaka, South Africa have, for the first time since 2018, four different centurions in a series. The last time they had more than two hundreds in an away series was in Australia in 2016. Both the 2012 and 2016 teams were built on big stars and enjoyed strong success. South Africa will hope, as Mulder said, that the “stars are aligned,” for the same to happen again.
The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros were involved in a big MLB trade back in December that sent three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker to Chicago, while infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and top infield prospect Cam Smith were dealt to Houston.
These players all faced each other this weekend while the Cubs are visiting Daikin Park. And, in some sort of fantastical way, the three batters dealt in the trade all hit home runs in the same game on Saturday night.
Smith shot off the first homer in the third inning, giving the Astros a 2-1 lead at the time. The Cubs responded in a major way in the fourth inning, as three players homered to add to the tally of seven total runs. The last Cub to homer in the fourth inning was Tucker, who has been on fire this season and specifically while visiting Houston. He was a triple short of the cycle on Saturday night.
Paredes finished off the prophecy, of sorts, in the eighth inning when he hit a 328-foot homer to give the Astros their third and final run of the night. Tucker had the upper hand in the matchup as the Cubs won 12-3.
Bangladesh have never had someone like Nahid Rana before, and must do everything they can to make sure he stays the course
Mohammad Isam02-Sep-2024Nahid Rana runs in like the wind from the Pavilion End at the Rawalpindi Stadium. He releases the ball like a catapult, from high up – he is 6’2″ after all. The 140kph deliveries thud into Litton Das’ gloves behind the stumps.It’s still scorching hot in Rawalpindi. There are barely 100 people in the stands. Rana, like so many other fast bowlers from the subcontinent, is used to bowling in empty stadiums. Rawalpindi, home of perhaps the most famous “express” in cricket, is no different. On this dull Monday morning, it’s possibly worse.But as Rana bowls, a sense of expectation seems to spread through the Bangladesh fielders. They are enjoying this. Taskin Ahmed, standing at fine leg, sports a broad smile. The batters are being hurried ball after ball. By a Bangladeshi fast bowler. If one ball tests the outside edge, the next is at the throat. It is thrilling. It’s not like anyone who has ever bowled for Bangladesh. It’s like the end of a long wait. The stands should have had more people.
****
Rana touches 150kph on a few occasions. He had crossed 150 on his Test debut against Sri Lanka. He is not entirely an unknown for Pakistan – they have seen him a fair bit in the last two weeks. But – you might have heard this before – “pace is pace, yaar”.Related
Fast times in Rawalpindi: how Nahid Rana became Bangladesh's latest pace sensation
Bangladesh's small wonders conjure a Rawalpindi miracle
Litton toasts 'big achievement for Bangladesh cricket'; Mehidy dedicates win to student protestors
Litton and Mehidy orchestrate a comeback for the ages
He strikes with his third ball. Shan Masood’s enterprise outside the off stump from earlier in the morning costs him – Rana’s extra pace rushes him into the stroke.Babar Azam had faced Rana just before Masood’s dismissal, but first ball of his next over, Babar’s forward press takes the outside edge. It’s a poor choice of shot. The edge goes to Shadman Islam at first slip.The same fielder, though, drops Mohammad Rizwan next ball. It would have been a golden duck for the in-form batter, a regulation chance. Rana has his hands on his head. There’s more reward waiting for him, though. First in the form of Saud Shakeel, who is caught behind for two in Rana’s next over.Pakistan’s captain. Their most celebrated batter. A batter averaging 61.55 before this Test. Bangladesh had plans for all three, and they all centred on Rana rattling them with pace. On the day, Rana sent them all back in his first three overs.He doesn’t celebrate much after any of the wickets. He walks to the fielders with a smile on his face, a very retro feel. It also feels a bit out of place – this is Rawalpindi, of all places.Pakistan are languishing, and Raza continues to bowl fast and testing lines against Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. He steams in at Rizwan, who pulls out at the last moment due to movement behind the sight screen. Rana rushes back with a bouncer next ball. It hits Rizwan on the side of the helmet. Taskin has a word or two from fine leg. Hasan Mahmud mimics Litton’s stance when he is keeping to Rana. The other slip fielders muffle a laughter. Litton throws a laugh at Mahmud. The Bangladeshis are loving it. At 86 for 6, lunch couldn’t have come quicker for the home side.
****
Rana isn’t done yet. He returns for a short second spell after lunch, drawing Salman’s edge once. Najmul Hossain Shanto brings him back for a third spell as soon as Abrar Ahmed is on strike in the 42nd over. Rana removes the No. 10 quickly, but can’t get his fifth wicket. Mahmud, who has bowled superbly since the third evening, completes his five-for instead.Hasan has been Bangladesh’s best fast bowler across the two Tests. Shoriful Islam was disciplined in the first Test (before missing the second with an injury), and Taskin has been the leader of the attack in the second Test. But Rana is at the centre of the story. And not just for this performance. His pace has been significantly higher than anyone else’s.In general, the Bangladesh bowling attack has been better than Pakistan’s throughout the series. In this Test, Khurram Shahzad and Amir Hamza reduced Bangladesh to 26 for 6 in the first innings, but couldn’t complete the job. Like Mahmud and Rana did on the fourth day. They showed that they either have better skills or better execution. What Rana, playing just his third Test, did well was to marry his pace with great lines and lengths.Nahid Rana – head and shoulders above the rest•AFP/Getty ImagesAnd all of this from a fast bowler who first picked up the red ball just four years ago.Rana took up cricket seriously when his brother put him in a cricket academy in 2020, shortly after his college was done. He made his first-class debut in October 2021, following it up with a 32 wickets in the following season. Rana and Sumon Khan had both taken 30-plus wickets in the 2022-23 National Cricket League, a first for fast bowlers in the domestic first-class tournament in more than 11 years.
****
Rana, 21, is a new phenomenon in Bangladesh cricket. An out-and-out fast bowler who can bowl fast consistently, for long periods. Rana’s BPL debut was erratic, but he showed off his pace in every appearance. Not since Taskin had a Bangladeshi fast bowler rocked up at the BPL with this type of pace.Pace bowling has never quite been Bangladesh’s . Going back in history, Daulat Uz Zaman represented East Pakistan in the Pakistan domestic first-class competitions in the 1960s and 1970s and was known to be fast. Jahangir Shah Badsha was a well-known pace bowler but by the time he made his ODI debut, he was in his mid-30s. Mashrafe Mortaza had good pace in the early part of his career but injuries took their toll. Shahadat Hossain took four of the first six five-wicket hauls in Tests for Bangladesh fast bowlers, but his career went off the rails soon. Rubel Hossain at times bowled quick, but he was better with the white ball. Rana, so far, has looked like the real deal.But there are reasons to be cautious too. Robiul Islam took 15 wickets in two Tests against Zimbabwe in 2013, but faded away quickly. Ebadot Hossain took a stunning six-wicket haul in that famous win in Mount Maunganui, and showed general improvement after that, but hasn’t played since December 2022 because of a long-term injury.Rana will have plenty of advice coming his way but he should know he is special. He is Bangladesh’s fastest bowler ever. Fitness and health are key. The most crucial thing for a Bangladeshi star-in-the-making is to stay in the straight and narrow. Rana can’t be spoilt. And for the new dispensation in charge at the BCB, it will be their responsibility to keep him fresh, and let him bowl fast.
The Dodgers have been dominant this postseason as they've only dropped one game on their route to the World Series, where they could become back-to-back champions.
If it's not broke, then don't fix it, they say. And, Los Angeles seems to be following that motto as they announced the same starting pitcher rotation for Games 1 and 2 that the team used in the NLCS vs. the Brewers. Blake Snell will start Game 1 on Friday, Oct. 24 in Toronto, followed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting Game 2 on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Toronto, per ESPN's Alden González.
Snell pitched in Game 1 of the NLCS vs. the Brewers, which the Dodgers won 2–1. He recorded 10 strikeouts and just one hit over eight innings. Milwaukee's only run came in the ninth inning when Snell was out. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has been dominant all postseason so far, and will be looking to continue that with a Game 1 win.
Yamamoto pitched the entire nine innings of Game 2 vs. the Brewers, which resulted in a Dodgers' 5–1 win. He recorded seven strikeouts, and had three hits and one home run hit against him.
If the Dodgers continue with their starting pitcher rotation as they did in the NLCS, then Tyler Glasnow would start in Game 3 and Shohei Ohtani would start in Game 4. So far, no decision on those games has been reported.
MLB’s winter meetings continued on Tuesday, as more deals were struck and rumors continued to fly.
The blockbuster news on Tuesday was the Dodgers signing Mets All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to a massive, three-year, $69 million deal. L.A.’s bullpen was a mess in 2025, and last offseason’s big signing, Tanner Scott, was straight up awful. The team’s closer went 1–4 with a 4.74 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, 60 strikeouts against 18 walks in 57 innings, and posted a whopping 10 blown saves. Theoretically, signing Díaz should correct that mistake.
That was the big headline on Tuesday, but there are plenty of rumors circulating around the winter meetings. Several of the biggest we’re hearing are below.
Red Sox could look to Bo Bichette
The Red Sox want to bring free agent third baseman Alex Bregman back, but he has drawn interest from across the league. If he opted to bolt for a new home, it would leave Boston with a sizable hole in the infield. Enter Bo Bichette. Rumors are picking up steam that the Red Sox could turn to Bichette if Bregman walks. While the 27-year-old shortstop’s defensive metrics are awful, he could man the spot for a few years with Marcelo Mayer sliding over to third base.
Bichette is coming off an outstanding season for the Blue Jays in which he slashed .311/.357/.483, and set a full-season personal best with a wRC+ of 134, while producing 3.8 fWAR in 139 games. He’s a hitting machine and would fit well with a young Red Sox core ready to start making the next steps toward contention. Toronto won’t let him walk without a fight, but Boston would be an excellent fit.
Mets willing to trade David Peterson
The Mets watched Díaz leave for the Dodgers on Tuesday, and there’s another All-Star pitcher who might not be back in 2026. The team’s president of baseball operations, David Stearns, has said there is currently a “pretty active” trade market, and ’s Tim Britton and Will Sammon are reporting New York would consider parting with starter David Peterson in the right deal.
The 30-year-old lefty made his first All-Star team in 2025 and went 9–6, with a 4.22 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and 150 strikeouts against 65 walks in 168 2/3 innings. That followed a 2024 campaign in which he went 10–3 with a 2.90 ERA in 121 innings. Peterson is under team control through the 2026 season before hitting free agency.
Given his production and what should be an affordable salary (projected to be under $8 million) in his final year of arbitration, Peterson wouldn’t come cheap. The Mets need rotation help, so it would likely take a decent amount to pry him loose. That said, New York needs to find an outfielder to replace the departed Brandon Nimmo and may need to find a replacement for Pete Alonso at first base. Moving a valuable player to fill those holes might be the route Stearns opts to take.
Ketel Marte trade speculation continues
The Diamondbacks continue to field calls on second baseman Ketel Marte. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star is one of the big names available on the trade block this offseason, but he’ll fetch a high price if he is moved. He’s coming off a 2025 season in which he slashed .283/.376/.517, with 28 home runs, 72 RBIs, a wRC+ of 145, and 4.6 fWAR. He was also criticized for sitting out too many games.
For Arizona to move Marte, it would need a massive return. He’s owed $102.5 million over the next six years, which is an incredibly affordable contract for a player with his ability. He’s a consistent, All-Star-level performer, and while he’s leaving his prime, his deal is manageable.
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Red Sox are interested, along with three unnamed teams.
Dodgers not “likely” to move Teoscar Hernandez
While they have a mostly complete roster, the Dodgers are looking to rework some things this offseason. They kicked off that effort on Tuesday by signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz, and they almost certainly won’t be done making changes. One potential deal seems to be off the table, though.
L.A. general manager Brandon Gomes said it “doesn’t feel likely” that outfielder Teoscar Hernández will be moved. After he helped lead them to a World Series title in 2024, the Dodgers re-signed Hernández to a three-year, $66 million deal last offseason. The 33-year-old proceeded to take a step back. In 2025, he slashed .247/.284/.454, with 25 home runs and 89 RBIs, while posting a career-worst wRC+ (102), and only producing 0.6 fWAR. All of those numbers were significantly lower than those he put up in 2024. It doesn’t help that he’s also a terrible defender in right field.
Hernández is expensive for an aging one-dimensional player coming off a down year, but the lack of right-handed bats available in free agency may have elevated his value. Still, it’s a big investment for a risky return. On the flip side, the Dodgers may opt to keep Hernández simply for the sake of continuity. He fits in the clubhouse, and if he underperforms again, the team is more than capable of paying to find a replacement.
L.A. is looking for another outfielder this offseason, and moving Hernández would necessitate finding a second. It’s likely he’ll stay with the team heading into 2026.
عاد ماركو أسينسيو، نجم نادي ريال مدريد السابق وفناربخشة الحالي، للحديث عن رحيله من صفوف الفريق الملكي، موضحًا أنه ليس نادمًا على هذا القرار.
أسينسيو وقع مع ريال مدريد عام 2015 قادمًا من ريال مايوركا، حيث استمر اللاعب لسنوات عديدة مع الفريق الملكي، قبل الرحيل إلى باريس سان جيرمان وعدم تجديد عقده مع الميرنجي.
وغادر أسينسيو ريال مدريد عقب نهاية موسم 2023، حيث لم يجدد اللاعب عقده ليوقع مع باريس سان جيرمان في صفقة انتقال حر.
ولم ينجح أسينسيو مع باريس سان جيرمان، حيث وقع على سبيل الإعارة في بداية العام مع نادي أستون فيلا، ومن ثم الانضمام بشكل نهائي إلى فناربخشة.
وأكد أسينسيو في مقابلة مع صحيفة ماركا، أنه لم يرحل عن صفوف ريال مدريد بسبب المال.
اقرأ أيضًا .. “عضلات بلا مهارات”.. صحفي إسباني يوضح نقطة ضعف ريال مدريد الحقيقية
وقال أسينسيو عن رحيله عن ريال مدريد: ”لا أندم على ذلك، ففي عامي الأخير فزت باللقب الذي كنت أفتقده مع ريال مدريد وهو كأس الملك”.
وأضاف أسينسيو في حديثه: ”يجب أن تعرف متى تغادر، شعرت بمودة كبيرة من الجماهير، من فلورنتينو بيريز، ومن المدرب، لكنني شعرت أن الوقت قد حان للرحيل”.
وأوضح: ”لم يكن قرار رحيلي عن ريال مدريد رياضيًا أو ماليًا، بل قرارًا شخصيًا، أردت وضع أهداف جديدة لأنني كنت بحاجة إلى تغيير في حياتي ومسيرتي المهنية، سيبقى ريال مدريد دائمًا بيتي، لأنني مدريديستا منذ صغري، لكنني شعرت أن الوقت قد حان لتجربة شيء جديد”.
وعن رئيس ريال مدريد، فلورنتينو بيريز، أردف أسينسيو: “مع فلورنتينو، والآن نتحدث عن الوداع، عشنا لحظة جميلة وحميمة. كان وداعًا رائعًا في الملعب ولكن قبل المباراة الأخيرة لي مع ريال مدريد قضيت لحظة جميلة مع فلورنتينو على انفراد، وأتذكرها بشغف كبير”.
واختتم أسينسيو: ”كنا وحدنا أنا وبيريز في غرفة واحدة، في لحظة خاصة جدًا نتحدث عن الحياة، عن كيفية انتقالي لريال مدريد، عن عائلاتنا، كان الأمر مذهلًا. لطالما جمعتني علاقة مميزة بفلورنتينو، لطالما عاملني معاملة حسنة للغاية، وهو شخص عزيز جدًا علي”.