Spicy NFL free agency leftovers, plus baseball's breakout candidates

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Good morning! Did you get your AsHos hat yet? NFL transactions continued apace yesterday.

Some notables as we wind down: Still no word on Aaron Rodgers new team.

The watch continues.

West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez something I still cant believe Im typing in 2025 said yesterday he banned his players from filming TikTok dances in the locker room.

The Mountaineers are not banned from posting on the app; they are simply banned from dancing on it.

Hm.

Before I opine, I want to know how you feel.

Will this: Make your voice heard here .

Well post results tomorrow.

Tigers big setback Tiger Woods ruptured his left Achilles tendon, the golfer said yesterday, just as he was preparing to play in the Masters a month from now.

Woods had just finished a fun inaugural TGL season before the injury, though this year in which his mother died has been tough on the 49-year-old.

Its easy to wonder if Woods is done playing high-level competitive golf.

Read our full report here .

Advertisement Vlad Jr.

sets a number Impending free agent Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

wants a contract worth $500 million, The Athletic s Ken Rosenthal reported yesterday, with an important addendum: $500 million in present-day value, not in deferrals.

The Blue Jays first baseman is in a contentious spot with his club, whose reported last offer to Guerrero, 25, was around $500 million, but included significant deferrals.

Still a mess, it seems.

Ken has plenty more here .

Nacua changes number Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will wear No.

12 this season after sporting No.

17 since entering the league.

His reasoning is deeper than you might think: Sure, Davante Adams arrival likely helped spur the change, but Nacua holds No.

12 dear, he said, as the number has been worn by multiple family members throughout their athletic careers.

I know when I put on that number 12, its a piece of armor as well thats representing my family that is always protecting me, Nacua said.

More context here .

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Were about two weeks away from MLB Opening Day, which means its prime time to get reacquainted with arguably our most dramatic sport.

Your fantasy baseball drafts are about a week away, too.

Keith Law published a great list of possible breakout players this morning, which is helpful on both accounts.

Two guys I want to spotlight: 1.

Rays 3B Junior Caminero Caminero exists in a unique space right now, where the real baseball heads know him well and the more casual fan may have vaguely heard his name in the metaphorical distance.

He played in 43 games for Tampa last season, and you may remember the 21-year-old from this wild bat flip we featured in January.

Caminero was ...

fine in major-league action last year, but that shouldnt deter your fandom Keith says nobody doubts that this kid is going to hit and compared selecting him for a breakout year to cheating.

Its safe to expect a good season, barring injury.

Advertisement 2.

Angels OF Jo Adell I am fascinated with Adell, whom I wasnt very familiar with until I read Keiths piece.

Adell, 25, has been a light bust so far in scattered appearances over five seasons of major-league action, but he was rushed to the majors in 2020.

He played regularly last year and showed flashes of the top-flight prospect he once was.

This is a great buy-low guy who could become one of baseballs better stories.

Read the full list here to get ahead .

So many more names I didnt get to.

NBA: Thunder at Celtics 7:30 p.m.

ET on ESPN The Western Conferences best team, led by MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, plays the defending champion in prime time.

That should be enough to watch.

NCAAM: UCF vs.

Kansas 9:30 p.m.

ET on ESPN 2 Im tuning in to get a heat check on the Jayhawks, who began the season No.

1 in the polls and find themselves unranked and unheralded.

Theres clearly talent there, of course, but somethings off with this group.

Watch them put everything together for a tournament run.

Get tickets to games like these here .

Paul Skenes is MLBs next big thing.

Is that a blessing or a burden? Also on Skenes : Tim Britton went deeper on a topic we discussed over the weekend: What is it going to take for the Pirates to keep Skenes around long-term? MLB Hope-O-Meter rankings are out .

Well circle back to this later in the week.

Shayna Goldman has an NHL vibe check post-trade deadline.

We needed a reset.

The Seahawks landed Sam Darnold .

Next task up: protecting him .

We all think the Bears win every offseason, only for pain to follow.

Jon Greenberg believes its real this time .

Kyrie Irvings injury was brutal.

His new teammate Klay Thompson can relate .

Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday : The bad baseball hats , by a large margin.

Gawk at them if you missed yesterday.

Most-read on the website yesterday : Our NFL free agency live blog , again.

(Top photo: Rich Barnes / Imagn Images).

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