WILKES-BARRE, PA – Even in the middle of July, when there’s nothing but baseball, something’s always happening in the sports world.
Kyrie Irving demanded a trade because why not? And then got pissed at LeBron James’ camp for possibly leaking that Irving wanted a trade. B did LeBron leak a trade? Probably not.
Then there’s The Ringer. Bill Simmons’ website released a column earlier this week with the headline “Aaron Judge Has Become the Worst Player in Baseball” and then the author kept referring to Judge as “big boy.” Seriously? Seriously?
Ohh, and all 32 NFL teams will have their training camps underway by the end of this week. Football’s back.
Let’s jump right in!
Here’s the latest batch of Ebs’ Hot Takes. Enjoy.
The New York Yankees need to trade for a starting pitcher. With the trade for Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle, the Yankees made a clear-cut decision that they plan on contending this season.
Here’s the deal… They are still one piece away. I can live with a Chase Headley/Garrett Cooper platoon at first base. However, they’re in dire need of a starting pitcher.
Without Michael Pineda, the Yankees are scrambling. Caleb Smith and Luis Cessa aren’t going to cut it. It’s time to take the plunge and trade for Sonny Gray or Gerrit Cole.
Look, with the way the Yankees are constructed right now, Gleyber Torres and Jorge Mateo can’t play on the same team, at the Major League level. And they have way too many outfield prospects. There’s only so many spots.
It’s time to dangle a couple of these guys out there and see what the return can be.
The Buffalo Bills shouldn’t let Anquan Boldin leave on Monday. I really like the idea of signing Anquan Boldin. The Bills have the cap space and still need another wide receiving threat.
With a healthy Sammy Watkins, plus Boldin and Zay Jones, combined with LeSean McCoy, I like Buffalo’s chances to do some damage. Rick Dennison’s offense is going to play perfectly to Tyrod Taylor’s strengths.
If Buffalo can add Boldin, Taylor’s set up to have a career year.
The New York Knicks should make a play for Kyrie Irving. While I’m not quite sure why Kyrie would want to go to the Knicks, I actually like the idea.
Cleveland wants Carmelo Anthony, so a possible deal is there.
Irving wants to be a star of the team, and with the Knicks it could work. They already have a budding star
in Kristaps Porzingis, but name a team in recent years where a forward or center was the star that actually won a title and was the lead man. Sure there’s Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns and Blake Griffin, but what have they done?
This is a guard-driven league. Except for LeBron James and Kevin Durant, of course.
The Basketball Tournament is the best sporting event no one’s talking about. Have you heard of The Basketball Tournament before? No? Well, you should do a quick Google search.
This basketball tournament pits a bunch of pickup teams, many of which are alumni teams, against each other for a $2 million winner-take-all prize.
This past weekend was the Super 16 and regional championships, with the semifinals and championship next weekend. For those who love college basketball, this is for you.
There’s both a Syracuse alumni team and Ohio State alumni team left.
Come back tomorrow for Ben Whitney and please follow us on Twitter at @ByDJEberle, @MeetTheMatts & @Matt_McCarthy00, Instagram @MeetTheMatts and like our Facebook page, Meet The Matts.
