Sports

Blue Jays trade Teoscar Hernandez to Mariners – Toronto Sun

Published

2 years ago

November 16, 2022

Teoscar Hernandez of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates his two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Rogers Centre on July 13, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. Photo by Cole Burston /Getty Images

In his final appearance as a Blue Jay, an electrifying one in which he hit a pair of home runs before all but the Rogers Centre roof collapsed on his team, Teoscar Hernandez earned a standing ovation and curtain call.

Who knew it was going to be a farewell for the popular slugger, who in many ways was the heartbeat of the Jays offence?

That end came on Wednesday when general manager Ross Atkins triggered what almost certainly will be a busy off-season by dealing Hernandez to the Seattle Mariners for a pair of pitchers.

Coming to the Jays are right-handed reliever Erik Swanson – who will add some much-needed swing and miss to the bullpen – and intriguing left hander Adam Macko, one of the M’s top prospects.

In both making the deal and talking about it afterwards, Atkins hinted at the reality that this is just the beginning.

“(Hernandez) has been a huge part of this transition of us going from an interesting team to a contending team,” Atkins said on a Zoom call. “We will miss him. We got to the point where the acquisitions on the run prevention side would help us.

“(We will) continue to look for more pitching and a more versatile offence.”

In other words, if you think the team is lesser today without Hernandez, you’re right. But the work has just begun for a front office that sent a clear signal of its intentions.

Moving Hernandez now made sense financially, given that he’s scheduled to be a free agent in 2024 and there was no indication of serious extension talks taking place between the parties.

A middle-of-the-order presence for the past three seasons, Hernandez’s production will need to be replaced in the Jays lineup, ideally with a left-handed bat. And there’s little doubt that will be the priority for the GM.

“We have a decent idea of where the opportunities are going to be via trade, via free agency, to make our team better,” Atkins said.

Where that will take the team remains to be seen, but with three catchers there is some currency and trade and more freed up in cash, given the $14 million US or so Hernandez was slated to make in his final year of arbitration.

As it applies to Wednesday’s deal specifically, there are implications both to the bullpen and the outfield.

First with the relievers, in Swanson they get a swing-and-miss type arm that was a depth strength for so many of the teams that had post-season success.

The 29-year-old Swanson appeared in 57 games for the Mariners in 2022, setting career bests with a 1.68 ERA and 0.91 WHIP while striking out 70.

On a team-friendly contract, he immediately slots in at the back end of a bullpen that with another high-impact arm could emerge as a bonafide strength for 2023.

Addressing the bullpen was a clear priority from the day the Jays were eliminated by Hernandez’s new team and frankly, likely well before that fateful day.

“He’s coming off a really remarkable year getting both sides of the plate out on a regular basis and a very high strikeout rate with a well above-average weapon in his split,” Atkins said of Swanson, whose attraction was amplified by the fact that he’s under team control for the next three seasons.

“He’ll complement us well and can pitch really in any inning. The strikeouts are big. It’s been talked about a lot, for some good reason. It’s an opportunity for us to improve.”

As for the outfield, it’s apparent the work isn’t done.

On Wednesday, the Jays parted ways with Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer, designating both players for assignment, a precursor to the Hernandez swap. Though Atkins suggested the team can proceed with the bodies currently on the roster, that seems doubtful.

As well, the team would consider sliding George Springer over to right field if another centre fielder was acquired via trade or free agency.

“We’re fortunate that George can play centre field and we’re open to him being versatile for us as he has been in the past,” Atkins said.

Given all the potential moving parts – and the financial implications – it’s virtually impossible to grade this trade until the rest of the off-season work is complete.

There’s no doubt that the exit of Hernandez will be felt in the clubhouse (where he was a popular and positive leader), in the seats (where he was a fan favourite) and in the lineup (where his bat was elite, banging out 57 home runs the previous two seasons.)

Don’t discount any of those factors, the byproduct of what may have been Atkins’ most savvy trade as GM when he acquired Hernandez from the Houston Astros in 2017 for Francisco Liriano.

But with Swanson, the run prevention element is better, especially given the versatility he brings in taking down both left- and right-handed hitters.

And most importantly, is what comes next. Atkins didn’t trade away an elite player without plans to complete a much more complex blueprint.

At minimum, the deal was a signal both to what awaits and a recognition from the front office that the 2022 version wasn’t quite good enough to reach the heights of baseball’s elite.

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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