ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Hot Button is a 'round-the-clock feature that covers anything across the scope of sports. We're here to bring you everything hot: News items, highlights, takes — everything but hot meals — whether local, national or international. Better yet, it’s interactive. Share your thoughts in comments, and even post your own links to interesting, safe-for-work sports stories.
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SAAD SIGNS WITH BLUES
FOR FIVE YEARS
Thursday, July 29: Forward Brandon Saad has signed with the Blues for five years and $22.5 million.
Saad, 28, played 44 games for the Avalanche in 2020, netting 15 goals and nine assists. In 10 National Hockey League seasons, the Pittsburgh native has 184 goals and 187 assists in 632 games, winning two Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks.
My take: Saad was one of the top names left in free agency and fines a good home in that St. Louis system. Some Penguins fans held out hope for Saad to land on his hometown team, but that was never in the cards with the Penguins' limited cap space. — Bob
BUSY DAY OF FREE AGNECY
YIELDS BIG DOLLAR CONTRACTS
Thursday, July 29: The first day of National Hockey League free agency saw a surprising number of trades and big-dollar signings, highlighted by Brayden Point staying with the Lightning on an eight-year, $76-million contract and defenseman Dougie Hamilton jumping conferences for a seven-year, $63-million deal with the Devils. The Kraken made more noise by signing free agent goaltender Philipp Grubauer ($5.9 million AAV), forward Jaden Schwartz ($5.5 million AAV) and forward Alex Wennberg ($4.5 million AAV).
Follow all our coverage of who the Penguins lost and gained Wednesday on our PENGUINS TEAM PAGE.
My take: What a day. Teams wasted no time and spared no expense. Still a few talented players available, including Casey Cizikis, Brandon Saad, Kyle Palmieri and David Krejci, though not too many goalies of note for Penguins fans, unless they value Devan Dubnyk. — Bob
YANKS FINALIZING DEAL
FOR SLUGGER GALLO
Thursday, July 29: The Yankees are finalizing a deal that would send four prospects to the Rangers for slugging first baseman Joey Gallo.
Gallo, 27, is slashing .223/.379/.490 with 25 home runs and 55 RBIs, good for a 4.1 WAR over 95 games. The Yankees are making a push for the playoffs, 2.5 games out of the second wild card spot in the American League.
Though the deal has yet to be finalized, several league sources confirmed to outlets that New York will send four prospects to Texas: Pitcher Glenn Otto and infielders Ezequiel Duran, Josh Smith and Trevor Hauver. All four are ranked in the Yankees top 30, according to MLB Pipeline, but none higher than No. 14 (Smith) and Otto the lowest ranked at No. 28.
My take: It's a good get for New York, with Gallo under contract for another year and not having to give up any top-10 prospects in return. That short porch in right beckons. — Bob
NATS-PHILS POSTPONED
COVID CASES MOUNT
Wednesday, July 28: Nationals manager Dave Martinez has announced that his team currently has four players and eight coaches or staff members positive for COVID-19. Trea Turner is a confirmed positive after he was removed from yesterday's game after an initial positive result. No other names were mentioned. Martinez said one infected player is unvaccinated.
This is the second outbreak of the season for the Nationals, who were forced to delay the start of their season one week after an outbreak at the tail end of spring training.
Wednesday's game is currently scheduled to be made up Tuesday as a doubleheader.
My take: We're going to see more of this. The vaccines work well, so vaccinated players will test positive even though they are asymptomatic. I wouldn't be surprised to see MLB put some social restrictions in place if this is the start of a trend. — Bob
MARTE MOVED TO A'S
FOR LEFTY LUZARDO
Wednesday, July 28: Staring Marte is headed to the west coast. The Marlins traded the former Pirates All-Star to the Athletics Wednesday for young left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo.
The 32-year-old Marte is a rental and will be a free agent after the season. He is slashing .306/.407/.453 this year with seven home runs, 25 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 63 games. Oakland currently possesses the last wild card position in the American League by one game over the Mariners and 2.5 games over the Yankees.
Luzardo, 23, regressed from a promising season in 2020 to post a 2-4 record, 6.87 ERA (6.07 FIP) and a 1.632 WHIP in 13 appearances, six starts.
My take: Good for Marte to get another taste at a playoff run. That defensive outfield is going to be ridiculous with Marte in left and Ramon Laureano in center. Canha can move to right. If he hurries up, he can see old pals Joe Musgrove, Mark Melancon and Adam Frazier as the Padres take on the A's again Wednesday. — Bob
FORMER MVP JACKSON TESTS
POSITIVE, OUT OF RAVENS CAMP
Wednesday, July 28: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Gus Edwards tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be participating in Ravens training camp for a minimum of 10 days, according to head coach John Harbaugh. This is Jackson's second confirmed case of COVID-19. He missed two games in the 2020 season, including the Thanksgiving Day game against the Steelers, among a Ravens team outbreak which shelved 20 players.
Jackson tested positive Tuesday and was confirmed on a re-test Wednesday. Harbaugh did not specify when Edwards tested positive. Under National Football League protocols, each player must isolate for 10 days from the original positive test, then test negative before they are allowed to rejoin the team. Neither player's vaccination status is known.
My take: If something like this has to happen, it's best to have it happen now, when there's still plenty fo time to get ready for the season. However, two important pieces of the Ravens offense will now sit and can only do virtual meetings — not ideal from a coaching perspective. Best to both on a full recovery. — Bob
FRAZIER HAS IMPACTFUL
DEBUT IN SAN DIEGO
Wednesday, July 28: Adam Frazier, playing left field and batting leadoff, made an immediate impact for the Padres in his first game following his trade from the Pirates, a 7-4 win over the Athletics Tuesday night at Petco Park in San Diego.
The blueprint for Frazier in the Padres lineup is to have a hitter get on base consistently ahead of its big hitters, and Frazier, wearing No. 12, executed it perfectly in the bottom of the third inning, beating out an infield single with two outs. Fernando Tatis Jr. followed with a monster 440-foot home run and what was a 3-0 deficit was cut to one run. In the fifth inning, Frazier had a sharp single to left, moving Victor Caratini to third. A walk to Tatis Jr. followed and then Frazier scored on a Jake Cronenworth two-run single to give the Padres a 4-3 lead. Manny Machado then hit a three-run home run and the game was well in hand.
Frazier finished 2 for 5 with two runs scored and acquitted himself well in left field, including the game-ending can of corn.
My take: Anyone familiar with Frazier's play this year would not be surprised by this. He lengthens that Padres lineup and he got a good look at what kind of fun it's going to be in their offense. — Bob
LANDESKOG STAYS PUT,
BOLTS DEAL JOHNSON
Wednesday, July 28: Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is staying put, agreeing to an eight-year, $56 million contract late Tuesday. He was scheduled to become a free agent Wednesday. The 28-year-old Swede has spent his entire 10-year career with Colorado, scoring 218 goals and 294 assists in 687 games. The 2011 Calder Trophy winner has been a regular linemate of superstar center Nathan MacKinnon and this deal will keep that duo together for the foreseeable future.
The Lightning shed a bit of salary and gained some cap room late Tuesday night, sending forward Tyler Johnson and a 2023 second-round pick to the Blackhawks in exchange for the contract of injured defenseman Brent Seabrook. Johnson is coming off consecutive Stanley Cup championships with Tampa Bay and has three years remaining on his contract with a $5 million AAV. Seabrook announced in March that his career was over due to a lingering hip injury, so this is a paper move for the Lightning as Seabrook is expected to officially retire at some point. He is currently on long-term injured reserve. If Seabrook decides to stay on LTIR for the salary, the Lightning can use close to the $6 million he is due in 2021 to sign another player or players up to that amount, in excess of the salary cap, with the most available to them the closer they are to the cap limit on opening day.
My take: The Bolts continue to get creative with the cap, inside the rules — if Seabrook retires, that contract is off the books; if he doesn't, they can use his contract to expand their cap for the next three seasons. The Avalanche exposed Landeskog in the expansion draft, but have decided to keep him, and at a fair rate based on his production and intangibles. — Bob
OVECHKIN LIKELY TO RETIRE
A CAPITAL ON NEW DEAL
Tuesday, July 27: Alexander Ovechkin has signed a new five-year, $47.5 million contract with the Capitals which will likely keep him with Washington for the remainder of his career. It will carry an annual cap hit of $9.5 million. The first three seasons of the deal have $1 million base salaries while carrying escalating signing bonuses, from $4 million in 2021 to $11.5 million in 2023, after which he will make $5 million in salary and average $5 million in bonus over the last two years.
Ovechkin, 35, stated he wanted to play the rest of his career with the Capitals and would have been a free agent had he not agreed to a new deal. The first-overall pick of the 2004 draft is on an epic quest to catch Wayne Gretzky for most goals scored in National Hockey League history, currently sixth with 730 goals. With a healthy season, he will likely pass Jaromir Jagr (766) for third place in 2021-22, but needs 165 to pass Gretzky, an average of 33 goals per season over the length of his new contract — the nine-time Maurice Richard Award winner has averaged 45 goals per season over his 16-year career, which includes pandemic-shortened seasons in 2019 and 2020.
My take: As it should be. Love to see a great athlete finish out his career with one team. So rare these days. Can't wait to see his pursuit of Gretzky. Do you think The Great 8 will pass No. 99 for No. 1 all-time? — Bob
VEGAS TRADES FLEURY TO
BLACKHAWKS FOR PROSPECT
Tuesday, July 27: Marc-Andre Fleury's tenure in Las Vegas is coming to an end after four seasons, as reports of a trade have him going to the Blackhawks for forward prospect Mikael Hakkarainen, a fifth-round pick in 2018, who has yet to reach the National Hockey League. Fleury is entering the last year of his contract and is owed $7 million in 2021.
Fleury had hoped to retire with the Golden Knights and according to his agent, Allan Walsh, is now considering retirement instead of accepting the trade.
Fleury, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, has the thrid most wins in National Hockey League history with 492, and if he continues to play would pursue Patrick Roy for second place (551) with a Blackhawks team that missed the playoffs in 2020-21 and has only made the postseason once in each of the last four seasons. He would compete with promising rookie Kevin Lankinen for No.1 goalie duty.
The 36-year-old Quebec native would join his third NHL team after 13 seasons with the Penguins before being selected by Vegas in the expansion draft.
My take: If Fleury decides he wants to play, this is a great move by the Blackhawks to bring in a grade-A teammate who will mentor the young Lankinen while providing the franchise some hope of getting out of their recent doldrums. With Jonathan Toews returning in 2021, I'd expect the Hawks to march toward respectability. Vegas clearly wanted to shed cap and avoid another season of having two No. 1s, in Fleury and Robin Lehner, so youth and dollars won out. If he doesn't retire, do you like the fit for Fleury in Chicago? — Bob
BILES MISSES TEAM COMPETITION
FOR MENTAL HEALTH, U.S. DROPS TO SILVER
Tuesday, July 27: Simone Biles was forced to leave the Olympics team gymnastics competition with what was intially termed a "medical issue" and Team USA missed out on the gold medal, dropping to silver. The Russian Olympic Committee team took the gold for the first time since Barcelona in 1992. Great Britain won the bronze.
Later Tuesday, Biles admitted she withdrew because of mental health, stating, "I just don't trust myself as much anymore. I don't know if it's age, I'm just more nervous when I do gymnastics. I feel like I'm also not having as much fun. And I know this Olympic Games, I wanted it to be for myself. I'm still doing it for other people. ... You have to be there 100 percent or 120 percent or you're going to hurt yourself."
Biles, arguably the greatest women's gymnast in history, attempted a vault on the first event rotation but could not complete the full level of difficulty and left for the locker room. She returned, but was unable to continue and instead offered support to her teammates.
In the team competition, each country selects three of its four members to compete in each event and have its cumulative score counted. Without Biles, who was scheduled to compete in each event, it was an impressive performance for Team USA, particularly for Jordan Chiles who was forced to take Biles' place with little notice on uneven bars and balance beam — Chiles was fourth-ranked on the U.S. team for each of those — and performed well, giving the U.S. an outside chance as it headed to floor exercise. It was not close enough, as Chiles, Sunisa Lee and Grace MacCallum could not bridge the gap.
Biles' status is unknown for the individual all-around Thursday, where she is defending champion, and all four individual event finals, which begin Saturday and finish Monday.
My take: Losing Biles in the team event is equivalent to the old Yankees winning a World Series without Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the lineup — not gonna happen. Kudos to her teammates on a gutsy effort, which showed the depth of U.S. gymnastics to even challenge for gold. Let's hope Biles can participate at some point before these Games are over — it would otherwise be a tragic end to the Olympic career of one of the U.S.'s all-time greatest athletes. — Bob
USWNT QUALIFIES FOR QUARTERS
WITH LISTLESS PERFORMANCE
Tuesday, July 27: The U.S. Women's National Team played Australia to a 0-0 tie Tuesday to advance to the Olympics quarterfinals Friday against the Netherlands, a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final won by the United States. The United States finished second in its group on goal differential with a 1-1-1 record — Sweden won the group at 3-0-0.
With each team needing just a tie to advance, both played defensive and cautious, though Australia had the better of the possession and play. The only "goal" was scored on a header by Alex Morgan in the first half, but the U.S. striker's tally was nullified on a questionable offside call, confirmed by the VARS replay system. Beyond that, the Americans offered little in attack other than first-half open runs by Morgan and Christen Press, on which each failed to put a challenging shot on goal.
All of the quarterfinal matches are Friday, with Australia facing Great Britain, Canada taking on Brazil, and host Japan trying to get past Sweden.
My take: I watched the first half of this game and have rarely seen this team playing not to lose, which is exactly what it looked like. They should get together with the men's basketball team and have an accountability chat — each are the best in the world but are playing uninspired, completely unacceptable by their own standards. Really embarrassing to this point. To paraphrase Herb Brooks, maybe each team should start playing for the name on the front of the jersey. — Bob
BAEZ PINCH-HIT WALK
OFF SPURS TAUNTING
Tuesday, July 27: Javier Baez hit a deep fly ball with the outfielders playing in for a pinch-hit, bases-loaded, walkoff single off Reds closer Amir Garrett to give Chicago a 6-5 win. Baez proceeded to taunt Garrett, using a sweeping/rowing motion as he walked slowly to first base to complete the hit. Garrett was not pleased:
Amir Garrett may fight the entire Cubs team tomorrow pic.twitter.com/XOPdyQV8yn
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 27, 2021
Garrett was brought on to get the last out after Heath Hembree loaded the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch and Cubs manager David Ross countered with Baez. The Cubs shortstop immediately chirped at Garrett as he entered the box, as bad blood between these two men and teams from a benches-clearing incident in May — started by Garrett and Baez — seems not to have dissipated.
My take: The game has changed to showmanship and I can't say I'm upset about it — I'd prefer sportsmanship, but the game is more entertaining this way ... and it needs entertainment. However, if I'm Baez I probably don't dig into the box next time up against Garrett — or any Reds pitcher Wednesday. — Bob
WATSON CASES GROW WITH
TWO NEW CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS
Monday, July 26: As Deshaun Watson indicated his intent to report to Texans camp Wednesday, two new women have filed criminal complaints against him, according to Watson's attorney Rusty Hardin. The Texans also publicly said for the first time Wednesday that they would entertain a trade for the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
The two new cases are criminal only, the women have not yet joined the other 22 women involved in civil litigation against Watson for sexual abuse and assault. The new complaints bring the criminal cases to 10, with eight of the civil complainants also filing criminal charges. There is no update on the investigations of the criminal cases and when or if formal charges will be filed. No trial date has been set in the civil cases.
The National Football League has yet to change Watson's status, so he is eligible to play until the league makes a determination to the contrary.
My take: Hard to know with any of this. So many accusations by so many. Time to just let it play out in the courts. I don't see Watson lining up under center Week 1, even if he wants to. As for a trade, what front office would be foolish enough to trade for a guy who might eventually be in prison or on indefinite suspension, though that does meet the criteria of many of Marvin Lewis' old Bengals. — Bob
RODGERS, PACK AGREE
TO AT LEAST ONE YEAR
Monday, July 26: The Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers allegedly have come to an agreement that would have Rodgers report to training camp and play at least this season in Green Bay. Sources for ESPN's Adam Schefter said the Packers will restructure Rodgers' existing contract — without costing Rodgers any income — to open cap room this season to sign more players, void the last year (2023) of his contract, and agree to not franchise tag him as long as he remains in Green Bay.
Long at odds with the organization since they took quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 draft, Rodgers had threatened to not report, retire, or demand a trade. He was also unhappy with a decision by head coach Matt LaFleur to kick a field goal late in the NFC Championship game instead of allowing Rodgers, the National Football League's reigning MVP, to try for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal, further straining the relationship.
Rodgers, 37, currently has three years left on his contract with an opt-out clause in 2022, so 2021 is his last contractually obligated season with the Packers.
My take: This seemed like where this was all headed all along, despite all the rumored demands for trades and threats of retirement. Rodgers wants one more crack at a title in "Titletown" and, as he showed, he's playing as well as any quarterback in football this late in his career. I'd imagine the cap room Rodgers will help create is earmarked for receiver Davante Adams. — Bob
NELSON SIGNS ON IN
PHILLY FOR ONE YEAR
Sunday, July 25: Former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson agreed Sunday to a one-year contract with the Eagles for $4 million.
Nelson, 28, played the last two seasons in Pittsburgh, which coveted his man-coverage skills. In 30 games with the Steelers, he had three interceptions and 17 pass defenses in 172 targets, 94 of which were completed for an average gain of 13 yards per completion. After a strong 2019, Nelson gave up seven touchdown completions in 2020, and receivers caught 57 balls for 732 yards, with 318 yards coming after the catch.
My take: Nelson was not good last season and the Steelers agreed, releasing him on March 23 in a cap move, but making no effort to re-sign him. He's a bargain at the $4M, though, if he can regain his 2019 form. Anyone think the Steelers shoud have kept Nelson or tried to re-sign him? — Bob
U.S. MEN'S BASKETBALL
LOSE OLYMPICS OPENER
Sunday, July 25: After a rocky pre-Olympics exhibition schedule in which the U.S. men's basketball team lost as many exhibition games — two — as they had in their history, the national team suffered an embarrassing loss in its first contest of the Tokyo Olympics. losing 83-76 to France, the team's first Olympics loss since 2004. The U.S. built an eight-point halftime lead, but the French were up by six after a 25-11 third quarter. The Americans stormed back to have another eight-point lead with four minutes remaining before a monumental late-game collapse, allowing a 16-2 run by the French to close it out, highlighted by the play of French guard and Celtics star Evan Fournier who led all players 28 points. Jrue Holiday, recently added after winning the NBA title with the Bucks, lead the U.S. with 18 points and four assists.
Under head coach Gregg Popovich and featuring a roster full of National Basketball Association stars, this version of Team USA has lost three of its last five games, including the exhibitions. It will now need to beat Iran and the Czech Republic to advance out of the group stage and into the medal round.
My take: Popovich's U.S. teams have not been dominant in his tenure, despite having the best talent. He better come up with some answers quick before this squad is unceremoniously booted in the group stage. — Bob
TWYMAN REPORTING
BUT STILL HEALING
Sunday, July 25: Former Pitt star and defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman is expected to report to the Vikings training camp Sunday just over one month after being shot four times in Washington, D.C., according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Twyman, drafted in 2021's sixth round after opting out of the college season, was shot in the arm, shoulder, leg and buttocks on June 21, while in his car after leaving his aunt's house — Twyman is from the D.C. area. He was not targeted. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said at the time he was at the "wrong place at the wrong time."
Twyman is still recovering from two gunshot wounds and the shot to the buttocks did damage to the pelvis that will take the longest to heal. He will be placed on the non-football injury list when he reports and is not expected to be ready for the beginning of the season. Twyman has said he hopes to play sometime near the halfway point of the season.
My take: Tough kid. All the best to him in his continued recovery and what should be a productive career. — Bob
SPRINGER LAYS OUT FOR
'CATCH OF YEAR' CANDIDATE
Sunday, July 25: Blue Jays center fielder George Springer made a ridiculous catch in left-center field on a line drive to the gap off the bat of the Mets' Brandon Nimmo:
A catch so nice we had to post it twice. 😱 pic.twitter.com/e5REI8qJ92
— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2021
Springer also added his eighth home run of the season in the 10-3 win over New York.
My take: Even if you beiieve everything this guy does deserves an asterisk, this was a great catch. Direct route to the ball and full layout. Awesome. — Bob