CHA-CHA-CHANGES

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Last season the New York Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy and were six wins away from securing their first Stanley Cup since 1994. This year has been an entirely different story, after an 8-5 loss to the Flyers, the Rangers find themselves on the brink of elimination, and let’s be honest, it’d take a miracle for them to make the playoffs regardless.  So what’s changed over the past year?

One thing that can be taken away from this team is that last year’s run to the Eastern Conference Final was the last dance with this core group of players. What this team has shown over the past few weeks, with their season in the balance, is that this team is not as close as we think they are, they haven’t won three games in a row since November. The team’s response after the Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba trades have not been good at all. But after this disappointment of a season there has to be some sort of change. 

I’ll start with the coach Peter Laviolette has been successful everywhere he has been. And while this is a down year for the Rangers, I cannot blame all of this on him. The other problem I have is that as an organization you cannot keep recycling coaches every two years. The other thing about dumping Laviolette would be who is coming in to replace him. The dream for GM Chris Drury would be to hire Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, but with him still under contract, it’s a tough move. And I don’t see John Tortorella or Bruce Boudreau as upgrades over Laviolette. 

The roster is where some changes will be seen. With the contract extensions of Alexis Lafreniere and Igor Shesterkin kicking in, they will still be around. One of the names that won’t be around most likely is Chris Kreider. Kreider, the Rangers first round pick in 2009 is top 10 in franchise history in games played, goals, points, (All three goal categories : power play, short handed and even strength). Kreider will have two years at 6.5 million dollars per season left on the deal following the season. The other core guy I think is playing his last few games as a Ranger is Mika Zibanejad. Zibanejad is signed through 2030 at 8.5 million dollars per year. Like Kreider, Zibanejad is top 10 in goals, power play goals, short handed goals, points, and hat tricks. Unless the Rangers find it easier to move Vincent Trocheck, who I think they’d prefer to keep for defensive purposes, I think Zibanejad could be on his way out. 

Whether it’s Chris Drury or someone else, the most interesting decision the Rangers have to make centers around K’Andre Miller. Miller, a first round pick from 2018 has 23 points in 70 games this season. Miller has struggled at times throughout the season, now part of that could be his rotating partners, but do the Rangers want to give up on a 25 year old defenseman, who is still learning the position. The upside is you’d get a lot for Miller, the downside is how do you replace him. I’d be in favor of keeping Miller, unless there is too good of an offer out there. 

This has been a massive failure for the Rangers and I do expect changes to come after the season, but for now these are my thoughts. Who knows, maybe the last few games could change my mind.

LAUNCH THE TORPEDOES – IS IT ANOTHER UNFAIR ADVANTAGE?

By Mike Rifkin

The New York Yankees belted 15 home runs in their season opening three game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the Bronx. The key to this is the torpedo bat. The Yankees had a MIT Scientist take wood from other parts of the bat and place more wood on the barrel of the bat. Now, we all know this is going to become a thing where all 30 teams will use the torpedo bat, but will Baseball do anything about it? 

Yes, the torpedo bat is legal and it’s not just the Yankees using it, players on the Rays and Twins have been seen using the bat as well. Brewers Pitcher Trevor Megill said “ I think it’s terrible. I feel like it’s something used in slow pitch softball. It’s genius: Put the mass all in one spot. It might be bush (league). It might not be. But it’s the Yankees, so they’ll let it slide.” 

If baseball wants offense, it will keep the torpedo bat in play. But it’s another unfair advantage towards the hitter. Let’s be honest a lot of the recent rule changes have been advantages to the hitter. We can say the pitch clock and pickoff rules were there for the time of game and it was but it was also for increased offense, as is the runner on second base to start extra innings. But the biggest rule was when MLB banned sticky substances for pitchers and since we’ve seen an uptick in injuries to pitchers. 

Pitchers are now at a severe disadvantage because of these bats. Do I think MLB will do anything on the torpedo bat, probably not. But they should do something to give the pitcher an equal playing field.

2025 MLB PREDICTIONS

BY MIKE RIFKIN

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION WINNERS

EAST – PHILLIES – After a fantastic 2024, the Phillies were eliminated in the NLDS by the rival Mets. 2025 might be a last dance of sorts for this core in Philly as both Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos are both free agents after the season. If they stay healthy, Philly is as dangerous as anyone in baseball. 

CENTRAL – REDS – After a disappointing season, the Reds brought in future Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona to lead a young core led by Elly De La Cruz. But the NL Central is wide open and if the Reds young players play up to par they can win this division.

WEST – DODGERS – Yeah, the defending World Series Champs are going to be even more dangerous in 2025. They have an all world lineup that they were able to retain. And upgraded the rotation with the additions of Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell, plus Tyler Glasnow will be healthy. Oh, and there’s a good chance at some point this season we see Shohei Ohtani pitches this season, life is good for the Dodgers. 

WILD CARDS : D-BACKS, METS, PADRES 

AWARDS

MVP : ELLY DE LA CRUZ – Cruz stole 67 bases last season while having 25 homers and 76 RBI. If the 23 year old can help the Reds win the division, he should get some MVP consideration. 

CY YOUNG : ZACK WHEELER : Somehow Wheeler has not won a CY Young. Last season Wheeler was 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA and 224 strikeouts. Wheeler has been one of the best pitchers in baseball, and this is the year he gets his recognition. 

MANAGER OF THE YEAR : Terry Francona : The future hall of famer is returning after taking a season off. If he can do for the Reds what he did for the Red Sox and Guardians, the Reds are in a good spot. 

NLCS : DODGERS DEF D-BACKS 

AMERICAN LEAGUE

EAST : RED SOX – The Red Sox were very active this winter. Bringing in veterans Alex Bregman, Walker Buehler, Aroldis Chapman, along with Garret Crochet. The Red Sox have a fantastic manager in Alex Cora, and they can take advantage of an interesting AL East. 

CENTRAL : TIGERS : The Tigers had an unbelievable run to the playoffs last season, and now they’ll take the next step. Tarik Skubal was sensational at the top of the rotation last season, and now they pair him with Jack Flaherty. The lineup should do damage, but it’ll be even more dangerous if former first overall pick Spencer Torkleson takes a step forward. 

WEST : RANGERS – People might forget that the Rangers won the World Series in 2022, last year they had some injuries. If they can keep Jacob DeGrom healthy that’d be a massive game changer for them. That offense led by Corey Seager and Marcus Semien should be dynamic again. 

WILD CARDS : BLUE JAYS, ORIOLES, ASTROS

AWARDS

MVP : RAFAEL DEVERS – I think Bregman being added to this lineup should help Devers. But Devers is such an elite talent, and this is the season he hits over 30 homers and drives in over 100 runs. 

CY YOUNG : TARIK SKUBAL : Skubal won the AL Triple Crown last season, and he was dominant. I expect that to continue this season. 

MANAGER OF THE YEAR : AJ HINCH: Hinch got the best of his club in the second half of last season. I think they use that momentum to win the AL Central and they have the potential to be dangerous in the postseason.

ALCS : RED SOX DEF RANGERS

WORLD SERIES

DODGERS DEF RED SOX : 6 games (WS MVP) : MOOKIE BETTS

A GIANT MISTAKE 

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Monday was the opening of the tampering period of NFL Free Agency. All contracts will remain unsigned until the start of the league year Wednesday, but teams can announce that they came to terms with a player. If you need a Quarterback in this market, you could have one.

The New York Giants are a team in desperate need of a quarterback, but have gone about this process all wrong. The Giants are leaning towards the veteran Quarterback route and waiting on decisions from Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Now, this wouldn’t be a problem a decade ago, but in the year 2025 it’s a problem. Rodgers is 41 years old and two years removed from an Achilles tear, and Russell Wilson will be 37 in November and hasn’t looked right since leaving Seattle. But the real problem with signing either one of these guys, is that it just kicks the Giants need for a Quarterback down the road another year, and even if the Giants draft Cam Ward or Sheduer Sanders with the third overall pick, none of the experts claim either one is a generational talent, even if they sit behind Rodgers or Wilson. But, here’s the thing: wouldn’t Rodgers or Wilson want to lead a Super Bowl Contender? The Giants are not a contender ( and not that close to being one either.) 

So, what should the Giants have done? Well, the Giants should have done what the team they share MetLife Stadium with did. The Jets signed former Bears and Steelers Quarterback Justin Fields to a two year 40 million dollar contract. Fields will reunite with former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson with the Jets. So, if you’re the Giants why not take the chance on a 26 year old? When the Bears traded up in the first round of the 2021 draft to select Fields, it was the Giants who they traded with. 

Whether it was going to be Fields, Rodgers, Wilson or one of the two rookies the Giants are looking at lightning in a bottle for their next Quarterback. But if you hit with Justin Fields, he has the upside to be the Quarterback of your team for the next decade, and if he is a success for the Jets, not only will Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen regret it, but they’ll have a long time to think about it when they’re on the unemployment line after they get fired. Fields to the Jets could be a Giant mistake for the other team at MetLife stadium.

LAYING AN EGG

BY MIKE RIFKIN

As we come down the stretch of the NHL season, this was a pivotal weekend for the New York Rangers. They were playing a back to back against the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets, two teams they are competing with in the Eastern Conference Wild Card Race. The Rangers blew a two goal lead against Ottawa to lose 4-3 in Overtime, and got boat raced at the Garden by the Blue Jackets 7-3, to come out of the weekend with one of a possible four points. They’re currently one point out of a playoff spot, but there’s a lot of teams vying for those coveted spots. 

Even if the Rangers make the playoffs, who knows what will happen, but one thing is very true this is not the same team that was two wins away from the Stanley Cup Final. They’ve made multiple changes to the roster throughout the season, and if this team misses the playoffs expect a lot more changes. One thing is for sure this team laid an egg on the most important weekend of the season. But during the last stretch they’re going to need their best players to show up and do damage if they want to make the playoffs.

ANGEL REESE BOLD STATEMENT THAT ALL

WNBA PLAYERS SHOULD BE PAID LIKE MEN

BY MARK HALPERN

   Over the past few years we have seen a huge increase in popularity in women’s sports, mostly the WNBA. The WNBA began in June of 1997 and over the past two and a quarter decades we have seen some amazing players come through and retire and join the Basketball HOF. One thing that has been at the center of discussions has been equal pay between Men’s and Women’s sports. Whether it’s the United States National Soccer teams or the WNBA, equal pay has been a major topic of conversation. In it’s 28 year history the WNBA has produced legends such as Sue Bird, Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Sheryl Swoops, Diana Taurasi. Now, there’s a new wave of popularity in the WNBA and a big reason for that is the success of players like Sabrina Ionescu, Brianna Stewart, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese. 

   Recently Angel Resse has talked about how her $73,000 dollar contract (this not including any sponsors deals) can’t cover her lifestyle. Last season Reese shot 39% from the field, a poor 18% from three point and had a free throw percentage of 73%. Do numbers like that deserve big money? I can say however, she is a great rebounder, she only averaged 1.9 assists a game. Reese did average a double double last season with 13.6 points per game (third on the Sky), and 13.1 Rebounds per game (Led WNBA)  Look every sport ( Men’s and women’s) have rookie contracts, and with Reese entering her second season, an extension isn’t on the table at the moment. Play out the rookie deal and then go from there.  

    The WNBA got it’s biggest investment ever to rebuild the brand and make it more affordable for people to attend an see the players they actually want to see. Reese, has had some attitude problems, and she has to change that to a degree. Yes she set anWNBA record for most consecutive games with a double/double and that’s a record to be proud of. 

   I understand when you have players in the NBA making 50 million a season and there is practically no WNBA player to reach those heights and yes there should be a scale but all the factors that I talked about besides play has to be included. I am for all equal pay if the player deserves it. 

   If Angel Reese wants to be taken seriously she needs a reality check and be brought down to earth. One of the big components on why there’s not equal pay, is that the WNBA just isn’t as popular as the NBA. Why is that, I don’t know, but Angel Reese along with Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, among others have an opportunity to grow the WNBA, and that could one day lead to equal pay. My opinions are that of my own and not generated by anyone else and that’s how the Old Man sees it.

THE PROCESS HAS ENDED

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Trust The Process, that’s what the Philadelphia 76ers have been saying for years and the process hasn’t won them anything. On Wednesday night the 76ers lost to their rival the New York Knicks 110-105, giving Philly their ninth consecutive loss, their longest in nine years. Sixers’ Center Joel Embiid missed the game with a knee injury. That knee has bothered Embiid most of the season. Embiid did sign a three year 192 million dollar contract in September of 2024. 

Embiid’s injury has limited him to 19 games this season. Embiid, the third overall pick in 2014, is averaging 23.8 points per game and 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game this season. Sixers coach Nick Nurse said on Monday that he doesn’t believe the team will shut Embiid down for the season. The Sixers are currently 2.5 games behind the last play in spot in the Eastern Conference. 

Is it worth it if you’re the Sixers, to place your franchise out there in hopes of gaining a play in spot just to play the Boston Celtics? Or do you consider punting on the rest of the season, and try to come back stronger next season? Either way the “process” has failed. In the Embiid era, the Sixers have never reached the Conference Finals. Maybe it’s time the Sixers ended the process by exploring an Embiid trade this offseason.

MLB OFFSEASON WINNERS AND LOSERS (TEAM)

BY MIKE RIFKIN

The calendar has turned to February and Baseball season is right around the corner. As Pitchers and Catchers prepare to report to Spring Training, every fan base has excitement in their veins. Now it’s time to look at teams who were active this winter and others who weren’t.

WINNERS : 

DODGERS : Alright let’s start with the obvious winner of the offseason, the defending World Series Champs were aggressive and showed they weren’t satisfied with one championship. Re-signing Teoscar Hernandez, which is huge for their lineup, or adding two top starters in Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, or adding two top relievers in Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott. But unless injuries play a big role, the Dodgers are going to be the heavy favorites in the NL again in 2025.

METS : Steve Cohen is the richest owner in the sport and he wasn’t afraid to throw his wallet around this winter. Cohen’s wallet won him the Juan Soto sweepstakes. Cohen also was able to retain power hitting first baseman Pete Alonso, Starting pitcher Sean Manea, both of whom played big roles in the Mets’ run to the NLCS in 2024. Cohen and David Stearns brought in former Yankee closer Clay Holmes to go into the rotation. 

YANKEES : It’s hard to be considered a win after losing Juan Soto, but Brian Cashman was very quick to replace him. Adding Max Fried to a rotation with Gerrit Cole gives the Yankees a deep rotation, Cody Bellinger’s left handed bat could be big with the short porch in Right Field. On top of all that the Yankees added Devin Williams, one of the game’s best closers from the Brewers. 

D-BACKS – The Diamondbacks shocked the world a few years ago, making a run to the World Series. Well, they shocked the world again this winter when they won the Corbin Burnes sweepstakes. Putting the former CY Young winner with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly gives the D-backs a formidable top of the rotation. Losing Christian Walker was a blow, but they got younger at the position with Josh Naylor. The 27 year old hit 31 homers and drove in 108 runs. 

LOSERS

MARINERS – Going into the winter every baseball fan knew the Seattle Mariners needed an impact bat to pair with Julio Rodriguez and to protect that tremendous rotation. But all the Mariners did was bring back Jorge Polanco and utility man Donovan Solano. The only team with a lower batting average than the Mariners last season was the White Sox, so let’s see how standing pat does for that offense. 

ORIOLES – They did add to their team with the addition of Tyler O’Neill and Gary Sanchez to the lineup. But it’s the rotation that scares me. Yes, they brought in Charlie Morton the ageless wonder and Tomoyuki Sugano from Japan but neither are an ace. So even with new ownership the Orioles are refusing to spend money. But if they were to trade for Dylan Cease that would take them out of the loser category. Eventually they have to go for it with the young nucleus they have. 

GIANTS – Every year we hear the Giants are in on the biggest free agents in the game and recently they came up empty. Until this offseason where they signed Willy Adames from the Brewers to a seven year 182 million dollar contract. Adames is coming off a career high 32 homers and 112 RBI. Adames will be 30 in September. The Giants also added future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander to the rotation. What makes the Giants losers in this situation is even though adding Adames was nice, they didn’t do nearly enough to make themselves competitive in the NL West. 

CARDINALS –  The Cardinals have been the standard of the National League for a long time. But right now the Cards are directionless, they lost Paul Goldschmidt and have discussed trading Nolan Arenado. Problem is with everyone knowing they have to trade Arenado they might not get what they think. It’s rare to put the Cardinals on this kind of list, but here we are asking ourselves what are the Cardinals doing. 

Higgins or Chase : Who Should The Bengals Pay ?

By Bill Murphy 

Now that we are in the off-season,  the Bengals have a decision to make.  Both Ja’marr Chase and Tee Higgins have been vital to the success of the offense. Higgins had a career high 10 touchdown receptions, while Chase won the triple crown for receivers, leading the NFL in catches, yards and touchdowns. Now The Bengals have to decide who are they going to pay , as one  contract is up and  the other is up after next year .

Tee Higgins: Tee Higgins was drafted by the Bengals from Clemson in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.  Over his career Higgins  has wracked up 330 receptions ,4,595 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns.  This season Higgins  had 73 receptions ,911 yards and  a career high 10 touchdowns. The one major knock on Higgins is his durability. He has played in 12 games each of the last two seasons. The Bengals have to decide , if he is worth keeping because of his injuries. Last year, Higgins was signed to a one year deal  valuing  $21,816,000 after he was  franchise tagged. Now at the start of the league year Higgins will be a free agent.

Ja’Marr Chase :  Ja’Marr Chase was drafted in 2021 from LSU (where he played with Joe Burrow) as the fifth pick in the draft. In his Rookie Season, Chase had 81 receptions, 1,455 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, winning the offensive rookie of the year that season. During his career, Chase has 395 receptions , 5,425  receiving yards  and 46 receiving touchdowns . This season , he had 127 receptions ,1,708 yards and a career high of 17 touchdowns , leading the league in all three categories giving him the receiving triple crown. Chase holds the NFL records for Receiving yards in a season including postseason by a rookie, Youngest NFL player with multiple 100 yard receiving games in a single postseason game ,Receiving yards in a game by a rookie  and Receiving yards in a postseason by a rookie. He holds the franchise records of Receiving yards in a game ,Receiving yards in a rookie season ,Receptions in a game , Receptions in a season ,Receiving yards in a season ,Receiving touchdowns in a season and Total touchdowns in a season.  Chase is going into his last season of his rookie contract. 

How do they stack up vs the league?:  The  highest paid wide receiver in the league are Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings  , who last season signed a $ 140 million contract extension and $ 110 million guaranteed , making it the biggest contract for a non QB player.  The second highest paid  wide receiver in the NFL is Cee Dee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys, Lamb signed a $ 136 million , four year  contract with $100 Million dollar guaranteed with a wide receiver bonus of  $38 million dollars making it the second biggest contract for a non QB player in  the NFL after Jefferson. 

  • How does Higgins stack up?:  While I think Higgins has good numbers , I don’t think  he stacks up against Jefferson or Lamb.  .  If the Bengals re sign Higgins , I don’t think he should be getting Jefferson or Lamb type money . 
  • How does Chase Stock up?:  I think Ja’marr Chase stacks up against the rest of the  league very well .  Chase has two seasons where he threw more than 10 touchdowns unlike  his competitors. He also has won the wide receiver triple crown which has been awarded 17 times in the NFL’s history . I think Ja’marr Chase should be one of it not the highest paid Wide Receivers in the NFL . 

Now Who Should They Pay ?:  I think the answer is simple , If they were to pay one of the two , I would say  pay Ja’Marr Chase .  The reason I say that is because his performance this year has been outstanding and Tee Higgins is injury prone . The Bengals should try to find a way to pay both of them , but it would be a difficult decision on what to do the on that matter. If they have to make a choice then they should let Higgins walk 

 What if Higgins Walks?:

If Higgins walks, I think the Bengals will go to the draft and get wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan from University of Arizona . This year McMillan  wracked up 84 receptions ,1,319 and eight touchdowns.  He would be  compliment to Chase , if Higgins walks.  The Bengals can also sign a free agent someone like DeAndre Hopkins could make sense.

ALL IN (FOR MYLES)

BY MIKE Rifkin

Monday morning of Super Bowl week and before either the Eagles or Chiefs can make headlines, an ALL-PRO stole the headlines. Browns Defensive End Myles Garrett has requested a trade to a contender. 

Garrett said in a statement “ While I’ve loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won’t allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.” Garrett signed a five year 125 million dollar contract in 2020, but there is no guaranteed money left on the deal for the final two years. The Browns have said they’re not even going to entertain offers for Garrett. 

Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player Of The Year, who was announced as a finalist again this season after having another 14 sack, three forced fumble season should have a long list of suitors. Now Cleveland says they’re not entertaining offers, but we know how this works, eventually it will get to the point they have to entertain offers. Let’s be honest Cleveland isn’t trading within the conference, so that leaves the NFC, and there’s one team that should push their chips to the table. 

The reason why the Detroit Lions lost in the playoffs, after a sensational regular season was they had too many injuries on defense. The biggest injury was to pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who tore his ACL in week six and kept holding hope if the Lions reached the Super Bowl he’d be able to play. That never occurred and the Lions were upset by the Commanders in the Divisional round. The Lions as a team registered 37 sacks on the season, putting them near the bottom of the league. The Lions possess one of the most explosive offenses in the league, now they need to work on the defense. The Lions shouldn’t be in a mode where their draft picks matter, they should always look to upgrade and Myles Garrett is a perfect addition opposite Hutchinson. That duo would put the rest of the NFC and the NFL on notice.