NCAAF

2024 five-star WR Perry Thompson commits to Auburn

Hugh Freeze has yet to coach a game for the Tigers, but he’s already proving himself on the recruiting trail. A few days ago, Auburn flipped five-star Demarcus Riddick from Georgia, and now Freeze has added Thompson to the mix, flipping him from arch rival Alabama. Freeze inherited an Auburn program in the worst shape it’s been in awhile, so it’ll take time for the Tigers to catch Georgia, Alabama and even LSU in the conference, but the program is finally trending in the right direction.

MLB

Mets receive: One prospect
Rangers receive: Max Scherzer

At 49-55, the Mets appear to be in sell-mode, which makes sense for two reasons. First, New York is seven games back of a wild card spot, thus making a postseason berth unlikely. Also, by shedding $22.5 million of Scherzer’s salary, the Mets can be a bigger player in this winter’s free agency period, which will feature Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani, of course, would be a dream acquisition for the Mets, but the prospect acquired in this deal, Luisangel Acuna, isn’t bad himself, as the middle infielder is viewed as a top-100 prospect around the league.

Texas needed some rotation stability, and Scherzer should provide more than just that. To make matters even better, the Rangers won’t even be paying most of the right-hander’s remaining salary, and Scherzer has also decided to opt-in to his contract for 2024. This is a big win for the Rangers, who are making the right call by going for it this season. After all, Texas has the best run differential in the American League.

Mets Grade: C+
Rangers Grade: B+