This Week on the Blog

Okay, last week, a one time Yankee GM died, a Giant got arrested, the Rangers chilled, and the Knicks did nothing. Let's take a look at what could be coming up this week.

Yankees: MLB could reach a deal on a return any day now. That would be huge for our country - but honestly - MLB has not lead the way as it should have and might have under a real commissioner.  Instead, they've wined and needlessly truncated their annual rule 4 draft - when the could have turned it into a much bigger event. The NFL draft garnered record ratings for their virtual draft and the other leagues should have done likewise. Baseball used to lead the way. Now it's Football.

Giants: Deandre Baker gor arrested for armed robbery. This is horrible, but will not put Dave Gettleman in danger for trading up for him last year. The reasoning?  Because he was able to first draft a franchise QB without trading up, and then was able to grab a possible impact defender at 17.  So he was playing with house money when he traded up for Baker, and he probably favored Baker because he profiled like a better version of Bradberry, whom he's drafted with the Panthers.

By the way, something like this shouldn't  happen again, given the amazing connections Coach Judge and his staff and their willingness to use them.  The Giants have drafted Lorenzo Carter, Deandre Baker and Andrew Thomas from Georgia over the past 3 drafts. But only Thomas was drafted with have consultation from Joe Judge who is very friendly with Georgia Coach Kirby Smart. It seems like the Giants might have grabbed the falling Baker without consulting Smart. If you have watched The Art of Coaching, which is a documentary about Belichick and Saban, there is a whole section about coaches who don't call Saban before taking one of his players - and some don't have Saban's blessings.  That likely happened with DG, Shurmer and the Baker pick.  It won't happen with Judge.

The League could announce new guidance as soon as today.

Rangers: The NHL seems to be making progress on restart that will feature a 24 team playoff format. The Rangers would be one of those 24 teams and it would give them super valuable experience, while possibly taking them out of the draft lottery. Hopefully, they won't change the draft rules, but luckily, the Rangers still have 2 firsts and 2 thirds and could possibly move up.

Knicks: Leon Rose doesn't seem to be doing much. The Lakers are already working out, no Knick news.

UPDATE: I spoke too soon - the Knicks are finalizing a deal to hire Walt Perrin, the Jazz VP of Player Personnel. He'll be an assistant GM for the Knicks and has a great rep as a talent scout.

Stay safe, but seriously, let's get our sports back..Be well.