AARON BOONE ISSUES "WALK YEAR" WARNING TO YANKEES STAR JAZZ CHISHOLM JR.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. hits 30/30, but Aaron Boone’s latest comments suggest the Yankees may let their star second baseman test free agency.
Let’s not get hypnotised by the highlight reels. The Yankees’ business model isn’t built on feel-good moments—it’s all about cold calculations. Jazz Chisholm Jr just put together the kind of season that usually gets a guy whatever he wants: 31 homers, 31 stolen bases, and a Bronx crowd eating out of his hand. He’s everything you want in a star—flashy, marketable, and by the numbers, one of the best second basemen out there. But here we are, heading into his walk year, and I can’t shake the feeling Brian Cashman is going to let him walk right out the door.
History keeps repeating itself with Cashman. ¿Robinson Canó? Gone. Gleyber Torres? Gone. The Yankees treat second base like it’s just another piece to swap out, not a cornerstone. So while Jazz is putting on a $150 million audition, it might be for every other team except the one he’s carrying right now.
Now, if you want reasons to keep him, the numbers are electric. Chisholm didn’t just luck into 30 bombs—he crushed the ball, sitting in the 91st percentile for Barrel Rate. When he connects, it’s loud. On defence, he shut up the doubters who thought he was just an outfielder pretending at second. He posted elite range, 88th percentile OAA, and his base running? Top 14% of the league. He changes the game every which way.
But there’s always a “but” with Jazz. The strikeouts are scary. He swings and misses more than almost anyone—7th percentile Whiff Rate, 8th percentile Strikeout Rate. That’s the kind of stuff that gets you benched in October. And his .234 expected average? That’s just who he is, not some unlucky streak.
Even Aaron Boone, usually the players’ hype man, sounded different talking about Jazz on a podcast with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman. He didn’t bother sugarcoating things.
“We have some interesting talks in my office from time to time. But I think we have a lot of respect for one another,” Boone said. “The reality is I just demand a lot out of him because he’s capable of so much. It’s on us to just make sure he’s focused on going out there and being the best version of himself.”
That’s not how you talk about a finished product. That’s a coach managing a wild card.
Boone didn’t hide the pressure, either. “This is his walk year. This is his free agent year. So there’s a lot on the lline. We’llsee where it leads as far as the long term goes, or if we take it into free agency.”
The Yankees know exactly who they have: a high-voltage, flawed, show-stopping star who fits Yankee Stadium like a glove but comes with serious risk. If Jazz manages to cut down the strikeouts and repeats another 30/30 season, he’ll price himself out of Cashman’s plans. If he falls off, the Yankees will slap a qualifying offer on him and move on. Jazz always bets on himself, but honestly? When it comes to second base, I’m betting on Cashman’s ruthless streak.
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
