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10 free agents from last year with something to prove

Marcus Stroman, SP, YankeesThis season carries major financial ramifications for Stroman, who signed a two-year, million deal with the Yankees last January. The veteran right-hander will trigger an million player option for 2026 if he throws at least 140 innings in 2025. Otherwise, he’ll become a free agent at the end of the year, at […]

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10 free agents from last year with something to prove

, SP, Yankees
This season carries major financial ramifications for Stroman, who signed a two-year, million deal with the Yankees last January. The veteran right-hander will trigger an million player option for 2026 if he throws at least 140 innings in 2025. Otherwise, he’ll become a free agent at the end of the year, at which point he’ll be going into his age-35 campaign.
The Red Sox have since added and to their starting staff, which also includes 2024 All-Star , and . But Giolito is still in the mix, too, and he could significantly improve Boston’s postseason chances if his performance looks more like 2019-21 (3.47 ERA, 11.1 K/9) than 2022-23 (4.89 ERA, 9.9 K/9).
That said, Yamamoto was sidelined for nearly three months while dealing with a right shoulder issue and tossed just 90 innings during the regular season, joining a long list of Dodgers starters who missed significant time due to injuries. Los Angeles was able to win it all nonetheless, but it could have a tough time repeating if those problems persist on the mound. Given the checkered injury histories of , , , and , the Dodgers will be counting on the 26-year-old Yamamoto to set the tone from a durability standpoint.
, SP, Dodgers
It’s hard to quibble with the outcome of Yamamoto’s first year with the Dodgers after landing the richest contract (5 million over 12 years) ever signed by a pitcher last offseason. The right-hander’s repertoire lived up to expectations as he made the transition from NPB to MLB, and Los Angeles ended up winning the World Series, with Yamamoto making key contributions in the playoffs.
, 1B/OF, Yankees
Bellinger’s career has been quite a roller coaster. After establishing himself as one of the top stars in the game over his first three seasons — culminating with the National League MVP Award in 2019 — Bellinger regressed to the point where he was MLB’s worst hitter (minimum 900 plate appearances) across 2021-22 (69 wRC+), leading to him being non-tendered by the Dodgers.
, SP, D-backs
A free agent for the first time last offseason, Montgomery lingered on the open market until late March before finally signing with the D-backs, inking a one-year, million contract with a vesting player option for 2025. Lacking a typical buildup to the season, the left-hander was unable to get into a groove all year, recording a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings. It was a far cry from his performance across 2022-23, which saw him post a 3.34 ERA over 64 starts. He also shined on the postseason stage for the Rangers in 2023, helping the club win a World Series title with a 2.90 ERA over six postseason games (five starts).
Hoskins’ contract gave him the ability to opt out at the end of the 2024 campaign, but he decided to exercise his million option to return to the Brewers for the 2025 season. His bat could prove pivotal as Milwaukee looks to replace the substantial production it lost when shortstop departed as a free agent to sign with the Giants.
, OF, Giants
While the addition of Adames should help their lineup, the Giants are also going to need last year’s marquee free-agent addition, Lee, to step up if they’re going to make noise in a stacked NL West. The outfielder, who signed a six-year, 3 million deal with San Francisco after a stellar KBO career, missed most of 2024 after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder when he crashed into the center-field wall on May 12.
When Spring Training begins next month, much of the focus will be on the marquee free-agent additions looking to make an impact with their new teams.
The 36-year-old might be a forgotten man entering 2025, but he could end up playing a pivotal role covering crucial innings for Detroit, especially if manager A.J. Hinch chooses to revisit (whether out of necessity or design) the unorthodox pitching strategy that drove the team’s surprising playoff push last year.
But there are also plenty of players from last year’s free-agent class who have something to prove in 2025. That includes the 10 players below, whose 2024 seasons left a lot to be desired after they signed big contracts in free agency.
Much like Montgomery, however, Stroman currently finds himself without a rotation spot after his team added a marquee starter — , in this case — via free agency. As a result, he is also a candidate to be traded before Opening Day, though demand for the right-hander could be limited after he recorded a 4.31 ERA with a career-worst FIP (4.62) and K/BB (1.88) in 2024, fading during the summer for the second straight year.
With Burnes in the fold, the D-backs’ rotation could potentially rank among the best in baseball this season, but they’ll need a bounceback season from E-Rod to solidify the back end of their starting staff.
But while Candelario tied for second on the Reds with 20 homers in 2024, his bat fell back below the league-average line. He posted an 87 wRC+ and -0.4 WAR before missing the final six weeks with a broken left big toe. Attrition also hit the rest of Cincinnati’s infield, with missing the entire season due to a left shoulder injury, struggling over his first 29 games (.513 OPS, -0.7 WAR) before suffering a season-ending right hand fracture and producing -1.5 WAR over 66 games following an 80-game PED suspension. Given the uncertainty surrounding those youngsters heading into 2025, Cincinnati will be counting on Candelario to provide stability.
, 1B/3B, Reds
Candelario was non-tendered by the Tigers on the heels of an 80 wRC+ in 2022, but he rebounded to the tune of a .251/.336/.471 slash (118 wRC+) with 22 homers and 39 doubles over 140 games between the Nationals and Cubs in 2023. The switch-hitter went on to sign a three-year, million deal with the Reds in free agency last offseason, adding a veteran presence to a team brimming with promising young infielders.
, SP/RP, Tigers
After returning from Tommy John surgery to post a 4.23 ERA over 104 1/3 innings for the Twins in 2023, Maeda signed a two-year, million deal with the Tigers in free agency, slotting in behind ace in the club’s rotation. While Maeda lost his starting job after getting hit hard (7.26 ERA) over his first 16 outings, he showed improvement as a long reliever, notching a 3.86 ERA with a 5.86 K/BB in 42 innings over 12 games out of the bullpen.
The southpaw is still with Arizona, having exercised his .5 million player option. But after the club signed ace pitcher , Montgomery appears to be the odd man out in the team’s rotation, making him a prime candidate to be traded before Opening Day. No matter where he ends up, the 32-year-old will be looking to prove his value before getting another chance to test the free-agent market at the end of 2025.
Bellinger resurrected his career with the Cubs in 2023, producing a 136 wRC+ with 4.4 WAR (per FanGraphs), but after re-signing with Chicago on a three-year, million deal last January, he took a step backward in 2024 (109 wRC+, 2.2 WAR). Bellinger had the ability to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, but he exercised his .5 million player option to stay with the Cubs. Only, he won’t be playing for Chicago in 2025, having been traded to the Yankees in December.
, 1B, Brewers
After his final season with the Phillies was wiped out by a torn ACL in his left knee, Hoskins signed a two-year, million contract with the Brewers last January. Despite missing the previous year, Hoskins showed no signs of rust coming out of the gate in 2024, going deep nine times with an .813 OPS over his first 38 games. However, his performance dropped off after he was forced to the injured list with a right hamstring strain in mid-May. Following a 15-game absence, the slugger returned to hit .206 with a .683 OPS in his final 93 games. Hoskins still managed to record 26 homers and 82 RBIs on the year, but his overall production (100 wRC+) paled in comparison to his Philadelphia years (126 wRC+).
, SP, D-backs
The D-backs likely wouldn’t have signed Montgomery if Rodriguez hadn’t suffered a left lat strain during Spring Training, opening up a spot in Arizona’s rotation. Rodriguez, who signed a four-year, million deal with the D-backs in December 2023, didn’t return to the mound until Aug. 7 and was limited to 10 starts on the season. The left-hander was largely ineffective in those outings, completing six innings only once and posting a 5.04 ERA — up from a 3.30 ERA over 26 starts with the Tigers in 2023.
As they enter the second year of their deals, there’s still time for these players to prove they were worth the investment — or at least improve their stock before making another run at free agency next offseason.
, SP, Red Sox
The Red Sox brought in Giolito to lead their inexperienced rotation after signing him to a two-year, million deal last offseason, but he never ended up throwing a pitch for Boston in 2024. The right-hander had an internal-brace procedure to repair the UCL in his right elbow last March, ending his season before it began. While the club’s remaining starters were better than expected, Boston ultimately missed the postseason for the fifth time in six years.
A bounceback season from Bellinger would not only provide a major boost to a Yankees lineup that lost to the crosstown Mets in free agency but also position the 29-year-old for a significant payday next offseason. After all, Bellinger has another option decision looming at the end of 2025: He can either opt in for a million salary next season or take a million buyout and test the open market.

College Sports

Jasmine Driscoll (4/28/2025) – Athlete Awards – Ball State University Athletics

For her run to 2025 MAC Medalist honors, junior women’s golfer Jasmine Driscoll has been named the Pridemark Construction Student-Athlete of the Week. With a par on hole nine, her closing hole Tuesday (April 22), Driscoll etched her name in both program and league history by carding a 54-hole score of +2 (218) at the […]

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Jasmine Driscoll (4/28/2025) - Athlete Awards - Ball State University Athletics

For her run to 2025 MAC Medalist honors, junior women’s golfer Jasmine Driscoll has been named the Pridemark Construction Student-Athlete of the Week.

With a par on hole nine, her closing hole Tuesday (April 22), Driscoll etched her name in both program and league history by carding a 54-hole score of +2 (218) at the Delaware Country Club to earn a one-stroke victory over a quartet of other players to claim the title of MAC Medalist. Along with her league title, Driscoll earned an individual berth into the NCAA Lexington Regional May 5-7 on the Champion Trace at the Keene Trace Golf Club.

After tying the lowest opening-round in MAC Championships history with a -5 (67) on Sunday, she was tied for the lead after two rounds at E (144). She then closed the tournament at +2 (218) for the lowest individual score in program history at the MAC Championships. The effort also helped her earn MAC All-Tournament Team honors for the first time in her career. Ball State’s previous best was a +5 (149) by 2005 Champion Katie Sundberg, which was later tied by 2010 runner-up Brittany Kelly who fired a +5 (221).

In the 2025 MAC Women’s Golf Championships, Driscoll led the field with 12 birdies and tied for tournament-low honors with a 4.67 (-4) stroke average on the course’s par 5 holes. She also carded 30 pars over her 54 holes in the event, while tying for third on the courses par 4 holes with a 4.07 (+2) stroke average.

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Nominees for The Columbian 2024-25 Week 24 prep athlete of the week sponsored by Killer Burger

Nominees are posted and voting begins each Monday and runs through Wednesday. IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS ACCESSING THE BALLOT, CLICK HERE. Here are the nominees: JACOB CHANDLER, UNION BASEBALL: The junior went 4 for 9 with 4 runs, a double, triple, home run and five RBI and threw 6.1 innings with 1 earned run and […]

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Nominees for The Columbian 2024-25 Week 24 prep athlete of the week sponsored by Killer Burger

Nominees are posted and voting begins each Monday and runs through Wednesday.

IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS ACCESSING THE BALLOT, CLICK HERE.

Here are the nominees:

JACOB CHANDLER, UNION BASEBALL: The junior went 4 for 9 with 4 runs, a double, triple, home run and five RBI and threw 6.1 innings with 1 earned run and eight strikeouts as the Titans won 2 of 3 from Camas.

J.P. GUZMAN, COLUMBIA RIVER BOYS SOCCER: The senior had five goals and one assist out of seven total goals by River in two league wins.

MAKENZIE HENTHORN, MARK MORRIS SOFTBALL: The junior allowed one run in 15 innings with 28 strikeouts and went 7 for 10 with two homers and six RBI in three wins.

CASIE KLEINE, CASTLE ROCK GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD: The senior ran a 1A-state-best 58.23 seconds in the 400 meters and also won the 100 (12.74) at the Kalama Twilight meet.

CHASE MCGEE, CAMAS BOYS TRACK AND FIELD: The senior broke a 56-year-old state record by clearing 17-5 in the pole vault and also won the pole vault (17-0) at the Nike Jesuit Relays.

All-Region Sports Awards Ceremony

The Columbian will be hosting its second annual All-Region Sports Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at The Hilton Vancouver Washington.
The event will be 6-8 p.m. Admission is $15 and includes food and drink. Tickets are available now by clicking on link.

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College Sports

Baseball vs Texas A&M on 4/27/2025

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Baseball vs Texas A&M on 4/27/2025

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Portugal to Host 2025 ITTF Europe Hopes Week & Camp for Rising U12 Talents

The 2025 ITTF Europe Hopes Week will take place from June 24 to 30 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, bringing together the continent’s most promising Under-12 table tennis players for an intensive week of training and evaluation. The date is set after the general calendar has been updated and the ITTF Continental hopes week […]

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The 2025 ITTF Europe Hopes Week will take place from June 24 to 30 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, bringing together the continent’s most promising Under-12 table tennis players for an intensive week of training and evaluation. The date is set after the general calendar has been updated and the ITTF Continental hopes week has been moved to a week later.

Organized by the European Table Tennis Union and empowered by the ITTF, the camp will be held at Portugal’s National Training Center, a modern facility that provides on-site accommodation, training halls, and fitness amenities—all nestled within the scenic Lavandeira Municipal Park near Porto.

Each member association that has registered its National Talent Identification Program with ITTF will be eligible to send up to two boys and two girls born in 2013 or later, selected through their national programs. Participation is granted on a first-come, first-served basis, and top performers will earn a place in the prestigious ITTF Hopes Week & Challenge.

ETTU will subsidize €30 per day for one boy and one girl per association. For players already selected for the Eurotalents Program, including those from the 2025 selection camp in Havířov, ETTU will cover full accommodation costs.

The coaching team includes: Pedro OLIVEIRA (Head Coach), Pedro RUFINO and Diogo SILVA (Assistant Coaches), Alexandre GOMES (Physical Coach). Additional ETTU-appointed coach will be announced.

Entries must be submitted by June 2, 2025, to:

Mário Pedro COUTO – mario.couto@fptm.pt

Ana IVOSEVIC – ana.ivosevic@ettu.org

Cancellations are accepted until June 16 without penalty. A coaches’ meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. on June 24 upon arrival.

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College Sports

Baseball Gameday

Oregon State (32-9) vs. Oregon (29-12)April 27, 2025 • 12:05 p.m. PT • Eugene, Ore. • PK ParkLHP Ethan Kleinschmit (6-1, 3.74) vs. RHP Jason Reitz (1-0, 4.33) The GameOregon State takes on Oregon in the weekend finale in Eugene. First pitch at PK Park is slated for 12:05 p.m. PT. The Oregon State – […]

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Baseball Gameday

Oregon State (32-9) vs. Oregon (29-12)
April 27, 2025 • 12:05 p.m. PT • Eugene, Ore. • PK Park
LHP Ethan Kleinschmit (6-1, 3.74) vs. RHP Jason Reitz (1-0, 4.33)

The Game
Oregon State takes on Oregon in the weekend finale in Eugene. First pitch at PK Park is slated for 12:05 p.m. PT. The Oregon State – Oregon Rivalry Series is presented by Safeway-Albertsons, PacificSource Health Plans, Your Local Toyota Dealers and First Interstate Bank.

Radio
The game will be carried live on the Beaver Sports Network throughout the state of Oregon. Mike Parker will call the action.

Listen Online
Catch the game online by visiting osubeavers.com, and find the live broadcast on the Oregon State baseball schedule page. The game can be heard via the Varsity Network, which is available for users with smartphones and tablets. Download the free Varsity Network application for live games and archived broadcasts.

Television
The game will not be broadcast.

Live Video
The game will stream live on B1G+ as produced by Oregon.

Live Stats
Live stats for the game can be accessed by clicking on the live stats link located on the baseball schedule page on osubeavers.com.

Last Game
AJ Singer drove in Oregon State’s lone run in the sixth as the Beavers dropped a 13-1 decision to Oregon Saturday afternoon at PK Park. Gavin Turley went 2-for-5 to pace the Oregon State offense.

Oregon State Notables
• Oregon State is looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season. The Beavers have lost two straight for the third time this year.
• OSU’s last losing streak of three or more was four games last season from April 17 to April 21 at Nevada and California.
Aiva Arquette saw his hit streak snapped at 13 games Saturday. His was the third Beaver hit streak of 10 or more games this season, following a 15-gamer by Gavin Turley and 14 games by Trent Caraway.
Wilson Weber pushed his hit streak to a season-long seven games by going 1-for-2 Saturday. He is 15-for-31 (.484) during the streak.
Gavin Turley has reached base safely in 35 consecutive games.
Easton Talt moved into the top-10 at OSU with his 50th walk of the season Saturday. Adley Rutschman (2019) and Travis Bazzana (2024) co-share the single-season record with 74.
• Talt has 67 walks in 84 career games while striking out 49 times.
• The Beavers failed to record an extra-base hit for the first time this season in Saturday’s loss.
Ethan Kleinschmit, Sunday’s probable starter, is facing his fifth Big Ten opponent this season. He is 1-1 in the previous four games, striking out 20 to nine walks in 19 innings. He’s scattered 13 hits and nine earned runs for a 4.26 ERA in the four games.
• Turley now has 344 career total bases, three shy of equaling Joe Gerber (1997-2000) for sixth-most by a Beaver.
• The Beavers have gone without a home run in two straight games for the second time this season, following March 15 and 16 against Santa Clara and Grand Canyon.
Dawson Santana made his third start of the season and recorded his second career hit. It marked his first career bunt for a base hit.
• The Beavers allowed an opponent 10 or more runs for just the 29th time in Mitch Canham‘s tenure. Conversely, OSU has scored 10 or more 79 times since 2020.
• Oregon State has gone errorless in five straight and six of the last seven games and is at a season-high .980 fielding percentage.

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Water Polo Falls In 2025 MAAC Championship Against Wagner

POUGHKEEPSIE, New York- The Marist water polo team played in its second-straight MAAC Championship, Sunday afternoon. The Red Foxes fell in a thrilling match 14-11 against Wagner. Ella Baumgarten and Inés Sánchez were named to the MAAC All-Championship Team for dominant performances in the two matches. Sánchez tallied seven saves in the match against Wagner, […]

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Water Polo Falls In 2025 MAAC Championship Against Wagner

POUGHKEEPSIE, New York- The Marist water polo team played in its second-straight MAAC Championship, Sunday afternoon. The Red Foxes fell in a thrilling match 14-11 against Wagner.

Ella Baumgarten and Inés Sánchez were named to the MAAC All-Championship Team for dominant performances in the two matches.

Sánchez tallied seven saves in the match against Wagner, and 20 total in the two matches. Baumgarten scored a goal in the match against Wagner, and two total goals in the Championships.
 

  • Quarter One:
    • Wagner started the match with two goals and took a 2-0 lead with 7:02 to go in the quarter.
    • The Red Foxes countered with two goals of their own, courtesy of Samantha Bentley, and tied the match 2-2.
    • Wagner scored four goals to end the quarter, as the Red Foxes trailed 6-2 after one quarter of play.
  • Quarter Two:
    • Wagner continued a 6-0 run with two goals to begin the second quarter.
    • The Red Foxes trailed 7-2 with 5:13 to go in the half.
    • The Red Foxes countered with two goals from Lela McCarroll and Kendell De Beer, which cut into the Wagner lead 7-4.
    • Wagner extended its lead with a goal with 3:16 to go in the half, and the Red Foxes trailed 8-4.
    • The Red Foxes finished the half with two goals from Bentley and Paige Naegle, as the Red Foxes cut into the lead 8-6 at halftime.
  • Quarter Three:
    • The Red Foxes cut the Wagner lead to one goal with goals from Naegle and Rachel Dean. The Red Foxes trailed 9-8 with 3:47 left in the third quarter.
    • Wagner would outscore the Red Foxes 2-1 to finish the third quarter, as the Red Foxes trailed 11-8.
  • Quarter Four:
    • The Red Foxes and Seahawks would score three goals apiece in the final frame, as the Red Foxes fell in the Championship match 14-11.

  

  • Samantha Bentley led the Red Foxes with a hat trick in the match.
  • Paige Naegle and Kendell De Beer tallied two goals apiece in the match.
  • The Red Foxes scored 11 goals on 20 shots in the match.
  • Inés Sánchez tallied seven saves in the match.
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