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The San Diego Padres went from spending like crazy under owner Peter Seidler to continually cutting payroll following his demise. With the team finalizing a record-breaking sale, it appears the new leadership will take things back in the other direction.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, “Early speculation around baseball is that newly minted owner Jose E. Feliciano “will be in it to win” and could be very aggressive in improving the team. This could include getting into a bidding war for Tarik Skubal.

RELATED: MLB Power Rankings Week 4, Padres sit on top

Heyman wrote that he believed the Padres could begin to “recapture the winning strategy” that fans had fallen in love with under the late Seidler. This could play out over the winter during MLB free agency, with San Diego potentially joining the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets in the pursuit of two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

This would be a strategy that would certainly be music to the ears of Padres general manager AJ Preller. He has consistently been one of the most aggressive decision makers in baseball, as demonstrated last summer when he sent prospect Leo DeVries to the Athletics to acquire All-Star closer Mason Miller.

Another thing worth noting is the Padres’ long-standing interest in acquiring Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran. Although he is believed to be unavailable right now, that could change if the team is still struggling this summer. In that case, San Diego stands out as a potential trade partner.

The Padres would almost certainly have to spend more than $50 million per season to land Skubal, making him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history. It will be interesting to see if San Diego finds ways to cut the salaries of specific players to make signing Scoble a little easier.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

After taking a step back from their lofty status of being annual WNBA Finals contenders, the New York Liberty made a big splash in free agency to boost their chances of competing for another championship this year.

The Liberty were one of the WNBA’s dominant powers heading into the 2025 season after consecutive trips to the Finals. Which also includes winning the championship in 2024. However, they saw their season end abruptly in the opening round of the playoffs in September.

Their disappointing year after clinching the franchise’s first championship was mostly due to injuries. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton missed the entire season after knee surgery, and top star Breanna Stewart battled injuries all year, including the playoffs. However, most of their core is expected to return in 2026.

Still, you can never have enough talent, and the New York Liberty added another star on Saturday with Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.

New York Liberty sign 3-time All-Star Sato Sabally

ESPN basketball insider Shams Charania was first to report that All-Star Sato Sabally has agreed to sign a multiyear deal to join the New York Liberty.

Sabally was the second overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings. The Oregon standout became a core member of the Wings’ roster and took a big step forward in 2023 when he earned All-Star honors for the second time and finished fifth in MVP voting after posting 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists.

Sabally was part of the massive three-team trade that sent him to the Phoenix Mercury last season. He posted another All-Star season and played a major role in leading the team to the 2025 NBA Finals. Unfortunately, they were defeated in four games by the league’s current dynasty, the Las Vegas Aces.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace were recently linked Real Betis winger Abed Ezalzouli, and now the latest report from Spain suggests Premier League interest is indeed rising ahead of the summer window.

local outlet game Claim the Morocco international has taken a big step forward this season. The 23-year-old has scored nine goals and provided six assists in 26 appearances, establishing himself as one of Betis’ main attacking threats. Importantly, his influence now extends beyond traditional wing play.

Abed has long been known for his dribbling and one-v-one ability. However, he has added a better end product in the final third. As a result, his profile has risen significantly throughout Europe.

Premier League interest resurfaces

According to Sport, several Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye on the winger. While the Spanish outlet does not describe the situation as advanced talks, they do insist that English clubs are more attentive to his progress.

Aston Villa have been linked with the winger From 2023, when they tried to sign him while he was still playing at Barcelona.

Abede’s strong Africa Cup of Nations campaign has further heightened that interest. His pace, direct running and confidence in wide areas make him a natural fit for English football. Therefore, it is no surprise that clubs such as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are being mentioned in connection with him again.

For its part, Betis has no intention of actively selling. The Andalusian side are aware of the assets they possess and have reportedly rejected approaches during the winter period. Instead, they have postponed any serious discussions until the summer.

Financial parameters and Barcelona section

The story says that in England, figures of around €40m (£34m) are already being discussed. Furthermore, an eventual move could bring Abed an annual salary of between €5m and €6m (£4.3m-£5.2m).

That financial level will test Betis’ resolve. Although they may want to keep the winger, a strong offer could change the scenario.

There is also a secondary beneficiary. Barcelona retain 20% of Abed’s rights. As a result, any sale will yield proceeds to the Catalan club.

For Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, this situation may develop gradually. Still, with Abed entering what many see as a breakout phase, the Premier League noise around him is unlikely to subside before the summer window opens.

The Charlotte Hornets are suddenly in the mix for a spot in the Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament, and their resurgence in the standings is the result of a collective effort from the stars to the coaching staff. However, on the court LaMelo Ball, Kon Nueppel and Brandon Miller are leading the way for the Hornets.

Since January 3, the Hornets have won 18 games, the most in the NBA, and are the fourth-winningest team in the NBA with their 18–8 record, trailing only the Detroit Pistons (18–5), San Antonio Spurs (18–7) and Cleveland Cavaliers (17–7).

Since the beginning of January, LaMelo Ball (99), Kon Nueppel (92), and Brandon Miller (90) rank first, second, and third in the NBA in total three-pointers made, which shows how impactful these three players have been for the Hornets.

The Charlotte Hornets are 17-2 this season, including their first five…

– LaMelo Ball
– Con Knuppel
– Brandon Miller
– Miles Bridge
– Moussa Diabet

In the 270 minutes these five have shared the floor this season, the Hornets have an offensive rating of 137.0 and a defensive rating of 106.5… pic.twitter.com/L3u3u105SU

– Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 27 February 2026

Additionally, the Charlotte Hornets are 17-2 this season with a starting five of LaMelo Ball, Kon Nueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate. In the 270 minutes these five players have shared the floor this season, the Hornets have an offensive rating of 137.0 and a defensive rating of 106.5, meaning they have outscored opponents by 30.5 points per 100 possessions.

This includes wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets. Charlotte is also currently the last team to defeat the Spurs, going 11–0 in the month of February.

The Hornets’ only two losses in the opening five have come against the Detroit Pistons by six points and against the LA Clippers by eight points.

Entering March, the Hornets have the 12th toughest remaining strength of schedule with an average opponent winning percentage of .502. Some of their toughest remaining games include three games against the Boston Celtics, two games against the New York Knicks, one game against the Detroit Pistons, and one game against the San Antonio Spurs.

Brandon Miller is the Hornets’ scoring leader, averaging 20.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three.

Kon Nueppel is averaging 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists for Charlotte, while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 44.2 percent from three and 89.8 percent from the free throw line.

LaMelo Ball is averaging 19.4 points with 4.8 rebounds and a team-high 73 assists per game, while shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three.