December 8, 2025 - Matchplug Blog

Bulls rookie Essengue out for year after surgery decision

Chicago Bulls rookie Noa Essengue will miss the rest of the season. Coach Billy Donovan announced the news Wednesday.

Essengue needs surgery on his left shoulder. Doctors advised fixing the issue now. Donovan said the problem could linger if they waited. The final decision was made earlier in the day.

Essengue, 18, was the 12th pick in the draft. The French forward played only two games for Chicago. He logged just over six minutes and missed all three of his shots.

He also played four games in the G League. With Windy City, he averaged 23 points, 8.5 rebounds, and nearly 31 minutes.

Chicago is dealing with several other injuries. Coby White, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, and Jalen Smith are all out. Guards Isaac Okoro and Tre Jones are also sidelined.

Hall of Fame to announce Contemporary Era ballot results tonight

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are among the eight players on this year’s Era Committee ballot unveiled on Nov. 3 by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The voting results will be announced live tonight on MLB Network at 7:30 ET, with coverage beginning at 7.

It will also be streamed live on MLB.com and in the MLB App. Bonds, Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela comprise the Contemporary Baseball Era player ballot, which focuses on players whose primary contributions to the game came since 1980.

Candidates need to receive votes on 75% of the ballots cast by the 16-member committee to become part of the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame Class.

The Hall of Fame on Tuesday revealed the names of the members of the voting committee: Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Jim Kaat, Juan Marichal, Tony Pérez, Ozzie Smith, Alan Trammell and Robin Yount; MLB executives Mark Attanasio, Doug Melvin, Arte Moreno, Kim Ng, Tony Reagins and Terry Ryan; and media members/historians Steve Hirdt, Tyler Kepner and Jayson Stark.

Mariners Trade Top Catching Prospect Ford to Nationals for Reliever Ferrer

The Seattle Mariners traded top catching prospect Harry Ford to the Nationals for left-handed reliever Jose Ferrer.

Seattle also sent right-handed pitching prospect Isaac Lyon to Washington to complete the deal officially.

Ferrer gives the Mariners a hard-throwing second southpaw reliever they have been actively seeking this offseason.

Ford was Seattle’s first-round pick in the 2021 draft and ranked among baseball’s top prospects.

The trade comes ahead of the Winter Meetings, with expectations of increased league-wide transaction activity.

Seattle now faces questions about catching depth, with Cal Raleigh the lone catcher on roster.

Former Rangers Owner Tom Hicks Dies at 79

Former Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks died on Saturday at age 79, the team confirmed. Hicks previously owned the Rangers and Dallas Stars during some of the most successful periods.

The Rangers praised Hicks as a passionate, competitive owner and extended condolences to his family. Hicks owned the Rangers from 1998 to 2010, including division titles in his first two seasons.

He hired executives Jon Daniels, Ron Washington, and Nolan Ryan, shaping future pennant-winning teams later. Under Hicks, the Rangers reached their first two World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.

In 2000, He approved Alex Rodriguez’s record-setting 10-year, $252 million contract with the Rangers at the time.

He also oversaw major off-field developments, including Riders Field and the Surprise Recreation Complex projects.

The former rangers owner also owned the Dallas Stars, who won the Stanley Cup in 1999 during his ownership tenure.

He is survived by his wife Cinda and their six children, the family said Sunday.

Mariners See Extension Potential for Arozarena Amid Trade Speculation

Despite arbitration raise, the Mariners are not considering trading Randy Arozarena due to relaxed payroll pressures.

President Jerry Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander strongly value Arozarena and are comfortable keeping him long term.

Postseason struggles drew attention, but officials emphasize his 27 homers, All-Star nod, and standout midsummer performance.

Arozarena is one year from free agency, represented by Boras Corp, and will enter his age-32 season.

While future negotiations remain unclear, the Mariners maintain strong interest in extending Arozarena beyond this season.

Trade Buzz Building Around Nationals’ All-Star Lefty

Trade buzz is growing around Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore as teams seek starting pitching upgrades.

Several pitchers headline the market, though Detroit ace Tarik Skubal would command the largest trade package.

ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that some clubs definitely expect Gore to be traded this offseason.

More than half the league has checked on Gore, while Washington continues listening to offers.

However, the Nationals’ asking price for the 26-year-old All-Star remains understandably high this winter period.

Gore earned his first All-Star nod in 2025, striking out 185 hitters across nearly 160 innings.

Under club control for two seasons, Gore owns a 10.1 strikeouts-per-nine rate since 2023 began.

Young Blue Jays Fans Rib Freddie Freeman in Holiday Charity Video

A holiday video featuring Canadian children teasing Freddie Freeman surfaced online, quickly drawing attention across baseball fans.

The skit supports actor Ryan Reynolds’ annual fundraiser benefiting Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children nationwide.

Freeman, introduced as Ontario’s pride, was booed after his Dodgers beat Toronto in the World Series.

Young Blue Jays fans jokingly called Freeman a hoser before chanting him playfully out together.

Donations to the SickKids Foundation will be matched up to one million dollars through December 24.

Blue Jays Outright Reliever Rodríguez to Minors

The Blue Jays outrighted reliever Yariel Rodríguez off their 40-man roster before the MLB Winter Meetings.

Rodríguez cleared waivers unclaimed, keeping his MLB salary while remaining in the organization for now. The right-hander is no longer on the 40-man roster but can still be traded freely.

If not traded, Rodríguez will attend Spring Training as a Minor League player with Toronto.

The 28-year-old reliever is entering the third season of his five-year, $32 million contract deal.

Signed with starter and bullpen potential, He moved full-time to relief in 2025 last season.

He posted a 3.08 ERA, though underlying metrics were less encouraging overall throughout the year.

Rodríguez struggled late, was left off the World Series roster, making the decision surprising for many.

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Mascherano Leads Inter Miami to MLS Cup Glory in Debut Season

Javier Mascherano guided Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup title in his debut season. Hired in November 2024, Mascherano replaced Tata Martino despite limited senior-level coaching experience.

Inter Miami defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi on Saturday.

Mascherano openly embraced criticism, acknowledging doubts surrounding his appointment before the season began.

He credited belief in the process after earlier struggles managing Argentina’s youth national teams.

Lionel Messi Delivers MLS Cup to Inter Miami

Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a 3-1 MLS Cup victory over Vancouver at Chase Stadium.

Messi earned MLS Cup MVP honors after recording two assists and helping create the opening goal.

The triumph marked Inter Miami’s first league title since Messi joined MLS in 2023.

Miami previously won Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield but fell short of MLS Cup until now.

The title gave Messi a world-record 47th trophy earned for club or country.

Messi said winning MLS Cup fulfilled a main objective after years of building toward success.

Day: December 8, 2025

Bulls rookie Essengue out for year after surgery decision

Hall of Fame to announce Contemporary Era ballot results tonight

Mariners Trade Top Catching Prospect Ford to Nationals for Reliever Ferrer

Former Rangers Owner Tom Hicks Dies at 79

Mariners See Extension Potential for Arozarena Amid Trade Speculation

Trade Buzz Building Around Nationals’ All-Star Lefty

Young Blue Jays Fans Rib Freddie Freeman in Holiday Charity Video

Blue Jays Outright Reliever Rodríguez to Minors

Mascherano Leads Inter Miami to MLS Cup Glory in Debut Season

Lionel Messi Delivers MLS Cup to Inter Miami

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