Mailbag: Rookies to Watch, Trade Deadline Chaos, and Mahomes’ GOAT Path
Edition #257
Hey all! So I ended up getting almost 20 questions—thank you for sending those in. I was originally planning to answer every single one, but with the NFL Preview Series heating up, plus a lot going on, and some questions being very time-sensitive, I decided to pick five of the most interesting ones to dive into here. If your question didn’t make the cut this time, I’m sorry, but don’t worry—I’ll probably be doing another mailbag real soon.
This week’s NFL mailbag covers topics like Mahomes’ GOAT chase, rookie breakout candidates, and the latest MLB trade deadline buzz. Cricket anyone?
: Which rookies from this NFL draft will have pro-bowl caliber seasons and which 1st round picks will be underperform?
This one might be a little controversial, but I’ll name three rookies I think will have Pro Bowl seasons: Ashton Jeanty, Travis Hunter, and Abdul Carter.
Jeanty is like the next Alvin Kamara. He has an incredible ability to break tackles. Even though he doesn’t have elite speed, he’s a patient runner and makes linebackers pay.
Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. together? Jags fans are in for a treat. Hunter is also going to get some action at cornerback, and that versatility is what’ll push him into Pro Bowl territory. As long as he doesn’t completely flop on one side of the ball, if he plays well on both ends, he’s a lock.
Abdul Carter—maybe the next Micah Parsons? Of the three, I think Carter is the most NFL-ready. He’s an elite run defender and is going to stand out right away on the Giants.
: Provide your latest insights on the MLB? Who do you see as the top contenders or prospects for the upcoming Draft deadline?
Sorry. Little bit late on this one, so I’ll just go straight into trade deadline stuff.
Honestly, I think the Cleveland Guardians are the most interesting team to watch this year. They could go either way—same with the Red Sox. If I had to pick one position for Cleveland to fix, it’s shortstop.
One of the biggest dark horses to land Eugenio Suárez? The Reds. No one’s talking about them, but they’re in a tough division and need a boost if they want to seriously challenge the Brewers and Cubs.
Now, Nestor Cortes is reportedly available. Jon Heyman says he could even head back to the Yankees. How about the Angels?
As for Emmanuel Clase, he’s not going anywhere now. He’s been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of MLB's sports betting investigation. He’s now the second Guardians pitcher involved in that probe.
And finally… I don’t want to see it happen, but Matt Shaw is probably gone. The Cubs have reportedly talked with the Nationals about MacKenzie Gore. That would be a great move for the Cubs, but it wouldn’t fix their third base problem. Gore’s under team control until 2027.
That’s pretty much it for now. Covered most of this in the latest article anyway.
: When do you think cricket will become very big in America?
Very, very soon, but interestingly, I think baseball is going to grow in cricket-playing countries too.
Take Arjun Nimmala, for example. He grew up in the U.S. playing cricket. Now? He’s ranked No. 1 on MLB's 2025 Top 30 Blue Jays prospects list and No. 86 overall in MLB’s Top 100. Not many players will make the switch like he did, but it’s a sign of things to come. Add in some top international players coming to Major League Cricket (MLC), and it’s clear the sport is growing fast here.
The MLC is still a lot like the IPL, a bit of a moneymaker more than anything else, but as more players start picking up the sport in the U.S., cricket will get its moment.
And don’t forget: cricket is going to be in the LA 2028 Olympics. That’s going to boost the game’s visibility big time.
So if I had to give a year? I’d say 2028. If the U.S. can put together a decent showing, that might finally kickstart the rise of American cricket. I'm not sure they’ll perform all that well, but keep the confidence.
: What does Mahomes need to do to become the GOAT? And which star MLB player do you want to see traded at the deadline, to which team?
Mahomes. A lot of people already think he’s the GOAT. I’m not there yet—but he can get there.
My friend,
, and I argue about this all the time. He says Brady’s rings came with heavy defensive support. Mahomes hasn’t always had the best teams around him, but he still finds a way to win. Some people call it rigged.He’s already got three Super Bowls at age 29. Brady finished with seven. If Mahomes wins a few more MVPs and passes Brady in rings, I think he’s got a strong case. Want a cherry on top? Break Peyton Manning’s single-season passing yard record.
As for the MLB side of the question, I’d love to see Steven Kwan get traded.
Yeah, I know the Guardians want to build around him and José Ramírez, but Kwan could net a serious return. In a division like the AL Central, you don’t need much to stay competitive. Send him to a deep team like the Dodgers, and you've got a squad whose window stays open for years.
Anonymous on X (Random Drawing): What do the Yankees need to do before the trade deadline?
Well, uh, Judge is out. He’s on the 10-day IL with a flexor strain. At least it’s not Tommy John surgery, which we all thought it was.
The Yankees want to strengthen their bullpen. They’ve been linked to Jhoan Durán, and the Twins seem close to a deal.
But one guy I think the Yankees should go after? Zac Gallen. His ERA isn’t great this year, but we know how good he can be. If New York lands him, it would seriously boost their playoff chances. And now that they’ve added McMahon, they don’t need Eugenio anymore. Gallen should be the top priority.
The Yankees have already added Amed Rosario. Let’s see what else they do.
That’s all for this edition of the mailbag. Thanks again to everyone who sent in a question. If yours didn’t make the cut, there’s always next time. Keep an eye out for more content coming soon, especially with the NFL Preview Series heating up.
I’m Smayan Srikanth, the writer behind Sports Square, where I break down the biggest stories. Signing out.
Let’s go!