Trivia

Where did Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos get his start in the MLB?

• A: Pittsburgh player

• B: Seattle scouting

• C: Philadelphia finance

• D: Montreal mail room

View the answer in the “Feedback” section

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Stocks

Trending up

• 🏈 Jaguars RB Travis Etienne. The third-year pro was recently ranked as the NFL’s 10th-best running back by league executives (via ESPN). While Jacksonville is hoping for a bounceback from Tank Bigsby to curb Etienne’s workload, it’s fair to expect him to offset a potential dip in volume with an uptick in efficiency. With Mitch Morse stabilizing the offensive line, and Gabe Davis/Brian Thomas Jr. adding much-needed spacing, a healthy 2024 campaign season from Etienne should result in a third-straight 1,000-yard rushing season and his first career Pro Bowl nod. Maybe even All-Pro votes. -Gus Logue

• 🏀 Magic F Tristan da Silva. Orlando’s first-round selection is making a strong first impression within the building ahead of the team’s NBA Summer League play in Las Vegas. With teammates such as Anthony Black praising his basketball IQ and Jett Howard gushing about his maturity, expect da Silva to be a vocal point for Orlando’s Summer League team on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Look for the 18th overall pick to have a big role with the Magic once the regular season tips off as well. -RJ Saunders

• ⚾️ Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos. He traded for an oft-injured Chris Sale; took a chance on journeyman Reynaldo Lopez in free agency; and stuck with Marcell Ozuna when many would have given up on him years ago. All three were named All-Stars this week. Anthopoulos nailed it yet again. -Andrew Gibson

Trending down

• 🏈 Free agent spending sprees in Jax. “Young talent has to get developed,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan recently said, via the Times-Union. “The coaching staff, their priorities have to change, the mindset has to change. That’s where we’re going to get our future players. We can’t have this addiction to free agency.” General manager Trent Baalke has also addressed Jacksonville’s wish to build through the draft going forward. Improvements from the team’s 2023 draft class, and immediate impacts from the 2024 class, would go a long way in the Jaguars’ hunt for another playoff berth. -Gus Logue

• 🏀 Trae Young’s trade market. It felt as if it was only a matter of time before the three-time All-Star would no longer be playing for the Atlanta Hawks. However, the interest for Ice Trae… has gone ice cold. Teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers were reportedly open to Young’s services. But San Antonio filled their need at point guard by acquiring Chris Paul, and Los Angeles wasn’t willing to pay Atlanta’s asking price. It seems the former fifth-overall pick will to the very least be spending half of this season with the squad that drafted him. -RJ Saunders

• ⚾️ The Marlins’ 2024 season. Miami has failed to build off their playoff appearance in 2023. With pitcher injuries mounting and an underperforming lineup, the Marlins are staring at a 100-plus loss season. It’s a shame that they have not been able to sustain any momentum as a franchise. -Andrew Gibson

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