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The Best of the Day: December 27th, 2020
See the best of the day in sports from December 27, 2020 including SD acquiring Blake Snell, making them a WS favorite, NFL Week 16, and more!
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The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 12/27 here.
In the biggest news of the day, the Tampa Bay Rays dealt former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to the San Diego Padres in exchange for four players on Monday. It was a win-win for both organizations, as the Padres landed a new ace and the Rays received a great return for a player they were never going to be able to re-sign while upgrading their most notable weakness. The acquisition of Snell makes this young, talented Padres team an even scarier opposition and will allow them to contend for championships for the foreseeable future.
Here is the best of the day from December 27, 2020:
San Diego Padres have acquired Cy Young winner Blake Snell
The San Diego Padres have acquired left-handed starter Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays. In return, the Rays received right-handers Luis Patino and Cole Wilcox, and catchers Blake Hunt and Francisco Mejia. Snell, 28, the 2018 American League Cy Young Award winner, was three years away from demanding a contract out of Tampa’s ballpark. The Rays have now parted ways with two of their top three starters from 2020 in Snell and Charlie Morton. However, they still have their ace in Tyler Glasnow and received a young pitcher in Patino who has future Cy Young potential. With the two young additions at catcher, Tampa also strengthened its biggest weakness.
The trade gives the Padres a promising rotation even without Mike Clevinger (Tommy John surgery) for 2021. Their rotation for the upcoming season will likely include LHP Dinelson Lamet, Snell, RHP Chris Paddack, RHP Zach Davies, and LHP Adrian Morejon, giving them one of the best rotations in baseball. Most importantly, San Diego kept its top prospect in lefty MacKenzie Gore, arguably the best pitching prospect in all of baseball. Gore is set to make his major league debut next season and the Padres rotation in 2022 could be even scarier with him and a returning Clevinger.
More info on the Blake Snell trade from @MLBPipeline as well as the promising updated Padres rotation future depth chart https://t.co/B8GNErhh9M pic.twitter.com/8Y2TtgPbw0
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) December 28, 2020
Blake Snell won the CY Young award in 2018 and over the last 3 seasons he ranks in the top 10 in MLB in ERA, K pct and Opp BA among starters.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 28, 2020
Corey Seager, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Will Smith are a combined 1-21 with 14 K, 3 BB and 0 XBH against Snell. pic.twitter.com/ymf0TqARZX
Related: San Diego Padres Future Outlook
San Diego has entered the 2021 World Series favorites conversation
The San Diego Padres have been one of the least successful teams of the 21st century, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be one of the most prosperous franchises of the next 10-20 years. The Southern Cali organization has been stockpiling talent for years and finally has a roster capable of competing for Championships. GM A.J. Preller is now making win-now acquisitions, with his biggest trade yet that landed a former Cy Young winner to go atop the rotation with Mike Clevinger recovering from Tommy John surgery this season.
The Dodgers deserve respect as repeat champs, both New York teams could be amongst the favorites depending on how their offseasons go, the Braves are still stacked and hungry, Minnesota is loaded with talent, the Rays aren’t going anywhere, and the A’s are the only team to have a win percentage of .599 or better in each of the last three years. However, San Diego just made a power move that elevates them to the top of the World Series favorites discussion. They had their first taste of playoff action in over a decade during the shortened 2020 season and now have the makings of a perennial championship contender going forward.
The Padres are led by their dynamic superstar hitting duo of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. Tatis Jr., on his current trajectory, is on pace to be the greatest SS in baseball after finishing fourth in MVP voting at just 22 years old in 2020. Machado, 28 is one of the best 3B in the game with two Gold Gloves and is an elite hitter with a Silver Slugger and has five 32+ HR seasons to his name already. Their rotation will be among the best next season with the addition of Snell and will only get better when Clevinger returns in 2022. Finally, with one of the best farm systems as well, the future is the brightest it has ever been for the Friar Faithful.
Related: MLB World Series
#PlayerOfTheDay (12/27/20) - WR Davante Adams, GB
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) December 28, 2020
FACTS TO KNOW:
- REC TD in 9 straight SNF games; longest streak in history
- 3rd player ever w/ 100+ REC & 16+ REC TD in a season
- T-2nd most REC TD in a season in GB history
- Now has 4th most career REC (540) in Packers history https://t.co/uedlTkviSk
Related: Players of the Day
Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Related: Games of the Day
Travis Kelce’s 2020 is the greatest TE season ever.
Travis Kelce is in the midst of the greatest TE season of all-time https://t.co/ZKmz5vI2Ub
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) December 28, 2020
Related: Facts of the Day
CBS Sports: NFL Week 16 Grades for Every Team
Best Read of the Day: NFL Week 16 Grades for Every Team by @johnbreech ⬇️ https://t.co/qWthCDc1Iu
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) December 28, 2020
MAIN TAKEAWAY: Despite another loss, this was the best-case scenario for the Jaguars
In most years, getting the No.1 pick offers hope to a franchise since they’re in position to land the best young prospect the sport has to offer. However, 2020’s top NFL Draft prospect, Trevor Lawrence is arguably the most complete NFL Quarterback to ever enter the NFL with records, championships, and an unprecedented track record of winning. The Jaguars got their ass beat by the Bears on Sunday, but the loss ensured that outcome won’t be happening very often in the future.
The loss clinched Jacksonville landing the No.1 pick and they will be able to select Trevor Lawrence in hopes of saving their franchise. To go from the bottom-feeder of the NFL to an actually contending club, they’ll need to surround Lawrence with a quality coaching staff, better weapons, and a formidable offensive line. When they get to that point, they can look back at this loss and realize it was all for the best.
Related: What’s Hot
NBA Game Reviews: December 27, 2020 by Noah Camras
A historical beatdown, game-winners, and Scary Terry slamming it over KD highlighted an eventful night in the NBA.
The Clippers couldn't handle the Mavs without Kawhi, Tatum tried to play hero once again (but with a different outcome), and the Game of the Day came from an unexpected matchup ⬇️ https://t.co/3DqZfx46B9
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) December 28, 2020
Related: Latest PSO Content
FULL ARTICLE: Most Significant Sports History on December 27th
Today in 1987, the @Seahawks Steve Largent set the all-time NFL reception record when he hauled in number 752. Jerry Rice holds the current record at 1,549 receptions... pic.twitter.com/EDTDzyKaw3
— 80s Sports N Stuff (@80sSportsNStuff) December 27, 2018
YEARS: 1987, 1998 & 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: A HOF WR and RB set career records while the NFL finalized its All-Time Top-100 players list
Related: Significant Sports History
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