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The Premier League didn’t issue too many surprises at the bottom of the table this week, but two top-tier sides didn’t behave as such and shook up our rankings. [ MORE:Premier League schedule ] Chelsea and Man City have dipped low, and Bournemouth’s skid doesn’t have it sinking lower (yet) because of the teams beneath it. Green: New season-high rankingRed: New season-low [ MORE: PL Club Power Rankings archive ] 20. Watford — Liverpool and Manchester United are next, and it’s looking a long way back to safety.Last week: 20 19. Norwich City — Outshot, out-passed, our possessed Sheffield United at home and still lost. Bad vibes, man.Last week: 18 18. West Ham United — Just feels like there’s something lurking below the surface here. Doesn’t smell right given the Irons talent.Last week: 17 17. Bournemouth — Losing to Liverpool is no shame, but it’s almost officially time to worry.Last week: … [Read more...] about PL Club Power Rankings: Week 16

Welcome to the PHT Morning Skate, a collection of links from around the hockey world. Have a link you want to submit? Email us at [email protected] • Henrik Lundqvist‘s game day routine keeps him in top shape. (Men’s Health) • Even though they’ve lost three games in a row, there’s no need for the Bruins to panic. (WEEI) • Here are six players the Habs could trade for to help out their defense. (Sportsnet) • The Flyers’ power play was a strength that has now become a weakness. (Broad Street Hockey) • How serious are the Leafs about reducing Freddie Anderson’s work load? (Toronto Star) • Penguins defender John Marino is incredibly underrated. (ESPN) • The way the Stars handled the Jim Montgomery situation will have a greater effect than the NHL’s code of conduct. (The Hockey News) • Brendan Shanahan openly discussed the Mike Babcock, Johan Franzen and Mitch Marner situations. (TSN) • … [Read more...] about PHT Morning Skate: Lundqvist’s routine; No time for Bruins to panic

Ken Rosenthal and Eno Sarris of The Athletic report that the Mets and free agent starter Rick Porcello have agreed on a one-year contract. Per Jon Heyman, the deal is for $10 million. Porcello, 30, is coming off of the worst season of his career. Though he went 14-12, he compiled an ugly 5.52 ERA with 143 strikeouts and 45 walks over 174 1/3 innings. It has been a rough three years for Porcello, who has an aggregate 4.79 ERA since 2017. The benefit of this one-year deal for Porcello is that, if he has a bounce-back season, he can potentially leverage that into a multi-year contract next offseason. The Mets also signed Michael Wacha to a one-year, $3 million deal on Wednesday. The rotation already features Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, and Steven Matz. Unless the Mets trade one of those four, they will seemingly have to use one of Porcello and Wacha out of the bullpen to start the 2020 season with the odd man out serving as rotation insurance. Follow @Baer_Bill … [Read more...] about Report: Mets and Rick Porcello agree on one-year, $10 million pact

SAN DIEGO — Major League Baseball’s plan to essentially contract 42 minor league baseball teams by eliminating their major league affiliations has not gone over very well with, well, almost anyone. It was immediately assailed by many the moment it was first reported by Baseball America in October, and then U.S. Senators Bernie Sander and Elizabeth Warren — and about 100 more other members of Congress from both sides of the aisle — weighed in with their disapproval. Yesterday Rob Manfred was asked about the plan. He bashed Minor League Baseball for leaking the plan and for taking a “take it or leave it approach” with the league in negotiations. Here’s what he said after saying, contrary to earlier reports, that he and Major League Baseball have not yet finalized any plan and are willing to discuss the matter: I think in contrast, I think some of the activities that have been undertaken by the leadership of Minor League Baseball have been … [Read more...] about Rob Manfred bashes Minor League Baseball’s response to his contraction scheme

Devonte' Graham signed with Appalachian State. It made sense at the time. His next-best scholarship offer came from Murray State. He didn’t view himself as an elite prospect bound to get better offers. Several of his AAU teammates had already committed. So, Graham pledged to play for the middling Southern Conference team that hasn’t produced an NBA player since the professional league’s infancy. Seven years later, Graham hardly resembles that unconfident kid. He appears in complete control on the court, leading the Hornets and building a strong case for Most Improved Player. But shades of the mindset that nearly drove Graham to Appalachian State persist and have helped him reach this point. *** Charlotte’s prized acquisition this offseason was Terry Rozier, a hyped young point guard to replace Kemba Walker. The Hornets gave Rozier a three-year, $56.7 million contract. Graham hoped to succeed retired Tony Parker as backup point guard. Once again, Graham … [Read more...] about Devonte’ Graham keeps exceeding expectations, including his own