Jen McCaffrey

Before he faced Aaron Judge, Joseph Contreras had to finish his high school classwork The 17-year-old Team Brazil righty, son of former MLB pitcher Jose Contreras, got out of a huge jam against Team USA's star-studded lineup.

A 17-year-old got Aaron Judge to ground into a bases-loaded double play on Friday night. First, he had to finish his social studies homework. Math homework kept him busy on Thursday. Meet Joseph Contreras, José's son and the youngest player in WBC history - www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Campbell just homered for the first time this spring. More on his big swing changes here

Roman Anthony already fits in with the stars. He’s ready to prove himself over a full season Anthony is the youngest member of the Team USA roster by two years, but his talent has him fitting right in with the stars of the game.

As Team USA begins WBC play, Roman Anthony will be the youngest player on a star-studded roster.

He still feels like he has a lot to prove to live up to his sky-high potential.

On his diligent offseason rehab, plan to improve his defense and 2026 goals
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Red Sox camp standouts: Four under-the-radar players who could make an impact in 2026 A tall journeyman and a familiar face could help Boston on the pitching side, while a newly acquired outfielder can provide speed.

It's that time of camp where half the Red Sox roster is at the WBC and several unfamiliar names are getting more at-bats and innings than usual.

A look at a few standout performers so far, some of whom might contribute in Boston this season
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Jeremy Peña has a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger, according to the Astros. He will be reevaluated in two weeks

Roman Anthony already fits in with the stars. He’s ready to prove himself over a full season Anthony is the youngest member of the Team USA roster by two years, but his talent has him fitting right in with the stars of the game.

This time last year, Roman Anthony was getting heckled in the Spring Breakout game for being “overrated”.

On Tuesday he homered in a WBC exhibition game. He seems sufficiently hyped at this point. 

On Year 2 of Anthony and how much better he can get
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Mayer talking a bit about this now on the ESPN broadcast

Roman Anthony already fits in with the stars. He’s ready to prove himself over a full season Anthony is the youngest member of the Team USA roster by two years, but his talent has him fitting right in with the stars of the game.

This time last year, Roman Anthony was getting heckled in the Spring Breakout game for being “overrated”.

On Tuesday he homered in a WBC exhibition game. He seems sufficiently hyped at this point. 

On Year 2 of Anthony and how much better he can get
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Deadline set for FIFA’s $7.8m World Cup row with Foxboro, games at risk as town stands firm "Same bulls---" - A March 17 deadline has been set over a security-funding row that has put Boston's World Cup matches at risk

From @theathletic.com: With only 99 days until the World Cup, things are getting tense in Foxboro. The local select board is still blocking FIFA's license for Gillette Stadium due to a $7.8 million gap in security funding. Seven matches are at stake.

Roman Anthony already fits in with the stars. He’s ready to prove himself over a full season Anthony is the youngest member of the Team USA roster by two years, but his talent has him fitting right in with the stars of the game.

One of Anthony's biggest focuses this year is defense. After watching two teammates win Gold Gloves, he's trying to level up his game and double down on his OF routine.

"I’m constantly just focusing on what they’re doing and how they go about their work.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Roman Anthony already fits in with the stars. He’s ready to prove himself over a full season Anthony is the youngest member of the Team USA roster by two years, but his talent has him fitting right in with the stars of the game.

Roman Anthony's two-run homer in the WBC exhibition game showed he belongs.

But entering his first full season, he still feels he has a lot to prove.

“I’m continuing to do the same work as if I’m not in the big leagues yet and still trying to make it.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Team USA lineup vs. the Giants:

Bobby Witt Jr., SS
Bryce Harper, 1B
Aaron Judge, RF
Kyle Schwarber, DH
Alex Bregman, 3B
Cal Raleigh, C
Roman Anthony, LF
Byron Buxton, CF
Brice Turang, 2B

Paul Skenes, RHP

Red Sox roster projection 2.0: Exploring battles for the fifth starter, bench and bullpen Manager Alex Cora says the roster is close to set for Opening Day, yet there are a few decisions left to make.

ICYMI: Here's a Red Sox season preview on Rates & Barrels with @enosarris.bsky.social and @dvr.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfOJ...

Plus, our latest Red Sox roster projection:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

A speedier, stronger Marcelo Mayer is ready to shake injury-prone label, win a starting job Mayer's training helped him post faster sprint times than Trevor Story and Jarren Duran. But his main goal is to play a full season.

Weekend reading ICYMI:

Marcelo Mayer’s homer in his first game Friday might be a sign of the significant muscle he put on this offseason
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Kristian Campbell spent the winter literally staring in the mirror to rebuild his swing

www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

A speedier, stronger Marcelo Mayer is ready to shake injury-prone label, win a starting job Mayer's training helped him post faster sprint times than Trevor Story and Jarren Duran. But his main goal is to play a full season.

Weekend reading ICYMI:

Marcelo Mayer’s homer in his first game Friday might be a sign of the significant muscle he put on this offseason
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Kristian Campbell spent the winter literally staring in the mirror to rebuild his swing

www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Episode thumbnail for the Feb. 27th episode of Rates & Barrels featuring Roman Anthony, Tarik Skubal, and Byron Buxton. Photo Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images (Anthony), Stacy Revere/Getty Images (Skubal), Stacy Revere/Getty Images (Buxton)

🎙️ Rates & Barrels ⚾

More team previews!

@jcmccaffrey.bsky.social joined me to talk Red Sox, @codystavenhagen.bsky.social dropped by for the Tigers, and @aarongleeman.bsky.social explained the Twins' bizarre offseason....

Audio: pod.fo/e/398f97
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels

Roman Anthony said he’s fine - the collision with Rafaela knocked the wind out of him a bit, and he banged his left forearm off Rafaela in a way that was sort of surprising, but he felt fine and knew he’d be OK to stay in the game.

Anthony is up after a couple minutes on the ground. It appeared the trainer was looking at his left wrist after Anthony landed awkwardly while trying to avoid a more vicious collision. But both Anthony and Rafaela remain in the game.

A speedier, stronger Marcelo Mayer is ready to shake injury-prone label, win a starting job Mayer's training helped him post faster sprint times than Trevor Story and Jarren Duran. But his main goal is to play a full season.

Marcelo Mayer is batting sixth and playing second in his first game today.

“Last year was obviously a struggle for me. That’s not the player that I think I am.”

It's a pivotal year for Mayer, who added significant strength this winter to stay healthy
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

A speedier, stronger Marcelo Mayer is ready to shake injury-prone label, win a starting job Mayer's training helped him post faster sprint times than Trevor Story and Jarren Duran. But his main goal is to play a full season.

Marcelo Mayer spent the offseason adding strength, speed and tweaking his swing to finally prove he can be the player everyone expected when he was drafted in the 1st round.

“The second I got home, I got to work because I knew there was no time to waste"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

A speedier, stronger Marcelo Mayer is ready to shake injury-prone label, win a starting job Mayer's training helped him post faster sprint times than Trevor Story and Jarren Duran. But his main goal is to play a full season.

Mayer worked with an NFL Combine coach in San Diego, lifting and doing speed workouts that helped him beat Jarren Duran and Trevor Story at Story's camp this offseason.

"He kept posting the best time and me and JD were disputing the technology."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

A speedier, stronger Marcelo Mayer is ready to shake injury-prone label, win a starting job Mayer's training helped him post faster sprint times than Trevor Story and Jarren Duran. But his main goal is to play a full season.

Marcelo Mayer knows the narrative: He’s injury-prone.

This offseason, he gained strength and speed to withstand the rigors of his first full big-league season.

He has a position to win, a manager to please and a lot to prove

"I still got to earn a job”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

The Athletic Welcomes New Colleagues | The New York Times Company We’re excited to announce the hiring of several Washington Post journalists as The Athletic expands its coverage of the Commanders, launches a new Nationals beat and adds to its growing roster of…

Really happy to see this.

The Athletic is adding a bunch of great former Washington Post staffers to our roster and greatly expanding our coverage of the Nationals, Commanders, and D.C. sports as a whole.

Their loss is our gain, and our readers' gain.

www.nytco.com/press/the-at...

How Kristian Campbell used a mirror to reflect and change his swing after a rough rookie year After a frustrating rookie season, Campbell went home and re-worked his swing. Now he feels he's in a much better place to succeed.

You've seen Kristian Campbell's new swing, but what goes into that change?

Inside a tedious offseason studying video of Bregman and Vladdy, visualizing his new stance in a mirror, tee work, Trajeckt, Puerto Rico and more.

On Campbell's quest to get back to Boston
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

thanks very much, appreciate that.

How Kristian Campbell used a mirror to reflect and change his swing after a rough rookie year After a frustrating rookie season, Campbell went home and re-worked his swing. Now he feels he's in a much better place to succeed.

You've seen Kristian Campbell's new swing, but what goes into that change?

Inside a tedious offseason studying video of Bregman and Vladdy, visualizing his new stance in a mirror, tee work, Trajeckt, Puerto Rico and more.

On Campbell's quest to get back to Boston
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Kristian Campbell spent much of his offseason standing in the living room of his parents’ house, staring into a mirror.

Inside an offseason of change for Campbell:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Kristian Campbell spent much of his offseason standing in the living room of his parents’ house, staring into a mirror.

Inside an offseason of change for Campbell:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

What I’m seeing in Red Sox camp: New locker locations, Willson Contreras’ intensity and more How this camp feels different from a year ago, plus Sonny Gray's "veteran program" and an under-the-radar bench option.

What I’m seeing in Red Sox camp:

Thoughts on new locker locations

Willson Contreras’ intensity

An under-the-radar utility infielder with a chance for a roster spot

Sonny Gray’s schedule and more

www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

What I’m seeing in Red Sox camp: New locker locations, Willson Contreras’ intensity and more How this camp feels different from a year ago, plus Sonny Gray's "veteran program" and an under-the-radar bench option.

What I’m seeing in Red Sox camp:

Thoughts on new locker locations

Willson Contreras’ intensity

An under-the-radar utility infielder with a chance for a roster spot

Sonny Gray’s schedule and more

www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...