This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
BOO! Good morning, folks. Happy Halloween. I hope you’re well. I’m certainly not.
I don’t drink coffee. I never have. The first sip of coffee I ever had was smuggled out of my grandmother’s mug years ago and it’s still the blackest brew I’ve ever seen in my life. I couldn’t have been more than seven years old. Ever since I’ve sworn off the stuff.
Today, I am considering drinking a cup of coffee. Because I have no business being this tired.
It’s not my fault. As you’ve probably seen by now, James Harden has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for a hodgepodge of players on expiring contracts, an unprotected 2028 draft pick and a 2026 draft swap.
RELATED: Who won the 76ers-Clippers deal for James Harden?
I’m not here to talk about any of that — not here, anyway. I am simply too tired to do so. Why? Because news about this trade broke at 2 a.m. ET. TWO. AYE. EM. And I was awake. Why? Because I needed to know what was going on.
Yes, stupid, I know. I should’ve been wearing clown makeup while I lay there tucked under my blanket staring at the blue light from my phone through my glossy red eyes.
I know some of you are with me. I’ve seen the complaints. But I don’t blame Woj like some of you do. As my colleague Charles Curtis points out, he was simply doing the job.
Nah, man. This is on Daryl Morey. This is on Lawrence Frank. This is on James Harden.
Y’all couldn’t wait another eight hours to get this done? This couldn’t have happened at a decent hour? We’ve only known this trade was coming for *checks the calendar* four months now. Nobody else was getting in on this. It’s not even a great deal. I don’t like this for either team, honestly.
I think we could’ve waited to iron out the details on this one, fellas. I assure you. Now look at us. Y’all got me and everybody else out here at work looking like were going up in the club on a Monday.
I’m not built for that life. I’m not built for the 2 a.m. Woj bomb anymore, either. I’ve learned my lesson, though. Never again.
Corey Seager saves the day — again
The World Series is still far from over. The Rangers have a 2-1 lead on the Diamondbacks, but there’s still plenty of baseball left to be played.
But if the Rangers do win it all? I’d bet money that it’s because of Corey Seager. He’s saved the Rangers more times than I can count this postseason, including twice already in this World Series.
Seager smashed this two-run homer in the third inning of Game 3 to give the Rangers the 3-0 lead that held them steady the rest of the way.
Corey Seager is on another planet right now pic.twitter.com/fln5yah3s2
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 31, 2023
Each Seager homer feels so meaningful. Game 3 he does this. Game 1 he knocks one out of the park in the 9th to tie the game at 5-5. Bally Sports’ Jared Sandler pointed out how clutch each of Seager’s homers have been.
Corey Seager’s Home Runs
G3 BAL: 1st inn/gave TEX 1-0 lead
G4 HOU:3rd inn/tied game, 3-3
G7 HOU:1st inn/gave TEX 1-0 lead
G1 ARI: 9th inn/tied game, 5-5
G3 ARI: 3rd inn/gave TEX 3-0 lead (2R)All of Seager's postseason home runs have been significant.
— Jared Sandler (@JaredSandler) October 31, 2023
We’ll have to see how this series turns out, but it looks like Seager might be on his way to another World Series MVP.
Jaylon Johnson is the prize
It’s Halloween, but it’s also trade deadline day in the NFL. And it seems like there could be a ton of player movement happening out there.
Bears corner Jaylon Johnson is hoping he’s part of that movement. The corner reportedly demanded a trade from Chicago, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Contract talks fell apart and now the Bears are telling him he can find a new home.
#Bears corner Jaylon Johnson has requested a trade, per source. Chicago granted permission to search for a new home before today’s trade deadline. The player and team negotiated a new contract last week but couldn’t come close to a deal. So, a talented corner is now available. pic.twitter.com/XCU5EsZqF2
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 31, 2023
He’s on an expiring contract, but he’s also just 24 years old and a very good corner. This is one of those players that there will be a pretty robust market for. Chicago is in a good position to bring home more draft equity on top of what it already has, which looks like it could be two top-5 draft picks.
If you’re looking for a big trade deadline deal today, Johnson’s will probably be the one.
Quick hits: Trade deadline shenanigans … A fiery Dabo Swinney … and more
— Christain D’Andrea has one trade deadline deal that could make an impact for 11 Super Bowl contenders.
— Dabo Swinney threw a 5-minute temper tantrum on his radio show because a fan asked him why he made so much money just to suck. No, seriously. Cory Woodruff has more.
— Robert Zeglinski and Christian D’Andrea have you covered with their weekly NFL Power Rankings.
— Here’s Tyler Nettuno with the winners and losers from Week 9 in the college football world.
— Charles Curtis gives us a look at the Clippers’ new starting lineup and…it looks pretty good?
— Here’s an NFL trade deadline tracker for you to follow through the rest of the day.
That’s all, folks! Thanks so much for reading. Go grab a cup of coffee if you haven’t already. Let’s chat again tomorrow.
Until then, peace. We out.
-Sykes ✌️
