Major League Baseball’s free-agent signing period opened this week, looking much like a going-out-of-business sale.
The pickings are mighty slim: top-tier slugger Edwin Encarnacion, all-around star Yoenis Cespedes, a few attractive closers and then, mostly, dusty leftovers and chipped return items.
Only a few teams figure to find anything exciting, as they pick through one of the weakest classes of available players in recent memory.
Case in point: Rich Hill, the left-hander who spun a 2.12 earned run average for the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers this past season, is the prize starter of the group.
Hill is 37 years old, pitched a mere 110 innings and has a long, inconsistent history.
Hill also was a free agent last year, but his one-year deal with Oakland was buried in an off-season that included mega-deals for stars David Price, Zack Greinke and Jordan Zimmermann.
This year, Hill looks like spun gold next to fellow greybeard free agents Doug Fister and Bartolo Colon, and regressing right-handlers Jeremy Hellickson and Ivan Nova.
Hey, does anyone need a No 5 starter?
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At least the available closers are true game-changers.
The Dodgers may not let their intimidating save artist Kenley Jansen walk away, but they will have to shell out for multiple years in the US$15 million (Dh55m) per range. No discount to stay in LA.
The champion Chicago Cubs finished off the year with MLB’s hardest thrower, Aroldis Chapman, as their closer.
But he, too, is chasing the largest contract he can drum up, likely short of the $100m package he seeks.
Mark Melancon is the other available bullpen anchor.
He may not be a Jansen- or Chapman-style strikeout machine, but he has been equally effective finishing games over the past couple of seasons.
Offence is rather meagre in this market, too, with Encarnacion’s power-packed resume the exception.
It includes 42 home runs and 127 runs batted in for the Toronto Blue Jays last summer.
But he is primarily a designated hitter and that will limit his suitors.
Outfielder Cespedes was a cornerstone of the New York Mets attack with his 31 home runs and 86 RBI in spacious Citi Field.
He figures to command a four-to-five year deal, somewhere north of $100m, which may be the sum Encarnacion collects. No one else will come close.
Once-great outfielders Carlos Beltran and Jose Bautista are in their twilight, suggesting short-term deals.
Home-run specialists Mark Trumbo and Mike Napoli will find homes as role players, not as franchise-carriers.
Former elite shortstop Ian Desmond has tumbled into, potentially, a utility player.
Serviceable Matt Wieters is the top catcher.
He would have been overshadowed by Wilson Ramos, who had a breakout year for the Washington Nationals before a knee injury reduced his appeal.
Dexter Fowler had a career year as the Cubs centre fielder, suggesting a nice multi-year agreement if anyone can pry him out of comfy Chicago.
At 31 years old, Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is a late-blooming run-producer, meaning his first big-money contract will be his last big-money contract.
Few others will make news.
The paucity of supernovas may shift the focus from the free-agent market to the trade market, favouring aggressive general managers.
Trades are where the headlines might be. Aces such as Chris Sale, Justin Verlander and Chris Archer are reportedly being dangled.
Detroit Tigers future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera’s name has emerged as trade bait.
The new off-season theme?
Less buying, more bartering.
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How to vote in the UAE
1) Download your ballot https://www.fvap.gov/
2) Take it to the US Embassy
3) Deadline is October 15
4) The embassy will ensure all ballots reach the US in time for the November 3 poll
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
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Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year
2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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MATCH INFO
Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
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Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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The five pillars of Islam
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Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
57%20Seconds
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Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.