Daily Archives: May 24, 2021

TipRanks

Markets are beset by volatility, with unpredictable swings making recent sessions something of a roller coaster. The main indexes were falling sharply at the end of last week, but Fridays release of economic data showing strong manufacturing activity provided a boost that pared back the market losses somewhat. The recent earnings season also gave reason for optimism the S&P listed companies, collectively, reported 46% year-over-year earnings gains in Q1, compared to the 20% expected. Goldman Sachs strategist David Kostin sees the generally positive macro data providing support for equities in an uncertain market environment. The combination of global reopening, elevated consumer savings, and strong corporate operating leverage will drive sharp recoveries in both economic and earnings growth... U.S. equities will continue to appreciate, albeit at a slower pace than has characterized the past 12 months equities will remain attractive relative to cash and bonds, Kostin noted. Taking this into consideration, our attention turned to three stocks that Goldman Sachs thinks have outsized growth prospects, with the firms analysts forecasting over 100% upside potential for each. Using TipRanks database, we found out that the rest of the Street is also on board, as each boasts a Strong Buy consensus rating. Rain Therapeutics (RAIN) Well start with a newly public biopharmaceutical company Rain Therapeutics. The company is developing a tumor-agnostic treatment strategy that selects patients based on the underlying genetics rather than the histology of the disease. Rain has two drug candidates in the pipeline, RAIN-32, which is undergoing several clinical trials, and RAD52, which is still in preclinical trial. Taking a closer look at the pipeline, we find that RAIN-32, an MDM2 inhibitor called milademetan, has a Phase 3 trial for WD/DD liposarcoma scheduled to begin in the second half of this year. At the same time, a Phase 2 trial, an MDM2 basket study, is also scheduled for 2H21. Beyond the WD/DD Phase 3 and the Phase 2 Basket study, the company is also looking to initiate another Phase 2 study in intimal sarcoma by early 2022. RAD52, the companys second pipeline candidate, is a novel approach to the treatment of breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. The drug is still in early research phases, but lead candidate selection for clinical studies is set to begin sometime next year. As mentioned above, Rain is a newly public company; it held its IPO in April of this year. The company put 7,352,941 shares on the American public markets, at $17 each. The IPO raised about $125 million in gross proceeds. Opening coverage of this stock for Goldman Sachs, analyst Graig Suvannavejh writes: While were optimistic on RAIN-32s prospects in LPS, the revenue opportunity appears modest, as we project peak risk-unadj./adj. sales of $612mn/$428mn (assumes 70% POS), given just c.3K in US annual incidence. That said, our enthusiasm for RAIN also rests on RAIN-32s potential beyond LPS, including in intimal sarcoma (an ultra orphan cancer), and also MDM2-amplified solid tumors, which we see as a substantial market opportunity. Across these three, we project $2.2bn/$859mn in peak yr risk unadj./adj. sales in the US/EU5, with other future indications for RAIN-32 (trials to start in 2022) and also a preclinical RAD52 program (a synthetic lethality play) representing upside potential to our forecasts. In line with his bullish stance, Suvannavejh rates RAIN a Buy, and his $56 price target implies room for a stunning 252% upside potential in the next 12 months. (To watch Suvannavejhs track record, click here) Turning now to the rest of the Street, other analysts echo Suvannavejh's sentiment. As only Buy recommendations have been published in the last three months, RAIN earns a Strong Buy analyst consensus. With the average price target clocking in at $33.75, shares could soar 112% from current levels. (See RAIN stock analysis on TipRanks) Relmada Therapeutics (RLMD) The next stock on Goldman Sachs's radar, Relmada Therapeutics, is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical firm, which focuses on issues of the central nervous system. REL-1017, the companys prime pipeline candidate, is a novel NMDA receptor channel blocker under development as a treatment for major depressive disorder. Mental health is a major segment of the pharmaceutical industry, and the antidepressant piece of the mental health pie is expected to exceed $18.5 billion by 2027. Relmada started RELIANCE I, the first pivotal trial of REL-1017, in December of last year, testing the drug as an adjunctive treatment for major depression. By this past April, two additional studies, RELIANCE II and RELIANCE-OPS were underway. All three are now ongoing, and a fourth, Phase 1, study of REL-1017 as a monotherapy is set to begin in the first half of this year. Top-line data from the two pivotal studies is scheduled for release in 1H22. Goldman Sachs analyst Andrea Tan covers this stock, and she gives it a Buy rating along with a $78 price target that implies a 103% upside over the next 12 months. (To watch Tans track record, click here) We note a string of key events in 2021+ that could drive value inflection: (1) human abuse potential (HAP) study against positive control oxycodone in 2Q21 and ketamine in 2H21, where we see the market as pricing in too much risk of a negative outcome (see scenario analysis within); (2) topline data for monotherapy REL-1017 in 4Q21; and (3) topline pivotal data in adjunctive MDD (GSe peak sales of $2.5bn in 2033) in 1H22 with NDA submission to follow thereafter, all of which we are constructive on given the differentiated profile demonstrating rapid onset of action, enhanced efficacy, and good tolerability to-date, Tan opined. What does the rest of the Street have to say? 3 Buys and no Holds or Sells add up to a Strong Buy consensus rating. Given the $67.67 average price target, shares could climb 76% in the year ahead. (See RLMD stock analysis at TipRanks) Agiliti (AGTI) Well close out our look at high-potential Goldman picks with Agiliti. The company is a provider of medical equipment, offering hospitals and health systems a range of bariatrics, beds, therapy mattresses, fall prevention devices, ventilators, breast pumps, patient monitors, medical-grade adjustable chairs, and surgical equipment along with the technical support, clinical engineering, and on-site management to properly use, maintain, and adjust the myriad devices. By the numbers, Agiliti boasts over 90 service centers across the lower 48 states, supporting more than 800,000 pieces of medical equipment in over 7,000 acute care hospitals and alternate medical sites. On April 23 of this year, Agility debuted its stock on the NYSE in an IPO that was initially priced at $14. The company put over 26.3 million shares on the market, and raised approximately $431.5 million in gross proceeds in the first day of the IPO. Last week, Agiliti released its first quarterly financial report as a public company. The top line revenue, at $235 million, was 31% higher than the year-ago Q1. Net income was $9.6 million, up a strong $22.2 million from last years Q1 net loss, and EPS was 9 cents per share. Looking at the companys forward path, Goldman Sachs analyst Amit Hazan noted, While not reflected in the 1Q close balance sheet, management provided visibility to post-IPO leverage of approximately 3.3x on a pro-forma basis. While somewhat constrained from a managerial standpoint given demands from Northfield, management expects both the financial and managerial flexibility to pursue opportunistic M&A by later this year. Hazan summed up, "We view AGTIs end-to-end service model as differentiated and ideally suited in todays Hospital operating environment; we see current valuation as an attractive entry point... To this end, Hazan gives AGTI shares a Buy rating, and his $43 price target implies a 151% upside for the coming year. (To watch Hazans track record, click here) In its first few weeks on the public markets, AGTI shares have picked up 9 reviews, which include 8 Buys and just 1 Hold. The stock is selling for $17.12 and the $21.39 average price target suggests it has room for ~25% one-year upside potential. (See AGTI stock analysis on TipRanks) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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What is a Reverse Morris Trust: Yahoo U - Yahoo Finance

Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- As the hunt for investments that can withstand rising interest rates gathers pace, frontier assets are gaining popularity over their larger emerging-market peers.The bonds of the worlds least-developed economies have returned 2.6% this year, keeping pace with their 2020 performance, while higher-ranked emerging-market debt has lost almost 2%, reversing some of last years 5.3% advance, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. indexes.With speculation growing that the worlds post-pandemic economic recovery is fueling inflation, the bonds of smaller developing nations are luring buyers as their securities tend to be of shorter duration -- meaning they are less sensitive to expectations for interest-rate increases. The average duration of frontier-market sovereign bonds is six years, compared with 7.9 years for traditional emerging markets, JPMorgan indexes show.People are still worried interest rates have to rise and are looking for higher yield and less interest-rate duration, said Leo Hu, who co-manages the $7 billion Emerging Markets Debt Hard Currency Fund at NN Investment Partners in Singapore. Frontier bonds may return at least 9% in the next 12 months, he said.The burgeoning interest in frontier assets nonetheless represents a threat to the global economy as central banks move back into policy-tightening mode. Less developed nations, such as those in Africa, present a higher chance of default than their larger emerging-market peers. And the more funds they attract, the greater the threat of potential contagion should rising borrowing costs hamper economic growth.Into AfricaIn terms of geography, money managers who specialize in frontier assets are almost united in favoring Africa, saying the region will benefit the most from rising raw material prices. These include Angola, Ghana and Zambia -- even though the latter became the first African country in the Covid-19 era to default when it skipped a Eurobond payment last year.Zambia has benefited as copper has risen to record highs, with demand bolstered by the global recovery and the transition toward green energy. The metal accounts for almost 80% of Zambias export earnings. The nations dollar debt has returned 24% this year amid prospects of an International Monetary Fund bailout, second only to Ecuador among the roughly 75 emerging markets tracked by Bloomberg Barclays indexes.Angola, Africas second-biggest oil producer, is another favorite. A slide in crude prices last year triggered by the pandemic led the country to seek $6.2 billion of relief from its major creditors, easing fears of a default in one of the continents most-indebted countries. Angolas bonds have returned 12% this year, according to a Bloomberg Barclays index.African bonds also stand out from their peers in terms of yields. Ghanas 2025 securities currently yield 6.3%, while similar-maturity Angolan debt yields 6.9%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That stands in contrast to traditional emerging markets. The 10-year bonds of Indonesia yield just 2.3%. Mexicos yield 3.1%.We have been allocating more to frontier sovereign credits, said Jens Nystedt, a fund manager in New York at Emso Asset Management, a specialist on fixed-income investments in emerging markets overseeing $6.8 billion. In particular, we like the outlook for Nigeria, Ghana and Angola given that they would be some of the main beneficiaries from higher oil prices.Bailout ProgramSentiment toward frontier markets was also boosted this year after the IMF announced a plan to create $650 billion in additional reserve assets to help developing economies cope with the pandemic.IMF support has been crucial for the likes of Pakistan, which raised $2.5 billion in March after the resumption of a $6 billion bailout program. Ecuadors new government plans to reach a deal with the IMF to ensure financial stability and unlock some of the funds related to the $6.5 billion financing agreement reached last year.Frontier-nation bonds offer higher yields for a reason -- they are judged to have a higher chance of default. But many fund managers arent deterred.There are quite some risks, such as the worsening of the pandemic or too much stimulus, but we stick with the rosier scenario for frontier markets, said Edgardo Sternberg, co-manager for emerging-markets debt portfolios in Boston at Loomis Sayles & Co., which oversees $3.5 billion of developing-nation bonds. Frontier markets should continue to outperform, he said.Central bank meetings in Nigeria, Kenya and Angola will be in focus this week. Elsewhere, policy makers in Indonesia and South Korea will also decide on interest rates.Listen: EM Weekly Podcast: Focus on Central Bank Meetings, China DataRates on HoldNigeria is likely to keep its key interest rate unchanged on Tuesday as the fragility of its economic recovery outweighs concerns about inflation, which remained more than double the the banks official target ceiling in AprilMonetary authorities in Kenya and Angola are also expected to hold rates on Wednesday and Friday, respectivelyWhile central banks in Indonesia and South Korea will also likely keep rates steady this week, the focus will be on the signs for a change of tack in the months aheadOn Tuesday, traders will be watching to see if Bank Indonesia prioritizes currency stability over supporting growth amid concerns over a quickening in global inflation and the countrys slow pace of vaccinations. The rupiah was Asias worst-performing currency last week and the nations sovereign bonds extended lossesOn Thursday, the Bank of Koreas forecasts for growth and inflation will be in focus as the central bank updates its economic projectionsWhile Colombias central bank will convene on Friday, the gathering is not a monetary policy meeting, according to Bloomberg EconomicsInvestors will watch for further market impact in Colombia as the nation faces more credit downgrades, which would solidify its loss of investment-grade statusEconomic DataChinas industrial profits probably continued to log a double-digit growth rate in April, although the pace may have slowed from March, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Faster factory-gate inflation was likely a support as well as strong exports, economists including Chang Shu wrote in a noteThe onshore yuan is holding close to its strongest level since 2018 amid an improving outlook for Chinas economy, and is on track to become the best-performing currency in Asia this month after Indias rupeeChinese debt is similarly outperforming all emerging-market peers; the benchmark 10-year sovereign yield has fallen nine basis points year-to-dateData Monday showed Taiwans April industrial production grew 13.6%, while unemployment was steady at around 3.7%The Taiwan dollar has remained resilient in recent weeks, supported by strong demand for the nations exports, even as a worsening Covid-19 outbreak has forced authorities to widen a lockdown to the entire islandInvestors will also get an update on how the regions trade sector is improving, as figures from Thailand and Malaysia are due Tuesday and Friday, respectivelyIndustrial production and inflation numbers from Russia will come under scrutiny, with the ruble beating most of its peers in the past month on the prospect of more policy tightening. The data come Tuesday and Wednesday, respectivelyMexicos annual inflation slowed less than expected in the first two weeks of May while staying far above the central banks target ceilingOn Wednesday, traders will monitor final first-quarter gross domestic product data for any changes versus last months estimateBloomberg Economics expects the release of minutes on Thursday from the latest central bank meeting to reflect a less dovish toneBrazilian IPCA consumer price inflation data for May, scheduled for Tuesday, will probably see an uptick amid higher electricity prices, according to Bloomberg EconomicsInvestors will watch current-account figures for April on Wednesday for signs that a strong trade surplus boosted the balance. Unemployment numbers the next day may reflect increased restrictions in March as infections rose.(Updates Taiwan production figure in data section.)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.

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Here is one big inflation risk not many people are thinking about - Yahoo Finance

TipRanks

Markets are beset by volatility, with unpredictable swings making recent sessions something of a roller coaster. The main indexes were falling sharply at the end of last week, but Fridays release of economic data showing strong manufacturing activity provided a boost that pared back the market losses somewhat. The recent earnings season also gave reason for optimism the S&P listed companies, collectively, reported 46% year-over-year earnings gains in Q1, compared to the 20% expected. Goldman Sachs strategist David Kostin sees the generally positive macro data providing support for equities in an uncertain market environment. The combination of global reopening, elevated consumer savings, and strong corporate operating leverage will drive sharp recoveries in both economic and earnings growth... U.S. equities will continue to appreciate, albeit at a slower pace than has characterized the past 12 months equities will remain attractive relative to cash and bonds, Kostin noted. Taking this into consideration, our attention turned to three stocks that Goldman Sachs thinks have outsized growth prospects, with the firms analysts forecasting over 100% upside potential for each. Using TipRanks database, we found out that the rest of the Street is also on board, as each boasts a Strong Buy consensus rating. Rain Therapeutics (RAIN) Well start with a newly public biopharmaceutical company Rain Therapeutics. The company is developing a tumor-agnostic treatment strategy that selects patients based on the underlying genetics rather than the histology of the disease. Rain has two drug candidates in the pipeline, RAIN-32, which is undergoing several clinical trials, and RAD52, which is still in preclinical trial. Taking a closer look at the pipeline, we find that RAIN-32, an MDM2 inhibitor called milademetan, has a Phase 3 trial for WD/DD liposarcoma scheduled to begin in the second half of this year. At the same time, a Phase 2 trial, an MDM2 basket study, is also scheduled for 2H21. Beyond the WD/DD Phase 3 and the Phase 2 Basket study, the company is also looking to initiate another Phase 2 study in intimal sarcoma by early 2022. RAD52, the companys second pipeline candidate, is a novel approach to the treatment of breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. The drug is still in early research phases, but lead candidate selection for clinical studies is set to begin sometime next year. As mentioned above, Rain is a newly public company; it held its IPO in April of this year. The company put 7,352,941 shares on the American public markets, at $17 each. The IPO raised about $125 million in gross proceeds. Opening coverage of this stock for Goldman Sachs, analyst Graig Suvannavejh writes: While were optimistic on RAIN-32s prospects in LPS, the revenue opportunity appears modest, as we project peak risk-unadj./adj. sales of $612mn/$428mn (assumes 70% POS), given just c.3K in US annual incidence. That said, our enthusiasm for RAIN also rests on RAIN-32s potential beyond LPS, including in intimal sarcoma (an ultra orphan cancer), and also MDM2-amplified solid tumors, which we see as a substantial market opportunity. Across these three, we project $2.2bn/$859mn in peak yr risk unadj./adj. sales in the US/EU5, with other future indications for RAIN-32 (trials to start in 2022) and also a preclinical RAD52 program (a synthetic lethality play) representing upside potential to our forecasts. In line with his bullish stance, Suvannavejh rates RAIN a Buy, and his $56 price target implies room for a stunning 252% upside potential in the next 12 months. (To watch Suvannavejhs track record, click here) Turning now to the rest of the Street, other analysts echo Suvannavejh's sentiment. As only Buy recommendations have been published in the last three months, RAIN earns a Strong Buy analyst consensus. With the average price target clocking in at $33.75, shares could soar 112% from current levels. (See RAIN stock analysis on TipRanks) Relmada Therapeutics (RLMD) The next stock on Goldman Sachs's radar, Relmada Therapeutics, is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical firm, which focuses on issues of the central nervous system. REL-1017, the companys prime pipeline candidate, is a novel NMDA receptor channel blocker under development as a treatment for major depressive disorder. Mental health is a major segment of the pharmaceutical industry, and the antidepressant piece of the mental health pie is expected to exceed $18.5 billion by 2027. Relmada started RELIANCE I, the first pivotal trial of REL-1017, in December of last year, testing the drug as an adjunctive treatment for major depression. By this past April, two additional studies, RELIANCE II and RELIANCE-OPS were underway. All three are now ongoing, and a fourth, Phase 1, study of REL-1017 as a monotherapy is set to begin in the first half of this year. Top-line data from the two pivotal studies is scheduled for release in 1H22. Goldman Sachs analyst Andrea Tan covers this stock, and she gives it a Buy rating along with a $78 price target that implies a 103% upside over the next 12 months. (To watch Tans track record, click here) We note a string of key events in 2021+ that could drive value inflection: (1) human abuse potential (HAP) study against positive control oxycodone in 2Q21 and ketamine in 2H21, where we see the market as pricing in too much risk of a negative outcome (see scenario analysis within); (2) topline data for monotherapy REL-1017 in 4Q21; and (3) topline pivotal data in adjunctive MDD (GSe peak sales of $2.5bn in 2033) in 1H22 with NDA submission to follow thereafter, all of which we are constructive on given the differentiated profile demonstrating rapid onset of action, enhanced efficacy, and good tolerability to-date, Tan opined. What does the rest of the Street have to say? 3 Buys and no Holds or Sells add up to a Strong Buy consensus rating. Given the $67.67 average price target, shares could climb 76% in the year ahead. (See RLMD stock analysis at TipRanks) Agiliti (AGTI) Well close out our look at high-potential Goldman picks with Agiliti. The company is a provider of medical equipment, offering hospitals and health systems a range of bariatrics, beds, therapy mattresses, fall prevention devices, ventilators, breast pumps, patient monitors, medical-grade adjustable chairs, and surgical equipment along with the technical support, clinical engineering, and on-site management to properly use, maintain, and adjust the myriad devices. By the numbers, Agiliti boasts over 90 service centers across the lower 48 states, supporting more than 800,000 pieces of medical equipment in over 7,000 acute care hospitals and alternate medical sites. On April 23 of this year, Agility debuted its stock on the NYSE in an IPO that was initially priced at $14. The company put over 26.3 million shares on the market, and raised approximately $431.5 million in gross proceeds in the first day of the IPO. Last week, Agiliti released its first quarterly financial report as a public company. The top line revenue, at $235 million, was 31% higher than the year-ago Q1. Net income was $9.6 million, up a strong $22.2 million from last years Q1 net loss, and EPS was 9 cents per share. Looking at the companys forward path, Goldman Sachs analyst Amit Hazan noted, While not reflected in the 1Q close balance sheet, management provided visibility to post-IPO leverage of approximately 3.3x on a pro-forma basis. While somewhat constrained from a managerial standpoint given demands from Northfield, management expects both the financial and managerial flexibility to pursue opportunistic M&A by later this year. Hazan summed up, "We view AGTIs end-to-end service model as differentiated and ideally suited in todays Hospital operating environment; we see current valuation as an attractive entry point... To this end, Hazan gives AGTI shares a Buy rating, and his $43 price target implies a 151% upside for the coming year. (To watch Hazans track record, click here) In its first few weeks on the public markets, AGTI shares have picked up 9 reviews, which include 8 Buys and just 1 Hold. The stock is selling for $17.12 and the $21.39 average price target suggests it has room for ~25% one-year upside potential. (See AGTI stock analysis on TipRanks) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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Inflation data, consumer confidence: What to know this week - Yahoo Finance

The Julio Jones trade speculation has been percolating for months, especially in the past few weeks. Jones' comments Monday on a national sports show should only crank up the boilers several degrees.

In a surprising appearance on FS1's "Undisputed" with host Shannon Sharpe calling him on his cellphone on the air Jones was asked about his future with the Atlanta Falcons.

"Oh, man, I'm out of there, man," Jones said.

No, was this Jones projecting? Or does he have information from the Falcons that they'll be trading him? That much is unclear.

When asked where he wants to go, Jones was vague.

"Uh, right now I just ... I want to win," he said. Jones also appeared to balk at a trade to the Dallas Cowboys, even if that never felt like a realistic destination to begin with.

Something has to give. The Falcons are extremely tight up against the salary cap and will need to clear up more than $10 million in space in order to sign their nine draft picks.

Wide receiver Julio Jones might not be long for the Atlanta Falcons. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

When asked about the team's cap situation, new general manager Terry Fontenot referred to the Falcons having to make "tough decisions" but did not single out Jones or any other Falcon in terms of who could be moved.

We knew when we stepped into this we were going to have to make some tough decisions because its just the reality of it, Fontenot said. Thats where we are with the salary cap. So, we have to make some difficult decisions, so we have to look at all the different options and all the different scenarios.

Often referred to as a Falcon for life by team owner Arthur Blank previously, Jones feels extremely close to being moved. The most likely timetable for anything happening would be at least a week from now, with Jones' cap hits lessening after June 1.

Trading Jones after June 1 would allow the team to take a $7.75 million dead-money hit this year (and a $15.5 million hit in 2022), but it would also clear $15.3 million in space for 2021.

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According to Spotrac, there are currently 12 teams that can afford to take on Jones' $15.3 million salary for 2021 without having to make other cuts or salary adjustments the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, the Washington Football Team, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers.

The Jaguars, Jets, Bengals and Lions feel like longer shots. The Broncos might be an option, but they're stocked with young WR talent and might opt to develop it (or keep flexibility for a QB trade).

The Browns would be an intriguing option, especially considering they could have drafted him in 2011 and appear to be gearing up for a Super Bowl run. The Colts and Washington could also use the WR help, but would they make such a move? The Chargers have been a popular team to pair Jones with, and Justin Herbert certainly would love the addition.

The 49ers can't be ruled out because of the connection with Kyle Shanahan. Jones led the NFL in receiving yards per game in 2015 and 2016, the two years Shanahan called plays in Atlanta. Giving Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance a veteran target makes sense on the surface.

The team Jones has been most often connected with in recent weeks has been the Patriots. Even after a free agency smorgasbord this offseason, New England has the money to add Jones' salary if Bill Belichick deems it a worthy move. The Patriots reportedly have kicked around the idea of trading for Jones in meetings.

What does Julio want? Well, according to NBC Sports Boston's Michael Holley who once wrote a behind-the-scenes book on Belichick and the Patriots reported late last week on "Boston Sports Tonight" that Jones might be open to New England.

"You know who [Jones] really wants to play with? ... He wants to play with Cam Newton. He likes Cam," Holley said. "That's the other thing: He thinks [Falcons quarterback] Matt Ryan has lost a little zing on his deep ball."

You could argue the same might be said for Newton, too, coming off a rough first season with the Patriots. But he has reportedly been impressive in offseason workouts as Newton has worked to rebuild his throwing motion.

And the Patriots have never been shy about trading for receivers in the past, nor have they hesitated from adding former Alabama players. Even with the additions of WRs Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, and TEs Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, the Patriots surely could use more offensive firepower.

Jones isn't old by receiver standards at 32, per se. But he's turning 33 during the next Super Bowl week and is coming off a hamstring injury in 2020 that had him in and out of the lineup seemingly every few weeks.

It appeared Jones was never healthy to start the season, which is an even bigger concern considering the NFL canceled the preseason and curtailed training camp amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He was limited to nine games in 2020, with 51 catches for 771 yards and three scores.

Jones averaged 103.8 catches, 1,564.7 yards and 6.2 touchdowns over his previous six seasons, missing only four combined games over that span from 2014-2019.

If Jones returns to pre-2020 form, the team that lands him could he getting a Comeback Player of the Year candidate. If he's more like the broken-down version we saw a year ago, the Falcons might look smart for moving on from him now.

More from Yahoo Sports:

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Julio Jones on his future with Atlanta Falcons: 'I'm out of there, man' - Yahoo Sports

Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- As the hunt for investments that can withstand rising interest rates gathers pace, frontier assets are gaining popularity over their larger emerging-market peers.The bonds of the worlds least-developed economies have returned 2.6% this year, keeping pace with their 2020 performance, while higher-ranked emerging-market debt has lost almost 2%, reversing some of last years 5.3% advance, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. indexes.With speculation growing that the worlds post-pandemic economic recovery is fueling inflation, the bonds of smaller developing nations are luring buyers as their securities tend to be of shorter duration -- meaning they are less sensitive to expectations for interest-rate increases. The average duration of frontier-market sovereign bonds is six years, compared with 7.9 years for traditional emerging markets, JPMorgan indexes show.People are still worried interest rates have to rise and are looking for higher yield and less interest-rate duration, said Leo Hu, who co-manages the $7 billion Emerging Markets Debt Hard Currency Fund at NN Investment Partners in Singapore. Frontier bonds may return at least 9% in the next 12 months, he said.The burgeoning interest in frontier assets nonetheless represents a threat to the global economy as central banks move back into policy-tightening mode. Less developed nations, such as those in Africa, present a higher chance of default than their larger emerging-market peers. And the more funds they attract, the greater the threat of potential contagion should rising borrowing costs hamper economic growth.Into AfricaIn terms of geography, money managers who specialize in frontier assets are almost united in favoring Africa, saying the region will benefit the most from rising raw material prices. These include Angola, Ghana and Zambia -- even though the latter became the first African country in the Covid-19 era to default when it skipped a Eurobond payment last year.Zambia has benefited as copper has risen to record highs, with demand bolstered by the global recovery and the transition toward green energy. The metal accounts for almost 80% of Zambias export earnings. The nations dollar debt has returned 24% this year amid prospects of an International Monetary Fund bailout, second only to Ecuador among the roughly 75 emerging markets tracked by Bloomberg Barclays indexes.Angola, Africas second-biggest oil producer, is another favorite. A slide in crude prices last year triggered by the pandemic led the country to seek $6.2 billion of relief from its major creditors, easing fears of a default in one of the continents most-indebted countries. Angolas bonds have returned 12% this year, according to a Bloomberg Barclays index.African bonds also stand out from their peers in terms of yields. Ghanas 2025 securities currently yield 6.3%, while similar-maturity Angolan debt yields 6.9%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That stands in contrast to traditional emerging markets. The 10-year bonds of Indonesia yield just 2.3%. Mexicos yield 3.1%.We have been allocating more to frontier sovereign credits, said Jens Nystedt, a fund manager in New York at Emso Asset Management, a specialist on fixed-income investments in emerging markets overseeing $6.8 billion. In particular, we like the outlook for Nigeria, Ghana and Angola given that they would be some of the main beneficiaries from higher oil prices.Bailout ProgramSentiment toward frontier markets was also boosted this year after the IMF announced a plan to create $650 billion in additional reserve assets to help developing economies cope with the pandemic.IMF support has been crucial for the likes of Pakistan, which raised $2.5 billion in March after the resumption of a $6 billion bailout program. Ecuadors new government plans to reach a deal with the IMF to ensure financial stability and unlock some of the funds related to the $6.5 billion financing agreement reached last year.Frontier-nation bonds offer higher yields for a reason -- they are judged to have a higher chance of default. But many fund managers arent deterred.There are quite some risks, such as the worsening of the pandemic or too much stimulus, but we stick with the rosier scenario for frontier markets, said Edgardo Sternberg, co-manager for emerging-markets debt portfolios in Boston at Loomis Sayles & Co., which oversees $3.5 billion of developing-nation bonds. Frontier markets should continue to outperform, he said.Central bank meetings in Nigeria, Kenya and Angola will be in focus this week. Elsewhere, policy makers in Indonesia and South Korea will also decide on interest rates.Listen: EM Weekly Podcast: Focus on Central Bank Meetings, China DataRates on HoldNigeria is likely to keep its key interest rate unchanged on Tuesday as the fragility of its economic recovery outweighs concerns about inflation, which remained more than double the the banks official target ceiling in AprilMonetary authorities in Kenya and Angola are also expected to hold rates on Wednesday and Friday, respectivelyWhile central banks in Indonesia and South Korea will also likely keep rates steady this week, the focus will be on the signs for a change of tack in the months aheadOn Tuesday, traders will be watching to see if Bank Indonesia prioritizes currency stability over supporting growth amid concerns over a quickening in global inflation and the countrys slow pace of vaccinations. The rupiah was Asias worst-performing currency last week and the nations sovereign bonds extended lossesOn Thursday, the Bank of Koreas forecasts for growth and inflation will be in focus as the central bank updates its economic projectionsWhile Colombias central bank will convene on Friday, the gathering is not a monetary policy meeting, according to Bloomberg EconomicsInvestors will watch for further market impact in Colombia as the nation faces more credit downgrades, which would solidify its loss of investment-grade statusEconomic DataChinas industrial profits probably continued to log a double-digit growth rate in April, although the pace may have slowed from March, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Faster factory-gate inflation was likely a support as well as strong exports, economists including Chang Shu wrote in a noteThe onshore yuan is holding close to its strongest level since 2018 amid an improving outlook for Chinas economy, and is on track to become the best-performing currency in Asia this month after Indias rupeeChinese debt is similarly outperforming all emerging-market peers; the benchmark 10-year sovereign yield has fallen nine basis points year-to-dateData Monday showed Taiwans April industrial production grew 13.6%, while unemployment was steady at around 3.7%The Taiwan dollar has remained resilient in recent weeks, supported by strong demand for the nations exports, even as a worsening Covid-19 outbreak has forced authorities to widen a lockdown to the entire islandInvestors will also get an update on how the regions trade sector is improving, as figures from Thailand and Malaysia are due Tuesday and Friday, respectivelyIndustrial production and inflation numbers from Russia will come under scrutiny, with the ruble beating most of its peers in the past month on the prospect of more policy tightening. The data come Tuesday and Wednesday, respectivelyMexicos annual inflation slowed less than expected in the first two weeks of May while staying far above the central banks target ceilingOn Wednesday, traders will monitor final first-quarter gross domestic product data for any changes versus last months estimateBloomberg Economics expects the release of minutes on Thursday from the latest central bank meeting to reflect a less dovish toneBrazilian IPCA consumer price inflation data for May, scheduled for Tuesday, will probably see an uptick amid higher electricity prices, according to Bloomberg EconomicsInvestors will watch current-account figures for April on Wednesday for signs that a strong trade surplus boosted the balance. Unemployment numbers the next day may reflect increased restrictions in March as infections rose.(Updates Taiwan production figure in data section.)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.

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What it means that everyone is talking about inflation - Yahoo Finance

Eugene Chung has a decade of coaching experience, a Super Bowl ring and years of experience as an NFL offensive lineman, but he still reportedly found himself dumbfounded by an interview with an NFL team this offseason.

The former Philadelphia Eagles assistant offensive line coach told the Boston Globe's Nicole Yang that a job interview with the unnamed team took a bizarre turn when the interviewer allegedly interrupted Chung's pitch with a point of contention about his race.

From the Globe:

It was said to me, Well, youre really not a minority, Chung recalled.

I was like, Wait a minute. The last time I checked, when I looked in the mirror and brushed my teeth, I was a minority, he said. So I was like, What do you mean Im not a minority?

The interviewer responded, You are not the right minority were looking for.

After a brief moment of shock, Chung, who is Korean American, said he prodded the interviewer about the remark:

I asked about it, and as soon as the backtracking started, I was like, Oh no, no, no, no, no, you said it. Now that its out there, lets talk about it, he said. It was absolutely mind-blowing to me that in 2021, something like that is actually a narrative.

Chung was selected 13th overall by the New England Patriots in the 1992 NFL draft, the first Asian American to be drafted in the first round per the Globe. He would go on to play with five NFL organizations over the course of his career, his last being a practice squad stint with the Philadelphia Eagles under Andy Reid.

Eugene Chung has worked under two Super Bowl-winning coaches. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Chung has spent his entire coaching career under the Reid's impressive coaching tree, first serving as assistant offensive line coach with the Eagles before taking the same position with the Kansas City Chiefs when Reid moved west. Chung landed back with the Eagles in 2016 under former Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, winning a championship ring at Super Bowl LII.

Chung hasn't worked in the NFL since his contract wasn't renewed in 2019.

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That fateful interview wasn't the first time Chung said he encountered a strange reaction to his descent as a coach, as he recalled multiple agents asking how he got his last name without realizing he was Korean. And, of course, there have been run-ins with fans:

One time when he was on the field before a game, he remembers hearing a fan shout, Hey Mr. Miyagi, what do you coach? Karate? Chung stopped in his tracks, turned around, walked over to him, and confronted him.

He just cowered away, like most of them do, Chung recalled.

With anti-Asian racism a major issue in a post-COVID-19 world, it's understandable that Chung is now speaking out about his treatment.

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Ex-Eagles coach Eugene Chung says NFL team told him he was 'not the right minority' in job interview - Yahoo Sports

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Markets are beset by volatility, with unpredictable swings making recent sessions something of a roller coaster. The main indexes were falling sharply at the end of last week, but Fridays release of economic data showing strong manufacturing activity provided a boost that pared back the market losses somewhat. The recent earnings season also gave reason for optimism the S&P listed companies, collectively, reported 46% year-over-year earnings gains in Q1, compared to the 20% expected. Goldman Sachs strategist David Kostin sees the generally positive macro data providing support for equities in an uncertain market environment. The combination of global reopening, elevated consumer savings, and strong corporate operating leverage will drive sharp recoveries in both economic and earnings growth... U.S. equities will continue to appreciate, albeit at a slower pace than has characterized the past 12 months equities will remain attractive relative to cash and bonds, Kostin noted. Taking this into consideration, our attention turned to three stocks that Goldman Sachs thinks have outsized growth prospects, with the firms analysts forecasting over 100% upside potential for each. Using TipRanks database, we found out that the rest of the Street is also on board, as each boasts a Strong Buy consensus rating. Rain Therapeutics (RAIN) Well start with a newly public biopharmaceutical company Rain Therapeutics. The company is developing a tumor-agnostic treatment strategy that selects patients based on the underlying genetics rather than the histology of the disease. Rain has two drug candidates in the pipeline, RAIN-32, which is undergoing several clinical trials, and RAD52, which is still in preclinical trial. Taking a closer look at the pipeline, we find that RAIN-32, an MDM2 inhibitor called milademetan, has a Phase 3 trial for WD/DD liposarcoma scheduled to begin in the second half of this year. At the same time, a Phase 2 trial, an MDM2 basket study, is also scheduled for 2H21. Beyond the WD/DD Phase 3 and the Phase 2 Basket study, the company is also looking to initiate another Phase 2 study in intimal sarcoma by early 2022. RAD52, the companys second pipeline candidate, is a novel approach to the treatment of breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. The drug is still in early research phases, but lead candidate selection for clinical studies is set to begin sometime next year. As mentioned above, Rain is a newly public company; it held its IPO in April of this year. The company put 7,352,941 shares on the American public markets, at $17 each. The IPO raised about $125 million in gross proceeds. Opening coverage of this stock for Goldman Sachs, analyst Graig Suvannavejh writes: While were optimistic on RAIN-32s prospects in LPS, the revenue opportunity appears modest, as we project peak risk-unadj./adj. sales of $612mn/$428mn (assumes 70% POS), given just c.3K in US annual incidence. That said, our enthusiasm for RAIN also rests on RAIN-32s potential beyond LPS, including in intimal sarcoma (an ultra orphan cancer), and also MDM2-amplified solid tumors, which we see as a substantial market opportunity. Across these three, we project $2.2bn/$859mn in peak yr risk unadj./adj. sales in the US/EU5, with other future indications for RAIN-32 (trials to start in 2022) and also a preclinical RAD52 program (a synthetic lethality play) representing upside potential to our forecasts. In line with his bullish stance, Suvannavejh rates RAIN a Buy, and his $56 price target implies room for a stunning 252% upside potential in the next 12 months. (To watch Suvannavejhs track record, click here) Turning now to the rest of the Street, other analysts echo Suvannavejh's sentiment. As only Buy recommendations have been published in the last three months, RAIN earns a Strong Buy analyst consensus. With the average price target clocking in at $33.75, shares could soar 112% from current levels. (See RAIN stock analysis on TipRanks) Relmada Therapeutics (RLMD) The next stock on Goldman Sachs's radar, Relmada Therapeutics, is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical firm, which focuses on issues of the central nervous system. REL-1017, the companys prime pipeline candidate, is a novel NMDA receptor channel blocker under development as a treatment for major depressive disorder. Mental health is a major segment of the pharmaceutical industry, and the antidepressant piece of the mental health pie is expected to exceed $18.5 billion by 2027. Relmada started RELIANCE I, the first pivotal trial of REL-1017, in December of last year, testing the drug as an adjunctive treatment for major depression. By this past April, two additional studies, RELIANCE II and RELIANCE-OPS were underway. All three are now ongoing, and a fourth, Phase 1, study of REL-1017 as a monotherapy is set to begin in the first half of this year. Top-line data from the two pivotal studies is scheduled for release in 1H22. Goldman Sachs analyst Andrea Tan covers this stock, and she gives it a Buy rating along with a $78 price target that implies a 103% upside over the next 12 months. (To watch Tans track record, click here) We note a string of key events in 2021+ that could drive value inflection: (1) human abuse potential (HAP) study against positive control oxycodone in 2Q21 and ketamine in 2H21, where we see the market as pricing in too much risk of a negative outcome (see scenario analysis within); (2) topline data for monotherapy REL-1017 in 4Q21; and (3) topline pivotal data in adjunctive MDD (GSe peak sales of $2.5bn in 2033) in 1H22 with NDA submission to follow thereafter, all of which we are constructive on given the differentiated profile demonstrating rapid onset of action, enhanced efficacy, and good tolerability to-date, Tan opined. What does the rest of the Street have to say? 3 Buys and no Holds or Sells add up to a Strong Buy consensus rating. Given the $67.67 average price target, shares could climb 76% in the year ahead. (See RLMD stock analysis at TipRanks) Agiliti (AGTI) Well close out our look at high-potential Goldman picks with Agiliti. The company is a provider of medical equipment, offering hospitals and health systems a range of bariatrics, beds, therapy mattresses, fall prevention devices, ventilators, breast pumps, patient monitors, medical-grade adjustable chairs, and surgical equipment along with the technical support, clinical engineering, and on-site management to properly use, maintain, and adjust the myriad devices. By the numbers, Agiliti boasts over 90 service centers across the lower 48 states, supporting more than 800,000 pieces of medical equipment in over 7,000 acute care hospitals and alternate medical sites. On April 23 of this year, Agility debuted its stock on the NYSE in an IPO that was initially priced at $14. The company put over 26.3 million shares on the market, and raised approximately $431.5 million in gross proceeds in the first day of the IPO. Last week, Agiliti released its first quarterly financial report as a public company. The top line revenue, at $235 million, was 31% higher than the year-ago Q1. Net income was $9.6 million, up a strong $22.2 million from last years Q1 net loss, and EPS was 9 cents per share. Looking at the companys forward path, Goldman Sachs analyst Amit Hazan noted, While not reflected in the 1Q close balance sheet, management provided visibility to post-IPO leverage of approximately 3.3x on a pro-forma basis. While somewhat constrained from a managerial standpoint given demands from Northfield, management expects both the financial and managerial flexibility to pursue opportunistic M&A by later this year. Hazan summed up, "We view AGTIs end-to-end service model as differentiated and ideally suited in todays Hospital operating environment; we see current valuation as an attractive entry point... To this end, Hazan gives AGTI shares a Buy rating, and his $43 price target implies a 151% upside for the coming year. (To watch Hazans track record, click here) In its first few weeks on the public markets, AGTI shares have picked up 9 reviews, which include 8 Buys and just 1 Hold. The stock is selling for $17.12 and the $21.39 average price target suggests it has room for ~25% one-year upside potential. (See AGTI stock analysis on TipRanks) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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UK treasury refuses to back Biden push for minimum corporation tax -The Telegraph - Yahoo Finance

Welcome to The Monday 9, our weekly lineup of Things You Need to Know in baseball. The MLB season is a marathon, so get caught up each Monday morning right here at Yahoo Sports.

(Amber Matsumoto / Yahoo Sports)

Every Friday, MLB and the players union put out a joint press release about the state of COVID-19 in baseball. Along with testing results, it now includes the vaccination status for teams across the league.

On May 14, 12 clubs had reached the 85 percent threshold of fully vaccinated players and immediate support staff, and another four teams had at least 85 percent of their Tier 1 personnel vaccinated, but were still in the two-week waiting period after their final shot. On May 21, those numbers were 14 and two. In other words: although some teams had moved from the waiting period to officially fully vaccinated, no new teams had cleared the 85 percent threshold.

(Im fairly certain that this breakdown would not capture teams who are in between doses of a two-shot vaccine, but as youll see in a minute, there hasnt been much movement there, either.)

The leaguewide numbers indicated a few new shots in arms, but overall a similar picture. On May 14, 83.9 percent of Tier 1 individuals players, coaches and other clubhouse personnel had received at least one shot. A week later, it was up just half a percent to 84.4 percent.

The first time MLB announced vaccine numbers was April 30. At the time, more than 81 percent of that Tier 1 group was either fully or partially vaccinated. So less than 4 percent of the baseball population has come around on vaccines over the past month.

The Chicago Cubs have not reached the 85 percent vaccinated mark and recently GM Jed Hoyer said that while he hopes they can still get there, his level of optimism is waning, candidly.

His sense of resignation is illustrative. Sixteen are one side of the threshold, 14 are on the other and with rates slowing to a near standstill, it might not be a matter of time. MLB could get stuck with a near-even split of teams on either side of the protocol divide.

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Although, those protocols could still evolve in response to developing scientific understanding of the vaccines and in an effort to further incentivize people who are unmoved by the opportunity to protect themselves and anyone around them while giving their team a comfort/competitive advantage at work. Union board member, and rep for the sub-85 percent Nationals, Max Scherzer suggested that vaccinated players who test positive but are asymptomatic should still be eligible to play. His comments came shortly after the largely asymptomatic spate of breakthrough cases among vaccinated members of the Yankees, which experts said are to be expected, but also prove the vaccines are working by keeping people who test positive from getting sick.

Scherzer tied the opportunity to stay on the field to potentially persuading holdouts: The vaccinated players should reap the benefits for doing this. This is what we want. We want our players to be vaccinated."

Baseball is actually ahead of the country at large, where just about 50 percent of people have received at least one shot although MLB teams certainly have an access edge over at least some segments of the non-professional athlete population and the general populations rate of new vaccinations has also plummeted. States have recently started turning down hundreds of thousands of available doses to keep pace with the drop in demand.

Thats concerning because the pandemic didnt run its course, it was directly combated by vaccines. Were not yet at herd immunity, and we might not get there. Its not clear what it will look like to live and play baseball safely in a country unnecessarily stalled somewhere between the worst of the pandemic and eradicating COVID-19 entirely, but were on pace to find out. Hannah Keyser

Even a week ago, the narrative around the vaunted NL West was still not about the offseason darlings and preseason favorites. The San Francisco Giants defying all odds and most peoples logic had grabbed hold of the top spot and held on for what felt like an uncomfortably long time.

Now, though, the San Diego Padres have won nine straight and the Los Angeles Dodgers have won seven straight after bludgeoning the upstart Giants into third place over the weekend. Heading into Monday, with the Memorial Day checkpoint a week away, the two talented rival combatants possess baseballs two best records and two best run differentials with the Padres holding the division edge by a game.

In the words of the late, great NFL coach Dennis Green: They are who we thought they were. Zach Crizer

The Tampa Bay Rays traded shortstop Willy Adames to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. The deal briefly whipped the baseball world into a frenzy over the possibility that No. 1 prospect Wander Franco was about to take over in Tampa not the case but as the dust settled it joined a long line of Rays trades that ensure the franchise never develops a face you can get too familiar with.

Adames joined the Rays organization as a prospect in the David Price trade, took over the starting shortstop job in 2018 and had his best year in 2020 as they galloped to a pennant. He is seemingly beloved not just in his own clubhouse, but around the game.

All of which, as you know, failed to matter. The Rays pulled the trigger and shipped him out for two fungible relief arms and an open roster spot where they will plug in a younger, cheaper player Taylor Walls, for now, ready to graduate from their prodigious minor-league system. Then, like they have done time and time and time again, the front office leaders got on a call with reporters and called it difficult to part with the human who had come up and succeeded with them.

I do not doubt the sincerity of their feelings about Adames, but the messaging gets less believable as it is repeated. And boy has it been repeated.

Heres then-Rays GM Andrew Friedman, progenitor of the Rays way, after trading James Shields in 2012.

And the team president after moving Ben Zobrist.

And current GM Erik Neander after jettisoning his first face of the franchise.

Again after a perplexing move to cut bait on Corey Dickerson. Sometimes, they even trot it out for very tall, but unheralded journeymen.

And finally, for Adames.

This is not to say it wont work out for the Rays or that it wont make their team currently on a 10-game winning streak that has floated them into a tie atop the AL East more formidable now and in the near future. Its to say that the moves are what they are: calculated. An unending Tetris game to keep the maximum amount of talent in stock on a limited roster and an even more limited budget. They have moved into a sort of post-loyalty, post-jersey-buying mode of operating where they promise wins in return for never expecting todays hero will be around to hear tomorrow's ovation.

Whether or not you can appreciate that depends on, well, how difficult the departures are for you to swallow. Zach Crizer

Yahoo Fantasy is taking a weekly look at who's hot and who's not and whether you should believe in the streak. Heres a sample from this weeks edition.

Don't look now, but Aaron Judge could be on the verge of having the best season of his career since his MVP-level 2017.

The hulking Yankees slugger has heated up when the team has needed him most. Judge is currently on a five-game hitting streak, but it's his season total as a whole that's worth examining. Judge is slashing .307/.401/.575 with a .976 OPS. He has 12 homers, 25 RBIs, and has scored 23 runs. Extrapolate those numbers to a full season, and you get a lot of smiling fantasy managers.

Most surprisingly though, this excellent start to the season isn't exactly being fueled by incredible batted-ball luck. His BABIP is just 14 points higher than his career mark.

The key here is that Judge has only been striking at a rate of 26 percent the lowest rate of his career. Compound that with his walks Judge is my favorite kind of slugger because while he strikes out, he will happily take a walk, too and we just might get the best batting average season of his career in 2021. Mo Castillo

Jacob deGrom wiped out a low-level minor league team on a rehab start to their utter delight. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Major league batters are hitting .128 against Jacob deGrom this year. Having emerged from an incredible maturation process as the definitive best pitcher in a season dominated by historically unhittable arms, the Mets ace is doing his part to give the game an identity crisis about the total lack of offense. But last week he also did major leaguers a solid by demonstrating how their 17 total hits off him are actually pretty impressive.

Jacob deGrom is throwing 102 MPH... Someone send help, tweeted the Low-A Palm Beach Cardinals on Thursday evening. The plea quickly amassed over 37,000 likes. It was the third consecutive game in which the Cardinals lowest-level affiliate had faced a proven major league pitcher rehabbing for the St. Lucie Mets. First came Seth Lugo though just for a single inning then Noah Syndergaard though not throwing at max effort and by the time the team of teens and recent teens heard they were due to face a two-time Cy Young winner, they thought it must be some kind of joke.

It was not. deGrom threw three (scoreless, duh, do we even need to say so?) innings, and touched 102 mph. He faced 10 batters. Eight struck out. One grounded out. One reached on an error. The Palm Beach Cardinals hit .000 against deGrom because of course they did.

Hes 100 percent the best pitcher on the planet, 19-year-old Masyn Winn, the Cardinals shortstop, told FOX Sports.

One of the most fun outings of my life, tweeted opposing pitcher John Beller.

But the star of the PB Cardinals night was whomever is behind their main social handle, which reveled in the teams abject helplessness against a very healthy looking deGrom (and even got in a dig at the rest of the major league Mets while they were at it). It was a heartwarming testament to just how awe-inspiring 102 seems up close, even if its coming at the expense of your best efforts. And, a chance to marvel at deGroms ability to flatten the distance between Low A and the Show.

I think we forget sometimes that your local big league lineup isnt made up of just the best baseball players around theyre the best of the best. The guys who graduated out of a minor league system that waylays thousands of dudes who would be the best player you know if you knew them.

Theyre four professional levels up from the baby red birds, but when it comes to facing Jacob deGrom, Im sure theyd agree that sometimes all you can do is shrug. Hannah Keyser

Its hard to keep up with everything two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani is doing in 2021, so we are rounding up his unprecedented exploits every week. Heres a sample from this weeks edition.

J.J. Watt another star athlete of the freakish variety tweeted exactly what the point of this whole column is:

My thoughts exactly, J.J.

And then there's Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman who's having a pretty good season in his own right echoing what many of us are thinking any time there's an Angels game being played. Mo Castillo

I dont want to jinx him, but, we need to talk about one hitters rise up the leaderboards.

The best non-Mike Trout hitters of 2021 so far, by wRC+ a FanGraphs metric that adjusts for park have been glorious but unsurprising breakout slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jesse Winker. The oft-injured, 27-year-old Reds outfielder blasted three home runs Friday against Milwaukee and leads all qualified hitters in slugging percentage.

Hes always been among the leaders in on-base percentage again, when healthy but now hes only three homers away from tying his career high. Hes also only about 200 plate appearances shy of matching his career high in playing time. Lets hope he can stay on the field and fully test whether this power surge is for real. Zach Crizer

Renowned and occasionally infamous umpire Joe West is making history this week. On Monday, he will tie the all-time mark for games umpired at 5,376, and on Tuesday he will presumably break it. Across 43 years and 51 ballparks, he has been a fixture in a way that is difficult to imagine. But then again, everyone who steps foot on major league grass even once is reaching territory that defies contextualization.

Just this past week, the major leagues minted the 20,000th member of that hallowed club. Mariners backup catcher Jos Godoy was that 20,000th player as obsessively tracked by Cespedes Family BBQ and underscores just how tiny the pinnacle of the baseball profession is.

If every major leaguer were somehow still alive, they wouldnt quite sell out Madison Square Garden. Even if Cowboy Joe West was playing a concert. Zach Crizer

The no-hitters will not stop. This week, Tigers late-bloomer Spencer Turnbull silenced the Mariners and the Yankees Corey Kluber shut down the Rangers. Will there be another this week? Well, Im not ready to bet against it so here are two games to watch for what would be a modern day record-tying seventh no-no.

Kevin Gausman vs. the Diamondbacks on Tuesday: The Giants pitching got rocked against the Dodgers, but Gausman enters with a 1.66 ERA and a splitter that is totally befuddling opposing hitters.

Shane Bieber vs. the Tigers on Thursday: Yes, Detroit just threw one of Its own, but Bieber against a struggling lineup is a recipe for dominance. Zach Crizer

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The Monday 9: MLB vaccinations are stalling out, Dodgers and Padres are not - Yahoo Sports

Since the NFL draft, Aaron Rodgers has been hypothetically traded hundreds of times. In media dreamcasting, he has been dealt for a mountain of draft assets and a bushel of talented players, all to a litany of teams that need him and even a few that dont. In a way his future destination has become the new mock draft. And the scenarios are getting cranked out despite Rodgers' total silence and zero indication that the Green Bay Packers are going to budge on Rodgers playing anywhere else next season.

That doesnt mean there arent plenty of experienced opinions about Rodgers trade value across the NFL, coming from people who have worked extensively on their own large-scale trades. With that in mind, we asked six high-level front office executives to offer their analysis of Rodgers realistic trade value in the event that the quarterback and the Packers cant hash out their differences.

Four of the executives are general managers. Two are former GMs who currently hold jobs in NFL front offices. All six reside in franchises that spent time working on some aspect of the quarterback market this offseason, either acquiring a rookie high in the draft, taking part in a veteran trade or having reached out to the Houston Texans regarding Deshaun Watson early in the offseason.

While their opinions on Rodgers had various points of overlap, three main points emerged in their analysis. Among them

Would Aaron Rodgers really fetch three first-round picks in a trade? It's possible, but unlikely due to a variety of factors. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Almost every trade scenario Ive seen involving Rodgers from analysts includes three first-round draft picks and one or two high-caliber starters. All six of the executives found that to be rich, especially given that the acquiring team would be expected to do a new league-leading deal with the QB.

Now, I want to be clear here: That doesnt mean the Packers cant get that kind of package. But the consensus from the executives was that there might be only one team willing to make that kind of all-in commitment in a trade, and the picks would be assumed to be of late first-round value.

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Interestingly, all six had a very similar template for where they thought an offer would start in terms of draft capital. And it was with two first-rounders, not three. One general manager called it two ones [and] plus, meaning two first-round picks and a plus package of either additional non-first-round selections or starting players (or a mix of both).

Ive heard that they wouldnt consider anything less than three [firsts], the GM said. Not sure thats realistic.

A second executive added: Maybe a team that [has a] window closing and tries to keep it open a few more years. I dont see a building team being that interested.

Surprisingly, all six agreed on the the first-round compensation would largely be in the area of two firsts with an offer of three being the outlier.

Three firsts is a lot to invest in a short-term fix and I know you guys point at [Tom] Bradys age, but hes a total break from history, another general manager said. [Rodgers] just had one of his best seasons, but Im not putting three firsts and probably more into a [37-year-old] quarterback and expecting that he can do what Brady is doing. Watson, before everything that came out [in the civil litigation], he was going to be probably three firsts and some extra. But youre considering that against him having a decade of his best football left. I dont see Rodgers having the same value at his age as a mid-20s player who is already a top-five quarterback. Not for three or four years of returns.

All of the executives agreed that it takes only one team to blow up a market. A Rodgers market could be, on average, five teams offering two first-round picks, plus additional pieces. But one team could completely spike the rest of the market with a third first-round pick.

Several of the executives agreed that an underappreciated part of the Rodgers trade speculation is the requirement of a contract that will likely pay the type of four-year deal loaded with guarantees that's becoming more of a standard for QBs. One general manager made a tremendous point.

I dont know that this is the case, but if hes already been offered an extension that would make him the highest paid player in the NFL or even close to it, then [the Packers] have already set a floor for expectations before youve even gotten to talk to him about it, the GM said. I assume if theyve talked about a contract, hes the league MVP so whatever theyve exchanged is going to put him at the top [of the NFL]. Thats just the way the top five or six quarterbacks work now. When youre doing a new deal, youre trying to reset the last one. So what Im getting at, I dont think youd be acquiring a cheapish contract in terms of whatever his base is the rest of the way. That means youre going into talks with the Packers already setting the bar and its probably at the top.

Another general manager made a similar point and also lamented suggestions in the media that Rodgers could have the same transformative impact as Brady. His point was that not only was Brady signed in Tampa without giving up compensation, he took a low-market $25 million annual salary and helped recruit Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown on a sub-market deal.

Brady brought a lot with him for the outlay, he said. Rodgers is just going to cost a lot. Its not a good comparison.

Rodgers doesnt have a no-trade clause in his contract, which robs him of some leverage with Green Bay. However, the breakup would be messy and that very likely eliminates all of the NFC from the picture, given that Green Bay isnt going to want to deal with running into him in the playoffs over the next several years.

So that cuts the pool down to the AFC. Several executives pointed out that after taking off half of the league from the table, it then comes down to how much Rodgers wants to play for whatever AFC teams may be in the hunt.

One executive put it simply: They cant drive a bidding war if theyre only bargaining with one team. Thats just how it goes. You just have to hope that whoever youre dealing with is willing to deal against themselves. And youre not really put into a good place if the media is reporting a player prefers this team or that team or whatever. You never know how things like that play when youre trying to put together a trade, but it can have an impact.

" But then again, a couple years ago nobody would have ever thought [the Philadelphia Eagles] could get a first-round pick out of Sam Bradford, and it happened. If its the [Denver] Broncos going for Rodgers, [the Packers] just have to hope its like that, a situation where a front office and staff agrees that it just has to make it happen. But if you dont have that, and if youre dealing with someone who has some sand [in negotiations], its not going to be the mountain of picks and players that people seem to think. Its going to be a tougher back and forth than you think.

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What do some NFL execs think of Aaron Rodgers trade value? It's more debatable than you might expect - Yahoo Sports