David Ortiz Sends Message To Alex Bregman Amid Free Agency
It was an exciting week throughout the general manager meetings as the Boston Red Sox candidly spoke about wanting to add a new No. 2 starter and slugger.
But, the biggest question of the offseason for Boston still remains. Will the Red Sox re-sign All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman?
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It's still a little too early in the offseason for the real fireworks to begin. We should see his market start to pick up as we get closer to the Winter Meetings in early December. No matter what happens, it's clear that team legend David Ortiz wants him back. He joined Joey Copponi and Scott Neville on the "ITM Podcast" and had a message for Bregman.
David Ortiz's message for Alex Bregman
"My message to him? Please come back," Ortiz said while laughing with Joey Copponi and Scott Neville on the "ITM Podcast" on Friday. "I love Alex man. I think he's a great player. He's got really incredible leadership. One thing I love about him, he's a team player. I remember last year, when he first joined the team. Even with all the controversy and all the talk going on with Raffy, I came to spring training and I was watching Alex trying to help Raffy out. He always had my respect but that put the cherry on top. What that showed me was, we are here to compete. To help this ballclub win. I want to get better. And everyone loves him around here. He has a great relationship with all of the players and he's a good player. You can't argue that.
"I think we're going to have our chances to offer him. I haven't talked to the front office but I'm pretty sure they are on the same boat I am. They want to keep him. I'm pretty sure the front office is going to try to make a move."
Ortiz knows a thing or two about finding success in Boston, to say the least. It's always good to hear someone as plugged-in as he is say that he thinks the front office is going to try to make a move, although he acknowledged that he hasn't spoken to the front office yet. Bregman is a star and was the missing piece for the organization.
Ortiz is right, Boston would be better if Bregman returns.
As part of his fundraising efforts, Ortiz is holding a silent auction loaded with priceless items that will be live until Saturday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 p.m. ET. You can also donate to the cause on the David Ortiz Children's Fund's website.
Steelers Make Final Call on Elevating Asante Samuel Jr. for Week 11 Matchup
The Pittsburgh Steelers elevated a defensive back from their practice squad for Week 11. But it wasn’t newly signed Asante Samuel Jr.
The Steelers announced Saturday they promoted defensive back D’Shawn Jamison and linebacker Mark Robinson for the matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The pair will revert back to the practice squad after the game.
Jamison will be making his Steelers debut Sunday. If he plays a snap, it will be the first time the defensive back is on the field for an NFL regular season game since 2023.
Robinson will be dressing for his eighth game this season. He made his Steelers season debut in Week 10 versus the Los Angeles Chargers.
Samuel will have to wait at least another week to make his 2025 debut. The veteran cornerback officially joined Pittsburgh’s practice squad Tuesday.
Steelers Don’t Elevate Asante Samuel Jr. for Week 10
Pundits considered Samuel one of the top free agents for the 2025 class until he needed to undergo spinal fusion surgery in April.
The surgery corrected an issue he had been dealing with since his birth that was made worse after a collision during practice last year.
Samuel remained a free agent until the Steelers added him to their practice squad this past week. It’s not clear how much time he will need to be in football shape. Steelers Nation, though, hopes it’s not long.
Samuel played in his most recent NFL game on September 29 of last year.
In four seasons with the Chargers, Samuel posted 37 pass defenses and six interceptions. He also had 176 combined tackles, including three tackles for loss.
Steelers Promote D’Shawn Jamison, Mark Robinson
Jamison began his career as an 2023 undrafted free agent for the San Francisco 49ers. When he didn’t make the 49ers roster out of training camp, he then signed with the Carolina Panthers.
As a rookie, Jamison played in 15 games, starting one contest during 2023. He posted 10 combined tackles and one pass defense while playing 107 defensive snaps. Jamison also appeared on special teams for 155 snaps.
Last year, the Panthers released Jamison after the preseason. He joined the Steelers practice squad a few weeks later, where he remained for the rest of the year. The Steelers never promoted or activated him from the practice squad.
Jamison has also spent all of 2025 on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. Again, Sunday will be his first opportunity to play since with the Panthers in 2023.
The Steelers drafted Robinson at No. 225 overall in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Robinson came on strongly as a rookie and appeared to potentially be the solution at inside linebacker for the team.
But the Steelers signed Cole Holcomb in 2023 and then Patrick Queen during 2024. The team also drafted Payton Wilson last year.
In August, the Steelers released Robinson. The New England Patriots signed him to their practice squad. After appearing in three games, though, the New York Jets signed Robinson to their active roster off the New England practice squad.
The Jets waived Robinson after three contests, which led the linebacker back to Pittsburgh.
In seven games this season, Robinson has posted five combined tackles. He’s played 96 special teams snaps and four on defense.
Over his first three years with Pittsburgh, Robinson had 45 combined tackles, including one for loss, three forced fumbles and one sack in 38 games.
