REPORT: 49ers reject Steelers’ Brandon Aiyuk trade call.
Thursday’s “First Call” has San Francisco’s reaction to the Steelers’ trade inquiry for Brandon Aiyuk. We also have an intriguing note about a Steelers selection choice. Pirates prospect Paul Skenes prepares to pitch again in Indianapolis.
Marc-Andre Fleury explains his choice to return for another year.
Thank you but no thanks.
The Steelers enquired about dealing for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk but were turned down by the San Francisco 49ers.
That was the word from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday.
Florio’s version appears to be consistent with what Niners general manager John Lynch told Mike Tomlin during a recent interaction at Michigan’s Pro Day. However, the Steelers appear to have done their due diligence by at least following up on a prospective trade offer.
The story also confirms what Ian Rapoport stated on Tuesday: the teams have been phoning regarding Aiyuk’s availability, but the 49ers have not engaged in negotiations.
Aiyuk prefers a new contract over the team’s $14.1 million fifth-year option. He has 75 receptions, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns in 2023.
Paul vs. St. Paul
At last word, Pirates’ first-round draft choice Paul Skenes is supposed to be pitching Thursday night against the St. Paul Saints. The Indianapolis Indians are still promoting his appearance there even though there was some buzz that Skenes might get called up because the Pirates optioned left-handed pitcher Jose Hernandez to Triple-A Indy.
Last week, the LSU product racked up a season-high eight strikeouts in 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Fifteen of his pitches hit 100 mph or faster. He still has a 0.00 ERA after three games and 9 ½ innings.
Skenes is no longer the biggest name prospect in Indianapolis, though. That’s probably Caitlin Clark now. The WNBA No.1 selection was just picked by the Indiana Fever. Despite his LSU allegiances, Skenes welcomed the Iowa star to town on behalf of the Indians.
As for the Pirates, they have an off day following three straight losses in New York against the Mets. They will try to rediscover a winning touch against the Boston Red Sox on Friday at PNC Park.
Scouting: Who else is scouting
If the Steelers are interested in Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, they may do more research on him than many other teams.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the probable first-round pick visited a limited number of teams owing to medical rechecks for a fractured leg suffered in mid-November. According to Rapoport, DeJean’s only previous visits were with the Bills, Eagles, and Seahawks.
Despite the injury, DeJean tested well, running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and posting an impressive 38.5-inch vertical leap.
Fleury finalized the strategy.
Marc-Andre Fleury has put speculation about his retirement to rest. The former Penguins goaltender has signed a contract to play one more season with the Minnesota Wild. It’ll cost $2.5 million.
Many believed that this would be Fleury’s final season. The 39-year-old acknowledged to leaning in that direction as late as October. However, he has changed his mind and has elected to stay with the Wild for another season.
“I’m grateful to keep doing what I love for one more season,” Fleury said in a statement. “I thought about it a lot this year. However, having the chance to compete, the intensity, the ambition of being in the top league in the world, and furthermore
Fleury added that he wanted to get the speculation over with before the offseason begins.
“I’ve been asked a lot — fans, media, friends, family — (about) what’s next for me. It’s good just to settle, and (now) I don’t have to talk about it for another year. Next year will be the last. Yeah, excited to get this done today.”
During the season, Fleury eclipsed Patrick Roy for second place behind Martin Brodeur on the NHL’s all-time record of career goaltender wins (561). Brodeur (691) remains 130 points ahead of Fleury.
Fleury’s record this season is 17-14-5 with a save percentage of.895. This is the lowest point of his 20-year career. His 2.98 goals-against average is his lowest in seven seasons. The Wild were eliminated from the playoffs last week. The season will come to an end on Thursday when they host Seattle.
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