In a trade that alleviates a financial burden for one club while extending roster flexibility to another, the San Francisco Giants acquired left-hander Robbie Ray from the Seattle Mariners on Friday in exchange for right-handed starter Anthony DeSclafani, outfielder Mitch Haniger and cash.

With the Giants striking out in pursuit of nine-figure free agents Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, dealing for Ray gives them a former Cy Young Award winner who is recovering from Tommy John surgery in May 2023.

While Ray, 32, entering the third year of a five-year, $115 million contract, won’t be ready for a full campaign until 2025, dealing Haniger and DeSclafani opens up other, more current avenues.

Haniger, 33, returns to Seattle where he spent five seasons and made one All-Star team before health woes curtailed the end of his stint. After failing to land Aaron Judge one winter ago, the Giants gave him a two-year, $28 million deal, but injuries limited him to just 61 games.

Now, dealing Haniger and DeSclafani – entering the final season of a three-year, $36 million pact – gives the Giants flexibility to take one more crack at a free agent market that still includes All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger and reigning Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.

In a sense, the trade partially corrects two wrongs under baseball operations president Farhan Zaidi. He let former ace Kevin Gausman walk to the Toronto Blue Jays for a five-year, $110 million deal after the 2021 season – nearly the identical deal Ray signed with Seattle that winter.

Zaidi never adequately replaced Gausman and exacerbated the Giants’ plunge with mid-range deals like the ones bestowed upon DeSclafani and Haniger. Now, both are gone and Ray at least offers the hope that he may regain much of the form with which he struck out a major league-high 248 batters in 193 innings in 2021.

Ray, baseball operations president Jerry Dipoto esitmated in October, should be ready to return by the 2024 All-Star break.

For the Mariners, the deal marks another grim turn in their fortunes – quite literally.

The club is anticipating reduced revenue from local television revenue with their regional sports network getting moved to a higher cable tier that is expected to cost them thousands of subscribers and likely millions of dollars in revenue.

Haniger was with the Mariners from 2017-2022, earning an All-Star nod in 2018 and then had career-highs of 39 home runs and 100 RBI in 2021.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Mario Zagallo, who reached the World Cup final a record five times, winning four, as a player and then a coach with Brazil, has died. He was 92.

The first person to win the World Cup both as a player and a manager, Zagallo is for many Brazilian soccer fans a synonym of patriotism, grit and glory.

Brazilian soccer confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement in the early hours of Saturday confirming Zagallo’s death that Zagallo “is one of the biggest legends” of the sport.

“We offer solidarity to his family members and fans in this moment of grief for the departure of this great hero of our soccer,” Rodrigues said. Several Brazilian clubs where Zagallo played and coached also expressed their sorrow for his death.

Zagallo’s social media channels called him “a dedicated father, a loving grandfather, a caring father-in-law, a loyal friend, a victorious professional and a great human being.”

“A gigantic hero. A patriot that leaves us a legacy of great achievements,” the text added, without giving more details about Zagallo’s death.

One of the most charismatic and superstitious figures in Brazilian football, he also was known for his fondness of the No. 13 and constant use of the phrase “You will have to put up with me” — voiced loudly at critics.

He said 13 was his lucky number because it carries the last two digits of his birth year: 1931. He always highlighted any link, however coincidental, between 13 and his football successes.

Zagallo played a role in nearly every major chapter in Brazilian football history, from its first World Cup title in 1958 to the tournament it hosted in 2014. Former Brazil coach Tite visited him to hear his advice before taking the team to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

He was Brazil’s forward when it won the World Cup in 1958 in Sweden and 1962 in Chile, and one of the first players to act as a false winger, playing between midfielders and strikers.

Zagallo stopped playing professionally in 1965 and began his coaching career with Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo the following year.

Named national team coach in 1970, just before the World Cup in Mexico, he inherited a squad that included Pelé, Jairzinho, Gerson, Roberto Rivellino and Tostão. Brazil crushed Italy 4-1 in the final, becoming the first three-time champion.

He also coached Brazil in 1974, but without Pelé, the team finished in fourth place.

Zagallo was assistant coach to Carlos Alberto Parreira when Brazil won the 1994 World Cup in the United States, again beating Italy in the final.

And he was back at the helm four years later for the World Cup in France, when Brazil lost 3-0 to the hosts in a final marked by striker Ronaldo’s unexplained convulsions before the game. Zagallo was criticized for letting Ronaldo play.

“He was cleared to play by the doctors,” Zagallo said. “Anyone in my position would have done the same thing. I wasn’t going to be the one keeping him from playing in a World Cup final.”

His final coaching role with the national team was as Parreira’s assistant in 2006. Brazil was a pre-tournament favorite to win its sixth World Cup title in Germany. But the squad led by Ronaldinho, Kaká, Ronaldo and Adriano fell to France in the quarterfinals.

Zagallo was one of the few coaches who had successful coaching stints with all four traditional Rio clubs — Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama.

He began his career as a striker with Rio’s America and later also played for Flamengo and Botafogo, one of the few Brazilian clubs which rivaled Pele’s Santos in the 1960s.

Zagallo was hospitalized for more than a month in 2005 after undergoing stomach surgery.

Four years earlier he was placed under medical care for an irregular heartbeat while coaching Flamengo.

He spent 12 days in a hospital just before the 2014 World Cup because of a back infection, released just in time to watch the opening match. He served in an ambassadorial role for that tournament.

Zagallo was hospitalized for 22 days in August of last year due to a urinary infection. Upon his return to his home in Rio, he was filmed in a wheelchair.

“We are stronger than ever!,” he said then in a posting on his social media channels, which ended in his career motto. “You will have to put up with me!”

The Detroit Lions upset the Kansas City Chiefs in the season opener. Aaron Rodgers’ season ended just four snaps into his Jets debut. It was clear that the 2023-24 season wouldn’t be what we expected.

From Week 1 to Week 18, USA TODAY’s power rankings track the ups and downs of the NFL’s 32 teams. As the final week of season opens Saturday, it’s interesting to look back at how the landscape has shifted since September.

How each NFL team’s power ranking has changed this season

The lines in the chart below show USA TODAY’s highest and lowest power rankings for each team this season.

Which teams surprised and which didn’t

On average, each team’s power ranking swung about 14 spots this season. Our opinions of a couple top teams were little changed after the first 16 games, while a handful of others swung wildly.

Teams that changed the least: The San Francisco 49ers shifted just four slots on their way to a 12-4 record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Chiefs haven’t been as dominant this season. But they fell just a few slots and claimed the AFC West again with 10 wins.

Teams that changed the most: Quarterback injuries toppled expectations for both the Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals. Our rankings put them among the top six as the season opened. Both are in the bottom third now. That’s where rookie QB C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans started the season. They’re now eighth in our rankings with a 9-7 record and in the hunt this weekend for a playoff berth.

Which teams had the wildest rides

The highs and lows of some teams’ seasons can be better appreciated by looking at their actual ups and downs. The Los Angeles Rams maybe the best example. Expectations were low for the Rams after they struggled last season. This season, they found a winding path up our power rankings on their way to a 9-7 record and another playoff run.

When Week 18’s games are scheduled

Compare NFL power rankings for Week 18 and rest of 2023 season

Click on a logo below to see the changes in a single team’s power ranking this season. Click on additional logos to see how they compare.

Survey the NBA landscape, and there are teams who need to make a move ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

Sometimes those moves are for the short term and sometimes for the long term.

There are teams that are buyers and teams that are sellers.

And there are teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder that are in a fortunate position: they have the ability to buy and sell at the trade deadline.

Earlier this week, we took a look at players who could be on the move. Now, let’s take a look at teams that could be buyers and sellers ahead of the NBA trade deadline:

NBA trade deadline buyers

Boston Celtics

The Celtics have a great starting five (No. 2 offense and No. 2 net rating for the starters) and an OK bench (No. 3 net rating), but they could use depth, especially in the frontcourt. They have first-round draft picks to offer, if necessary, and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has proven himself an aggressive front-office executive. Now, the Celtics are already headed for a luxury tax payment. Are they willing to pay a bigger bill if that gets them closer to a title?

Philadelphia 76ers

This will be an interesting trade deadline for the Sixers who are getting another MVP-type season from Joel Embiid and All-Star play from Tyrese Maxey. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has decisions: make a move at the trade deadline with limited draft assets or ride it out with this group that is third in the East (just behind Milwaukee and Boston) and use Philadelphia’s significant salary cap space to bring in another All-Star-level player.

Miami Heat

The Heat’s organizational mantra is “We have enough.” But do they? This is a franchise that wants to win titles and looks for ways to improve the roster. But one thing to consider: the Heat, in general, are not a team that makes trade deadline deals, especially major ones. Their last significant trade at the deadline came in 2021.

Orlando Magic

The Magic are a young team on the rise and do not need to make drastic moves given their roster and trajectory. There’s no need to give up too much, especially first-round picks, right now. However, if they can find some shooting – they’re among the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league – at a decent price, they should go for it.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings are on the lookout for a roster upgrade, potentially another scorer (or solid two-way player) to go alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Their 2024 first-round pick belongs to Atlanta (top-14 protected). At 20-13 and four games behind first place in the West, the Kings’ front office, led by Monte McNair, wants to be aggressive without being reckless.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans are close to being a really good team. But how good? They are in the middle of a nice stretch – 7-3 in their past 10 games, including four consecutive victories – and have moved into a tie with the Kings for fifth place, just a game behind the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pelicans have multiple first-round picks to trade, too, including the Los Angeles Lakers 2024 first-round pick. New Orleans is in position to make a move.

Denver Nuggets

If the Nuggets make moves before the deadline, they likely will be aimed at adding depth. Unless they’re packaging a big deal with players on the roster, the Nuggets don’t have the draft assets to make a blockbuster trade. And, the defending champions don’t need to with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

Dallas Mavericks

Health is a factor for the Mavericks who are on the lookout for defensive improvement. But Dallas also does not have significant draft assets to send in a big deal.

Los Angeles Lakers

NBA trade deadline sellers

Golden State Warriors

Is is time for the Golden State Warriors to move on from their dynasty? They are 16-18 and not a contender. Or do they wait and see what happens when Draymond Green returns from his suspension? Regardless, they have a $400 million payroll, which includes nearly $200 million in luxury taxes, and no owner wants to pay that much for a team that might not make the playoffs.

Chicago Bulls

At 15-21 and any kind of deep postseason run unlikely, the Bulls have players who could be moved at the deadline in exchange for draft picks. The Bulls tried a rebuild on the fly, but an injury to Lonzo Ball didn’t help and the Bulls don’t have much to show for getting Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso. A roster reset might be the answer.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets just ended an 11-game losing streak. They have players who could help other teams and should take advantage of that. Charlotte desperately needs more talent.

Washington Wizards

This looks like a long-term rebuild for the Wizards, and outside of Bilal Coulibaly, the No. 7 pick in the 2023 draft, no player on the roster should be untradeable. Oklahoma City executive vice president Sam Presti’s theory is to get as many first-round picks as possible with the idea that a couple of the right picks will elevate a team into contention. Wizards president Michael Winger and GM Will Dawkins both worked with Presti in Oklahoma City. They know the strategy.

Detroit Pistons

Like the Hornets, the Pistons should be trying to accumulate first-round picks. Pistons GM Troy Weaver worked for Presti in Oklahoma City.

NBA trade deadline buyers and sellers

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are in a fantastic place at 23-10. They have a great young core featuring MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the possibility of 15 first-round picks over the next seven years. The Thunder don’t have to make a trade now but they have the assets to do so. At some point – maybe not this season – Presti will make a deal.

Toronto Raptors

It appears the Raptors are trying to retool on the fly, evidenced by their deal that sent OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to New York for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick. If they can return an All-Star caliber player for soon-to-be free agent Pascal Siakam, it won’t be a surprise.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz got off to a slow start but have shown improvement, inching up the standings and putting themselves in play-in contention – just a game behind the Lakers for 10th place in the West. In terms of draft picks, the Jazz are right there with the Thunder with future first-round picks. The Jazz are holding approximately 15 first-round picks through the 2030 draft. You can be sure Jazz CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik are plotting their next big moves.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt