As a gift to all of our loyal SportsRantNY readers, we are leaving one shiny, new gift under each team’s Christmas Tree. The only rule — be realistic. As an example, while Santa wanted to gift Joe Burrow to the New York Jets, he went with Fernando Mendoza instead.
AROUND NYC BASEBALL
New York Mets — Cody Bellinger, OF/1B.
The New York Mets need a leftfielder, a centerfielder, a first basemen, and protection for Juan Soto in the lineup. There’s only one available free agent that has the versatility to fill any of those roles. Plus, he would add to the Bronx to Queens exodus, joining Clay Holmes, Soto, Luke Weaver, and Devin Williams.
New York Yankees — Tatsuya Imai, SP.
If healthy, the New York Yankees starting rotation is among the league’s best. Adding Imai ensures that will remain the case while they wait for Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt to return to health. Plus, many years removed from the Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka eras, the Yankees can reestablish themselves as a Far East destination.
ICYMI “4 Things Yankees: Let’s Talk Roster Ahead of Winter Meetings”
AROUND NYC BASKETBALL
Brooklyn Nets — Win the lottery.
Despite a record five NBA rookie first-round draft picks, the Brooklyn Nets have not given their fans much to cheer about since Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving departed. A lottery win would enable the Nets to choose between Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, or BYU forward AJ Dybantsa.
New York Knicks – Health.
Were you expecting a Greek Freak? Truth is, Santa agrees with me that this New York Knicks team, as presently constituted, would be able to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a run for their money in the NBA Finals. They just need these 8 players to be healthy come playoff time — OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, Josh Hart, Miles McBride, Mitchell Robinson, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
New York Liberty — Keep the core.
The WNBA is currently in collective bargaining hell. Assuming they get things straightened out ahead of the 2026 season, the New York Liberty will need to resign all three of their top unrestricted free agents — Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Breanna Stewart.
ICYMI “4 Things Knicks: New Coach, New Season, Same Goal”
AROUND NYC FOOTBALL
New York Giants — Mike McCarthy, Head Coach
In a perfect world, Santa Claus would be able to squeeze John Harbaugh or Mike Tomlin down the New York Giants’ chimney. But since they are under contract, he is gifting Jaxson Dart the former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach.
New York Jets — Fernando Mendoza, QB.
There’s still four long months ahead of the April 23 NFL Draft. All the top prospects, including Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, have playoff games, all-star games, combines, interviews, pro-days, and personal workouts ahead of them. But if the New York Jets find a way to secure Mendoza, without giving up any of their three 2027 first-round draft picks, it will go a long way toward jump-starting their latest rebuild.
ICYMI “4 Things Jets: ‘Tis the Season to Reflect & Dream”
AROUND NYC HOCKEY
New Jersey Devils — Evgeni Malkin, C
Malkin’s Pittsburgh Penguins have come crashing back to earth, going 1-5-4 in their last 10 games. The New Jersey Devils could certainly use a Stanley Cup champion, future Hall of Fame forward to help propel the offense down the stretch and into the playoffs.
New York Islanders — Rasmus Andersson, D.
The right-handed shooting, 29-year-old Swedish defenseman is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season. He would be a great complement to left-handed rookie Matthew Schaefer. The struggling Calgary Flames are poised to put him on the market, and the New York Islanders have a deep pool of prospects.
New York Rangers — Home Ice Advantage.
The New York Rangers currently rank 31st in the NHL with only five wins on home ice. They are 5-10-3 — with six of the 10 regulation losses coming via shutout. On the road, they have a league-leading 14 wins. If the Rangers can start lighting the lamp at the World’s Most Famous Arena, they can secure a playoff spot in the middling Eastern Conference Final.
ICYMI “4 Things Rangers: Still Searching for Consistency at the Quarter-Pole”