The Athletic keeps growing .......

Guessing Topkin and Stroud will be next. Think Topkin is a Times lifer, but I can't imagine the Times is in any position to try to match much of anything these days. And the backup, Mooney, is more than capable. Will the Times hire a Lightning writer or just rotate? I'd bet on the latter. Mooney also backs up Lightning.

When is Miami launching? Or did I miss that?

 

So Topkin apparently turned them down. He's a Times lifer, but still a bit surprising.
Mooney to Lightning seems logical and seamless. Or maybe he gets the Rays gig at The Athletic.
Have they grabbled any MLB.com guys? Not many daily Rays reporters left in that market.

 

Plus, DFM is doing a good enough job destroying the Denver Post without the Athletic's help. Who can blame anyone from the paper taking a way out when it was presented to them?

 

What about Matt Baker?

 

No idea about anybody else. I just guessed Topkin and Stroud because that seems to be the MO. And apparently Topkin said no, so ...

 

He does CFB and looks like Athletic TB is strictly a Rays, Bucs and Lightning outfit.

Mooney will probably be the Lightning guy through their playoff run. Not surprised Topkin didn't leave but not sure where they will go for Rays on this notice.

 

Did some backup pro stuff before his current job, and his age is in line with some of their other hires.

 

I think he was given reasons to stay. I'm not as bullish on the Athletic working in Tampa Bay as it will in other markets.

Joe Smith is good but he's probably not going to move any subscriptions. And the baseball coverage is amazing but how often is the Rays going to be part of that conversation? And there are a million outlets to get Bucs news for free that have strong followings.