Josh Hader Avoids Arbitration With Record Deal

The San Diego Padres and relief pitcher Josh Hader avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $14.1 million deal, according to a source. It becomes the biggest salary in arbitration in MLB history for a reliever. The Padres acquired the left-hander from the Milwaukee Brewers at last year's trade deadline, but was […]

Dylan Cease To Earn $5.7 Million In 2023

The Chicago White Sox and starting pitcher Dylan Cease avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.7 million deal. Cease finished up his fourth season with the White Sox with a 14-8 record, career-low 2.20 ERA (3.10 FIP), 1.11 WHIP and 30.4 percent strikeout rate in a career-high 184 innings over 32 […]

Phillies Settle With Rhys Hoskins Friday

The Philadelphia Phillies and first baseman Rhys Hoskins avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $12 million deal on Friday, according to sources. In an even more formidable Phillies lineup heading into 2023 with the addition of superstar shortstop Trea Turner, Hoskins will be more attractive in fantasy in the heart of Philly's lineup. […]

Juan Soto Avoids Arbitration At $23 Million

The San Diego Padres and outfielder Juan Soto avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $23 million deal, according to sources. The Padres swung a blockbuster trade to acquire Soto and first baseman Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals at last year's trade deadline. The two-time All-Star disappointed in 52 games to […]

Will Smith Avoids Salary Arbitration

The Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.25 million deal, according to sources. Smith had another very strong year as the Dodgers' primary catcher in 2022, slashing .260/.343/.465 with an .807 OPS, 24 home runs, a career-high 87 RBI, 68 runs scored and a […]

Cardinals, Jordan Montgomery Settle At $10 Million

The St. Louis Cardinals and left-hander Jordan Montgomery avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $10 million deal, according to a source. Montgomery came to St. Louis at last year's trade deadline from the New York Yankees. He had a combined 9-6 record with a 3.48 ERA (3.61 FIP), 1.09 WHIP and […]

Mets Considering Tommy Pham

With outfielder Andrew McCutchen returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Mets are now considering free-agent outfielder Tommy Pham as their fourth outfielder, among others. Trey Mancini, Adam Duvall, Jurickson Profar and Tyler Naquin are other possibilities that remain on the open market. Pham became a free agent this offseason when the Boston Red […]

Cedric Mullins Avoids Arbitration

The Baltimore Orioles and outfielder Cedric Mullins avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.1 million deal. Mullins was a first-time All-Star for the O's in 2021 in his fourth big-league season, but he wasn't nearly as good in 2022, hitting .258/.318/.403 with a .721 OPS, 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 89 […]

Andrew McCutchen Returns To Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a one-year deal worth $5 million on Friday, according to a source. McCutchen spent the nine years of his big-league career in Pittsburgh and was an All-Star with them for five straight seasons from 2011-15. He won the National League MVP in 2013. The 36-year-old is […]

Lane Johnson Back At Practice

Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson (abdomen) was spotted at the team's practice on Friday. He hasn't played since Week 16 when tests showed a torn tendon in his abdominal area, but he appears to be on track to return for the Divisional Round of the postseason next weekend. The 32-year-old decided to […]

Evan Neal Expected To Play Through Injury

New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (ankle) suffered what is considered to be a minor ankle injury in practice on Thursday, according to source. However, it should not affect his availability to play in the wild-card game on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Neal was listed as limited in Thursday's session after getting hurt. […]

Mike Williams Out 2-3 Weeks With Back Fracture

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (back) suffered a small non-surgical fracture in his back in the Week 18 regular season finale that is expected to keep him out for the next two to three weeks, according to sources. It means that barring a Chargers Super Bowl run, Williams' season is likely over. Head […]

Tua Tagovailoa Hasn't Progressed In Concussion Protocol

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that as of Friday, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has not advanced to the on-field football activity portion of the league's concussion protocols. He was already ruled out for this weekend's game against the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are optimistic that Teddy Bridgewater (pinkie) will be active as […]

Skylar Thompson To Start Against Bills

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson will officially get the start in the wild-card contest on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. It's not exactly in idea scenario for a rookie to make his third career start on the road in a hostile environment in the postseason. Tua Tagovailoa […]

Mike Williams Ruled Out For Wild-Card Game

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (back) has been ruled out for the wild-card game on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams didn't practice at all this week and was listed as questionable on the final injury report on Thursday, but he has since been downgraded to out. Head coach Brandon Staley curiously played […]

Jalen Hurts Throws Friday

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (shoulder) threw in practice on Friday. Hurts returned from a multi-week absence due to a sprained right shoulder in the Week 18 regular season finale and helped the team to a win over the New York Giants to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and a first-round […]

Aaron Rodgers To Take Some Time To Decide On Return

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said that he had "really good conversations" with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this week on his way into the offseason. Gutekunst also said Rodgers is "going to take some time" and "I really respect the process he goes through after the season." The 39-year-old future Hall of Fame QB […]

Five Strategies To Help You Win Your Fantasy Football Playoff Leagues

If you won a fantasy football title in the regular season and are looking for more hardware, or if you want redemption after a bad year, the fantasy football season isn't over just yet. You can add to the excitement of the NFL playoffs by assembling a team of your own in an attempt to […]

Padres Sign Alfonso Rivas To Minor-League Deal

The San Diego Padres signed free-agent first baseman Alfonso Rivas to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training after he was released by the Chicago Cubs last week. The 26-year-old played in 101 games for the Cubs last season in his second year in the majors and hit .235/.322/.307 […]

Jets Interested In Frank Reich To Run Offense

The New York Jets have former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich on their list as they search for a new offensive coordinator this offseason, but it's unlikely to happen. The team is also interested in some other candidates that have a background in coaching the offensive line. Reich just completed a head-coach interview on […]

Colts Interview Eric Bieniemy For Head-Coach Job

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay announced on Thursday that the team interviewed Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for their head-coaching position. It is the first known interest in Bieniemy so far this offseason after he was a popular candidate in the previous four hiring cycles. He had interviewed for 15 head-coaching positions with […]

Patriots Will Begin Search For New Offensive Coordinator

The New England Patriots announced on Thursday that they will begin interviews for a new offensive coordinator next week. Head coach Bill Belichick is returning for his 24th NFL season, but he will move away from the structure he used in 2022 in which he didn't name an official coordinator. Matt Patricia and Joe Judge […]

Patriots Working On Extension For Jerod Mayo

The New England Patriots announced on Thursday that they are working toward retaining linebackers coach Jerod Mayo. He played eight seasons for the Patriots from 2008 to 2015 and just finished his fourth season as an assistant coach with the team. Mayo has received interest from other teams for head-coaching positions, with the Carolina Panthers […]

Kyle Rudolph Misses Practice Thursday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kyle Rudolph (knee) did not take part in the team's first practice of the week on Thursday. Rudolph injured his knee in the Week 18 regular season finale and could be in danger of missing wild-card weekend if he's unable to return to practice in the next two days. The […]

Julio Jones Practicing In Full

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Julio Jones (knee) was listed as a full participant in Thursday's practice. Jones did not play in the Week 18 regular season finale and has missed seven games in total with his knee injury in his first year in Tampa, but he appears to have made progress and should be […]

Jaylen Waddle, Teddy Bridgewater Limited Again

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (finger, knee) were both limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. The Dolphins fully expect Waddle to be active on Sunday in the wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills. However, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) already ruled out and […]

P.J. Higgins Signs With Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed free-agent catcher P.J. Higgins to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Higgins comes to the desert after playing in 74 games for the Chicago Cubs in 2022, finishing with a .229/.310/.383 slash line with a .693 OPS, six home runs, 30 RBI and 23 […]

Mets Remain In Contact With Trey Mancini

The New York Mets remain in contact with free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Trey Mancini, according to reports. It's worth noting that manager Buck Showalter was Mancini's manager for his first two major-league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. In addition to Mancini, the Mets are considering Andrew McCutchen for the fourth outfielder role in 2023. Other options […]

Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty Will Have Shot To Make The Roster

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez and third baseman Brett Baty will both be given a realistic chance to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training. But with more opportunity in left field this year, Alvarez likely has the better chance to begin the 2023 season in the big leagues. When it looked […]

Bucs Want Soto-Like Trade For Bryan Reynolds

The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for a "Juan Soto trade" for outfielder Bryan Reynolds, who has asked out of Pittsburgh this offseason, according to an interested team executive. Reynolds has three years left in his current contract, but he makes much less than Soto and isn't in an elite tier of players like Soto. The […]