Padres Doing Background Work On Masahiro Tanaka

The San Diego Padres are doing background work on free-agent starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka and other free agents, even after swinging big trades for starters Blake Snell and Yu Darvish this offseason. Tanaka stands out because of his connection to Darvish and pitching coach Larry Rothschild. Darvish is friends with Tanaka, and Rothschild was his […]

Mark Shapiro Receives Five-Year Extension

Toronto Blue Jays president and chief executive officer Mark Shapiro was given a five-year contract extension on Wednesday. Shapiro worked for the Cleveland Indians before joining the Blue Jays as their president on Oct. 31, 2015. His leadership and commitment over the last five years have been critical to Toronto's growth and development. The Blue […]

Derwin James Hungry To Return To Chargers Defense

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James (knee) missed all of the 2020 season and played in just five games in 2019 after he was named a first-team All-Pro in his rookie year in 2018. But James is as hungry as ever to get back on the field and play in 2021. "I think I'm about […]

Davante Adams In Another Stratosphere

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams became the only player in NFL history in 2020 with 100-plus catches and 18 touchdowns in a single regular season. He's also the only player to average eight-plus catches per game and one-plus touchdown per game. Adams averaged a league-high 3.1 receiving yards per route run this year, […]

Browns Defense Getting Denzel Ward Back

The Cleveland Browns activated cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday, according to a source. Nobody expects Cleveland's defense to be able to slow down the defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round on Sunday, but getting Ward and Johnson back will at least give them a fighter's chance. […]

Jalen Ramsey Key For Rams Defense

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey has shut down the who's who of top wide receivers this season. The list includes Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, Terry McLaurin, Allen Robinson II, D.K. Metcalf, Mike Evans and DeAndre Hopkins. None of those wideouts were able to produce a 100-yard game with Ramsey shadowing them in 2020, including […]

Phillies Have Chance To Re-Sign J.T. Realmuto And Didi Gregorius

There was pessimism at the start of the offseason that the Philadelphia Phillies could re-sign both catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Didi Gregorius, but there is now a real chance that could happen. It's mid-January and the free-agent markets for both players haven't developed the way they'd hoped back in November. The Mets signed James […]

David Price Feeling Great

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher David Price posted a clip of him throwing on Twitter on Tuesday and said he's "never felt better." Price was traded from the Red Sox in the swap involving outfielder Mookie Betts last February, but the left-hander elected not to play in 2020 due to concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. […]

Michael Fulmer Avoids Salary Arbitration

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer avoided salary arbitration on Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.1 million deal. The right-hander was the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year, but he was 0-2 with an 8.78 ERA in 10 starts in 2020 after missing all of the previous season due to Tommy John surgery. […]

Lamar Jackson Could Play In First Snow Game Against Buffalo

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is wary of potentially playing in his first ever snow game in the Divisional Round on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. "Saturday would be my first time playing football in the snow, if it does. Hopefully, it don't," Jackson said. As of Tuesday, there's a 40 percent chance for snow […]

Matt Nagy, Ryan Pace Likely To Be Retained

The Chicago Bears are likely to retain head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace, according to sources. The fates of both Nagy and Pace were uncertain after the Bears lost eight of their final 11 games to finish the year, including going 1-7 against playoff teams in 2020. Despite their struggle to close […]

Matt Judon, Marcus Peters Miss Practice Tuesday

Baltimore Ravens pass-rusher Matt Judon (illness) and cornerback Marcus Peters (back) both were unable to participate in Tuesday's walk-through practice. The Ravens are likely just being cautious and holding Judon and Peters back early in the week ahead of the Divisional Round matchup against the Bills on Saturday. Peters had four solo tackles and has […]

Allen Lazard, Equanimeous St. Brown Limited Tuesday

Green Bay Packers wide receivers Allen Lazard (core, wrist) and Equanimeous St. Brown (ankle, knee) and linebacker Za'Darius Smith (ankle, thumb) were all limited in practice on Tuesday. Unless they suffer setbacks this week, all three players should be available for the Divisional Round against the Rams on Saturday. Lazard has caught only four passes […]

Jared Goff A Full Participant In Walk-Through

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (thumb) was listed as a full participant in the team's walk-through practice on Tuesday. John Wolford (neck) didn't practice at all, so Goff is trending toward starting in the Divisional Round against the Packers, even though the Rams haven't made an official decision yet. Goff is unlikely to be […]

Aaron Donald, John Wolford Sit Out Of Walk-Through

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald (ribs) and quarterback John Wolford (neck) did not participate in the team's walk-through practice on Tuesday. Despite not practicing, Donald is expected to be ready for the Divisional Round against the Packers on Saturday. However, the 29-year-old All-Pro pass-rusher may not see much, if any, practice time this […]

Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley Limited In Practice

Buffalo Bills wide receivers Stefon Diggs (oblique) and Cole Beasley (knee), linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (hamstring) and defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle) were all limited in practice on Tuesday. Diggs and Beasley both played in the wild-card win over the Colts and should be fine for this Saturday's game against the Ravens. Diggs caught six passes […]

Bears Defense Needs New Coach After Chuck Pagano Retires

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has decided to retire, according to sources. The 60-year-old was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts for six seasons and returned to the sidelines as the defensive coordinator for Chicago in 2019 while replacing Vic Fangio. Pagano led a Bears Defense that allowed 20.9 points per game in […]

Seahawks Fire Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer

The Seattle Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer on Tuesday despite the offense setting a number of franchise records in 2020. However, it was evident that Schottenheimer and head coach Pete Carroll had their philosophical differences, with a parting of ways in the best interests of both sides. Schottenheimer had been with the club for […]

Alex Colome Won't Return To White Sox

Free-agent relief pitcher Alex Colome won't be returning to the Chicago White Sox after they signed reliever Liam Hendriks to a three-year deal on Monday night. The San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins appear to be those in the mix to add Colome, who is coming off two excellent seasons […]

Andrew Benintendi Deal Could Happen Soon

The Boston Red Sox could trade outfielder Andrew Benintendi soon, but it won't be to the Miami Marlins, according to an industry source. Other teams that have checked in on Benintendi include the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics. The Pittsburgh Pirates could also be a fit. He's entering the back half of a […]

Mutual Interest Between Mets, DJ LeMahieu

There is mutual interest between the New York Mets and free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu and the Mets do have salary shedding deals that they could make if they really want to pull off another big signing, but it remains a tricky fit. Following the blockbuster acquisition of shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos […]

Seahawks Sign John Schneider To Contract Extension

The Seattle Seahawks signed general manager John Schneider to a contract extension on Tuesday that will keep him with the team through the 2027 draft. Schneider has helped build the Seahawks into one of the league's best franchises over the last decade. He's in his 11th season as the team's GM and also helped bring […]

Marlins Interested In Willson Contreras, Andrew Benintendi

The Miami Marlins have interest in trading for Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras. With the team currently projected to start the 2021 season with a platoon of Jorge Alfaro and Chad Wallach behind the plate, catcher is one of Miami's biggest needs. Miami is also one of several teams engaged with the Boston Red Sox […]

Browns Place Michael Dunn, Robert Jackson On Injured Reserve

The Cleveland Browns placed offensive guard Michael Dunn (calf) and cornerback Robert Jackson (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Both played significant roles in the team's stunning wild-card win over the division-rival Steelers. It's bad news for Cleveland's offensive line and secondary as they head into a daunting matchup against the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs in […]

Joe Burrow On Pace To Be Ready For Next Season

Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow (knee) said in a video conference on Tuesday that he is currently on pace to be ready for the start of the 2021 regular season. The impressive rookie tore his ACL and MCL in late November but remains on track six weeks after undergoing surgery. Burrow said he'll start […]

Dominic Smith Not An Option In Left Field

New York Mets president Sandy Alderson made it clear that he's not comfortable with Dominic Smith as a left fielder. Smith can play there, if needed, and the Mets would like to keep his bat in the lineup, so they definitely are pushing for the National League to adopt a full-time designated hitter. If the […]

Raiders Defense To Be Run By Gus Bradley

The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring Gus Bradley as their next defensive coordinator on Tuesday. Bradley spent the last four seasons running the Los Angeles Chargers Defense. He also had a stint as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013-16 and will take over after Paul Guenther was fired during the middle of […]

Miguel Amaya Looking Good In Puerto Rican Winter League

Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya, the team's No. 3 prospect and No. 91 overall per MLB Pipeline, produced a .261/.533/.609 slash line with two home runs in 10 games during the Puerto Rican Winter League regular season, finishing first in on-base percentage (.553), second in OPS (1.161) and fifth in RBI (11). The 21-year-old went […]

Jeremy Pena Refining His Game In Winter Ball

Houston Astros second baseman/shortstop Jeremy Pena, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was among the Dominican Republic Winter League leaders during the regular season when he finished second in hits (37), second in total bases (52), third in runs scored (18) and tied for third in stolen bases (seven). The former third-round pick […]

Oneil Cruz Playing Well In Dominican Winter League

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz, the team's No. 3 prospect and No. 59 overall per MLB Pipeline, hit a home run in Game 3 of the semifinals in the Dominican Republic Winter League and was 3-for-3 with a double, three runs scored and an RBI in Game 4. The 6-foot-7 22-year-old hit .357 with four […]