Dodgers, Corey Knebel Avoid Arbitration

The Los Angeles Dodgers and relief pitcher Corey Knebel avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.25 million deal. Pitcher Dylan Floro did the same by agreeing to a $975,000 contract. The 29-year-old Knebel was acquired from the Brewers on Dec. 2. The hard-throwing right-hander was an All-Star in 2017 but missed […]

Archie Bradley Joins Phillies Bullpen

The Philadelphia Phillies signed relief pitcher Archie Bradley to a one-year, $6 million deal on Thursday, according to sources. Bradley didn't get re-signed by the Reds after he was acquired from the Diamondbacks in a midseason deal in 2020. The right-hander allowed just one run in his 7 2/3 innings with Cincinnati in six regular […]

Rockies Avoid Arbitration With Mychal Givens

The Colorado Rockies signed right-handed reliever Mychal Givens to a one-year, $4.05 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration. The Rockies traded for Givens in a deal with the Orioles on Aug. 3, and he allowed at least one run in five of his 10 outings for Colorado. He allowed two runs in 13 […]

Alex Wood Signs With Giants

The San Francisco Giants signed left-hander Alex Wood to a one-year, $3 million deal on Friday. The 30-year-old can make an extra $3 million in performance bonuses for the number of games in which he gets 10 or more outs. Wood was an All-Star in 2017 and went 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in two […]

Yiddi Cappe Among Marlins International Signings

The Miami Marlins signed 18-year-old infielder Yiddi Cappe among 11 players on Friday during baseball's international signing period. Cappe is widely regarded as one of baseball's top-10 international prospects. He stands at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds and has played shortstop in national competition in Cuba since he was 16 years old. The Marlins also were able […]

Chiefs Defense Vulnerable Against Browns?

The Kansas City Chiefs Defense finished the 2020 regular season ranked 21st against the run, allowing 122.1 rushing yards per game. The Browns, led by running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, averaged 148.4 yards per game. Chubb had his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season and another Pro Bowl selection, averaging a career-high 5.6 yards […]

Bills Defense Confident They Can Contain Ravens

The Buffalo Bills Defense is confident that they can contain Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the Divisional Round matchup on Saturday night. Buffalo held Jackson to only 40 rushing yards on 11 carries last year. "We're pretty confident in being able to contain him," said linebacker Matt Milano. The Bills defense held opponents to […]

Browns Activate Joel Bitonio From COVID-19 List

The Cleveland Browns activated offensive guard Joel Bitonio from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday. Bitonio should be active for the team's Divisional Round game against the Chiefs on Sunday after he sat out of the wild-card upset win over the division-rival Steelers last weekend. A Pro Bowler each of the last three seasons, Bitonio's return […]

Falcons Make Offer To Arthur Smith

The Atlanta Falcons have made an offer to Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to become their next head coach, according to sources. Smith has been the offensive coordinator for the Titans for the last two seasons. Tennessee ranked No. 3 in the league in total yards per game (396.4) and No. 2 overall in […]

Jets Hire Robert Saleh As Head Coach

The New York Jets hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their next head coach on Thursday night, according to league sources. The two sides have reached an agreement on a five-year deal. 49ers passing-game coordinator Mike LaFleur is expected to be the first member of Saleh's staff and serve as the […]

Panthers Hire Scott Fitterer As General Manager

The Carolina Panthers officially reached an agreement on a five-year deal with former Seattle Seahawks vice president Scott Fitterer on Thursday night to become their next general manager. Fitterer was a late addition to the interview process but made a quick impression on the Carolina decision-makers. He was one of 15 candidates to interview for […]

Corey Kluber Could Find A Team By This Weekend

The bidding for free-agent starting pitcher Corey Kluber is moving quickly and will likely reach a conclusion by this weekend. The two-time Cy Young winner impressed scouts from 25 different teams on Wednesday during a throwing session, causing interested teams to move more quickly on the right-hander. Kluber is returning from a torn right teres […]

Yadier Molina Could Retire

Free-agent catcher Yadier Molina remains unsigned with around a month remaining before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training. The 38-year-old would prefer to return to the St. Louis Cardinals for two more years, and the team has mutual interest in bringing him back, but Molina said that he will consider retirement […]

Mets Sign Jose Martinez To Split Contract

The New York Mets signed veteran Jose Martinez to a split contract on Thursday to give them more right-handed bench depth. Martinez will make $1 million, with another $500,00 in incentives if he makes the major league roster or $225,000 in incentives if he's in the minors, according to a source. He hit .298 with […]

A's Acquire Reliever Nik Turley

The Oakland Athletics acquired left-hander Nik Turley from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday in exchange for $60,000. Turley was 0-3 with a 4.98 ERA and one save in 25 relief appearances -- the most of any major league rookie in 2020 -- for the Pirates in 21 2/3 innings in the shortened season. The 31-year-old […]

Panthers Expected To Hire Scott Fitterer As Next GM

The Carolina Panthers are expected to hire Seattle Seahawks vice president of football operations Scott Fitterer as their new general manager, according to sources. Fitterer was a late addition to the interview process but made a quick impression on the Carolina decision-makers. He was one of 15 candidates to interview for the position when the […]

Mac Jones, Jaylen Waddle Declare For NFL Draft

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and defensive end Christian Barmore announced on Thursday their intentions to forego their remaining collegiate eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL draft. Jones led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season (13-0) while setting new single-season marks at Alabama in passing yards (4,500) […]

Melvin Gordon III Pleads Not Guilty In DUI Case

Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III pleaded not guilty in his DUI case on Thursday. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 24, with a potential jury trial on April 8 if the case isn't resolved before then. Gordon could still face league discipline in 2021 after being arrested on Oct. 3 in downtown […]

Colts GM Thinks Philip Rivers Can Still Play

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard thinks that impending free-agent quarterback Philip Rivers can still play in the NFL, but the team must decide if bringing the 39-year-old back for another season is the right course for the franchise. If Rivers does decide to come back for another year, he only wants to play for […]

John Wolford Ruled Out, Jared Goff To Start Saturday

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has ruled quarterback John Wolford (neck) out for the Divisional Round game against the Packers on Saturday. Wolford hasn't practiced this week after suffering a stinger in the wild-card game against the Seahawks and having to be taken to the hospital. Jared Goff (thumb) will make the start […]

Jaylon Smith To Undergo Wrist Surgery

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (wrist) will undergo left wrist surgery on Thursday, according to multiple sources. Smith led the team with 154 tackles and didn't miss a single game in 2020, but he was on the injury report in Week 16 with a wrist injury. He should be ready for the beginning of the […]

Lions Add Brad Holmes As New General Manager

The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms on a five-year deal on Thursday with Los Angeles Rams director of college scouting Brad Holmes as their new general manager, according to sources. As a result, the Rams become the first NFL team to receive two compensatory third-round draft picks as part of the league's hiring initiatives […]

Steelers Parting Ways With Randy Fichtner

The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to part ways with offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, according to a source. Fichtner's contract was due to expire at the start of the new league year, so the club will not renew his deal. He joined the Steelers in 2007, head coach Mike Tomlin's first year with the team. Offensive […]

Falcons Expected To Hire Terry Fontenot As Next GM

The Atlanta Falcons have identified New Orleans Saints vice president/assistant general manager Terry Fontenot as the favorite to be their next general manager, according to sources. The Falcons won't finalize a deal until the Saints are out of the playoffs, but all signs point to Fontenot being their choice. Fontenot has spent 16 years with […]

Jaguars Finalizing Deal With Urban Meyer For Head-Coaching Job

The Jacksonville Jaguars are working toward finalizing a deal with former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer to be their next head coach on Thursday, and the two sides are in advanced talks, according to league sources. The 56-year-old is poised to come out of retirement and the college football broadcast booth to take his […]

Marcus Semien's Market Heating Up

The Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics have all been involved in negotiations with free-agent shortstop Marcus Semien, according to team sources. More teams are likely interested due to Semien's versatility, athleticism and versatility, and his strong postseason also helped him. With Xander Bogaerts at shortstop, the Red Sox are likely […]

DH Decision Slowing Mets Pursuit Of George Springer?

A decision on whether the National League will have the designated hitter again in 2021 would allow the New York Mets to maximize their current roster and make further improvements, mainly with the decision whether to add free-agent outfielder George Springer. If the Mets add Springer or Jackie Bradley Jr. to play center field, Brandon […]

Phillies Have Shown Interest In Alex Colome

The Philadelphia Phillies have expressed interest in free-agent relief pitcher Alex Colome, but the Phillies would likely need his price to drop in order to have a shot. It didn't help when Liam Hendriks agreed to a $54 million multi-year deal with the White Sox on Monday. Colome will not return to Chicago after the […]

Cole Beasley Receives Praise For Toughness

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (knee) received praise from quarterback Josh Allen and fellow wideout Stefon Diggs for playing through an injured knee in the wild-card win over the Colts in which he played 41 snaps and secured a team-high seven catches for 57 yards. "I do want to give a shoutout to Cole. […]

Pedro Baez Reaches Deal With Astros

Right-handed reliever Pedro Baez agreed to a two-year deal with the Houston Astros on Wednesday, according to a source. The 32-year-old finished last season as the third-longest-tenured member of the Dodgers, behind just Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen. He has a 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 3.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 355 career relief appearances since […]