Harrison Bader Confident He'll Be Starting Center Fielder

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Harrison Bader is confident that he'll be the starting center fielder in 2020. "I'm the starting center fielder," the 25-year-old Bader said. "It's my position. I'm going to take it. There's no sense in talking about it. I'm looking forward to showing up Day 1, guns blazing and ready to go." […]

Titans Defensive Coordinator Is Retiring

Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees announced his retirement on Monday after the team fell to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. The 70-year-old will call it quits in the NFL after coaching for 16 seasons with the Patriots, Ravens and Titans. Overall in 2019, the Titans Defense allowed 359.5 yards per game, 255 passing […]

Four Teams Interested In Pedro Strop

The Marlins, Cubs, Rangers and Brewers are believed to be interested in relief pitcher Pedro Strop. The right-hander had a down year with the Cubs in 2019 by posting a 4.97 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in his 41 2/3 innings of work over 50 outings. He did have 10 saves, however, and has […]

Bucs A Potential Landing Spot For Philip Rivers

There has been buzz that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a possible landing spot for Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who will become a free agent in March. After his worst season since 2007, the aging gunslinger is unlikely to re-sign with the Bolts, and he recently moved his family from San Diego to […]

Romeo Crennel Out As Houston's D Coordinator

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has been fired, and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver has been promoted in his place, according to league sources. Houston's defense was a liability for most of the year, especially their leaky secondary. The Texans allowed 51 points and seven straight touchdown drives to the Chiefs in the Divisional […]

Panthers Hire Phil Snow As Defensive Coordinator

The Carolina Panthers hired former Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow as their new defensive coordinator on Monday. Snow oversaw the defenses for Matt Rhule at both Baylor and Temple. He has 37 years of college coaching experience and has also served as a defensive coordinator at UCLA, Washington, Arizona State and Boise State. Snow coached […]

Odubel Herrera Designated For Assignment

The Philadelphia Phillies designated outfielder Odubel Herrera for assignment on Tuesday and claimed outfielder Nick Martini off waivers from the Reds in a corresponding move. Herrera was handed an 85-game suspension to close out the year for a domestic-violence incident, and he hit just .222/.288/.341 with a home run, 16 RBI and two steals in […]

Jameis Winston Wearing Cast

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (thumb) posted a video on his Instagram that showed him with a cast on his injured right thumb. Winston suffered a fracture in his throwing thumb late in the season but didn't miss any time. The 26-year-old is expected to be retained, possibly on the franchise tag, heading into […]

Ed Oliver Recovering From Surgery

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver underwent undisclosed surgery on Tuesday. The 22-year-old was a first-round pick in 2019 and recorded 43 total tackles (24 solo), five sacks and one forced fumble in his first year in the NFL over a full season. The Houston product is a nice building block for Buffalo's defense moving […]

Leighton Vander Esch Undergoes Neck Surgery

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) underwent surgery on his neck on Tuesday with the expectation that he will be available for the offseason program, according to multiple sources. Vander Esch missed seven games with the injury in 2019 and ended up opting for a non-invasive procedure to alleviate nerve issues in his neck. […]

Cardinals, Rockies Discussing Nolan Arenado

The St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies have started exchanging names in their discussions about a blockbuster trade involving third baseman Nolan Arenado, according to one source. Sources have advanced beyond a preliminary stage, but ESPN's Jeff Passan says the exchange of names has not been very productive. It's still considered a long shot that […]

Miguel Sano Agrees To Extension

The Minnesota Twins and third baseman Miguel Sano agreed to a three-year contract extension, according to a source familiar with the deal. The deal includes a club option for the 2023 season and will buy out two years of free agency. The extension is for $30 million, with $27 million spread out over the first […]

Bobby Wagner Unlikely To Need Surgery

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (ankle, knee) was told by doctors that he had new injuries to his knee and ankle during the team's annual exit examination on Monday. Wagner said the injuries aren't major and he should be fine for the start of training camp in late July. Head coach Pete Carroll said that […]

Antonio Gates Announces Retirement

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowler who played last in 2018, announced his retirement on Tuesday. The 39-year-old is the team's all-time leader in catches (955), receiving yards (11,841) and touchdowns (116). Gates and quarterback Philip Rivers combined for 89 touchdowns, which is the most in NFL history by a […]

Cubs, Kyle Schwarber Avoid Arbitration

The Chicago Cubs and outfielder Kyle Schwarber avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $7.01 million deal. Schwarber slashed .250/.339/.531 with a career-high 38 home runs, 82 runs scored and 92 RBI in his 155 games for the Cubs in 2019. The big left-handed slugger has at least 26 round-trippers in each […]

Willson Contreras Avoids Arbitration

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million deal. It was his first year of arbitration eligibility. Contreras sees a nice raise after hitting .272/.355/.533 with a career-high 24 home runs and 64 RBI in 105 games. It was a much-needed bounce-back performance after he hit […]

Javier Baez, Cubs Agree On $10 Million Deal

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $10 million deal, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. The superstar infielder will almost double his 2019 salary. Despite his free-swinging ways, Baez continues to be a stud, as he hit .281/.316/.531 with 29 home runs, 85 RBI, […]

Duane Brown, Ezekiel Ansah Questionable

Seattle Seahawks left tackles Duane Brown (knee) and George Fant (groin) and defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (neck) are all listed as questionable for the Divisional Round against the Packers on Sunday. Offensive guard Mike Iupati (neck) is doubtful, so Seattle's offensive line could be in serious trouble against a ferocious Packers pass rush this weekend. […]

Jaron Brown, Malik Turner Good To Go

Seattle Seahawks wide receivers Jaron Brown (knee) and Malik Turner (concussion) were taken off the final injury report for the Divisional Round against the Packers on Sunday. They'll both play after missing the wild-card game against the Eagles. It means that Brown and Turner will now rotate in with David Moore as the No. 3 […]

Mets, Steven Matz Agree To Avoid Arbitration

The New York Mets and starting pitcher Steven Matz avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal. The 28-year-old southpaw has now made 30 starts for the Mets in back-to-back seasons after dealing with arm issues earlier in his five-year career. He went 11-10 with a 4.21 ERA, 1.34 WHIP […]

Gary Sanchez Settles With Yankees

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal, according to a source. It's a pretty big raise for Sanchez in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He played in just 106 games due to injuries in 2019 and hit .232/.316/.525 with a career-high 34 […]

Trevor Bauer Avoids Arbitration With Reds

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $17.5 million deal. Bauer posted a 4.48 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 253 strikeouts in 213 innings in 34 starts for the Indians and Reds in 2019. The right-hander had an ugly 6.39 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in his 10 […]

Francisco Lindor To Make $17.5 Million In 2020

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $17.5 million deal. Lindor has been the subject of heavy trade rumors this offseason and could still be dealt before spring training. He started late in 2019 due to injury but still finished with an excellent line of .284/.335/.518 with […]

Kenny Stills, Darren Fells, Jordan Akins Questionable

Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills (knee) and tight ends Darren Fells (hip) and Jordan Akins (hamstring) are all questionable for the Divisional Round against the Chiefs on Sunday. All three were limited in practice on Friday, so they should be able to suit up, but don't take their statuses for granted. Stills has been […]

Will Fuller Expected To Play Against Chiefs

Updating a previous report, Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (groin), who head coach Bill O'Brien said would be a game-time decision, is expected to play on Sunday in the Divisional Round against the Chiefs unless something crazy happens between now and then. Fuller nearly had a multi-touchdown game against Kansas City earlier this year, […]

Travis Kelce, Chris Jones Questionable Against Texans

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (knee) and defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) are both listed as questionable for the Divisional Round against the Texans on Sunday. Kelce is dealing with only a bruise and is expected to play, but Jones' status is more up in the air after injuring himself in practice this […]

Nomar Mazara Avoids Arbitration With New Team

Chicago White Sox outfielder Nomar Mazara avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.56 million deal. Mazara was traded from the Rangers this offseason after hitting .268/.318/.469 with 19 home runs, 69 runs and 66 RBI in 429 at-bats in Texas in 2019. Mazara has been consistently mediocre in his four seasons […]

Kirby Yates Receives Raise

San Diego Padres closer Kirby Yates avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $7.062 million deal. Yates was in the final year of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander was one of the best relievers in the game last season and posted a microscopic 1.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 41 saves and 101 strikeouts in […]

David Dahl To Make $2.475 Million In 2020

Colorado Rockies outfielder David Dahl avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.475 million deal. It was Dahl's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 25-year-old has the ability to be a five-category fantasy contributor if he can just stay healthy, which is something that has eluded him in his career to this […]

Liam Hendriks Avoids Arbitration

Oakland Athletics closer Liam Hendriks avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.3 million deal, according to a source. It was Hendriks' final year of arbitration eligibility. The 30-year-old right-hander ended up taking over the team's closer role in 2019 and was fantastic, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, a career-high 25 […]