Brandon Maurer's Arbitration Hearing Set For Thursday

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer's salary arbitration hearing is scheduled for Thursday. He is asking for $3.5 million, while the Royals countered at $2.95 million. The Royals have never gone to an arbitration hearing under general manager Dayton Moore. Maurer had 20 saves with the Padres in 2017 before being traded to KC,... Read More

Brewers, Twins May Be Finalists For Jake Arrieta

With starting pitcher Yu Darvish signing with the Cubs over the weekend, the market for free-agent starter Jake Arrieta is clearing up, and the Brewers and Twins appear to be the two favorites for his services, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The Nationals, Phillies and Cardinals are also possible landing... Read More

Broncos Could Use Second-Round Tender On Shaquil Barrett

With Denver Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett being a restricted free agent this offseason, The Denver Post's Nick Kosmider guesses that the team will place a second-round tender on Barrett like they did with linebackers Todd Davis and Brandon Marshall before the 2016 season. Barrett missed most of training camp with an injury last year, but... Read More

Jordan Zimmermann Receives Injection In Back

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (back, neck) recently visited with Dr. Andrew Dossett and received an injection in his back instead of his neck. As a result, he will resume his throwing program Tuesday. Zimmermann is dealing with a couple of bulging discs in his back, but he said he feels "100 times better"... Read More

Collin McHugh's Arbitration Hearing To Take Place Tuesday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh's salary-arbitration hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Phoenix. The right-hander asked for $5 million, but the Astros countered with $4.55 million. McHugh's 2017 season was essentially lost after he didn't make his season debut until July 22. When he did pitch, though, he was better than he was in... Read More

Mike Evans To Play Out Fifth-Year Option

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore, said that he and his client are in no rush to sign an extension. Evans is currently set to play the 2018 season under his $13.2 million fifth-year option, and Gilmore said they aren't negotiating a long-term contract extension with the team right now. Evans... Read More

Casey Hayward In Line For Extension?

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward will make $4.25 million in 2018 in the final year of a three-year deal, and the Chargers could consider offering him a contract extension after he finished with four interceptions and was second in the league with 26 pass breakups while earning his second Pro Bowl invite. He was... Read More

Marshawn Lynch Meets With Jon Gruden

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch and new head coach Jon Gruden have met at the team's headquarters on multiple occasions, according to a source familiar with the situation. Lynch's agent, Doug Hendrickson, refuted the notion that Lynch has been blowing off Gruden. After missing all of 2016, the soon-to-be 32-year-old didn't have a bad... Read More

Matt Wieters Expected To Be In Platoon

Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters is expected to be involved in more of a platoon situation behind the plate in 2018, with Pedro Severino the favorite to win the backup job. Severino must beat out Miguel Montero for the backup job in spring training, and Washington believes that Severino is ready to become a full-time... Read More

Zack Greinke Has Impressive Streak Going

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke has gone 445 1/3 innings over 70 regular season starts since the last time he hit a batter. The last time he plunked a hitter was Mets outfielder Michael Conforto on July 26 of 2015. It's the longest active streak for a pitcher in the big leagues. The all-time... Read More

Josh McDaniels Received No Assurances Of Replacing Bill Belichick

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels didn't receive any assurances that he would succeed head coach Bill Belichick after he retired. Belichick did offer to include McDaniels on more of the inner workings of the organization, from roster construction to salary-cap related decisions, which was viewed as "extremely valuable" to McDaniels. A source also... Read More

Dion Sims Could Be Roster Casualty

Chicago Bears tight end Dion Sims, who was signed to an $18 million deal over three years with $10 million guaranteed, could be a candidate for release this offseason after catching just 15 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. The Bears expected Sims to be much more involved in the passing... Read More

Colts To Interview Leslie Frazier On Saturday

The Indianapolis Colts will interview Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier for their head coaching gig on Saturday, according to a source. Frazier didn't have much success as Minnesota's head coach, but the Colts aren't really in a place to be picky after Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels backed out of a deal earlier this week.... Read More

Darrelle Revis Released By Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs released veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis on Thursday. Revis sat out most of the 2017 season before signing a two-year deal with KC on Nov. 23, and he played in just five games with two starts. Revis was once one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, but at age 32, he's... Read More

Nationals Could Pursue Jake Arrieta

The Washington Nationals could pursue free-agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta given the relationship between owner Tom Werner and Arrieta's agent, Scott Boras. The Nationals showed interest in Arrieta during the winter meetings, but there has been no indication that the two sides have been engaged in active negotiations. General manager Mike Rizzo said he'd be... Read More

Ronald Acuna Could Force Braves Hand

Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Ronald Acuna, who is ranked as the No. 2 prospect by MLB.com entering the year, could force the team's hand if he dazzles in spring training camp. The 20-year-old is a five-tool talent that would secure an extra season of control if he starts the year with Triple-A Gwinnett, but he... Read More

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton To See Time In Left Field

New York Yankees outfielders Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will see time in left field this spring under the tutelage of new first base coach and outfield instructor Reggie Willits. Both Judge and Stanton have predominantly played right field in their major league careers, with Stanton playing all but one big league inning in right... Read More

Yu Darvish's Strikeout Rate Is Impressive

Free-agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish has struck out 29.7 percent of the batters he's faced in his career, which is the highest rate in history for a starter with at least 500 innings, ahead of Chris Sale (29.2 percent), Stephen Strasburg (29.0 percent) and Randy Johnson (28.6 percent). Darvish is only behind Max Scherzer (30.4... Read More

Titans Offense Planning To Be More Aggressive

Under new Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, the team's offense in 2018 under quarterback Marcus Mariota figures to be more aggressive downfield. LaFleur intends to tailor the offense to Mariota's abilities, which should include a heavy dose of play-action. He also excels using read-option or run-pass option plays where he can utilize his legs.... Read More

Zack Wheeler Wins Arbitration Case

New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler won his arbitration case and will make $1.9 million in 2018. The Mets were offering $1.5 million. With Wheeler, the story has been arm injuries, as he missed two full years following Tommy John surgery, and he was inconsistent in 2017 with more arm issues. There remains upside... Read More

Gregory Polanco Trained Hard In Offseason

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco took his offseason training very seriously after having the worst season of his career in 2017, in which he played in only 108 games due to shoulder, groin and hamstring injuries that caused him to land on the disabled list three separate times. Polanco trained in the Dominican Republic after... Read More

J.D. Martinez Discussing Deals With Arizona

Free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez, who has a five-year offer of at least $120 million from the Red Sox, has discussed short-term and long-term deals with the Arizona Diamondbacks as well. With the free-agent market moving like molasses and although the Red Sox have been the favorites to land Martinez all along, the D-backs may remain... Read More

Noah Syndergaard Focusing On Lean Workouts

New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard, who missed four months in 2017 with a torn lat muscle, is doing a vastly different workout routine this year that is focused on athleticism instead of bulking up. "I'm trying to become more athletic overall and doing the right kind of lifts," said the leaner Syndergaard. "It's... Read More

J.D. Martinez Still In Negotiations With Red Sox

Free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez is not "fed up" with the Boston Red Sox, per earlier reports. "J.D. is involved in multiple negotiations and is pleased with the participants and the good-faith process," Scott Boras, Martinez's agent, reportedly said. "Suggestions otherwise are not accurate." The Red Sox have been viewed as the favorites to land Martinez... Read More

Steelers Expect Ryan Shazier To Be Apart Of Team

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney said he expects linebacker Ryan Shazier (spine) to be apart of the team in some capacity in 2018. "I expect Ryan is going to be here one way or the other and have a roll on the team one way or other in 2018," Rooney said. Shazier has been released... Read More

Chiefs Were Unwilling To Ship Alex Smith To Denver

Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said that he wouldn't discuss a trade of quarterback Alex Smith with the Denver Broncos. “I think it’s pretty typical in the NFL not to seek trades within the division,’’ Hunt said during his red-carpet appearance prior to the NFL’s Honors show. “That’s pretty standard fare particularly when we’re... Read More

Steelers Want Long-Term Deal With Le'Veon Bell

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney said that the team would "like to have a long-term contract with Le'Veon Bell" this year. Bell is an impending free agent, but the Steelers would likely place the franchise tag on him again if they can't work out a long-term contract. Both sides are more optimistic than they were... Read More

Orioles Re-Sign Craig Gentry

The Baltimore Orioles re-signed outfielder Craig Gentry to a minor league deal that will pay him $900,000 if he's on the major league roster. The deal includes an invite to spring training. Gentry hit .257 with two home runs, 11 RBI and five steals in 101 at-bats for the O's in 2017 while seeing time... Read More

Twins Still Interested In Jaime Garcia

The Minnesota Twins continue to show interest in free-agent starting pitcher Jaime Garcia, according to multiple sources. Garcia won his only start with Minnesota last summer before being flipped to the Yankees. Between three teams, including the Braves, Garcia went 5-10 with a 4.41 ERA in 27 starts in 2017. At this point in his... Read More

Bill Belichick To Remain With Team For 2018

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will remain with the team for at least another season with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels staying, according to a source. McDaniels officially agreed to become the next head coach of the Colts earlier in the day, only to reverse course and decide to remain in New England. It... Read More