Michael Taylor Loses Arbitration Case

Washington Nationals outfielder Michael Taylor lost his salary arbitration case on Friday and will make $3.25 million in 2019 instead of the $3.5 million he requested. Taylor has an intriguing mix of speed and power, but as a reserve outfielder in Washington, he only carries NL-only value to begin the season. Taylor had a career-high […]

Shohei Ohtani Won't Be Ready For Opening Day

While Los Angeles Angels designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani's (elbow) checkup with Dr. Neal ElAttrache went well, general manager Billy Eppler said the star two-way player won't be ready for Opening Day. Ohtani has been cleared for "full strengthening" rehab but has yet to swing a bat. Dry swings will be his next step. Ohtani's […]

Nolan Arenado Avoids Arbitration

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $26 million contract. It's a record for an arbitration-eligible player. The Rockies have interest in signing Arenado to a long-term extension before he becomes a free agent after the 2019 season, but it remains to be seen if they […]

Wade Miley Signs With Astros

The Houston Astros signed free-agent starting pitcher Wade Miley to a one-year, $4.5 million deal on Thursday. He'll have a chance to earn $500,000 in incentives. Miley will bring a veteran presence to a Houston rotation that is in need of arms behind Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole after losing Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton […]

Cowboys Not Expected To Give Extension To Jason Garrett

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is not expected to sign head coach Jason Garrett to a contract extension as he enters the final season of his deal in 2019, according to sources. Kellen Moore, who will turn 30 in July, was just promoted to offensive coordinator and Jon Kitna, 46, will be a first-time quarterbacks […]

Cam Newton Showing Improvement Already

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (shoulder) is already showing marked improvement after undergoing a minimally invasive arthroscopic right shoulder surgery after the season ended. “I was there on one of his recovery days when (Newton) was working out with (head athletic trainer) Ryan Vermillion,” head coach Ron Rivera said. ”And one of the things he […]

Hernan Perez Underwent Offseason Surgery

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Hernan Perez (hand, wrist) underwent surgery after the season to have the pisiform bone removed from his hand/wrist. He is good to go for the start of spring training and should be ready for the regular season. Perez will have a chance to win regular playing time at second base this spring, […]

J.T. Realmuto Talks In Advanced Stages

Trade talks involving Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto are in "advanced stages" with the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves in the mix, according to a source. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said on Wednesday that the Padres "are more of a factor" than the Dodgers. The Marlins continue […]

Padres Meeting With Bryce Harper

The San Diego Padres are meeting with free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper on Thursday in Las Vegas, according to sources. The meeting is expected to includes San Diego's ownership representatives. The Padres are also linked to Manny Machado, but it remains to be seen if they are true threats to sign one of the free-agent superstars. […]

Jets Won't Go All Out For Le'Veon Bell

The New York Jets will not break the bank this offseason in order to sign running back Le'Veon Bell, according to sources. There is some level of concern in the organization about Bell's motivation if he lands a big payday, which is expected. The Jets are one of the best-positioned teams to make a run […]

Greg Zuerlein Limited In Practice

Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein (foot) was limited in their walkthrough practice on Wednesday. Zuerlein is dealing with a minor injury and had an extra week to heal up, so it'd be a shock if he wasn't active for the Super Bowl against the Patriots. Legatron has one of the strongest kicking legs in […]

Melvin Gordon Waiting For Next Contract Extension

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, who will make $5.6 million in the final year of his deal in 2019, said he's waiting to see how much Le'Veon Bell gets on the open market this offseason before worrying about his own contract extension with the Bolts. Both parties have interest in agreeing to a […]

Patriots Considering Extension For Tom Brady?

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft expects 41-year-old quarterback Tom Brady to stick around for a while even though his contract is set to expire after the 2019 season. “Well, think about it, the last three years we’ve been privileged to go to the Super Bowl with a quarterback in place,” Kraft said. “I would […]

DeSean Jackson Wants To Play For Rams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson said that he would like to play for the Los Angeles Rams despite the fact that he's still under contract with Tampa for one more year. "If anything, I would like to kind of end up in L.A., being a Ram. Sean McVay, you know, we got some […]

Greg Holland Agrees With Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with free-agent relief pitcher Greg Holland on Wednesday. The deal also includes performance-based incentives, probably for games finished. While Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano are capable of closing out games, Holland has more experience and might be the favorite now for ninth-inning duties in the […]

Torey Lovullo Receives Extension

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed manager Torey Lovullo to an undisclosed extension on Tuesday. Lovullo's current deal was set to expire after the 2019 season. He was named the 2017 National League manager of the year after he led the team to a 93-69 record and playoff berth, but the D-Backs fell to 82-80 in 2018 […]

Kevin O'Connell Promoted To Offensive Coordinator

The Washington Redskins promoted quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell to offensive coordinator on Tuesday and demoted former offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh to senior offensive assistant. Not much will matter if Washington doesn't have a capable quarterback under center in 2019. Alex Smith isn't expected to be available for most of the year, if not all of […]

Jimmy Graham Expected To Be Back With Packers

The Green Bay Packers aren't expected to release tight end Jimmy Graham, according to a source. He is due a $5 million roster bonus on March 15 and the expectation is that the Packers want him back for another season with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After putting up 10 touchdowns in his final year in Seattle […]

Marcell Ozuna Looking Strong

St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said outfielder Marcell Ozuna (shoulder) was "looking strong, working hard and will begin his throwing program in early February" when he visited with him in the Dominican Republic. The team is encouraged with his progress since having surgery, and Ozuna should be ready for Opening Day, […]

Blue Jays Sign Freddy Galvis

The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent shortstop Freddy Galvis to a one-year, $4 million deal with a team option for 2020 on Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the team designated relief pitcher Danny Barnes for assignment. Galvis is more of a glove-first player and he'll provide insurance in case Lourdes Gurriel Jr. isn't up to […]

A.J. Green To Shed Walking Boot Soon

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (toe), who had season-ending toe surgery last year, said he will shed his walking boot in around a week. "Next step is I put on a shoe and I start bending it back more and moving it more," Green said. "The biggest thing is it's the offseason and we […]

Dalvin Cook Could Break Out In 2019

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook could thrive in 2019 with Gary Kubiak joining the team as an offensive assistant who is expected to implement a zone running scheme. Cook tore his ACL early in his rookie season and missed six games in 2018, so he should surpass his career numbers if he can just […]

Todd Gurley Expected To Be Big Part Of Super Bowl

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is expecting running back Todd Gurley (knee) to play a lot on Super Bowl Sunday against the Patriots. “He’s gonna be a big part of this game," McVay said. It's hard to take McVay for his word after Gurley touched the ball just five times in the NFC […]

Brad Peacock A Candidate For Rotation Spot

Houston Astros relief pitcher Brad Peacock is a candidate for one of the team's final two rotation spots this year behind Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Collin McHugh. Peacock wasn't useful to fantasy owners in a relief role in 2018 for Houston, but he went 13-2 with a solid 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 11.0 […]

Rangers Agree With Shawn Kelley

The Texas Rangers agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with free-agent relief pitcher Shawn Kelley on Monday, according to sources familiar with the deal. Including the buyout and the club option, the deal could be worth $2.75 million. Kelley will turn 35 in April and has injury concerns at his age, but he was […]

Josh Gordon Receiving Treatment While On Suspension

New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon, who was suspended indefinitely for more failed diluted drug-test samples, is currently receiving treatment at an inpatient facility in Florida, according to a source with knowledge of Gordon's situation. The Patriots are paying for Gordon's treatment and a return to New England is still possible. The talented yet […]

Reds Making Progress In J.T. Realmuto Talks

The Cincinnati Reds are making progress in trade talks for Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, but they are not at the finish line yet. The Padres have also stepped up their pursuit of late, while the Dodgers and Braves could also be involved. If Realmuto were to land in Cincinnati, it'd obviously be bad news […]

Antonio Brown Doesn't Have Permission To Seek Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not given wide receiver Antonio Brown permission to seek a trade yet. While both sides may be heading for a divorce this offseason, both sides have pumped the brakes on a potential split in recent weeks, possibly because of the large dead salary cap hit that Brown would come with if […]

Royals, Whit Merrifield Agree On Four-Year Extension

The Kansas City Royals signed second baseman Whit Merrifield to a four-year, $16.25 million extension on Sunday, according to a source. The deal also includes $2 million in performance bonuses and a fifth-year club option. Merrifield's deal can top $30 million if he maxes out on the contract. It's well-earned for the 30-year-old after he […]

Ryan Braun Working To Hit More Fly Balls

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been working with a private hitting coach in the offseason and is making changes to his swing for the first time in his career. Braun is focused on turning his hard outs into more home runs. The 35-year-old hit a disappointing .254/.313/.469 with 20 home runs, 64 RBI and […]