Bryce Harper Down To Giants And Phillies?

USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale thinks it's a two-team race between the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies for free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper. The Dodgers and Nationals are "definitely out of it." The Giants don't want to do a long-term deal with Harper, but they're likely willing to give him five or six years at around […]

Rays Not Rushing To Name Closer

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said there is "no urgency" to name a closer entering the 2019 season. He likes the team's bullpen flexibility and will have a bunch of guys sharing the ninth-inning role. Sergio Romo was the team's primary closer last year, but he's likely to depart in free agency, leaving relievers […]

Antonio Brown Ready To Move On

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown said on his official Twitter account on Tuesday that it's "time to move on and forward." Brown has already requested a trade and appears adamant about playing somewhere else in 2019 after continuing to butt heads with the organization and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. There's no guarantee that he'll land […]

Dodgers Unsure On Catching Situation

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said "time will tell" on whether catcher Austin Barnes or Russell Martin will see the lion's share of catching this year. Barnes is younger (29) and has more upside both offensively and defensively, but he's coming off a terrible year with the bat in which he slashed .205/.329/.290 with […]

Lions Open To Drafting Quarterback At No. 8

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn said on Monday that the team is open to selecting a quarterback with the No. 8 pick of this year's draft, even with Matthew Stafford on the roster. "We're in a position now with the eighth overall pick that the whole draft board is really wide open to us. […]

Edwin Encarnacion Expected To Report To Camp

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is expected to report to spring training this week on Saturday, according to a source. The Mariners have made it known that they'd like to flip Encarnacion after acquiring him from the Indians this offseason, but trade talks haven't advanced in recent days. The veteran's appeal is mostly limited […]

Texans To Release Demaryius Thomas

The Houston Texans are expected to release wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (Achilles) on Tuesday, according to a source. Thomas tore his left Achilles in Week 16 and it's too early to give a timetable on when he might return, but as an aging receiver coming off a serious injury, he's not expected to have many […]

Antonio Brown Guilty Of Reckless Driving

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was found guilty for reckless driving on Tuesday after failing to show up for his court date, according to the magistrate's office. He has paid $426.77 in fines after he was cited on Nov. 8 for driving more than 100 mph in Pennsylvania. It's just another off-field incident in […]

Alex Colome Could Have Leg Up On Closer Duties

The Chicago White Sox are talking more about relief pitcher Alex Colome for ninth-inning duties than they are with Kelvin Herrera. The Pale Hose gave up catcher Omar Narvaez to acquire Colome from the Mariners in the offseason and Colome had 37 and 46 saves for the Rays in 2016 and 2017, respectively. He also […]

Jacob deGrom Won't Negotiate Extension During The Season

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom informed the team that he will not negotiate a long-term contract extension during the season, according to an industry source. The 30-year-old 2018 National League Cy Young winner won't be a free agent until after the 2020 season, but he's seeking a deal that will buy out his […]

Bryce Harper Won't Consider Short-Term Offers

Free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper will not consider or sign a short-term deal this offseason. The Giants may have offered Harper a lucrative short-term deal of late, but he's not expected to consider it. Harper probably wouldn't mind playing closer to his west coast home in Las Vegas, although San Francisco's home park isn't the greatest […]

Matt Duffy Bulks Up

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Matt Duffy bulked up in the offseason, adding 23 pounds to increase his strength and flexibility. Duffy missed all of the 2017 season due to injury but hit .294/.361/.366 with four home runs, 44 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 132 games in his first season with Tampa in 2018. […]

A's Bring Back Brett Anderson

The Oakland Athletics agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with free-agent starting pitcher Brett Anderson on Monday. He is scheduled to have a physical on Tuesday, and if he passes he'll be in camp with the team on Wednesday. The 31-year-old signed a minor league deal with Oakland last March and went 4-5 with a […]

Frank Clark Could Receive Franchise Tag

The Seattle Seahawks are expected to keep defensive end Frank Clark, their only elite edge rusher, even if it means using the franchise tag on him. They'll slap the tag on him if they can't work out a long-term deal first. The franchise tag would mean he'd earn around $18 million in 2019. Clark had […]

Duke Johnson Expendable After Kareem Hunt Signing?

Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey said that running back Duke Johnson isn't "expendable yet" after the team signed Kareem Hunt on Monday. However, Dorsey also made it sound like he hadn't made up his mind completely on the subject. Hunt is expected to face a lengthy suspension from the league for domestic violence, so […]

Blue Jays Make Offer To Sergio Romo

The Toronto Blue Jays have made an offer to free-agent relief pitcher Sergio Romo, according to sources. The Twins and Rangers also have interest in him on a minor league deal. Romo, 36 next month, is a versatile and veteran reliever who posted a 4.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 75 K's in 67 1/3 innings […]

Jeff McNeil Could Play Outfield Against Righties

New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said that infielder Jeff McNeil's focus this spring will be "a transition to the outfield because we think we can be a lethal lineup with a McNeil, Conforto, Nimmo outfield against right-handed pitching." McNeil was never a big prospect for the Mets through the minors, but the […]

Giants Unlikely To Target Kyler Murray

The New York Giants are unlikely to draft Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray because of his lack of size at 5-foot-10. Some scouts and executives are convinced that Murray is a first-round talent, while others are skeptical because of his small stature. The Giants, Jaguars and the Broncos could be looking for quarterbacks in the top […]

Chris Archer Throwing Bullpens Without Issues

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chris Archer, who had hernia surgery last November, said he has thrown four bullpen sessions already and reported no issues. "We're not going to rush into anything, but by the first week of the season, I'll be ready to throw over 100 pitches. That's the goal," Archer said. Archer was a […]

Anthony Swarzak Behind In Camp

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak (shoulder) will be slightly behind the other pitchers in the throwing program after dealing with mild shoulder discomfort last season with the Mets. The left-hander was a disaster in 2018, posting a 6.15 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, four saves and 31 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings. He'll work in mostly […]

Yankees Not Out On Manny Machado

The New York Yankees may not be the favorites to sign free-agent shortstop Manny Machado, but they are not out on him and their front office continues to check in with Machado's representatives, according to major league sources. The White Sox and Phillies have been more aggressive. People close to Machado continue to believe he'll […]

Didi Gregorius Does Some Throwing Monday

New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (elbow) resumed throwing on Monday for the first time since having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 17. He said he did 25 tosses from 60 feet pain-free. He was also spotted making light throws to first base after fielding grounders at shortstop. Depending on how […]

Browns Sign Kareem Hunt

The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent running back Kareem Hunt on Monday. The Chiefs released Hunt last season after a video emerged of him kicking a woman in a hotel. The 5-foot-11, 216-pound back led the league in rushing in his rookie year in 2017 and has run for 2,151 yards on 453 carries (4.7 yards […]

Kyler Murray Committed To Becoming NFL Quarterback

Former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray announced on his Twitter page on Monday that he is "firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback." He has already committed to attending the NFL scouting combine later this month and appears ready to bail on the Oakland Athletics after they selected him in […]

Michael Chavis In Better Shape

Boston Red Sox top prospect Michael Chavis came to camp at 208 pounds this year after weighing 222 pounds last spring. "I feel faster. I feel more mobile," Chavis said. The 23-year-old corner infielder hit an impressive .298/.381/.538 with nine home runs and 27 RBI in just 47 games in three minor league stops last […]

Kyle Gibson Recovered From Illness

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (illness) said he's pretty much recovered from e-coli issues he dealt with recently and feels that he'll be ready for Opening Day. The 31-year-old put up his best season in the majors in 2018, going 10-13 with a 3.62 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and career-high 8.2 K/9 in 32 starts […]

Are Jameis Winston's Issues Mechanical?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers new head coach Bruce Arians believes that a lot of quarterback Jameis Winston's inconsistencies are related to his mechanics. Winston has 58 interceptions and 18 lost fumbles over the last four years, which is the second most in the NFL in that span. "I’ve studied a bunch of them," Arians said. "Clyde […]

Brendan McKay To Be Limited To DH Duties

The Tampa Bay Rays will limit two-way prospect Brendan McKay to designated hitter duties this spring as they try to maximize his development as a two-way star. The Rays feel McKay's pregame schedule will be simplified if he doesn't have to worry about first base duties. It should also keep him healthier after he has […]

Giants Expected To Sign Stephen Vogt

The San Francisco Giants are expected to sign free-agent catcher Stephen Vogt. The Giants are looking for catching depth behind Buster Posey after losing Nick Hundley to free agency. Posey is coming off a serious hip surgery last August and will be looking to rest him often early in the season. Vogt, 34, didn't play […]

A's Sign Nick Hundley

The Oakland Athletics signed free-agent catcher Nick Hundley to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Monday. The 35-year-old served as the backup in San Francisco the last two seasons and hit .241/.298/.408 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 282 at-bats in 2018. He should share backup duties with […]