Pirates To Use Francisco Liriano As Reliever

The Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to use pitcher Francisco Liriano as a reliever heading into spring training after signing him to a minor league deal on Monday. It makes more sense to use the aging left-hander as a lefty specialist rather than a starter given his splits against lefty hitters (.219 average) in his career […]

Manny Machado Prefers Yankees?

Free-agent shortstop Manny Machado isn't thrilled with his current offers and may still have long-shot hopes to land with his preference, the New York Yankees, according to sources. The Phillies, White Sox and Padres are the only other known teams to have interest, but they apparently aren't willing to give Machado the type of contract […]

Francisco Liriano Agrees With Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent starting pitcher Francisco Liriano on Monday, according to sources. The 35-year-old left-hander was an ugly 5-12 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and mediocre 7.4 K/9 in 27 outings (26 starts) for the Tigers in 2018. He was even worse in 2017 (5.66 ERA, 1.63 […]

Cole Hamels Made Mechanical Adjustments In 2018

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cole Hamels' oblique injury in May of 2017 led to mechanical problems that persisted late into that season and carried over into 2018 when he was with the Rangers. The lefty was striding too far down the mound, flying open and his lower half and upper half were out of sync. […]

Carson Wentz Won't Change His Personality

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz said he doesn't plan on changing his personality. “I’m 26 years old; my personality, to some extent, ain’t going to change,” Wentz said during a recent interview. It’s “what’s gotten me here, what’s gotten me successful. I’m not going to say, ‘Oh, now I’m going to have this free-spirited, Cali-guy […]

Dustin Pedroia Feeling Good

Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) has been running in Arizona and is "feeling good." Dombrowski said the team is hoping that Pedroia is ready for the season, but the Red Sox won't know for sure until he's playing day in and day out. The […]

Aaron Rodgers Avoids Knee Surgery

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee), who suffered a sprained left knee in Week 1 against the Bears, was able to avoid surgery and should be able to fully participate in the team's offseason program. The 35-year-old wore a brace until Nov. 4 and also sustained a concussion in the season finale. "I feel […]

Todd Gurley Says His Knee Is Fine

Despite not playing much in the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley continues to insist that his knee is fine. He didn't play much at all in the first half and finished with just 10 carries for 35 yards and one catch for a loss of one yard […]

Josh Gordon Could Be Back For Training Camp

New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon is doing better while in rehab for substance abuse and he could be reinstated and return to the team by training camp this summer. Gordon was suspended indefinitely for another violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. He had 40 receptions for 720 yards and three touchdowns in 11 […]

Greg Schiano Expected To Join Patriots

The New England Patriots are expected to hire former Rutgers head coach and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano as their next defensive coordinator on Monday. It's necessary with Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores expected to become the next head coach of the Dolphins on Monday. Schiano is a close friend of head […]

Robby Anderson Could Be Offseason Trade Candidate

New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson could be a trade candidate this offseason, especially if the team wants to explore a trade for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. Anderson will be a restricted free agent and figures to receive a second-round tender for around $3 million. Linebackers Jordan Jenkins and Darron Lee and […]

Eagles Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Nick Foles

The Philadelphia Eagles are likely bluffing on using the franchise tag on quarterback Nick Foles in 2019. They are expected to pick up his $20 million option for 2019, but the most likely outcome is that Foles then buys his freedom for $2 million and signs with another team. The Eagles have been clear that […]

Seahawks Haven't Had Contract Talks With Russell Wilson

The Seattle Seahawks have yet to engage in contract talks with quarterback Russell Wilson as he enters the final year of his deal, according to league sources. If Russell eventually agrees to an extension, it would be expected to be the biggest of the offseason and would likely top the $33.5 million annual average that […]

Cam Newton Could Be Ready For Training Camp

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (shoulder) could be ready for training camp after having arthroscopic right shoulder surgery last month. The team certainly expects Newton to be ready for the start of the 2019 regular season, according to a league source. There is no timetable for when he'll return, but one source familiar with the […]

Rob Gronkowski Is Healthy For Super Bowl

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is as healthy as he's been all season for the Super Bowl on Sunday against the Rams. Sources are saying that Gronk is 100 percent after fighting injuries for much of the year. He was dealing with Achilles tendonitis in Week 5 and a bulging disc in his […]

Rams Want C.J. Anderson Back In 2019

The Los Angeles Rams would like to bring running back C.J. Anderson back for the 2019 season, according to sources. Anderson played in nine games with the Panthers to begin the year but didn't have much of a role behind Christian McCaffrey and was released. He rushed for 299 yards and two touchdowns in his […]

Todd Gurley Unlikely To Have Workhorse Duties In Super Bowl

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (knee) is unlikely to have workhorse duties in the Super Bowl on Sunday against the Patriots. Due to his knee injury and conditioning questions, Gurley and C.J. Anderson are expected to split carries, as was the case in the NFC Championship against the Saints. Running backs coach Skip […]

Reds Deep In J.T. Realmuto Talks

The Cincinnati Reds remain engaged in trade talks for Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, and one package being discussed includes Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart and infield prospect Jonathan India, according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. The Marlins remain in dialogue with the Padres, Dodgers, Braves and Rays. Miami is expected to receive two to four players […]

Rockies Optimistic On Long-Term Deal With Nolan Arenado

Colorado Rockies owner, chairman and CEO Dick Monfort is optimistic the team can reach a long-term, multi-year contract extension with third baseman Nolan Arenado. Arenado will make $26 million in 2019 and is eligible to become a free agent after the season. "I think we've gotten it to the point where we're to the finals," […]

Patrick Mahomes Crowned 2018 MVP

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the Associated Press 2018 Most Valuable Player on Saturday. Mahomes was also named the Offensive Player of the Year in a season in which he threw for 5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions in his first full season as KC's starter. The 23-year-old can do […]

Darius Leonard Wins Defensive Rookie Of The Year

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard was named the Associated Press 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year on Saturday. Leonard had a whopping 163 total tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions in 15 games in his rookie season. He was one of the biggest reasons why Indy's defense was a […]

Aaron Donald Named Defensive Player Of The Year

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was named the Associated Press 2018 Defensive Player of the Year on Saturday. Donald has now won the award in back-to-back seasons and was also the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014. He led the league with 20.5 sacks in 2018 and also recorded 59 tackles, two […]

Padres Prefer Bryce Harper Over Manny Machado

The San Diego Padres ownership is said to prefer free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper as a business/marketing opportunity despite their positional need at third base over Manny Machado. The question now is whether the Padres can outbid another team for Harper's services. Both players are superstars and would be a huge addition for a San Diego […]

Andrew Luck Named Comeback Player Of The Year

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was named the Associated Press 2018 Comeback Player of the Year on Saturday. Luck missed all of 2017 after right shoulder surgery, but he bounced back with a career-high 67.3 completion percentage, 4,593 yards, 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions over a full season. While most fantasy owners were reluctant to […]

Tim Kelly To Become Offensive Coordinator

The Houston Texans are expected to promote tight ends coach Tim Kelly to offensive coordinator, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. Kelly was a graduate assistant under Bill O'Brien at Penn State and advanced to offensive quality control. He's never been a coordinator before but his highly regarded for his coaching acumen, […]

Bengals To Name Zac Taylor As Head Coach On Monday

The Cincinnati Bengals are scheduled to finalize their deal to make Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor as their next head coach after the Super Bowl on Monday, according to a source. It will be the 35-year-old's first head-coaching job in the NFL following two seasons with the Rams. Rams head coach Sean McVay's […]

Matt Nagy Wins Coach Of The Year

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy was named the 2018 NFL Coach of the Year on Saturday. The 40-year-old led the team to a 12-4 record and a division title in his first year in Chicago before losing to the Eagles in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The team's defense was their strength, but […]

Saquon Barkley Named Offensive Rookie Of The Year

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was named the 2018 Rookie of the Year on Saturday. The second overall pick rushed for 1,307 yards (second in the NFL) and 11 touchdowns on 261 carries and also caught 91 passes (tying Odell Beckham Jr. for most for a Giants rookie) for another 721 yards and […]

Patrick Mahomes Named Top Offensive Player

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the 2018 Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year on Saturday. The second-year signal caller finished with a league-high 50 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions on the year while throwing multiple TDs in 14 games. He completed 383 passes in 580 attempts (66 percent) for 5,097 […]

Eagles Expected To Pick Up Nick Foles' Option

The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to pick up quarterback Nick Foles' $20 million option for the 2019 season, according to sources. Foles can then buy out his option for $2 million and become a free agent, but the Eagles could also place the franchise tag on him and attempt to trade him for a draft […]