Aaron Nola Signs Split Deal

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola signed a split deal Friday which will earn him $573,000 in the majors in 2018. Nola was injured early last season, but he returned to become the clear ace for Philly, going 12-11 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and excellent 184 strikeouts in 168 innings. Nola's arm was […]

Rangers Have Discussed Deal With Elvis Andrus

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who can opt out of his eight-year contract either of the next two years, said there haven't been any formal conversations with the team about a contract extension. However, a source said general manager Jon Daniels has briefly talked with Andrus' agent, Scott Boras, about a new deal that would […]

Rangers Unlikely To Reunite With Yu Darvish

Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said it's unlikely that the team will sign free-agent starter pitcher Yu Darvish or any of the other big-name free-agent pitchers. "We've maintained contact with Darvish, but I think it's unlikely we'll bring in one of the upper-end pitchers," Daniels said. Darvish went 6-9 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.17 […]

Rob Gronkowski, Mike Gillislee Not On Injury Report

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (concussion) and running back Mike Gillislee (knee) have been removed from the final injury report for the Super Bowl against the Eagles. Gronk's status was never really in question since he had almost two weeks to clear the concussion protocol. He'll be on the field against Philly and […]

Fernando Rodney Plans To Pitch For Years To Come

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, who will turn 44 years old this March, thinks he can remain effective for several more years. "If you can control the game, it doesn't matter how old you are," Rodney said. "Closing is the situation in the game that I feel most comfortable. I feel like I can […]

Le'Veon Bell Confident A Deal Will Get Done

Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent running back Le'Veon Bell spoke confidently Friday about the potential of reaching a long-term contract with the team, and the two sides are closer than they were to a deal than last year. Bell said a multi-year deal is about the guaranteed money. Last year, he turned down a deal that […]

Dalvin Cook On Schedule In Recovery

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (knee) is on schedule to return in 2018, according to general manager Rick Spielman. In his rookie season, the second-round pick tore his ACL in Week 4 and missed the rest of the year. “He’s progressed very nicely,” Spielman said of Cook. “I talked to [Director of Sports Medicine/Head […]

Joe Flacco Has Support From Owner

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said, "we have bigger fish to fry" than finding a replacement for quarterback Joe Flacco, who struggled in 2017. That may mean that Baltimore will pass on drafting a quarterback this year with their first-round pick. Flacco has never been attractive as a fantasy quarterback, but he was abysmal in […]

Ravens Considered Head Coaching Change

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said a head coaching change was considered after the team missed the playoffs in 2017. Head coach John Harbaugh has led the Ravens to a Super Bowl, but the team has now missed the postseason in four of the last five seasons, so he may be out of the picture […]

Eli Manning Will Be Back As Starter

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been told by general manager Dave Gettleman and new head coach Pat Shurmur that he'll be back as the starter in 2018. The 37-year-old Manning struggled mightily in 2017, but to be fair he lost his two best receivers -- Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall -- to […]

Kirk Cousins Would Be Interested In Broncos

Washington Redskins impending free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins admitted that he'd be interested in the Denver Broncos on the open market. "I would hope any team is interested in me, would love it if Denver is interested." Cousins said. With Washington trading for Alex Smith this week, Cousins will hit the open market this spring and […]

Brad Miller Expected To Play First Base

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the plan for now is for infielder Brad Miller to play first base, with Micah Johnson, Daniel Robertson, Ryan Schimpf and Joey Wendle battling for the second base duties. Miller is also a candidate to start at the keystone if the Rays add a first baseman before the […]

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez To Rotate At DH

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he plans to rotate the designated hitter position between outfielders Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and catcher Gary Sanchez in 2018. Judge and Stanton are also expected to play left field this spring, although neither has played the position in the majors. All three big-time sluggers will hit somewhere […]

Deshaun Watson Expected To Be Good For OTAs

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (knee) is expected to take part in 7-on-7 drills during organized team activities, according to a source. Watson's rehab is going very well, so it looks like he'll be ready for a full workload in training camp, barring any setbacks. In seven games in his rookie season, Watson shined, posting […]

Patriots Employ Bend-But-Don't-Break Defense

The New England Patriots defense allowed 366 yards per game in 2017, which was 29th in the league, but they also gave up just 18.5 points per game, which was fifth fewest in the league. In their last 14 games, the Patriots defense has given up 21 or more points just twice. They also lead […]

Ryan Shazier Released From Hospital

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (spine) was released from The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Thursday after having spinal-stabilization surgery in December. He'll continue with outpatient work, and he posted a picture on Instagram showing him standing with a brace on one leg. Shazier suffered a potentially career-threatening spinal injury against the Bengals in December, […]

Malcolm Butler Is Good To Go

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (flu) arrived late to Minnesota this week after dealing with an illness. "They told me I just had some flu-like symptoms and just needed to rest up a little bit," Butler said after the team's first practice of the week. "I'm good to go." Butler was limited in practice […]

Travis Kelce Has Confidence In Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is looking forward to playing with quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2018 after the team traded Alex Smith to the Redskins this week. "Yeah, without a doubt. I feel like Patty Cakes can come in and roll the dice on anybody," Kelce told NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano and Brian […]

Jordan Howard Looking Forward To Less Predictable Offense

Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard is looking forward to a less predictable offense under new head coach Matt Nagy in 2018. The offense last season under head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains ranked third to last in the league with 287.4 yards per game, and they were dead last with 175.7 […]

Mark Appel Stepping Away From Baseball

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Mark Appel and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft (ahead of Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant) is stepping away from baseball after struggling for several seasons. The 26-year-old right-hander said he's taking an "indefinite break" after posting a 5.60 ERA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2017. He has […]

Mets Still Unlikely To Sign Bartolo Colon

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said it's still unlikely that the team signs free-agent starting pitcher Bartolo Colon, even to a minor league deal. The 44-year-old veteran pitcher would only like to play for the Mets for one more season, but it appears that they won't give him that opportunity. The right-hander was […]

Brewers Still In Contact With Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb

The Milwaukee Brewers remain in contact with free-agent starting pitchers Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn, although free-agent starter Yu Darvish is at the top of their wish list. However, there aren't believed to be any offers out to Arrieta and Cobb. Milwaukee is clearly going for it in the competitive National League Central […]

Phillies Sign Adam Rosales

The Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent infielder Adam Rosales to a minor league deal that will pay him $1.75 million if he makes the big league roster. Rosales will be invited to spring training. The veteran utility player will attempt to serve in a utility role on the infield for the rebuilding Phillies. In 105 games […]

Tom Brady Practicing Wednesday

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (hand) practiced with black tape on his right hand Wednesday, according to AFC practice pool reporter Nicki Jhabvala. Brady was removed from the team's injury report last week, and he'll be all systems go for the Super Bowl against the Eagles this Sunday. After torching both Tennessee and Jacksonville, […]

Brett Anderson An Option For Blue Jays

There is mutual interest between free-agent pitcher Brett Anderson and the Toronto Blue Jays, but the Blue Jays will likely aim higher on the free-agent market for now. Anderson could be an option for the back end of the starting rotation, but the left-hander has made just 20-plus starts only twice in nine seasons. In […]

Todd Monken To Be Full-Time Offensive Coordinator

Todd Monken, previously the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach, will serve as the full-time offensive coordinator in 2018, according to head coach Dirk Koetter. However, Koetter will continue to call plays on offense during games. Offensive assistant Skyler Fulton has been promoted to receivers coach. Tampa ranked 18th in the NFL in 2017 with […]

Tigers Sign Travis Wood

The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent pitcher Travis Wood to a minor league deal Monday, according to the Tigers. In 39 games (14 starts) for the Royals and Padres in 2017, Wood boasted an ugly 6.80 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and only 65 strikeouts in 94 innings. the soon-to-be 31-year-old southpaw doesn't have much left at the […]

Raiders Hiring Brian Callahan

The Oakland Raiders are hiring former Lions quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan as their quarterbacks coach, according to a source. Callahan is rising in the ranks of assistant coaches, and he'll be tasked with working alongside new head coach Jon Gruden to improve quarterback Derek Carr after his disappointing 2017 season. There's a good chance Carr […]

Benardrick McKinney Plans To Drop Weight

Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney plans to drop around 10 pounds in the offseason. McKinney posted 95 combined tackles in 2017 after recording 129 combined tackles in 2016, and he also recorded just three sacks. He's not much of a pass rusher, but McKinney is excellent in run defense and is a core player for […]

Baker Mayfield In Play For The Browns

After impressing during Senior Bowl practices this week, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is squarely in play for the Cleveland Browns at the top overall pick in this year's draft. Mayfield's skills on the field have left many to think that the Browns will have a debate between Mayfield and USC quarterback Sam Darnold with the […]