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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Eugenio Suarez Loses Arbitration Case

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez lost his salary arbitration case and will make $3.75 million in 2018. Suarez showed real growth at the plate in 2017, hitting .260 with 26 home runs and 82 RBI in 156 games. That could be his ceiling, but his improved walk rate (13.3 percent) could mean that he […]

Luis Severino Prepared For Another Big Workload

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino worked with Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez in the Dominican Republic this offseason and is ready for another big workload in 2018 after he threw 193 1/3 innings during the regular season and another 16 in four playoff starts. Severino tossed 151 1/3 innings in 2016. "That was […]

Ervin Santana Has Surgery, Out 10-12 Weeks

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (finger) underwent surgery on the middle finger of his right hand and will be out 10 to 12 weeks from Tuesday. This will obviously put a serious dent in Santana's fantasy value, as he will now miss the start of the regular season. The veteran right-hander was an All-Star […]

Pirates Sign Daniel Nava

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent outfielder Daniel Nava on Tuesday, according to a source. The expectation is that he could become part of a left field platoon situation. Nava landed on the disabled list three times in 2017 for the Phillies and has played in just 134 games in the past two seasons. When he […]

DeVier Posey Signs With Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens signed free-agent wide receiver DeVier Posey on Tuesday. Posey caught seven passes for 175, including a 100-yard touchdown pass, to become the Grey Cup MVP in the Canadian Football League. In 2017, Posey caught 52 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games for the Toronto Argonauts. He was originally […]

Tavon Austin Expected To Be Released

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin is a good candidate to be released this offseason, as the Rams can save $3 million by releasing him. He comes with an $8 million salary cap hit and a $5 million dead cap, according to Spotrac. He's under team control through 2021, but he no longer has […]

Chad O'Shea In Play To Become Offensive Coordinator

New England Patriots wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea is in play to become the next offensive coordinator. Former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was named the next head coach of the Colts, and he'll take Patriots assistant quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski with him to Indianapolis, according to a source. O'Shea has been with the Pats since […]

Devonta Freeman Could Be Ready For OTAs

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (knee) said he's doing well after dealing with MCL and PCL injuries at the end of the season. He recently received a second opinion on his knee, and he isn't expected to need surgery before the start of the next season. Freeman thinks there's a chance he'll be ready […]

Tajae Sharpe Will Be Ready For Offseason Work

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (foot), who spent the 2017 season on Injured Reserve, is recovered enough to go through offseason work. In his rookie season in 2016, Sharpe caught 41 passes for 522 yards and two touchdowns, and he'll have a chance to compete with Taywan Taylor (mainly) for the third receiver spot […]

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 […]