Phillies Acquire Michael Rucker From Cubs

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-hander Michael Rucker from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated right-hander Andrew Bellatti for assignment. Rucker had been designated for assignment by the Cubs before the trade. The 29-year-old made 35 appearances out of Chicago's bullpen in […]

Three Teams Interested In Gio Urshela

Free-agent infielder Gio Urshela has drawn interest from the New York Mets, Miami Marlins and New York Yankees, according to a source. The 32-year-old veteran had a .703 OPS in 62 games with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023 before seeing his season come to an end in the middle of June due to a […]

Orioles Officially Invite Jackson Holliday To Spring Training

Baltimore Orioles shortstop prospect Jackson Holliday, the No. 1 overall prospect in the game per MLB Pipeline, was one of 20 non-roster players invited to the team's major-league spring training. This had been the expectation all along, but it's now official. The 20-year-old son of former big-leaguer Matt Holliday made it all the way to […]

Steve Belichick Heading To College Ranks

Former New England Patriots defensive play-caller Steve Belichick, the son of former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, is expected to become the new defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies, according to a program source. The 36-year-old called the Patriots' defense for the last four seasons and had coached in New England since 2012 and worked […]

Jaguars Sign Riley Patterson To Futures Deal

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed kicker Riley Patterson to a Reserve/Futures deal on Monday, bringing back the player who kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired to complete the team's comeback from a 27-0 deficit in a wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in January of 2023. The Jaguars used former Denver Broncos kicker […]

Zach Wilson Could Fetch Late-Round Pick In A Trade

The New York Jets are expected to trade quarterback Zach Wilson in the coming weeks as they look to upgrade the backup quarterback position behind Aaron Rodgers. There's a "high probability" of that happening, general manager Joe Douglas recently said. The consensus among three personnel executives, one scout and two assistant coaches from other teams […]

Phillies Claim Diego Castillo Off Waivers From Yankees

The Philadelphia Phillies claimed infielder/outfielder Diego Castillo off waivers from the New York Yankees on Monday. Castillo has been passed around this offseason and now lands with his fourth different organization. The 26-year-old Venezuelan utility man made his major-league debut in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and went 54-for-262 (.206) with 11 home runs, 29 […]

Rangers Re-Sign Danny Duffy To Minor-League Deal

The Texas Rangers re-signed left-hander Danny Duffy to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training on Monday. In addition to Duffy, the Rangers also signed catcher Jose Godoy and left-hander Chasen Shreve. The 35-year-old Duffy didn't appear in the big leagues with the World Series champions in 2023, instead going 2-2 with […]

Anthony Bender Says He's Healthy

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Anthony Bender (elbow) said that he's fully recovered from Tommy John surgery that he had in August of 2022 and is expecting to enter spring training without any limitations. "I'm ready to go in and help out anywhere I can," Bender said. "If there's a spot where my name is called, […]

Ricky Tiedemann Invited To Spring Training

Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann was among a group of non-roster players given invites to major-league spring training on Monday. Tiedemann, MLB Pipeline's No. 29 overall prospect, was limited to only 44 innings (15 starts) last year because of a biceps injury, but the 21-year-old southpaw still managed to strike out an impressive […]

Guardians Unlikely To Trade Emmanuel Clase

Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is drawing trade interest from multiple teams, but a deal appears unlikely in the short term, according to sources. Cleveland has club options and control of Clase through the 2028 season, so there is no motivation for the Guardians to move one of the best closers in baseball right now. […]

Eric Bieniemy Won't Return To Commanders

New Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will not return to the team's coaching staff in 2024 after the Commanders hired former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury to run their offense. Bieniemy joined Ron Rivera's staff in 2023 following a five-year run as the Kansas City […]

Giants Plan To Hire Shane Bowen As Defensive Coordinator

The New York Giants plan to hire former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen as their new defensive coordinator, according to sources. The Giants have started lining up talks with Titans staff members who worked under Bowen as well. After six seasons with the Titans, the final three as the defensive coordinator, Bowen will be […]

Frank Ragnow Mulling His Future This Offseason

Detroit Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow isn't openly talking about retirement, but he said playing through a cavalcade of injuries -- including a now-inoperable toe condition -- in 2023 has taken a toll on his body and he needs time to assess the damage and plot his future. The Lions plan to give Ragnow all […]

Rex Burkhead Announces His Retirement

Veteran running back Rex Burkhead announced his retirement from professional football on Monday after 10 seasons in the NFL. Burkhead spent four years with the Cincinnati Bengals, four seasons with the New England Patriots and his final two campaigns with the Houston Texans. The 33-year-old was initially a sixth-round pick by the Bengals in 2013 […]

Tigers Designate Nick Maton For Assignment

The Detroit Tigers designated infielder Nick Maton for assignment on Monday after claiming left-hander Kolton Ingram off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Maton began the 2023 season as Detroit's primary option at third base, but that didn't last long and now he's no longer on the team's 40-man roster entering spring training. The 26-year-old […]

Tony Kemp Drawing Plenty Of Interest

Free-agent second baseman/left fielder Tony Kemp has drawn interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds this offseason, according to sources. The 32-year-old veteran hit .238/.325/.352 with a .677 OPS, 35 home runs and 184 RBI in eight big-league seasons over 734 games. He's one of […]

Jose Trevino Won't Be Limited In Spring Training

New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino (wrist) said on Monday that he won't be facing any limitations when spring training starts. Trevino is now more than six months removed from surgery on his right wrist and should be ready to rock for the start of the 2024 season, barring any setbacks during spring training. The […]

Joey Ortiz Could Be Part Of 3B Mix In Milwaukee

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz, who was acquired in the deal that sent right-hander Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles, is No. 58 on The Athletic's Keith Law's prospects list and could be part of Milwaukee's third base mix in 2024. He could also slide over to shortstop if the Brewers trade Willy Adames. Andruw […]

Marlins Exploring Shortstop Free-Agent Market

The Miami Marlins are exploring the free-agent market for shortstops and are mulling over a group that includes Tim Anderson, Amed Rosario, Adalberto Mondesi and Nick Ahmed, according to a source briefed on their pursuits. Jon Berti, 34, is currently Miami's leading candidate to start at the 6 and is more of a utility player. […]

Padres Drawing Significant Interest In Ha-Seong Kim

The San Diego Padres continue to draw significant trade interest in second baseman Ha-Seong Kim this offseason, according to sources briefed on the discussions. Kim is eligible for free agency at the end of the 2024 season, but he was among the team's best players in 2023, so the acquisition cost would be high. The […]

Jackson Merrill To See Time At Shortstop, Outfield

With the San Diego Padres so thin on outfielders after trading both Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees this offseason, it's quite possible that the Padres will spend the spring auditioning young players such as Jackson Merrill, Jakob Marsee and Graham Pauley in the outfield. Merrill is baseball's No. 12 prospect, […]

Zack Greinke Unlikely To Return To Royals

Free-agent right-hander Zack Greinke wants to return for a 21st season in 2024, according to two sources briefed on his thinking. However, the Kansas City Royals' signings of right-handers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha almost certainly will preclude him from returning to the Royals. Greinke was 2-15 with a rough 5.06 ERA last year, but […]

Mauricio Dubon Scheduled For Arbitration Hearing Monday

Houston Astros outfielder Mauricio Dubon's salary arbitration hearing is scheduled for Monday. When the two sides exchanged figures, Dubon asked for $3.5 million and the Astros countered at $3 million. The two sides could settle in the middle before actually going to a hearing on Monday. The 29-year-old was an effective super-utility player for the […]

Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Headed For Arbitration Hearing Tuesday

The Toronto Blue Jays and All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have a salary arbitration case set for Tuesday, and it's believed there have been no negotiations since the Jan. 11 filing deadline, when the team offered $18.05 million and Guerrero asked for $19.9 million. Toronto has been a "file-and-trial" team, meaning they'll only do […]

Jay Jackson, Twins Agree To Major-League Contract

Free-agent relief pitcher Jay Jackson and the Minnesota Twins agreed to an undisclosed major-league deal on Monday, pending a physical, according to a source familiar with the deal. The 36-year-old veteran right-hander has a 92-94 mph fastball with a good slider and has a 2.73 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 53 innings since returning from […]

Ejiro Evero Staying With Panthers

Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is staying with the team for the 2024 season, and most of his defensive staff is expected to return as well. The 43-year-old drew strong interest from other teams this hiring cycle after overseeing the NFL's fourth-ranked defense in 2023 -- the second year in a row Evero had […]

Chargers Expected To Hire Greg Roman

The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to hire respected offensive mind Greg Roman for a prominent spot on the staff of new head coach Jim Harbaugh, according to sources. The two sides are working out details and are scheduled to meet on Monday. Roman last served as the offensive coordinator for Jim's brother John with […]

Joe Whitt Jr. Officially Named Commanders Defensive Coordinator

Dallas Cowboys secondary coach and passing-game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has officially been named the Washington Commanders' new defensive coordinator. Whitt is following former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to D.C. after Quinn was named Washington's new head coach. Whitt and Quinn worked together in Dallas the last three years, each time producing a top-five […]

Kliff Kingsbury Joining The Commanders

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury has agreed to terms to become the offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders, according to a source. Kingsbury went 28-37-1 with the Cardinals from 2019-22 and was expected to join the Las Vegas Raiders as their offensive coordinator last week, but he backed out of the position after […]