Wander Franco Facing Lesser Charges In Dominican Republic

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is facing a lesser charge after a judge in the Dominican Republic analyzed evidence that alleges he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent. Franco was originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation and money laundering, charges that carry […]

Pete Crow-Armstrong Voted Best Defensive Prospect

In a 2024 MLB Pipeline poll of front-office executives from all 30 organizations, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was voted the best defensive prospect. Crow-Armstrong has been considered the top defensive player in the minor leagues for a while now, and he made his major-league debut in Chicago in 2023, going hitless in 14 at-bats […]

Paul Skenes Voted Best Pitching Prospect

In a 2024 MLB Pipeline poll of front-office executives from all 30 organizations, Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes was voted the game's best pitching prospect. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Skenes was the first overall pick in last year's draft, and many viewed the big righty from LSU as the best pitching […]

Jackson Holliday Voted Best Hitting Prospect

In a 2024 MLB Pipeline poll of front-office executives from all 30 organizations, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday received 70 percent of the votes as baseball's best hitting prospect. Holliday is the game's top prospect after slashing .323/.442/.499 over four minor-league levels in his first full year of professional baseball in 2023. He was also […]

Yankees Not Expected To Sign Trevor Bauer

As of last month, the New York Yankees were not considering signing free-agent right-hander Trevor Bauer. Unless their stance suddenly changes, The Athletic's Chris Kirschner doesn't expect Bauer to end up in the Bronx. The 32-year-old former Cy Young winner finished with a 2.59 ERA and 25.2 percent strikeout rate in 156 2/3 innings for […]

Giancarlo Stanton Unlikely To Be Traded

The Athletic's Chris Kirschner believes that New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is essentially untradeable. Since the 2022 All-Star break, Stanton has hit .182/.268/.400 with 31 home runs and an 84 wRC+ in 549 plate appearances. He's owed over $98 million over the next four years and has a full no-trade clause. Not many […]

Yankees Ready To Part Ways With Gleyber Torres?

The Athletic's Brendan Kuty writes that it doesn't seem likely that the New York Yankees will look to keep infielder Gleyber Torres around long term. Torres has said he wants to remain with the team for the rest of his career, but the Yankees have discussed dealing him at each of the last two trade […]

Yankees Interested In Jesus Luzardo

The New York Yankees have interest in trading for Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo, according to a team source. Luzardo is under team control for three more years, so he's going to cost a lot, and the Marlins would likely ask for Yankees' No. 1 prospect, Spencer Jones, in any deal for Luzardo. Miami could […]

Cubs, Red Sox In Play For Shota Imanaga

The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are seen as very much in play for Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga. The San Francisco Giants are another possible landing spot among five different suitors. At the moment, the Los Angeles Angels appear to be looking elsewhere for pitching. The Red Sox have also been seen as long […]

Wander Franco Likely To Be Banned From Entering U.S.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco will likely not be allowed to enter the United States while facing accusations of sexual abuse of a minor, an aggravated felony in his native Dominican Republic, according to two immigration attorneys who have worked with major-league teams and players. Based on this, Franco's presence at spring training and […]

T.J. Watt Won't Play On Wild-Card Weekend

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt (knee) will not play in Sunday's wild-card playoff game in Buffalo against the Bills. Watt suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee in the Week 18 regular season finale win over the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday. It was a best-case […]

Titans Fire Head Coach Mike Vrabel

The Tennessee Titans fired head coach Mike Vrabel on Tuesday, according to sources. Vrabel led the Titans to four straight winning seasons after he was hired in 2018, but the Titans have decided to move on after experiencing back-to-back frustrating seasons the last two years and finishing multiple games under .500 both times. Tennessee started […]

Jimmy Garoppolo Feeling Healthy

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who was benched in favor of rookie Aidan O'Connell after head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler were fired at the end of October, said he's finally feeling healthy after dealing with a concussion and a back injury that caused him to miss some games in 2023 […]

Steelers Sticking With Mason Rudolph At Quarterback

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the team is sticking with quarterback Mason Rudolph as their starter for Sunday's wild-card playoff game at the Buffalo Bills. Tomlin said the team is "sticking with the hot hand." Kenny Pickett has recovered from tightrope surgery on his ankle, but Rudolph has earned the starting gig heading […]

Michael Pittman Jr. Not Against Franchise Tag

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who is coming off the best season of his career with 109 catches, 1,152 yards and four touchdowns, is set to enter free agency for the first time in his career in March. His 109 receptions are tied with Marvin Harrison for the fourth-most in franchise history, and […]

Jim Irsay Being Treated For Severe Respiratory Illness

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay (illness) is being treated for a severe respiratory illness, according to the team. "While this unfortunately means he won't be able to perform with his band this week in Los Angeles, he is receiving excellent care and looks forward to returning to the stage as soon as possible," the Colts […]

Chargers Request Interview With Raheem Morris

The Los Angeles Chargers have requested an interview with Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris for their head-coaching job, according to a source. Morris has been a popular name so far in this year's head-coaching cycle, as the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers have also requested interviews with him for their head-coaching positions. In […]

Chargers Request Interviews With Dan Quinn, Patrick Graham

The Los Angeles Chargers have requested interviews with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for their head-coaching job, according to multiple reports. The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco during the regular season. Quinn has been a popular head-coaching candidate the last […]

Jaguars Fire Defensive Coordinator Mike Caldwell

The Jacksonville Jaguars fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and several members of the coaching staff on Monday, according to a league source. The news comes a day after the Jaguars were eliminated from the playoffs with a 28-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans in the Week 18 regular season finale. The Jags D ranked 22nd […]

Josh McDaniels Could Return To Patriots If Bill Belichick Stays

If New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick retains his job after a four-win season in 2023, former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could return to the team, according to sources close to the situation. Belichick and owner Robert Kraft are expected to meet once more to discuss the direction of the franchise and whether Belichick […]

Cardinals Add Chaim Bloom To Front Office

The St. Louis Cardinals are set to hire Chaim Bloom to their front office in an advisory role, according to sources. The Cardinals had been linked to the former Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer, dating back to the beginning of the offseason. The 40-year-old was fired by Boston in September after the team was […]

Rays Sign Rob Brantly To Minors Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays signed free-agent catcher Rob Brantly to a minor-league deal on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Rene Pinto is currently the only catcher on Tampa's 40-man roster, so Brantly should have a chance to earn the backup catching gig in spring training. The 34-year-old veteran left-handed hitter was […]

Jonathan Davis Returning To Marlins

The Miami Marlins re-signed outfielder Jonathan Davis to a minor-league deal on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Davis will return to South Beach to provide outfield depth for the Fish. The 31-year-old right-handed hitter appeared in only 34 games for Miami in 2023 and hit .244 (22-for-90) with two home runs […]

Matt Vierling The Current Favorite To Start At Third Base

As of right now, the likely favorite to start at third base on Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers is Matt Vierling, whom the team acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies last offseason. With a weak free-agent market for hitters, the Tigers seem content to let their internal options battle it out while […]

MJ Melendez To Primarily Play The Outfield This Season

Kansas City Royals catcher/outfielder MJ Melendez is expected to primarily play the outfield in 2024 after he mostly served as a catcher in his second MLB season in 2023. The 25-year-old produced impressive numbers at the position in 148 games over 602 plate appearances, slashing .235/.316/.398 with 16 home runs, 56 RBI, 29 doubles, three […]

Chris Taylor Set For Utility Role In 2024

The Los Angeles Dodgers' tentative plan in 2024 is to platoon outfielders Jason Heyward and Manuel Margot in right field, with new acquisition Teoscar Hernandez in left field. Meanwhile, the Dodgers plan to get at-bats for Chris Taylor all over the field, including in left. The 33-year-old can also play center field, second base, third […]

Josh Hader Seeking Record-Breaking Deal For A Reliever

The consensus in the industry is that left-handed closer Josh Hader wants to exceed the five-year, $102 million deal the New York Mets gave Edwin Diaz in November of 2022, even though Hader is entering his age-30 season and is a year older than Diaz was. But Hader has better numbers with a 2.50 career […]

Rays Shopping Harold Ramirez

The Tampa Bay Rays have been shopping designated hitter Harold Ramirez, whose OPS+ the last two seasons is 21 percent above league average, according to sources. Ramirez is projected to earn $4.4 million in arbitration next season, according to MLB Trade Rumors, and trading him would create even more at-bats for Jonathan Aranda and 25-year-old […]

Giants Make Sense For Matt Chapman

Of the teams that could use free-agent third baseman Matt Chapman, the San Francisco Giants know him as well as anyone. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi was with the Oakland Athletics for Chapman's first two seasons, and new manager Bob Melvin was for all five of Chapman's seasons in Oakland. Third base coach Matt […]

Jets Sign Jacques Patrick, Others To Futures Deals

The New York Jets signed running back Jacques Patrick, wide receivers Malik Taylor and Lance McCutcheon, defensive linemen Stephen Jones and Marquiss Spencer, offensive lineman Vitaliy Gurman and Eze Obinna, cornerback Tae Hayes and kicker Austin Seibert to futures deals on Monday. Patrick was cut by the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 24 and signed with […]