Mets Optimistic About A.J. Minter

New York Mets left-handed reliever A.J. Minter (hip), who is recovering from surgery on his labrum, isn't a lock to be ready for Opening Day in late March, but the Mets are optimistic he'll be with the team then. When healthy, the Mets are expecting Minter to be a key left-handed, high-leverage setup man in […]

Francisco Lindor To Hit Leadoff In 2025

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Tuesday that shortstop Francisco Lindor will hit leadoff again in 2025. New outfielder Juan Soto has mostly hit second or third in his career, but Mendoza won't reveal more of expected lineup spots until he talks with Soto, first baseman Pete Alonso and others. The 31-year-old Lindor […]

Twins Sign Ty France To One-Year Deal

The Minnesota Twins signed former Seattle Mariners All-Star infielder Ty France to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, pending a physical. France, who had an .813 OPS in 2021 with Seattle, is an interesting addition to a first base picture in Minnesota that also includes Jose Miranda, Edouard Julien and Mickey Gasper. The 30-year-old right-handed […]

Christian Yelich Not A Lock To Be Ready For Opening Day

MLB.com's Adam McCalvy writes that Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) isn't a lock to be ready for Opening Day in late March after having back surgery last August. When Yelich does make his return, it's a good bet that the Brewers will ease him in as the designated hitter often. The good news is […]

Caleb Durbin Could Start At Second Base For Brewers

MLB.com's Adam McCalvy is guessing that Milwaukee Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin could start the 2025 season as the team's regular second baseman, with Brice Turang moving to shortstop after the departure of Willy Adames in free agency. However, Turang won the National League Gold Glove at second base in 2024, so it could be a […]

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers Agree To New Deal

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to an undisclosed new contract, a source told ESPN's Alden Gonzalez on Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal are still pending, and Kershaw still needs to take a physical. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer declined his option for the 2025 season, but the expectation […]

49ers Committed To Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York reaffirmed the team's commitment to keeping quarterback Brock Purdy around long-term. "I know we want Brock to be here for a long time and we'll do everything we can to make that work," York said Monday. After selecting Purdy with the final pick of the 2022 draft, he has […]

Brandon Staley The Leading Candidate To Become Saints Defensive Coordinator

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, who was a San Francisco 49ers' assistant coach last year, is a leading candidate to become the new defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints under first-time head coach Kellen Moore, according to sources. Moore was the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator […]

Saints Finalizing Deal With Kellen Moore For Head-Coaching Position

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is finalizing a deal with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday to become their new head coach. This was the expectation all along, but nothing could become official until after Super Bowl LIX, which Moore's Eagles won 40-22 over the Kansas City Chiefs. […]

Bryson Stott Dealt With Elbow Injury Last Year

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott played through an injured elbow in 2024, which the team thinks hindered his swing at the plate. Stott hit .280/.329/.419 with 15 homers, 62 RBI and 31 stolen bases in 151 games in 2023 before slashing .245/.315/.356 with 11 homers, 57 RBI and 32 […]

Nick Allen Could Have The Edge As Backup Infielder

MLB.com's Mark Bowman feels that Atlanta Braves infielder Nick Allen could have the early edge to begin the 2025 season as the team's backup infielder over Christian Cairo, who was a Rule 5 pick from the Cleveland Guardians this offseason. Cairo needs to stay on the big-league roster all season unless the Braves want to […]

Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz Could Platoon In Right Field

Until Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is able to return from a torn left ACL he suffered last year, Jarred Kelenic will be the team's primary right fielder, but MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that Kelenic could platoon with the right-handed-hitting Bryan De La Cruz. Jurickson Profar will start in left, and Michael Harris […]

Jurickson Profar A Candidate To Hit Leadoff For Braves

The Athletic's David O'Brien mentions new outfielder Jurickson Profar as a candidate to hit leadoff for the Atlanta Braves early in 2025 while outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) continues his rehab from a torn ACL suffered last year. Profar isn't as fast as center fielder Michael Harris II, but he did have a .380 on-base […]

Braves Won't Rush Ronald Acuna Jr. Back

The Athletic's David O'Brien writes that the Atlanta Braves will be careful not to rush outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) back this year to avoid a repeat of 2022 when he played with lingering soreness and had diminished power and confidence after he tore his right ACL in July of 2021. Acuna tore his left […]

Kodai Senga Feeling Completely Healthy

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (calf, shoulder) said that his offseason was half rehab and half normal and that he has been feeling completely healthy and normal since early January. Due to calf and shoulder injuries last year, Senga only made one start in the regular season and four appearances overall. The good news […]

Scott Barlow Agrees With Reds On One-Year Deal

Free-agent relief pitcher Scott Barlow agreed with the Cincinnati Reds on a one-year, $2.5 million contract on Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The deal is still pending a physical. Barlow will head to the National League Central in 2025 after going 3-3 with a 4.25 ERA (4.02 FIP), a 1.36 WHIP, two saves, 68 […]

Nolan Arenado Expected To Be Traded Before Opening Day

The St. Louis Cardinals haven't been able to trade veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado this offseason after he used his full no-trade clause to block a trade to the Houston Astros. However, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand thinks the Cardinals' will get something done and will have more urgency to deal Arenado before the start of spring […]

Colin Rea Could Be Favorite For Fifth Rotation Spot

With Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad currently dealing with a left-oblique injury, right-hander Colin Rea could become the favorite to win the fifth spot in the Opening Day starting rotation. The team's top four starters entering the 2025 season should be lefties Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele and Matthew Boyd, and right-hander Jameson Taillon. In addition […]

Vidal Brujan, Alexander Canario, Gage Workman Good Bets For Opening Day Roster

Because of the fact that Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (elbow) isn't a lock for Opening Day in 2025, utility men Vidal Brujan, Alexander Canario and Gage Workman are safe picks for the roster going into spring training, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. The Cubs acquired Brujan from the Miami Marlins this offseason, and […]

Taijuan Walker Must Pitch Well To Secure Bullpen Spot

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker will enter spring training with the final bullpen spot because he is owed $36 million over the next two years. However, Walker is going to need to perform in Grapefruit League action to keep the spot. Pitchers Max Lazar, Tyler Phillips, Nick Vespi and Joel […]

Weston Wilson Competing For Second Utility Spot

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/first baseman Weston Wilson will be competing with Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy at spring training this year for the second utility job behind infielder Edmundo Sosa, who is a lock for the Opening Day roster, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. If the Phillies are looking for balance on their roster, Wilson might […]

Rafael Marchan Considered The Favorite For Backup Catching Duties

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that Philadelphia Phillies catcher Rafael Marchan is perceived as the favorite for backup duties behind starter J.T. Realmuto over Garrett Stubbs, who has been the backup for the last three years. Marchan is out of minor-league options, and the Phillies would prefer to preserve their depth at the position. However, the […]

Tyler Matzek Secures Minor-League Deal With Yankees

Free-agent left-hander Tyler Matzek is signing a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees on Monday after he recently impressed scouts in a showcase. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw will head to the American League East after appearing in only 11 games out of the bullpen for the Atlanta Braves in 2024. In his 11 outings […]

Nick Bolton Wants To Stay With Chiefs

Impending free-agent middle linebacker Nick Bolton indicated that he'd like to re-sign with the Kansas City Chiefs after the team's 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in Super Bowl LIX. "But I've been here (in Missouri) for seven years it feels like home. Welcomed me with open arms as a little 18-year-old with […]

Saints Expected To Have Interest In Brandon Staley For Defensive-Coordinator Role

Once the New Orleans Saints officially hire Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their next head coach, The Athletic's Michael Silver expects Moore to have strong interest in former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as his defensive coordinator. Moore served as Staley's offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, and […]

Browns To Look At Kirk Cousins, Daniel Jones?

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns might only be able to afford players like the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins or Minnesota Vikings' Daniel Jones as their bridge quarterback this offseason. According to Over the Cap, Cleveland is projected to be $38.6 million over the 2025 salary cap, but the next anticipated restructure […]

Bills, Chargers Among Teams That Could Be In Play For Deebo Samuel Sr.

The San Francisco 49ers gave wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. permission to seek a trade this offseason. Samuel is under contract for one more season, and his deal includes a $15 million option bonus. Along with his drop in production in 2024, it could suppress Samuel's trade market, but NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco […]

Jake Bauers Firmly In The Mix For Opening Day Roster Spot

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Curt Hogg doesn't think that enough people are giving Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers a realistic shot at making the Opening Day roster in 2025. Rhys Hoskins shouldn't be seen as a lock for everyday playing time at first base, and Tyler Black's shaky defense will be under a microscope […]

Nico Hoerner "In A Great Spot" In His Recovery

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Monday that infielder Nico Hoerner (elbow) is "in a great spot" in his recovery from flexor-tendon surgery last October. The Cubs aren't putting a timetable on Hoerner's return, but Counsell also said, "He's not gonna miss much (time), if at all. That's what I'd say. I'm confident in […]

Jett Williams Invited To Spring Training

The New York Mets announced on Monday that shortstop prospect Jett Williams will be at major-league spring training this year as a non-roster invite. In addition, first baseman Ryan Clifford and pitcher Brandon Sproat will be non-roster invites. Williams is considered the No. 58 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. It was a tough […]