The New York Yankees missed out on signing free agents Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, who have joined other teams. The Yankees are now focused on signing outfielder Cody Bellinger to strengthen their lineup. The team is seen as a good fit for Bellinger following Bichette's deal with the Mets.
Key Facts
The Yankees did not sign free agents Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette.
Kyle Tucker signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bo Bichette agreed to a deal with the New York Mets.
Cody Bellinger is a key target for the Yankees.
The Mets are unlikely to sign Bellinger after acquiring Bichette.
The Yankees are actively pursuing Bellinger to improve their team.
The New York Mets signed Bo Bichette, a star shortstop from the Toronto Blue Jays, to a three-year contract for $126 million. This signing occurs after Bo Bichette considered joining the Philadelphia Phillies and replaces the Mets' initial interest in Kyle Tucker, who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Key Facts
Bo Bichette, a shortstop from the Toronto Blue Jays, joined the New York Mets with a three-year, $126 million contract.
The Mets shifted focus to Bichette after their first choice, Kyle Tucker, signed with the Dodgers.
The Philadelphia Phillies also showed interest in Bichette earlier in the week.
Bo Bichette may move to third base with the Mets, as Francisco Lindor is the team's primary shortstop.
The Blue Jays are left to find replacements for both Bichette and Tucker.
The Mets recently acquired Marcus Semien, affecting their infield strategy.
The New York Mets reportedly signed Bo Bichette to a three-year deal worth $126 million. Although he usually plays shortstop, the Mets plan to have him play third base. Bichette has never played third base in the major or minor leagues.
Key Facts
The Mets reportedly signed Bo Bichette for $126 million over three years.
Bichette is usually a shortstop but will play third base for the Mets.
Last year, Bichette played second base in the World Series.
Bichette recorded a minus-13 outs above average as a shortstop last season.
At second base in the World Series, Bichette had a zero outs above average.
The Mets plan for Brett Baty to play more in the outfield.
Baty had his best offensive season last year with a .254 batting average and 18 home runs.
The Mets want Baty in the outfield regularly and also hope for Mark Vientos to improve this season.
The New York Yankees are negotiating with Cody Bellinger, but talks have stalled because Bellinger wants a seven-year contract. This interest comes amid the New York Mets and other teams potentially looking to sign him after Kyle Tucker decided to join the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Key Facts
Cody Bellinger is currently a free agent and is the top outfielder available.
He is seeking a seven-year contract, which the Yankees are hesitant to offer.
The New York Mets have shown interest in Bellinger, especially after not signing Kyle Tucker.
The Mets are also reluctant to offer a long-term deal to players aged 30 or older.
Both the Yankees and Mets may consider offering a five-year deal.
Bellinger had a successful season with the Yankees, which might influence his decision.
The Yankees have been patient and may become more eager to keep Bellinger since their options are limited.
The Chicago Cubs signed Charlie Barnes, a left-handed pitcher with experience in both Major League Baseball (MLB) and international leagues. Barnes, who has played in the Korean Baseball Organization and the Dominican Winter League, will join the Cubs on a minor-league contract with hopes of returning to the MLB.
Key Facts
Charlie Barnes is a 30-year-old left-handed pitcher.
Barnes previously pitched for the Minnesota Twins in the MLB.
He spent the last four years pitching for the Lotte Giants in South Korea.
Barnes recently played in the Dominican Winter League.
He signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs.
Barnes has a four-pitch mix and can throw a fastball up to 90 mph.
He previously played for Triple-A Louisville in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
The Cubs may use Barnes in the bullpen if he joins their MLB roster.
Charlotte Flair, a WWE wrestler, recently returned to WWE events after missing time due to illness. Her absence was not planned and required changes to the show's script. She resumed her schedule on January 15, as WWE prepares for the upcoming Royal Rumble event.
Key Facts
Charlotte Flair missed WWE events due to a real illness.
Her absence led to changes in the script for WWE's "SmackDown."
WWE frequently uses "illness" as a reason for absences, but Flair was genuinely sick.
Flair returned to the WWE tour on January 15.
The Royal Rumble event is scheduled for January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This is the first time the Royal Rumble will take place outside of North America.
FanDuel offers a promotion where new users can bet $5 on sports games and receive $300 in bonuses if they win. This offer applies to various sports, including NFL playoff games happening this weekend. Users can start betting through the FanDuel Sportsbook app, which offers various ways to place bets.
Key Facts
FanDuel offers a $300 bonus for new users who place a winning $5 bet.
The promotion applies to sports like NFL, NBA, and college basketball.
Users can sign up without entering a promo code by using special links.
A cash deposit of at least $5 is required to qualify for the offer.
NFL playoff games this weekend include the Broncos vs. Bills and Seahawks vs. 49ers.
FanDuel provides different betting options from now through the Super Bowl.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through their links.
The article discusses a promotional offer from Underdog Fantasy, providing a $75 bonus in daily fantasy entries for NBA and NFL games when you make an initial $5 play. The offer covers NBA games like Cavaliers-76ers and Timberwolves-Rockets, as well as NFL playoff games. To access the bonus, users need to register using the promo code NEWSWEEK.
Key Facts
Underdog Fantasy offers a $75 bonus in daily fantasy entries with a $5 initial play.
The promo code to use is NEWSWEEK.
The offer applies to both NBA and NFL games.
Popular NBA games include Cavaliers vs. 76ers and Timberwolves vs. Rockets.
NFL games in the offer include Bills vs. Broncos and 49ers vs. Seahawks.
You need to pick players from 2-8 different teams when making an entry.
You must make a minimum $5 deposit to unlock the bonus.
Newsweek may earn a commission for sign-ups through its links.
Ford Racing has announced the debut of the Mustang Dark Horse SC in the 2027 NASCAR Cup series. The car features a supercharged V8 engine and will make its first appearance at the Daytona 500. The announcement was made during Ford Racing's season launch event in Detroit.
Key Facts
Ford Racing will introduce the Mustang Dark Horse SC in the 2027 NASCAR Cup.
The car will have a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The Mustang Dark Horse SC will debut at the Daytona 500 in 2027.
Ford Racing's global director, Mark Rushbrook, made the announcement with 2023 NASCAR Cup champion Ryan Blaney.
Three NASCAR teams use Ford cars: Team Penske, Front Row Motorsports, and RFK Racing.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season will start with the Cook Out Clash on February 1, 2026.
Fans can watch the races on networks like FOX and listen on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Egypt's national soccer team didn't make it to the Africa Cup of Nations final but will play Nigeria for third place. The team's coach, Hossam Hassan, views the tournament as good preparation for the World Cup in 2026. Egypt will play in Group G at the World Cup with matches against Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran.
Key Facts
Egypt lost to Senegal in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt will face Nigeria to compete for the bronze medal in the tournament.
Coach Hossam Hassan views the Africa Cup of Nations as valuable preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Egypt's World Cup group includes Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran.
The team's squad has only three players who play for clubs in Europe: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Mostafa Mohamed.
Hassan believes playing in European clubs develops players' tactical skills and physical strength.
Egypt has a history of winning the Africa Cup of Nations seven times.
Mike Tomlin has stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons. He stated he will not coach another team in 2026, despite interest from other teams. Tomlin is considering taking a break and might explore broadcasting work.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin was the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 19 years.
Tomlin stepped down after the Steelers lost in the Wild Card round to the Houston Texans.
He never had a losing season while coaching the Steelers.
Despite his success, his last seven playoff appearances ended in first-round defeats.
Tomlin told his team he felt it was best to step down for their benefit.
He has no plans to coach another team next season.
Tomlin may explore opportunities in broadcasting for a while.
He is 53 years old and one of the NFL's most successful coaches from the 2000s era.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) is in court over its plans to expand Wimbledon, the historic tennis tournament site. Campaigners are trying to block the project, which aims to add 39 new courts to the grounds. The dispute involves questions about whether the land can be used for public recreation.
Key Facts
Wimbledon is planning a large expansion project costing 200 million pounds ($267.9 million).
The expansion would triple the size of Wimbledon's main site and add 39 new courts.
A group called Save Wimbledon Park is opposing the plans, arguing the land should stay open to the public for recreation.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club owns the land in question.
The club is seeking legal confirmation from London's High Court that the land is not legally required to be used for public recreation.
Some leading tennis players and Wimbledon residents support the expansion.
The controversy over the expansion has been ongoing, with a similar legal challenge taking place the previous summer.
A prior challenge to the planning approval was rejected, but Save Wimbledon Park has been allowed to appeal that decision.
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner mentioned that Ella Toone might be ready to play in the Champions League matches against Atletico Madrid in February after recovering from a hip injury. In the meantime, Manchester United signed Swedish striker Ellen Wangerheim to strengthen their attack. Wangerheim joins the team after a successful season with Hammarby in Sweden.
Key Facts
Ella Toone injured her hip during a game in December and is expected to recover in six to eight weeks.
Manchester United will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in February.
United has signed Ellen Wangerheim, a 21-year-old striker from Sweden, to help strengthen the team.
Wangerheim scored 17 goals for Hammarby in the Swedish league before joining United.
Before her injury, Toone played in every Women's Super League match this season for United, scoring three goals and making five assists.
Coach Marc Skinner wants to ensure Toone's recovery is not rushed, even though she is an important player.
Wangerheim is seen as a talented addition, known for her quick and aggressive playing style.
Rey Mysterio, a well-known wrestler, missed a recent episode of "Monday Night Raw" due to a minor injury. Reports suggest he will recover soon and return to wrestling quickly. The injury does not seem to be serious, and he might be back before upcoming major events like the "Royal Rumble."
Key Facts
Rey Mysterio was absent from "Monday Night Raw" this week.
The absence was due to a minor physical issue.
Reports indicate that the injury is not severe.
Rey Mysterio is expected to return to action shortly.
The exact details of the injury were not disclosed.
Rey Mysterio is a WWE Hall of Famer and leads the Latino World Order.
He aims to participate in the "Royal Rumble" event on January 31 in Saudi Arabia.
A goldendoodle mistakenly thought a sliding door was closed and waited for it to open. Despite the door being open, the dog stood outside, reflecting a common playful and confusing behavior in dogs. The video, shared on TikTok, shows the dog's actions and has gained substantial attention online.
Key Facts
A video shows a goldendoodle waiting outside, thinking a fully open sliding door is closed.
The dog's owner, Liz, shared the video on TikTok, gaining over 367,000 views and 80,000 likes.
The incident happened at 4:30 a.m., which might have contributed to the dog's confusion.
Goldendoodles are known for being smart due to their golden retriever and poodle ancestry.
These dogs can sometimes act silly or distracted, especially early in the morning.
The video received nearly 1,000 comments with users sharing similar experiences with their dogs.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker, affecting the market for other baseball players, specifically Bo Bichette. Bichette is now a top option and is reportedly interested in joining the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are seen as the leading team to sign Bichette, but they may need to trade some players to make room for him.
Key Facts
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker.
Bo Bichette is a top player available in the market after Tucker's signing.
Bichette has shown interest in joining the Philadelphia Phillies.
Philadelphia Phillies are considered the leading team to sign Bichette.
The Phillies might need to move Alec Bohm to make room for Bichette.
Bichette is expected to change position from shortstop due to his defense skills.
If Bichette joins the Phillies, Bryson Stott might need to switch positions.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year contract worth $240 million, which affects the Toronto Blue Jays' plans for strengthening their team. The Blue Jays may now face challenges signing other top free agents and could start the next season with a weaker lineup.
Key Facts
The Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker for $240 million over four years with additional financial terms like a $64 million signing bonus.
The Blue Jays had reportedly considered offering Tucker a contract for up to 10 years.
The Dodgers' signing of Tucker could impact the Blue Jays' ability to sign top free agents Bo Bichette and Cody Bellinger.
The Blue Jays may begin the season with fewer improvements to their lineup than planned.
The Phillies and Yankees are potential destinations for Bichette and Bellinger, respectively.
Despite the challenges, the Blue Jays have shown they are willing to spend significant amounts on free agents.
Tony Stewart, a well-known NASCAR driver, will return to racing in the NASCAR Truck Series at Daytona in February. He will be driving a Ram truck for Kaulig Racing, marking his first truck race at Daytona. Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on this during his podcast, noting the excitement around Stewart's comeback.
Key Facts
Tony Stewart is 54 years old and will race in the NASCAR Truck Series at Daytona.
This will be Stewart's first truck race at Daytona and his first NASCAR event since 2016.
Stewart will be racing with Kaulig Racing and using a Ram truck.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. discussed Stewart’s return on his podcast and expressed excitement.
The event is part of Ram's "Free Agent" program to generate excitement and publicity.
Stewart has a history of racing in multiple series, including NASCAR Cup and IndyCar.
Mohamed Salah, who has been playing for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations, will return to Liverpool next week. Liverpool's coach, Arne Slot, is eager for Salah's return, despite recent tensions and injuries to other players. Liverpool will soon decide if Salah will play in the upcoming Champions League match against Marseille.
Key Facts
Mohamed Salah has been playing for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations and will return to Liverpool after the tournament.
Arne Slot, the Liverpool boss, expressed happiness about Salah's return, even if there were other attackers.
Salah gave a revealing interview before the tournament, suggesting someone at the club did not want him there.
Salah returned from international duty to play in a match against Brighton, providing an assist.
Liverpool remains unbeaten in six games during Salah’s absence, winning three of them.
Key player Alexander Isak is out due to a leg injury, making Salah’s return timely.
Decisions about Salah's participation in the next Champions League match are still ongoing.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he is happy that Mohamed Salah will return to the team after his Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duties with Egypt. Salah will play in Egypt's next match and then rejoin his club, where discussions are ongoing about his future role in the team. Salah had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Liverpool but is now set to continue playing after resolving some issues.
Key Facts
Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool after participating in the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
Salah will play in Egypt's third-place playoff match against Nigeria.
Earlier, Salah expressed dissatisfaction with Liverpool and had issues with manager Arne Slot.
Despite previous tensions, Slot is pleased about Salah's return to Liverpool.
Salah provided an assist in a recent Premier League win against Brighton.
Last season, Salah scored 29 Premier League goals and won the Golden Boot.
Liverpool currently holds fourth place in the Premier League.
The team will face Marseille in the Champions League before playing Bournemouth in the Premier League.
