The San Diego Padres are thinking about trading infielder Jake Cronenworth. They might do this to strengthen their team by getting a better hitter or improving their pitching. The team is already strong in most positions, so they are looking at trades to make further improvements.
Key Facts
The Padres might trade Jake Cronenworth to improve their team.
They are considering getting a better batter or more pitching help.
Chris Spiering suggests including prospects in a trade for a top first baseman.
The Padres have most of their key positions set.
The team's current contracts limit their ability to sign new players in free agency.
Trading Cronenworth is seen as a way to add more power to their lineup.
The New York Jets are interested in Don "Wink" Martindale as a candidate for their defensive coordinator position after firing Steve Wilks. Head coach Aaron Glenn appointed Chris Harris as the interim defensive coordinator while they search for a permanent replacement. Martindale has previous experience as a defensive coordinator for multiple NFL teams and recently parted ways with the New York Giants.
Key Facts
The New York Jets fired their defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks.
Chris Harris is serving as the interim defensive coordinator for the Jets.
The Jets' defense ranked 31st in points allowed, with 29.6 points per game.
The Jets had a 3-14 record for the season.
Don Martindale is a candidate for the new defensive coordinator position.
Martindale has coached for the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Giants.
Martindale did not continue with the Michigan Wolverines after 2025.
Martindale began his NFL coaching career with the Oakland Raiders in 2004.
The article discusses the search for a new head coach by several NFL teams, focusing on John Harbaugh, who was recently let go by the Baltimore Ravens. Harbaugh is reportedly considering offers from two teams, the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons, as he plans his next coaching position.
Key Facts
John Harbaugh was recently the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens for 18 seasons.
Harbaugh has won a Super Bowl as a head coach.
He is currently a candidate for head coach positions with the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons.
The Giants and Falcons both have young quarterbacks, Jaxson Dart and Michael Penix Jr., respectively.
The Cleveland Browns were also mentioned as a potential candidate but are seen as less likely to successfully sign Harbaugh.
Harbaugh has been interviewing with multiple NFL teams after being released by the Ravens.
A West Ham player, Estelle Cascarino, was unable to make her debut because she was wearing an earring covered by tape, which goes against Football Association rules. The rules do not allow jewelry on the field, even if it is taped. West Ham was playing against Chelsea in the Women's Super League and eventually lost 5-0.
Key Facts
Estelle Cascarino was set to make her debut for West Ham against Chelsea.
Cascarino could not play because she was wearing an earring, which was covered by tape.
Football Association rules do not allow any jewelry, even if tape is used to cover it.
Cascarino needed a doctor to remove the earring, which she had played with in other leagues using tape.
Fara Williams, a former England midfielder, referred to the situation as a "schoolgirl error."
Rita Guarino was managing her first game as West Ham's new boss.
West Ham lost the match to Chelsea with a final score of 5-0.
The Green Bay Packers are considering renewing head coach Matt LaFleur's contract despite criticism after a recent playoff loss. There are rumors the team might offer a contract extension they believe LaFleur won't accept, possibly as a strategy for a smoother trade. LaFleur has faced criticism for his playoff performance despite a strong regular-season record.
Key Facts
The Packers lost a playoff game to the Chicago Bears after leading 21-3 at halftime, ending with a score of 31-27.
After the loss, many Packers fans have called for a change in head coach.
ESPN reports that the Packers might try to negotiate a new contract with head coach Matt LaFleur.
There is speculation the Packers could offer a contract they believe LaFleur might not accept.
Some rumors suggest that the Packers might consider trading LaFleur instead of firing him.
Matt LaFleur has been head coach since 2019 and holds a 76-40-1 regular-season record.
Despite regular-season success, LaFleur's playoff record has faced criticism.
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 23–19 in an NFC Wild Card game, ending the Eagles' hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champions. Saquon Barkley took responsibility for the Eagles' offensive struggles during the game and acknowledged recurring issues throughout the season. Despite Barkley's efforts and previous successes, Philadelphia's offense couldn't overcome San Francisco's defense.
Key Facts
The 49ers defeated the Eagles 23–19 in the NFC Wild Card game.
Christian McCaffrey's late touchdown helped seal the 49ers' win.
Philadelphia's offense struggled, highlighted by a sideline disagreement between A.J. Brown and coach Nick Sirianni.
Saquon Barkley had 106 rushing yards on 26 carries in the game.
Barkley acknowledged the team's offensive struggles and took responsibility for not making enough plays.
In the 2025 season, Barkley had fewer rushing yards compared to his record-setting 2024 season.
Barkley signed a two-year, $41.2 million extension with the Eagles in March 2025.
Key Eagles players, like Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, are under contract for multiple seasons going forward.
Dylan Raiola, a star college quarterback, has decided to transfer from the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the Oregon Ducks. He plans to join the Oregon team under coach Dan Lanning and has two years of playing eligibility left.
Key Facts
Dylan Raiola was a top high school recruit who initially committed to Nebraska.
He played two seasons with Nebraska, starting nine games in his sophomore year.
Raiola suffered a broken fibula, ending his sophomore season early, but is expected to be ready for the next season.
He completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,000 yards, with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions during his last season.
Raiola has entered the NCAA transfer portal and decided to move to the University of Oregon.
He will join the Oregon Ducks, hoping to be part of their national title pursuits.
Oregon has recently participated in consecutive College Football Playoffs but lost in both attempts.
The Milwaukee Brewers are in a tough situation with their top pitcher, Freddy Peralta, who is in the last year of his contract. While many teams are interested in trading for him, the Brewers might keep him because they are one of the best teams currently and want to win. This could be bad news for the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, who need to strengthen their pitching staff.
Key Facts
Freddy Peralta is the Brewers' top pitcher and is in the final year of his contract.
The Brewers are among the best teams in the league, finishing last season with the top record.
Despite strong interest, the Brewers might not trade Peralta since they aim to win now.
CBS Sports predicts the Brewers will keep Peralta, considering his performance and affordable salary.
The San Francisco Giants and New York Mets have shown interest in Peralta to bolster their pitching.
The Mets’ lack of pitching depth led to missing the playoffs last year.
The Giants' rotation weakened after trading pitchers to get Rafael Devers.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Rafael Lantigua, a second baseman, to a minor-league contract. Lantigua previously played in the Phillies' Triple-A team and has a history with the Blue Jays.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Rafael Lantigua to a minor-league contract.
Lantigua played 123 games in the Phillies' Triple-A team last year.
He was originally signed by the Blue Jays in 2016.
Lantigua is 27 years old and stands 5-foot-7 tall.
He has played 681 games in the Blue Jays organization before becoming a free agent.
Last season, he had a batting average of .230 and walked 77 times but hit few extra-base hits.
Toronto has multiple options at second base, but Lantigua will compete for a spot.
Macclesfield, a sixth-tier English football team, defeated Premier League team Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup, causing a major upset. The team's manager, John Rooney, expressed excitement and disbelief over the victory and highlighted the significant support from fans. Macclesfield, the only remaining non-league team in the FA Cup, will learn their next opponent in the upcoming draw.
Key Facts
Macclesfield plays in the sixth tier of English football.
They won 2-1 against Crystal Palace, the current FA Cup holders.
John Rooney, the team's manager, is the brother of famous footballer Wayne Rooney.
This win is considered a huge surprise in the FA Cup's history.
Macclesfield will find out their next FA Cup opponent in Monday's draw.
The team faces a busy schedule with upcoming league and cup matches.
Some Macclesfield players, like Sam Heathcote, are part-time and have jobs outside football.
John Rooney had personal support from his family during the match, including his son celebrating on the field.
Dan Evans, a British tennis player, did not make it into the Australian Open main draw as he was defeated in the first round of qualifying. He lost to Japan's Rei Sakamoto with a score of 6-1 6-2. Other British players, Jay Clarke and Jack Pinnington Jones, also lost their first-round matches.
Key Facts
Dan Evans lost in the first round of Australian Open qualifying in straight sets against Rei Sakamoto.
Evans had four double faults and did not create any opportunities to break Sakamoto's serve.
Last year, Evans only played in the main draw of Wimbledon, entering with a wildcard.
Fellow British players Jay Clarke and Jack Pinnington Jones also lost in the first round of qualifying.
Arthur Fery and George Loffhagen won their qualifying matches, advancing to the next round.
Players need to win three qualifying rounds to enter the Australian Open main draw.
Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley are already in the men's main draw.
Katie Boulter will play in the main draw due to high-profile player withdrawals.
A mistake in WWE's TV show listings accidentally revealed that Roman Reigns is set to return to WWE programming. The information came from an incorrect show description sent to TV guide providers. This error spread quickly, limiting WWE's ability to keep Reigns' return a surprise.
Key Facts
WWE mistakenly sent the wrong show description to TV guide providers.
The description accidentally revealed that Roman Reigns plans to return.
This information was included in listings for the show "SmackDown."
Dave Meltzer discussed the incident on Wrestling Observer Radio.
Meltzer stated that this type of information is usually well-controlled.
The leak is attributed to human error, not a marketing strategy.
Fans are now trying to guess the exact date of Reigns' return.
The error affects WWE's ability to create suspense around Reigns' comeback.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 has reached the semifinal stage, featuring Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, and Senegal. Morocco is hosting the tournament and will face Nigeria, while Egypt and Senegal are the other teams still competing for the title. Morocco is considered the favorite due to their strong performance and playing at home.
Key Facts
AFCON 2025 has reached the semifinals, with Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, and Senegal still in the competition.
Morocco is the host country and is playing against Nigeria in the semifinals.
Morocco has not lost a match since the last AFCON tournament and recently defeated Cameroon in the quarterfinals.
Moroccan coach Walid Regragui stated that the team must continue focusing on each game.
Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz has scored five goals in five matches for Morocco.
Nigeria's team, led by players Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, is the tournament's top scorer with 14 goals.
Nigeria did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 but has performed well in AFCON.
Morocco and Nigeria will face each other, both having historical strengths in continental football competitions.
The New York Yankees were interested in signing Cody Bellinger but are not as hopeful due to stalled negotiations. They are not among the leading teams pursuing Kyle Tucker, who is a sought-after player and a four-time All-Star.
Key Facts
The Yankees wanted Cody Bellinger as their top choice this offseason.
Negotiations with Bellinger stalled because he wants a longer contract than the Yankees are willing to offer.
Kyle Tucker is being pursued by three main teams: the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets.
The Yankees are not one of the top three teams trying to sign Kyle Tucker.
Despite this, the Yankees have strong outfield options, including Jasson Domínguez, Trent Grisham, and Aaron Judge.
Kyle Tucker is a four-time All-Star and also known for good fielding, winning two Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove.
Tucker had strong performances away from Wrigley Field last season and could perform well if he played at Yankee Stadium.
Andrew Bash, a pitcher previously with the Toronto Blue Jays organization, signed a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins. Bash had a solid record in Triple-A but was not called up to play in the major leagues by the Blue Jays.
Key Facts
Andrew Bash is a 29-year-old pitcher who played for the Blue Jays' Triple-A team, Buffalo Bisons.
Bash posted a 2.57 ERA in 84 innings last year for the Bisons.
He signed a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins.
Bash had been with the Blue Jays organization since 2021 after leaving the Los Angeles Angels' rookie team.
The Twins' bullpen struggled last season, prompting them to add Bash.
Throughout his minor-league career, Bash has 369 strikeouts over 421 innings.
The Twins have not made major signings, focusing on smaller additions like Bash.
"Monday Night Football" resumes on January 12, featuring a playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans. The game will be held at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, with kickoff at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Several key players, including DK Metcalf for the Steelers, are returning for this playoff matchup.
Key Facts
"Monday Night Football" is back on January 12 after a break on January 5.
The game is part of the NFL wild-card playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers, the No. 4 seed, will play against Houston Texans, the No. 5 seed.
The game will take place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh and starts at 8 p.m. ET.
DK Metcalf, a wide receiver for the Steelers, will play after missing two games.
Both teams are known for strong defenses, which may lead to a low-scoring game.
The game is broadcast live on multiple channels, including ESPN and ABC.
Following the wild-card playoffs, the next rounds are scheduled to start on January 17 and January 18.
Michael Carrick is the leading candidate to be Manchester United's temporary head coach. The club aims to have someone in place before players return to training on Wednesday. Carrick had a previous short stint as Manchester United's temporary manager in 2021.
Key Facts
Michael Carrick is a favorite for the caretaker head coach role at Manchester United.
Manchester United wants a new caretaker manager before players return to training.
Talks are ongoing with Carrick, but no final decision is made yet.
Carrick was the temporary manager for three games in 2021 after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure.
Carrick won two matches and drew one during his previous interim management at United.
Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United manager on 5 January after 14 months.
Darren Fletcher is currently the temporary manager and led the team in two matches.
Carrick played 464 games for Manchester United and was part of Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer's coaching staff.
The New York Yankees are interested in signing a top outfielder because they expect Cody Bellinger to sign with another team. They are now considering Kyle Tucker and might offer him a deal worth over $400 million.
Key Facts
The Yankees have been focused on Cody Bellinger this offseason.
ESPN reported the Yankees expect Bellinger to join a different team.
The Yankees need to find another outfielder to fill the roster gap.
Options in free agency are limited for the Yankees.
Kyle Tucker is a strong candidate for the Yankees.
The Yankees might offer Tucker a contract worth over $400 million.
The Yankees think Tucker might be worth more than Bellinger.
The Cincinnati Reds have reportedly agreed to a deal with pitcher Pierce Johnson, who previously played for the Atlanta Braves. The Braves released Johnson by declining a $7 million option for next season. Johnson contributed significantly to the Braves' bullpen during his time with the team.
Key Facts
Pierce Johnson is expected to join the Cincinnati Reds, according to reports.
Johnson played the last two seasons with the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves chose not to exercise a $7 million option for Johnson, making him a free agent.
Johnson has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for eight seasons.
In 2023, the Braves got Johnson from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon.
During his time with the Braves, Johnson maintained a 2.91 ERA over 147 games.
Last season, he played in 65 games and finished with a 3.05 ERA.
Johnson will bring his pitching skills, notably his curveball, to the Reds' bullpen.
The New York Yankees are looking for new players as they expect Cody Bellinger to sign with another team. They are interested in Nico Hoerner from the Chicago Cubs, a strong defensive player who might be available for trade due to recent signings by the Cubs.
Key Facts
The Yankees thought Cody Bellinger might join their team again but now believe he will choose a different team.
Bellinger played well for the Yankees last year and is asking for a seven-year contract.
The Yankees are not willing to agree to a seven-year deal with Bellinger.
The Yankees have shown interest in Nico Hoerner from the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs may trade Hoerner because they signed Alex Bregman and have other players like Matt Shaw.
Nico Hoerner is a two-time Gold Glove winner, which means he is good at defense.
Hoerner is experienced at both second base and shortstop positions.
