The New York Yankees are trying to re-sign star outfielder Cody Bellinger during the offseason. Other teams in their division have made significant improvements, increasing the urgency for the Yankees to secure Bellinger. They have already made multiple offers but have not yet finalized a deal.
Key Facts
The Yankees are focusing on re-signing Cody Bellinger, a key outfielder.
Other teams in their division have strengthened their squads.
The Yankees have made multiple offers to Bellinger but are still negotiating.
Securing Bellinger is important for the Yankees to remain competitive.
Bellinger is seen as a better defensive fit and more affordable than other options like Kyle Tucker.
The Yankees aim to improve their team dynamics by re-signing Bellinger.
JT Realmuto, a well-known baseball player, is likely to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies despite rumors linking him to the San Diego Padres. Experts predict that Realmuto will re-sign with the Phillies, where he has been a core team member for seven years. The deal is expected to be affordable for the Phillies.
Key Facts
JT Realmuto is currently a free agent in the baseball offseason.
Realmuto has been linked with the San Diego Padres, but experts predict he will return to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Realmuto has played with the Phillies for seven years and is an important team member.
His offensive performance declined last season, but he remains valuable to the Phillies.
Re-signing him is expected to cost the Phillies about $10 to $15 million per season for the next one or two years.
Keeping Realmuto is seen as a priority for the Phillies as his career nears its end.
The Baltimore Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons with the team. The team plans to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as a potential replacement.
Key Facts
John Harbaugh was fired as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens after 18 years.
The Ravens did not make the playoffs this year after losing their final game.
Baltimore will look for a new head coach and is considering several candidates.
Matt Nagy, Chiefs offensive coordinator, is one of the candidates the Ravens will interview.
Matt Nagy previously coached the Chicago Bears and worked with Andy Reid at the Eagles and Chiefs.
Andy Reid, Chiefs head coach, supports Nagy getting a head coaching job.
If Nagy doesn't get a new position, he might stay with the Chiefs.
Luis Quinones, a 28-year-old pitcher, has signed with the Minnesota Twins after being released by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays released Quinones following a year of injury issues and a brief playing season. Quinones aims to secure a spot with the Twins during spring training.
Key Facts
Luis Quinones is a right-handed pitcher, originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 34th round of the 2019 draft.
Quinones signed with the Minnesota Twins on December 21.
He pitched 360 2/3 innings with the Blue Jays, earning 478 strikeouts but also allowing 231 walks and 48 wild pitches.
Injuries limited Quinones to three rehab appearances in 2023.
He received an 80-game suspension in 2019 for using performance-enhancing drugs.
The Twins have openings for pitchers after trading their relief pitcher Louis Varland to the Blue Jays.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero criticized the club's leadership on Instagram after a recent loss, saying they only speak out when things are going well. He later revised the post, removing the accusation of lying but maintained his criticism. Spurs fans have shown frustration following a series of poor results.
Key Facts
Cristian Romero is the captain of Tottenham Hotspur.
He criticized the club's leadership in an Instagram post after a defeat.
Romero's initial post mentioned "lies" but he later edited it to remove that part.
Spurs have won only one of their last six Premier League matches.
Fans expressed frustration towards manager Thomas Frank and players during recent games.
This is not the first time Romero has commented on club management on social media.
Tottenham currently stands 14th in the Premier League.
The article outlines upcoming college football playoff games with the Fiesta Bowl and the Peach Bowl taking place on January 8 and January 9. Miami will play Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl, while Oregon faces Indiana in the Peach Bowl, with winners moving to the National Championship on January 19.
Key Facts
The Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl are the final playoff games before the National Championship.
Miami will face Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8 at 7:30 p.m., airing on ESPN.
Oregon will compete against Indiana in the Peach Bowl on January 9 at 7:30 p.m., also on ESPN.
The College Football Playoff National Championship Game will happen on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Favorites for these games are Miami over Ole Miss and Indiana over Oregon.
ESPN will broadcast the National Championship Game on January 19.
Predictions favor Miami and Indiana advancing to the Championship Game.
A five-star quarterback, Husan Longstreet, is considering entering the transfer portal. He is currently behind another quarterback, Jayden Maiava, at USC. The transfer portal is open until January 16, 2026.
Key Facts
Husan Longstreet is a highly-rated quarterback at USC.
He was part of the 2025 top quarterback recruits and has not started full-time yet.
The transfer portal allows college athletes to change schools and is open for 15 days.
Jayden Maiava, another USC quarterback, chose to stay at USC for another year.
Longstreet is considering transferring due to limited playing time.
His older brother, Kevin Longstreet, a cornerback, plans to transfer from USC.
Longstreet could be in high demand if he enters the transfer portal.
The Toronto Blue Jays are considering various player moves this offseason, but there is uncertainty about whether they will keep Bo Bichette, a key player. The situation is complicated by the signing of other players like Kazuma Okamoto and the team's interest in outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Kazuma Okamoto, and Tyler Rogers during the offseason.
Bo Bichette is a key player for the Blue Jays but there is uncertainty about his future with the team.
Bichette is recognized for his friendship with teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his contribution to the team’s high win count last year.
Bichette is not considered a strong defender as a shortstop but seeks a high salary.
MLB insider Jon Heyman believes it's more likely Bichette will join another team rather than stay with the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays' new signing, Okamoto, impacts Bichette by potentially lowering the money available for his contract and affecting team roles.
Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez could fill in Bichette's position if he leaves.
The Blue Jays are also interested in acquiring Kyle Tucker, which could further complicate retaining Bichette.
The Arizona Diamondbacks' pitcher Zac Gallen is a free agent and may sign with a new team soon. Predictions suggest he might join the Atlanta Braves, who need an experienced pitcher. Gallen's recent performance saw a decline, but his past success may lead him to seek a shorter contract to improve his market value.
Key Facts
Zac Gallen is a free agent as of now.
He was a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Predictions indicate he might sign with the Atlanta Braves.
Gallen made 126 starts over the past four seasons.
He had career lows in ERA and strikeout rate in 2025.
Gallen was previously a top performer with consistent success.
The Braves are looking to strengthen their pitching roster.
Gallen may opt for a short-term contract to recover his market value.
The New York Yankees are considering trade offers for Jazz Chisholm Jr., but insiders say it's unlikely they will trade him. Chisholm recently had a strong season and expressed his desire to stay with the team.
Key Facts
The Yankees are open to trade offers for Jazz Chisholm Jr., who is a two-time All-Star.
Insider Jon Heyman reported that trading Chisholm is unlikely despite the Yankees listening to offers.
Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman views Chisholm as part of the team's solution.
Chisholm will be a free agent in one year and could become a prominent name in the market.
Last season, Chisholm had 42 home runs, 49 stolen bases, and an .816 OPS in 176 games.
Chisholm expressed that he wants to continue playing for the Yankees.
He has adapted to team needs by changing positions to play third base when necessary.
The Boston Red Sox are considering a major trade involving outfielder Jarren Duran to the Los Angeles Dodgers. This proposed trade could bring World Series pitcher Justin Wrobleski and top prospect catcher Dalton Rushing to the Red Sox. The Dodgers might benefit from Duran's strong performance to boost their outfield.
Key Facts
The Boston Red Sox have traded for pitchers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, and first baseman Wilson Contreras.
The Red Sox have not signed any free agents this offseason.
Analyst Griffey "G.G." Geiss suggested a trade involving Jarren Duran, sending him to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The trade proposal includes acquiring Justin Wrobleski, a pitcher who performed well in the World Series, and Dalton Rushing, a highly-ranked catcher.
Jarren Duran has had better performance stats than current Dodgers outfielders.
The Red Sox need left-handed bullpen pitchers, and the proposed trade could help fill this gap.
The Cincinnati Reds added pitcher Zack Littell last season, but they do not plan to keep him. It is predicted that Littell might sign a two-year deal worth $20 million with the Oakland Athletics to strengthen their pitching lineup.
Key Facts
The Cincinnati Reds decided to add players during the trade deadline last season to reach the postseason.
Pitcher Zack Littell was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Reds.
The Reds are not retaining Littell for the next season.
Ryan Finkelstein predicts Littell will sign a two-year, $20 million contract with the Oakland Athletics.
Littell pitched 186 2/3 innings and started 32 games last season.
The Athletics need more quality starting pitchers and are seen as a suitable team for Littell.
Littell is considered a solid, reliable pitcher, though not a major star in free agency.
The Chicago Cubs added two pitchers to their team. They traded for Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins and claimed Ryan Rolison from the Chicago White Sox. Ryan Rolison has had a busy offseason, moving through several teams.
Key Facts
The Chicago Cubs traded for pitcher Edward Cabrera and sent top prospect Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins.
Two minor-league infielders, Edgardo De Leon and Cristian Hernandez, also went to Miami in the trade.
The Cubs claimed left-handed pitcher Ryan Rolison off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.
Ryan Rolison started with the Colorado Rockies, had a 7.02 ERA, and then moved to the Atlanta Braves before joining the Cubs.
Rolison has one remaining minor-league option, allowing the Cubs to keep him in their system even if he doesn't make the team’s main roster.
The Cubs aim to fill the final spots on their pitching staff during spring training.
The Houston Astros may consider signing veteran pitcher Justin Verlander. This comes as they might lose their current top pitcher, Framber Valdez, due to financial constraints. Verlander, who is 42 years old, is predicted to sign a one-year deal for $12 million to help the Astros remain competitive.
Key Facts
The Houston Astros ended last season on a disappointing note, losing their division lead to the Seattle Mariners.
Framber Valdez, the Astros' current top pitcher, might leave the team in free agency.
Valdez could sign for over $150 million, a price the Astros likely can't afford.
As a solution, the Astros may sign Justin Verlander for $12 million on a one-year contract.
Justin Verlander pitched 152 innings and made 29 starts last season with the San Francisco Giants.
Verlander aims to continue pitching until he is 45 years old.
The Astros hope Verlander can maintain or improve his performance as a short-term replacement for Valdez.
The New York Mets are exploring options to improve their starting pitcher lineup for the next season. They are considering signing veteran pitcher Nick Martinez, who could fit well with their new team setup. Martinez has experience both as a starting pitcher and in the bullpen.
Key Facts
The Mets need to strengthen their starting pitcher lineup as they currently lack a standout ace.
Potential deals with pitchers Ranger Suarez and Framber Valdez are under consideration.
Veteran pitcher Nick Martinez is a potential option for the Mets to save on pitching costs.
Martinez played in 26 games as a starting pitcher and 14 games as a relief pitcher last season.
He had a 4.45 ERA (Earned Run Average) and recorded 116 strikeouts last season.
Spotrac predicts Martinez could sign a two-year deal worth approximately $28.55 million.
Martinez typically allows a lot of contact, with more than eight hits per nine innings on average.
Signing Martinez would fit with the Mets' strategy of not offering long contracts to pitchers.
The New York Yankees are considering replacing Cody Bellinger, who is a free agent, with another outfielder. They have young players like Jasson Domínguez but might also look at signing a veteran like Austin Hays to strengthen their outfield.
Key Facts
Cody Bellinger is currently a free agent, meaning he can sign with any team.
The New York Yankees are thinking about whether to keep Bellinger or replace him.
Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones are two young outfielders on the Yankees' roster.
Austin Hays, a former All-Star, is a potential candidate to replace Bellinger.
Hays performed well against left-handed pitchers last season.
Hays had a batting average of .266 and hit 15 home runs in his latest season.
Signing a veteran like Hays could help the Yankees mix experience with younger players in their outfield.
The Boston Red Sox are trying to sign Alex Bregman during the offseason. However, the Chicago Cubs and other teams are also interested in Bregman. The Red Sox have focused on Bregman, while the Cubs are considering multiple options, including Bo Bichette.
Key Facts
The Boston Red Sox want to sign Alex Bregman and have placed him as a top priority.
The Chicago Cubs are also interested in Bregman to strengthen their third base position.
The Cubs are considering other players like Bo Bichette, not just Bregman.
Bo Bichette is seen as a backup option for the Red Sox.
Alex Bregman will turn 32 in March, and teams value his leadership skills.
The Cubs and Red Sox are competing to sign Bregman, but the Cubs' broader search may help the Red Sox in securing him.
The Red Sox have reportedly made an aggressive offer to Bregman.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world's top-ranked female tennis player, criticized tennis authorities for prioritizing their own interests over player health due to a busy tournament schedule. She plans to skip some events to protect her health, despite potential penalties. Sabalenka's concerns reflect broader issues in tennis regarding a hectic season that many players believe leads to injuries.
Key Facts
Aryna Sabalenka is currently ranked as the world's number one female tennis player.
She criticized tennis officials for not prioritizing player health with what she calls an overloaded tournament schedule.
Sabalenka intends to skip some tournaments this year to avoid injuries, even though this might lead to penalties from the WTA Tour.
The WTA rules require top players to compete in all four Grand Slam tournaments, ten WTA 1000 events, and six WTA 500 events.
Sabalenka states that participating in every required event last season left her frequently exhausted or sick.
Concerns about the long tennis season, which lasts 11 months and includes an extensive calendar of events, are shared by other top players like Carlos Alcaraz.
The "Asian swing" of the tennis season is noted for increased player injuries due to tight scheduling.
Sabalenka and other players believe that mandatory event rules need to be reconsidered for better player health.
The Boston Red Sox are looking to strengthen their bullpen by adding a left-handed reliever. They are interested in Tim Mayza, a 33-year-old pitcher who recently played for the Philadelphia Phillies. Tim Mayza has prior experience in the American League East and could be a valuable addition as the Red Sox aim for a playoff spot next season.
Key Facts
The Boston Red Sox are seeking additional bullpen depth.
Tim Mayza, a 33-year-old left-handed reliever, is among their targets.
Mayza played for the Philadelphia Phillies recently and has experience in the AL East.
The Red Sox have not made a significant free agency signing yet this offseason.
They traded for pitchers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo to boost their starting rotation.
The team remains in contact with multiple veteran left-handed pitchers.
The Red Sox are targeting a return to the playoffs next season.
The Toronto Blue Jays are interested in signing baseball player Kyle Tucker, who remains unsigned in free agency. The Blue Jays are competing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets to sign Tucker. Some experts believe a surprise team could still enter the race for Tucker.
Key Facts
Kyle Tucker is a baseball player currently unsigned in free agency.
The Toronto Blue Jays are actively pursuing Tucker and have already hosted him for a visit.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are also interested in signing him.
There are about five weeks left before the baseball season starts.
Some players have signed contracts late in the off-season, even in late February.
ESPN's Buster Olney suggests that the Blue Jays are the best option for a long-term deal with a high total value.
The Dodgers might be a good option for a shorter deal with a high annual salary.
Surprise teams could potentially enter the race to sign Tucker, although it may be difficult late in the process.
