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.
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed 27-year-old outfielder Ismael Munguia to a minor-league contract. Munguia played for the New York Yankees' Triple-A team last year and is seen as a backup player for the Blue Jays. He is originally from Nicaragua and aims to make it to the major leagues.
Key Facts
The Blue Jays signed Ismael Munguia to a minor-league deal on December 22.
Munguia previously played in Triple-A for the New York Yankees' organization.
In his last Triple-A season, he hit .246, with 4 home runs and 23 stolen bases.
He became a free agent because the Yankees had many outfielders.
Munguia was initially signed from Nicaragua in 2015.
If he makes it to the majors, he will be the 17th player from Nicaragua to do so.
Munguia is considered a player who adds depth to the Blue Jays’ roster.
The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to let veteran pitcher Max Scherzer leave the team. A sports analyst predicts that Scherzer might sign a one-year contract worth $10 million with the Detroit Tigers.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays recently lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series semifinals.
They have signed pitcher Dylan Cease to their roster.
The team is likely to let go of Max Scherzer, a 41-year-old veteran pitcher.
It is predicted Scherzer might join the Detroit Tigers for a one-year contract worth $10 million.
The Detroit Tigers need more pitchers and are considered a good fit for Scherzer.
Despite injuries, Scherzer is still seen as valuable for his ability to perform in important games.
Scherzer previously won a Cy Young award while playing for the Tigers.
The New York Yankees are considering signing Cody Bellinger to improve their outfield lineup, but financial challenges may complicate the deal. A recent decision to offer Trent Grisham a $22 million contract has drawn criticism from Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay, who believes it might hinder the team's budget flexibility.
Key Facts
The Yankees are looking to strengthen their outfield ahead of spring training.
Cody Bellinger is a top option for the Yankees during this offseason.
Trent Grisham accepted a $22 million offer from the Yankees, creating financial constraints.
Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay criticized the $22 million offer to Grisham, implying it might not match his market value.
The team's payroll aim is to stay under $304 million, complicating potential signings.
Yankees management, including Brian Cashman, needs to strategize to fit Bellinger into the budget.
As of the latest update, no finalized deal with Bellinger has been reached.
The Toronto Blue Jays have not re-signed Bo Bichette, increasing the likelihood that he may join the Los Angeles Dodgers. Reports suggest the Dodgers are interested in signing Bichette to a short-term, high-value contract.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays have not yet signed Bo Bichette to a new contract.
The Blue Jays recently committed $60 million to Kazuma Okamoto.
The team is also potentially interested in signing Kyle Tucker.
The Los Angeles Dodgers might sign Bichette if he becomes available on a short-term deal.
The Dodgers are reportedly waiting for Bichette to become a free agent and sign a shorter contract with a high annual payment.
Bichette is known as a strong hitter but is considered one of the weaker defensive shortstops.
It is predicted that the Dodgers could offer Bichette a four-year contract worth $120 million with an option to leave (opt-out) after 2027.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and pitcher Brusdar Graterol agreed to a $2.8 million salary for the 2026 season. This move helps avoid arbitration just before the team's deadline. Graterol is expected to be healthy for spring training and plays a key role in the Dodgers' bullpen.
Key Facts
Brusdar Graterol is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Graterol agreed to a $2.8 million salary for the upcoming season.
This agreement helps the Dodgers avoid arbitration with Graterol.
Graterol missed the last season due to labrum surgery.
He is expected to be fully healthy for spring training.
Graterol has a regular season ERA of 2.69 and a postseason ERA of 1.93.
He will become a free agent at the end of the upcoming season.
The Dodgers’ bullpen faced challenges last season, and Graterol is seen as crucial for improving it.
There is no "Thursday Night Football" on January 8. The NFL's playoffs begin with wild-card games on January 10 and 11. The divisional games, championship games, and the Super Bowl will follow in the upcoming weeks.
Key Facts
There is no "Thursday Night Football" on January 8.
The NFL playoffs start with wild-card games on January 10.
The first wild-card game is between the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers.
Other wild-card games include the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears and the Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars.
The divisional playoffs are scheduled for January 17 and 18.
The AFC and NFC championship games will take place on January 25.
Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Last season, the Super Bowl had 127.7 million U.S. viewers.
Terry Yorath, former Wales footballer and manager, passed away at 75. He was a key figure in Welsh football both as a player and a manager. Yorath was affected by personal tragedies, including the loss of his young son to a heart condition and his involvement in the 1985 Bradford City stadium fire.
Key Facts
Terry Yorath was the first Welshman to play in a European Cup final.
He captained Wales in 42 of his 59 international matches and managed teams like Swansea City and Cardiff City.
Yorath's Wales team narrowly missed qualifying for the 1994 World Cup.
He experienced personal loss when his son Daniel died at 15 from a heart condition.
Yorath was player-coach of Bradford City during the 1985 stadium fire that resulted in 56 deaths.
He was inducted into the Welsh Sport Hall of Fame in 2017.
Yorath's career spanned over 40 years, and he played for clubs including Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur.
He died at the age of 75 and is survived by three children.
Terry Yorath, a former football player and manager, has died at the age of 75. He played for several teams, including Leeds United and the Wales national team, and later worked as a football manager.
Key Facts
Terry Yorath died at the age of 75 after a short illness.
He played 199 games for Leeds United from 1967 and scored 11 goals.
Yorath also played for Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Bradford City.
He earned 59 caps playing for the Wales national football team.
Yorath won the First Division title with Leeds in 1974 and had several runner-up finishes in major tournaments.
He was assistant coach during the Valley Parade fire in 1985.
After his playing career, Yorath managed teams like Swansea, Wales, and Cardiff.
Yorath was the father of Gabby Logan, a BBC Sport presenter.
Logan Paul announced that he signed a long-term contract with WWE, making him a full-time wrestler. This move addresses previous criticisms about his limited WWE schedule since he debuted in 2022. Paul expressed enthusiasm for his increased involvement and goals for the year ahead.
Key Facts
Logan Paul signed a new long-term contract with WWE.
He is now a full-time member of the WWE roster.
Paul initially debuted in WWE in 2022 and was previously criticized for being a "part-time" wrestler.
He participated in three matches in 2022, which increased to 13 in 2025.
Paul is part of the wrestling group "The Vision" alongside other wrestlers.
He expressed personal goals to excel as a wrestler, husband, father, and business partner in 2026.
The announcement was made in a vlog where Paul celebrated with espresso shots.
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian was unable to sign Jayden Woods, a star player from the Florida Gators, through the transfer portal. The Gators successfully re-signed Woods and other key players, despite Texas's efforts. The pressure is mounting on Sarkisian to strengthen his team before the transfer portal closes on January 16, 2026.
Key Facts
Steve Sarkisian is the coach of the Texas Longhorns football team.
The Longhorns aimed to recruit players from other colleges through the transfer portal.
Jayden Woods, a star player, decided to stay with the Florida Gators instead of joining Texas.
The Florida Gators re-signed Woods and other key players under new head coach Jon Sumrall.
The transfer portal is a system allowing college athletes to switch schools and it closes on January 16, 2026.
Texas is looking to build a strong team around quarterback Arch Manning.
There is significant pressure on Texas to make successful signings before the transfer window closes.
England cricketer Harry Brook has apologized after an incident with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand. The England and Wales Cricket Board fined him and warned him about his future behavior. Despite this, Brook will continue to lead the England team in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Key Facts
Harry Brook, England's white-ball cricket captain, was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand.
Brook was fined around £30,000 and received a final warning about his behavior.
He apologized publicly, acknowledging that his actions embarrassed himself and the England team.
The England and Wales Cricket Board dealt with the incident through a formal disciplinary process.
Despite the incident, Brook will remain captain for the T20 World Cup and the series in Sri Lanka.
England's off-field behavior has been under scrutiny during the recent Ashes series in Australia.
England lost the Ashes series 4-1 to Australia.
Brook's performance in the Ashes was below his usual standard, scoring 358 runs across 10 innings without a century.
Michigan is looking to recruit Quincy Porter, a highly-rated wide receiver from Ohio State, through the transfer portal. After losing key players and coaches, both Michigan and Ohio State face changes. Michigan was previously a top choice for Porter when he was in high school.
Key Facts
Michigan and Ohio State have a strong sports rivalry.
Ohio State recently defeated Michigan in their latest game.
Michigan lost several players to the transfer portal and fired head coach Sherrone Moore.
Ohio State also lost players and was eliminated from the playoffs by Miami.
Quincy Porter, a five-star wide receiver from Ohio State, plans to enter the transfer portal.
Michigan was one of Quincy Porter's top choices during his high school recruitment.
Several other universities, including Notre Dame and Washington, are interested in Quincy Porter.
