The St. Louis Cardinals are considering trading All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners. A proposed trade involves Donovan going to the Mariners for three of their top prospects: Jurrangelo Cijntje, Michael Arroyo, and Lazaro Montes. The Mariners need a new infielder due to recent losses in their lineup.
Key Facts
Brendan Donovan is currently with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Donovan was an All-Star player in the National League last year.
The Cardinals are considering trading Donovan as part of their rebuilding plan.
The Seattle Mariners are interested in Donovan to replace players lost in free agency.
A suggested trade would send Donovan to the Mariners in exchange for prospects Jurrangelo Cijntje, Michael Arroyo, and Lazaro Montes.
Cijntje is a switch-pitcher and ranked as the Mariners' No. 7 prospect.
Arroyo is a right-handed batter, which the Cardinals need more of.
The Mariners lost infielder Jorge Polanco and could lose Eugenio Suárez, creating openings Donovan could fill.
Several major baseball teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers, are interested in signing Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker. A sports writer suggested the San Francisco Giants should make a significant offer to Tucker as well. The Giants need an outfielder to improve their chances in their division and the postseason.
Key Facts
Kyle Tucker is a Chicago Cubs outfielder who is a free agent this offseason.
Tucker is expected to sign a contract worth over $300 million.
The Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers are top contenders for Tucker.
A sports writer recommended the San Francisco Giants offer Tucker a 10-year, $350 million contract.
The Giants need an outfielder to compete with the Dodgers in their division.
Tucker would join other strong players if signed by the Giants, boosting their team's performance.
The Giants have previously pursued high-profile players, suggesting they can afford Tucker.
Liam Rosenior is a top candidate to become Chelsea's manager. He previously worked with Wayne Rooney at Derby County and is currently managing Strasbourg. Rosenior has a coaching background in England, managing Hull City and serving as an assistant at Derby.
Key Facts
Liam Rosenior is being considered for the Chelsea manager position.
He worked as Wayne Rooney's assistant at Derby County in 2021 and 2022.
Rosenior is currently the manager at Strasbourg, a French football club.
Rosenior managed Hull City but was let go after almost reaching the play-offs.
Wayne Rooney praised Rosenior's coaching skills and experience.
Rosenior's last Premier League involvement as a player was with Brighton in 2017.
Enzo Maresca recently left his role as Chelsea's manager.
Rosenior's career as a player included stints with Fulham, Reading, and Hull City in the top English leagues.
Several Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, including the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants, are interested in signing free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger. The Yankees are considered the favorites to re-sign him, but the Cubs and other teams are also in the running.
Key Facts
Cody Bellinger is a free agent outfielder with strong defensive skills and hitting power.
The New York Yankees hope to re-sign Bellinger after a successful season.
The Chicago Cubs have shown interest in potentially signing Bellinger.
Other teams interested in Bellinger include the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants.
Teams competing for Bellinger might be willing to offer contracts close to $200 million.
It could be difficult for the Cubs to sign Bellinger due to interest from other big market teams.
The Yankees are currently seen as the frontrunners for Bellinger's signature.
Joe Root scored 160 runs for England in a cricket match against Australia. This helped England reach a total score of 384 in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney.
Key Facts
Joe Root scored 160 runs.
The match is part of the Ashes series, which is a cricket competition.
England's total score was 384 runs.
The game took place in Sydney, Australia.
It was the second day of the fifth match in the series.
The Texas Longhorns were expected to sign running back Isaac Brown from the transfer portal, but he chose to stay with Louisville and signed a new NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal. Brown was a top performer at Louisville, despite injuries. Texas now needs to look for other players to fill gaps in their team.
Key Facts
Isaac Brown, a top-ranked running back, decided to stay with the Louisville Cardinals.
Brown signed a new NIL deal at Louisville, allowing him to benefit from sponsorships.
Texas Longhorns hoped Brown would replace Quintrevion Wisner, who left via the transfer portal.
Brown was awarded the ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024.
Despite injuries in 2025, Brown was named third-team All-ACC.
Texas is now considering other players for their running back position, including options from NC State and Jacksonville State.
Texas is also seeking to strengthen other positions, like wide receiver and offensive line, as Arch Manning nears his final year with the team.
More than 80,000 stuffed toys were thrown onto the ice during an American Hockey League game in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The event happened after the Hershey Bears scored against the Rockford Ice Hogs. The toys will be given to over 60 local charities.
Key Facts
81,796 stuffed toys were tossed onto the ice.
The event took place at a hockey game in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
This event is known as the annual teddy bear toss.
The Hershey Bears played against the Rockford Ice Hogs.
The teddy bear toss has been held every year since 2001.
The toys will be distributed to more than 60 local charities.
In the fifth Test of the Ashes series, England's Jamie Smith got out in a surprising way against Australia's Marnus Labuschagne. His dismissal was criticized as one of the worst ever seen by commentators. The match is part of a disappointing series for Smith.
Key Facts
Jamie Smith was dismissed on the second morning of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia.
His dismissal was called "one of the worst" by BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew.
The play involved part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne, who usually bowls spin, using bouncers.
Smith attempted a risky shot, hitting the ball to the only fielder positioned to catch it.
Smith has had a difficult series, marked by poor form since scoring a high 184 runs in July against India.
His batting average dropped from nearly 59 to 42 over eight matches.
The incident took place in Sydney during a Test series where England struggled overall.
Jamie Smith, an England cricket player, was dismissed shortly before reaching a score of 50 runs during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Marnus Labuschagne, a part-time bowler for Australia, got Smith out, leaving England at a score of 323-6 just before lunch.
Key Facts
Jamie Smith played for England in the fifth Ashes Test.
Smith was close to scoring 50 runs but was out at 46.
Marnus Labuschagne bowled for Australia and got Smith out.
Scott Boland caught the ball, completing Smith's dismissal.
The event occurred just before lunch during the second day of the Test match.
Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn woke up from a medically induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis. Doctors are hopeful about his recovery as he is now able to talk and may soon leave intensive care.
Key Facts
Damien Martyn is a former Australian cricketer who played Test matches from 1992 to 2006.
He was admitted to a hospital in Queensland with meningitis on December 27.
Meningitis is a serious infection around the brain and spinal cord.
Martyn came out of a coma and started talking, showing significant improvement.
His condition has improved so much that doctors might move him from intensive care.
Martyn was successful in cricket, winning two World Cups with Australia.
He scored 4,406 runs in Test matches and 5,346 runs in one-day internationals.
Martyn's family and friend, Adam Gilchrist, expressed gratitude towards hospital staff and supporters.
The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-24, in a crucial Week 18 game that determined a playoff spot. The Ravens had a chance to win with a last-minute field goal, but rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard attempt. This loss ended the Ravens' season, while the Steelers moved on to the playoffs.
Key Facts
The Ravens lost to the Steelers with a final score of 26-24.
The game was crucial for both teams, determining who would advance to the playoffs.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.
The Steelers scored a late touchdown but missed the extra point, keeping the game close.
Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal attempt in the last moments of the game.
Derrick Henry, a running back, reacted with surprise to the missed kick.
The Steelers will play against the Houston Texans in the wild card round of the playoffs.
The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Seattle Seahawks, which means they will enter the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the NFC. They will face the No. 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild-Card Round on January 11. If they win, they could eventually play in the Super Bowl, which is set to take place at their home stadium, Levi’s Stadium.
Key Facts
The 49ers lost to the Seattle Seahawks with a score of 13-3.
This loss placed them as the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Their first playoff game is against the No. 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles on January 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The Super Bowl will be at Levi’s Stadium, home of the 49ers.
The 49ers need to win three straight games to play in the Super Bowl at home.
Their playoff path includes potentially playing the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks if the Green Bay Packers lose in their game against the Chicago Bears.
Brendan Sorsby, a highly-rated quarterback, decided to transfer to Texas Tech University. He reportedly received a significant one-year contract that may make him one of the highest-paid players in college football.
Key Facts
Brendan Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech, a university known for its football program.
Sorsby was the top player in the transfer portal, according to ESPN.
He had options to join Texas Tech or LSU, but chose Texas Tech.
Sorsby reportedly received a large contract, potentially more than $5 million.
Texas Tech's top booster, Cody Campbell, supported Sorsby's signing, using his financial resources.
The transfer portal period closes on January 16, 2026.
Sorsby’s decision occurred after considering offers over a weekend.
His transfer is part of Texas Tech's efforts to enhance their football team.
The Los Angeles Rams have secured a playoff spot as the No. 5 seed in the NFC. They will play against the No. 4 seed Carolina Panthers in the wild-card round. The game is scheduled for January 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. on Fox.
Key Facts
The Rams achieved the No. 5 seed by defeating the Arizona Cardinals.
They will face the Carolina Panthers, who are the NFC South champions.
The Carolina Panthers finished the season with an 8-9 record.
The Rams' playoff game against the Panthers is set for January 10, 2026.
If the Rams win, potential future opponents include the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, or Seattle Seahawks.
The NFC Championship Game is scheduled for January 25, 2026.
The Seattle Seahawks won a game against the San Francisco 49ers, securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC West. They will get to rest during the first round of the NFL playoffs and will play their next game in the divisional round against one of four possible opponents after the wild-card games.
Key Facts
The Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers 13-3 in Week 18.
This win gave them the No. 1 seed in the NFC West.
The Seahawks will have a first-round bye in the playoffs.
They will play at home for the divisional round.
Their possible opponents are the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, or Green Bay Packers.
The Seahawks' next game will be on January 17 or 18.
The playoffs start on January 10 and end with the Super Bowl on February 8.
The Cleveland Browns might try to sign wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers. Aiyuk, who had knee surgery, could leave the 49ers due to disagreements with the team. The Browns see Aiyuk as a potential help for quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the team's offense.
Key Facts
The Cleveland Browns finished the season with a 5-12 record.
The Browns are not expected to draft a quarterback, so they plan to support current quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Brandon Aiyuk is a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers.
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the 49ers but did not play in 2025 due to disagreements with the team.
Aiyuk had successful seasons in 2022 and 2023, each with over 1,000 receiving yards.
The 49ers might trade or release Aiyuk soon.
Aiyuk's addition could improve the Browns' receiving group and provide new options for their offense.
The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Seattle Seahawks, which stopped them from getting the top spot in the NFC playoffs. Now, the 49ers will play the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round on Sunday, January 11. The Eagles are slightly favored to win the game.
Key Facts
The 49ers needed one more win to get the No. 1 spot in the NFC playoffs.
They will play the Eagles instead of having a week off.
The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, and will be broadcast on Fox.
The Eagles are the No. 3 seed, while the 49ers are the sixth seed.
The Eagles opened as 3-point favorites, with the line moving to 3.5 points.
The 49ers have the seventh-ranked offense this season.
The Eagles have the 13th-best defense in the league.
Both teams have recently represented the NFC in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Buffalo Bills will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL playoffs' wild-card round as the No. 6 seed. The game will take place on January 11, and if the Bills win, their matchup in the divisional round will depend on the outcomes of other games.
Key Facts
The Buffalo Bills finished the regular season with a 12-5 record.
They are the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Bills will play the No. 3 seed Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round.
The game against the Jaguars is scheduled for January 11 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
If the Bills win, they will face the highest remaining seed in the divisional round unless certain other teams win their games.
The Bills cannot host a playoff game unless specific scenarios happen where lower-seeded teams win.
The Chicago Bears lost to the Detroit Lions with a score of 16-13. Caleb Williams, speaking after the game, said the team needs to improve before their upcoming playoff match against the Green Bay Packers.
Key Facts
The Chicago Bears lost to the Detroit Lions, 16-13.
Caleb Williams expressed that the team's performance was not good enough.
The Bears were down 16-0 at halftime but tied the game 16-16 in the second half.
Detroit won the game with a last-second field goal.
Caleb Williams threw for 212 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
The Bears struggled with their ground game, gaining only 54 yards.
The Lions controlled the ball for nearly 36 minutes of the game.
The Bears are the No. 2 seed in the NFL Playoffs and will face the Green Bay Packers next.
The Boston Red Sox have a need for a third baseman after Alex Bregman became a free agent. While they briefly considered Japanese player Kazuma Okamoto, they did not pursue him seriously. The Red Sox are now focusing on re-signing Bregman, especially since the Toronto Blue Jays are no longer in contention for him after signing Okamoto.
Key Facts
The Boston Red Sox need a third baseman because Alex Bregman is now a free agent.
Alex Bregman chose to test free agency after one season with the Red Sox.
The team considered Kazuma Okamoto, a Japanese baseball star, but did not make a substantial effort to sign him.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Kazuma Okamoto, reducing competition for Bregman.
Boston traded for players Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras this offseason.
The Red Sox now aim to re-sign Bregman on a long-term deal.
Other teams, such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, are also interested in Bregman.
