The New York Yankees signed pitcher Bradley Hanner to a minor league contract. Hanner, known for his effective pitch called a "sweeper," will join the team for spring training to compete for a spot in the major leagues.
Key Facts
The Yankees signed right-handed pitcher Bradley Hanner to a minor league contract.
Hanner was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2019.
He played up to Triple-A level but hasn't yet played in a major league game.
In 2022, Hanner joined the Cleveland Guardians organization.
Hanner's pitching includes a "sweeper," a type of pitch noted for its movement.
The Yankees have invited Hanner to spring training in 2023.
New York's bullpen struggled last postseason and lost players Luke Weaver and Devin Williams in free agency.
The Indiana Hoosiers football team had a successful 2025 season, winning the Big Ten title and earning the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff. Head coach Curt Cignetti was named Coach of the Year, and quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy. The team has secured contracts with key coaching staff ahead of upcoming playoff games.
Key Facts
Indiana Hoosiers completed a perfect season in 2025.
They defeated Ohio State to win the Big Ten title.
Curt Cignetti won Coach of the Year.
Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy.
Indiana is the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Indiana secured new contracts with defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan.
This is Indiana's first Big Ten title since 1967.
The Hoosiers set new records for touchdowns and points scored.
The Toronto Blue Jays are actively pursuing top free agents in Major League Baseball's offseason, focusing on signing outfielder Kyle Tucker. They recently hosted Tucker for a visit, making them a strong contender among a few interested teams, including the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Blue Jays are seeking to enhance their roster after a strong performance in the previous World Series.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays have shown interest in signing outfielder Kyle Tucker, a four-time All-Star.
The Blue Jays have signed pitchers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce and acquired submariner Tyler Rogers.
Other interested teams for Tucker include the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers are not expected to offer a long-term deal to Tucker.
The Blue Jays may also consider re-signing their current shortstop, Bo Bichette.
The Mets face challenges due to their current roster needs and financial commitments.
Toronto recently hosted Tucker for a visit, indicating their strong interest.
The Dallas Cowboys are making a coaching change as they struggle to make the playoffs. Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus will now call plays from the coaching booth instead of the sidelines for the final games of the season. The Cowboys need to win all their remaining games to have a chance at the playoffs.
Key Facts
The Dallas Cowboys have a season record of 6–7–1.
They recently lost two games in a row, including a 34–26 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Cowboys' defense is allowing an average of 29.1 points per game, which is the fourth-highest in the NFL.
Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus will call plays from the coaching booth to gain a better view of the game.
The Cowboys traded for two defensive players this season: Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson.
Projections show that the Cowboys have less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs.
To make the playoffs, the Cowboys need to win all their remaining games and have the Philadelphia Eagles lose their last three games.
The Philadelphia Phillies might trade their reliever Matt Strahm as the value of bullpen pitchers rises. Strahm, who performed well last season, could be a popular target among teams due to his experience and contract situation.
Key Facts
The Phillies signed Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million deal.
Reliever Matt Strahm is likely to be traded by the Phillies.
Strahm pitched in 66 games last season with a 2.74 ERA and 70 strikeouts.
He was an All-Star in 2024, recording a 1.87 ERA that year.
Strahm's current contract has a $7.5 million vested option for next year.
Many teams are interested in left-handed relievers like Strahm.
A strong market for relievers could lead to a bidding war for Strahm.
Brennan Johnson, a forward for Tottenham, might leave the club if they receive a good offer. Although Tottenham is not actively trying to sell him, other teams, including Crystal Palace, are interested in him. Johnson has played less this season under the new coach.
Key Facts
Tottenham is open to selling Brennan Johnson if they get a suitable offer.
Crystal Palace is very interested in Johnson, with other clubs also watching.
Johnson was Tottenham's top Premier League scorer last season with 11 goals.
He scored the winning goal in the Europa League final against Manchester United.
Johnson has made only six starts this season under new coach Thomas Frank.
Johnson joined Tottenham from Nottingham Forest for £47.5 million in 2023.
He has scored a total of 27 goals for Tottenham.
A possible World Cup with Wales might make a transfer attractive for Johnson.
"College GameDay," a popular ESPN show, will feature celebrity guest pickers during the College Football Playoff matchups. Oklahoma football legend Brian Bosworth will appear on Friday, and former quarterback Johnny Manziel will appear on Saturday. The show has seen significant growth in viewership.
Key Facts
"College GameDay" will broadcast during the College Football Playoff.
The first game is between Oklahoma Sooners and Alabama Crimson Tide.
Brian Bosworth will be a guest on Friday’s show for the Oklahoma game.
Johnny Manziel will feature on Saturday's show for the Texas A&M game.
The show is popular and reached its highest viewership this year.
It averaged 2.7 million viewers, a 22% increase from the previous season.
The New York Mets are in need of strong starting pitchers and are interested in signing Michael King. The Mets would prefer to make a short-term deal with King, who had a good season with the San Diego Padres in 2024 but faced injuries last year. A short-term contract aligns with the team's strategy and allows future pitchers to develop.
Key Facts
The Mets want to strengthen their starting rotation with top-level pitchers.
They aim to sign pitchers on short-term contracts rather than long-term deals.
Michael King, a pitcher from the San Diego Padres, is considered a potential target.
King had a 2.95 ERA in 2024 and finished seventh in the Cy Young Award race.
He faced injuries last season with a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts.
King's limited experience as a starter might make a short-term deal attractive.
The Mets' short-term plan would support their long-term pitching development strategy.
The article discusses predictions for NFL Week 16 games, providing picks against the spread for each matchup. It highlights key games like the Seahawks vs. Rams and the Buccaneers vs. Panthers, and includes information on team records and injuries. The analysis is aimed at guiding sports betting decisions.
Key Facts
NFL Week 16 includes key matchups like Seahawks vs. Rams, Eagles vs. Commanders, and Buccaneers vs. Panthers.
The Seahawks and Rams both have records of 11-3; their game may decide the top seed in the NFC.
The Eagles recently ended a losing streak and are facing the Commanders, who have lost 8 of their last 9 games.
The Packers are missing key players, including linebacker Micah Parsons, due to injuries.
The Buccaneers and Panthers are both 7-7, and their game is crucial for deciding the NFC South division leader.
The Bills are favored by 10 points against the Browns, who have struggled this season with a 3-11 record.
The article discusses a proposed trade involving New York Yankees player Jazz Chisholm Jr. and two Cincinnati Reds players, Brady Singer and Matt McLain. This trade is considered because Chisholm might be more valuable as a trade asset for the Yankees to strengthen their chances of winning a championship.
Key Facts
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is a player for the New York Yankees.
There is talk of potentially trading Chisholm in the offseason.
The proposed trade involves the Cincinnati Reds.
Reds players involved in the trade proposal are Brady Singer, a pitcher, and Matt McLain, a second baseman.
Brady Singer has been consistent, making 32 starts with a 4.03 ERA.
Matt McLain had shoulder surgery and could be a promising player for the Yankees if he returns to form.
The trade aims to help the Yankees in their goal to win a championship.
The article mentions that this trade idea is hypothetical and not confirmed as being discussed.
Cody Bellinger, a well-known baseball player, is being pursued by several teams, including the New York Yankees and his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. If the Yankees do not sign him, there are suggestions he could join the New York Mets, who are interested in his defensive skills and hitting ability.
Key Facts
Cody Bellinger is currently a free agent and several baseball teams are interested in signing him.
The New York Yankees want to re-sign him, but other teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are also interested.
Bellinger used to play for the Dodgers and won an MVP Award during his time there.
The Dodgers have many star players, making them an attractive option for Bellinger.
The New York Mets are looking to improve their team and see Bellinger as a strong addition, especially since they traded Brandon Nimmo and lost Pete Alonso.
Bellinger is known for his excellent defensive skills and strong hitting, making him a valuable player.
The Mets may offer more money than the Dodgers to sign Bellinger, showing their serious interest in him.
Arsenal will face Chelsea in the Women's Champions League quarter-final if they beat Leuven in the play-offs. Chelsea has already qualified for the quarter-finals, along with Barcelona, Lyon, and Bayern Munich. The play-off games are scheduled for February, with the quarter-finals in March and April.
Key Facts
Arsenal must beat Leuven to face Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League.
Chelsea automatically qualified for the quarter-finals by finishing in the top four.
Manchester United will play Atletico Madrid in their play-off match.
Lyon and Barcelona are also in the quarter-finals, on the same side of the draw as Chelsea and Arsenal.
The two-legged play-off matches occur on February 11-12 and February 18-19.
Quarter-final matches will take place on March 24-25 and April 1-2.
Arsenal won against Leuven 3-0, and Manchester United won against Atletico previously in the league stage.
The Atlanta Braves have been identified as a "dark horse" in the offseason by sports analyst Bob Nightengale because of their strategic signings. They added relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias, as well as relievers Danny Young and Robert Suarez, to strengthen their bullpen. The team also signed position players Mike Yastrzemski and Ha-Seong Kim for additional depth.
Key Facts
The Braves signed Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million contract on November 19.
Relievers Danny Young and Robert Suarez joined the Braves in December.
Danny Young is recovering from Tommy John surgery and will return mid-2026.
Robert Suarez signed a three-year, $45 million contract and has been a standout closer for the Padres.
The Braves added outfielder Mike Yastrzemski and shortstop Ha-Seong Kim to strengthen their lineup.
The team might look for a powerful designated hitter to improve their mid-level offense from 2025.
Ohio State is preparing for the College Football Playoff but has received news that wide receiver Bryson Rodgers will transfer to another college team. Bryson Rodgers, who joined Ohio State as a highly-rated recruit, struggled to secure a significant playing role and has decided to enter the transfer portal.
Key Facts
Ohio State is getting ready for the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State won the national championship last season.
Bryson Rodgers, an Ohio State wide receiver, plans to transfer to another team.
Rodgers was ranked as the No. 51 wide receiver in his class.
He appeared in 20 games for Ohio State, catching 11 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Rodgers has two years left to play in college football.
Ohio State has strong upcoming talent, including Jeremiah Smith and Chris Henry Jr.
The University of Michigan is searching for a new coach after firing Sherrone Moore due to an internal investigation. Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has been mentioned as a possible candidate, but he states that he is focused on his current NFL role. Michigan is also considering other notable college coaches.
Key Facts
Michigan dismissed its coach, Sherrone Moore, after an internal investigation resulting in criminal allegations.
The university is now searching for a new coach and has included NFL and college candidates.
Tommy Rees, Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator, has been linked to the Michigan coaching job.
Rees said he is focused on his job with the Browns, despite speculation.
Rees joined the Browns in 2024 and became their offensive coordinator in 2025.
Under Rees, the Browns' offense has shown improvement with rookie players stepping up.
Michigan is looking at other college coaches, such as Kalen DeBoer and Kenny Dillingham, among others.
Alabama's football team is preparing for a College Football Playoff game against Oklahoma. The team faces distractions due to their head coach, Kalen DeBoer, being mentioned in coaching rumors, and their quarterback, Ty Simpson, possibly considering an NFL future. Analyst Joel Klatt warns that these distractions could impact Alabama's performance in the upcoming game.
Key Facts
Alabama will play against Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff.
The game will take place in Norman, Oklahoma, making it an away game for Alabama.
Alabama's head coach, Kalen DeBoer, is rumored to be in talks with Michigan for a coaching position.
Kalen DeBoer has denied being in discussions with other football programs.
Alabama's starting quarterback, Ty Simpson, may leave for the NFL, creating uncertainty for the team.
Joel Klatt, a Fox Sports analyst, suggests these distractions could affect Alabama's focus and performance.
In a recent game between Alabama and Oklahoma, Oklahoma won by a narrow margin of 23-21.
Ty Simpson's recent performance has been under scrutiny, with challenges in maintaining a high level of play.
Marcus Freeman, the head coach at Notre Dame, is being considered for NFL coaching positions as the season ends. Notre Dame is negotiating a new contract with Freeman to ensure he stays, showing their commitment by offering competitive pay. Currently, Freeman has a record of 43 wins and 12 losses as Notre Dame's head coach.
Key Facts
Marcus Freeman is head coach of the Notre Dame football team.
Freeman is being linked to potential NFL coaching jobs.
Notre Dame did not participate in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Some notable players are planning to enter the NFL in 2026.
LSU, Penn State, and Florida contacted Freeman during the season.
Freeman might leave for the NFL but is not interested in other college jobs except Ohio State.
Notre Dame is optimistic about finalizing a new deal with Freeman by January 1.
Notre Dame aims to make him one of the highest-paid college coaches without a national championship.
Freeman's current coaching record at Notre Dame is 43-12.
Mohun Bagan, an Indian football club, has been banned from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions for not traveling to Iran for a match, and they must pay over $100,000. They cited safety and insurance concerns for their refusal. The club is considering appealing the AFC's decision.
Key Facts
Mohun Bagan was removed from AFC competitions until the 2027-28 season.
They must pay a fine of $50,000 and additional damages totaling $50,729.
The club's refusal to travel to Iran was due to safety and medical insurance concerns.
The AFC declared their matches null and void after they didn’t travel.
Mohun Bagan first asked to move the match to a neutral location, but the request was denied.
The club has players from countries advising against travel to Iran.
Mohun Bagan had previously skipped a match in Iran in 2024 due to security issues.
England cricket player Ollie Pope is struggling in the Ashes series against Australia. His recent performance raises concerns about his place in the England team.
Key Facts
Ollie Pope was dismissed early on day two of the third Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide.
Pope started the series confidently but has struggled in recent matches.
Recent dismissals include being caught off Scott Boland's delivery and driving a ball to mid-off from Nathan Lyon.
Pope's batting average at number three has dropped below 40 for the first time since 2022.
England's captain, Ben Stokes, has previously defended Pope, highlighting his potential and average.
Pope's standout career moment was scoring 196 against India in Hyderabad in February 2024.
Recent form shows a decline, with an average of 28.83 runs per dismissal.
Scottie Scheffler has signed an agreement to become a golf ambassador for Huntington Bank, which is a big financial company in the U.S. The partnership will include Scheffler featuring Huntington branding and supporting its sports marketing efforts, especially in golf. Scheffler has had prior banking support from Veritex Community Bank, which merged with Huntington.
Key Facts
Scottie Scheffler is now the lead golf ambassador for Huntington Bank.
Huntington Bank is a significant financial company with $223 billion in assets.
The deal includes Scheffler displaying Huntington branding on his golf bag.
Scheffler will continue to support charities such as Behind Every Door and College Golf Fellowship.
Huntington aims to strengthen its presence in golf and expand its sports marketing.
The bank has a history of supporting golf events like the Memorial Tournament and the 3M Open.
Scheffler’s agreement reflects Huntington's push to become a trusted financial brand in golf.
Scheffler is a leading figure on the PGA Tour and has major endorsements with companies like Nike and TaylorMade.
