Mark Appel Stepping Away From Baseball

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Mark Appel and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft (ahead of Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant) is stepping away from baseball after struggling for several seasons. The 26-year-old right-hander said he's taking an "indefinite break" after posting a 5.60 ERA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2017. He has […]

Mets Still Unlikely To Sign Bartolo Colon

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said it's still unlikely that the team signs free-agent starting pitcher Bartolo Colon, even to a minor league deal. The 44-year-old veteran pitcher would only like to play for the Mets for one more season, but it appears that they won't give him that opportunity. The right-hander was […]

Brewers Still In Contact With Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb

The Milwaukee Brewers remain in contact with free-agent starting pitchers Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn, although free-agent starter Yu Darvish is at the top of their wish list. However, there aren't believed to be any offers out to Arrieta and Cobb. Milwaukee is clearly going for it in the competitive National League Central […]

Phillies Sign Adam Rosales

The Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent infielder Adam Rosales to a minor league deal that will pay him $1.75 million if he makes the big league roster. Rosales will be invited to spring training. The veteran utility player will attempt to serve in a utility role on the infield for the rebuilding Phillies. In 105 games […]

Tom Brady Practicing Wednesday

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (hand) practiced with black tape on his right hand Wednesday, according to AFC practice pool reporter Nicki Jhabvala. Brady was removed from the team's injury report last week, and he'll be all systems go for the Super Bowl against the Eagles this Sunday. After torching both Tennessee and Jacksonville, […]

Brett Anderson An Option For Blue Jays

There is mutual interest between free-agent pitcher Brett Anderson and the Toronto Blue Jays, but the Blue Jays will likely aim higher on the free-agent market for now. Anderson could be an option for the back end of the starting rotation, but the left-hander has made just 20-plus starts only twice in nine seasons. In […]

Todd Monken To Be Full-Time Offensive Coordinator

Todd Monken, previously the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach, will serve as the full-time offensive coordinator in 2018, according to head coach Dirk Koetter. However, Koetter will continue to call plays on offense during games. Offensive assistant Skyler Fulton has been promoted to receivers coach. Tampa ranked 18th in the NFL in 2017 with […]

Tigers Sign Travis Wood

The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent pitcher Travis Wood to a minor league deal Monday, according to the Tigers. In 39 games (14 starts) for the Royals and Padres in 2017, Wood boasted an ugly 6.80 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and only 65 strikeouts in 94 innings. the soon-to-be 31-year-old southpaw doesn't have much left at the […]

Raiders Hiring Brian Callahan

The Oakland Raiders are hiring former Lions quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan as their quarterbacks coach, according to a source. Callahan is rising in the ranks of assistant coaches, and he'll be tasked with working alongside new head coach Jon Gruden to improve quarterback Derek Carr after his disappointing 2017 season. There's a good chance Carr […]

Benardrick McKinney Plans To Drop Weight

Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney plans to drop around 10 pounds in the offseason. McKinney posted 95 combined tackles in 2017 after recording 129 combined tackles in 2016, and he also recorded just three sacks. He's not much of a pass rusher, but McKinney is excellent in run defense and is a core player for […]

Baker Mayfield In Play For The Browns

After impressing during Senior Bowl practices this week, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is squarely in play for the Cleveland Browns at the top overall pick in this year's draft. Mayfield's skills on the field have left many to think that the Browns will have a debate between Mayfield and USC quarterback Sam Darnold with the […]

Browns Not Turned Off By Josh Allen's Senior Bowl Practices

Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey insisted that Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen's airball pass at Senior Bowl practice this week didn't faze him. NFL talent evaluators agreed that Allen was inconsistent in practice Wednesday, but he was more impressive in the red zone and during goal-line drills on Thursday. Despite Allen's inconsistencies (56.3 career completion […]

Matt Kemp Not In Dodgers Plans

It's become obvious that the Los Angeles Dodgers have no intention of keeping outfielder Matt Kemp on their active roster to begin the regular season, and they will instead continue to look for a trade partner. The Dodgers have targeted "three or four" potential landing spots for Kemp, according to someone closer to the situation. […]

Amir Garrett Feeling Stronger After Surgery

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Amir Garrett (hip), who finished 3-8 with a 7.39 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 14 starts in 2017, said he feels stronger after undergoing right hip surgery. He received platelet-rich plasma and stem-cell injections in his hip as well. "It helped a lot. I feel a lot stronger and stuff now. […]

Mets Starters Healthy Leading Up To Spring Training

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said starting pitchers Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler have shown good results in their respective throwing programs, and each are expected to be full participants when spring workouts start Feb. 14. That doesn't mean that the Mets won't be careful with each pitcher's […]

Mets Not Expected To Name Closer Before Season

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway doesn't plan on naming a specific closer in spring training. Relief pitchers Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos, Anthony Swarzak and Jerry Blevins are all suited for high-leverage situations. "I don't think we're going to name a closer to start the season," Callaway told MLB.com in a telephone interview. "If there […]

Jets Expected To Hire Rick Dennison

The New York Jets are expected to hire Bills former offensive coordinator Rick Dennison as their run-game coordinator/offensive line coach, according to a league source. The addition of Dennison for the Jets would be a positive development, as Buffalo was very successful on the ground in 2017 on their way to a playoff berth. However, […]

Chiefs Hiring Mike Kafka To Work With Quarterbacks

The Kansas City Chiefs are hiring Mike Kafka as their new quarterbacks coach Friday. Kafka will be tasked with working with Patrick Mahomes, as the team is expected to move on from Alex Smith this offseason. Kafka played under head coach Andy Reid for two seasons with the Eagles and joined Kansas City last year […]

Earl Thomas Willing To Hold Out For New Deal

Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas would like to finish his career with the team, and he's confident they can work out another contract extension, but he would be willing to hold out to get one. "As far as my future in Seattle, I think if they want me, you know, money talks. We'll get something […]

Rams Would Like To Re-Sign Sammy Watkins

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead said the team would like to re-sign impending free-agent wide receiver Sammy Watkins this offseason. If a long-term deal cannot be reached, placing the franchise or transition tag on Watkins is an option. “A goal of ours is to keep that (wide receiver) group together because a lot […]

Miguel Cabrera Unlikely To Be Traded

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila doesn't see it as likely that the club will trade first baseman Miguel Cabrera amidst their rebuild. "That's hard to predict as far as Miggy's concerned,'' Avila said. "That's a huge contract, and those kind of contracts are not usually moved or easily moved.'' Cabrera had the worst season […]

Michael Fulmer, Victor Martinez On Track For Spring Training

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (elbow) and designated hitter Victor Martinez (heart) are expected to be at full strength for spring training. Fulmer had elbow surgery in September and Martinez had a surgical procedure to fix an irregular heartbeat around the same time. "He's thrown out to 180 feet with no restrictions and no […]

Justin Hardy Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (shoulder) underwent right shoulder surgery and is expected to face a recovery of "a few weeks," according to a source. Hardy had only 20 receptions for 221 yards and three touchdowns in Atlanta's offense in 2017. In what will be his final year of his rookie deal in 2018, […]

Jaguars Could Cut Allen Hurns

The Jacksonville Jaguars could decide to cut wide receiver Allen Hurns this offseason in order to create $7 million in salary cap space. The team could also ask Hurns to renegotiate his deal and take a pay cut. Hurns has been an injury risk the last two years in Jacksonville, playing just 21 games. He […]

Marqise Lee Not Expected To Re-Sign

Jacksonville Jaguars impending free-agent wide receiver Marqise Lee isn't expected to re-sign with the team this offseason. Lee played 64.4 percent of the offensive snaps in 2017 and led the team in catches (56) and was second to rookie Keelan Cole with 702 receiving yards. The only way the Jags would likely re-sign Lee is […]

Saints Want Drew Brees Back

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said they haven't started negotiations on a new deal for impending free-agent quarterback Drew Brees, but the Saints want him back. Loomis said, “We want him to be our quarterback, and we’ll get going on that at some point.” Brees said last week that he doesn't plan on […]

Rob Gronkowski Not Ready To Practice

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (concussion) wouldn't have practiced if the team had worked out on Wednesday. The Patriots are taking it slow with Gronk after he took a hit to the helmet late in the second quarter of the AFC title game against the Jaguars and didn't return. Gronkowski has more than […]

Tom Brady No Longer On Injury Report

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (hand) has been removed from the team's injury report. Brady had a bandage over his hand in the AFC title win over the Jaguars, but his hand didn't seem to hold him back at all during his masterful comeback in which he went 26-for-38 for 290 yards and two […]

Carlos Gomez Interested In Re-Signing

Free-agent outfielder Carlos Gomez is interested in re-signing with the Texas Rangers, and he rode a helicopter Tuesday across the island of the Dominican Republic to meet with general manager Jon Daniels. The 32-year-old Gomez hit only .255 with a .340 on-base percentage and .802 OPS in 105 games with the Rangers in 2017 and […]

Brian Callahan To Interview With Titans and Jets

Former Detroit Lions quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan will interview for the offensive coordinator positions with the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets, according to a source. Callahan played a big role in the improvement of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford over the last few seasons, and he previously had a long stint with the Broncos when […]