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 […...

Chris Archer Doesn't Expect To Be Traded

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer feels confident that he won't be traded before the start of the season. “I’ve talked to (GM) Erik (Neander) a lot and he’s made me feel pretty good about being with the Rays in 2018," Archer said. Archer has mostly been linked to the Cardinals this offseason, but […...

Vikings To Interview Darrell Bevell This Week

The Minnesota Vikings will interview former Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell for their vacant offensive coordinator position later this week. Bevell previously worked as Minnesota's offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2010, including a trip to the NFC Championship in 2009. With three impending free agents at quarterback -- Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater […...

Jose Martinez One To Watch In 2018

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jose Martinez hit .309/.379/.518 in 307 plate appearances in 2017, and although he doesn't have a clear path to playing time this season, there are reasons to believe his performance last year can be repeated. Despite the fact that he'll turn 30 this summer, Martinez had elite plate command in 2017. […...

Josh McCown Wants To Keep Playing

New York Jets impending free-agent quarterback Josh McCown, who will be 39 in 2018, said he wants to continue playing. He said he'd also like to return to the Jets. "Right now, that's how it's looking," McCown said when asked if he 100 percent wants to play. "At this time of the year, I go […...

Brewers Make Trade Offer For Christian Yelich

The Milwaukee Brewers have shown "strong interest" in Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich and have made a trade offer, according to a source. The Brewers are one of at least 15 teams to be interested in Yelich, and talks between Milwaukee and Miami aren't believed to have gotten very far Tuesday. Yelich is one of the […...

Norv Turner Won't Stop Cam Newton From Running

Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner said he won't stop quarterback Cam Newton from running in 2018. "I think that's a real threat to defenses. Defenses, they're really bothered by that. He's always got to have that as part of his game. He's always got to have the threat to run. Depending on who we're […...

Broncos Fine With Baker Mayfield's Height

Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said he wasn't concerned with Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield's height. "I think that’s fine. You watch Drew Brees play, he’s figured it out. He’s a very successful quarterback. Guys figure it out. Good players figure it out. I wouldn’t be concerned about that," Joseph said. The Broncos have reportedly […...

Derek Carr's Back Injury Bothered Him Throughout The Year

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (back) said the three transverse process fractures he suffered in his back in Week 4 against the Broncos affected him throughout the season. He was originally expected to miss two to four weeks, but Carr ended up only missing one game. “I had to deal with it,” Carr said. “I […...

Tigers Sign Alexi Amarista

The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent infielder Alexi Amarista to a minor league deal Tuesday, according to a source. The Little Ninja is mainly useful for his positional versatility, and he figures to perform as a super-utility player for the rebuilding Tigers. Amarista hit just .238 with the Rockies in 2017 in 96 games, and he […...

Lance Lynn, Alex Cobb May Wait For Yu Darvish To Sign

Free-agent starting pitchers Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb could wait for free-agent starters Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta to sign before they land deals. Both Lynn and Cobb appear to be fallback options for teams that lose out on Darvish and Arrieta. Arrieta, who is the consensus No. 2 starter on the market behind Darvish, […...

Ryan Day Expected To Stay In College Ranks

Ohio State co-offensive coordinator Ryan Day, who is a candidate for the Titans offensive coordinator position, is expected to remain at Ohio State, according to a source. The Titans have chosen Mike Vrabel as their next head coach, and the offensive coordinator position is the next one to be filled. Tennessee will be looking for […...

Blake Bortles Would Like To Return

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles said he would like to return in 2018. "I would be thrilled to be able to stay here and play here. Hopefully that can happen," Bortles said. His fifth-year option is only guaranteed for injury, so there is a chance they could move on. If Bortles is back under center […...

Mets Not Discussing Bartolo Colon

The New York Mets are not discussing free-agent starting pitcher Bartolo Colon, according to at least two members of the team's front office. “You never know, things could change, but it’s not something I see happening,” one source said. “It’s not a name I’ve been hearing.” Colon pitched three seasons for the Mets and would […...

Yu Darvish Has Five-Year Offer On The Table

Free-agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish has at least one five-year offer on the table from an undisclosed team, according to a source. The Cubs, Twins, Rangers, Dodgers and Brewers are all believed to be interested in signing Darvish. While the Japanese right-hander struggled against the Astros in the World Series, he remains the best starter […...

Jerick McKinnon Prefers Lead-Back Role

Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent running back Jerick McKinnon said he would ideally like to go somewhere where he can be the featured running back. “I want bigger and better things for myself. We’ll see what happens," McKinnon said. It makes sense considering McKinnon set career highs in rushing yardage (570), rushing touchdowns (three), receptions (51) […...