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Yankees avoid arbitration with Camilo Doval for 2026 MLB season

The Yankees have avoided arbitration with reliever Camilo Doval, who will earn $6.1 million this upcoming season, according to multiple reports.

There are six other arbitration-eligible players with 2026 salaries not yet reported: infielders Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Volpe, and Jose Caballero, starter Luis Gil, and relievers David Bednar, Fernando Cruz, and Jake Bird.

MLB Trade Rumors projects a $10.2 million salary for Chisholm, mentioned as a potential trade candidate this offseason and slated to become a free agent after the 2026 campaign. 

Bednar ($9 million projected) will also be eligible for free agency next winter, while Volpe ($3.9 million projected), Gil ($2.1 million projected), Cruz ($1.3 million projected), and Bird ($1 million projected) still have three years of team control. 

Caballero ($1.9 million projected) is the lone player with two-plus years of MLB service logged.

The Yankees avoided arbitration with two players back in November, signing right-hander Clarke Schmidt and utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera to one-year contracts worth $4.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

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Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool: Premier League – as it happened

Arsenal moved six points clear after a goalless game of two halves against the reigning champions

“Arsenal have been annoyingly composed and consistent over the winter holidays and into the new year,” writes Peter Oh, “but I’m an optimist and haven’t given up hope of an imminent ‘Oh Arsenal!’ extended dip in form.

“Preferably starting today.”

Commentating on the Brugge v Arsenal game, Martin Keown reckoned that Arsenal were benefitting from having three quarters of the Spanish midfield with Merino and Zubimendi, which immediately impressed on me the importance of ruthless precision and accidental comedy for those hoping to make it at the business end of the #punditry game.

Niche, but somehow I thought you’d appreciate it. If you’re explaining, etc.

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Pirates make a rare free agency splash, finalizing 2-year, $29M deal with 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn

PITTSBURG — Ryan O’Hearn finalized a two-year, $29 million deal with Pittsburgh, the Pirates’ first multi-year free agent agreement nearly in a decade.

The left-handed first baseman and outfielder is coming off the best season of his big league career. O’Hearn hit .281 with 17 home runs and 63 RBIs in 2025 and made the All-Star team for the first time while playing for Baltimore and San Diego.

The rare splurge by the Pirates is their second significant acquisition in less than a week. Pittsburgh acquired two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from Tampa Bay on Dec. 19 as part of a three-team deal that included sending starting pitcher Mike Burrows to Houston.

Pittsburgh has vowed to build around a pitching staff that includes reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes and rookie Bubba Chandler. The Pirates are coming off a 71-91 season in which the offense finished at or near the bottom of the majors in most significant statistical categories, including runs and home runs.

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Randy Arozarena and Mariners agree to 1-year, $15.65 million contract, avoid arbitration

SEATTLE — Outfielder Randy Arozarena and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a one-year, $15.65 million contract, a raise from $11.3 million last year.

Arozarena, 30, is on track to be eligible for free agency after the World Series.

Acquired from Tampa Bay in July 2024, he hit .238 with a career-high 27 homers and had 76 RBIs and a .760 OPS in his first full season with the Mariners.

A seven-year big league veteran and two-time All-Star, Arozarena has a .250 average with 118 homers and 390 RBIs. He was MVP on the 2020 AL Championship Series.

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The mediocre Ashes: England arrived as a rabble and Australia weren’t much better | Geoff Lemon

Australia were there for the taking but Brendon McCullum’s tourists were so poor and ill-prepared they never got close

As far as endings go, it ended nicely. People streamed on to the Sydney Cricket Ground, wanting to get close to the trophy presentation and to have a canter on the turf. Nothing thrills an audience more than a chance to walk the stage. On a sun-kissed blue-heaven day, the match had finished early enough to leave plenty of afternoon to spare. Later Usman Khawaja soaked that up with his own crowd of family and friends, on his last day as a Test player.

These endings are supposed to signal the close of something momentous. Another Ashes wrapped up, another chapter in the rivalry written. Still, once it was done, the whole thing felt like it had been more hole than doughnut.

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Mets avoid arbitration with David Peterson and Tylor Megill for 2026 MLB season

The Mets have avoided arbitration with David Peterson, who will earn $8.1 million for the 2026 MLB season, per multiple reports.

New York has also avoided arbitration with Tylor Megill, agreeing to a $2.5 million deal for 2026, per Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

In addition to Peterson and Megill, the club has reportedly reached agreements with five other arbitration-eligible players: Francisco Alvarez ($2.4 million), Luis Torrens ($2.275 million), Reed Garrett ($1.3 million), Huascar Brazoban ($1.05 million), and Tyrone Taylor.

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Phils set to meet with Bo Bichette as interest intensifies

Phils set to meet with Bo Bichette as interest intensifies originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies’ reported interest in Bo Bichette is moving forward.

According to Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the club is set to meet with the free-agent infielder. Jon Heyman of the New York Post, who first reported Philadelphia’s interest last Saturday, added Thursday that the meeting is scheduled for Monday.

The timing is notable. The report comes just days after the Phillies hired Don Mattingly as their bench coach. Mattingly and Bichette formed a strong working relationship in Toronto, and Heyman acknowledges this dynamic as a significant factor in Philadelphia’s pursuit.

Bichette, 27, is one of the top remaining position players on the free-agent market. Heyman reported Thursday that the Florida-native is “thought” to be seeking a deal in the $300 million range, which could get tricky given the current state of the Phillies’ payroll.

Offensively, he’s one of the steadiest infielders in the game. In 2025, Bichette hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs, finishing second in the majors with 44 doubles. He missed the final 20 games of the regular season due to a left knee injury but returned in the World Series, where he hit .348 with a home run and six RBIs — including a long homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7.

Defensively, the questions remain. Bichette has spent his entire career at shortstop and struggled at the position last season, recording minus-13 Outs Above Average, one of the lowest marks in baseball.

Second base appears to be the most likely fit in Philadelphia. Bichette logged his first career innings at the position during the World Series. That defensive flexibility is central to the club’s interest, especially with Trea Turner entrenched at shortstop.

From a roster standpoint, signing Bichette would force decisions elsewhere. Alec Bohm remains the most obvious trade candidate. The 29-year-old is entering his final year before free agency and will earn $10.2 million (per Gelb). 

A Bryson Stott trade seems unlikely. He brings defensive value and the versatility to move to third base — a position he last played in 2022. Bringing Bichette aboard would also complicate a reunion with free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto.

The Phillies have not indicated that Bichette is a top priority, but the scheduled meeting signals legitimate interest. With a thin free-agent infielder class and a lineup still seeking right-handed balance, Bichette checks a number of boxes.

Whether the Phillies are willing to reshape the roster to make it work will become clearer after Monday.

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Report: Maple Leafs Almost Traded Easton Cowan, Ben Danford For Blues' Brayden Schenn At Last Year's Trade Deadline

The Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly almost moved Easton Cowan and defensive prospect Ben Danford to the St. Louis Blues last March in a trade for Brayden Schenn.

According to Nick Kypreos, who wrote about this in columns for Sportsnet and the Toronto Star, the Maple Leafs had nearly traded the two prospects to the Blues before St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong decided against it.

"Last year, Easton Cowan was pushed as a trade chip in an effort to try and obtain Brayden Schenn, but Cowan’s going to be hard to put into play again this season. However, depending on what the return is, we can’t rule out the possibility," Kypreos wrote on Sportsnet.ca.

In his column with the Toronto Star, Kypreos added: "Cowan was close to being sent to the Blues last season in a package with defence prospect Ben Danford to bring back Brayden Schenn, who the Leafs desperately wanted to go head to head with Panthers bruiser Sam Bennett in the playoffs. But word is it was St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong who was reluctant to pull the trigger.

"Maybe Cowan could be used as trade bait this season. Danford, one of their goalies and spare scraps in the AHL could be, too. But even then, it’s hard to see the Leafs being able to add a scoring winger or puck-moving defenceman who can significantly help them."

Ahead of last year's trade deadline, Toronto was looking to bolster its center depth. They were looking for a bottom-six player who could play down the middle. Eventually, they acquired Scott Laughton (plus two later round picks) from the Philadelphia Flyers for prospect Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional first-round pick.

In another move, the Maple Leafs moved then-prospect Fraser Minten and a first-round pick to the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Brandon Carlo.

Had Schenn joined Toronto, he would've been a Craig Berube favorite after the two won a Stanley Cup together with St. Louis in 2019. Schenn is in the sixth season of an eight-year, $52 million contract, which carries an annual average value of $6.5 million.

The 34-year-old has nine goals and 18 points in 44 games with the Blues this season.

'It Was Between Florida And Toronto': Panthers' Brad Marchand Reveals Signing With Maple Leafs Was Possibility If He Hit Free Agency'It Was Between Florida And Toronto': Panthers' Brad Marchand Reveals Signing With Maple Leafs Was Possibility If He Hit Free AgencyMarchand added on Tuesday that, despite Toronto's strong play as of late, it was unfortunate to see that the fans "ran" Mitch Marner out of town.

It would've been fascinating to see how the Maple Leafs would've looked had they made this trade.

Cowan is well-liked by Berube, who currently has him on a third line with Nicolas Roy and Nick Robertson. The trio has developed quite a chemistry since coming together, and have combined for nine points in their four games as a line.

The 20-year-old has five goals and 12 points in 31 games this season.

Danford, who was the other prospect reportedly thrown into the possible trade, just finished up the World Juniors with Team Canada, where he won a bronze medal and was primarily a third-pairing defenseman. He tallied one assist in seven games.

The 19-year-old impressed many Maple Leafs at the NHL camp last fall and is arguably Toronto's number-one prospect now that Cowan has moved on to the NHL. Danford is in his final year of the OHL, currently on a strong Brantford Bulldogs team with Memorial Cup hopes.

Maple Leafs reportedly want to add on defense

Speaking of trades, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is reportedly seeing what's out there when it comes to the defenseman market.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Toronto's "primary focus" at the moment is on its blue line.

Two games after Chris Tanev returned from an upper-body injury — which forced him to miss almost two months — he picked up a lower-body ailment that could require surgery.

Maple Leafs Lose Chris Tanev And Dakota Joshua For 'Significant Time', Other Injury UpdatesMaple Leafs Lose Chris Tanev And Dakota Joshua For 'Significant Time', Other Injury UpdatesTanev picked up a groin injury, and Joshua suffered a kidney injury in Sunday's game against the Red Wings.

The Maple Leafs did get Brandon Carlo back on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers, and that's a big boost given how much he can play. (He finished with a plus-two, playing 17:41 of ice time alongside Morgan Rielly on Toronto's top pair.)

"The problem Treliving has right now," Dreger reports, "is that the market is thin. We're talking about older defense, perhaps the end of their run, and third-pairing guys. So there hasn't been a fit that's surfaced just yet."

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NHL Rumors: 2 Penguins On New Trade Board

NHL insider Chris Johnston released his latest trade board for The Athletic, and two Pittsburgh Penguins made the cut: defenseman Brett Kulak and forward Bryan Rust. 

Kulak was given the No. 21 spot on Johnston's list. The 32-year-old defenseman certainly has the potential to generate interest from contenders, as he is a solid bottom-pairing defenseman with plenty of playoff experience. 

In 10 games with the Penguins since being acquired from the Edmonton Oilers earlier this season, Kulak has recorded two assists, 20 blocks, and an even plus/minus rating. This is after he had two assists and a minus-7 rating in 31 games for the Oilers before being acquired by Pittsburgh. 

Rust, on the other hand, landed the No. 32 spot on Johnston's new trade board. The star winger has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time, but the Penguins also do not need to rush a move centering around him. This is because he is signed until the end of the 2027-28 season. 

Any potential Rust trade would be a big deal, as he is an incredibly important part of the Penguins' roster. However, with the Penguins also focused on the future, he has the potential to be an excellent trade chip for them if they are open to moving him. 

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Jets' Danny Zhilkin Expected To Make NHL Debut Thursday vs. Oilers

Winnipeg Jets rookie forward Danny Zhilkin is expected to make his long-awaited NHL debut Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers, marking a major milestone in his young professional career.

The Jets recalled the 22-year-old from the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose ahead of the matchup, finally giving Zhilkin his first opportunity at the NHL level after three seasons of development within the organization. To create roster space, Winnipeg placed defenseman Haydn Fleury on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 6.

Fleury was injured during Tuesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights after taking a hard fall into the boards following a hit. The defenseman was stretchered off the ice in a scary scene and has since been diagnosed with a broken nose and a bruised back.

For Zhilkin, the recall is the result of patience and steady progress. Selected by the Jets in the third round, 102nd overall, of the 2022 NHL Draft, he entered the professional ranks with high expectations and has gradually rounded out his game with the Moose. Each season has shown measurable growth, both offensively and defensively.

This year, Zhilkin has recorded 14 points in 30 games, already nearing the combined 17 points he produced across his first two AHL seasons. His increased production has come alongside improved consistency away from the puck, an area the Jets have prioritized in his development. His responsible two-way play has helped him earn trust from coaches and management alike.

Zhilkin was on the cusp of making the Jets earlier this season, surviving until the final roster cuts of training camp after an impressive preseason. At the time, his performance left the impression that an NHL debut was inevitable and Wednesday’s recall confirms that belief.

The timing of Zhilkin’s opportunity may also reflect a broader shift for Winnipeg. With losses piling up and postseason aspirations growing slimer, the Jets appear poised to take a longer look at their younger players to evaluate future roles. Zhilkin now gets the first chance to prove he belongs, with Thursday’s game against Edmonton serving as the opening chapter of his NHL journey.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo says he will never demand a trade out of Milwaukee, 'That’s not in my nature'

There has already been one big NBA trade this year. Will Giannis Antetokounmpo force another?

Don't bet on it. In league circles, talk of an in-season Antetokounmpo trade has died down amid reports that the Bucks are looking to add at the trade deadline, not trade the best player in franchise history. The only way Antetokounmpo gets traded at the deadline is if he demands a trade, and he told Sam Amick of The Athletic he would not go there.

"There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment, that I will come out and say 'I want a trade,'" Antetokounmpo, who can opt out of his contract in the summer of 2027, told The Athletic. "That's not … in … my … nature. OK?"

Later, Antetokounmpo reiterated what he said before, that he can't control the speculation online and in the media about his future, or who talks to his agent, or who calls the Bucks. However, he was very clear that he intends to be with the Bucks through the end of the season.

"I am not (going anywhere). I am invested in this team. I want to turn this team around. I want to play good basketball. I want to be healthy. I want to help my teammates. I wanna win games. The last six games we've played, we're 4-2. We have a lot of games in front of us. I'm locked the f*** in. I'm locked in. My priority is just staying healthy."

The rubber will hit the road with Antetokounmpo and his future in Milwaukee this coming offseason, when the team can offer him another max contract extension, heading into what could be the final year of his contract (he has a player option for the 2027-28 season, he can be a free agent in 2027). Every time that has happened previously, Antetokounmpo has used it as leverage to push the Bucks to upgrade the roster (such as adding Jrue Holiday, a key to their 2021 title), then ultimately signed the deal. If he signs the deal this summer, the pattern continues.

If he does not, the Bucks will be forced to trade him — without him directly asking out — or risk losing him for nothing in the summer of 2027. And there are multiple teams lined up with cap space for that offseason (hello, Clippers!).

But all of that is this summer. For now, listen to Antetokounmpo's words — he is not going anywhere this season.