Top News:
Randy Miller / New Jersey Online:
MLB rumors: Yankees or Japan for Masahiro Tanaka? Trevor Bauer wants Gerrit Cole coin; George Springer update — As the Yankees continue their long and probably nervous wait to see what kind of money DJ LeMahieu will accept, their other potential free-agent targets are stuck in limbo.
Discussion:
Elite Sports NY, New York Post, Yanks Go Yard, MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Race for George Springer tightens to two teams, including Mets: source — The race for George Springer has narrowed down to two teams. — Steve Cohen's Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays are the final clubs competing to land the high-priced outfielder, a source told the Daily News.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation and Bluebird Banter
Liam McKeone / The Big Lead:
We Should All Hope the Giants Are the Terrible NFC East Team to Host a Playoff Game — This year's slate of Week 17 games promises a good amount of excitement. There are a handful of “win and you're in games”, with the Browns going up against the Steelers and the Cardinals and Rams facing off for a wild card spot.
Discussion:
Swarm and Sting, FanSided, Forever Fortnite and Guilty Eats
RELATED:
Liam McKeone / The Big Lead:
Chris Broussard Predicts Team With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving Will Make NBA Finals — The NBA season is still young and the sample size is generally too small to make any ironclad claims. We do know some things, however. The Los Angeles Lakers have LeBron James and are therefore title favorites.
Discussion:
Pro Golf Now, The Landry Hat, Guilty Eats and Fadeaway World
Julian McWilliams Globe / The Boston Globe:
Red Sox hiring Bianca Smith as minor league coach, making her first Black woman to coach in pro baseball history — The Red Sox are hiring Bianca Smith as a minor league coach. — She will be the first Black woman to serve as a professional baseball coach in the sport's history, Major League Baseball confirmed.
Discussion:
Milford Daily News, New York Post, MLB Baseball News …, Union-News, Sports Illustrated and NESN.com
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Chicago Cubs made Yu Darvish trade in effort to reset, avoid MLB basement — CHICAGO — Cubs president Jed Hoyer didn't want to become one of those organizations with little talent left at the end of its current window of contention. — So, with a clear eye toward the future …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune and Cubs Insider
RELATED:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Steve Cohen's reaction to Padres trades once again exposes Mets' farm system weakness — The San Diego Padres are making noise this offseason following a pair of blockbuster trades in which they hardly gave up anything in return. Tampa Bay Rays ace Blake Snell and Chicago Cubs All-Star Yu Darvish …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Sources: San Diego Padres set to acquire Yu Darvish from Chicago Cubs
Discussion:
Purple Row, Daily Herald and Camden Chat
Washington Capitals / NHL.com:
Capitals Sign Defenseman Zdeno Chara — The Washington Capitals have agreed to terms with defenseman Zdeno Chara on a one-year, $795,000 contract — The Washington Capitals have agreed to terms with defenseman Zdeno Chara on a one-year, $795,000 contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
John McClain / Houston Chronicle:
Texans not interested in college route for new coach — Texans takeaways from Wednesday, when they were preparing for Sunday's season finale against Tennessee at NRG Stadium: — No college try for Texans — There are national media reports that NFL teams looking for head coaches …
Discussion:
Pro Football Rumors, Battle Red Blog and ProFootballTalk
Kyle Koster / The Big Lead:
Mitch Trubisky Can Still Make Chicago Love Him — The C hicago Bears' playoffs hopes ride contingent on beating the Green Bay Packers. It's the type of big-game atmosphere Ralphie's dad would be reading about in A Christmas Story before disappearing to fix the furnace amid a torrent of smoke and profanity.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Saints Marching, Old Juve, Rox Pile, Beyond the Flag and Predominantly Orange
Tom Vanden Brook / USA Today:
West Point cheating scandal involved mostly athletes, including football players on Liberty Bowl team — WASHINGTON - The majority of the cadets involved in the worst academic cheating scandal at West Point in 45 years are athletes, including 24 members of the football team that is scheduled …
Discussion:
New York Post, Sports Illustrated, Breitbart and Touchdown Wire
Mgold / Cleveland Cavaliers:
Kevin Love Status Update — Cavaliers forward Kevin Love left Sunday night's home game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter and did not return to action after reaggravating a right calf strain initially diagnosed during the preseason. Further examination and an MRI administered …
Discussion:
DraftKings Nation, Hoops Rumors, UPROXX, Sports Illustrated and Blazer's Edge
