Tom Ricketts on state of the Cubs: Payroll, Jed Hoyer, Sammy Sosa and more  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts anticipates the club's major-league payroll will end up around the $241 million luxury-tax threshold this year, though that depends on how the rest of the free-agent market shakes out …

Dodgers Land Joseph Deng, First Player Ever Signed From South Sudan  —  Roki Sasaki is the headliner of the Dodgers' 2025 international signing class, but the team made history with the signing of another pitcher.  —  The Dodgers signed 17-year-old righthander Joseph Deng from South Sudan …

Japanese pitching star Roki Sasaki says he's joining Dodgers  —  Roki Sasaki, the prized Japanese pitching prospect who has had scouts drooling over his potential since high school, has chosen the Los Angeles Dodgers as his major league team, he announced on Instagram on Friday.

Diamondbacks Hire Key Long-Time Red Sox Scout Mike Rikard  —  After 20 years with Boston the Diamondbacks have hired Mike Rikard.  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly hired former Boston Red-Sox scout Mike Rikard according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.

What the Mets were offering Pete Alonso before talks broke down  —  The Mets made what they perceived as a last-ditch effort to sign Pete Alonso by offering him a three-year contract in the $68 million-$70 million range, and when that was rejected, began their pivot away from their slugging first baseman, The Post has learned.

Mavericks at midseason: Highs and lows (and trade talk?) after first 41 games  —  Kyrie Irving returned to the Dallas Mavericks lineup Tuesday after missing the previous five games.  He made only 4 of 18 shots in Dallas' 19-point loss to the Denver Nuggets and looked out of sync after being sidelined …

1-16 Kyle Harrison joins Papa & Silver to discuss his offseason workouts and what he learned from his first full season as a starter  —  In 2 playlist(s)  —  Papa & Silver Podcast  —  Papa previously hosted his own show on KNBR from 2001-2003.

Detroit Tigers add catching depth by signing MLB veteran Tomás Nido to minor league deal  —  The Detroit Tigers are bringing back Tomás Nido.  —  Nido, an eight-year MLB veteran catcher, signed a minor league contract with the Tigers that includes a non-roster invitation to spring training …

Tommy Brown, last living member of 1947 Dodgers, dies at 97  —  LOS ANGELES — Tommy Brown, the youngest player to hit a home run in a major league game and the last living member of the landmark 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers team that included rookie Jackie Robinson, has died.  He was 97.

After ‘insane’ free agency, new Red Sox lefty aims to join rotation in 2025  —  Last month, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said he hoped newly signed starter Patrick Sandoval could contribute to Boston's starting rotation at some point in the second half of 2025.

Scott Boras: Diamondbacks signing Corbin Burnes shows other teams are just making excuses  —  PHOENIX — Agent Scott Boras, who represents the two biggest free-agent MLB stars who still are unsigned, had to look only a few feet to his right Wednesday afternoon to illuminate his position this winter.

Pete Alonso's market heats up; Blue Jays in mix, Mets also talking to others  —  Pete Alonso's free agency is reaching a critical juncture.  —  Alonso's market is heating up, with three teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, engaged in discussions for the power-hitting first baseman, league sources said.