Top News:
Baseball America:
2025 MLB Farm System Rankings For All 30 Teams — Image credit: Kristian Campbell (left) and Roman Anthony (Photo by Tayla Bolduc/Worcester Red Sox) — The American League East still has the best farm system in baseball, but the crown has shifted to Boston entering the 2025 season following Baltimore's …
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Pete Alonso returning to Mets on 2-year, $54M deal — Slugger Pete Alonso and the New York Mets are in agreement on a two-year, $54 million contract, sources told ESPN on Wednesday, ending a lengthy free agency with a return engagement to the only team for which he has played.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Claim Braden Shewmake — The Yankees announced Wednesday that they've claimed infielder Braden Shewmake off waivers from the Royals. He'll bring their 40-man roster to capacity, meaning New York will now need to make a roster move once lefty Tim Hill's deal is finalized.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Bleeding Yankee Blue, Battery Power, New Jersey Online and Yahoo Sports
Jeff Agrest / Chicago Sun Times:
Alex Cohen will be full-time backup to Cubs TV voice Jon Sciambi on Marquee Sports Network — Alex Cohen will be the backup play-by-play voice for Cubs broadcasts on Marquee Sports Network starting this season, the Sun-Times has learned. — Cohen, formerly the lead radio and TV voice …
Discussion:
cubsinsider.com, Bleacher Nation and Bleed Cubbie Blue
NCAA.org:
NCAA announces transgender student-athlete participation policy change — Men's category open to all eligible student-athletes, women's category restricted to student-athletes assigned female at birth, schools directed to foster welcoming environments on all campuses.
Discussion:
New York Daily News, Associated Press and New York Post
Brendan Kuty / New York Times:
How banned Yankees fan Austin Capobianco's life has changed since his infamous World Series moment — Austin Capobianco has grown accustomed to the blowback. It's been more than three months since the 38-year-old Connecticut man grabbed and pried open the glove of Los Angeles Dodgers right …
Discussion:
Dodgers Nation, New York Post, New York Daily News and New Jersey Online
New York Times:
Journeyman outfielder Tommy Pham signs 1-year deal with Pittsburgh Pirates: Sources — Free-agent outfielder Tommy Pham has agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, league sources said. The contract is a major-league deal, with an additional $250,000 in incentives.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Lone Star Ball, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation and Yahoo Sports
Michael Scotto / HoopsHype:
NBA Intel: Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, Brandon Ingram Trade Talks; Lakers, Warriors, Knicks, more — Following blockbuster trades involving Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, and De'Aaron Fox, teams are moving urgently, only two days before the NBA trade deadline.
Discussion:
Brew Hoop, Bleacher Nation, Chicago Sun Times, Peachtree Hoops, Hoops Rumors and Fear The Sword
Brad Wakai / Sports Illustrated:
Nationals Star Second Baseman Reportedly Wants Long-Term Contract From Team — The Washington Nationals star second baseman reportedly is looking for a contract extension from the team. — If everything works out for the Washington Nationals, they're going to have one of the best groups of young talent in Major League Baseball.
New York Times:
MLB fires umpire Pat Hoberg for sharing betting accounts with pro poker player who bet on baseball — Major League Baseball has fired umpire Pat Hoberg after he shared sports betting accounts with a professional poker player who bet on baseball. — In a news release, the league said it found …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Forbes, Bluebird Banter, Chicago Tribune, masslive.com, Associated Press, New York Post, Bleacher Nation and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
MLB fires umpire Pat Hoberg for shared betting accounts — Following a lengthy appeals process, Major League Baseball on Monday has fired umpire Pat Hoberg for “sharing” legal sports betting accounts with a friend who bet on baseball and for intentionally deleting messages key to the investigation into his conduct.
Discussion:
USA Today, Sox Machine, CBSSports.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Battery Power, New Jersey Online, MLB Trade Rumors, Phillies Nation and Yahoo Sports
Chris Cotillo / masslive.com:
Sam Kennedy: Red Sox have taken ‘aggressive approach,’ still have ‘ability to add’ to roster — BOSTON — In November, Red Sox president/CEO Sam Kennedy said there was an “extreme urgency” within the organization to have an aggressive offseason and get back to competing for an American League East title in 2025.
Discussion:
Boston.com, NESN.com, 98.5 The Sports Hub and Over the Monster
