MLB 2025 winter meetings: Winners, losers and takeaways  —  The MLB winter meetings have come and gone, and though there's always a hope that there will be plenty of action, that's not always the case.  The 2025 meetings didn't have a $700-plus million deal like last year …

Sources: Royals keeping Maikel Garcia on five-year extension  —  Third baseman Maikel Garcia and the Kansas City Royals are finalizing a five-year contract extension, sources told ESPN on Friday, locking up the Gold Glove winner with the team that saw him develop through its system into an All-Star.

What we're hearing on Red Sox search for bats (including new name) after Winter Meetings, Pete Alonso decision  —  At this week's Winter Meetings, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow watched big names like Kyle Schwarber (Phillies) and Pete Alonso (Orioles) come off the board while not making any moves of note in Orlando.

Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro signs five-year deal to continue ‘relentless pursuit’ of World Series title  —  Top executive has helped team's value grow immensely since coming aboard in 2015.  —  The lead man in the braintrust that brought the Blue Jays to the brink of the World Series isn't going anywhere.

Tar Heels OC Kitchens out after UNC ranks among worst offenses  —  North Carolina offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will not return next season, with the school announcing the departure of both assistants after a 4-8 season in Bill Belichick's college coaching debut.

Why MLB manager salaries lag behind other coaches  —  When they both won Manager of the Year for the first time in 2024, Pat Murphy and Stephen Vogt talked about showing up to the annual baseball writers' dinner in New York to receive the awards in costume.  —  The two knew each other from Vogt's …

5 things we learned at Winter Meetings: Eyes on Evan Carter, finding a catcher and more  —  Plus, were the discussions about Rangers' star shortstop Corey Seager actually discussions? … So, it's almost Christmas.  And what have they done?  Another winter meetings over; a long offseason of work just begun.

Time is of the essence as trade rumors heat up around Bulls' Coby White  —  The Timberwolves have been hunting for a point guard.  —  Rumors have circulated that they asked about the Grizzlies' Ja Morant and have kicked the tires on the Mavs' Kyrie Irving.  Now they have their sights set on a more realistic target.

Ex-Padres closer Suarez signs 3-year, $45M deal with Braves  —  Closer Robert Suarez has signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, the team announced Thursday.  —  Suarez, who led the National League this season with 40 saves in 45 chances, became a free agent …