Sources: Alex Bregman agrees to 5-year, $175M deal with Cubs  —  Third baseman Alex Bregman and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract, sources told ESPN, landing the three-time All-Star with the Cubs one year after their failed pursuit of him in free agency.

Dave Giusti, saves leader for champ Pirates in '71, dies at 86  —  PITTSBURGH — Dave Giusti, a reliable reliever who spent 15 years in the majors and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1971 World Series title, has died.  He was 86.  —  The club, citing Giusti's family, said he died on Sunday.

Stock Watch: Midwinter progress report for all 30 MLB clubs  —  The hot stove season is stuck in the middle.  When we last checked in, the winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, were set to begin, and we figured that a month later the heavy lifting of the 2025-26 offseason would be complete.

What the Brewers are looking for in a Freddy Peralta trade, plus more MLB offseason notes  —  If the Milwaukee Brewers are going to trade All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta, they ideally will want the return to include a young, major-league ready replacement.

Sources: Yankees' negotiations with Cody Bellinger at an impasse  —  Contract negotiations between the New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger are at an impasse, league sources tell ESPN.  —  The Yankees were hoping to re-sign the veteran outfielder, who played well for them last season …

Sources: Bucks have interest in trading for Ja Morant; Zach LaVine … With the NBA trade deadline less than a few weeks away on Feb. 5, will the Milwaukee Bucks make a move?  This year the Bucks have some financial flexibility to acquire talent in a trade, and general manager Jon Horst …

Yankees' Cody Bellinger offer revealed as sides try to bridge gap  —  Star free agent Cody Bellinger and the Yankees remain in contract talks, but a disagreement over the length of the deal is still a sticky enough issue that both parties also continue to investigate alternate plans.

Was Jonathan Kuminga restricted free agency's biggest loser?  Our writers weigh in  —  This offseason, four restricted free agents' negotiations with their teams dragged into September.  Two of the players, Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas ($6 million) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes …

Notre Dame says accusations against Marcus Freeman ‘unfounded’  —  Austin Hough Kyle SmedleySouth Bend Tribune  —  This story has been updated with a statement from Notre Dame athletics.  —  Notre Dame Athletics is denying any physical contact occurred between head football coach Marcus Freeman …

Source: Mets have spoken to Nationals about MacKenzie Gore  —  The Mets are busy in the starting pitching market. … The New York Mets are heavily in on the starting pitching market.  —  The Mets recently spoke to the NL East rival Washington Nationals about left-handed starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, as a source told Mets On SI.

OF Max Kepler banned 80 games for violating MLB's drug program  —  Free agent outfielder Max Kepler was suspended 80 games Friday for violating Major League Baseball's drug program.  —  MLB announced Kepler tested positive for epitrenbolone, a performance-enhancing substance.

OHTANI, JUDGE, YANKEES-RED SOX, DODGERS-YANKEES, CUBS-CARDINALS, AND ADDITIONAL PREMIUM MATCHUPS HEADLINE 2026 SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL SCHEDULE AS MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RETURNS TO NBC AND PEACOCK  —  Opening Day Doubleheader (Thurs., March 26):  —  · 2025 NL Cy Young Award Winner Paul Skenes …