Top News:
Joe Vardon / The Athletic:
Knicks coaches didn't get rings on banner night; MSG staff received phishing email: Sources — NEW YORK — To the untrained eye, it looked like a lovely moment for the New York Knicks coaches. — One by one, the coaches, in their white coaching pullover sweatshirts, were handed black boxes …
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Defector, Bleacher Report and sports.yahoo.com, more at WeSmirch »
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Stefan Bondy / New York Post:
Knicks reveal $3.7 million plan for employee championship rings after coming under fire for phishing email ‘mistake’ — BOSTON - Amid scrutiny that they ignored assistant coaches and an admission of an “unfortunate mistake” involving a cybersecurity test, the Knicks are handing …
Discussion:
sports.yahoo.com and Bleacher Report
Fabian Ardaya / The Athletic:
Dodgers ‘fully expect’ Shohei Ohtani to remain two-way player, pitch in 2027 — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to remain a two-way player and pitch for the team in 2027, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Wednesday.
Discussion:
ESPN, Los Angeles Times, sports.yahoo.com, Forbes, Orange County Register, True Blue LA, New York Post, BaseballNow.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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Sam Amick / The Athletic:
The Luka Dončić debate: Is the Lakers star underrated? 'It's greatness fatigue' — LOS ANGELES — The Luka Dončić discussion among the fans and media is one thing. — The Los Angeles Lakers star has been a lightning rod for criticism from that crowd for nearly a decade now …
Discussion:
sports.yahoo.com, New York Post and Bleacher Report
Jason Burt / Telegraph:
Jadon Sancho offered cut-price contract by Getafe — La Liga side would pay former Man Utd winger just over £10,000 each week, a massive cut from his £250,000-a-week days at Old Trafford — Jadon Sancho has formally been offered a contract until the end of the season by Spanish club Getafe …
Discussion:
sports.yahoo.com
Barry Jackson / Miami Herald:
How Marlins will fill their payroll if there's a salary floor. And hot stove news — A six-pack of Marlins notes on a Thursday: — ▪ The Marlins finished the season with a $100.2 million payroll, including $18 million in player benefits, a figure that places them ahead …
Discussion:
BaseballNow.com, RoundtableSports and MLB Trade Rumors
Andy McCullough / The Athletic:
MLB's lockout is coming. Before it arrives, baseball insiders expect a free-agent frenzy — LOS ANGELES — The Major League Baseball calendar contains a period of purgatory this winter. On Dec. 1, after years of saber-rattling and months of performative proposals, the 30 owners will lock out the players and shut down the sport.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Bleacher Report, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Gaslamp Ball and sports.yahoo.com
Laura Albanese / Newsday:
Grading the 2026 Mets: What letter did David Stearns receive? — If this were college, the Mets would have flunked out by the second semester. — Despite some encouraging bright spots, this past season was mostly one to forget — marked by high expectations that were quashed weeks …
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Rays opt for Nick Martinez to open World Series vs. Brewers — MILWAUKEE — In a bit of a curveball, the Tampa Bay Rays will start Nick Martinez, not staff ace Drew Rasmussen, in Game 1 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Kevin Cash announced Thursday.
Discussion:
sports.yahoo.com, New York Post, MLB.com, BaseballNow.com, The Athletic, Front Office Sports and DRaysBay
Jaylon Thompson / Kansas City Star:
Kansas City Royals set for a busy offseason. What are the top priorities? — Key Takeaways — AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. — Royals plan aggressive bullpen moves after a 5.07 ERA ranked second-worst. — Kansas City also seeks a starter to deepen a rotation hit by injuries.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Royals Keep, Inside the Crown and Kings Of Kauffman
ESPN:
Kurt Suzuki out as Angels manager; interim GM John Mozeliak won't return in 2027 — The Los Angeles Angels will be looking for a new manager and general manager for the 2027 season. — After just one season, Kurt Suzuki will not be returning as manager after the Angels lost 100 games …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels Decline 2027 Option On Manager Kurt Suzuki
Angels Decline 2027 Option On Manager Kurt Suzuki
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Yahoo Sports
Matt Law / Telegraph:
Fabian Hurzeler would cost record fee with no release clause in Brighton contract — Exclusive: German coach admired by Manchester United but hiring him would be a complicated and expensive operation — Fabian Hurzeler does not have a release clause in his Brighton contract …
Discussion:
sports.yahoo.com, Football Today and The Peoples Person
Zack Meisel / The Athletic:
The pitching plan and offensive disappearance that led to the Guardians' ALCS demise — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Cleveland Guardians left themselves susceptible to hand-wringing, to first-guessing, second-guessing and third-guessing about pitching strategies, about their refusal to call upon Tanner Bibee …
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Yahoo Sports
