Buck Showalter, Joe Espada, Matt Quatraro to get second interview for New York Mets' managerial vacancy, sources say  —  Buck Showalter will be among the candidates to get a second round of interviews with the New York Mets concerning their vacant managerial position, sources told ESPN, confirming multiple reports.

Dolphins Q&A: Will Gerrid Doaks finally get his chance at running back?  —  Here's the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Omar Kelly answer questions from readers.  —  Q: What is the latest on Doaks and how the team feels about him?

Latest NBA Trade Buzz: Sourced Intel on Simmons, Kyrie, Lakers and More  —  The NBA's annual December 15 buzzer has almost arrived, when the majority of players who signed contracts as free agents last summer become eligible for trade.  Most teams have divided calls to rival front offices among their high-ranking personnel.

MLB free agency - Ranking every team by how much it has improved  —  If we think of the lockout that has mostly shut down baseball's offseason as a holiday break, it's not so bad, right?  —  For a couple of weeks at the end of November and into the first day of December, the transaction wire was buzzing.

Justin Verlander's two-year, $50 million deal with Houston Astros approved by MLB, sources say  —  Justin Verlander's two-year, $50 million agreement with the Houston Astros has been given formal approval by Major League Baseball, industry sources told ESPN, even at a time when the owners …

Padres mailbag, Part 1: On the coaching staff, Fernando Tatis Jr.'s accident, a catching surplus and more  —  Happy Tuesday.  While front offices continue to work amid a major-league transaction freeze — in other words, not much is happening — let's answer some subscriber-submitted questions.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson could play against Packers despite ankle sprain, coach John Harbaugh says  —  Quarterback Lamar Jackson is dealing with an ankle sprain that will have the Ravens in wait-and-see mode as they prepare to host the Green Bay Packers Sunday afternoon, coach John Harbaugh said.

Giants' Kadarius Toney one of NFL-record 37 COVID cases Monday; boosters required for staff as Omicron pops up  —  Giants rookie receiver Kadarius Toney was one of 37 positive COVID-19 tests in the NFL on Monday, a league record for a single day, sources confirmed.

What Are Teams Paying Per WAR in Free Agency?  —  After a quiet 2020 offseason, and in advance of the ongoing lockout, the early 2021-22 free agency period saw a sudden burst of activity.  Teams shelled out more than $1.5 billion in new contracts, a record-breaking pace.

Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano recovered from knee surgery and working hard in uncertain off season  —  WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. - Jordan Romano likes to throw the ball hard and admits it is a thing with him to see the radar gun light up to triple digits.  —  STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The secret settlements that helped a baseball star play on … LOS ANGELES — On the evening of Jan. 30, 2017, a woman showed up at a police station in Southern California to report an alleged sexual assault.  —  After attending the Los Angeles Dodgers' FanFest two days earlier …