What I'm hearing on the MLB Hot Stove about the Dodgers, Brewers and more  —  The Dodgers are capable of pivoting in virtually any direction, which is just how they like it.  —  Including the return of Clayton Kershaw, whose deal is pending a physical, the Dodgers are about $45 million under …

Rays To Sign Zach Eflin To Three-Year Deal  —  The Rays are dipping into the free agent pitching market, agreeing to terms with right-hander Zach Eflin on a three-year deal.  It's reportedly a $40MM guarantee for the O'Connell Sports Management client.  Eflin will make $11MM in each of the next …

QB Justin Fields takes a step toward starting Sunday for the Chicago Bears versus the Green Bay Packers  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 171  —  Bears quarterback Justin Fields warms up before the game against the New York Jets on Nov. 27, 2022, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Rose Bowl agrees to deal allowing early CFP expansion in '24  —  The last remaining obstacle to expanding the College Football Playoff to 12 teams in the 2024 and 2025 seasons has been cleared.  —  The Rose Bowl reached an agreement that officially paves the way for the College Football Playoff …

Astros' Justin Verlander reluctance could open door for other teams  —  Word is, the Astros and Justin Verlander are “far apart” in talks.  Verlander seeks $130 million for three years (the Max Scherzer deal), and the Astros, with their deep rotation, seem pessimistic on Verlander …

Predicting where top MLB free agents will land with winter meetings looming  —  MORE FROM:  —  The nine top free agents, all likely to command nine-figure deals, remain on the board.  But if history is a guide, they may start signing soon — maybe at the winter meetings, beginning this weekend.

Edwin Diaz, Mets made contract happen with ease: ‘We know what they want, they know what we want’  —  Edwin Diaz wanted the Mets to come to him “quick” to talk about a new contract.  The Mets talked to him as soon as they could and the process went so smoothly that they were able to lock …

Dolphins LT Terron Armstead showing encouraging signs in recovery from pectoral strain  —  Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel updates injury status of offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson leading up to game against San Francisco 49ers.  (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Competitive Balance rounds set for '23 Draft  —  While the top of the 2023 Draft order is yet to be determined, with the first-ever Draft Lottery set for Tuesday, some things are starting to take shape later on in the Draft, particularly after the first and second rounds.

Notre Dame QB Drew Pyne decides to enter the transfer portal  —  Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne tweeted Friday that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal.  —  Pyne, who will have three years of eligibility at his next destination, is not planning to play in the team's bowl game, sources told ESPN on Friday.

What I'm hearing on the MLB free-agent market with the Padres, Astros and more  —  A three-year, $58.5 million contract seemed high for free-agent first baseman José Abreu, who turns 36 on Jan. 29.  The Athletic's Keith Law criticized the Astros for paying him that much.

What 2022-23 MLB free agency so far means for the winter meetings  —  Just one year and one day ago, the wildest 24 hours in the history of baseball free agency unfolded.  With the inevitability of a lockout by the league placing an artificial deadline on transactions, teams rushed to sign free agents …

Jayson Tatum (49 points), high-octane Celtics roll past Heat 134-121  —  BOSTON — This was about trying to keep pace, with the Boston Celtics scoring at a pace that would have tested the Miami Heat on their best and healthiest nights.  —  With Boston entering averaging …