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 …

State knocks $600,000 off Orioles' annual Camden Yards rent for team's reconstruction of left field wall  —  It's nearly impossible to quantify all the effects a deeper, taller left field wall at Camden Yards had on the Orioles' 2022 season.  —  The wall — which the team built …

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.

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 …

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.

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)

Wendell Carter hopes to return to Magic in 1-2 weeks  —  One thing has been clear during the Orlando Magic's recent stretch of losses: They miss Wendell Carter Jr.  —  The Magic (5-17) have lost six straight and seven of their last eight after Wednesday's 125-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks …