Athlete of the Year … SEE FULL LIST  —  When Aaron Judge stood in the Yankee Stadium batter's box in late September, he couldn't quite shake the silence.  Some 45,000 voices hushed, as if they were at a basilica, not a ball field.  As fans anticipated a landmark moment in sports …

How the Phillies landed Trea Turner: Inside their months-long quest that ended in a $300M deal  —  SAN DIEGO — John Middleton spent Sunday afternoon where he spends many Sunday afternoons in the fall.  He sat with his wife, Leigh, alongside Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie in the executive suite at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Mets agree to two-year, $86 million deal with Justin Verlander  —  SAN DIEGO — The Mets have their ace.  —  Just one day into the winter meetings the Mets are reportedly in agreement on a two-year contract with right-hander Justin Verlander.  According to ESPN's Jeff Passan …

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LATEST SHOW  —  Dolphins Deep Dive: How will Miami fare in meaningful December games that kickoff vs. 49ers?  —  Dolphins Deep Dive: How will Miami protect Tua after Armstead and Jackson's injuries?  —  Dolphins Deep Dive: What should we expect as Mike McDaniel returns …

Sources: Japanese star Masataka Yoshida will be MLB free agent  —  Japanese star Masataka Yoshida will post on Wednesday, sources told ESPN, adding an outfielder to a baseball free agent market with scant depth at the position.  —  Yoshida, 29, will be eligible to sign with a major league …

What I'm hearing at MLB Winter Meetings on Sean Murphy, Carlos Rodón and more  —  The Athletics are seeking major leaguers rather than prospects for Sean Murphy, and telling interested clubs they will keep the catcher if they do not receive a satisfactory trade offer.

Ben Simmons targeting return Friday vs. Hawks: ‘I feel good, really good’  —  After missing three straight games with a left lateral calf strain, Nets star Ben Simmons will sit his fourth straight in Wednesday's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets but is targeting Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks for his return.

Yankees' interest in Brandon Nimmo may go beyond Aaron Judge insurance  —  SAN DIEGO — The Yankees are expected to meet with Brandon Nimmo here in San Diego.  They are seeking two outfielders, so theoretically, they could sign both Judge and Nimmo — though that could possibly bloat their budget.

Red Sox in advanced talks with pitcher Tommy Kahnle, who could choose his team Tuesday  —  SAN DIEGO - The Red Sox are among the teams involved in advanced talks with free-agent reliever Tommy Kahnle, who is expected to make a decision about a team as soon as Tuesday, according to multiple major league sources.

Grizzlies sit starters and still roll 101-93, as Heat fail to reach .500  —  The takeaway from these first two months of the Miami Heat's season has been the lament of being less than whole.  —  The lesson Monday night from the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum is that doesn't always matter.

Carlos Rodon remains Yankees' pitching priority despite heavy competition  —  SAN DIEGO — While the Yankees' main priority remains superstar Aaron Judge, they remain in daily contact with Carlos Rodon's camp, and preferred him as a rotation option all along to Justin Verlander or certainly Jacob deGrom …

Sources: Tommy Kahnle, Yankees reunite on two-year deal  —  Right-hander Tommy Kahnle and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a two-year, $11.5 million contract, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN's Jeff Passan.  —  Kahnle pitched for the Yankees for four seasons (2017-20) …