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.

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 …

New York Yankees weighing scenarios as they wait on Aaron Judge: ‘Do we remake ourselves?’  —  SAN DIEGO — You'd think the New York Yankees have some clear advantages toward their stated goal of signing Aaron Judge.  —  The history bit.  The lights of Broadway.  The Yankee brand.

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.

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 …

Phillies To Sign Taijuan Walker  —  One day after landing Trea Turner on a stunning 11-year contract, the Phillies have bolstered their rotation by agreeing to a four-year deal with free-agent right-hander Taijuan Walker, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports (Twitter links).

Beloved Reno boxing icon Mills Lane dies at age 85  —  Mills Lane, who rose to fame first as a boxer, then referee, Washoe County district attorney and judge, died Tuesday morning in Reno.  —  Lane was 85 years old.  —  His son, Tommy Lane, told the RGJ that Lane died after being in hospice for the past week.

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 …

Sources say Cubs going big in push for Correa, Swanson … SAN DIEGO — An already big, hot shortstop market just got bigger and hotter Monday with Trea Turner's $300 million deal to play for the National League-champion Phillies.  —  Cue the sad-Cubs emojis?  —  Not so fast.

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.

Sources: New York Mets, Justin Verlander reach agreement  —  MLB, New York Mets, Houston Astros  —  Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander has agreed to a two-year, $86 million deal with the New York Mets, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Monday.  —  The deal includes a vesting third-year option, a source told ESPN.