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 …

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).

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.

Here are the results of the inaugural MLB Draft Lottery  —  SAN DIEGO — Major League Baseball conducted its first Draft Lottery on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates walked away with the biggest prize: the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft.

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.

Sources: Free agent Andrew Heaney reaches deal with Rangers  —  SAN DIEGO — The Texas Rangers agreed to terms on a two-year deal with free agent starting pitcher Andrew Heaney on Tuesday, further bolstering a rotation that previously added Jacob deGrom, a source told ESPN.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.