Red Sox's Chaim Bloom on losing Xander Bogaerts: 'It got to a point we weren't going to'  —  As the Winter Meetings wound down at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego on Wednesday, the lobby was buzzing with rumors that the Red Sox were getting close to re-signing star shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

'He's a big-time player': Franz Wagner scores 34 in Magic's win over Raptors  —  The Orlando Magic didn't have to look too far back when game-planning for the Toronto Raptors.  —  They won't have to for Sunday, either.  —  The Magic were just five full days removed from their 13-point road loss …

Source: Dylan Cease headlines new pre-arbitration bonus pool  —  Holiday bonuses came early for 100 MLB players who qualify for the first-ever pre-arbitration bonus pool.  —  Chicago White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease will take home the most, a source told ESPN, over $2.4 million after finishing …

LHP Cole Hamels feels healthy after surgeries, eyes comeback  —  PHILADELPHIA — Former Philadelphia Phillies ace and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels is plotting a comeback for 2023.  —  Hamels, who turns 39 this month, hasn't pitched since he made one start for the Atlanta Braves in 2020.

Nets win ugly against Hawks, finish home stand with 6-1 mark  —  Sometimes it's about finding a way to win.  —  The Nets aren't in it for style points — at least not yet.  They want to keep piling more wins than losses.  That's the name of the game.  —  Friday's 120-116 victory over the Atlanta Hawks wasn't pretty.

6 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls' 115-111 win over the Washington Wizards, including a powerful finish from their Big Three  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 29  —  Bulls guard Alex Caruso (6) claps after forward DeMar DeRozan (11) was fouled in the final minutes of the fourth quarter on Wednesday at the United Center.

Dolphins hope to get Eric Fisher up to speed quickly as veteran brings much-needed playoff experience  —  Newly acquired offensive tackle Eric Fisher talks about the opportunity to join and play for a winning Miami Dolphins team. (, /South Florida Sun Sentinel)  —  LOS ANGELES — Eric Fisher has won a Super Bowl in Miami.

How Mets' Justin Verlander transformed body to extend dominance  —  One of the worst years of Justin Verlander's career came in his ninth full season in the big leagues in 2014.  —  It started with core muscle surgery, the effects of which lingered throughout the year and forced him to compensate …

Aaron Judge's role in Yankees' free-agency push for Carlos Rodon  —  SAN DIEGO — The Yankees are targeting Carlos Rodon following the record Aaron Judge deal for a variety of reasons, such as:  —  1. They understand they still need to close the gap with the Astros;

Reports: RHP Trevor Williams, Nationals agree on 2-year deal  —  WASHINGTON — Trevor Williams and the Washington Nationals agreed to a two-year contract Friday, giving the rebuilding club a right-handed pitcher with experience as a starter and reliever.  —  The agreement was confirmed …

With QB Lamar Jackson sidelined, the Ravens' margin for error is thin.  Tyler Huntley's used to that.  —  The first start of Tyler Huntley's NFL career ended on a last-second sack.  His second start came down to a last-minute 2-point conversion.  A last-minute touchdown was the difference in his third career start.

Where Braves stand in Swanson market  —  This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman's Braves Beat newsletter.  To read the full newsletter, click here.  And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.  —  Remember when I wrote “maybe I'm a glutton for punishment” while predicting Dansby …

Let's Do This, St. Louis!  —  First things first: No one could ever replace Yadier Molina.  We all know that.  —  It's impossible.  Actually, if there's some word that means even more impossible than the word impossible ... that's what it is.  —  Yadier Molina is a legend.

Big catch: Cardinals' record offer lures former Cub Willson Contreras to new home  —  SAN DIEGO — What better way to get to know the Cardinals' first new everyday catcher in nearly 20 years than to ask the person he once shared a position with, long shared a dugout beside, and now has to face Willson Contreras as a division rival.