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.

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 …

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.

'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 …

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.

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;

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 …

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.

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.

Brandon Nimmo cashes in with 8-year, $162M from Mets, David Robertson gets 1-year deal  —  The Mets blew past the luxury tax benchmark with their splashy Winter Meetings acquisitions and general manager Billy Eppler promised even more talent.  One day after the meetings wrapped up …

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.

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 …