Sources: Royals retain Michael Wacha on 3-year, $51M deal  —  Right-hander Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals agreed on a three-year, $51 million contract that includes a fourth-year club option and can max out at $72 million, sources told ESPN.  —  The Royals announced the deal Sunday but did not disclose terms.

Cincinnati Reds tag RHP Nick Martinez with $21 million qualifying offer  —  SAN ANTONIO - The Cincinnati Reds have decided to make a qualifying offer to free agent pitcher Nick Martinez, assuring draft pick compensation if he declines the offer and signs with another team.

14 first-timers highlight 2024 Gold Glove winners  —  The 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were announced Sunday night on ESPN, with first-timers once again stealing the show.  —  This year's group of winners featured 14 first-time Gold Glovers, tied with 2022 for the most in a single season.

Only Juan Soto can decide if his future is with the Yankees  —  LESS THAN A year ago, the New York Yankees acquired Juan Soto, with outfielder Trent Grisham, from the San Diego Padres for five players headlined by right-hander Michael King.  It was a hefty haul for one guaranteed season that became a bargain.

Sources: MLB finds prospect linked to Padres falsified age  —  A Major League Baseball investigation recently found a top teenage prospect in the Dominican Republic who had verbally agreed to sign with the San Diego Padres falsified his paperwork and is 5 years older than previously believed …

Sources: Yankees ace Gerrit Cole opts out of contract  —  New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole opted out of his contract Saturday, leaving the team with the ability to ensure he remains in pinstripes by adding an additional year at $36 million to the four years and $144 million that had been remaining on the contract, sources told ESPN.

2025 Top 50 MLB Free Agents  —  Welcome to the offseason.  As is customary, FanGraphs' annual top 50 free agent rankings come following the World Series.  In recent years, we've rotated through the writers principally responsible for the list - first Dave Cameron, then Kiley McDaniel, Craig Edwards, and, more recently, me.

Sunday Best: All my Giannis-and-Jokić-dominated latest from the NBA grapevine  —  The states of their respective franchises — and the stark differences between how we discuss their futures — carry our latest around-the-league notebook  —  Around-the-NBA notes on a Sunday?

Inside the Cubs' plan to get back into the playoffs: More analytics and fewer scouts  —  CHICAGO — One day before the last game of another lost season by the Chicago Cubs, Aerosmith's “Sweet Emotion” blasted over the Wrigley Field sound system as a crowd of 38,180 gave pending free agent Kyle Hendricks a loud standing ovation.

Lingering hip flexor issue keeps Jaylen Brown out for Celtics on Saturday  —  CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jaylen Brown told the Globe the left hip flexor injury that kept him out of Saturday night's game has been lingering for a few weeks.  —  Brown, who played 37 minutes in Friday's 124-109 win …

Braves reach $13M contract with Bummer, revise Lopez's deal  —  ATLANTA — Left-hander Aaron Bummer agreed Saturday to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, who also reached a revised three-year, $30 million deal with All-Star Reynaldo Lopez that guarantees the right-hander an additional $4 million.

Russini's what I'm hearing about NFL trade deadline: 13 players, 18 teams to watch closely  —  The NFL's toughest people aren't always found on the field.  In a week dominated by discussions surrounding a young quarterback who tapped out before a third-down play and a grandstanding defensive …