Top News:
Dianna Russini / New York Times:
The Latest N.F.L. Coaching Intel From Around the League — Happy 2025 to you and your family. I'd like to officially (but “humbly") nominate myself for the coveted “MVP of Dragging the Christmas Tree All by Myself to the Curb Before New Year's Day” award.
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Where will these 5 prominent free agents land? — When Juan Soto signed his record-breaking deal during the Winter Meetings, the expectations around the Majors were that the free-agent dam was about to break. — Soto's deal would theoretically set the market in motion …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors, CBSSports.com, Bleacher Nation, Yahoo Sports and NESN.com
Zack Rosenblatt / New York Times:
One Year After Being Fired, He's the N.F.L.'s Most Coveted Coaching Candidate — NASHVILLE — The lighting inside The Corner Pub is dim enough that it feels like nighttime even when it's light outside. There is cheap beer, a wide selection of whiskey and a frozen-drink machine churning …
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
MLB's top 10 starting rotations, New Year's edition — What a strange time it is for the art of starting pitching in Major League Baseball. — The narrative in recent years has been the loss of its primacy as a star attraction. Fewer innings go to starters in general, and no starters carry the epic workloads of their forebears.
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, Sports Illustrated and NESN.com
Brian Lewis / New York Post:
Nets' Cam Johnson injures ankle on final play but appears to avoid worst-case scenario — MILWAUKEE — Cam Johnson, the Nets' most consistent player all season, got hurt on the second-to-last play of their 113-110 win in Milwaukee. — The forward turned his ankle and had X-rays Thursday night at Fiserv Forum.
Discussion:
New York Daily News, RealGM, Reuters, Hoops Rumors, NetsDaily, BVM Sports and Last Word On Basketball
Andrew Baggarly / New York Times:
After starting strong, the Giants' offseason could use a momentum boost — The San Francisco Giants' 2024-25 offseason began with so much fresh air and fulfillment. — After several winters of discontent and free-agent frustration at missing out on top targets, they landed the best player available …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Sports Illustrated, McCovey Chronicles, BVM Sports and Yahoo Sports
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Scott Oberg joins Rockies as minor-league pitching coordinator — Right-hander clinched Colorado's dramatic 2018 wild-card win over Cubs — Scott Oberg, who made his mark with one of the gutsiest relief performances in Rockies history, has been hired as a special assistant in player development.
Discussion:
Purple Row, MLB Trade Rumors and Last Word On Baseball
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Versatile Rojas agrees to 1-year deal with White Sox (source) — CHICAGO - The White Sox have agreed to terms with free agent infielder/outfielder Josh Rojas on a one-year-deal, a source told MLB.com on Thursday. The club has not confirmed the deal. — Rojas, 30, was non-tendered …
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Chicago Tribune, Lookout Landing, Bleacher Nation, MLB Trade Rumors, Chicago Sun Times, Yahoo Sports and BVM Sports
Dan Szymborski / FanGraphs Baseball:
2025 ZiPS Projections: Cincinnati Reds — For the 21st consecutive season, the ZiPS projection system is unleashing a full set of prognostications. For more information on the ZiPS projections, please consult this year's introduction and MLB's glossary entry.
Discussion:
Red Reporter, Redleg Nation and BVM Sports
Brady Farkas / Sports Illustrated:
Seattle Mariners Legend Felix Hernandez Will Stay on Hall of Fame Ballot For Another Year! — We don't know if King Felix will actually get to Cooperstown, but we know that he's going to get another chance in 2026. — The month of January is bound to be a big one for the Seattle Mariners and their fanbase.
Discussion:
MLB.com and Lookout Landing
Larry Brooks / New York Post:
Rangers' Zac Jones feels like he's ‘rotting away’ after losing spot: ‘It f-king sucks’ — Rangers defenseman feels like he's ‘rotting away’ after losing spot: ‘It f—king sucks’ — These top stars gave WWE the perfect springboard into Raw's Netflix Era — We'll find out how good Knicks really are as tough stretch begins
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and Stanley Cup of Chowder