What I'm Hearing: John Harbaugh's bold Simmons pursuit, Jonathan Taylor's uncertain future, Caleb Williams' costly stand  —  On Monday night, Jeffery Simmons will make his debut with the Chicago Bears after the blockbuster deal that sent the star Tennessee Titans defensive tackle to Chicago in exchange for two first-round picks.

The Brewers' World Series success was no fluke, and they did their part to help save baseball  —  Did the Brewers save baseball by winning the World Series?  —  We're a month away from baseball's collective bargaining agreement expiring and commissioner Rob Manfred locking out the players.

Diamondbacks to hire Padres bullpen coach Ben Fritz as lead pitching coach: Sources  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to hire San Diego Padres bullpen coach Ben Fritz as their pitching coach, league sources with knowledge of the decision told The Athletic on the condition of anonymity …

Mariners, still searching for a manager, add CJ Gillman as hitting coach: Sources  —  As the Seattle Mariners' managerial search nears its conclusion, the team is already putting together its next coaching staff.  —  The Mariners are bringing back CJ Gillman, their minor-league hitting coordinator …

Astros hire Cardinals exec Randy Flores as next general manager  —  HOUSTON — In a surprising last-minute pivot, the Houston Astros hired Randy Flores as their general manager Friday night, capping a whirlwind two-month search that initially focused on another candidate.

Bo Bichette to exercise $42 million player option to stay with Mets: Sources  —  Bo Bichette is exercising his $42 million player option to stay with the New York Mets, league sources said Thursday, giving the Mets' lineup continuity as another pivotal offseason for the expensive yet underachieving club gets underway.

Mutual option for Texas Rangers' designated hitter Joc Pederson won't be exercised  —  Plus, two other Rangers will not have their mutual option exercised ahead of the 2026-27 season.  —  The first major transactions of the Rangers' offseason are upon us.  —  The mutual options …

Top 40 Trade Candidates Of The 2026-27 MLB Offseason  —  The celebration is on in Milwaukee and the offseason has arrived!  Free agency won't officially open for five days, as teams have until then to resolve any option decisions and have an exclusive negotiating window with their own free agents.

Garrett Stubbs will be designated for assignment by the Phillies  —  Garrett Stubbs' run with the Phillies is over.  —  A popular backup catcher and one of the most dynamic personalities during the Phillies' five-year run as a postseason team, Stubbs learned Thursday he will be designated for assignment.

Manchester United exploring January striker move, considering Leeds' Dominic Calvert-Lewin  —  Manchester United are exploring the market for centre forwards in January, and one name under consideration is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.  —  The 29-year-old England international has been on Manchester United's radar …

Your guide to MLB's coming lockout: Why it's happening, whether games will be lost, and when baseball will be back  —  Now that the World Series is over, Major League Baseball is about to make a most unfortunate transition.  The industry is catapulting toward a shutdown in a little more than a month …