2+ day, 23+ hour ago (310+ words) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 12: Pitcher Phil Maton #88 of the Houston Astros pitches during the 6th inning of Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on October 12, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs have begun rebuilding their bullpen. They are in agreement with right-handed reliever Phil Maton on a two-year contract with a third-year club option, according to multiple reports Friday night. Further terms of the deal were not immediately clear. The Cubs don't often commit multi-year contracts to relievers. The pact reflects how highly they think of the 32-year-old. Maton is set to the Cubs with nine years of major-league experience under his belt, spanning seven different organizations. Last season he posted a 2.35 ERA with the Cardinals before they sent him to the Rangers at the trade deadline for a pair of minor-league pitchers…...

3+ day, 5+ hour ago (326+ words) ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Reese McGuire #20 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates a grand slam against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 23, 2025 in Anaheim, California. The Cubs tendered contracts to half their arbitration-eligible players before the deadline Friday, promising deals to left-hander Justin Steele and right-hander Javier Assad for 2026. They non-tendered catcher Reese McGuire and reliever Eli Morgan, making them free agents. All four decisions were predictable. Steele and Assad both missed large chunks of last season due to injury, but they showed continued promise when they were on the mound. Steele is on track to return from his April elbow surgery early next season. And when he does so, he's expected to be a headlining member of the Cubs' rotation. Assad didn't make his 2025 season debut until mid-August, due to consecutive oblique…...

3+ day, 5+ hour ago (326+ words) ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Reese McGuire #20 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates a grand slam against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 23, 2025 in Anaheim, California. The Cubs tendered contracts to half their arbitration-eligible players before the deadline Friday, promising deals to left-hander Justin Steele and right-hander Javier Assad for 2026. They non-tendered catcher Reese McGuire and reliever Eli Morgan, making them free agents. All four decisions were predictable. Steele and Assad both missed large chunks of last season due to injury, but they showed continued promise when they were on the mound. Steele is on track to return from his April elbow surgery early next season. And when he does so, he's expected to be a headlining member of the Cubs' rotation. Assad didn't make his 2025 season debut until mid-August, due to consecutive oblique…...

3+ day, 12+ hour ago (826+ words) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 12: Mois's Ballesteros #25 of the Chicago Cubs hits a RBI triple during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Wrigley Field on September 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs aren't likely to replace right fielder Kyle Tucker's offensive production this offseason, barring a surprise reunion with the belle of this year's free agent class. The options are few, and the price is high " either monetarily for free agent signings, or in young talent for trade acquisitions. To be sure, there have already been surprises this offseason. A record four players across MLB accepted qualifying offers this past week " Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff, Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham and Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres. Tucker rejected the qualifying offer, as expected. Those decisions could be a reflection of the free agent market, but they could also…...

4+ day, 8+ hour ago (608+ words) Warren's Braylon Walker (11) shoots during a preseason practice. With the 2025-26 season fast approaching, it's time for seniors in the Class of 2026 to shine. The development will continue, but their experience warrants even bigger production and headlines this season. The following is a mixture of seniors who have produced but without a whole lot of attention last season " or players poised to put up bigger numbers simply with their natural progression. Here is a short list of breakout players in the senior class. The 5-6 Hunter is ready to become one of the main stories of the winter. He did make a name for himself over the final weekend of last season as the driving force behind a team that captured a Class 1A state championship. He led little-known Hope while providing some memorable moments and stat lines. Hunter combined for 43 points and…...

4+ day, 9+ hour ago (476+ words) New White Sox outfielder Everson Pereira is hoping to unlock his offensive ability in Chicago. Everson Pereira was in between a Winter League doubleheader when he heard about the trade that would take him from the Rays to the White Sox. "I think everything happens for a reason, and I think this is a good opportunity for me," he said on a Zoom call with reporters Thursday. "I'm excited. I'm excited about this opportunity." Opportunity is one thing the Sox can offer to prospects who couldn't find a footing with their previous teams. Pereira joins Miguel Vargas and Curtis Mead as players whom the Sox can afford giving a longer runway of at-bats. The Sox adjusted Vargas' hand placement, and he improved to become a league-average hitter. Mead said the hitting coaches suggested that he stand taller at the plate…...

4+ day, 9+ hour ago (476+ words) New White Sox outfielder Everson Pereira is hoping to unlock his offensive ability in Chicago. Everson Pereira was in between a Winter League doubleheader when he heard about the trade that would take him from the Rays to the White Sox. "I think everything happens for a reason, and I think this is a good opportunity for me," he said on a Zoom call with reporters Thursday. "I'm excited. I'm excited about this opportunity." Opportunity is one thing the Sox can offer to prospects who couldn't find a footing with their previous teams. Pereira joins Miguel Vargas and Curtis Mead as players whom the Sox can afford giving a longer runway of at-bats. The Sox adjusted Vargas' hand placement, and he improved to become a league-average hitter. Mead said the hitting coaches suggested that he stand taller at the plate…...

5+ day, 5+ hour ago (477+ words) The Sox added traded for Everson Pereira from the Rays on Tuesday. White Sox fans shouldn't plan on much outside reinforcement coming in to help the Sox next season. General manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that, "We're not actively looking to move anyone, but naturally there is some interest in our players." He then reiterated his stance, which has been the same since the offseason began: if the Sox do make a jump next season, it will likely come from within. "We like the group that we have currently, in regards to our young players that got to the big leagues last year," Getz said. "Now, if it makes sense down the road to look into making a move that can help us in other areas, we'll have those conversations." Knowing the organization might be reticent to make moves, it…...

5+ day, 6+ hour ago (707+ words) ESPN and Major League Baseball appeared headed for an ugly separation after the network opted out of its rights deal in February. Nine months later, it appears to be the best thing to happen to both parties. ESPN has a reworked deal that includes out-of-market streaming rights while NBC and Netflix will air games as part of a new three-year media rights agreement announced by MLB on Wednesday. Commissioner Rob Manfred also was able to maximize rights for the Home Run Derby and wild card series. NBC/Peacock will become the new home of "Sunday Night Baseball" and the wild card round while Netflix will have the Home Run Derby and two additional games. The three deals will average nearly $800 million per year. ESPN will still pay $550 million while the NBC deal is worth $200 million and Netflix $50 million. ESPN, which…...

5+ day, 6+ hour ago (707+ words) ESPN and Major League Baseball appeared headed for an ugly separation after the network opted out of its rights deal in February. Nine months later, it appears to be the best thing to happen to both parties. ESPN has a reworked deal that includes out-of-market streaming rights while NBC and Netflix will air games as part of a new three-year media rights agreement announced by MLB on Wednesday. Commissioner Rob Manfred also was able to maximize rights for the Home Run Derby and wild card series. NBC/Peacock will become the new home of "Sunday Night Baseball" and the wild card round while Netflix will have the Home Run Derby and two additional games. The three deals will average nearly $800 million per year. ESPN will still pay $550 million while the NBC deal is worth $200 million and Netflix $50 million. ESPN, which…...