Former NFL quarterback Mike Vick has accepted the head coaching job at Norfolk State, he announced on social media Tuesday night.
Sources confirmed to ESPN’s Pete Thamel earlier Tuesday that the Spartans were finalizing the deal with Vick, but Norfolk State officials declined to comment on Vick specifically when reached by ESPN. The officials said they would not release a statement Tuesday but planned to release one soon, indicating they were going through the formal steps of their hiring process.
Sources told ESPN that Vick, 44, informed Sacramento State officials that he was
The Washington Commanders are another step closer to the possibility of returning to the franchise’s old home in the nation’s capital.
A provision to transfer the land that is the site of the old RFK Stadium from the federal government to the District of Columbia is included in Congress’ short-term spending bill, which lawmakers are racing to pass with a vote this week.
It’s a significant victory for the organization and the NFL after controlling owner Josh Harris and Commissioner Roger Goodell lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill on the D.C. Robert F.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. Chicago will send the Yankees $5 million as part of the trade, the person said.
The 29-year-old Bellinger, whose father Clay helped the Yankees win World Series titles in 1999 and 2000, is owed $27.5 million in 2025 under the first of two player options as part of an $80 million, three-year contract. The two-time All-Star also has a $25 million player option for 2026 with a $5 million buyout that would be payable in equal installments on Jan. 15, 2026, and Jan. 15, 2027.
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Bellinger batted .266 with 18 homers and 78 RBIs in 130 games this year. He was on the injured list from April 24 to May 7 with a broken right rib.
He drove in 33 runs in his last 39 games of the season, but Chicago finished with an 83-79 record.
Bellinger, who plays first base and center field, made his major league debut in 2017 and spent his first six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was the NL MVP in 2019, batting .305 with 47 homers and 115 RBIs in 156 games. He also helped LA win the World Series in 2020.
He was cut by the Dodgers in November 2022 and signed a $17.5 million, one-year deal with Chicago a month later. He regained his form with the Cubs, hitting a career-best .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBIs and 20 steals in 130 games last season.
Bellinger is a .259 hitter with 196 homers and 597 RBIs in 1,005 games. He turns 30 in July.
Poteet, 30, made his major league debut with Miami in 2021, had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 17, 2022, returned to the mound with Kansas City’s Triple-A Omaha farm team on Sept. 23, 2023, was released by the Royals and signed with the Yankees last January. He went 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in four starts and one relief appearance during a season in which he was sidelined between June 12 and Sept. 25 by a strained right triceps.
DuBose remained in the hospital on Monday, but had movement in all extremities after a collision with safety Calen Bullock while trying to make a catch in the third quarter.
DuBose was motionless while being tended to by emergency medical personnel on the field for at least 10 minutes. His jersey was cut off him
The Commanders (9-5) have won two games in a row and are close to clinching the first playoff appearance in franchise history since the Washington Football Team lost in the wild-card round in 2020.
The Falcons (7-7) trail the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) by one game for the division lead.
That game, which will be broadcast on NBC, replaces the previously scheduled contest between
Contrary to near-unanimous NFL coaching opinion, maybe there is such a thing as a good loss.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell was open to considering the merit of a quality defeat based largely on the timing of a 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday that snapped an 11-game winning streak.
“What happens is, you get used to eating filet. And I’m talking all of us. And everything’s good. Life’s good, you know?” Campbell told Detroit radio station 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday. “But you forgot what it
For two consecutive offseasons, an MLB player has received the biggest contract in sports history.
Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million pact with the Dodgers obliterated Mike Trout’s previous record ($426.5 million). Juan Soto‘s $765 million agreement with the Mets represents an even bigger jump when you factor in present-day value and the fact Ohtani deferred $680 million over the span of two decades.Â
So, who’s next?Â
Well, it is unlikely that Soto’s deal will be eclipsed anytime soon, or at any point by a current MLB player. But there are future free agents who could challenge other contract records and join the $300 million club by the end of the decade.
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Here’s an early look at some of the top free agents in each of the coming years.
The Blue Jays star first baseman headlines next offseason’s free-agent class. The 25-year-old returned to MVP-caliber form in 2024, slashing .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs and a 166 OPS+.
Guerrero will be only six months older than Soto is now when he hits the open market, putting him in line to earn a rich, long-term deal. It likely won’t match the record length of Soto’s deal (15), given Vlad’s fluctuations in performance, but he could become just the fourth MLB player to receive a $400 million deal.Â
Some could argue that Tucker is the better player between him and Guerrero, as his baseline of hitting has been higher and he’s a plus defender and baserunner. The former Astro slashed .289/.408/.585 with 23 homers, 49 RBIs and 181 OPS+ in just 78 games last season, putting him on a near-MVP trajectory. Should he produce at that level in his new Cubs uniform over a full season, he could be primed for a bigger payday than Vlad. It’s also interesting to consider that nearly all of Excel Sports Management’s top clients (Dansby Swanson, George Springer, Trevor Story) have switched teams in free agency in recent years, with Clayton Kershaw being an exception.Â
Somewhat working against Tucker: He’ll be 29 by the start of the 2026 season.
The two NL West aces figure to be the best pitchers on the market next offseason. Only two pitchers have ever received a contract north of $300 million, though that could change once Corbin Burnes signs this winter.Â
Cease, who’ll be 30 by the start of the 2026 season, has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past three seasons, posting two top-four Cy Young finishes. Gallen, who will also be 30 by the start of the 2026 season, has a pair of recent top-five Cy Young finishes.
Both pitchers are represented by Scott Boras, making it likely they hit the open market next winter. If both have strong seasons in 2025, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Boras is able to negotiate two more $300 million deals.
Skubal is coming off a pitching triple crown season and is the consensus choice for the best pitcher in baseball. While he won’t hit free agency for another two years upon turning 30, he could still be in line to command the largest pitching contract in MLB history, given the lack of miles on his arm. He’ll just need to maintain his 2024 level of performance.
A pitcher, no matter how good, won’t pose a threat to Soto’s record. But it seems possible for Skubal to earn more on an annual basis than anyone in baseball outside of two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. He’s also a Boras client, which means they’ll likely be fighting for that mark.
Crochet will be 27 in the 2026-27 offseason, a relatively young age for an All-Star ace to become a free agent. However, Crochet has expressed a desire to get an extension done. When he was a rumored trade candidate ahead of the deadline in July, he expressed that he would only pitch in the postseason if he had an extension in place.Â
Initial reports following his trade suggested that the Red Sox and Crochet could work out an extension in the near future. It would certainly be for nine figures, but could come in lower than he’d get on the open market two winters from now.Â
If the countdown wasn’t already on for the Orioles’ young core to produce, they have a few seasons before one of their top homegrown players hits free agency. Rutschman will hit free agency in the 2027-28 offseason, shortly before his 30th birthday. The two-time All-Star has regressed a bit at the plate but his positional value will make his negotiations interesting. Whether he extends with the Orioles or reaches free agency, expect Rutschman to exceed Joe Mauer’s record eight-year, $184 million extension for a catcher.Â
Something to note, Rutschman’s agency (Beverly Hill Sports Council) helped negotiate the extension Jackson Chourio received before he even played an MLB game.
Similar to Rutschman, Contreras could also threaten Mauer’s contract record for catchers. The two-time All-Star will also be turning 30 that offseason and has been a slightly better hitter than Rutschman, if not quite as good on defense. Just don’t expect him to fetch that megadeal from the Brewers.
It’s possible that the player who receives the largest contract in the 2027-28 offseason is a pitcher. Gilbert, who’ll be 30 when he’s eligible for free agency that year, has been among the AL’s best pitchers since 2022. When you consider his effectiveness (league-leading 0.887 WHIP in 2024) and durability (league-leading 208.2 innings pitched in 2024), he might have a strong chance at joining the list of $300 million pitchers.
A year after Rutschman is due to hit free agency, Henderson is also scheduled to hit the open market. Henderson stands as the best candidate to threaten Soto’s record in the foreseeable future. The 23-year-old is arguably the best shortstop in the game already, slashing .281/.364/.529 with 37 homers and a 159 OPS+ this past season. Those numbers are better than what Soto put up at the plate in his age-23 season. Henderson will be 27 when he finally hits free agency, putting a lengthy and lucrative extension in play. His agent? Boras.Â
Star shortstops have long been paid at the very top of the market, putting Henderson in line for a fascinating negotiation should he continue at his current pace.Â
Alvarez would be a free agent next winter had he not signed a six-year, $115 million extension with the Astros midway through the 2022 season. Alvarez will be 31 when he hits the open market, but he could still cash in given his consistent and prolific production. Only Aaron Judge has a higher career OPS+.
Soto can opt out of his current deal after five seasons upon turning 31 years old. He’ll have already earned $255 million from the Mets, who could void the opt-out by committing to another $550 million over the ensuing 10 years, which equates to a $4 million annual raise.
Barring another extension, Acuna can get his first taste of free agency in the 2029-30 offseason. He’ll be turning 32 that winter, at which point he’s unlikely to set any records on the open market. Had the former MVP and Rookie of the Year not extended one year into his career (and not torn his ACL twice), he might have been the best candidate to negotiate a deal in Soto’s range.Â
Strider, who has a team option for the 2029 season, could also join his teammate Acuna in free agency in the 2029-30 offseason. He’ll be 31 then, still allowing fort a long-term payday. Of course, the more immediate concern for Strider, whose career got off to a blazing start, is making a full return from Tommy John surgery.
The 21-year-old Merrill was a standout in his 2024 rookie campaign, producing a 127 OPS+ with plus defense in center field. That earned him an All-Star selection. Five years from now, such all-around excellence could earn him hundreds of millions.
With rocket arm strength, speed and power, EDLC has quickly emerged into one of the game’s most electrifying players. His rare ability to hit for power and lead the league in steals could certainly earn him a rich contract. He’d only be 28 when first eligible for free agency. The key for the Boras client will be eliminating the high variance in his play and growing into a more consistent, dependable hitter. Â
The 2029-30 offseason marks the first player option in the massive extension RodrÃguez signed near the end of his magnificent 2022 rookie season. He’ll be 29 by then, but still young enough to net another long-term payday.Â
2030-31 offseason and beyond
Pirates ace Paul Skenes can be a free agent in the 2030-31 offseason at 28 years old. He might already be the most talented pitcher in baseball, and his historic rookie campaign puts him on a path to potentially setting numerous records on the open market.Â
Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. joined the trend of young stars to sign long-term deals in recent years last offseason. His 11-year, $288.7 million extension allows him to become a free agent in the 2030-31 offseason, when he has a player option.
Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll signed an extension just prior to his 2023 Rookie of the Year campaign. He won’t become a free agent until the 2031-32 offseason, when he’s 31.Â
Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio became the first star prospect to sign a long-term extension before making his MLB debut last spring. That’s already proving to be a great gamble for the Brewers, as Chourio excelled in his rookie season. His eight-year $82 million deal includes two team options, but Chourio won’t hit free agency until at least the 2031-32 offseason, following his age-27 season.Â
Padres outfielder Fernando TatÃs Jr. was at the forefront of the early extension trend. Prior to Soto’s deal, TatÃs’ 14-year pact was the longest in history and keeps him from free agency until the 2034-35 offseason, when he’ll turn 36.
Freddie Freeman’s historic walk-off grand slam ball from Game 1 of the World Series has sold for $1.56 million at auction.
The bidding at SCP Auctions went into the late hours of Saturday night, according to a statement from the auction house on Sunday. It didn’t say who bought the ball.
Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman, came to the plate on a sprained right ankle with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning against the New York Yankees. He hit the first pitch from Nestor Cortes 413 feet for the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
The Dodgers won the game 6-3 and went on to claim the franchise’s eighth World Series championship in five games. Freeman was named World Series MVP.
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The ball landed in the right-field pavilion, where it was corralled by 10-year-old Zachary Ruderman, who lives in Los Angeles. The ball rolled from the seat in front of him to his feet and he batted it to his father, Nico, who jumped on it.
The fifth-grader had been told he was leaving school early that day to get his braces removed. Instead, his parents took him to Dodger Stadium.
It’s the second ball connected to the Dodgers to be auctioned this season. The ball hit by Shohei Ohtani that made him the first player in major league history with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season sold for nearly $4.4 million. It set a record for the sale of any sports ball.
Experience the excitement of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ unforgettable 2024 postseason journey. From their intense showdown with the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, to their clash with the New York Mets in the NLCS, and culminating in their epic World Series battle against the New York Yankees, the Dodgers’ run is etched in history as one of the most legendary in MLB playoff lore.
