Dan Fappiano Articles - Page 2

In an effort to bolster their pitching rotation, the New York Mets made a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for Freddy Peralta. But with Peralta set to be a free agent after the season, the Mets must conjure up a long-term plan. While there haven’t been extensive talks yet, New York doesn’t want the […]

As Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong prepares for his first World Baseball Classic, he’ll be surrounded by plenty of superstars on Team USA. However, there is one name atop his list that he is most excited to be around. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper is expected to play a pivotal role for Team USA. […]

After his first season with the Chicago Bears, head coach Ben Johnson has already become an institution in the Windy City. On Sunday, he decided to have some fun with Chicago Bulls fans. Johnson attended the Bulls’ matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on Sunday. There, he teased taking off his shirt, […]

As the San Diego Padres prepare for the Craig Stammen era, they’ve scoured all corners of free agency for talent. In their latest move, San Diego has added another outfielder to the mix. The Padres have signed Alex Verdugo to a minor league contract, via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The financial terms […]

Injuries have taken a massive bite out of Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout’s career. However, entering the 2026 campaign, Trout is looking to prove that he is the healthiest he has been in years. The former MVP caught plenty of attention on Saturday when hitting 29.9 MPH when trying to beat out a play […]

Throughout his time in the spotlight, New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston has been known for his passionate speeches. Now, Winston has taken his motivational talents to the IndyCar track. Before Dennis Hauger made his IndyCar debut, he got some words of encouragement from the quarterback. As usual, Winston found a way to get everyone […]

Due in large part to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ free agency spending habits, many in the MLB world have called for the league to implement a salary cap. However, new interim MLB Player’s Association executive director Bruce Meyer isn’t of that belief. He thinks that a salary cap would only further line the pockets of […]

Team USA is putting the finishing touches on their roster before entering the World Baseball Classic. Now, the team has a new arm to work with. Current New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Yarbrough has replaced Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan on Team USA’s Pool Play roster, the WBC’s official X, formerly Twitter account confirmed. Ryan […]

As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for the 2026 season, they’re hoping Brusdar Graterol could be a crucial part of the bullpen. But manager Dave Roberts’ latest update has spawn a dark cloud over those plans. Roberts confirmed that Graterol hasn’t ramped up from his shoulder surgery, via Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. […]

Baltimore Orioles top prospect Samuel Basallo suffering a long-term injury would be a major cause for concern. However, it appears that both player and organization have avoided anything too serious. Basallo was able to return to the field on Friday after his abdominal injury, via the Baltimore Sun. While the Orioles will make the final […]

After coming up short in the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots are evaluating all aspects of their roster. That includes the wide receiver position. New England will need to come to a resolution with Stefon Diggs over his bloated contract. But whether he stays or not, the Patriots have their eyes on another receiver. […]

The New York Giants are daydreaming of quarterback Jaxson Dart completing passes to wide receiver Malik Nabers when both are healthy. Adding another top flight receiver to the mix would only make the Giants’ passing attack scarier. Top 2026 WR prospect Carnell Tate is making his pitch to come to New York. He too has […]

When Nick Bosa suffered his season-ending injury, the San Francisco 49ers knew they’d have to add to their pass rush. They were hoping that the New York Jets could offer some help. San Francisco offered New York a third-round pick in exchange for Jermaine Johnson II. However, the Jets rebuffed their offer and instead held […]

After being dealt at the trade deadline, Merrill Kelly re-joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in free agency. However, a Diamondbacks reunion wasn’t the only offer Kelly had on the table. Before putting pen to paper, the right-hander received a three-year offer from the San Diego Padres. However, Kelly took everything into consideration before making his decision. […]

As the Pittsburgh Pirates look towards their future, top prospect Konnor Griffin is expected to play a major role in any offensive success they find. In the midst of an eye-opening spring training, that future might be now in Pittsburgh. Griffin has been tearing the cover off the ball, most notably hitting two home runs […]

As the Baltimore Orioles try to go on a deep playoff run in 2026, they’re hopeful top prospect Samuel Basallo will play a big role in any offensive success they find. But on Thursday, everyone involved with the Orioles was holding their breath. Basallo was forced to leave the Orioles’ Grapefruit League matchup with an […]

The Los Angeles Chargers have made it to the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. But for one reason or another, the Chargers have been unable to advance past the Wild Card Round. During the 2025 season, Los Angeles’ biggest problem was their offensive line. Both starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt […]

As the Tampa Bay Rays prepare for the 202 season, they are nearing the return of starting pitcher Shane McClanahan. Thus far in spring training, all signs have pointed towards McClanahan being ready for Opening Day. Manager Kevin Cash’s latest update will further stoke that fire. The left-hander made it through his latest bullpen session […]

After spending the first four years of his career with the New York Jets, pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II has been traded to the Tennessee Titans. Before his time with the Jets officially comes to a close, Johnson had one last message for fans. The Jets-Titans trade can’t officially be processed until the new league […]

When it comes to the New York Mets’ bullpen, all eyes will be on new signees Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. However, there is another relief pitcher that will be drawing plenty of attention. Former eighth-round pick Ryan Lambert is trying to make his mark in spring training. He has tried plenty of strategies to […]

While the Chicago Bears made a run to the Divisional Round, it’s clear their defense is still a work. One option could be shaking up the interior of their defensive line completely. With a lack of standout defensive tackles available, teams have begun calling the Bears about a trade for Gervon Dexter Jr., via NFL […]

As the NFL offseason heats up, trade rumors surrounding Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby will only grow louder. Now, the framework of what the Raiders would want in a deal has now been revealed. Las Vegas is requesting two first-round picks and a player in any trade for the pass rusher, via […]

As the Baltimore Ravens prepare to enter the Jesse Minter era, they’ll be evaluating all aspects of their roster. When free agency rolls around, there is one key player Baltimore doesn’t want to see leave anytime soon. The Ravens ‘remain hopeful’ in signing center Tyler Linderbaum to a contract extension, via NFL insider Jordan Schultz. […]

The Carolina Panthers shocked the NFL by winning the NFC South and making the playoffs in 2025. As head coach Dave Canales tries to move the Panthers even further forward, he himself is taking a step back. Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik will call plays in 2026, Canales announced at the scouting combine. Canales will now […]

After spending the first eight years of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, Ranger Suarez decided to join the Boston Red Sox in free agency. For the former All-Star, it wasn’t the hardest decision he’ll have to make. Suarez had plenty of suitors vying for his services in free agency. But when it came to […]

Barring an unforeseen conclusion, Bryce Harper is locked in as the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman for the foreseeable future. Adding a veteran option at the cold corner may not mesh with how Philadelphia has built their roster. Even a player like Rhys Hoskins, who has a long history with the Phillies organization may not fit […]

The Los Angeles Chargers have made the playoffs three out of the last four seasons. However, they have failed to advance past the Wild Card Round. With quarterback Justin Herbert at their disposal, the Chargers have much higher expectations. Still, general manager Joe Horitz knows Herbert can’t do it all on his own. Which is […]

As Ben Johnson served his first year as head coach of the Chicago Bears, Eric Bieniemy operated as his running backs coach. However, Bieniemy has now left the franchise to become the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator again. Johnson saw the strides Bieniemy was able to draw out of Chicago’s running backs. He kept things […]

While the New Orleans Saints missed the playoffs in 2025, they appear to have found their quarterback in Tyler Shough. Now, they’re entering the 2026 NFL Draft looking to build around him. Holding the No. 8 overall pick, the Saints are in prime position to land a real difference maker in this year’s class. One […]

Heading into the 2026 season, the Miami Dolphins have hit the complete organization reset button. Still, there are some aspects of the Dolphins that the new regime isn’t trying to change. Offensively, Miami is still trying to build around running back De’Von Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. In their current position, the Dolphins will […]

With the Atlanta Falcons hiring Ian Cunningham as their next general manager, the Chicago Bears seemed poised to add to extra third-round picks. However, due to a technicality, those picks may not actually come through. Still, both Cunningham and Bears general manager Ryan Poles are confused why Chicago wouldn’t get the picks. He is still […]

After coming up short in the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots are now evaluating all aspects of their roster. That evaluation has already begun for the running back position. The Patriots have released Antonio Gibson, via Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Gibson tore his ACL back in Week 5, ending the running back’s […]

After coming up just short in the World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays decided to go all-in during the offseason. One of their biggest free agency signings came in the form of third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. Early on in spring training, Okamoto has proven why the Blue Jays gave him a four-year, $60 million. Facing […]

The San Francisco Giants know how difficult taking down the Los Angeles Dodgers and win the NL West. But in their effort to do so, the Giants have taken a page out of their rival’s playbook. San Francisco has signed Brent Honeywell to a minor league contract, via Chris Cotillo of MassLive. There’s no word […]

After seven years with the New York Mets, first baseman Pete Alonso joined the Baltimore Orioles on a new $155 million contract. Mets legend Darryl Strawberry isn’t a fan of the decision. Of course, Strawberry will have a New York bias after spending the first eight years of his MLB career with the franchise. Still, […]

After missing the playoffs in 2025, the Detroit Lions were intent on finding a new offensive leader. They did that by hiring Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. Following his run with the Arizona Cardinals, Petzing’s hiring may not have brought as much as excitement as Detroit was hoping for. However, Chicago Bears head […]

While the Baltimore Orioles have high expectations in 2026, they’ll be entering the season with infielders Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg on the shelf. To help remedy their injury issue, the Orioles have brought in some reinforcements. Baltimore has signed infielder Thairo Estrada to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, via […]

When the NFL offseason rolls around, various rule changes are brought to the table for consideration. But this time around, it doesn’t appear as if the rule book will be altered much. Rich McKay of the Competition Committee is expecting minimal rule change proposals, via Judy Battista of NFL.com. He stands by the current state […]

After making a run to the postseason in 2025, the Cincinnati Reds are looking to return to the playoffs come 2026. Leading the charge will be Cincinnati’s steadily improving pitching rotation. Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo and Brady Singer are all locked into rotation spots. All have shown flashes of brilliance and are expected […]