Dan Fappiano Articles - Page 4

As the Tampa Bay Rays work through payroll constrictions, they always have to find creative ways to stay competitive. Entering spring training, rumblings of another sneaky Rays trade are starting to get louder. Left-handed relief pitcher Garrett Cleavinger is drawing trade interest, via Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. With a lack of free agency options […]

The Arizona Cardinals changed their franchise’s course by hiring Mike LaFleur as their next head coach. As he builds out his first coaching staff in Arizona, LaFleur wanted some continuity. The Cardinals are retaining defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Arizona’s decision came after a, “full search,” in which they […]

While the Philadelphia Phillies have made the playoffs the last four seasons, they have been unable to claim a World Series title in that span. Entering the 2026 season, the Phillies are looking to prove they are amongst MLB’s elites. Philadelphia’s biggest splash came when they re-signed designated hitter Kyler Schwarber in free agency. But […]

After winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, Klint Kubiak is now set to take over as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. As he assembles his first coaching staff, Kubiak wanted some veteran experience on his side. Las Vegas has hired Mike McCoy as their assistant head coach, via Tom Pelissero of […]

Starting pitcher Max Fried shined in his New York Yankees debut, earning his second-straight All-Star nomination. However, the Yankees came up short in their bid for a World Series title. As Fried prepares for the 2026 season, he is focused solely on getting a ring. There are no moral victories when it comes to the […]

Coming off of back-to-back World Series titles, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to make it a third-straight in 2026. While they already have plenty of talent on their roster, the Dodgers are turning over every rock in an effort to continually improve. Los Angeles has signed Keston Hiura to a minor league contract with […]

As the Texas Rangers prepare to enter the Skip Schumaker era, top prospect Sebastian Walcott seemed poised to potentially make a large impact. However, those plans have now been benched. Walcott is set to undergo Tommy John Surgery, which will likely force him to miss most if not the entire 2026 season, via Evan Grant […]

Infielder Luisangel Acuna was the headliner in the Chicago White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr trade with the New York Mets. However, general manager Chriz Getz may not be fully sure what he received in the trade. As spring training opens up, Getz has referred to Acuna as a switch-hitter at least four times. The only […]

Coming out of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl loss, the play of left tackle Will Campbell has been heavily critiqued. However, one Patriots legend wouldn’t consider moving him from the blindside. Dante Scarnecchia spent 34 years coaching with the Patriots, oftentimes working with the offensive line. He understands what it takes to succeed in […]

Head coach Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots come up short in the Super Bowl. However, Vrabel never gave up on his team. In the tunnel after the game, the head coach waited to embrace every player. As Vrabel continues to build his culture in New England, Patriots legend Julian Edelman is a big […]

Justin Verlander is going back to where it all began, signing a one-year, $13 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. Perhaps no one is more amped up about the deal than his brother Ben Verlander. Ben was a Tigers fan before the reunion with his brother. But now that Justin is back, his brother couldn’t […]

The New York Mets made a big splash when they acquired Luis Robert Jr in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. But now, it’s not the only deal both franchises have agreed to this offseason. The White Sox have traded left-handed pitcher Bryan Hudson to the Mets for cash considerations, via Joel Sherman of […]

The San Francisco Giants are entering the 2026 season under new leadership in manager Tony Vitello. He’ll debut will come with the entire MLB world watch. The Giants are set to face the New York Yankees on Opening Day with the game broadcasted by Netflix. Vitello understands he’ll be entering MLB under the brightest of […]

Kris Bryant hasn’t had the tenure he nor the Colorado Rockies were hoping for when he signed a seven-year, $182 million contract. Things have gotten even worse as Bryant will now have a late start to his 2026 season. The Rockies have placed Bryant on the 60-day injured list, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today. […]

Pitching at Coors Field has proved to be a difficult test for many who have come through the Colorado Rockies’ door. Still, somebody has to do it. During the 2026 season, one of those pitchers will be Tomoyuki Sugano, who the Rockies have signed to a one-year deal, via Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The financial […]

As the Arizona Cardinals prepare for life under new head coach Mike LaFleur, they must figure out what to do with quarterback Kyler Murray. One option would be trading him away. However, actually pulling off a trade is much easier said than done. He is set to make nearly $23 million in 2026 and is […]

As the Athletics try to get back into contention, their lineup is filled with plenty of potent bats. However, figuring out their pitching rotation is still a work in progress. The A’s have now added another name to the mix, signing Aaron Civale to a one-year contract, via Jon Heyman of The New York Post. […]

After missing the playoffs in 2025, the Atlanta Braves are entering spring training looking to reclaim their seat at the postseason table. Now, the Braves will have some extra catching depth to work with. Former Texas Rangers standout Jonah Heim is in camp with Atlanta, via Mark Bowman of MLB.com. He seems poised for a […]

The Miami Marlins have spent the offseason trading from their wealth of pitching to reinvigorate their roster. Now, the Marlins have plenty of intriguing players set to control big roles in the lineup. One of those hitters is Augustin Ramirez. There’s no denying what he brings to the plate after hitting .231 with 21 home […]

Quarterback Sam Darnold has had a tumultuous NFL career. But after battling through numerous road blocks, he is set to lead the Seattle Seahawks into battle at the Super Bowl. When his NFL journey began, Darnold was quarterback of the New York Jets. Then, Todd Bowles was his head coach. Darnold’s first win under center […]

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is one of the most respected offensive minds in the NFL. And still, the Seattle Seahawks and their defense gave him fits all season. It was the Seahawks’ defensive performance against the 49ers in the Divisional Round that helped lead them to the Super Bowl. Shanahan was willing […]

When fans and pundits talk about the New York Mets’ outfield, their immediate thought goes to right fielder Juan Soto. However, the Mets must make sure they have ample options in the other two outfield spots. In an effort to add more depth, New York has signed outfielder MJ Melendez to a one-year, $1.5 million […]

After 12 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wide receiver Mike Evans is now set to enter free agency. But at least his agent is hoping he comes back for at least one more go. Evans will take time to ponder his next steps. As he does, agent Deryk Gilmore is remaining optimistic about a […]

After splitting the season between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals in 2025, quarterback Joe Flacco is set to hit free agency. Despite the fact he’s entering his age-41 season, Flacco will be a hot commodity amongst quarterback needy teams. One of those franchise is the Minnesota Vikings. They’ll at least want a veteran to […]

The Baltimore Orioles have remained aggressive all offseason in their quest to return to the postseason. However, they have failed to find their true ace. The franchise did acquire Shane Baz in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish are also expected to have key roles in the rotation. But […]

The Dallas Cowboys are entering their offseason prepared to use the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens. However, that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be on the Cowboys in 2026. Even with the tag, Dallas would ultimately need to sign Pickens an extension to keep him around long-term. If owner Jerry Jones and company don’t think […]

The Boston Red Sox have been tinkering with their infield in the wake of losing Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs. Now, they have added a former Washington National to the mix. The Red Sox have claimed infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off of waivers. He becomes the 40th man on Boston’s current 40-man roster. While Cheng […]

The Philadelphia Phillies have made it to the playoffs the last four seasons. However, they are still trying to earn their first World Series title since 2008. In an effort to maximize their roster’s potential, the Phillies have invited utility man Dylan Moore and right-handed pitcher Daniel Robert to spring training, the team announced. Both […]

The New York Giants are gearing up to enter the Jim Harbaugh era. Both the head coach and franchise are hoping to have star wide receiver Malik Nabers on the field sooner rather than later. Still, Nabers is making his way back from a serious knee injury. He tore his meniscus alongside his ACL. There […]

The Orlando Magic shook up their roster when they traded Tyus Jones to the Charlotte Hornets prior to the deadline. Now, the Magic have found his replacement. Orlando has signed former Chicago Bulls guard Jevon Carter for the remainder of the season, via Shams Charania of ESPN. The financial terms of his deal have not […]

The Dallas Cowboys will make history in 2026, being one of the first two teams to play an NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is ecstatic for the opportunity. Jones’ only problem is that he may not known where Brazil is on a map. The owner made a clear geography […]

As Team Puerto Rico gears up for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, if they still opt to play, they were hoping to have Detroit Tigers slugger Javier Baez on their roster. However, due to suspension, that will no longer be possible. Baez has been suspended for the 2026 WBC due to marijuana use, via Evan […]

As free agents around MLB find their new home, starting pitcher Zac Gallen remains available. There hasn’t been as much buzz surrounding his name as Gallen’s camp would’ve hope. His 2025 performance is certainly giving teams pause. Furthermore, the fact the Arizona Diamondbacks offered him a qualifying offer means any team that signs him would […]

As Kurt Suzuki prepares to take over as manager, the Los Angeles Angels have been scouring the free agency market for any potential value. In their latest move, the Angels have found what they hope will be a bullpen boost. Los Angeles is nearing a deal with Brent Suter, via Chris Cotillo of MassLive. While […]

When the dust settled, the Detroit Tigers won the Framber Valdez sweepstakes with a three-year, $115 million contract. However, they weren’t the only team trying to acquire the left-hander. The Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins were all in on Valdez, via Jesse Rogers of ESPN. That doesn’t mean they were all willing […]

The New York Mets made a major splash when they acquired Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. Now, he is expected to lead the Mets’ rotation. Of course, that means his own output on the mound. But with New York having a young rotation, Peralta will need to help guide their course […]

Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent will all be entering the MLB Hall of Fame in 2026. Now, it is known exactly which teams they’ll be repping on their Hall of Fame plaque. Beltran will have a Mets logo while Jones will be wearing a Braves logo, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Kent […]

The Cincinnati Reds added some massive power into their lineup in the form of slugger Eugenio Suarez. However, to do so, someone had to be cut from the roster. The Reds have now officially signed Suarez, for a reported $15 million. In turn, they have designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment, via Joey Mistretta of […]

As the Los Angeles Angels are preparing to begin their Kurt Suzuki era, the franchise has been hoarding reclamation projects. Their latest signing comes in the form of a past Cincinnati Reds infielder. The Angels have signed Jeimer Candelario to a minor league contract, via Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He will make […]