Dan Fappiano Articles - Page 7

The Cleveland Guardians are entering the 2026 season hoping to make it to the playoffs for a third-straight season. In their quest for improvement, the Guardians have added a new first baseman to the mix. Cleveland is poised to sign Rhys Hoskins to a one-year minor league deal. If he were to make the majors, […]

As the Detroit Tigers prepare for the 2026 season, they’re hopeful infielder Trey Sweeney can serve as a crucial contributor. However, Sweeney’s spring training preparations has come to a sudden halt. The Tigers are pausing Sweeney’s practice regimen due to a shoulder injury, via Evan Woodberry of MLive. General manager AJ Hinch confirmed that the […]

The Toronto Blue Jays signed Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million to be their new third baseman. However, the Blue Jays are seeing if Okamoto is capable of helping them elsewhere on the diamond as well. The free agency addition was seen on Friday getting some reps in at first base with Vladimir Guerrero […]

Wide receiver Mack Hollins played a crucial role in the New England Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl. For his efforts, Hollins will now be $400,000 richer. Missing the final two games of the season, Hollins missed out on his reception incentive by four grabs. However, the Patriots are still awarding him the $400,000 as […]

When the 2028 Summer Olympics come around, baseball will be making its official return. With the tournament set to be held at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has expressed his interest in managing. He isn’t the only one who wants to be on the coaching staff. As Team USA deliberates how exactly […]

As the Athletics continuing building to a brighter future, they signed both Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom to contract extensions. They might not be the only sluggers getting a new deal from the A’s. First baseman Nick Kurtz is coming off of a Rookie of the Year campaign. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay didn’t shy away […]

After signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Marcell Ozuna won’t have to face Cy Young winner Paul Skenes. However, he is getting his faceoff opportunity during spring training. When Ozuna steps in the box, he isn’t afraid. No matter the numbers Skenes has put up, the newest Pirates slugger just sees him as […]

After his public breakup with the Philadelphia Phillies, Nick Castellanos signed with the San Diego Padres in free agency. Now, Castellanos appears to be settling in on his new team. As the Padres begin spring training, Castellanos has been taking reps at first base, via 97.3 The Fan. New manager Craig Stammen is looking for […]

With the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to spend exorbitantly in free agency, many have called for a salary cap to be introduced. Not new Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Bassitt. Bassitt serves on the MLBPA executive subcommittee. He gave a firm response when asked if MLB should implement a salary cap, via Jacob Calvin Meyer […]

Having a lineup that features both the Rookie of the Year and runner-up, the Athletics are hopeful that they’re building towards a much brighter future. The A’s have now turned to the past for some extra guidance moving forward. Bob Melvin has been hired as a special assistant, the team announced. He is re-joining the […]

When the Cleveland Guardians find success in 2026, it’s likely that outfielder Steven Kwan has something to do with it. As Kwan prepares for the season in spring training, he is taking on a more versatile approach. The four-time Gold Glover is expected to spend some time in centerfield, via Zack Meisel of The Athletic. […]

Throughout the offseason, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown will find himself in countless trade rumors. However, actually acquiring the star from Philadelphia will be much easier said than done. Four analysts at ESPN tried their best, drawing up hypothetical trades for the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots. While the […]

After making a run to the Divisional Round, the Chicago Bears now hold the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s no secret which side of the ball they will be targeting. Quarterback Caleb Williams took a big step forward in his first year under head coach Ben Johnson. However, the same […]

The San Francisco 49ers are entering the offseason prepared to do what it takes to improve their roster. But when the 2026 campaign begins, they’ll have a whole other set of problems to deal with. Amongst them, is the amount of miles San Francisco will have to travel. With games in Australia and Mexico City, […]

While the Chicago Bears made a run to the Divisional Round, it’s clear they need a bit more defensive help to reach new heights. A trade for Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby would certainly do the trick. As the Raiders hit the organization reset button, Crosby has been involved in plenty of […]

When Team USA takes the field for the World Baseball Classic, they’ll be led by captain Aaron Judge. Manager Mark DeRosa couldn’t be more hyped up to have the New York Yankees star on his roster. As much as DeRosa wanted Judge on the team, he wasn’t going to pester him about it. Team USA […]

The Chicago Cubs have stayed active throughout the offseason in their pursuit of a deep playoff run. But as the season goes on, especially near the trade deadline, the Cubs may be forced to add more to their roster. As it stands, Chicago has the eighth-highest payroll in baseball at just over $230 million, via […]

With Chaim Bloom now operating as president of baseball operations, the St. Louis Cardinals have entered a full scale rebuild. No one in the organization is shying away from where St. Louis currently stands. At the same time, that doesn’t mean the Cardinals aren’t committed to future success. Manager Oli Marmol spoke on the mentality […]

After suffering a broken bone in his hand, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is expected to be sidelined for the majority, if not all of spring training. However, he still takes his role on the team seriously. There are no captains on the Mets, per owner Steve Cohen’s orders. But despite his injury, Lindor […]

As the Minnesota Vikings navigate their offseason, figuring out their quarterback situation will be one of the more pressing assignment. Some believe that looking outside the organization is how Minnesota should address their QB problems. While the Vikings can look to free agency, they could also turn to the trade market. If the franchise is […]

After a disastrous 3-14 season, the Las Vegas Raiders have hit the organizational reset button. Their offseason will now be focused on building the Raiders around whoever the team selects at No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Barring an unforeseen circumstance, that pick is widely expected to be quarterback Francisco Mendoza. But for all […]

For the first time since 2022, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien won’t be playing on the Texas Rangers. However, there is no bad blood between the two. Semien was simply traded in the deal that landed the Rangers Brandon Nimmo. Texas was doing what they thought was best for their organization. As Semien prepares for […]

Anthony Volpe is entering a crucial year in terms of retaining the New York Yankees’ starting shortstop gig long-term. However, he must first get over his shoulder injury and get back on the diamond. On Monday, Volpe began his hitting program by taking dry swings, manager Aaron Boone confirmed, via Greg Joyce of  It’s the […]

The Toronto Blue Jays came up just short in their quest to secure a World Series title. Entering the 2026 season, manager John Schneider is hoping to lead his team to even greater heights. However, he knows that every year is different. Toronto cannot rest on their 2025 laurels. As they enter the 2026 campaign, […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering the 2026 season trying to win their third-straight World Series title. However, they’ll now have to go into the season without a key hitter in their lineup. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Tommy Edman will open the season on the injured list, via Fabian Ardaya of  He is still […]

If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to get back into contention, Cy Young winner Paul Skenes will have a lot to do with it. As the Pirates open spring training, everyone had to see what Skenes has to offer. The right-hander threw a bullpen session on Monday without any live hitters. And still, Pittsburgh fans […]

As the Houston Astros prepare for the 2026 season, manager Joe Espada was planning on using Yordan Alvarez as his everyday designated hitter. However, Alvarez isn’t fully down with that plan. Injuries have held the slugger back recently, leading to Espada’s DH decision. Still, Alvarez was quick to point out that his ailments haven’t come […]

After an impressive rookie season with the Boston Red Sox, outfielder Roman Anthony was selected to compete for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. It’ll be a full circle moment from the last time Anthony was at the WBC. When Team USA faced team Japan in the 2023 finals, Anthony was there. He watched […]

As the Baltimore Orioles entered spring training, they were dealt a brutal blow when Jackson Holliday broke his hamate bone. Now, the second baseman is set to begin the season on the injured list. It didn’t take long for Holiday to suffer his injury. The broken bone has now put up a roadblock on what […]

As it stands, superstar Tarik Skubal is expected to start on Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers. However, some are still convinced that the back-to-back Cy Young winner will be traded during spring training. Entering free agency after the season, Skubal is expected to draw a historic contract. Numerous executives around the league are doubting […]

With the St. Louis Cardinals essentially selling off their major league roster and entering a full rebuild, things are going to look much different at Busch Stadium in 2026. At least in spring training, fans will get a view into the future of the Cardinals. Amongst all the players in attendance, perhaps no one will […]

San Diego Padres general manager AJ Preller is entering the final year of his contract. However, star third baseman Manny Machado doesn’t want to see him leave the franchise anytime soon. After Preller signed Nick Castellanos in free agency, he received a major endorsement from the third baseman. But the general manager knows Machado may […]

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor won’t be playing in the World Baseball Classic due to a broken hamate bone. However, pre-injury, there was a real effort to get him on the diamond with Team USA Today. Superstar Bad Bunny offered to pay for Lindor’s WBC insurance, the shortstop confirmed. He offered the same to […]

The St. Louis Cardinals are changing course as a franchise and have entered a full scale rebuild. Still, legends of the past want to help the Cardinals better navigate their future. One of those figures is Yadier Molina. As he has done in the past, the long-time catcher will be in uniform as he helps […]

The Atlanta Braves are preparing to enter the Walt Weiss era in 2026. However, Atlanta is barely into spring training and starting pitching is already emerging as a problem. Right-hander Hurston Waldrep felt pain when throwing a live bullpen. An MRI showed loose bodies, which is likely to lead to some form of procedure, via […]

Playing for the San Diego Padres, Manny Machado will be doing anything in his power to help take down the Los Angeles Dodgers and win the NL West. However, there’s one thing Machado can’t help admire from the rival organization. The Dodgers have drawn the ire of many for their free agency spending, with some […]

After a public divorce with the Philadelphia Phillies, Nick Castellanos joined the San Diego Padres in free agency. Now, manager Craig Stammen has determined exactly where he will play on the team. Castellanos will operate mainly as a designated hitter and outfielder, with some first base mixed in, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Overall, […]

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 […]