Mike Gianakos Articles - Page 9

The New York Jets opted to add former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields this offseason. New York reached an agreement with Fields on a two-year, $40 million deal. While it’s unknown if the fifth-year passer will end up being a long-term solution to the Jets’ perennial need at the position, the team’s latest free agency […]

The New York Jets wisely hung onto a homegrown talent this offseason. After a stellar 2024 campaign, the team rewarded linebacker Jamien Sherwood with a three-year, $45 million deal that includes $30 million guaranteed. On Wednesday, Sherwood received even more positive financial news. The NFL announced who made the top 25 in performance-based pay for […]

For the second straight year Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy will be sidelined early in the season. In 2024 an oblique strain cost him the first two months of the campaign and in 2025 he’ll miss at least a month with a cracked rib. So it’s hard to fault Braves fans for panicking when Murphy’s […]

The Tennessee Titans have several needs to address after finishing 3-14 last season and missing the playoffs for the third straight year. However, the Titans’ top target in free agency, safety Jevon Holland, was quickly taken off the market after agreeing on a three-year, $45.3 million deal with the New York Giants. So, Tennessee pivoted. […]

The San Francisco 49ers have been hit hard by reality this offseason. The 49ers are set to lose a number of important contributors in free agency as the team prepares to pay Brock Purdy, who’s entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. While it would be impossible to replace all the talent […]

Cincinnati Reds sensation Elly De La Cruz took the baseball world by storm in 2024 with his stunning speed and prodigious power. And the 23-year-old shortstop has hit the ground running in the lead-up to the 2025 regular season, crushing two home runs in his spring training debut. On Tuesday, De La Cruz did something […]

The Detroit Lions became one of the best teams in the NFL since Dan Campbell took over as head coach and put Aaron Glenn in charge of the defense while tapping Ben Johnson to run the offense. However, the coaching staff’s success led to new opportunities, as Johnson departed for the Bears and the New […]

The New York Giants are attempting to build a roster capable of competing with the powerhouse teams in the NFC East. After a 3-14 finish last season, the Giants clearly have a long way to go. However, the team believes the quickest route to reaching the playoffs is by adding a veteran quarterback in free […]

The Arizona Cardinals missed the playoffs for the third straight season in 2024, finishing with an 8-9 record. The team is still waiting for a true breakout campaign from former first overall draft pick Kyler Murray. However, the Cardinals have added quarterback depth behind the seventh-year starter. Arizona plans to sign Jacoby Brissett to be […]

The Dallas Cowboys entered the offseason in bad shape financially. After handing out massive contracts to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb last year, the team has been forced to make some difficult decisions. By reworking those deals, Dallas created cap space. But the team has been unable to reach an agreement on an extension with […]

The New Orleans Saints face a critical offseason after a disappointing 5-12 finish in 2024 that saw the team miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year. So far, New Orleans has revamped its coaching staff and cleared much needed cap space by reworking Derek Carr’s contract. Now the team has decided to retain veteran […]

After a 4-13 finish in 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars entered the offseason determined to get the most out of former first overall pick Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars are attempting to improve their offensive line to better protect the Pro Bowl quarterback, who signed a $275 million extension with the team prior to last season. On […]

After winning the 2024 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers went on to dominate the MLB offseason with an unprecedented spending spree. Los Angeles boasts a truly star-studded lineup as the organization improved on an already extremely impressive roster. LA scored one of the offseason’s biggest victories earlier this year when the team signed Japanese […]

The New York Giants have a number of issues that need to be addressed this offseason. After going 3-14 in 2024, the team has turned to free agency to improve a roster that underperformed on both sides of the ball. While the Giants are expected to pursue Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson to fill the […]

The Cincinnati Bengals finished 9-8 in 2024, missing the playoffs for the second straight season. Hoping to turn things around in 2025, the Bengals have been busy this offseason, continuing extension talks with Ja’Marr Chase and franchise tagging fellow wideout Tee Higgins. On Monday, Cincinnati turned to free agency to bring back a familiar face. […]

The Las Vegas Raiders have been busy this offseason. After hiring Pete Carroll as the team’s new head coach, the Raiders secured the face of their franchise by signing Maxx Crosby to a $106.5 million extension. Las Vegas then looked to improve the offensive side of the ball, landing quarterback Geno Smith in a stunning […]

The New York Jets once again found themselves in the market for a starting quarterback after moving on from four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers this offseason. After being linked to various free agents or a big move up the draft board to land one of 2025’s top QB prospects, the Jets opted to sign Justin Fields. […]

The Buffalo Bills entered the offseason looking to improve a team that was on the cusp of its first Super Bowl appearance since 1993. The Bills made sure quarterback Josh Allen isn’t going anywhere after signing him to a six-year, $330 million contract. But with the quarterback situation secure, Buffalo badly needs to add playmakers […]

The Chicago Cubs made a huge trade this offseason, landing Kyle Tucker in a deal with the Houston Astros. The Cubs hope the three-time All-Star can help get the team back into the playoffs. Chicago has failed to reach the postseason for four straight years and hasn’t won a playoff series since 2017. The Cubs […]

The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered through another losing season in 2024, failing to reach the playoffs for the ninth straight year. Of course, there is reason for some optimism in Pittsburgh. The team unveiled starting pitcher Paul Skenes last season and he went on to win NL Rookie of the Year. And, according to Andrew McCutchen, […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for the season opener against the Chicago Cubs in Japan on March 18. And reigning NL MVP Shohei Ohtani already looks to be in midseason form, blasting a home run in his spring training debut and putting any concerns about his recovery from shoulder surgery to rest. After […]

There’s been a great deal of positivity surrounding Jacob deGrom this spring. deGrom has been hampered by injuries over the last four years but the Texas Rangers’ ace is on track to pitch at the start of the season. deGrom made his spring training debut on Saturday and the outing was a big step in […]

The New York Mets set their sights on acquiring All-Star right fielder Juan Soto this offseason. After landing the prized free agent, the Mets were in no rush to re-sign first baseman Pete Alonso. Still, the six-year veteran wanted to stay in New York. And two months after signing Soto, the Mets opted to bring […]

The Atlanta Braves swung for the fences this offseason, signing Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $42 million deal. Profar is coming off the best season of his career after being selected to his first All-Star Game and winning a Silver Slugger Award as a member of the San Diego Padres in 2024. Unfortunately, the Braves’ […]

The Dallas Cowboys are looking to rebound from a disappointing 7-10 finish last season as the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The Cowboys entered the offseason in bad shape financially but after restructuring Dak Prescott’s contract, Dallas now has the 10th-best salary cap situation in the league. Wide receiver Brandin […]

Jasson Dominguez has been celebrated as the New York Yankees’ top prospect for several seasons. Although he made his major league debut in 2023 and got some run with the team last year, Dominguez hasn’t quite found his big league groove yet. And despite being declared a big part of what the Yankees do in […]

The New York Yankees landed Jazz Chisholm Jr. in a deal with the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline last season. With a hole at third base, the Yankees asked Chisholm to take on the position for the first time in his career, in the middle of a division race and, ultimately, a World Series […]

The Jacksonville Jaguars sent wideout Christian Kirk packing Thursday, trading the wideout to the Houston Texans for a seventh-round draft pick. Then, in a surprise move, Jacksonville continued cleaning house by releasing tight end Evan Engram. While the decision to cut the two-time Pro Bowler caught many NFL fans off guard, Engram appears to be […]

Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw is returning to the team in 2025 for his 18th season in the majors. The Dodgers are bringing the three-time Cy Young Award winner back on a one-year, $7.5 million deal. However, Kershaw will open the season on the 60-day IL as he recovers from surgery. It’s unclear when […]

The New York Jets opted for a clean break from Aaron Rodgers after bringing in new head coach Aaron Glenn this offseason. While the Jets are hitting the reset button at the quarterback position (yet again), the New York Giants have shown interest in acquiring the 41-year-old signal caller. The Giants had initially hoped to […]

Despite numerous injuries that impacted both the pitching staff and position players in 2024, the Baltimore Orioles still managed to make the AL East division race with the New York Yankees interesting. Unfortunately, promising starter Grayson Rodriguez was unable to contribute down the stretch after suffering a shoulder injury in July and being shut down […]

After failing to re-sign star right fielder Juan Soto this offseason, the New York Yankees pivoted, landing veteran lefty Max Fried to shore up the team’s pitching and acquiring former NL MVP Cody Bellinger in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. Both new additions anticipate strong seasons with their new club. But Yankees reporter Meredith […]

The Kansas City Royals reached the playoffs in 2024 for the first time in nine years. Led by third-year shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and veteran catcher Salvador Perez, the Royals swept the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card Series before losing to the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Entering his 15th season in the […]

The Dallas Cowboys reached an agreement on an extension with standout defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. The new contract keeps Odighizuwa in Dallas for four years and is worth $80 million with $58 million guaranteed. After signing his new deal and attaining financial security for his family for generations, Odighizuwa was all smiles as the moment […]

Boston Red Sox newcomer Garrett Crochet acknowledged being impressed by the support his team received at spring training. Crochet landed with Boston after the Chicago White Sox traded him this offseason. While the Red Sox were just a .500 team in 2024, Crochet endured a record-breaking 121-loss season with Chicago last year. So the change […]

The New York Yankees reached the World Series in 2024 but fell short of winning their 28th title as the Los Angeles Dodgers took the championship in a gentleman’s sweep. Now the Yankees are hoping to make another deep playoff run in 2025 despite losing star right fielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets. […]

Star defensive end Maxx Crosby was entering the final year of the four-year extension he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. The expiring deal created trade buzz around the four-time Pro Bowler. But the Raiders put an end to any speculation by locking up Crosby on a three-year, $106.5 million contract. Crosby’s new […]

The Houston Astros were looking for a first baseman in free agency this offseason and the team landed 12th-year veteran Christian Walker on a three-year, $60 million deal. Walker, who won his third straight Gold Glove at first base in 2024, brings strong defense and a power bat to the Astros’ lineup. However, Houston’s prized […]

In-game interviews are fun as they allow fans to get a feel for what the player or manager is thinking in the middle of a matchup. And baseball is the perfect sport for the in-game interview due to its slower pace. But Philadelphia Phillies’ manager Rob Thomson might swear off chatting with announcers moving forward […]