#contract-negotiations

#contract-negotiations

Astros manager Joe Espada and GM Dana Brown are entering the final seasons of their respective contracts. It'll be Espada's third season in the role and Brown's fourth year running baseball operations. Many clubs prefer not to have their manager and front office heads on lame duck contracts. Astros owner Jim Crane has been more willing to do that than most of his counterparts, and it appears that both Brown and Espada may need to work on expiring deals in 2026.

"Based upon my dialogue with him, and obviously the enthusiasm and the want-to for us to get something done, I don't [anticipate that]," O'Connell said. "But I also know we're inside of days before our season ends. ... I know he enjoys being here. ..."

Santa Claus is coming to town and before we know it we will be ushering in a new year. And for teams like the Dallas Cowboys who have already been eliminated from the playoffs, the off-season preparation is starting earlier than many of us would like. Then again, maybe the timing isn't that bad after all. With the Cowboys early elimination from the postseason already confirmed, we still have time to get in our wish list for the organization to Santa. A little Christmas magic could be exactly what the Cowboys need after yet another disappointing season, which is why we decided to put our wish list out there for you to enjoy.

The Miami Heat should follow their Jimmy Butler blueprint with Tyler Herro. They should not pay him until he proves he can remain healthy. Because right now, Herro can't seem to shake the injury bug. And it's not just this season, though this year has been bad. Herro has only played six games this season and is set to miss another game against the New York Knicks on Sunday night.

He's slotted into the side brilliantly, especially this season after what was a slow start, and obviously was key in the team that won the FA Cup last year. He is another example of what I think is the best thing about Crystal Palace, he works hard for the team, plays his role and there's no ego or arrogance about him.

Lazio are beginning to worry about the future of full-back Adam Marusic, and his agents have apparently offered him to AC Milan. According to TMW, Maurizio Sarri is calling for Marusic's renewal, but the two sides are still far apart. This is because the Lazio defender has requested a long-term contract from the Biancoceleste, but Claudio Lotito has no intention of going beyond a one-year contract with an option for another.

First of all, Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions are a little bit confident that they will get the centre-half to sign a new contract. However, failing that, there are two clubs that interest Upamecano - otherwise, no Premier League clubs are on the list - and these are Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Both outfits are interested in the 27-year-old because he's currently on track to be a free agent next year.