#player-contracts

#player-contracts

If you look at the period from 2014 to 2024, Arsenal's wage bill doubled. However, that has very much been driven over the last two years. It was £212m in 2022 and, now, £346m. The important thing is that they have wage under control relative to revenue. They are well within the FIFA's suggested limits, so they have got the capacity to spend more.

The Winter Olympics come to an end Sunday, with the much anticipated hockey gold medal game between the USA and Canada. And with that, the Rangers' break from the grim reality of their lost 2025-26 season is over. The NHL's Olympic roster freeze ends at midnight [Sunday, going into Monday morning], meaning the clock begins ticking again Monday for those players worrying about potentially being traded. And it will continue to tick all the way up until the March 6 trade deadline.

The biggest news in baseball yesterday was southpaw Tarik Skubal's record-shattering victory over the Tigers in his arbitration hearing, where a panel of judges awarded him $32MM rather than the $19MM figure Detroit had submitted. It's the third consecutive victory (joining Kyle Bradish and Yainer Diaz) for the players in arbitration hearings this year, while teams have yet to win a single case.

The latest episode of the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast is now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you subscribe as well! You can also use the player at this link to listen, if you don't use Spotify or Apple for podcasts. This week, host Darragh McDonald is joined by Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors to discuss... Check out our past episodes! Examining MLB's Parity Situation - Also, Bellinger, Peralta, Robert, And Gore - listen here

The NFL salary cap is projected to take a significant leap in 2026, rising from $279.2 million in 2025 to a range between $301 million and $305 million. That type of increase isn't just a league-wide headline; for the Dallas Cowboys, it's a structural lifeline. Not because it invites reckless spending, but because it finally provides breathing room for a roster built to contend while staying financially disciplined.

One of the higher-profile names is Deebo Samuel Sr. The Commanders gave up a fifth-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers for the versatile wide receiver during the offseason. Peters knew what he could bring to the table with renewed focus, and he was right. He was the one constant amid the constant turmoil, although it's also clear that his days of All-Pro-caliber production are over.

A host of Premier League clubs are now at risk of losing players for free as they enter the closing months of their contracts. Since 1 January, players whose deals expire this summer have been able to start talking to foreign clubs over a move. Teams like Crystal Palace, who sold Marc Guehi to Manchester City, may choose to cash in now rather than risk losing their player for no transfer fee in the summer. Here are some of those players who can begin negotiations...

It's up to Stidham to be this year's Jeff Hostetler (New York Giants, Super Bowl XXV) or Nick Foles (Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LII) and in so doing he'd bring a quartet of 49ers along for the ride. I'll admit to being a skeptic when Denver dropped big money on safety Talanoa Hufanga (three years, maximum of $45 million) and Dre Greenlaw (three years, maximum of $31.5 million).

Also on this day in Dodgers history - but in 2010 -- the Dodgers avoided salary arbitration with Matt Kemp by agreeing to a two-year, $10.95 million contract. Kemp was coming off a career season in which he batted .297/.352/.490 with 25 doubles, seven triples, 26 home runs, 101 RBI and 34 stolen bases over 668 plate appearances (162 games). He finished 10th in National League MVP voting that year while also winning his first career Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards.

I had no idea, no idea that that would happen,

The Cubs were able to avoid arbitration hearings with all of their eligible players this season, reaching agreements with Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, and Javier Assad. Assad was the last to be reported, but both sides reached a deal before the day ended. Maddie Lee of the Sun-Times was first to report that Assad will earn $1.8 million in 2026, which is just $100,000 less than MLB Trade Rumors projected. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com also reported that Assad's deal includes a team option for the 2027 season.

The Rockies are looking for a few veterans to eat innings in their rotation, general manager Josh Byrnes tells Thomas Harding of MLB.com. "We've played out scenarios where we would attempt to bring in two guys who can stabilize that area - who can not only pitch well but know how to give us some bulk innings, which any team needs," Byrnes said.

As the Cardinals continue to pursue trades of their veterans, the Angels have emerged as a potential destination for Nolan Arenado. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic connected the third baseman to the Halos last week, and colleagues Will Sammon and Katie Woo echoed the sentiment this week. Two potential roadblocks existed for an Arenado deal, one for each side, though the Angels have cleared up their end.

The 2026 winter transfer window for the Women's Super League (WSL) begins on Jan. 2 and ends on Feb. 3, but what do teams need to do? Manchester City have set the pace and lead the table by six points as we head into the winter break, with action set to resume on Jan. 10, while Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have work to do to catch them.

1948 - The Dodgers trade Pete Reiser to the Braves for outfielder Myron McCormick. The marvelously talented but reckless Reiser crashed into too many outfield walls and, according to Red Smith, was carried off on a stretcher 11 times. 1960 - The Braves acquire shortstop Roy McMillan and a player to be named later from the Reds in exchange for pitchers Joey Jay and Juan Pizarro.

Dean earns the largest contract of the group with $1.4MM in guaranteed money ($1.1MM salary, $300K signing bonus) and another $300K available in incentives. Chirinos also got a $300K signing bonus, as well as $900K in guaranteed salary, and up to $200K more in incentives. Tolhurst will receive $800K in salary, a $200K signing bonus, and can get another $200K in incentive bonuses.

The Mets have been perusing the trade market in hopes of bolstering their rotation and have their eye on Twins right-hander as one of several targets, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. He adds that the Twins like young Mets righty - hardly a surprise, given that Tong is widely regarded as one of the sport's top pitching prospects.