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Miami football clinched a spot in the 2026 College Football national championship game on Thursday, Jan. 8.

Now the No. 10 Hurricanes will sit back on Friday, Jan. 9, to await their opponent for the Jan. 19 national championship game from HardRock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. While the game will be a default home game for Miami, a potential homecoming could be in store for their opponent.

If No. 1 Indiana football defeats No. 5 Oregon in the CFP Peach Bowl semifinal on Friday in Atlanta, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza will make a homecoming return to the Miami area for a chance at the championship.

Mendoza, a former 2-star recruit, has been the catalyst for the Hoosiers during their undefeated CFP run. The first Heisman Trophy winner in Indiana history finished the 2025 season 240-of-332 passing (72.3%) for 3,172 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, to go along with 77 rushes for 256 yards and six touchdowns.

Here’s everything to know about Indiana’s star quarterback ahead of its CFP semifinal matchup against the Ducks:

Who is Fernando Mendoza?

Mendoza was born in Boston in 2003, but was raised in Miami, where he attended Christopher Columbus High School.

Out of high school, Mendoza was only a two-star recruit, and despite efforts to reach out to Alabama, Clemson, South Carolina and LSU, he was turned away for roster spots as a high school junior.

Eventually, Mendoza committed to Yale on Aug. 4, 2021. Following a visit to Cal on Jan. 28, 2022, Mendoza de-committed from Yale on Jan. 31 and then committed to the Golden Bears one day later.

Mendoza redshirted his freshman season with Cal. However, he began to establish himself as a redshirt freshman, making his first career start on Oct. 7, 2023. He finished the season with 1,708 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

As a sophomore, he was the starter from the beginning of the season and finished with 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions; 87 rushes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

Following the 2024 season, Mendoza entered the portal to give himself a better opportunity to establish himself as an NFL QB draft prospect.

‘I still believe I have a ton of things to get better at,’ Mendoza told IndyStar in January following his transfer. ‘Indiana was the best place for me to make that jump developmentally.’

Fernando Mendoza age

Mendoza was born on Oct. 1, 2003, making him 22 years old for the 2025 college football season. Mendoza, who is expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, will be 23 years old next NFL season, but will still be 22 when he is drafted.

Where is Fernando Mendoza from?

Mendoza was raised in Miami before attending Christopher Columbus High School in Miami.

Fernando Mendoza NFL mock draft

If Mendoza declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, as expected, he is likely to be one of the top, if not the top, quarterbacks selected. Here’s a look at recent NFL mock drafts involving Mendoza:

Walter Football (Updated: Jan. 7): No. 1 overall to the Oakland Raiders
ESPN (Updated: Jan. 6): No. 1 overall to the Oakland Raiders
Pro Football Focus (Updated: Jan. 5): No. 1 overall to the Oakland Raiders
The Athletic (Updated: Dec. 30): No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns

Fernando Mendoza recruiting ranking

Mendoza, part of the 2022 recruiting class, was the No. 2,149 overall player and No. 140 quarterback back in the class, per 247Sports’ Composite ratings. He committed to the Golden Bears over offers from Yale, FIU and Leigh, among others.

Here’s a look at Mendonza’s recruiting ranking out of high school:

Stars: 2
National rating: No. 2,149
Position ranking: No. 140 QB
State ranking: No. 288 in Florida

Following two seasons with Cal, Mendoza entered the transfer portal on Dec. 11, 2024. Thirteen days later, he committed to Cignetti and the Hoosiers, and the rest is history. He was ranked as the No. 22 overall player and the No. 4 QB in the 2024 portal class.

Fernando Mendoza stats

Here’s a look at Mendoza’s stats in his three collegiate seasons with the Golden Bears and Hoosiers:

2022 (Cal): Redshirted
2023 (Cal): 153-of-243 passing (63%) for 1,708 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 49 rushes for 86 yards and two touchdowns
2024 (Cal): 265-386 passing (68.7%) for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions; 87 rushes for 105 yards and two touchdowns
2025 (Indiana): 240-of-332 passing (72.3%) for 3,172 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions; 77 rushes for 256 yards and six touchdowns

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Bill Belichick is adding an experienced offensive coordinator to his coaching staff at North Carolina football for the 2026 college football season.

On Friday, Jan. 9, the Tar Heels announced the hiring of Bobby Petrino as the offensive coordinator. Petrino spent the last two seasons with Arkansas as the offensive coordinator and was promoted to interim head coach following the firing of Sam Pittman.

Belichick and the Tar Heels opted to part ways with former offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens on Dec. 12, after one season.

‘We are fortunate to add an elite coaching talent in Bobby to our staff,’ Belichick said in a statement. ‘He brings an extensive background and a proven record of success on offense at every level of football. Bobby has consistently built great offenses everywhere he has been, and we look forward to having him work with our program.’

UNC finished 2025 as one of the worst offenses in college football. Out of 136 FBS teams, the Tar Heels finished No. 131 in total offense and No. 121 in scoring offense (19.3).

Petrino brings previous head coaching experience to Belichick’s staff, with stops at Louisville (2003-06), the Atlanta Falcons (2007), Arkansas (2008-11), Western Kentucky (2013), Louisville (2014-18) and Missouri State (2020-22).

With the Cardinals, Petrino coached 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and two-time ACC Player of the Year Lamar Jackson. Last season, the Razorbacks ranked 19th nationally in total offense with 454.8 yards per game.

‘I’m extremely excited to join Coach Belichick and the Carolina football program,’ Petrino said. ‘This is an incredible opportunity to work with one of the best at a storied institution. I cannot wait to get started in Chapel Hill alongside this coaching staff and student-athletes.’

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The WNBA and its players won’t reach a new CBA agreement by Friday’s deadline, entering a ‘status quo’ period. What happens now? What does that mean?

Under ‘status quo,’ the working conditions established in the current CBA would remain unchanged. It allows both sides to continue negotiations. The current agreement also prevents the WNBA or its players from engaging in a work stoppage without giving proper notice.

‘Obviously, we’d hoped that we would be a lot farther along than we are, because it’s been about (15) months at this point, but at the same time, we have to stay strong in what our values are and what we’re standing for,’ Minnesota Lynx forward and vice president of the players association, Napheesa Collier, told ESPN. ‘The players feel really united right now. We’re waiting for the league to come back, and we’re not going to accept a bad deal. We’re waiting for the league to come back and respond to our thoughtful and reasonable proposals.’

‘We’re just going to continue to negotiate in good faith,’ said New York Liberty forward and co-vice president of the players’ union Breanna Stewart on Thursday.

In December, WNBA players voted to strike if the CBA negotiations remained at an impasse. However, Stewart maintains that asking for a strike is ‘not something that we’re going to do right this second, but we have that in our back pocket.’ From the league’s perspective, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports that the WNBA has no plans to lock out its players.

As the two sides continue negotiations past the Jan. 9 deadline, they remain apart on player salaries and revenue sharing, including whether revenue is shared from the WNBA’s gross or net. The WNBA’s latest offer included a structure in which players would receive more than 70% of net revenue and a maximum salary of $1.3 million in year one. The max salary could then grow to $2 million over the span of the agreement. Additionally, the average salary would eclipse more than $530,000, growing to more than $780,000 over the life of the deal. The minimum salary would initially increase to $250,000.

Still, the union’s executive director, Terri Jackson, told USA TODAY Sports that no one should believe the WNBA’s latest offer is a ‘good deal.’

‘The players know the difference between doing business and creating clickbait,’ Jackson said in a statement. ‘They are focused on the system. Despite what the league and the teams are trying to do, the players are not confused by the numbers. The players want a meaningful share of the revenue they are creating. They want to be properly valued in these negotiations and this next CBA. They do not want to be paid last with only a fraction of the dollars left over.’

The WNBPA announced this week that it created global ‘player hubs,’ allowing players to continue training and keep their fitness levels high in the event of a work stoppage. Universities such as Stanford, Cal and UNLV are opening their doors to WNBA players. Fitness centers operated by Bay Club and Exos will do the same.

Even with many moving parts and a strike not out of the question, Stewart remains optimistic about both sides eventually reaching an agreement.

‘While we are both seemingly far apart, there is a place where we can come and find a mutual ground,’ she said.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

During the past two years, Curt Cignetti has engineered one of the most remarkable and unimaginable turnarounds in American sports history.

Under Cignetti’s watch, an Indiana football program that was synonymous with losing has morphed into a national powerhouse, with an undefeated record and a No. 1 ranking this season. It happened quickly, too, with Cignetti’s first Hoosiers team going 11-2 in 2024 and making the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff just one year after going 3-9 and capping off a three-year stretch during which the program managed a measly record of 9-27.

On Friday, Jan. 9, Indiana will put its unblemished mark to the test when it takes on Oregon in the Peach Bowl. With a win, the Hoosiers will make the national championship game, a destination that was inconceivable for the program as recently as 15 months ago.

While Cignetti has understandably and justifiably earned a significant praise for Indiana’s rapid rise, he hasn’t done so alone.

Indiana’s 25-2 record in two seasons under Cignetti has been made possible by a number of factors, including the Hoosiers’ top two assistants – offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, both of whom have been coaching with Cignetti at every stop since 2017, when he was the head coach at FCS Elon.

As Indiana heads into its College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with Oregon, here’s a closer look at the team’s coordinators:

Who is Mike Shanahan?

Shanahan is in his second season as Indiana’s offensive coordinator and has been coaching with Cignetti since 2016 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Division II school in Indiana, Pennsylvania, about 55 miles east of Pittsburgh.

He made an immediate impact in his first season with the Hoosiers. An Indiana team that averaged just 22.2 points per game the previous season nearly doubled its output in 2024, averaging 41.3 points per game behind a transfer-heavy offense. That season, his offense set program records for touchdowns scored (70), points scored (537) and most 40-point games in a single season (8).

This year, the Hoosiers have been even better, averaging 41.6 points per game, the third-best mark in the FBS. That output helped quarterback Fernando Mendoza win the Heisman Trophy, making him Indiana’s first-ever recipient of the award.

The 36-year-old Shanahan’s accomplishments in his first two seasons in Bloomington earned him a new three-year contract with the school that runs through the 2028 season. Under that deal, Shanahan will make $2.4 million in the first year, $2.5 million in the second year and $2.6 million in the third year.

A former all-Big East wide receiver at Pitt, Shanahan has been coaching wide receivers for Cignetti since that 2016 season at IUP. He was the wide receivers coach for two seasons at Elon (2017-18) and served in the role at James Madison from 2019-23. He added offensive coordinator duties in 2021, and the Dukes had one of the top 25 scoring offenses in the FBS in each of his final two seasons there despite having just made the jump up from the FCS level.

Here’s a stop-by-stop look at Shanahan’s coaching career:

2014: Pitt, volunteer assistant
2015: Pitt, graduate assistant
2016: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, wide receivers coach
2017-18: Elon, wide receivers coach
2019-20: James Madison, wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator
2021-23: James Madison, offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator
2024-present: Indiana, offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach

While he shares a name with the former NFL head coach, Shanahan is not related to Mike Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in the late 1990s, or his son Kyle, the ninth-year San Francisco 49ers head coach.

Who is Bryant Haines?

Like Shanahan, Haines has been with Cignetti for much of the past decade. 

The 40-year-old Haines was Elon’s linebackers coach from 2017-18 before following Cignetti to James Madison, where he was the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for three seasons before being the Dukes’ lone defensive coordinator from 2022-23.

James Madison finished among the top 25 scoring defenses in each of Haines’ final two seasons there, with his final unit allowing just 19.5 points per game.

That success has carried over to Indiana. After inheriting a defense that allowed 29.9 points per game in 2023, Haines’ first group with the Hoosiers finished sixth in the FBS in scoring defense, at 15.6 points allowed per game. That unit has been even stingier this season, giving up only 10.3 points per game, the second-best mark in the FBS.

Several of the players from Haines’ defense have earned All-American honors during the past two seasons, a group that includes linebacker Aiden Fisher, defensive lineman Mikail Kamara and defensive back D’Angelo Ponds. All three of those players began their college careers under Haines and Cignetti at James Madison.

This season, Haines was named as one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given annually to the best assistant coach in college football. The winner will be announced in February. He was a semifinalist for the honor last year.

Back in December, after the end of the 2025 regular season, Haines signed a new three-year deal with Indiana through the 2025 season. Under that contract, he will make $3 million in the first year, $3.1 million in the second year and $3.2 million in the third year.

Haines was a four-year starter at linebacker for Ball State, where he was an All-Mid-American Conference honoree.

Here’s a stop-by-stop look at Haines’ coaching career:

2009: Manchester College, defensive line coach
2010-11: Adrian College, strength & conditioning coach and defensive line coach 
2012: Indiana, graduate assistant
2013: Ohio State, graduate assistant
2014-15: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, strength & conditioning coach and defensive line coach
2016: UC Davis, linebackers coach
2017-18: Elon, linebackers coach
2019-21: James Madison, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach
2022-23: James Madison, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach
2024-present: Indiana, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach

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President Trump sported a unique accessory at the White House on Friday, a custom lapel pin depicting what he called a ‘happy Trump.’

The president wore the small pin, which appeared to be a cartoon-style depiction of Trump in a navy suit and red tie just beneath his customary American flag lapel pin, while meeting with oil and gas executives in the East Room of the White House.

Fox News’ Senior White House Correspondent Peter Doocy noticed the accessory and asked the president about it. 

‘I see the American flag lapel pin,’ Doocy said. ‘What is the other lapel pin?’

Trump explained that the pin was a gift.

‘Somebody gave me this. You know what that is? That’s called a ‘happy Trump,” the president said, holding up the pin. 

‘And consider the fact that I’m never happy. I’m never satisfied. I will never be satisfied until we make America great again. But we’re getting pretty close.’

Trump added, ‘Somebody gave it to me. I put it on.’

The lighthearted moment quickly gained traction on social media, with users on X praising the pin and the president’s sense of humor.

‘Trump is wearing a ‘Happy Trump’ pin today,’ one user wrote, alongside laughing emoji. ‘How can you not love this guy?’

‘Where can I get a happy Trump pin?’ another asked.

‘Only our wonderful President Trump! He is wearing a ‘Happy Trump’ pin because he says he’ll never be happy until America is Great Again…but we’re getting close! Hilarious!’ a third user wrote.

The exchange came as Trump hosted nearly two dozen oil executives at the White House Friday to discuss investment in Venezuela after the U.S. military’s successful capture of the nation’s dictatorial president, Nicolás Maduro.

The lineup of oil companies included Chevron, Exxon, ConocoPhillips, Continental, Halliburton, HKN, Valero, Marathon, Shell, Trafigura, Vitol Americas, Repsol, Eni, Aspect Holdings, Tallgrass, Raisa Energy and Hilcorp.

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum also attended the meeting. 

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this report.

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FBI veteran Christopher Raia has been named co-deputy director of the federal law enforcement agency, the bureau confirmed Friday to Fox News Digital.

Raia, who runs the bureau’s New York City field office, will move to Washington, D.C., and begin his job on Monday serving as co-deputy director with Andrew Bailey.

Raia’s elevation comes after Dan Bongino announced he was leaving the position and returning to ‘civilian life.’ His last day on the job was Jan. 3.

Bongino was a conservative commentator and podcaster before President Donald Trump nominated him for the position.

‘It’s been an incredible year thanks to the leadership and decisiveness of President Trump,’ Bongino wrote on X Saturday. ‘It was the honor of a lifetime to work with Director [Kash] Patel, and to serve you, the American people. See you on the other side.’

Bongino made the announcement he was leaving last month, thanking Trump, Patel and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi ‘for the opportunity to serve with purpose.’

Bongino and Bondi had previously clashed over the release of the Epstein files, and a source told Fox News over the summer he had considered resigning over the Justice Department’s handling of the situation.

Bongino didn’t give a reason for his resignation less than a year after he started as deputy director, but Trump said last month the 51-year-old ‘wants to go back to his show.’

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No. 10 Miami defeated No. 6 Ole Miss 31-27 in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl.
The loss ended an improbable run for Ole Miss, which reached the playoff for the first time despite losing its head coach.
Ole Miss’s season concluded with a program-best 13 wins and first playoff appearance.

GLENDALE, AZ — Mississippi football’s Cinderella run has come to an end. 

No. 6 Ole Miss was defeated by No. 10 Miami 31-27 in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Thursday after the Rebels were unable to muster another comeback win in the program’s first-ever Fiesta Bowl appearance

Yet, as Ole Miss walked off the field at State Farm Stadium while The Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Hurricane” blasted through the speakers and green and orange confetti fell from the sky, the Rebels had a lot to be proud of following their improbable run. 

‘God has been so good to me and this team. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other people, whether it’s coaches, players, people in the offices. It’s just been a great ride,’ said Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who completed 23 of 37 passes for 277 yards and one touchdown in the loss. ‘This team has sacrificed a lot to get to this point and this season’s been bumpy. There’s been a lot of things going on and they just kept our focus.’

Chambliss added, ‘It’s been truly special.’

It was also unexpected. Before the announcement of the playoff field, the Rebels were left without head coach Lane Kiffin, who left for LSU on Nov. 30. Just last year, Chambliss was playing Division II football at Ferris State. Coaches that followed Kiffin were also splitting time coaching Ole Miss. And despite the circumstances and turmoil, the Rebels turned in the best season in program history with a record 13 wins and first playoff appearance since the system debuted in 2014.

For a moment, it looked like the Rebels were going to replicate the magic that captivated the nation in their Sugar Bowl win over No. 3 Georgia. They took a 27-24 lead with 3:13 remaining following Chambliss’ 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dae’Quan Wright and a successful two-point conversion from Chambliss to Caleb Odom. 

It was up to Ole Miss’ defense to secure the win. The Rebels defensive unit was on the field a majority of the night as Miami’s offense ran 28 more plays and possessed the ball for more than 41 minutes.

The time on the field collectively wore down the Ole Miss defense. Miami put together a 15-play, 75-yard drive that quarterback Carson Beck capped off with a 3-yard, game-winning touchdown to put the Canes up by four points with 18 seconds remaining.

‘We didn’t play real well on defense all night, but to be up in the fourth and have an opportunity to close it out on that stage, it is something we’ll all look back on and get better from,’ new head coach Pete Golding said. ‘But I can’t tell you how proud I am of this group. They never panicked. They never flinch.’

One important stat told much of the story. Miami was 11-of-19 on third down and 2-of-2 on fourth down, while Ole Miss was 2-of-10 on third down.

‘On critical third downs, you got to find way to get off the field. We didn’t,’ said Golding. ‘But I’m really proud of their effort. We could have done some better things from a coaching staff as well, so it is on all of us.’

Yet, Ole Miss still had an opportunity to win late. Trailing by four points, Lucas Carneiro’s foot couldn’t rescue the Rebels. (Carneiro hit four of five field goals, including a 58-yard field goal, the second-longest ever kicked at the Fiesta Bowl.) Ole Miss would need a touchdown to keep their Cinderella season alive.

Ole Miss got to Miami’s 35-yard-line with six seconds remaining following a 23-yard and 17-yard completions. Chambliss attempted a Hail Mary pass to Stribling in the left corner of the end zone, but Stribling went down following some contact with Ethan O’Connor and didn’t come away with the ball. No penalty was called and time expired.

‘Those situations are tough to call … but there was contact,’ Golding said of the non-call. ‘It happens a lot. That’s not why we lost the game. We just had a lot of opportunities late. But I think it shows you the resiliency of the team. I mean they didn’t care … They’re going to go out there and give it all they got.’

With the win, Miami advanced to the national championship game for the first time since the 2002 season and will face either No. 5 Oregon or No. 1 Indiana. Ole Miss, on the other hand, has uncertainty heading into the next season. It will be Golding’s first full season as a head coach. Chambliss is seeking an NCAA waiver for a sixth season of eligibility to return to Ole Miss.

‘Hopefully, I get to (play) next year,’ Chambliss said.

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A season that figures to be Tarik Skubal’s last with the Detroit Tigers will begin with a record gulf between the two-time Cy Young Award winner and his team.

Skubal and the Tigers could not come to an agreement before the Jan. 8 deadline for arbitration-eligible players to reach agreement on 2026 salaries. Consequently, both sides exchange salary figures and, should they remain at an impasse, an arbitrator will side with either the player’s number or the team’s after a hearing.

And this impasse is the largest in the history of the arbitration system.

Skubal asked for a record $32 million award, while the Tigers filed at $19 million. While this technically has no effect on whether Skubal remains with Detroit once he hits free agency after this year, it’s certainly a symbolic gap between the game’s most dominant pitcher and a team that so far has gained little traction on signing him to a long-term extension.

Skubal is expected to exceed the record $325 million given a starting pitcher, and his total package could reach $400 million.

So, what now?

Tarik Skubal contract: A monstrous midpoint

To be certain, players that have taken their teams to arbitration have gone on to eventually re-sign with their clubs. While the hearing process can be acrimonius, it’s the sports industry’s epitome of nothing personal – just business.

And should this impasse go to trial, the assigned arbitrator will have just one figure in mind: $25.5 million, the midpoint between Skubal and the Tigers’ asks. Should they rule that Skubal’s august resume is worthy of a salary worth more than that, Skubal is awarded $32 million. Anything less, and he’ll earn the Tigers’ requested $19 million – still a record raise from the $10.1 million he pulled down in 2025.

It is a complex game of chicken between team and agent – in this case, yes, Scott Boras – and one that has ramifications beyond the individual case.

Every winter, a taffy pull of sorts emerges between labor and management, the former to ensure arbitration salaries go up, the latter aiming to suppress salaries and avoid re-setting precedents to pay the most talented players not yet eligible for free agency.

And Skubal’s case is particularly tricky.

Which Price is right?

The Tigers already own the record for largest salary given an arbitration-eligible pitcher: David Price, $19.75 million before the 2015 season. That record has held up an entire decade, surprising given the generally rising boats of player salaries.

That indicates management has at least partially succeeded in its bigger-picture goals. But Price was a unique case.

He was the rare player who qualified for ‘Super Two’ status, meaning he gained an extra year of arbitration eligibility thanks to service time accrued his first two seasons. Additionally, Price won a Cy Young Award, finished runner-up another year, posted a 20-win season and accrued four All-Star appearances before his final year of arbitration eligibility.

Does Skubal match up?

Dominance vs. durability

In arbitration, yes, those honors matter, as do cold, hard numbers. Skubal’s two Cy Youngs and 469 strikeouts the past two seasons – most in the major leagues – will be the battering ram for his case.

Yet a closer examination reveals it won’t be a slam dunk.

Skubal underwent flexor tendon surgery in August 2022, limiting that season to 21 starts and delaying his 2023 season, during which he made just 15 starts. Skubal’s raw numbers – games started (134), innings pitched (766 ⅔), strikeouts (889) and wins (54) pale in comparison to Price’s prior to his final arbitration season: 186 starts, 1,221 innings, 1,147 strikeouts, 86 wins.

In the easiest and perhaps laziest comparison, Price had accrued 23.0 wins above replacement, while Skubal’s at 17.9 WAR.

That doesn’t mean he won’t have a case. Price’s was based heavily on the depth of his numbers, while Skubal’s relies on pure dominance. He led the major leagues this past season with a 7.30 strikeout-walk ratio, striking out 11.1 per nine innings while issuing just 1.1 walks. For his career, he’s struck out 10.4 batters per nine innings.

Price never exceeded 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings in a single season, nor did he post a WHIP lower than 1.08; Skubal’s WHIP has hovered below 1.00 each of the past three seasons.

What’s next?

All that will be bandied about in a conference room in Arizona or Florida shortly before or during the earliest days of spring training – unless Skubal and the Tigers come to an agreement before then. Then, the sides will shake hands and go about the business of a third consecutive trip to the playoffs.

After that?

It’s hard to imagine the Tigers anteing up enough for Skubal on the free agent market to stay, not with the biggest-budget Mets, Yankees and Dodgers, among others, lurk not so subtly, all of them notoriously quiet so far this winter. Any notion that the Tigers might trade Skubal have largely cooled, though should they surprisingly fall out of contention by July, that can always be revisited.

Yet the Tigers project to dominate the AL Central, as they did almost all of last season before a late swoon forced them to cling to the league’s final wild-card berth. If this is Skubal’s last ride in Motown – and he seems to be soaking it up, accepting backslaps on the Ford Field sidelines at a December Lions game – it should be a dandy.

Even if it starts under a potentially acrimonious cloud.

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Max Kepler, the veteran major league outfielder who most recently played for the Philadelphia Phillies, was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Jan. 9 after testing positive for epitrenbolone, an anabolic steroid.

Kepler, 32, is a free agent and his suspension would begin upon signing with a major league team. He hit 17 home runs in his one season with the Phillies, batting .216 with a .691 OPS. He spent nine previous seasons with the Minnesota Twins, hitting a career-high 36 home runs in 2019. Kepler’s more recent high-water mark was 24 home runs in 2023.

Kepler went 1-for-12 with three walks in the Phillies’ four-game defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

Epitrenbolone, according to the United States Anti-Doping Agency, is a metabolite of trenbolone, which is an anabolic steroid intended to increase muscle and appetite in cattle.

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Hirving Lozano’s time with San Diego FC appears to be over.

The MLS club’s sporting director Tyler Heaps said on Friday that the Mexico forward has been told he isn’t part of the team’s plans moving forward.

Lozano was San Diego’s marquee signing ahead of its expansion season last year, joining in a reported $12 million move from Dutch power PSV.

The former Napoli star brought instant name recognition for San Diego, but his debut campaign in MLS was marred by injuries and disciplinary issues.

Lozano was benched for the final game of the regular season and San Diego’s playoff opener after what head coach Mikey Varas called ‘a situation we’re dealing with internally.’

According to The Athletic, Lozano was involved in a heated altercation after he was subbed out of an October game against Houston. Following the report, Lozano issued an apology on social media.

Lozano was still effective when he was on the field in 2025, tallying nine goals and 10 assists in 27 regular-season games.

San Diego was MLS’s surprise package last year, finishing atop the Western Conference standings in its debut campaign before losing in the conference final against Vancouver.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Heaps said San Diego was working with Lozano’s representatives to find him a new club.’We have communicated with Hirving and his representatives that he will not be part of the sporting plans moving forward,’ Heaps said in a video posted on San Diego Futbol’s Instagram account.

‘That was not a decision that was taken lightly. That was something that was well talked through from owners down to leadership down to myself and Mikey, and has been communicated with the rest of the group.

‘So we’re working with [Lozano] and his representatives to find the best solution and the best environment moving forward.’

Lozano has 75 caps with Mexico, appearing at the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.

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