NFL

Texans WR Tank Dell out for season with torn ACL

We knew the second Dell suffered a devastating knee injury last Saturday that he would miss extended time. Yesterday’s news only confirmed that — and then some. Along with an ACL tear, Houston’s second-year receiver dislocated his knee and suffered other damage. Playing in 2025 is clearly a question for Dell.

That’s a huge shame, as the skilled wideout is already 25 and two major injuries deep. The road to recovery for Dell will be long and arduous, but making it all the way back is entirely possible. If so, the 2023 third-round selection can build off two strong years to begin his career.

Dell recorded 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns this season.

MLB

Mets sign SP Sean Manaea to three-year, $75 million contract

Manaea somewhat quietly put together the best season of his nine-year career in 2024, finishing 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA. That performance placed the the 32-year-old in high demand this winter, especially in this particular starting pitching market. The Mets did well here.

Grade: B

Rangers sign LF Joc Pederson to two-year, $37 million contract

This is a solid deal for Texas, but there are two caveats. First, Pederson, despite being listed as an outfielder, is almost exclusively a designated hitter at this point. That alone doesn’t kill the 32-year-old’s value, but it does limit the Rangers’ lineup options. Also, this deal contains an opt-out for Pederson following the 2025 campaign, allowing the slugger to again test the market should he excel next season.

Now that the bad news is out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff — the reason why this partnership is happening. It’s no secret the Rangers, coming off a World Series win, struggled to score in 2024. Adding power to the order was a necessity for Texas to reach contention again, and Pederson will surely help in that regard. The lefty hit .275 with 23 home runs and 64 RBIs last year.

Grade: B

Red Sox sign SP Walker Buehler to one-year, $21.05 million contract

Buehler, as recently as 2021, was one of baseball’s very best young starters, but it’s been a fall from grace for the 30-year-old since then. That decline portended the right-hander’s tepid market this winter, forcing him to accept a one-year prove-it deal.

As negative as I made that sound, this is a fun team-player fit. Boston has attacked rotation upgrades this offseason, inserting substantial risk into its decision making, and hey, isn’t that what the club should be doing in the rugged AL East? Anyway, there’s a chance Buehler can help the Red Sox pull off the shocker and win the division — if he returns to form. The righty’s 1-6, 5.38 ERA performance from last season won’t cut it, though.

Boston is pouring in big money and expecting big improvement. Let’s see what happens.

Grade: C

Pirates sign RF Andrew McCutchen to one-year, $5 million contract

Yesterday was quite the day for signings, a likely indicator of franchises — and players — wanting to lock in deals prior to Christmas. I, for one, can’t blame them.

McCutchen re-upping should surprise no one. The outfielder-turned-designated hitter is a legend in the Steel City and will almost certainly end his career in Pittsburgh, whenever that may be. The 38-year-old isn’t the all-around force he was during his All-Star years with the Pirates, but his bat is still more than simply playable, as he mashed 20 homers and drove in 50 runs in 2024.

McCutchen remains a fixture in Pittsburgh’s lineup, but any further decline in performance will make this contract less than palatable for the budget-conscious Pirates. I still think he has one more year of solid aptitude at the plate.

Grade: B-