NEW YORK -- Matt Adams agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets on Friday, hoping to earn a job as a backup and a bat with pop off the bench.

The 31-year-old is primarily a first baseman but also has played the outfield. He batted .226 with 20 homers and 56 RBIs in 333 plate appearances last year for the World Series champion Washington Nationals, hitting 12 of his homers in June and July.

New York has NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso at first.

Adams has 11 career homers and 49 RBIs as a pinch hitter, but he was just 3 for 33 as a pinch hitter last year -- with two homers and a double.

An eight-year big league veteran, he also has played for St. Louis (2012-17, 2018) and Atlanta (2017), and he had his first stint with the Nationals in 2018.

Adams had a $3 million salary last year, and Washington declined his $4 million mutual option, which carried a $1 million buyout.

PITTSBURGH -- Left-handers Derek Holland and Robbie Erlin have agreed to minor league contracts with the Pittsburgh Pirates along with catcher Andrew Susac and outfielder Charlie Tilson.

All four will report to big league spring training, the Pirates said Friday.

The 33-year-old Holland is 78-78 with a 4.54 ERA in 11 seasons, including eight with the Texas Rangers. Holland split time between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs last year, going 2-5 with a 6.08 ERA.

Erlin, 29, is 13-20 with a 4.57 ERA in 106 appearances with the San Diego Padres. Erlin began his career as a starter but spent the last two seasons working almost exclusively out of the bullpen.

Pittsburgh is in need of pitching heading into spring training. Ace Jameson Taillon will miss the entire season after a second Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Closer Felipe Vazquez remains in jail on felony charges stemming from an improper sexual relationship with a minor.

Susac last played in the majors for Baltimore in 2018. The 29-year-old is a career .221 hitter in spot duty for San Francisco, Milwaukee and Baltimore. Pittsburgh's catching situation is murky behind Jacob Stallings.

Tilson comes to the Pirates from the Chicago White Sox. He had one home run and 23 RBIs in 96 games with Chicago. Pittsburgh is in need of outfield depth after trading Starling Marte to Arizona on Monday for prospects.

The Mookie Betts trade rumors, after festering all offseason, have reached new heights in recent days, with speculation that a deal between the Red Sox and Dodgers -- or maybe the Red Sox and Padres -- is inching closer to completion. While free agency moved rapidly this offseason, it has been a slow market regarding trades -- Tommy Pham and Starling Marte have been the two best players traded -- but maybe we'll finally get that superstar trade we've been anticipating all winter.

Let's do a quick Mookie Watch Q&A to review what's going on with the 2018 American League MVP as the baseball world waits to see whether a blockbuster deal will come to fruition.

Why do the Red Sox want to trade him?

Betts is entering his final season before entering free agency, and there was never any momentum for Betts to sign a long-term extension. Betts will be entering his age-28 season in 2021, and given his age and the recent contracts for Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Gerrit Cole, he's poised to be the next $300 million player.

As one of the sport's most prosperous franchises, the Red Sox could certainly afford that -- assuming Betts even wanted to stay in Boston -- but they have a bigger issue they've chosen to stare down: They want to get under the competitive balance tax threshold. Their projected CBT payroll right now, according to Cot's Contracts, is $227.9 million, nearly $20 million above the $208 million threshold. Betts will earn $27 million in 2020. As Buster Olney wrote Thursday, "Rival executives think it's inevitable that the Red Sox will trade Betts before the July 31 deadline."

Obviously, Betts' contract is not the problem. David Price is owed $32 million a year the next three seasons, and it is a distinct possibility he will be included in any Betts deal. Chris Sale will make $145 million over the next five years. Nathan Eovaldi has three years and $51 million left on his deal. All three missed time with injuries in 2019. Even Dustin Pedroia has two years left on his contract.

The Red Sox also have one of the weakest farm systems in the majors, so trading Betts could bring back some much-needed (and inexpensive) young talent. It seems weird that a rich team is trying to dump a superstar, hurting its chances of making the playoffs in 2020, but the Red Sox believe trading Betts will help improve their chances at long-term success (given that Betts is likely leaving anyway).

Exactly how good is Betts?

He's arguably the second-best position player in the game behind Mike Trout. He beat out Trout for MVP honors in 2018, when he hit .346/.438/.640 with 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases and won a Gold Glove. That season was worth a remarkable 10.9 WAR, and while he didn't hit as well in 2019 -- .295/.391/.524 -- he was still worth 6.8 WAR, and over the past four seasons he trails only Trout in total WAR:

Trout: 35.5

Betts: 33.8

Max Scherzer: 28.0

Justin Verlander: 27.5

Nolan Arenado: 25.0

So what are the potential trades?

It looks like the Dodgers or Padres are the two primary suitors, with the Dodgers the betting favorite -- although new Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom is certainly hoping to play the two NL West rivals off each other to improve the offers.

The Dodgers don't need Betts as they'll remain heavy favorites to win the division even without him. The 106-win season of 2019 ended in playoff disappointment, however, and the feeling could be that adding new superstar blood could be the final ingredient to finally get them over the top. Plus, a little roster turnover is a good thing and adding Betts could simply provide a mental lift to the organization in addition to his on-field value.

A Red Sox-Dodgers trade would likely center on outfielder Alex Verdugo, who hit .294/.342/.475 with 12 home runs in 343 at-bats in his first full season at age 23. Verdugo is a high-contact hitter who had excellent defensive metrics while playing all three outfield positions. In his part-time role, he was worth 3.1 WAR, so it's not inconceivable to see him as a 4- or 5-win player, especially if he adds a little more power. He's under team control through 2024.

Like the Dodgers, the Padres also have a deep farm system to deal from, although, much like the Dodgers won't be trading Gavin Lux (and probably not pitcher Dustin May), the Padres will not be trading top pitching prospects MacKenzie Gore or Luis Patino. Catcher Luis Campusano, who hit .325/.396/.509 at age 20 in winning co-MVP honors in the California League, could be the prime attraction for Boston. The Padres could also include a couple of young major leaguers with a prospect, such as outfielder Manuel Margot (a former Red Sox farmhand), first baseman Josh Naylor or a pitcher such as Joey Lucchesi or Cal Quantrill.

It's worth noting that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was Bloom's boss when the two worked together in Tampa Bay for about 10 years, so that relationship could help facilitate a trade.

What could hold up a trade?

The other parts. The Red Sox would love to include Price and his $96 million in any Betts trade. Price has still been a quality starter when he's able to take the mound, but he has missed significant time in two of the past three seasons. He made 22 starts in 2019 and went 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA/3.62 FIP. He did strike out 128 in 107⅓ innings, so the stuff is still there when healthy. He's probably worth about $15 million per season on the open market, so the Red Sox would have to include some cash to pay down his salary if he's part of a deal.

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On the Padres' side, they would love to dump Wil Myers, who is owed $61 million the next three seasons and is coming off a minus-0.3 WAR season. According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres want the Red Sox to pick up half that contract. Note here that Myers' tax figure is much lower than his actual salary, at $14 million per season (the CBT is based on the annual average value of the contract). So if the Padres pay down $30 million of the $42 million remaining tax amount, the Red Sox's tax hit is just $4 million per season (but $10 million actual cash). The bigger issue is whether the Red Sox actually want Myers or believe he can bounce back from a terrible 2019.

How will Betts hit away from Fenway?

Betts is a pull hitter, so his offensive game is perfectly tailored to Fenway Park. His career numbers:

Home: 1566 AB, .319/.387/.542, 65 HR, 135 2B

Away: 1637 AB, .285/.361/.497, 74 HR, 94 2B

He actually has homered a little more often on the road, but look at all those doubles -- Mookie loves playing pingpong with the Green Monster. While it's possible that some line drives turn from doubles into home runs, some fly balls will turn from doubles into outs.

On the other hand, maybe the bigger gaps down the left-field line and left-center gap will produce more hits -- Fenway left field giveth but it also takes away some hits. In general, Dodger Stadium and Petco aren't great hitters' parks, so I would guess Betts will lose a few home runs and some points on his batting average (which has jumped up and down all over the place the past four years anyway) if he's playing his home games on the West Coast in 2020.

PALMETTO, Fla. – As the world’s leading driver development program, the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires will reach a milestone this year, celebrating its 10th anniversary as the stepping stone to the NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500.

In 2019, 26 graduates of Road to Indy series were on the IndyCar grids as were 23 of the 33 starters in the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500.

The three rungs of the ladder – Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship – have been instrumental in providing exceptional training and development to take drivers to the pinnacle of the sport.

Reigning Indy Lights champion and Arrow McLaren SP driver Oliver Askew and Indy Lights vice champion and Ed Carpenter Racing driver Rinus VeeKay went from karts to IndyCar in under four years via the Road to Indy program. 2018 Indy Lights champion Patricio O’Ward and vice champion Colton Herta are just some of the additional alumni set to contest the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series season alongside Jack Harvey, Zach Veach, Felix Rosenqvist, Jack Harvey, Conor Daly, Charlie Kimball and reigning IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden to name a few.

An increase in prize money and awards will see over $2.7M distributed this season to help drivers in their ascent. The Indy Lights champion will earn a scholarship valued at $1M that guarantees entry into a minimum of three IndyCar events in 2021, including the Indianapolis 500, while the Indy Pro 2000 champion will be awarded a scholarship valued at $609,245 and the USF2000 champion a scholarship valued at $328,225.

“The Road to Indy has done more for me than anything else in my career and that’s saying a lot,” said reigning Indy Pro 2000 champion Kyle Kirkwood who will graduate to Indy Lights this year with Andretti Autosport. “I’ve won scholarships in karting, Skip Barber and the Team USA Scholarship, which really got the ball rolling three years ago, as well as F4 and F3. But the USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000 scholarships, the chance to race in Indy Lights, it means the world to me.”

Road to Indy TV, the broadcast production arm of the Road to Indy, will ramp up with expanded global exposure this year featuring over 60 hours of live coverage, live and on demand shows on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku as well as the Road to Indy TV App and social media channels.

“The Road to Indy has clearly carved out its niche as the pathway to the IndyCar Series,” said Jonny Baker, Series Development Director. “It’s rewarding to see drivers like Oliver Askew and Rinus VeeKay take their next steps while acknowledging how important our ladder system has been in their progression. The Road to Indy has assembled all the key components for success, from its sanctioning by INDYCAR and support from IndyCar Race Control to the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team, it’s great schedule of events and tremendous partners like Cooper Tires, who are so passionate about helping drivers succeed. Dan Andersen [Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions] has assembled a program that is truly the path for drivers in professional motorsports, and it’s exciting to see what the next 10 years will bring.”

The Road to Indy will welcome several new Official Series Partners in 2020 including Bell Helmets, Sabelt, SimMetric Driver Performance Labs and Rotiform wheels in addition to the launch of the Construction Contractors Club, an events and networking organization which will allow its members to entertain and network at Road to Indy events alongside the NTT IndyCar Series courtesy of The Andersen Companies.

The Lucas Oil School of Racing became the Official Racing School of the Road to Indy in 2019 and is the first step on the ladder system, offering its champion a scholarship into the USF2000 series.

“So many people have contributed to the success of the Road to Indy and I have to thank first and foremost our tremendous partners, especially Cooper Tires, and those who have been on board with us all these years as well as Mazda and INDYCAR and also our teams,” said Andersen. “It is tremendously rewarding to watch drivers literally grow up in our series and graduate to successful careers in motorsports, and to watch our teams grow and expand up the ladder.

“Our model has created a unique and successful platform and we look forward to continuing to strive to be the best in all that we do for our partners, teams and drivers. The Road to Indy is where career-minded drivers need to be.”

The Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires season will kick-off with its annual Spring Training at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 7-9 followed by the season-opener for all three series on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., March 13-15.

The tributes to the late Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the seven others killed in the helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles on Sunday continue at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Friday, and the crowds are loving it. 

Starting his round on the back nine, Tony Finau got off to a hot start with a birdie on No. 10. He followed that one up with three more birdies on Nos. 15-17. 

But it was the birdie on the famous 16th we have to show you. 

Donning a vintage Bryant jersey, Finau drained a 22-foot putt from off the green for birdie. 

He even gave his putt a little “swish” motion and brought attention to the jersey. 

After those four front-nine birdies, Finau jumped up the leaderboard after his first-round 69, and sat just three strokes off the lead with 11 holes to play.

Rickie Fowler, the Waste Management Phoenix Open defending champion, was looking to get something going when he stepped onto the tee box Friday morning. 

He needed to make up some ground after a first-round 74 which left him T-110 going into Friday’s round. 

It only took him four holes to get the ball rolling. 

Starting his second round on the back nine, his string of good play began on No. 13, where he went eagle-par-eagle-par-birdie-birdie. 

When you add that up, it’s an opening-nine 30, which vaulted him 86 spots up the leaderboard.

Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, in the mix to be drafted No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals, said going to a franchise that's committed to winning is as important as having the distinction of being the top pick.

"You want to go No. 1, but you also want to go to a great organization that's committed to winning Super Bowls," Burrow said in an interview Friday morning on "The Dan Patrick Show."

That comment, in response to a question from Patrick, arrives on the heels of former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer's statements earlier this week.

"That's why I wanted out," Palmer, the Bengals' top overall pick in the 2003 draft, told CBS Sports Radio. "I never felt like the organization was really trying to win a Super Bowl and really chasing a Super Bowl."

Palmer was a holdout during the 2011 season, after the Bengals drafted Andy Dalton, and was eventually moved to Oakland before the midseason trade deadline. Burrow will be training with Palmer's brother, Jordan, ahead of April's draft, according to the NFL Network.

Earlier this month, Burrow's father told a radio station that Joe will be "happy" if he goes to Cincinnati with the first overall pick, even with the franchise's recent history. The Bengals (2-14) are coming off their worst season since 2002, haven't won a playoff game since January 1991 and their last Super Bowl appearance came in January 1989.

"He'll look at it as a challenge," Jimmy Burrow told the TSN radio affiliate in Montreal. "But he'll be confident that eventually they can win a lot of games there in Cincinnati."

As Baker Mayfield buried the hatchet with ESPN analyst and former NFL head coach Rex Ryan on Friday, the Cleveland Browns quarterback said he's done responding to critics.

"It comes back on ... doing my job the best I can, not worrying about the outside stuff, not replying to you," Mayfield said to Ryan while appearing on ESPN's Get Up on Friday morning. "Just doing my job and doing what really matters being a quarterback."

Mayfield referred to this season as a "humbling experience" for him. Not only did the Browns finish 6-10 to miss the playoffs for a 17th consecutive year, but Mayfield ranked last in the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio (22 touchdowns to 21 interceptions) and next to last in passer rating (78.8).

After a Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Ryan called Mayfield "overrated as hell" on Get Up. Two days later, Mayfield fired back.

"If you don't wear orange and brown, you don't matter, and Rex Ryan doesn't have any colors right now for a reason," Mayfield said then, referring to Ryan no longer being a head coach.

"I don't need to respond to the things that don't matter," Mayfield said Friday. "The things that don't help us win."

Throughout his career, Mayfield's candid comments have drawn plenty of headlines -- well beyond his exchange with Ryan.

Before this season even started, he called out then-teammate Duke Johnson for asking for a trade in minicamp. And in a GQ magazine preseason story, he was quoted as saying it "blows my mind" that the New York Giants would draft quarterback Daniel Jones with such a paltry college record at Duke.

"Let's just be honest, I put my foot in my mouth a lot this past year," Mayfield said. "I'm going to internalize that."

Mayfield agreed with Ryan's point that responding to outside criticism so frequently and emphatically, including to Ryan's own comments, wasn't going to help the Browns win games.

"No, it doesn't," Mayfield said. "That's what the focus needs to be about, what can I do to help this team win. ... What can I do to make our franchise better, head in the right direction, do the things of why I was picked in that spot [No. 1 overall] and make it happen."

Mayfield reiterated he wasn't going to change who he is and that he was going to play with the same edge that has defined his career. But he did concede that he needs to evolve, especially in the way he handles criticism.

"I just have to be me, I have to continue to do that," said Mayfield, who ended the segment shaking hands with Ryan. "But I don't need to reply to the stuff on the outside."

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson headline the list of players selected to the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend, the NBA announced Friday.

The game, to be played on Feb. 14 at the United Center in Chicago, will follow the United States vs. the World format for the sixth consecutive season, with All-Star Game starters Young and Doncic selected to lead their respective teams.

Each team consists of 10 players -- all either rookies or second-year players.

Williamson, who has only played in four games this season after recovering from knee surgery, was selected to the game as an injury replacement for Bulls forward Wendell Carter Jr., who suffered a sprained right ankle on Jan. 6.

In those four games, Williamson has averaged 18.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in just 24 minutes per game. Both would lead all rookies if Williamson had played enough games to qualify.

Young and Williamson are joined on the U.S. team by Warriors forward Eric Paschall, Grizzlies teammates Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., Heat teammates Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn, and Hornets teammates Devonte Graham, Miles Bridges and PJ Washington.

It won't be the first time Williamson and Morant have been on the same squad. The two briefly played AAU ball together in South Carolina. They also will square off Friday night when the Pelicans and Grizzlies play each other in New Orleans.

On the World team, Doncic (Slovenia) will play alongside Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Canada); Suns center Deandre Ayton (Bahamas); Knicks guard/forward RJ Barrett (Canada); Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (Canada); Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada); Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (Japan) and center Moritz Wagner (Germany); Pistons guard/forward Svi Mykhailiuk (Ukraine); and Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie (Nigeria).

Alexander-Walker, Gilgeous-Alexander, Barrett and Clarke represent a record four Canadians who will play in the game. Hachimura is the first player from Japan to be named to the Rising Stars game.

The full roster of 20 players was selected by NBA assistant coaches, with each of the league's 30 teams submitting one ballot per coaching staff.

The ballot consisted of four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players at either position group for each team. Voters also had to choose a minimum of three first-year NBA players and three second-year NBA players for each team. Coaches were not permitted to vote for any player on their team, according to the NBA.