By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies have hired their once 31st round draft pick in the 2006 amateur draft — right-handed pitcher Bruce Billings — as a minor league coach.

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies still want to add a high-end southpaw starting pitcher to their rotation to complement Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta. Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ were thought to be the most likely to assume the role, however both signed elsewhere.

According to MLB.com's Jon Morosi on Friday, the Phillies are now pursuing 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner, two-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner and 2017 World Series champion, Dallas Keuchel. However, the club is reportedly "unwilling" to meet the left-hander's request of a five-year contract.

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Albeit coming from the New York Post, the latest rumor regarding the Philadelphia Phillies and their potential acquisitions of free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado — stating that neither "particularly like" Philadelphia — surely garnered much attention on Wednesday.

Less than 24 hours later, two former Phillies players Larry Bowa and Brett Myers — who won it all 28 years apart in 1980 and 2008, respectively — shared their views on Thursday regarding the stars and what it takes to play in Philadelphia.

(@GOCPBL/Twitter)

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ are not the only players the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are, and have, competed to acquire this offseason.

According to the Taiwan-based The Liberty Times, the Phillies, Yankees, Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds are among the teams interested in 18-year-old Chengde High School superutility player, Chen Sheng-Ping.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Stop me if you have heard this before. The Flyers entered the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning down 5-2, rallied back to force overtime, before losing.

In almost a carbon copy of the first meeting between the two teams in November, the Flyers somehow managed a frantic rally to get the game tied after trailing by three goals and earn a point. But, yet again, they coughed up the chance at the second point almost immediately, as Alex Killorn scored 18 seconds into overtime to give the Lightning a 6-5 win on Thursday night.

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Just as Millville, New Jersey, native Mike Trout is highly coveted among Philadelphia Phillies fans, the same should be done by Philadelphia Eagles fans for the up-and-coming RB Jonathan Taylor from Salem, New Jersey, who just completed his sophomore season with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Playing in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday, Taylor rushed for 205 yards on 27 carries — his longest for 41 yards — and one touchdown, earning MVP honors. Taylor accounted for more than half of the Badgers' total offensive yards, as the team completed a 35-3 rout at Yankee Stadium.

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies coaching staff is changing again, as on Thursday, their first base coach and infield/baserunning instructor Jose David Flores joined the Baltimore Orioles coaching staff under new manager Brandon Hyde, according to MLB.com's Joe Trezza.

Flores spent just one season on the Phillies' staff, his first coaching assignment in the major leagues. Next season will mark Flores' 19th year as a coach or manager in professional baseball.

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Ahead of an imminent expansion announcement following the New Year, the Philadelphia-headquartered Arena Football League (AFL) officially unveiled on Thursday its third-ever unique primary logo design.

Described as a "monumental shift in visual identity," the new logo — while still embracing the league's legacy — "signifies the path moving forward as a next-generation sports league," according to the AFL's press release.

“We are excited to announce the League’s new logo, which represents the new direction of the AFL,” said Commissioner Randall Boe. “This marks the beginning of many changes to come from the League, including a uniquely modernized and gamified experience for fans. The new logo represents the high energy momentum of the League that we are excited to share with everyone.”

By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

If you wanted something more interesting that the Eagles pushing for a playoff spot against a Redskins roster that recently released their best player in the secondary, you may have justyou’re your wish.

The Redskins made the game even more interesting to Eagles fans by signing former Eagles first-round pick Marcus Smith ahead of their match-up with the Birds.

#Redskins sign DE Marcus Smith and DB Alex Carter. In corresponding moves, place QB Colt McCoy and TE Jordan Reed on injured reserve:https://t.co/DR6EkLBtmc

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) December 27, 2018

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

After a three-day break, the Flyers return to the ice to face a challenge in the East's best team.

The Flyers gave the Tampa Bay Lightning a run for their money in November, erasing a 5-1 lead in under seven minutes to force overtime, before ultimately suffering the defeat. Tampa has some help back in netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy and is also fresh off the break.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m.