Top News:
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Major Changes Could Come For Cuban Talent — The market for Cuban players—and the way that major league teams are able to scout them—could be on the verge of significant overhaul. — Mexican League officials are in discussions with the Cuban government to import top Cuban players to play in the Mexican League next season.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLB Rumors and Reuters
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Cuba says athletes can sign professional contracts in foreign leagues, reversing long ban — HAVANA — Cuba announced Friday that island athletes will be allowed to sign contracts to compete in foreign leagues, a shift from decades of policy that held professional sports to be anathema to socialist ideals.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Hamilton to put weight back on during offseason — ARLINGTON — Don't expect Josh Hamilton to come into Spring Training light again. — Last offseason, he started a natural-juice diet — or “lifestyle change,” as he calls it — and entered at an estimated 227 pounds, roughly 20 pounds lighter than normal.
Discussion:
NESN.com and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
His fate may be unclear, but GM Jerry Dipoto plans for Angels' future — The general manager looks to bolster a team whose owner is expected to make a decision about him soon. Meanwhile, Angels fall to the Texas Rangers, 6-5. — ARLINGTON, Texas — Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto addressed …
Discussion:
Gonzo and ‘The Show’, MLB Rumors, MLB.com and HardballTalk
Josh Vitale / MLB.com:
Yankees give Sandman a magical sendoff — NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera sat all alone at the end of the dugout late Thursday night. The game was over, the Rays were celebrating their victory on the field and the Yankees had already retreated to the clubhouse.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Baseball Prospectus
RELATED:
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Thornton on fence for Sox playoff pen — Veteran lefty reliever faces stiff competition for AL Division Series roster spot — BALTIMORE — Matt Thornton was ahead of the Red Sox on this beard thing. — “I started to grow one probably mid-August last year and didn't shave 'til right before spring training,” he said.
Discussion:
Boston Globe and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
BALTIMORE — Here's a statistic that captures the consistency, depth, relatively good health, talent and chemistry of the Red Sox this season: — They will finish the regular season without a four-game losing streak. — That hasn't been done in the majors since the 2005 St. Louis Cardinals.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and Over the Monster
Joe Frisaro / The Fish Pond:
Retaining Stanton Miami's priority — MIAMI — Speculation continues that the Marlins may be making front office changes after the season. — But there are strong indications that the club's top slugger will be part of the team's plans for 2014. — Sources say Giancarlo Stanton will remain with the Marlins.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Fish Stripes
Canadian Press:
Rays pick two road games in event of three-way wild card tie — NEW YORK — Tampa Bay decided it would rather have two chances to earn an AL wild-card berth rather than a home game in the event of a three-way tie. — Cleveland would host the Rays in a tiebreaker game Monday if there is a three …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive … and DRaysBay
Rob Schumacher / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers will look at coaching staff soon after season ends — Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers — FONT: — By Nick Piecoro — SAN DIEGO — Changes might be coming to the Diamondbacks coaching staff — and they could be coming right after the season ends.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and HardballTalk
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Marlins Fire Larry Beinfest, Promote Dan Jennings — 3:25pm: As expected, assistant general manager Dan Jennings will assume Beinfest's duties, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale (on Twitter). ESPN's Jerry Crasnick adds (also via Twitter) that the Marlins have fired Jim Fleming, who was a special assistant to Beinfest.
Discussion:
Sun-Sentinel, Fish Stripes and HardballTalk
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Game of the Day — Friday presents a number of excellent pitching matchups as we start the final weekend of the regular season. In addition, the AL Wild Card and NL Central Championship will be decided this weekend. — A.J. Burnett and Homer Baily get the ball rolling as the Pirates …
Discussion:
Red Reporter