Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Starlin Castro's agent denies arrest report in club shooting — Starlin Castro's agent refuted reports that the Cubs' shortstop was arrested in a nightclub shooting in the Dominican Republic, saying he voluntarily went to the police to be questioned. — According to a report …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, baseballmusings.com, CBSSports.com, Deadspin, MLB Trade Rumors, SBNation.com and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
ESPN:
Police question Cubs' Castro about shooting — Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is being questioned by police in the Dominican Republic in connection with a shooting at a nightclub early Saturday morning that left six people injured, including one in serious condition.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
D.J. Short / HardballTalk:
Starlin Castro free after being questioned about shooting in Dominican Republic — UPDATE: Dominican police rep Jacobo Mateo Moquete announced via Twitter that Castro is free after being questioned about the shooting. — 3:24 p.m. ET: Castro's agent, Paul Kinzer, told Paul Sullivan …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and CBS Chicago
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Former equipment manager had been with organization since 1971 — In his final years with the Rangers, Joe Macko served as an ambassador and representative to the community. — ARLINGTON — Joe Macko, who had been associated with the Rangers since their arrival from Washington, D.C. …
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas Rangers Blog, Dallas Morning News and Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Washington's September resignation closes season of unfulfilled promise
Washington's September resignation closes season of unfulfilled promise
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia:
Source: Phils, Wandy Rodriguez agree to minor-league deal — It appears that Ruben Amaro Jr. is making a move to shore up the back of the rotation. — A source confirmed to CSNPhilly.com Saturday that left-handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Phillies, pending a physical.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, MLB Trade Rumors, CBSSports.com and Hot Stove
Peter Gammons / GammonsDaily.com:
If traded, will Hamels reap the desired return? — The Phillies don't have to trade Cole Hamels, not the way the Dodgers felt they had to move Matt Kemp. It depends on the ownership situation, and if there is going to be a change in ownership, and it depends on exactly where the Phillies want to go.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, The Good Phight, CBSSports.com, Hot Stove, HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Hiroki Kuroda Signs With Hiroshima Carp — Veteran righty Hiroki Kuroda is returning to the place where he made his name: the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league. — Soon to turn 40 years of age, Kuroda remains every bit as sturdy and effective as ever.
Discussion:
Beisbol's Org, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Daily Dish
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Bucs manager also wants players to be more aggressive on basepaths — Clint Hurdle discusses the Pirates' goals for 2015 and the roles Pedro Alvarez and Francisco Cervelli will have on the team next season — SAN DIEGO — “Turning the page” apparently is a difficult baseball task.
Discussion:
GammonsDaily.com
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Bolden, former first-round Draft pick of Angels, killed — ANAHEIM — Former Angels first-round pick Ryan Bolden was shot and killed in Georgia on Wednesday night, according to local reports. Bolden, 23, was in the Angels organization from 2010-13. The team was informed of his passing on Thursday.
Adam Pretty / Toronto Star:
Blue Jays await Takashi Toritani decision — Japanese media reporting the shortstop is mulling offers from the Jays and San Diego Padres, but decision not expected until new year. — Takashi Toritani is considering a jump to the majors at 33 after a lengthy career with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japan Central League.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Trade Rumors and Yakyu Baka
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals Sign Dan Uggla To Minor League Deal — The Nationals have signed Dan Uggla to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, the team announced (on Twitter). Uggla is a client of Turn 2 Sports Management. — The Nationals are plenty familiar with Uggla, who turns 35 in March, for a couple of reasons.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Federal Baseball and Nationals Pastime
Kevin Randall / New York Times:
Teams Turn to a Face Reader, Looking for That Winning Smile — MILWAUKEE — When two financiers purchased the Milwaukee Bucks for $550 million last April, they promised to pour not only money and new management into the moribund franchise, but also the same kind of creative and critical thinking …
Discussion:
NBA.com, The Crawfish Boxes, NBA.com and ProBasketballTalk
John W. Miller / Wall Street Journal:
In Uganda, Out of Nowhere, There Is Baseball — How America's Pastime Has Managed to Take Root in East Africa — Last month, I went to Uganda to coach and play baseball. — And to meet George. — George Mukhobe is a 37-year-old baseball coach from the slums of Kampala, Uganda's capital.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
WCNC-TV:
A Panthers coach helps family whose presents were stolen — Secret Santa gives local family Christmas WCNC — CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A family whose Christmas presents were stolen earlier this week will have a joyful Christmas after all, thanks to a Secret Santa from the Carolina Panthers.
Discussion:
NESN.com, ProFootballTalk and ESPN