Top News:
Keith Law / ESPN:
Top 100 prospects of 2015 — A slugging third baseman and a five-tool outfielder come out on top — Welcome to ESPN Insider's 2015 ranking of the top 100 prospects in baseball. — This is my eighth such ranking for Insider, with a lot of the same names near the top of last year's list …
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
MAKE RELIEVERS FACE MORE THAN 1 BATTER FOR FASTER GAME, MORE OFFENSE — The two goals seem at odds. Baseball wants to increase offense? Baseball wants to improve the pace of game? Wait, wouldn't more offense lead to longer, slower games? — The answer seemingly is yes, but eureka!
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Bleed Cubbie Blue, FanGraphs Baseball, HardballTalk, ESPN and SI.com
Justin Jouvenal / Washington Post:
Nationals' Jayson Werth pleads guilty to reckless driving, gets 5 days in jail — Washington Nationals' outfielder Jayson Werth will serve five days in jail after pleading guilty Thursday to a reckless driving charge in Fairfax County. — Under the terms of an agreement reached with prosecutors …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Nats Insider, Phillies Nation, Federal Baseball, Sportsnet.ca and Bleacher Report
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Commissioner Manfred talks pace, players, plans in new role — FOX Sports … ROSENTHAL: You're the commissioner now. Your signature is on the ball. What was your reaction when you first saw that? — MANFRED: You know, I never focused on the ball until they came to collect my signature.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Metsblog, New Jersey Online and The Mets Police
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
Bobby Ojeda splits with SNY as sides fail to agree on new contract — The sticking point, as it usually is, was money. The two sides remained far apart on the financial terms of a new package for Ojeda. — Bobby Ojeda will not return to SportsNet New York's Mets pre and postgame studio.
Discussion:
Metsblog
Associated Press:
Report: Omar Minaya to join MLBPA — NEW YORK — Former New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya is leaving his job as senior vice president of the San Diego Padres to become a special adviser to union head Tony Clark. — Minaya started in baseball management as a scout for the Texas Rangers, where he helped sign Sammy Sosa.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Former Blue Jays teammates reunite in Arizona — Joe Carter clinched the 1993 World Series title with a homer in Game 6, which was started by Dave Stewart. (Getty) — Arizona senior vice president and general manager Dave Stewart turned to an old friend and teammate Wednesday …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Teddy Cahill / MLB.com:
Twins' Buxton leads list again, followed by Pederson (Dodgers), Soler (Cubs), Winker (Reds) — MLBPipeline.com's 2015 Top 100 Prospects list will be unveiled on Friday, Jan. 30, on MLB.com, with the Top 50 revealed during a one-hour show on MLB Network at 9 p.m. ET.
Discussion:
Cubs 101, Pirates Prospects and Red Reporter
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Gillick a curious choice for Phils — UNDERSTAND THIS: The only way the Phillies' latest shell-shuffling makes sense is if they have settled on Pat Gillick as their architect for the future. Also, this: Making sense doesn't always seem to be a prerequisite at One Citizens Bank Way.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bucks County Courier Times and The Zo Zone
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Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Giles becomes chairman emeritus; Gillick staying on as president in the short term
Giles becomes chairman emeritus; Gillick staying on as president in the short term
Discussion:
The Good Phight