World Series or bust?  That's not the way the Cubs are thinking  —  Chicago Tribune … After getting to the National League Championship Series this year, would anything besides a World Series be a disappointment for the Cubs in 2016?  —  “One of the hardest parts when you get into a period of winning …

Yankees Acquire Aaron Hicks From Twins For John Ryan Murphy  —  The Yankees and Twins have announced a two-player deal involving important young players.  New York will add center fielder Aaron Hicks in the swap, while Minnesota receives catcher John Ryan Murphy.

DeMarcus Cousins Cursed Out George Karl in Front of the Team as the Kings Unravel  —  After Sacramento was hammered at home by San Antonio Monday night, the Kings' star, DeMarcus Cousins, stormed into the locker room and cursed out head coach George Karl with a torrent of obscenities, a person close to the situation told The Big Lead.

Mariners Sign Franklin Gutierrez for 2016 Season  —  Given a chance to sign a veteran outfielder who can play both corner outfield spots, produce off the bench, mentor younger players and has proven to be on the upswing following a battle with illness, Jerry Dipoto didn't hesitate.

Reds, Diamondbacks discussing swap of second basemen  —  The talks provide more evidence that Cincinnati is ready to sell.  —  BOCA RATON, Fla. — Would second baseman Brandon Phillips leave the Reds?  This might be the offseason when we find out.  —  The Reds' trade discussions …

Braves To Re-Sign A.J. Pierzynski  —  7:33pm: Pierzynski gets a $1MM signing bonus, a $2MM base salary and another $1MM worth of incentives, tweets Rosenthal, who also adds that the veteran catcher had a more lucrative offer but chose to return to Atlanta instead.

Padres Acquire Jose Pirela From Yankees  —  The Padres have struck a deal to acquire infielder Jose Pirela from the Yankees, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports on Twitter.  New York will add minor league righty Ronald Herrera in return.  —  Pirela had been a factor …

Sources: Lopsided trade between Pirates, Marlins was compensation deal  —  32m - MLB PITTSBURGH PIRATES MIAMI MARLINS + more

Self-Sustaining System Is Stearns' Success Plan  —  Domingo Santana, one of four players acquired from Houston for Carlos Gomez, hit six homers for the Brewers after his callup (Photo by John Williamson)  —  MILWAUKEE—David Stearns knows rebuilding.  —  As assistant general manager …

Former Knicks draft pick Michael Wright found dead of head wound and covered in garbage bags in SUV in Brooklyn: officials  —  A man found dead in his SUV under a pile of trash bags in Brooklyn has been identified as a college hoops star once drafted by the Knicks, officials said.