Top News:
Boston Herald:
Dombrowski & Co. will go against form in exploring free agent market — As if the challenge facing the Red Sox is not already daunting enough, it's also brand new to the decision makers as well. — The Red Sox' need for an elite starting pitcher is acute, which is hardly news.
Discussion:
BostonGlobe.com, Union-News, providencejournal.com, WEEI, MLB Trade Rumors, CBSSports.com, Over the Monster and Boston
Zach Links / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers, Cuban OF Yusniel Diaz Agree To $15.5MM Deal — The Dodgers have agreed to sign Cuban outfielder Yusniel Diaz to a $15.5MM deal, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. Furthermore, the Dodgers and Omar Estevez have agreed to a pact that will pay the infielder $6MM.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Baseball America
RELATED:
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Cuban Second Baseman Omar Estevez Highlight Video — Paying $6 million for 17-year-old Cuban second baseman Omar Estevez is a steep price. That's the bonus the Dodgers agreed to pay Estevez, and because he's subject to the international bonus pools, the Dodgers are going to pay $12 million total …
Discussion:
Minor League Ball
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers To Hire Dave Roberts As Manager — 11:12pm: The official introductory press conference will be held after the Thanksgiving weekend, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports. Roberts will sign a three-year deal, Nightengale reports, and Hernandez adds that the contract also contains a club option on a fourth season.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, NESN.com, CBSSports.com, NBCSports.com, True Blue LA and Gaslamp Ball
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Yankees' self-imposed financial restrictions could cost team Gardner, Miller — New York needs more players like Gardner, not less. — Here's the problem with the Yankees trading left fielder Brett Gardner: Their only other athletic position players are shortstop Didi Gregorius and outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Aaron Hicks.
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, Pinstripe Alley, Lone Star Ball and MLB Trade Rumors
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros Strongly Interested In Acquiring Closer — The Astros are “hell-bent” on acquiring a closer, sources tell ESPN's Jayson Stark. The Astros have made calls on Aroldis Chapman of the Reds, Andrew Miller of the Yankees, and Brad Boxberger of the Rays, as well as potential free agent possibilities.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
RELATED:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Saturday's MLB hot stove trade and free-agency buzz — 27m - MLB KEN GILES AROLDIS CHAPMAN BRAD BOXBERGER ANDREW MILLER + more
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Darren O'Day market: Nats, Braves, Dodgers among teams in mix — Reliever Darren O'Day, who could be one of the first big free agents to sign, has drawn big interest from the Nationals, Braves and Dodgers, and while other teams are in the mix, this could shape up as a three-team competition featuring interesting connections.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Federal Baseball, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Trade Rumors and Camden Chat
Tulsa World:
OSU homecoming crash defendant's blood alcohol content made public — The driver in the OSU homecoming parade deaths tested at 0.01.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Acquire Jesse Chavez From A's For Liam Hendriks — The Blue Jays have officially acquired righty Jesse Chavez from the Athletics. Right-hander Liam Hendriks is going to Oakland in return. — This swap could have wide-ranging implications. The 32-year-old Chavez figures to join …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Athletics Nation, Yahoo Sports, Bluebird Banter and Baseball Prospectus
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
A's Designate Craig Gentry, Fernando Abad
A's Designate Craig Gentry, Fernando Abad
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and Athletics Nation
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Interested In Zimmermann; Giants A “Threat” To Land Greinke — Righty Jordan Zimmermann is one of the Dodgers' “top targets” among free agent starters, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (Twitter links). That shouldn't be read as a shift of focus away from Zack Greinke, he adds …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, CBSSports.com and MLB Daily Dish
Rick Morrissey / Chicago:
Griffey Jr., Hoffman and Trammell for the Hall, but not without some nocturnal drama — I woke up the other night thinking about the Baseball Hall of Fame, specifically about whether I had voted for a suspected steroid user by mistake the day before. This is no way to go through life.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, NBCSports.com and Pinstripe Alley