Top News:
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Heyman: Blue Jays bid $80 million for Encarnacion, remain interested — The Jays offered their own star free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion about $80 million over four years, according to sources, and they remain interested in retaining Encarnacion even after signing free agent hitter Kendrys Morales.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Offered Roughly $80MM To Edwin Encarnacion — The Blue Jays made a four-year contract offer to Edwin Encarnacion that was worth “about” $80MM before agreeing to a three-year, $33MM deal with Kendrys Morales, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi first noted …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Full Count
Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA.com:
2017 Hall of Fame ballot — Former MVPs Rodriguez, Guerrero among 19 newcomers — Bagwell, Raines, Hoffman, Schilling Lead Returnees; Results Announced Jan. 18, 2017 — Two former American League Most Valuable Player Award winners as well as two World Series MVPs are among 19 new candidates …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, Brew Crew Ball, DRaysBay, River Avenue Blues, Lone Star Ball, Royals Review, Bleacher Nation and McCovey Chronicles
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Mike Axisa / CBSSports.com:
Here are the 34 players on the 2017 baseball Hall of Fame ballot — Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero, and Ivan Rodriguez are among the first time eligible players — Monday morning, the Baseball Writers Association of America released the official 2017 Hall of Fame ballot.
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
2016 Rule 5 Draft Preview — Projecting who will get picked in the Rule 5 draft is never easy. No two teams' Rule 5 preference lists are alike because of teams' differing needs, willingness to accept risk and the status of their big league roster. But talent is talent …
Discussion:
Union-News, redsminorleagues.com, Redleg Nation, SoxProspects Wiki and FenwayNation
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
Sources: Rangers prospects questioned for allegedly sexually hazing underage teammate — Eight Texas Rangers prospects were questioned by police in the Dominican Republic after a video showed a group of players sexually assaulting an underage teammate in a hazing incident that targeted players …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, The Big Lead, Call to the Pen and Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Mozeliak: ‘There was a lot of demand’ for Cecil … Newly signed left-handed relief pitcher Brett Cecil is introduced by Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak during a press conference at Busch Stadium on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016. Photo by Cristina M. Fletes, cfletes@post-dispatch.com
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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David Ortiz / The Players' Tribune:
Thanks for the Memories, Boston … It's weird when it ends. It's not how you think it's gonna be. A couple nights ago, my wife and I were sitting at home, having some drinks. The kids were in bed. There was no game tomorrow, no workout. We were just drinking and laughing.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, WEEI, Full Count and Over the Monster
Brad Biggs / Chicago Tribune:
Season could be done for Bears QB Jay Cutler — Photos of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. — The Chicago Bears will have a major decision to make in regards to Jay Cutler at the end of this year — but now the quarterback's 2016 season could be ended prematurely.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
Mary Kay Cabot / Plain Dealer:
Cody Kessler might be shut down awhile with 2nd concussion: 'This is about a young man's future' Hue Jackson says — Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler lays on the field after getting hit in the head by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons in the second half.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
Mark Feinsand / New York Daily News:
Hal Steinbrenner hints that Yankees will pursue Aroldis Chapman in free agency — If you were wondering whether the Yankees were serious about bringing Aroldis Chapman back to New York, Hal Steinbrenner answered that emphatically Wednesday. — Speaking to reporters at the owner's meetings in Chicago …
Discussion:
Wrigleyville
Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com:
Can Orioles catch lightning in a one-year contract? — The Orioles aren't coming out and saying that they absolutely need to sign a catcher for 2017. — There's still hope that Matt Wieters will return, but I think that has to be considered a longshot given what he'll command financially …
Discussion:
Camden Chat and MLB Trade Rumors