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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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

Is Cespedes headed west?  Potential landing spots for the slugging outfielder  —  Yoenis Cespedes, by near unanimous consensus, is the best free agent available this offseason.  That probably wouldn't be the case most seasons, but he's coming off back-to-back 30-homer seasons …

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.

“Am I Done?” … HAPPENING NOW … WEIGHING IN /  —  @CHELSEAFC … JORDAN HOUGHTON /  —  @HOUGHTON_J

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.

Scouting the Minors Pitch by Pitch: Swinging Strike %  —  Everyone has an irrational love for prospects, with the hope that the next great prospect will somehow fulfill some massive potential, never before seen in our lifetimes.  Later, when a select few do reach such lofty heights …

CBA Notes: Season Length, Roster Size, Luxury Tax, Int'l Draft  —  Both Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and players' union executive director Tony Clark expressed optimism last month about reaching a new collective bargaining agreement prior to the Dec. 1 expiration of the current CBA.