After $1 billion in player spending, Dodgers under MLB mandate to cut debt  —  Guggenheim Baseball Management leaders — including, from left, Bobby Patton, Stan Kasten, Magic Johnson, Mark Walter, Peter Gruber and Todd Boehly — vowed in 2012 to build “something long-term, and sustainable.”

Heyman: CBA talks back on as deadline looms  —  Union leaders and MLB negotiators will be back at the bargaining table Sunday in Dallas after a five-day respite.  And while an offseason lockout looms as a possibility for Thursday's deadline, high hopes remain for both sides to reach agreement …

Braves Acquire Alex Jackson  —  The Braves have struck a deal to acquire outfield prospect Alex Jackson from the Mariners, per club announcements.  Righties Rob Whalen and Max Povse are headed to Seattle in the deal, in which Atlanta will also pick up a player to be named later.

Reds Claim Juan Graterol, Gabriel Guerrero Off Waivers  —  The Reds have claimed catcher Juan Graterol off waivers from the Angels and claimed outfielder Gabriel Guerrero off waivers from the Diamondbacks, the team announced today.  In order to clear room on the 40-man roster …

Marlins To Sign Edinson Volquez  —  The Marlins have reportedly struck a two-year deal with free agent righty Edinson Volquez.  Volquez will receive a $22MM guarantee, assuming he passes his physical.  —  Volquez hit the open market when he declined his end of a $10MM mutual option with the Royals.

Hal Steinbrenner says he expects Aaron Judge to claim Yankees' right field job next season  —  Here comes the Judge.  At least he better be.  —  Brian Cashman isn't handing Aaron Judge the right field job just yet, but Hal Steinbrenner made it clear he expects the young slugger to grab hold of the job next season.

6 'can't-touch' players that could be the key to a Chris Sale trade  —  The price for the White Sox ace will be deservedly high.  Will anyone pay up?  —  “Can't do that.”  —  That's the phrase baseball people often use when confronted with the possibility of trading a top young player.

St. Louis Cardinals Rumors: Andrelton Simmons Should Be 2017 Short Stop  —  Should the St. Louis Cardinals take a rider on a new short stop for 2017?  —  Improve defense.  This was suggested by GM Mozeliak as a desire for the 2017 St. Louis Cardinals in the wake of the defensive performance of 2016.

Brewers Claim Steve Geltz, Designate Adam Walker For Assignment  —  The Brewers announced on Monday that they've claimed right-handed reliever Steve Geltz off waivers from the Rays and designated minor league outfielder/first baseman Adam Walker for assignment.

Yankees Release Nathan Eovaldi, Two Others  —  The Yankees have released veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, per a club announcement.  Also cut loose were southpaw Joe Mantiply and righty Nick Rumbelow.  All three pitchers were designated for assignment ten days ago, and obviously no trades or claims were in the offing.

New radio deal keeps Phillies on WIP; Scott Franzke gets an extension  —  It's never too early to start thinking about the Phillies.  —  SportsRadio 94 WIP announced Monday they have extended their broadcast partnership with the team, which dates back to 2004, through next season.

Rays: Looking for movement?  Look to trades, late-winter leftovers  —  The pace, and direction, of the Rays' offseason could change with one phone call, most dramatically with a deal to trade one of their sought-after starters, with the clues coming in whether the pieces they get are for the present or future.

Royals prospect Josh Staumont can throw 100 mph, but now comes the hard part  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  The pitch that changed Josh Staumont's life felt just like every other pitch, and if not for the story that follows, you would probably find the whole scene exceedingly routine.  Boring, even.