Brewers Sign Eric Thames, Designate Chris Carter  —  The Brewers have announced a three-year deal with free-agent first baseman Eric Thames, who will reportedly receive a $16MM guarantee.  His contract also comes with a $7.5MM option for the 2020 campaign.  —  Thames will receive $4MM …

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 — $9MM in 2017 and $13MM in 2018 — assuming he passes his physical.  —  Volquez hit the open market when he declined his end of a $10MM mutual option with the Royals.

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.”

Yanks cut Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Rumbelow, Joe Mantiply  —  NEW YORK — Injured pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has been released by the New York Yankees along with right-hander Nick Rumbelow and lefty Joe Mantiply.  —  The trio had been designated for assignment on Nov. 18, and the Yankees announced their release Monday.

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.

Can the Pirates find a trade partner for Josh Harrison?  —  Plus, what should the Diamondbacks do with Zack Greinke and more in the latest notes.  —  One rival general manager described the Pirates on Thursday as a club that “generally” listens to trade offers for players under long-term control.

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.

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 …

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 …

Yadier Molina will represent Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic  —  Yadier Molina announced on Monday that he will represent Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.  —  The St. Louis Cardinals catcher has played in all three previous World Baseball Classic events and is the first player …

Heyman: Mets could see JD Martinez as Cespedes fall-back  —  Yoenis Cespedes remains by far and away the Mets' main outfield target, but sources say the team has some interest in Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez as a fall-back option should things not work out for Martinez.

Colby Jack and the Luckiest Staff of All Time  —  “Colby Jack” Coombs was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 1910.  The ace of Connie Mack's titanic Athletics, Coombs compiled a 31-9 record, leading the American League in wins and shutouts (13), and placing among the top-five in virtually every other important pitching category.

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.