Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Why trading Andrew McCutchen is a real possibility for the Pirates — The former MVP is a big part of Pittsburgh's past — but perhaps not its future — Of all the big names available in trade, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen might be the most likely to go.
RELATED:
John Perrotto / FanRag Sports:
Three possible trade destinations for Andrew McCutchen — The growing sense around the Pittsburgh Pirates is that it is no longer a matter of if they will trade Andrew McCutchen, but rather a matter of when. — The center fielder becomes a free agent at end of next season if a $14.5 million club option for 2018 isn't exercised.
Discussion:
Sports Talk Philly and Phillies Nation
Rick Westhead / TSN:
Encarnacion's agent says Jays ‘showing Edwin the most love’ — Edwin Encarnacion's agent says the Toronto Blue Jays free-agent first baseman will probably sign a contract later this week or early next week, and that the Blue Jays are “showing Edwin the most love.”
Discussion:
Union-News, Yanks Go Yard, Jays Journal, Bless You Boys, NESN.com, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, FanRag Sports and JaysNation
RELATED:
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Who will replace Big Papi in Boston?
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and FenwayNation
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Source: Red Sox ‘probably’ not going to be finalist for Edwin Encarnacion
Discussion:
NESN.com and FenwayNation
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB, MLBPA Agree To New Collective Bargaining Agreement — 9:41pm: Players will no longer be able to receive more than a single qualifying offer, Rosenthal reports (Twitter links). Additionally, a team whose QO-declining player signs elsewhere will only receive compensation if that player signs …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, McCovey Chronicles and ESPN
RELATED:
ESPN:
Sources: No lockout vote scheduled yet for Wednesday as MLB's labor deal nears expiration — Even as the clock ticked down toward the midnight expiration of Major League Baseball's labor agreement and a potential work stoppage, MLB had yet to schedule a lockout vote by owners, sources told ESPN late Wednesday afternoon.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Maury Brown / Forbes:
MLB Owners Drop International Draft In Effort To Get New CBA Done
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, SI.com, Bless You Boys, Twinkie Town, baseballmusings.com and New York Daily News
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Hire Terry Ryan As Special Assignment Scout — The Phillies announced that they've hired former Twins general manager Terry Ryan as a special assignment scout. The move will reunite Ryan with team president Andy MacPhail, whom he knows well from the pair's days together …
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Yahoo Sports
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Mets receiving more trade interest in Curtis Granderson than Jay Bruce thus far, source says — While Jay Bruce has long been assumed to be the most likely Mets outfielder to be traded away this offseason, a source this week said that Curtis Granderson has received more interest in trade talks thus far.
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB Trade Rumors and Amazin' Avenue
Patrick Riley / Naples Daily News:
CCSO: Miami Dolphins player arrested on drug charges — Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Leon Orr was arrested Tuesday and faces charges for possession of marijuana and a controlled substance, according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office. — Orr, 24, was booked into the Naples Jail Center and posted the $7,000 bond.
Discussion:
The Daily Dolphin and ProFootballTalk
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Former Mets GM Steve Phillips' proposal of two strikes you're out could work as MLB rule change — Commissioner Rob Manfred was out and about last week, making it clear he is open to changes that could make games faster-paced and more entertaining; in other words, more appealing to younger fans.
Discussion:
Call to the Pen
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Acquire Logan Verrett — The Orioles announced that they've acquired right-hander Logan Verrett from the Mets in exchange for cash. Verrett's departure from the Mets will clear a spot on New York's 40-man roster that'll go to the newly re-signed Yoenis Cespedes.
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Amazin' Avenue and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Athletics Sign Matt Joyce — The Athletics announced on Wednesday that they've signed free agent outfielder Matt Joyce to a two-year contract, which will reportedly guarantee him $11MM in total. Joyce will earn $5MM in 2017 and $6MM in 2018. — The 32-year-old Joyce spent the 2016 campaign …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, FanRag Sports and Bucs Dugout
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rockies, Jordan Lyles Avoid Arbitration — 2:24pm: SB Nation's Chris Cotillo tweets that the two sides settled on a $3.175MM salary. — 12:35pm: The Rockies announced today that they've avoided arbitration with right-hander Jordan Lyles on a one-year deal. Terms of the contract weren't disclosed.
Discussion:
Purple Row
