Source: Red Sox ‘probably’ not going to be finalist for Edwin Encarnacion  —  It was trending this way for the last month, but now it looks like there will be some certainty very soon.  —  According to a major league source, the Red Sox are “probably” not going to be a finalist for the services …

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.

Heyman: Blue Jays interested in Dexter Fowler, Jay Bruce  —  The Toronto Blue Jays, knowing they may end up losing right fielder Jose Bautista this winter, are showing a strong interest in free agent center fielder Dexter Fowler, sources tell FanRag Sports.  —  Fowler became a free agent …

MLB Owners Drop International Draft In Effort To Get New CBA Done  —  With the clock winding down before the current labor deal in Major League Baseball with the players is set to expire at midnight on Wednesday, the owners appear to have dropped a key aspect in their negotiations in an effort to get a deal done.

Veteran slugger spent past three seasons in Korea  —  MILWAUKEE — In one of the most out-of-the-box signings in recent baseball history, the Brewers on Tuesday finalized a three-year contract with Eric Thames, a 30-year-old going on five years since his last at-bat in the big leagues …

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.

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.

Rockies, Jordan Lyles Avoid Arbitration  —  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.  MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz had pegged Lyles for a $3.3MM salary in 2017, however.

Rome Was Built In Half A Season - Minor League Team of the Year  —  When everyone looks back at the 2016 Rome Braves years from now, they may be remembered as one of the better minor league teams of the early 21st century.  The rotation featured prospects in all six spots …

Mets Said to Re-Sign Yoenis Cespedes for Four Years, $110 Million  —  From the onset of the off-season, the Mets made it clear that their biggest desire was to retain Yoenis Cespedes, the All-Star outfielder who helped transform them into a World Series contender in 2015 and a playoff team in 2016.