Top News:
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, NESN.com, Yanks Go Yard, Jays Journal, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish 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:
FenwayNation
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.
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:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On CBA Talks — 6:36pm: The sides are “close” to hammering out a deal on the luxury tax system, Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets. — 5:27pm: There's now little chance of a lockout, Tyler Kepner of the New York Times tweets. — 4:29pm: There's said to be progress in collective bargaining talks …
Maury Brown / Forbes:
MLB Owners Drop International Draft In Effort To Get New CBA Done
Discussion:
SI.com, Twinkie Town, Bless You Boys, 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:
Yahoo Sports and The Good Phight
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:
MLB Trade Rumors, New York Post and Amazin' Avenue
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
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
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs prepare for Dexter Fowler's departure, sign center fielder Jon Jay — The Cubs signed free agent outfielder Jon Jay to a one-year, $8 million contract. — Chicago Tribune — With the looming likelihood free agent Dexter Fowler will land a lucrative contract elsewhere …
Discussion:
Camden Depot, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Halos Heaven and Bleacher Nation
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Sign Jon Jay
Discussion:
DRaysBay, Purple Row, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation and MLB Daily Dish
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Top Prospects Voice Opposition To International Draft — David Ortiz said he is against an international draft. Nelson Cruz, Edwin Encarnacion, Gary Sanchez, Carlos Santana, Willson Contreras, Carlos Carrasco and Miguel Sano are among the prominent Latin American players who have appeared …
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
