Top News:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB, MLBPA Agree To New Collective Bargaining Agreement — Major League Baseball and the MLB Player's Association have announced that they've tentatively settled on a new collective bargaining agreement, as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported (Twitter link).
Discussion:
Talking Chop, That Balls Outta Here, River Avenue Blues, Bucs Dugout, Bless You Boys and McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Major League Baseball, union agree on new collective bargaining agreement — Major League Baseball and the players union, knowing there was far too much at stake for an impasse, agreed to a new five-year collective bargaining agreement Wednesday night less than four hours before their current deal expired.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Full Count
ESPN:
MLB owners, players' union agree to 5-year labor contract — It took nearly around-the-clock bargaining over the past two days and nights, but Major League Baseball and its players' union have kept their 21-year streak of labor peace intact for another five years.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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 and baseballmusings.com
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
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Who will replace Big Papi in Boston? — BOSTON — In case you missed it two weeks ago, David Ortiz filed the paperwork with Major League Baseball that made the inevitable official. — Big Papi is retired. — So, although Ortiz still occasionally walks through the doors of Fenway Park …
Discussion:
providencejournal.com, MLB Trade Rumors and FenwayNation
RELATED:
Rick Westhead / TSN:
Encarnacion's agent says Jays ‘showing Edwin the most love’
Encarnacion's agent says Jays ‘showing Edwin the most love’
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Yanks Go Yard, Union-News, Bless You Boys, Jays Journal, NESN.com, MLB Trade Rumors, FanRag Sports and JaysNation
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Source: Red Sox ‘probably’ not going to be finalist for Edwin Encarnacion
Source: Red Sox ‘probably’ not going to be finalist for Edwin Encarnacion
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Boston, NESN.com, MLB Daily Dish and FenwayNation
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:
MLB Trade Rumors, Amazin' Avenue and New York Post
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:
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:
Baseball Prospectus, MLB Daily Dish, Bucs Dugout, FanRag Sports and Athletics Nation
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