Top News:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals Acquire Derek Norris — The Nationals have dealt for catcher Derek Norris from the Padres, per a club announcement. Righty Pedro Avila will head to San Diego in return. — It's a homecoming of sorts for Norris, who was once a well-regarded prospect in the D.C. system …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, CBS DC, AZ Snake Pit, Yahoo Sports, MLB Daily Dish, MASNsports.com, Federal Baseball, FanRag Sports and Gaslamp Ball
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres Non-Tender Tyson Ross, Five Others — 8:44pm: Ross is so early in his surgery rehab that his progress wasn't a factor, GM A.J. Preller tells AJ Cassavell of MLB.com (links to Twitter). San Diego is open to a return, at a lower price. Obviously, a trade didn't come together, but Preller says that discussions were explored.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Brew Crew Ball, FanRag Sports and Gaslamp Ball
ESPN:
Winter meetings shopping guide: Let's make a deal in D.C. — So now that we've got that pesky little labor snafu out of the way, let baseball's real offseason fun begin. And by that, of course, we mean: — Bring on the winter meetings! — They will come roaring at us from the shores of the Potomac River, starting Sunday.
Discussion:
Pirates Breakdown, Detroit Jock City, NESN.com, CBS Chicago and Bleacher Nation
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Hannah Patrick / WWAY-TV:
ONLY ON 3: Man catches 112 lb. catfish in NE Cape Fear River — NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A man from New Hanover County caught a 112 pound catfish in the NE Cape Fear River. — Riahn Brewington was just five pounds shy of breaking the state record for a catfish.
Discussion:
myfox8.com, CBS Pittsburgh, WDTN-TV, Fox News Insider and KFOR-TV, more at WeSmirch »
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Designate Cody Asche For Assignment, Claim David Rollins — The Phillies announced that they've claimed lefty David Rollins off waivers from the Rangers and designated infielder/outfielder Cody Asche for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Lone Star Ball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Claim Adam Walker From Brewers — The Orioles announced today that they've claimed outfielder Adam Walker off waivers from the Brewers. Milwaukee claimed Walker off waivers from the Twins two weeks ago but designated him for assignment last week when they claimed right-hander Steve Geltz from the Rays.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and Al's Ramblings
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
2016-17 American League Non-Tenders — The deadline to tender 2017 contracts to players is tonight at 8pm ET. We'll keep track of the day's non-tenders in the American League in this post (all referenced arbitration projections courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)...
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Federal Baseball and Al's Ramblings
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
How new CBA affects Reds — Even if there was a lockout and players couldn't attend, Redsfest would have gone on this weekend. Even if a work stoppage made the upcoming winter meetings irrelevant, the Cincinnati Reds weren't likely to make a splash anyway.
Discussion:
redsminorleagues.com
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Why baseball's new CBA could ultimately hurt the players
Discussion:
Call to the Pen, Halos Heaven, MLB Trade Rumors, Royals Review and Over the Monster
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Albert Pujols Undergoes Foot Surgery — Angels slugger Albert Pujols has undergone surgery to “release the plantar fascia on his right foot,” according to a team press release. Per the surgeon, a return to the field may be expected in about four months — which would mean Pujols may be ready …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
Nicki Jhabvala / Denver Post:
Von Miller gives every player in AFC West custom bottle of wine, Thank You note — Miller gave players a custom wine, blended by a Boulder native — Santa Miller came early this year. — Broncos linebacker Von Miller gifted every player in the AFC West — including practice-squad players …
Discussion:
FanRag Sports, USA Today, NESN.com and ProFootballTalk
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks Non-Tender Welington Castillo, Rubby De La Rosa — The Diamondbacks decided not to tender arbitration contracts to catcher Welington Castillo and righty Rubby De La Rosa, per a team announcement. The decision on Castillo, in particular, rates as a surprise; both will be available to the highest bidder on the open market.
Discussion:
OutsidePitchMLB, AZ Snake Pit and True Blue LA
Steven Godfrey / SBNation.com:
Lane Kiffin will interview for Houston's head coaching job after the SEC Championship — The Alabama offensive coordinator could be back as a head coach for a fourth time. Nick Saban hopes so, in fact. — PIN — Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will interview …
Discussion:
The Big Lead, WHNT-TV and CollegeFootballTalk
Baseball Prospectus:
Boston Red Sox Top 10 — The State of the System: I could just C&P the Nats lines here. Incredible top five, falls off quickly after that, and past the top ten, even fewer intriguing names than the Nats. — The Top Ten — The Big Question: Why don't we give out 80 hit tools?
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Acquire Jaime Garcia — 6:04pm: Both teams have announced the trade via press release. — 5:20pm: The Braves have been one of the most active teams of the offseason thus far, and that continued on Thursday as the team reportedly struck a deal to acquire veteran lefty Jaime Garcia …
Discussion:
Major League Baseball, NBCSports.com, OutsidePitchMLB, Talking Chop and Yahoo Sports
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals trade lefty Garcia to Atlanta for prospects
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Viva El Birdos and baseballmusings.com
