Why MLB teams are more motivated than ever to lock up their young talent  —  Plus why Houston chose Beltran, a new direction for the A's & more Winter Meetings notes.  —  Getty Images  —  One likely consequence of the new collective-bargaining agreement is that clubs will be more motivated …

Sources: Phillies close to signing reliever Joaquin Benoit  —  WASHINGTON - It looks as if the Phillies will have some action at the winter meetings.  —  The team is close to signing veteran reliever Joaquin Benoit, sources tell CSNPhilly.com.  The winter meetings officially begin on Monday.

Source: Matt Holliday agrees to 1-year, $13M deal with Yankees  —  Former St. Louis Cardinals slugger Matt Holliday and the New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year deal worth $13 million, a source told ESPN's Jim Bowden, confirming multiple reports.  —  The Cardinals informed Holliday …

Bud Selig, John Schuerholz Elected To Hall Of Fame  —  Bud Selig, credited for shepherding baseball into a new modern era as commissioner from 1992-2015, and John Schuerholz—who helped build the Royals and Braves into world champions-were elected to the Hall of Fame Sunday by the Today's Era Committee.

Rangers' place winter meetings focus on rotation upgrade  —  If the talk from Texas Rangers Inc. heading toward the winter meetings sounds familiar — with their focus is on a starting pitcher — well, it should.  —  Only five months ago, in the weeks leading to the Aug. 1 trade deadline …

Players' meal money takes big hit in new CBA  —  One aspect of baseball's new collective bargaining agreement that has not been publicized is that the players' meal money on the road is dropping from $105 to $30 per day, according to two major league sources.

Heyman: Pedro Alvarez emerging on Red Sox radar  —  Pedro Alvarez, who spent his 2016 season with the Baltimore Orioles, has emerged as another name on Boston Red Sox radar, along with Mike Napoli and Matt Holliday.  All would be considered to play first base or designated hitter …

The Royals are in a bind and will have to do something about it soon  —  With free agency looming for many high-priced players, Kansas City has to act soon.  —  NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The logical move for the  —  Royals would be to trade two of their potential free agents, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and closer Wade Davis.

Tyson Ross, Ben Revere among 35 new free agents  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Tyson Ross, an All-Star pitcher for San Diego two years ago, was among 35 players who became free agents when their teams declined to offer them 2017 contracts on Friday.  —  Washington outfielder Ben Revere …