Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Nationals, taken aback by Bryce Harper's contract demands, set to move on after '18 — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Washington Nationals, balking at Bryce Harper's demands in early talks about a long-term contract extension, now are preparing themselves to be without their All-Star outfielder after 2018 …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Lone Star Ball, Federal Baseball, Bleacher Nation, NESN.com, CBS DC and Sportsnet.ca
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Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Nationals pursuing Chris Sale, Andrew McCutchen — The Washington Nationals are discussing a deal for left-handed ace Chris Sale with the White Sox, but will not give up rookie of the year finalist Trea Turner to get him, according to a person familiar with their thinking.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bless You Boys, Federal Baseball, McCovey Chronicles, Lone Star Ball, MLB Daily Dish, FanRag Sports and Bucs Dugout
Jorge Castillo / Washington Post:
Are the Nationals out on Mark Melancon? — With their acquisition of catcher Derek Norris last week, the Nationals' offseason list of roster priorities dwindled to two heading into baseball's Winter Meetings: closer and center field. While the free agent market is devoid of top-flight center fielders …
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Fox Sports, District on Deck, Federal Baseball, McCovey Chronicles, MLB Trade Rumors and CBS DC
ESPN:
After pen implodes, Giants spend big for relief in Mark Melancon — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The best way to put out a dumpster fire? Hire a really good fireman. And that's exactly what the San Francisco Giants have done. — They have reached an agreement with free-agent closer Mark Melancon.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and baseballmusings.com
Fox Sports:
Report: Bryce Harper asking for record deal worth more than $400 million — Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Sport — Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper has started talks for a contract extension but is asking for a record-breaking deal that will exceed 10 years in length and pay …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Aroldis Chapman Seeking Six-Year Contract
Discussion:
miamiherald, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation, Yanks Go Yard and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Sign Steve Pearce — The Blue Jays have announced a two-year, $12.5MM contract with first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce. ESPN's Buster Olney had reported earlier this morning that talks between the two side were gaining some traction. — The 33-year-old Pearce will bring …
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FanGraphs Baseball, Jays Journal, Toronto and Camden Chat
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
What's happened to the market for Edwin Encarnacion? — The slugger might not get the deal he's looking for — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The case of free-agent first baseman Edwin Encarnacion is getting curiouser and curiouser. — His suitors keep disappearing.
Discussion:
ESPN, Beyond the Box Score, Lone Star Ball, FanGraphs Baseball and Jays Journal
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Why MLB teams are more motivated than ever to lock up their young talent
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Bleacher Nation, Gaslamp Ball, MLB Trade Rumors and Halos Heaven
Jim Salisbury / CSN Philly:
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.
Discussion:
Full Count, NBCSports.com, Phillies Nation, The Good Phight, FanRag Sports, Yahoo Sports, MLB Daily Dish and Sports Talk Philly
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Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies near agreement with veteran reliever Joaquin Benoit, source says
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
As Holliday and ex-teammates move on, Cardinals still need a move — Cards Matt Holliday waves to the crowd in left field when he makes a final guest appearance in the ninth inning of the game between the Cards and the Pirates on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at Busch Stadium. Holliday is not returning to the team next year.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
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ESPN:
MLB announces uniform deal with Under Armour, Fanatics starting in 2020 — Under Armour and Fanatics will take over for Majestic and Nike as the official uniform partners for Major League Baseball, the league confirmed Monday. — The deal is scheduled to begin in 2020 and run for 10 years …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and DRaysBay
Tampa Bay Times:
Rays have competition for catcher Welington Castillo — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Rays' path to signing C Welington Castillo won't be simple. — Or cheap. — There has been enough interest from other teams that Castillo, unexpectedly made a free agent last week after being nontendered by Arizona …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Re-Sign Rich Hill — 1:48pm: Hill gets a $2MM signing bonus and will earn $12MM in 2017, $16MM in 2018 and $18MM in 2019, according to the Associated Press. — 12:02pm: The Dodgers announced today that they've officially re-signed left-hander Rich Hill to a new three-year contract.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and True Blue LA
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
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.
Discussion:
Yanks Go Yard, Sportsnet.ca, Royals Review, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Trade Rumors and FanRag Sports
