Top News:
Jon Tayler / SI.com:
Yankees splurge for Aroldis Chapman in deal that carries real risk — The Yankees handed out a record contract for a reliever in order to bring Aroldis Chapman back to New York, a move that brings some pause given the expected state of the team over the next couple years. — an hour ago
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, SBNation.com and FanGraphs Baseball
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
All-Star closer Wade Davis important piece for Cubs' World Series defense — Photos of new Cubs closer Wade Davis. — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs' acquisition of closer Wade Davis likely will be their biggest move of the offseason. — But they believe their work is far from complete …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Phillies Nation
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs acquire closer Davis from Royals for Soler — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Cubs' goal this offseason was to restock the bullpen and on Wednesday, they acquired a new closer in Wade Davis by trading Jorge Soler to the Royals. — “This was a big move for us this offseason …
Discussion:
Plain Dealer and Baseball Prospectus
Mark Feinsand / New York Daily News:
Aroldis Chapman signs five-year, $86 million contract with Yankees — OXON HILL, MD — The Yankees got their man — and all it took was the biggest contract any closer has ever signed. — Aroldis Chapman agreed to a five-year, $86 million contract to return to the Bronx late Wednesday night …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals, Cubs Swap Wade Davis For Jorge Soler
Royals, Cubs Swap Wade Davis For Jorge Soler
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Full Count, Last Word on Baseball, Bleacher Nation and Royals Review
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Cubs close to completing trade with Royals: Jorge Soler for closer Wade Davis
Cubs close to completing trade with Royals: Jorge Soler for closer Wade Davis
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bless You Boys and Baseball Prospectus
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Royals' price for closer Wade Davis too steep for Mets as search for bullpen help continues
Royals' price for closer Wade Davis too steep for Mets as search for bullpen help continues
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, USA Today and Fox Sports
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
Padres Dominate Rule 5 Draft — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—No one has ever dominated a Rule 5 draft like A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres just did. But then, maybe no one has ever tried. — The Rule 5 draft is an opportunity for teams to take a chance on a high-risk developmental prospect …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres To Acquire Rule 5 Picks Miguel Diaz, Luis Torrens — The Padres will acquire the top two Rule 5 Draft picks, righty Miguel Diaz (in a trade with the Twins) and catcher Luis Torrens (in a trade with the Reds), MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo writes (Twitter links).
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, Minor League Ball, Pinstripe Alley, Twinkie Town, Red Reporter, Brew Crew Ball and OutsidePitchMLB
Isaac Chipps / ESPN:
Pablo Sandoval, who once popped his belt, looks to be in great shape — Pablo Sandoval who? — Boston Red Sox fans didn't see much of Sandoval in 2016; in early May, the third baseman was ruled out for the rest of the season to rehab a surgically repaired torn labrum in his left shoulder …
Discussion:
NESN.com, Over the Monster, CNN and Boston
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Burke Badenhop / MLB Trade Rumors:
From Miller To Fenway: Tyler Thornburg Chats With Burke Badenhop — Burke Badenhop has thrown over 500 major league innings over eight seasons. He has been traded four times, signed as a free agent, and called more than a dozen Major League and minor league clubhouses home.
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox embark on ‘bittersweet’ journey with Chris Sale trade
White Sox embark on ‘bittersweet’ journey with Chris Sale trade
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, Union-News, Let's Go Tribe, CBS Chicago, SI.com, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Halos Heaven
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
What are the Rockies planning to do with Ian Desmond? — Plus, thoughts on the White Sox-Nationals blockbuster and more in Ken's latest notes. — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Ian Desmond demonstrated last season that he is a great athlete and willing pupil, excelling in the outfield …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rockies To Sign Ian Desmond
Rockies To Sign Ian Desmond
Discussion:
Purple Row, Denver Post, Beyond the Box Score, Last Word on Baseball, Camden Chat and Lone Star Ball
ESPN:
Sources: Yankees, Marlins, Dodgers remain in pursuit of Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers all remain in the mix for the two most coveted free-agent closers in baseball, Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen, sources say.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, baseballmusings.com and Bleacher Nation
Tampa Bay Times:
Healthy, Wilson Ramos could be a star and a leader for Rays — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — In agreeing to a two-year contract with impressive though injured Wilson Ramos, the Rays made a somewhat surprising, definitely risky and potentially rewarding move. — With his surgically repaired right …
Discussion:
DRaysBay and FanGraphs Baseball
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants Trade Chris Heston To Mariners — The Giants have traded righty Chris Heston to the Mariners, FOX Sports' Jon Morosi tweets. The Giants will receive a player to be named in return, according to FanRag's Jon Heyman (on Twitter). Morosi had previously tweeted that the two teams were discussing a deal involving Heston.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Lookout Landing, Last Word on Baseball, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo Sports