Top News:
Mark Feinsand / New York Daily News:
Yankees among Winter Meetings winners, accomplishing their two primary goals — and now we wait — OXON HILL, MD — As executives, agents, reporters and nearly everybody else scattered from the Gaylord National Resort Thursday afternoon to avoid the mayhem headed here with the opening …
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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
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs To Sign Koji Uehara — Righty reliever Koji Uehara has agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs. Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald first tweeted the connection; Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweeted that a deal was done. A report from Nikkan Sports in Japan indicates that Uehara and the Cubs …
Discussion:
FanRag Sports, Full Count and MLB Daily Dish
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:
FanGraphs Baseball, SBNation.com and CBS New York
Mike Axisa / River Avenue Blues:
Thoughts following the Aroldis Chapman signing — Late last night, the Yankees landed their high-priced closer and agreed to sign Aroldis Chapman to a five-year contract worth $86M. It includes no-trade protection and an opt-out after the third year. Joel Sherman and Bob Nightengale …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs acquire closer Davis from Royals for Soler
Cubs acquire closer Davis from Royals for Soler
Discussion:
Plain Dealer and Baseball Prospectus
ESPN:
Sources: Yankees, Marlins, Dodgers remain in pursuit of Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen
Sources: Yankees, Marlins, Dodgers remain in pursuit of Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen
Discussion:
SI.com, Pinstripe Alley, baseballmusings.com, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Nation
Mark Feinsand / New York Daily News:
Aroldis Chapman signs five-year, $86 million contract with Yankees
Aroldis Chapman signs five-year, $86 million contract with Yankees
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
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinal expose lefty relievers, highly regarded infielder in Rule 5 draft — Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. • Rising talent from the Cardinals' Latin America scouting and injuries to players like reliever Zach Duke have left the team unable …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation and Viva El Birdos
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Kyle Glaser / Baseball America:
Gadea Made Rays Move In Unusual Way - Rule 5 Draft Notebook — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—The Rays had been one of the most quiet teams on the Rule 5 Draft front this decade, choosing not to pick a player in the major league portion of the draft every year since 2010. — The availability of Kevin Gadea made them buck that trend.
Discussion:
Minor League Ball and DRaysBay
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:
Minor League Ball, DRaysBay, Fish Stripes, The Crawfish Boxes and Lookout Landing
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).
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
2016 Rule 5 Draft Results
2016 Rule 5 Draft Results
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, FanGraphs Baseball and CBS Detroit
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Designate Williams Jerez For Assignment — The Red Sox have announced that they've designated lefty Williams Jerez for assignment. The move clears roster space for first baseman Mitch Moreland, whose one-year deal is now official. — The Red Sox drafted Jerez in the second round in 2011.
Albert Breer / SI.com:
Rams Junior High: Inside a Dysfunctional Front Office — Plus more on Matt Stafford, Gronk and who to watch in Week 14 — What should the Jags do with Bortles? — The MMQB's Jenny Vrentas answers questions on Jeff Fisher, Earl Thomas retiring and the status of Blake Bortles in Jacksonville.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Orange County Register and Pro Football Rumors
Mike Florio / ProFootballTalk:
Raiders likely will focus on Derek Carr before Khalil Mack — The Raiders emerged from the 2014 draft with great selections in round one and round two. By rule, both players (Khalil Mack and Derek Carr) are eligible for new contracts after the 2016 regular season ends.
Discussion:
Pro Football Rumors and NESN.com