Top News:
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Athletics the latest team to consider run at Edwin Encarnacion — The Oakland A's are thinking about stepping out of their small-market persona and are at least considering a run at Edwin Encarnacion, the top free agent remaining on the market. — Encarnacion is fielding interest from several teams …
Discussion:
East Bay Times, Bluebird Banter, Call to the Pen, Athletics Nation, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and Sportsnet.ca
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Edwin Encarnacion is perfect for the Indians, but it doesn't go both ways
Edwin Encarnacion is perfect for the Indians, but it doesn't go both ways
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Athletics Nation
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Who — and when — will the very busy White Sox look to trade next?
Who — and when — will the very busy White Sox look to trade next?
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, Viva El Birdos and South Side Sox
Patrick Mooney / CSN Chicago:
David Ross weighing opportunity to join Cubs' front office — David Ross is an in-demand personality who can pivot in several different directions during his post-playing career. But rejoining the Cubs in a front-office role sounds like a matter of when, not if.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation and MLB Trade Rumors
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
David Ross is adding a few more chapters to his World Series legacy
David Ross is adding a few more chapters to his World Series legacy
Discussion:
Major League Baseball and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mark Feinsand / New York Daily News:
Dellin Betances, back in setup role, understanding of Yankees' signing of closer Aroldis Chapman — Dellin Betances may have lost his closer's job when the Yankees signed Aroldis Chapman to a new deal, but the three-time All-Star was ecstatic to welcome his good friend back to the Bronx.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Elite Sports NY
RELATED:
Jordan Lauterbach / Newsday:
Yankees' bullpen has starter CC Sabathia excited for season
Yankees' bullpen has starter CC Sabathia excited for season
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Domestic assault case against Mets closer Jeurys Familia dismissed — Mets closer Jeurys Familia resolved one legal matter Thursday after a New Jersey prosecutor dismissed the domestic assault case against the All-Star pitcher in Fort Lee Municipal Court. — After Familia arrived …
Discussion:
Baseball America, Amazin' Avenue and Yahoo Sports
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins To Sign Junichi Tazawa — The Marlins have agreed to a two-year deal with free-agent righty Junichi Tazawa, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). He'll earn $12MM in the contract, per Rosenthal, with $5MM in the first year and $7MM coming in the second, according to SB Nation's Chris Cotillo (via Twitter).
Discussion:
Jays Journal, Fish Stripes, Last Word on Baseball and Yahoo Sports
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Extend Odubel Herrera — The Phillies have announced a five-year extension for center fielder Odubel Herrera, which comes with a $30.5MM guarantee, per Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). The deal includes club options for the 2022 and 2023 seasons …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, FanGraphs Baseball, Bleacher Nation and Yahoo Sports
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Sign Josh Lindblom, Eury Perez To Minor League Deals — The Pirates have inked right-hander Josh Lindblom and outfielder Eury Perez to minor league contracts with invites to Major League Spring Training, tweets MLB.com's Adam Berry. — [Related: Pittsburgh Pirates Depth Chart]
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
ESPN:
MLB's new labor deal requires earlier start times on getaway days — Major League Baseball will require teams to start many games earlier than normal beginning in 2018, thanks to a provision in the new labor agreement that goes into effect when either team faces a flight longer than 2½ hours after the game.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yimi Garcia Underwent Tommy John Surgery Recently — Dodgers righty Yimi Garcia required Tommy John surgery in late October, according to a team announcement (via MLB.com's Ken Gurnick, on Twitter). He had previously been shut down with a significant injury to his biceps, and also underwent knee surgery in September.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers plan to see Hamilton work out ‘soon’ — The Texas Rangers will watch outfielder Josh Hamilton work out “soon” on his surgically repaired left knee, general manager Jon Daniels said on Wednesday, and consider signing him to a minor-league contract if all checks out.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, ESPN and MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' first-base candidates include Rua, Profar and Gallo — Fans who attended the Cowboys Santa Toy Drive Finale on Tuesday had the opportunity to get an autograph from the Texas Rangers' starting first baseman in 2017. — Actually, a chance at two of the Rangers' starting first basemen in 2017.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Sign Tommy Milone — DEC. 15: Milone will receive a $1.25MM base salary plus incentives, on his non-guaranteed deal, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. — DEC. 14: The Brewers announced on Wednesday that they've signed left-hander Tommy Milone to a one-year, Major League contract.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, Athletics Nation, NBCSports.com, MLB Daily Dish and Al's Ramblings