The Mariners finally are close to the team their GM envisioned  —  It took nine trades in two months.  But the Mariners finally are close to what general manager Jerry Dipoto envisioned when he took over in Sept. 2015.  —  Dipoto, after inheriting a group of plodding sluggers …

Moore says righty will battle for No. 5 spot in K.C. rotation  —  KANSAS CITY — The Royals on Friday traded outfielder Jarrod Dyson to the Mariners for right-handed starter Nathan Karns.  —  Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Karns, 29, will compete for the club's No. 5 spot in the rotation.

Nick Caserio declined to interview with 49ers  —  As the 49ers continue to search for a new General Manager, they'll have one less option available to them.  —  Per multiple sources, Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio ultimately declined an opportunity to interview for the job.

Dan Duquette On Trumbo, Hammel, Bautista  —  Orioles executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette joined Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM to discuss his team's offseason plans.  Here's a partial audio link to the interview, as well as other details from Jim Duquette's Twitter account (links here).

Phillips blocked trade to Braves: 'He's ticked'  —  Brandon Phillips blocked a trade to his hometown Atlanta Braves in November, sources confirmed to The Enquirer on Thursday.  —  The blocked trade was initially reported by Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.  —  Phillips, 35, is in the final year …

Rockies GM Jeff Bridich made it clear to me that he is hoping to extend Carlos Gonzalez and the feeling is apparently mutual.  Gonzalez is on his free agent year and although he's lost a step he's still an above average defender and a solid middle of the order presence.

What the Hawks seek in a Paul Millsap trade  —  Seven days.  —  That's as long as you had to wait in 2017 for an NBA trade to be consummated ... provided Cleveland and Atlanta seal their Kyle Korver deal later Saturday as planned.  —  NBA Trade Season, in other words …

MLB's tracking technology puts McCutchen, Marte and Polanco's play under microscope  —  PITTSBURGH — How did Andrew McCutchen stack up among center fielders last year?  What makes Starling Marte such an elite defender?  How is Gregory Polanco developing in the outfield?

Royals Sign Chris Withrow, Al Alburquerque, Brandon League To Minor League Deals  —  The Royals have signed veteran righties Chris Withrow, Al Alburquerque and Brandon League to minor league deals with Spring Training invites, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com writes (Twitter links).

UFC 208 in Brooklyn adds Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza vs. Tim Boetsch … UFC 208 fight card for Brooklyn  —  Holm trying to be first woman to win gold in two UFC divisions

White Sox Claim Willy Garcia, Designate Jason Coats For Assignment  —  The White Sox announced on Friday that they've claimed outfielder Willy Garcia off waivers from the Pirates and designated fellow outfielder Jason Coats for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Rangers' Elvis Andrus honored after career-year in 2016  —  Elvis Andrus, who set career highs with a .302 batting average, 8 homers and 69 RBIs in 2016, was awarded the Richard Durrett Hardest Working Man Award by the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.