Former MLB pitcher Roy Halladay killed in Gulf of Mexico plane crash … HOLIDAY, Fla. - Eight-time MLB All-Star and two-time Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay died Tuesday after his plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.  He was 40.  —  Halladay's ICON A5 light sport aircraft crashed 10 miles west …

Keeping Rosenthal was less attractive to Cardinals than opening a roster spot  —  Before making their moves toward a new look for their late-inning relief, the Cardinals gave former All-Star closer Trevor Rosenthal his release and, in the process, began fine-tuning the 40-man roster.

Japanese star Shohei Ohtani reportedly chooses CAA Sports to represent him in the U.S., a sign he's ready to play in the majors  —  Japan's Shohei Otani (16) pitches during the WBSC Premier 12 semifinal game against South Korea at the Tokyo Dome on Nov. 19, 2015.  (Getty Images)

Aaron Judge ‘surprised’ that Joe Girardi was ousted as Yankees manager  —  Aaron Judge echoed his former manager's sentiment, saying he was “surprised” that Joe Girardi was ousted by the Yankees.  —  “Joe was there for 10 years, had a winning season every year, and he was my first manager,” Judge said Tuesday morning on ESPN.

Rays make qualifying offer to free agent RHP Alex Cobb  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays have extended a one-year, $17.4 million qualifying offer to free agent pitcher Alex Cobb.  —  The 30-year-old right-hander posted career highs for wins, games started and innings pitched …

Lincoln library asks for stories on Cubs-Cardinals rivalry  —  Photos from the Cubs-Cardinals game at Busch Stadium on Sept. 27, 2017.  The Cubs clinched the NL Central with a 5-1 win.  —  The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Illinois wants people to share their stories about baseball.

Yankees' Aaron Judge bidding for rare double with BBWAA awards  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  Voting could be close for both Cy Young awards and the NL MVP, but Aaron Judge's case for AL MVP over Jose Altuve could be the toughest choice of all.  —  Judge could be a unanimous winner for AL Rookie of the Year …

Might Jim Irsay run Andrew Luck out of Indianapolis with his intemperate remarks?  —  INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - There's a huge problem brewing between Colts owner Jim Irsay and quarterback Andrew Luck, the kind of problem that may destroy the relationship between the owner and his team's best player.

Detroit Tigers hire Doug Mientkiewicz as manager of Triple-A Toledo  —  The Detroit Tigers have found their manager for Triple-A Toledo.  —  Doug Mientkiewicz, who played three seasons for Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire with the Twins, has agreed on a deal to manage the Mud Hens in 2018 …

Jason Heyward, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist up for Gold Glove Awards tonight  —  Photos of Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Chicago Cubs don't have a finalist in any of the four major awards that will be announced next week by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Royals Hire New Coaches To Round Out Staff  —  The Royals have completed their coaching staff with a slate of new hires, per a team announcement (h/t MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan; Twitter links).  Kansas City has shaken up manager Ned Yost's staff a bit as the organization enters an offseason of no little uncertainty.

Red Sox Should Run Away From $100 Million Eric Hosmer Mistake  —  The Boston Red Sox are going to make moves this winter.  —  Sure, they've won back-to-back American League East titles, but each time they've failed to advance past the division series.  They already fired their manager, John Farrell.

Rangers position outlook: Reason for optimism with Martin Perez; three things it'll take to land Shohei Otani  —  Editor's note: This is part of an ongoing series breaking down the positions on the Texas Rangers roster.  —  ON THE ROSTER  —  RHP Miguel Gonzalez: Free agent

MLB hot stove rumors: Phillies ‘likely’ to chase Jake Arrieta  —  For the first time in a long time, the Phillies seem poised to swim in the deep end of free agency again.  —  As the MLB offseason officially begins, Philadelphia has morphed from rebuilding team years from contention …