Top News:
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Heyman | Union challenge means Otani status on hold — ORLANDO, Fla. - One week after MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball worked out a “tentative agreement” on a $20 million posting system for Japanese two-way megastar Shohei Otani, the players union balked at the arrangement on Wednesday …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Rob Manfred optimistic about new posting system with NPB — ORLANDO, Fla. — Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed optimism about a new posting system that would allow two-way star Shohei Ohtani to leave Japan for Major League Baseball, even as reports surfaced that the Players Association has set a deadline to sign off on an agreement.
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Derek Jeter faces massive dilemma with Giancarlo Stanton in first major decision as Marlins owner
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Yankees among teams to talk Stanton with Marlins
Discussion:
NESN.com, McCovey Chronicles, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Daily Dish and San Francisco Chronicle
Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA:
Indians' Corey Kluber wins 2nd Cy Young in 4 seasons — Corey Kluber of the Indians, who also was honored in 2014, became the 19th pitcher to win multiple Cy Young Awards. — He joins seven-time winner Roger Clemens; five-time winner Randy Johnson; four-time winners Steve Carlton and Greg Maddux …
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Cy Young winner Max Scherzer says college baseball helped him prosper
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Kyle Brasseur / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Early return for Julio Urias? — The Los Angeles Dodgers have always played things conservatively with prized left-hander Julio Urias, but the 21-year-old might force their hand as he recovers from shoulder surgery. — Urias is progressing well in his rehab and could return …
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Kyle Brasseur / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Giants most aggressive suitor for Giancarlo Stanton? — As many as eight teams are in discussions with the Miami Marlins regarding outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, with six of those clubs said to be “serious,” Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.
Discussion:
miamiherald
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
A Giancarlo Stanton destination that should terrify 28 MLB teams
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners Trade Thyago Vieira To White Sox For International Bonus Money — 1:03pm: MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports that the Mariners are picking up $500K in the trade (Twitter link). However, Mayo also notes that the previously reported sum of $1.57MM that the Mariners had to work with was incorrect.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Lookout Landing and South Side Sox
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Mariners make trade to increase funds in international signing bonus pool — ORLANDO, Fla. — The Seattle Mariners have gained more flexibility if they want to try to sign star Japanese pitcher/outfielder Shohei Ohtani. — They acquired an additional $500,000 for their international signing bonus pool …
Kyle Brasseur / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Angels pursuing Tigers' Ian Kinsler? — The Detroit Tigers have a valuable trade piece in second baseman Ian Kinsler, and at least one team has emerged as a potential suitor for his services. — The Los Angeles Angels have “been having extensive internal discussions” …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and Detroit Free Press
RELATED:
ESPN:
Rumor Central: Angels preferred destination for Mike Moustakas? — As Mike Moustakas tests free agency for the first time in his career, he could have a homecoming in mind. — Moustakas, an L.A. native, has the Los Angeles Angels No. 1 on his wish list, an MLB insider tells ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
Discussion:
Royals Review
MarinersPR / From the Corner of Edgar & Dave:
Mariners Acquire Infielder Ryon Healy from Oakland — Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto announced today from the MLB General Manager Meetings that the Mariners have acquired infielder Ryon Healy from Oakland in exchange for right-handed pitcher Emilio Pagan and minor league infielder Alexander Campos.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Wally Backman hired as new manager of the independent league New Britain Bees — Wally Backman is running as an independent in his bid to get back to the major leagues. — The former Mets infielder and minor-league manager was hired Thursday as the new skipper of the New Britain Bees in the independent Atlantic League.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs leave GM meetings satisfied they laid the groundwork for 2018 — Will these Cubs players be back on the team next season? — Chicago Tribune — Major League Baseball executives wheeled their luggage through the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria on Wednesday morning after three days …
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Baltimore Sun
RELATED:
Patrick Mooney / NBCSports.com:
Why Zach Britton no longer makes sense for Cubs team going in different direction with bullpen
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, DodgerBlue.com and Bleacher Nation
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
All signs point to White Sox's Eloy Jimenez being gem of Jose Quintana trade — The White Sox rebuilding project should be complete in 2020. Here's what the starting lineup and rotation could look like. Not pictured: Alec Hansen, RHP, minor-leaguer — Chicago Tribune
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Sternberg: Tampa Bay Rays' share of new ballpark could be $150 million — LAKE BUENA VISTA — Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said Wednesday that the team is “genuinely excited” about the proposed Ybor City site for a new stadium and more than “cautiously optimistic” the project can be completed.
Discussion:
Ballpark Digest
RELATED:
Nick Ostiller / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Cubs, Alex Cobb share mutual interest?
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and Chicago Sun Times
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Yankees in surprising push for once-celebrated prospect … ORLANDO, Fla. — The Yankees are still trying to make a trade or two before the Monday deadline to freeze 40-man rosters for December's Rule 5 draft, and one player who has surprisingly caught their attention is Texas' Jurickson Profar.
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Want to live in Playoffville? Eric Hosmer will get you there, agent Scott Boras says — Agent Scott Boras laid out a case for Eric Hosmer on Wednesday, describing the free-agent first baseman as an elite talent that can help a team reach “Playoffville,” the place where all franchises aspire to live.
Discussion:
Royals Review
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers planning to offer contract extension to Daniels — Jon Daniels said last month that he wasn't worried about entering the final year of his contract as Texas Rangers general manager. He must have known something and chosen to keep it to himself. — Sources said that Daniels …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees interview Hensley Meulens for manager position — ORLANDO — The Yankees have interviewed Hensley Meulens for their managerial vacancy, the team announced Thursday. — Meulens, who has Yankee ties, was recently promoted to Giants bench coach from hitting coach.
