Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon among former Yankees added to Hall of Fame ballot  —  Four former Yankees have joined the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot: Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Andruw Jones and Kerry Wood.  —  Ex-Bombers remaining on the ballot include Roger Clemens (Year 6 …

Rumor Central: Will Manny Machado play shortstop in 2018?  —  The front office of the Baltimore Orioles is conducting “an ongoing debate” as to whether they will move third baseman Manny Machado to shortstop next season, reports Hall of Fame writer Peter Gammons.

Eloy Jimenez among players added to White Sox 40-man roster  —  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

Giancarlo Stanton Rumors: Monday  —  Another day, another slew of rumors pertaining to the game's top slugger.  Reports over the weekend indicated that the Cardinals have submitted a formal offer to the Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton, but that doesn't mean that there's any indication a trade involving Stanton is any closer.

Projecting Giancarlo Stanton's 2018-27 seasons year-by-year  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  Will the Marlins' new owners trade Giancarlo Stanton and his $295 million contract?  As the hot stove fires up, where the slugger plays in 2018 is already a hot topic.  We pick the best landing spot for the 2017 home run champ.

Cardinals cleared roster space for Monday's prospect protection deadline  —  ST. LOUIS  • During his weekly conversation on KMOX/1120 AM, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak described how baseball has been operating at “two different speeds.”

MLB wants 20-second pitch clock as pace-of-play initiative in 2018  —  The serious negotiations over Major League Baseball's pace-of-play initiatives haven't really started yet and probably won't for weeks to come.  Once MLB and the Players Association dig into their talks …

Mother to A-Rod's former girlfriend not impressed with his intelligence  —  MLB awards season is here.  Take a look at all the 2017 winners.  USA TODAY Sports  —  CONNECT  —  The mother of Alex Rodriguez's former girlfriend told the New York Daily News that the former New York Yankees star was a nice guy, but not very smart.

Phillies Claim Engelb Vielma, Designate Mark Appel & Alberto Tirado  —  The Phillies have claimed infielder Engelb Vielma off waivers from the Giants, per a team announcement.  Philadelphia also designated righties Mark Appel and Alberto Tirado for assignment while outrighting lefty Elniery Garcia.

Orioles announce full spring training schedule  —  Manny Machado (left) smiles while talking with Mark Trumbo as they get a ride from the batting cages to the practice fields with manager Buck Showalter during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex in Sarasota this past spring.

Blue Jays Acquire Gift Ngoepe  —  The Blue Jays have acquired infielder Gift Ngoepe from the Pirates, per club announcements.  The talented defender changes hands as the clubs go about trimming their 40-man rosters in advance of the Rule 5 draft.  A player to be named later or cash will head to Pittsburgh in return.

Rangers acquire pitcher Ronald Herrera from Yankees, move six to roster  —  The Texas Rangers filled up their 40-man roster with a slew of moves on Monday.  —  The Rangers acquired right-hander Ronald Herrera from the Yankees for minor league left-hander Reiver Sanmartin.