Rumor Central: Orioles showing interest in Lance Lynn?  —  The Baltimore Orioles, in need of rotation help, are interested in free-agent right-hander Lance Lynn, sources tell MLB.com's Jon Morosi.  —  Lynn became a free agent after rejecting a one-year, $17.4 million qualifying offer from the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.

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.

Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel among newcomers on 2018 Hall of Fame ballot  —  Former winners of one Most Valuable Player Award, three Cy Young Awards, two Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards, two World Series MVPs and 34 Gold Glove Awards, plus a member of the 600 Home Run Club …

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.”

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.

Hue Jackson on DeShone Kizer: 'Let's let him play this thing out'  —  Gallery: Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, November 19, 2017  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns coach Hue Jackson wasted no time declaring DeShone Kizer the starting quarterback for the rest …

Rumor Central: Mariners won't shop Nelson Cruz?  —  When the Seattle Mariners traded for Ryon Healy last week, there was speculation that Nelson Cruz could be shopped this winter.  That does not appear to be the case, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

Rumor Central: Brewers eyeing Jake Arrieta?  —  After taking a big step forward in 2017, the Milwaukee Brewers might be considering making a splash on the free-agent pitching market.  —  Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets the Brewers are showing interest in right-hander Jake Arrieta …

Was Jayson Werth's contract with the Nationals in 2011 really that bad?  —  We heard about it being awful for years, but was it?  —  A favorite exercise among baseball fans and media is complaining about — or even merely just pointing out — high salaries.  Specifically, high salaries on players who aren't elite-tier players.