Top News:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers have new targets should they miss on Ohtani — In the grand scheme of things on a busy Tuesday, the announcement of the Opening Day first pitch for the Texas Rangers next season was third on a list of three things. (For the record, it's 2:30 p.m. March 29 vs. the defending world champions, the Houston Astros, on ESPN).
RELATED:
Charles Odum / Globe and Mail:
Atlanta Braves punished for circumventing international signing rules — The Braves lost 13 prospects and former general manager John Coppolella was banned for life by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for circumventing international signing rules from 2015-17.
Discussion:
USA Today and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Fox Sports:
AP source: MLB, Japanese, union reach posting deal — NEW YORK (AP) Major League Baseball, its players' union and the Japanese commissioner's office agreed Tuesday to a new posting system that could allow star pitcher-outfielder Shohei Ohtani to be put up for bid next week, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Unprecedented sanctions: MLB bans former Braves GM for life, makes 12 signees free agents — Major League Baseball has slammed the hammer down on the Atlanta Braves as the result of their violations of rules on the international free agent market. — Former Braves General Manager John Coppolella …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Halos Heaven, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Baseball America
Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
With posting agreement reached, Shohei Ohtani could be under a team's tree by Christmas
Danny Knobler / Bleacher Report:
Rob Manfred Strikes Fear in Heart of MLB by Banning Former Braves GM for Life
Rob Manfred Strikes Fear in Heart of MLB by Banning Former Braves GM for Life
Discussion:
SI.com, FanRag Sports and Talking Chop
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Braves' punishment frees up ‘phenom’ prospect Cardinals could chase
Braves' punishment frees up ‘phenom’ prospect Cardinals could chase
Discussion:
Redleg Nation, Gaslamp Ball and Over the Monster
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB Announces Permanent Ban For John Coppolella
MLB Announces Permanent Ban For John Coppolella
Discussion:
Purple Row, FanGraphs Baseball, Walk-Off Walk, Yahoo! Sports, Bucs Dugout and Ken Rosenthal
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Shohei Otani will play in MLB next season as ‘tentative’ agreement for new posting system is reached — It looks like the Babe Ruth of Japan will be coming to America next year. — A tentative posting agreement has been reached between between MLB, the MLB Players Assocation …
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
The chase for Shohei Ohtani is real now
The chase for Shohei Ohtani is real now
Discussion:
South Side Sox, Cubs Insider, NESN.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Nick Ostiller / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Twins showing interest in Pirates' Gerrit Cole, Rays' Jake Odorizzi among others? — The Minnesota Twins won 28 more games in 2017 than they did the previous season and are eyeing several pitchers this winter as they attempt to continue their upward trajectory.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Pirates Breakdown and 1500 ESPN Twin Cities
Nick Ostiller / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Mariners, Jon Jay discussing deal? — The Seattle Mariners have reportedly zeroed in on a target to fill the outfield void vacated by Jarrod Dyson, who recently became a free agent. — According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, “there's some momentum” toward an agreement between Seattle and veteran outfielder Jon Jay.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Acquire Jaycob Brugman — The Orioles have acquired outfielder Jaycob Brugman from the Athletics, per a club announcement. A player to be named or cash will go to Oakland in return. — Brugman, 25, was just designated for assignment by the A's.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Athletics Nation, Baseball Essential and Camden Chat
Barry Jackson / miamiherald:
Fox drops Marlins TV play-by-play man Rich Waltz, two former Marlins — The Marlins will have a significant change in their broadcast booth for the third consecutive season. — Fox Sports Florida on Wednesday dropped Marlins play-by-play announcer Rich Waltz, who had filled the position for 13 years.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Awful Announcing, FanRag Sports, Fish Stripes and CBS Miami
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Angels hire Josh Paul as bench coach, add Brad Ausmus to front office — Josh Paul, who spent part of his big league career playing for the Angels under Mike Scioscia, has been hired as the Angels new bench coach. — Earlier this month the Angels moved bench coach Dino Ebel to third base coach, replacing Ron Roenicke.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLive.com, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Zachary D. Rymer / Bleacher Report:
Giancarlo Stanton Red Sox Trade Would Set Up Dream HR Rivalry with Aaron Judge — It's good enough that Major League Baseball has Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge set to go toe-to-toe in pursuit of slugging accolades for many years to come. — Even better would be if their rivalry …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Over the Monster, River Avenue Blues and McCovey Chronicles
Mark Maske / Washington Post:
NFL owners could change anthem policy next season if protests continue — Some NFL owners believe there is a strong possibility they will enact an offseason change to the league's national anthem policy if players' protests during the anthem persist through the end of this season …
Discussion:
Fox News Insider, ProFootballTalk, USA - Sarah Palin, NESN.com and The Comeback
Bruce Feldman / SI.com:
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M Staff Learned After Practice of Imminent Firing From Report — The Aggies head coach and his staff believed they had a chance to stay aboard following a strong finish to the season. — The Texas A&M staff first learned of a report that head coach Kevin Sumlin will be fired …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News and CollegeFootballTalk
RELATED:
Brent Zwerneman / Houston Chronicle:
Texas A&M plans to fire Kevin Sumlin after LSU game
Texas A&M plans to fire Kevin Sumlin after LSU game
Discussion:
CollegeFootballTalk, Dallas Morning News, FanRag Sports and The Comeback