Top News:
Alex Pavlovic / NBCSports.com:
Source: Giants one of first known finalists to meet with Shohei Ohtani — SAN FRANCISCO — As the Giants continued to wait for Giancarlo Stanton to make a decision, they switched gears for a few hours Monday and put the full-court press on their other offseason target.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and KNBR-AM
RELATED:
ESPN:
Breaking down the seven finalists in the race to sign Shohei Ohtani — The Shohei Ohtani Hot Stove League has taken a new twist as reports indicate he has narrowed his list of teams to seven: the Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Padres, Mariners, Rangers and Cubs. Those seven teams have been invited …
Post Sports Desk / New York Post:
The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes is down to seven — SEE ALSO — We knew the Yankees were out, now we know exactly who is in. — The Mariners, Padres, Angels, Dodgers, Giants, Rangers and Cubs will get a chance to meet with Shohei Ohtani and his representatives in Los Angeles in the coming days, The Post's Joel Sherman confirmed.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball and True Blue LA
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers not a finalist for Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani — In the least surprising news of the Detroit Tigers' off-season, the team is not going to sign Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani. — On Sunday night, Ohtani's agency began whittling down his list of potential suitors …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Shohei Ohtani Plans To Meet With Seven Teams — Shohei Ohtani has already narrowed his list of potential landing spots to seven team, according to multiple reporters (with Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM the first to tweet the final seven). Only the Dodgers, Giants, Angels …
Discussion:
Rox Pile, Red Reporter, Camden Chat and ThinkBluePC
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
After ruling out several teams, Japanese star Shohei Ohtani expected to meet with Dodgers
Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Reports: Shohei Ohtani eliminates Yankees and several others teams from consideration; Mariners considered a finalist
Reports: Shohei Ohtani eliminates Yankees and several others teams from consideration; Mariners considered a finalist
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Lookout Landing, Sporting News, SI.com, McCovey Chronicles and U.S.S. Mariner
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs reportedly remain in contention for Shohei Ohtani
Cubs reportedly remain in contention for Shohei Ohtani
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Union-News and Halos Heaven
ESPN:
Shohei Ohtani turns down Yankees, Red Sox, per GMs
Shohei Ohtani turns down Yankees, Red Sox, per GMs
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, FanRag Sports, FanGraphs Baseball and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Tampa Bay Times:
Tampa Bay Rays told they are out of running for Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Silence is golden? No word yet if Rangers are still in on Ohtani
Silence is golden? No word yet if Rangers are still in on Ohtani
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
With a compelling offer to Marlins, Cardinals await Stanton's decision — ST. LOUIS • When the Cardinals began, in earnest, their role in the Stanton Saga their goal was to put together such a compelling offer for the Miami Marlins that the only thing between them and a bona fide …
Discussion:
CBS St. Louis, Viva El Birdos and 101Sports.com
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals are out of Ohtani sweepstakes, but remain in Stanton talks — ST. LOUIS • The Cardinals, severely hamstrung by how much of a bonus they could offer, are not one of the teams that will be visit with free-agent Shohei Ohtani and were described Sunday night as “out” on the sweepstakes to sign the two-way star.
Discussion:
Washington Post
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
After breakout season in Royals' bullpen, Minor reportedly agrees to terms with Texas — Mike Minor salvaged a once promising career with a sojourn to the bullpen in 2017, overcoming years of shoulder issues and transforming into the Royals' most trusted reliever.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Re-Sign Luis Santos To Minor League Deal — The Blue Jays announced Monday that they're re-signed righty Luis Santos to a minor league contract and invited him to Major League Spring Training. — The 26-year-old Santos (27 in February) made his Major League debut with the Jays …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Jays From The Couch and Bluebird Banter
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Re-Sign Tony Barnette — The Rangers have agreed to re-sign righty Tony Barnette to a one-year deal, according a team announcement. He'll receive a $1.5MM guarantee, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter). — Texas had previously declined a $4MM option on Barnette …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Lone Star Ball
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies manager Gabe Kapler after meetings with J.P. Crawford and Rhys Hoskins: ‘Wow’ — J.P. Crawford received a text message last month as his off-season continued in Southern California. It was from Gabe Kapler, the new Phillies manager, and he wanted to have dinner with Crawford.
ESPN:
White Sox name Omar Vizquel manager of Class A Winston-Salem — Former major league infielder Omar Vizquel has been named the manager of the White Sox's Class A franchise in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the team announced Monday. — Vizquel, 50, was the Detroit Tigers' first-base coach …