Top News:
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Shohei Ohtani trims list to seven teams, Royals among those eliminated — Shohei Ohtani could be baseball's best two-way player since Babe Ruth. Yes, this is pure speculation. — This is fact: He will not be playing for the Royals. — Ohtani, the 23-year-old Japanese star …
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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.
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
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
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
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
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Union-News and Halos Heaven
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers re-sign Tony Barnette, reportedly land reliever Mike Minor — As the Texas Rangers await word on if they will land Shohei Ohtani, they aren't just sitting still. — The Rangers re-signed right-handed reliever Tony Barnette on a one-year, $1.5 million contract and reportedly have inked left-handed free-agent Mike Minor.
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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
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
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals are out of Ohtani sweepstakes, but remain in Stanton talks
Discussion:
Washington Post
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
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 …
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.
