Top News:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Sources: Rangers officials travel to meet with Ohtani — Officials with the Texas Rangers, including general manager Jon Daniels, have traveled to Los Angeles for a meeting with Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani, according to multiple baseball sources. — The sources were inconclusive …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, WFAA-TV, Lone Star Ball and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Tampa Bay Rays hot topics: Blame Shohei Ohtani and Giancarlo Stanton — We don't know what moves the Rays will make this off-season, just that there will be some big ones as they look to cut payroll and decide whether to try to remain competitive or go for a rebuild.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Bullpen help remains a priority for Cubs despite their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani — Will these Cubs players be back on the team next season? — Chicago Tribune — While the Cubs' pursuit of Shohei Ohtani intensifies, the need for bullpen help is just as great and perhaps more urgent for the team.
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
How are the Cubs still in the running for Shohei Ohtani?
Discussion:
All - Kyodo News+ and Bleacher Nation
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Shohei Ohtani trims list to seven teams, Royals among those eliminated
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers re-sign Tony Barnette, reportedly land reliever Mike Minor
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
After breakout season in Royals' bullpen, Minor reportedly agrees to terms with Texas
Alex Pavlovic / NBCSports.com:
Source: Giants one of first known finalists to meet with Shohei Ohtani
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, McCovey Chronicles and KNBR-AM
ESPN:
Breaking down the seven finalists in the race to sign Shohei Ohtani
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, SBNation.com, Halos Heaven and FanRag Sports
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals are out of Ohtani sweepstakes, but remain in Stanton talks
Discussion:
Washington Post
Post Sports Desk / New York Post:
The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes is down to seven
Discussion:
SI.com, True Blue LA and Gaslamp Ball
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Inspired by Yordano Ventura, former Braves pitching prospect signs with Royals — In the aftermath of the international signing scandal that ensnared the Atlanta Braves, Major League Baseball granted free agency to 12 prospects in their minor-league system.
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels Agree To Terms With Kevin Maitan — 12:00pm: Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports that Maitan will receive a $2.2MM signing bonus (Twitter link). That's more than the Halos have in available 2017-18 international funds, so it indeed seems that they'll be paying Maitan with their 2018-19 bonus pool.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Bleacher Nation and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Agree To Deal With Former Braves Prospect Yefri Del Rosario — The Royals have agreed to sign right-hander Yefri Del Rosario for a $650K signing bonus, reports Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com (via Twitter). The 18-year-old Rosario had originally signed for a $1MM bonus with Atlanta …
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Baseball Essential, Bucs Dugout and Talking Chop
ESPN:
Ex-Braves GM John Coppolella ‘disgraced and humbled’ — Former Atlanta Braves general manager John Coppolella, making his first public comments since his resignation and lifetime ban from baseball, said he has been “disgraced and humbled” by events of the last two months and is “heartbroken” …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Talking Chop
ESPN:
Reports: Cards sign Miles Mikolas to 2-year deal; RHP 31-13 in Japan — The St. Louis Cardinals signed right-hander Miles Mikolas to a two-year contract Tuesday, according to multiple reports. — Mikolas, who has pitched in Japan since 2015, will receive between $14 million to $16 million in the contract, according to the reports.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets looking for relievers to shore up back-end of bullpen in a seller's market — Thank goodness it's been warm outside, because the MLB stove is barely room temperature. The Mets — who have holes at first base, the outfield, second base and in the bullpen — have made just one minor-league signing so far.
Cleveland Indians / TribeVibe:
Cleveland Indians, Dan Otero agree on two-year contract with 2020 club option — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed RHP DAN OTERO to a two-year contract with a club option for the 2020 season. — Otero, 32, has spent the last two seasons in the Indians bullpen …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
John Harper / New York Daily News:
With manager and Otani situations resolved, Yankees are free to move forward with offseason plans — With Aaron Boone officially named on Monday as the new manager, confirming the Daily News report on Friday, and Shohei Otani no longer a consideration, the Yankees can move forward now in planning …
ABC News:
Bengals lose Vontaze Burfict, Joe Mixon, Adam Jones to injury in loss to Steelers — CINCINNATI — Linebacker Vontaze Burfict was one of three Bengals?players in concussion protocol following a violent game that saw two players taken off the field on backboards during Cincinnati's?
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
