Top News:
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Angels trade prospect to get more money to pursue Shohei Ohtani — The Angels and Seattle Mariners, two of the three finalists for Shoehei Ohtani who have financial wiggle room, engaged in a duel of deals to get more money to pursue the Japanese superstar on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
SBNation.com, Minor League Ball, Halos Heaven and Baseball America
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Dayn Perry / CBSSports.com:
Ohtani MLB market: These two trades could swing the race for the Japanese free agent — The Mariners and then the Angels swung deals with the Twins for international slot money — As part of the pursuit of Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani, the Mariners on Wednesday acquired $1 million in international slot money from the Twins.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
What does Angels, Mariners adding international bonus money for Shohei Ohtani pursuit mean? — Two of the seven finalists for Shohei Ohtani acted Wednesday night to sweeten the financial incentive for the Japanese two-way star, but still trail the Rangers when it comes to available international signing bonus money.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Keep calm and carry on, Mozeliak says — When the Cardinals entered this offseason intent on adding a lineup-altering presence they did so with a handful of desirable prospects, ample financial resources, and one other “strength” John Mozeliak mentioned Wednesday evening that is certainly being tested this week.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and FanRag Sports
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Gabe Zaldivar / Forbes:
Latest Rumors On Giancarlo Stanton, Shohei Ohtani And More Ahead Of MLB Winter Meetings — We're just a few short days away from the MLB winter meetings and the two biggest names on the market may soon be nestled safety with new ballclubs. — Shohei Ohtani and Giancarlo Stanton represent …
Discussion:
SI.com, SBNation.com, NBCSports.com, Bless You Boys and Federal Baseball
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants ‘impressed’ in meetings with Stanton, Ohtani, who comments on Posey's ‘great aura’
Giants ‘impressed’ in meetings with Stanton, Ohtani, who comments on Posey's ‘great aura’
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Giants, Cards front-runners to acquire NL MVP from Marlins, according to source
Giants, Cards front-runners to acquire NL MVP from Marlins, according to source
Discussion:
Mercury News, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, SI.com, Bleacher Nation and Forbes
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone's confidence on full display as new Yankees skipper aces intro — Nothing Aaron Boone said at his introductory press conference on Wednesday is proof that he'll be a good manager, but I'll say this: I came away impressed with the way he handled his first day under the bright lights …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Aaron Boone understands expectations; wants to get lost in the process — NEW YORK — When the Yankees hired Aaron Boone to replace Joe Girardi, they wanted a new-age, modern manager. Boone very much sounded like he fit the description when he was asked to define success for his new job.
Mike Axisa / CBSSports.com:
Why new Yankees manager Aaron Boone is trying to forget that 2003 ALCS home run — Boone has been trying to distance himself from the home run because of what happened next — NEW YORK — Given how things played out, it can be easy to forget new Yankees manager Aaron Boone played so poorly …
Discussion:
NESN.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Sign Tyler Chatwood — 12:29pm: The exact number on the deal is a $38MM guarantee, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports (Twitter link). — 12:20pm: The Cubs announced on Thursday that they've agreed to a three-year contract with free agent right-hander Tyler Chatwood.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Bleacher Nation, CBS Chicago, Bleed Cubbie Blue, FanGraphs Baseball and Lone Star Ball
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles interested in reuniting with familiar face in veteran starter Miguel González — Former Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro is reportedly considering a return to the majors at age 53. — Orioles beat writers Eduardo Encina and Jon Meoli talk about the Orioles' minor league signings.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Camden Chat
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ESPN:
Rafael Palmeiro, 53, says ‘no doubt’ he can make it back to MLB
Rafael Palmeiro, 53, says ‘no doubt’ he can make it back to MLB
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Bleacher Nation and FanRag Sports
Tim Daniels / Bleacher Report:
Rafael Palmeiro: 'There's No Doubt' I Can Make MLB Comeback at Age 53
Rafael Palmeiro: 'There's No Doubt' I Can Make MLB Comeback at Age 53
Discussion:
USA Today, Over the Monster, Cubs Insider, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Price must be right for Cubs in their pursuit of pitching — Will these Cubs players be back on the team next season? — Chicago Tribune — The free agent pitching market is starting to thaw and the prices could present an expensive situation for the Cubs and other pitching-thirsty teams.
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Travis Sawchik / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Cubs Are Ohtani's Other Outlier Finalist
The Cubs Are Ohtani's Other Outlier Finalist
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Cubs Den, Cubs Insider, Bleacher Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Minor League Ball
Evan Drellich / NBCSports.com:
Red Sox take Henry Owens off 40-man roster, setting up potential acquisition — The Red Sox have put former top prospect Henry Owens on outright waivers, taking him off the 40-man roster, a baseball source said Wednesday. — The 40-man roster was full after the Red Sox protected players ahead of the Rule 5 draft.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Cubs Insider, Bless You Boys, Over the Monster and FanRag Sports
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Place Henry Owens On Outright Waivers
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Landing Shohei Ohtani could lead to Rangers doing something baseball has never seen — The Rangers conducted, not one, but two press conferences Wednesday. — And uttered not one word about Shohei Ohtani in the process. — If you were them, sitting at the portal to a whole new dimension in baseball, would you?
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
No questions on Ohtani, but about that six-man rotation ...
No questions on Ohtani, but about that six-man rotation ...
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Zachary Ripple / New York Daily News:
Astros ace Dallas Keuchel pitched throughout postseason with foot injury: report — Houston ace Dallas Keuchel helped pitch the Astros to a World Series championship, but it appears he did it while playing injured. — The southpaw, who pitched to a 3.58 ERA in five postseason starts …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks bring back reliever T.J. McFarland on one-year deal — The Diamondbacks signed pitcher T.J. McFarland to a one-year deal on Wednesday, reuniting with the left-handed reliever less than a week after non-tendering him on Friday. — McFarland received a major league deal …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks' Brad Boxberger joins Archie Bradley, others, as late-inning option
Arizona Diamondbacks' Brad Boxberger joins Archie Bradley, others, as late-inning option
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Robert Murray / FanRag Sports:
Braves to sign Christian Colon to minor-league deal — The Atlanta Braves have an agreement in place with former Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins infielder Christian Colon on a minor-league deal, a league source tells FanRag Sports. The deal is expected to include an invitation to Spring Training
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Royals Review, Kings of Kauffman and MLB Trade Rumors
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Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
Former Royals first-rounder Christian Colon could get a second chance with Braves
Former Royals first-rounder Christian Colon could get a second chance with Braves
Discussion:
Talking Chop