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 and Baseball America
RELATED:
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.
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
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.
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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, SI.com, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Forbes and Bleacher Nation
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
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ESPN:
Rafael Palmeiro, 53, says ‘no doubt’ he can make it back to MLB — Rafael Palmeiro, who is 53 and last played in 2005, said he is thinking about trying to make a comeback. — Palmeiro told The Athletic, “there's no doubt in my mind I can do it.” — A four-time All-Star first baseman …
Discussion:
Camden Chat 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, Bleacher Nation, 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.
RELATED:
Travis Sawchik / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Cubs Are Ohtani's Other Outlier Finalist
The Cubs Are Ohtani's Other Outlier Finalist
Discussion:
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:
Bless You Boys, Over the Monster and FanRag Sports
RELATED:
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
No Babe Ruth of Japan? How about the King Kong of Slug? Breaking down Boston's winter wish list
No Babe Ruth of Japan? How about the King Kong of Slug? Breaking down Boston's winter wish list
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Boston Herald, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Over the Monster
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?
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Aaron Sanchez to resume throwing after injury-plagued season — TORONTO — Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez is scheduled to resume throwing this week, almost three months after his 2017 season ended prematurely because of a sprained tendon and nagging blister on his middle finger.
Associated Press:
Indians, Twins extend safety netting at ballpark for 2018 — The Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins are the latest Major League Baseball teams to announce plans to expand safety netting at their ballparks for the 2018 season. — The Indians will extend the current vertical netting behind home plate …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and Twinkie Town
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:
Royals Review, Talking Chop, MLB Trade Rumors and Kings of Kauffman
RELATED:
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