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ESPN:
Despite scrutiny, officials expect MLB probe after Shohei Ohtani decision — When Shohei Ohtani announces his choice of which Major League Baseball team he wants to play for, a number of MLB officials said they wouldn't be surprised if it spawned an immediate investigation into how the process played out.
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Amara Grautski / New York Daily News:
Japanese star Shohei Otani decides to sign with Angels — A few days after deciding New York wasn't for him, the Babe Ruth of Japan has signed with the Angels. — Shoehei Otani, the highly sought after pitcher/outfielder, confirmed his decision on Friday afternoon through his agency.
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Pinstripe Alley
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
How Shohei Ohtani will alter the balance of power in the AL West — The Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers were all-in on Shohei Ohtani, figuring the Japanese two-way star could help them challenge the World Series champion Houston Astros for American League West supremacy.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Angels pull off stunner, win Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes — We don't even know him, but we're mesmerized by him. — We've never seen him play, but we're fascinated by him. — Come on, has there ever been a free agent in baseball history that has captivated Major League Baseball like Shohei Ohtani …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels To Sign Shohei Ohtani — Shohei Ohtani has decided to sign with the Angels, agent Nez Balelo of CAA Baseball announced today. Balelo issued the following statement on his client's decision: … The Angels were one of seven finalists for Ohtani, joined in that regard by the Mariners, Rangers, Cubs, Padres, Dodgers and Giants.
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ESPN:
The challenge for Ohtani's new team: What comes next — Baseball agents have gone to progressively greater lengths to pitch their free-agent clients in recent years. Scott Boras has received lots of attention for his binders, and other big agencies have ramped up their presentations …
ESPN:
Two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani agrees to sign with Angels — Japanese star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Angels, his agent said on Friday. — In addition to the Angels, Ohtani had met with the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
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The Ringer
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Japanese star Shohei Ohtani chooses Angels over 6 other MLB teams, including Dodgers
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baseballmusings.com
Fran Kilinski / New York Daily News:
Angels players are giddy on Twitter over Shohei Otani's decision to sign with team
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The Guardian, Halos Heaven and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
ESPN:
Stanton open to playing for the Yankees — While the Los Angeles Dodgers have been mentioned as the inevitable fallback option if the Miami Marlins are unable to trade Giancarlo Stanton to St. Louis or San Francisco, they're not the only big-market glamour team that intrigues the National League MVP.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Stanton Saga: One fish, two wish, will he be a red fish — or blue fish? — ST. LOUIS • With one move Thursday afternoon, the Miami Marlins sent a clear message that brought instant clarity and resolution to all the speculation that had been simmering for weeks on the hot stove and gripped fans around baseball.
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giancarlo Stanton Informs Cardinals He Will Not Waive No-Trade Clause
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Chicago Tribune
Scott Gleeson / USA Today:
Report: Giancarlo Stanton won't OK trade to Giants or Cardinals
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Nicholas Parco / New York Daily News:
Giancarlo Stanton will only approve trade to Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers or Astros: report
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NESN.com, New York Post and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Tim Healey / Orlando Sentinel:
Marlins trade Dee Gordon to Mariners for prospects
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Fish Stripes, Lookout Landing, Minor League Ball, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Yankees, GM Brian Cashman finalizing five-year, $25 million extension — New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman's grip on the club's baseball operations is growing even firmer, as he and the club are finalizing a five-year, $25 million contract extension, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.
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ESPN:
Source: Mike Fiers and Tigers agree on 1-year deal — Right-hander Mike Fiers has reached agreement on a one-year, $6 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, a baseball source told ESPN. — The deal is expected to be announced Friday after Fiers completes a physical exam.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers close to signing starting pitcher Mike Fiers to one-year deal
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MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Evan Woodbery / MLive.com:
Tigers reportedly sign veteran pitcher Mike Fiers to 1-year deal
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Bleacher Nation
ESPN:
Five trades we'd love to see at the winter meetings — Let's make a deal! The real general managers certainly haven't been, that's for sure. It has been the slowest offseason in memory, as teams wait for free agents to bring down their prices and Shohei Ohtani and Giancarlo Stanton to make their decisions.
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Who might be next for Rangers after missing on Ohtani? — As of Thursday afternoon, a baseball source said that he wasn't sure how much thought the Texas Rangers had given to Plan B in their off-season blueprints. — Plan A, of course, was Shohei Ohtani. — Twenty-four hours later, though, that changed in earnest.
Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
Royals lose former SM South pitcher Mike Morin to Mariners — Shawnee Mission South graduate Mike Morin won't return to Kansas City in a Royals uniform next season. — After signing a one-year contract with his hometown team last week, Morin was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners on Friday.
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MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rockies Sign Chris Iannetta — The Rockies have announced a two-year deal with veteran catcher Chris Iannetta, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported (Twitter link). Iannetta will receive a $8.5MM guarantee, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweets. — Iannetta will get a $300K signing …
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MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Purple Row and MLB Daily Dish
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman plans to honor Roy Halladay by wearing his No. 34 — 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.
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