Top News:
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's edging closer to acquiring Stephen Piscotty from St. Louis — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The A's and Cardinals continued discussions about Cardinals outfielder Stephen Piscotty on Wednesday, with multiple sources suggesting a trade might be concluded before the end of the winter meetings.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals strike deal to obtain Ozuna — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • That progress the Cardinals felt they had toward a deal with the Marlins has accelerated to finalizing a deal for outfielder Marcell Ozuna, and the two teams are working through the details.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation and Fish Stripes
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cardinals To Acquire Marcell Ozuna — 5:05pm: The Marlins will also receive pitching prospects Zac Gallen and Daniel Castano, per Spencer (Twitter link). Gallen, a 22-year-old righty, ranks as the Cardinals' 13th-best prospect at MLB.com. The outlet did not rank Castano among the Cardinals' top 30 prospects, on the other hand.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Bleacher Report, baseballmusings.com, NESN.com, Viva El Birdos and Minor League Ball
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Cardinals acquire Marcell Ozuna from Marlins, whose salary dump continues
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Christian Yelich In Wake Of Reported Ozuna Deal
Discussion:
The Comeback, Bleacher Nation and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Fox Sports:
Bryce Harper's agent opened contract talk with Nationals — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) With Bryce Harper a year from free agency, the agent for Washington's star opened contract talk with the Nationals. — The 25-year-old right fielder earned $13,625,000 this year and agreed last May to a 2018 deal for $21,625,000.
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UPI:
Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper may be in line for extension — The agent for superstar Bryce Harper said he met with the Washington Nationals last month to discuss a potential long-term contract extension. — The 25-year-old Harper, entering his final season of arbitration eligibility …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Scott Boras Says He Has Held Extension Talks On Bryce Harper With Nationals
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, Sports Talk Philly and MLB Daily Dish
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Meet the prospects Detroit Tigers landed in Ian Kinsler trade — The Detroit Tigers shaved $11 million off their 2017 payroll by trading Ian Kinsler to the L.A. Angels for two prospects on Wednesday. — Time will tell if the trade pays off for the Tigers, but early returns frame …
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New York Daily News:
Angels say Shohei Ohtani's sprained elbow will be healed by spring
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Ron Gardenhire optimistic for Detroit Tigers in 2018; Vegas is not
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Ron Gardenhire explains why he hasn't called any Detroit Tigers players
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles evaluate Machado's trade market but say it's not yet time to ‘fish or cut bait’ — Orioles beat writer Eduardo Encina talks with Orioles vice president Dan Duquette about the possibility of dealing Manny Machado. (Baltimore Sun video) — Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette talks …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and MLB Trade Rumors
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Nicholas Parco / New York Daily News:
White Sox, favorites to land Manny Machado, may be interested in trading him to Yankees for prospects: report — If the Yankees are going to get Manny Machado, it appears a third team is going to have to be involved in any deal. — The White Sox are the “most aggressive suitor” …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Machado in Chicago? White Sox are serious suitors for the Orioles star — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - In a surprising turn of events, the rebuilding Chicago White Sox emerged Wednesday as the most aggressive suitor for Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, according to major-league sources.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, The Comeback and MLB Trade Rumors
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Bryan Price: There's just one rotation spot up for grabs — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Midway through the 2017 season, Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price offered a warning and a hope. — He warned that if the Reds entered spring training with few rotation locks and an open competition, it would be another long season.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation and Red Reporter
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Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
The Cincinnati Reds are casting a wide net in their pitching search — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Cincinnati Reds are casting a wide net in their search for pitching that can stabilize their staff while at the same time not impede the development of younger pitchers the organization hopes will carry it in 2018.
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Royals are seeking to unload payroll this offseason. Here are the numbers — LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — Under different circumstances, in a past decade, the Royals' decision to shed payroll this winter would likely be viewed with skepticism and derision.
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Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Danny Duffy responds to trade rumors: ‘Bury me a Royal’
Discussion:
FanRag Sports
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Brian Cashman: Yankees still have some needs to address — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — So here's where the Yankees stand in free agency as the Winter Meetings come to a close, courtesy of pilot Brian Cashman: — “Right now, we're circling the airport, and we're waiting for clearance on the runway.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cardinals' improvement, Mike Montgomery's aspirations present challenges to Cubs — Cubs President Theo Epstein discusses pitcher Mike Montgomery's role and the Cardinals' offseason moves. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Cubs President Theo Epstein …
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Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs have been busy at winter meetings, but what else should they do?
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Cubs Insider and Chicago Sun Times
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards notes: Top spot in batting order is up for grabs — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • First thing's first for the Cardinals as they near spring training. Manager Mike Matheny plans to have a conversation with veteran leadoff hitters Matt Carpenter and Dexter Fowler about who will bat No. 1 entering the season.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Winter meetings journal: Rays trade for money to sign top international free agent — LAKE BUENA VISTA While most of the business conducted at the meetings impacts the big-league team one way or another, the Rays are working to finalize a move they hope pays off big sometime in the 2020s.
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Angels have ‘no concern’ with Shohei Ohtani's elbow, ponder 6-man rotation — The UCL is the ligament that requires Tommy John surgery to repair, a procedure that often keeps pit Time_Sports — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Mike Scioscia is quick to dispel any concerns about Shohei Ohtani's right elbow.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
There are a lot of moving parts for a potential Greinke-to-Rangers deal — LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — Don't look now, but it appears the Texas Rangers have some money to spend or at least want to see how far they can stretch the remaining millions in their 2018 budget.
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies still have high hopes for Maikel Franco — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Gabe Kapler flew to the Dominican Republic last month for a tour of the Phillies academy near the island's southeastern coastline. Before heading home, Kapler watched Maikel Franco take batting practice …
