Top News:
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
BenFred: Everybody wins in Cards-A's trade — especially Piscotty's family — Ben Frederickson is a sports columnist for stltoday.com — The Cardinals, on a hot streak and gaining ground on the Rockies and Brewers in the wild-card chase, had been held to one hit in six innings by Padres rookie pitcher Dinelson Lamet.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals finish trades for Ozuna, Piscotty — • The sunny weeks of spring training are set up to be an ideal time for a front office executive, especially one with some scout's mileage like John Mozeliak, to watch games and spy a future middle-order hitter that a lineup could be built around.
Jon Becker / Mercury News:
Stephen Piscotty's mom has touching message for Cardinals, fans — PLEASANTON — Fulfilling a lifelong dream sometimes comes with complications. Just ask the Piscotty family. — Fantasy met reality in Pleasanton Thursday when Stephen Piscotty was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals …
Discussion:
St. Louis Business Journal
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals land ‘loud bat’ they coveted with completed deal for Ozuna
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
In Stephen Piscotty trade with Oakland, Cardinals show grace rarely seen in baseball deals
In Stephen Piscotty trade with Oakland, Cardinals show grace rarely seen in baseball deals
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Tim Raines joins A.J. Pierzynski, Jose Contreras as White Sox ambassadors — A.J. Pierzynski talks about joining the White Sox as an ambassador on Dec. 11, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — While the White Sox remain focused on the future …
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ESPN:
Cold stove: The four teams no one talked about at the winter meetings — It was a quiet week in Orlando, if you're just looking at the transactions logs. There was a run on setup relievers, but there are enough setup relievers to go around; a valuable Marlin was traded, but other valuable Marlins somehow weren't.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, CBSSports.com and South Side Sox
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Winter meetings wrap-up: White Sox aim high while Cubs bolster bullpen
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Orioles ready to trade Manny Machado - but fear a back channel to the Bronx
Orioles ready to trade Manny Machado - but fear a back channel to the Bronx
Discussion:
Camden Chat, South Side Sox, Talking Chop, Cubs Insider, Bleacher Nation, SI.com, Baseball Essential, Viva El Birdos, MLB Trade Rumors and School of Roch
Sean Welsh / Baltimore Sun:
As Orioles ponder Manny Machado trade, who can kids in Baltimore call their hero?
As Orioles ponder Manny Machado trade, who can kids in Baltimore call their hero?
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Aaron Judge: I can't wait to play alongside Giancarlo Stanton — EDITOR'S PICKS — A look back at the power-hitting duos of history proves it: We've never seen anything quite like the pairing of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge. — The reigning AL Rookie of the Year alongside the NL MVP.
Discussion:
Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, FanRag Sports and ESPN
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge can't wait to play alongside Giancarlo Stanton — Aaron Judge is looking forward to playing with Giancarlo Stanton — the newest towering terror in the Yankees' lineup. — “He's an MVP,” Judge told the Associated Press on Thursday night, where he was attending the Warriors game.
Shawn Windsor / Detroit Free Press:
It's a no-brainer: Detroit Tigers should trade Michael Fulmer — George Sipple/Anthony Fenech/Detroit Free Press — Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer could become the kind of ace that fronts a starting rotation. Even if he does, it may not matter, as the Tigers aren't likely to push for a World Series title for a while.
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Ryan Ford / Detroit Free Press:
Report: Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Frank Lary dead at 87
Report: Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Frank Lary dead at 87
Discussion:
Detroit News and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers willing to give Victor Martinez chance to bounce back
Detroit Tigers willing to give Victor Martinez chance to bounce back
Discussion:
Minor League Ball
George A. King III / New York Post:
It may take ditching Clint Frazier to solve Yankees' rotation needs — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Brian Cashman entered the Winter Meetings searching for rotation help and exited without it. — Yet just because baseball's meat market has closed doesn't mean the Yankees general manager won't land a starting pitcher or two.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Notebook: Cardinals take advantage of Rule 5 draft loophole — After several years of having players handpicked out of their minor-league system by other teams — San Diego was an annual pilferer — the Cardinals did not have a player taken in the major-league portion of the draft Wednesday …
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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers select OF Victor Reyes with first pick in Rule 5 Draft
Detroit Tigers select OF Victor Reyes with first pick in Rule 5 Draft
Discussion:
Red Reporter, Bluebird Banter and Amazin' Avenue
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Source: Red Sox talks signal interest in signing both J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer — ORLANDO — A source at the winter meetings said that the Red Sox are engaged in talks with not only free agent outfielder J.D. Martinez but also free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer.
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NBC Sports / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Padres, Phillies have an agreement in place on the Freddy Galvis trade — UPDATE: Bob Nightengale reports that the Padres have a “tentative agreement” in place to acquire — Freddy Galvis and a trade “should be finalized” today. The deal will have a minor league pitcher, not yet identified, heading back to Philly for Galvis.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and The Good Phight
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Relievers are selling like hotcakes, but search for value is keeping Rangers GM Jon Daniels from spending big — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Rumorpalooza 2017, also known as baseball's Winter Meetings, is over, and the one thing we can say with certainty is the price of relievers is skyrocketing.
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Daniels says time on Rangers' side as winter meetings close, prospects sought
Daniels says time on Rangers' side as winter meetings close, prospects sought
Discussion:
Associated Press and Dallas Morning News
ESPN:
Indians agree to minor-league deal with Melvin Upton Jr. — The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a minor-league contract with veteran outfielder Melvin Upton Jr., a source confirmed to ESPN's Buster Olney. — The deal will pay Upton a base salary of $1.5 million if he makes …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Fox Sports:
Luke Gregerson, Cardinals finalize $11M, 2-year contract — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Reliever Luke Gregerson and the St. Louis Cardinals have finalized an $11 million, two-year contract. — A 33-year-old right-hander, Gregerson will have salaries of $5 million in each of the next two seasons …
ESPN:
Hector Rondon reaches contract terms with Astros — Free-agent pitcher Hector Rondon has reached a deal with the Houston Astros, according to multiple reports. — Terms of the deal with the right-hander, which was first reported by The Athletic, are unknown at this time.
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets GM Sandy Alderson's hits and misses when signing relievers — The Mets left the winter meetings Thursday having made only move with righty reliever Anthony Swarzak agreeing to a two-year, $14-million deal according to sources. — Swarzak is coming off a career-best year in 2016 …
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Associated Press:
Rays invite Jonny Venters to camp after 3rd Tommy John surgery — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Relief pitcher Jonny Venters has been invited to big league spring training by the Tampa Bay Bays while trying to come back from his third Tommy John surgery. — The 32-year-old lefty hasn't pitched …
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Veteran Jonny Venters, prospect Joe McCarthy among 13 Tampa Bay Rays spring invitees
Veteran Jonny Venters, prospect Joe McCarthy among 13 Tampa Bay Rays spring invitees
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and DRaysBay