Astros “Actively Pursuing” High-End Starters, Have Discussed Gerrit Cole With Pirates  —  12:27pm: Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports (via Twitter) that the Astros have had talks with the Pirates about a trade that would send Cole to Houston.  Young outfielder Derek Fisher's name has come …

How Cleveland Browns were frozen out of Jimmy Garoppolo deal — Terry Pluto  —  Gallery: How Cleveland Browns were frozen out of Jimmy Garoppolo deal  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Jimmy Garoppolo trade to the San Francisco 49ers never made much sense.  —  The 49ers traded a second-round pick …

Pitching minicamp begins Monday as Orioles' land of opportunity  —  Each winter, the Orioles' minor league minicamp puts on display the idea that anyone who pitches himself into position to do so can contribute in an organization that tries to find any advantage it can.

Phillies hire three men named Kevin (Frandsen, Jordan, Stocker) for radio broadcast team  —  For more than a decade, Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen formed an irreverent relationship as Phillies radio broadcasters.  With Andersen ready to reduce his schedule in 2018 to just home games …

In quiet winter for baseball industry, Brewers continue to explore personnel moves  —  In this extremely cold winter, major-league baseball's hot stove has hardly been hot.  In fact, you can't even warm your hands over it.  —  The dearth of industry news has impacted the Milwaukee Brewers …

Grass or fake stuff?  Here's what the Rangers are planning for new ballpark  —  The giant hole just south of Globe Life Park keeps getting deeper and deeper, and at some point in the not-too-distant future it will begin to be surrounded by steal and concrete and eventually covered by a retractable roof.

Stammen guaranteed $4.5M by Padres in 2-year deal  —  Craig Stammen is guaranteed $4.5 million as part of his two-year contract with the  —  San Diego Padres and can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses annually based on pitching appearances.

Phillies want to develop starting pitchers.  Here are four to watch  —  “Maybe never in our history has it been more important to develop starting pitchers.”  — Phillies general manager Matt Klentak on Dec. 13 at the winter meetings  —  The Phillies have made it clear …

Zach Duke guaranteed $2.15M by Twins, can earn $1.5M more  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Left-hander Zach Duke is guaranteed $2.15 million as part of his one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins and can earn an additional $1.5 million based on pitching appearances.  —  Duke can earn $200,000 each …

Sammy Watkins uncertain about his future with Rams  —  Given the amount of young talent in place, the Rams should enjoy a bright 2018 season, but a few players left the Coliseum on Saturday night uncertain about whether they would return.  —  Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson has a six-year history …

Orioles notes: Buck Showalter ‘further along’ in deciding whether Manny Machado will play shortstop in 2018  —  Orioles manager Buck Showalter, like most everyone else in Baltimore and around the baseball world, is waiting for the short-term future of star infielder Manny Machado to be solidified before discussing him in absolutes.

Real or not?  Reasons for the sloooow hot stove season  —  Nobody is signing, and we're all wondering why.  It's January.  It's time to start working out and throwing some long toss and hitting the cages, and many of the top free agents are still seeking homes for 2018.