Top News:
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers agree to minor league deals with Brayan Pena, 5 others — The Tigers announced on Tuesday they have agreed to terms with six players on minor league contracts for the upcoming season. — Of the six, catcher Brayan Peña and infielder Pete Kozma were invited to Major League Spring Training camp.
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Detroit Free Press:
Report: Detroit Tigers bring back C Brayan Peña on minor-league deal — In an attempt to add some veteran presence to the organization, the Detroit Tigers have signed catcher Brayan Pena to a minor-league deal, according to Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com.
Discussion:
MLive.com, Bless You Boys and MLB Trade Rumors
Mark Leibovich / New York Times:
Tom Brady Gave a Filmmaker Unusual Access to His Private Life — Tom Brady was leading a tour through a set of fat binders that he keeps in his den, with each one devoted to one of the 18 seasons he has played in the N.F.L. This one, marked “2016,” began with a particular memento.
Discussion:
98.5 The Sports Hub, ProFootballTalk, FanRag Sports, KNBR-AM, CBS Boston, NESN.com, USA Today, Crain's Detroit Business and SI.com
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Matt Garza To Undergo Shoulder Surgery — Free agent righty Matt Garza is set to undergo surgery for a torn right shoulder labrum, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. It seems the injury was sustained in a mid-season collision that knocked Garza out of commission for a time but did not end his season.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and Brew Crew Ball
Steven Marcus / Newsday:
Source: Mets still interested in signing Jay Bruce, Addison Reed — The Mets haven't made a big splash in the offseason, but that could change as the team remains interested in free-agent outfielder Jay Bruce and free-agent reliever Addison Reed, and is still speaking with the Pirates …
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
Jim Rice / Greenville News:
Meet Iggy Suarez, the new Greenville Drive manager — Iggy Suarez toiled for 11 seasons in baseball's minor leagues, including a handful in independent leagues. That experience, he says, will help him tremendously as he takes over as manager of the Greenville Drive.
Amara Grautski / New York Daily News:
Attention, Yankees: Astros reportedly engaged in Gerrit Cole trade talks with Pirates — The Astros are reportedly going after one of the Yankees' trade targets: Gerrit Cole. — Houston has engaged in talks with Pittsburgh about dealing the 27-year-old righthander, sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Pinstripe Alley and Baseball Prospectus
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Steven Marcus / Newsday:
Mets GM Sandy Alderson upbeat about Travis d'Arnaud's progress — The Mets' No. 1 catcher says he no longer lets himself be distracted by rumors about the free-agent market or possible trades. — Travis d'Arnaud ended 2017 with his best month of the season, and maybe that was enough …
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Avoiding Arbitration: Andrew Heaney, Ryan Rua — We'll use this post to track some of the day's arbitration agreements. As always, you can reference MLBTR's 2018 arbitration projections and 2018 MLB arbitration tracker as needed. — Lefty Andrew Heaney is in agreement on a $800K deal with the Angels …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Halos Heaven and Lone Star Ball
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Profile: Paul Goldschmidt … Twice this offseason, a pair of Diamondbacks officials were asked about the possibility of extending the contract of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Both executives gave similar, unenlightening answers. — In November, CEO Derrick Hall talked about how glad …
ESPN:
What would happen if a baseball game went 50 innings? — On Sept. 5, Hanley Ramirez flared an 0-2 fastball into shallow center field. Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar charged in but couldn't catch the ball, and Mookie Betts — who took off almost on contact — raced home from second to score.
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox new-look bullpen for '18 already brimming with appealing options — Chicago Tribune — At the top of Rick Hahn's to-do list for the White Sox this offseason was reconstructing a bullpen the general manager dismantled in 2017 while wheeling and dealing as part of the team's rebuild.
Associated Press:
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 …