Top News:
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Mets nearly traded for Indians 2B Jason Kipnis — The New York Mets, who signed outfielder Jay Bruce to a three-year, $39 million deal Wednesday night, nearly had a deal worked out with the Cleveland Indians for Jason Kipnis, according to sources. And in fact, there were people on both sides who thought they had a deal.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, New York Post, CBS New York, Mets Merized Online, MLB Trade Rumors, metsdaddy.com and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
ESPN:
Mets bring back Jay Bruce to break baseball's hot stove cold snap — Who's available on the Hot Stove? — Who's still on the market as teams hunt for help this winter? — So let's figure this out. — First, the money is relatively low-risk and not ridiculous.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
How does a 90-win, 2018 AL Central championship Cleveland Indians team sound to you? — CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians aren't going to win 100 games this year. One of the reasons why revealed itself Wednesday night when closer Cody Allen avoided arbitration by signing a one-year deal worth $10.575 million …
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Let's Go Tribe
Toronto Sun:
Mets agree to $39M, three-year deal with free agent Jay Bruce — NEW YORK — Jay Bruce and his proven bat are headed back to the New York Mets. — The free-agent outfielder is set to return to the Big Apple after agreeing to a $39 million, three-year contract, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Could Frazier join Bruce with Mets?
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and Elite Sports NY
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Jay Bruce deal: Patience pays off again for Alderson and Mets
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers reach deal with James McCann, look to sign four others — The Detroit Tigers have a long-standing tradition of not letting their arbitration-eligible players get to that stage. — For the past 16 years since general manager Al Avila joined the organization …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers claim Johnny Barbato off waivers from Pittsburgh Pirates — The Detroit Tigers' offseason of low-risk, high-upside acquisitions continued on Thursday when they claimed right-handed reliever Johnny Barbato off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Associated Press:
Reliever Tommy Kahnle, Yankees agree to one-year deal worth $1.3M — NEW YORK — Reliever Tommy Kahnle and the New York Yankees agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,312,500, the first deal for the team's eight players who are eligible for salary arbitration.
RELATED:
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Yu Darvish a pitcher of interest to Brian Cashman and Yankees — The Yanks might have to scrap their plan to get under the luxury tax in order to sign the free agent. — General manager Brian Cashman confirmed Thursday that the Yankees are interested in free-agent pitcher Yu Darvish …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
These Rangers could be off-season extension targets for Daniels — To go over the list of free agents the Texas Rangers have said they are not going to sign this off-season is probably unnecessary. — Anyone who was projected to make more than $10 million a year apparently is off limits for the Rangers.
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Sign Miguel Gonzalez — The White Sox have officially agreed to a one-year deal with free agent righty Miguel Gonzalez, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported (via Twitter). He'll receive a $4.75MM salary, the team announced (and as Chris Cotillo of SB Nation tweeted).
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, The Loop Sports, FanRag Sports and Camden Chat
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals sign Grichuk to one-year deal, continue talks with Ozuna, other arb players — ST. LOUIS • On the eve of the deadline to exchange salary figures with arbitration-eligible players and possibly close talks until the hearings, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year deal …
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Red Sox and JD Martinez remain in stalemate — Top free-agent slugger J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox have been engaged in a staredown/stalemate for weeks. And judging by Martinez's commitment to the cause, it may go on quite awhile longer. — Miami acquaintances of Martinez say he is willing to …
Discussion:
SBNation.com, MLB Trade Rumors, NBCSports.com, Bleacher Nation, FanGraphs Baseball, NESN.com, MLB Daily Dish, CBS Boston and FenwayNation
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies prospect Tom Eshelman aims to win a starting role — Tom Eshelman looked around the Phillies clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon and glanced at the collection of prospects who dotted the room. Each of them, the righthanded pitcher said, hopes to start this season in the major leagues.
