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.

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 …

What Brian Cashman can do to help Yankees' chances of landing Yu Darvish  —  If there is any way for the Yankees to sign Yu Darvish and still stay under the luxury-tax threshold, GM Brian Cashman made it obvious just how much he'd love to do it, heaping praise on the free-agent righthander on Thursday.

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.

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).

Detroit Tigers shuffle minor league staff assignments for 2018  —  The Detroit Tigers announced the Minor League field staff and roving personnel assignments for the upcoming season Thursday.  —  While Doug Mientkiewicz is the new manager at Triple-A Toledo, the rest of the Mud Hens' coaching staff …

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 …

Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks reach $7.5M, one-year deal, avoid salary arbitration  —  PHOENIX — Left-hander Patrick Corbin and the Arizona Diamondbacks avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $7.5 million, one-year contract.  —  The 28-year-old was 14-13 with a 4.03 ERA last season and made $3.95 million.

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 …

Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson among more than 170 headed for arbitration  —  NEW YORK — The hot corner figures to be sizzling Friday when players and teams swap proposed salaries in arbitration.  —  Toronto's Josh Donaldson, Baltimore's Manny Machado, Washington's Anthony Rendon …

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.

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.