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 Trade Rumors, CBS New York, New York Post, Amazin' Avenue, metsdaddy.com and Mets Merized Online
RELATED:
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.
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:
Let's Go Tribe
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Jay Bruce deal: Patience pays off again for Alderson and Mets — He has taught an actual class, at Cal-Berkeley. Now, from Citi Field, Sandy Alderson teaches a different annual course: — Marketplace Patience 101. — Your 2018 syllabus starts with Jay Bruce.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets To Sign Jay Bruce — 9:15pm: Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports that Bruce's contract also contains limited no-trade protection (Twitter link). He'll be able to specify five clubs to which he cannot be traded without each consent on an annual basis, according to Davidoff.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
St. Louis-based baseball agent fired amid allegations he filmed client in shower — A St. Louis-based agent with ties to several baseball players from the area has been dismissed by his agency Wednesday and now faces an investigation from the players' union as a result of allegations …
Discussion:
FOX2now.com
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Robert Murray / FanRag Sports:
Murray | Agent Jason Wood being investigated for allegedly filming clients — Baseball agent Jason Wood is being investigated by the player's union for allegedly filming numerous clients while they were using his shower, seven sources tell FanRag Sports. — Three sources say that Wood …
Discussion:
ESPN, Daily Mail, Washington Post, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, SI.com, NBCSports.com, New Jersey Online, CSE Talent, MLB Trade Rumors, FenwayNation, Union-News, CBS Boston and The Big Lead
Evan Grossman / New York Daily News:
MLB agent Jason Wood under investigation, fired for allegedly filming clients while they showered: report
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
ESPN:
Miguel Gonzalez agrees to one-year deal with White Sox — The Chicago White Sox agreed to a one-year, $4.75 million contract with right-hander Miguel Gonzalez on Thursday. — Outfielder Jacob May was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. — Gonzalez, 33, began last season …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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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:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Camden Chat and FanRag Sports
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:
MLB Trade Rumors, NBCSports.com, FanGraphs Baseball, Bleacher Nation, NESN.com, CBS Boston, MLB Daily Dish and FenwayNation
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Joe Zedalis / New Jersey Online:
Barnegat's Jason Groome ranked as No. 1 prospect in Red Sox system
Discussion:
Union-News and Minor League Ball
Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
After season of career highs with Rangers, can Robinson Chirinos bump up his production even more? — Editor's note: This is part of a series of Rangers player outlooks for the offseason. SportsDay Rangers insider Gerry Fraley breaks down how each player did in 2017 and what to expect going forward.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs manager Joe Maddon shifts gears from recruiting free agents to boosting current players — Chicago Tribune — Manager Joe Maddon has stopped his recruitment of prospective Cubs players since last month, leaving the finishing touches to the front office.
Discussion:
Chicago Sun Times, Bleacher Nation and CBS Chicago
Brad Biggs / Chicago Tribune:
In turn to past, Bears expected to hire Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator — A former Dave Toub protege is returning to the Bears to run the special-teams operation for new coach Matt Nagy. — The Bears are expected to hire Chris Tabor, the Browns' special-teams coordinator …
Discussion:
Windy City Gridiron, The Ten-Yard Line, FanRag Sports, ProFootballTalk and Bears Wire
