Top News:
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Yankees prospect Justus Sheffield on trade rumors, his health and expectations for 2018 — Will there be Justus for fall, or even spring 2018? — The Yankees' offseason started off with a George Steinbrenner-era blockbuster trade — slugger Giancarlo Stanton switching Marlins teal for Bronx pinstripes …
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John Harper / New York Daily News:
Hey, Yankees! Don't Yu dare give 31-year-old Darvish such a lengthy deal — Brian Cashman has made all the right moves in putting the Yankees in position to win championships for the next several years, but if he's really thinking of giving Yu Darvish a seven-year deal at any price, I think it would be a mistake.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Leaner, stronger Alex Reyes ready to pitch again, no matter the role — And the Cardinals share that vision. — But there is a chance the Redbirds' top pitching prospect spends his first season back from Tommy John surgery working out of the bullpen. Cardinals president …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards avoid hearings, have deals with Ozuna, Wacha, Lyons — Before introducing the centerpiece of their offseason and new focal point of their lineup to the home crowd this weekend at the Winter Warm-Up, the Cardinals reached an agreement with Marcell Ozuna on his salary for the coming season …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals, Ozuna avoid arbitration with $9 million deal for 2018
Cardinals, Ozuna avoid arbitration with $9 million deal for 2018
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Twins To Sign Addison Reed — 12:41pm: The pact is worth $16.75MM, Jon Heyman of FanRag tweets. — 12:11pm: The Twins have agreed to a two-year contract worth slightly less than $17MM with free agent reliever Addison Reed, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (Twitter link). The deal is pending a physical.
Discussion:
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ESPN:
Addison Reed signing two-year contract with Twins valued at about $17M — Reliever Addison Reed has agreed to a two-year contract worth approximately $17 million with the Minnesota Twins, according to multiple reports. — Reed made 77 appearances for the Red Sox and New York Mets in 2017 …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Nicholas Castellanos takes top spot on the Detroit Tigers' trade block — It was bound to happen again sooner or later. Barring a surprising meeting of the minds, the Tigers will attend their first salary arbitration hearing with a player since 2001. — That player is shortstop Jose Iglesias …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wong woke up to false missile warning in Hawaii and family ‘freaking out’ — ST. LOUIS • One of the first calls Cardinals infielder Kolten Wong made from St. Louis when he saw word of an inbound missile alert back home in Hawaii was to his brother, Kean.
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs owner wants Sammy Sosa to ‘put everything on the table’ — CHICAGO — Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said franchise all-time home run leader Sammy Sosa needs to “put everything on the table” in regards to PED use during his playing days if he is to be ever welcomed back by the team.
Discussion:
Sporting News
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Winter market has been frigid, but Cubs players stoking competitive fire — Chicago Tribune — President Theo Epstein stressed patience as he and his staff try to fortify the Cubs pitching staff during what has so far been a tedious winter. — “Realistically we'd like to add another pitcher …
Discussion:
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Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
The Reds still are talking with free-agent relievers — After the Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent right-hander Jared Hughes to bolster their bullpen three weeks ago, general manager Dick Williams said the team was still open to adding further to the bullpen.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Alex Wood gets $6 million from Dodgers; Yasmani Grandal gets $7.9 million — LOS ANGELES — All-Star pitcher Alex Wood agreed to a $6 million deal with the Dodgers, and catcher Yasmani Grandal settled at $7.9 million. They are among seven Los Angeles players agreeing to one-year contracts that avoid arbitration.
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Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Dodgers reach contract agreements with all of their arbitration-eligible players
Dodgers reach contract agreements with all of their arbitration-eligible players
Discussion:
True Blue LA
ESPN:
Padres keep closer Brad Hand in fold with extension — Closer Brad Hand has agreed to a three-year extension with the San Diego Padres on Saturday, according to multiple reports. — The deal, first reported by The Athletic, includes a club option for a fourth season.
ESPN:
Legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson dies at age 89 — Keith Jackson, who was widely regarded as the voice of college football by several generations, died late Friday night, his family said. He was 89. — EDITOR'S PICKS — Close your eyes and listen. You'll hear and know that voice.
Discussion:
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Associated Press:
Anthony Rendon, Nationals agree on $12.3M contract — WASHINGTON — Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon more than doubled his salary going into 2018, reaching agreement on a $12.3 million contract Friday to avoid salary arbitration. — Rendon made $5.8 million last season, his first year of arbitration eligibility.
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Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Nationals avoid arbitration with Anthony Rendon, Tanner Roark and Michael A. Taylor
Nationals avoid arbitration with Anthony Rendon, Tanner Roark and Michael A. Taylor
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
ESPN:
Source: Manny Machado avoids arbitration with $16M deal — Manny Machado agreed to a one-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday to avoid a salary arbitration hearing in February, a source told ESPN. — Machado, 25, is a three-time All-Star with two Gold Gloves over parts of six seasons with the Orioles.
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Avoid Arbitration With Zach Britton, Brad Brach
Orioles Avoid Arbitration With Zach Britton, Brad Brach
Discussion:
Jays Journal, Camden Chat and MLB on Yahoo! Sports