Top 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 …
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Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Source: Cubs' Kris Bryant gets $11M, most for first-time arbitration-eligible player
Source: Cubs' Kris Bryant gets $11M, most for first-time arbitration-eligible player
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs agree to terms with Kyle Hendricks, Justin Wilson, Tommy La Stella
Cubs agree to terms with Kyle Hendricks, Justin Wilson, Tommy La Stella
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Are the Cubs one pitcher short as they play free-agent waiting game?
Are the Cubs one pitcher short as they play free-agent waiting game?
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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.
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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 …
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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:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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
Associated Press:
Tigers avoid arbitration with Nicholas Castellanos, Alex Wilson, Shane Greene — DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a one-year, $6.05 million contract with Nicholas Castellanos, avoiding arbitration. — The Tigers also reached one-year deals with right-handers Alex Wilson ($1,925,000) and Shane Greene ($1.95 million).
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers avoid arbitration with 3, but no deal yet with Iglesias
Detroit Tigers avoid arbitration with 3, but no deal yet with Iglesias
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Bless You Boys
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers agree to deals with relievers Shane Greene, Alex Wilson
Detroit Tigers agree to deals with relievers Shane Greene, Alex Wilson
Discussion:
Motor City Bengals
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.
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.
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 …
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.
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
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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
Associated Press:
Mets reach deals with Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, 5 more — NEW YORK — The New York Mets have reached one-year deals with starters Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey and settled with five other players. — Relievers Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos and Hansel Robles …
Associated Press:
Angels reach deal with Garrett Richards, other arbitration eligibles — LOS ANGELES — Pitchers Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and Matt Shoemaker agreed to one-year deals with the Los Angeles Angels along with the team's other seven arbitration-eligible players. — Richards, the team's ace, agreed at $7.3 million.
Associated Press:
Astros give Dallas Keuchel $13.2M, one-year deal — HOUSTON — Astros starter Dallas Keuchel agreed to a $13.2 million, one-year contract after helping lead Houston to its first World Series title, and designated hitter/catcher Evan Gattis got a $6.7 million deal.