Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas learned value of quick outs in Japan — The return to the majors from Japan, where the league's schedule has a built-in day off each week, will mean less time away from the ballpark for new Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas. But the change in culture could be something more at the ballpark.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals Winter Warm-Up: Traveling path from good to great — St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak greets pitcher Alex Reyes during St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm-Up on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency in St. Louis. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals' Voit works toward adding outfielder to his resume — ST. LOUIS • If you happened upon a recent Maryville baseball practice and thought, hey, that outfielder sure looks like Luke Voit, you are not losing it. — The Cardinals' backup first baseman told the Post-Dispatch …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards catcher Carson Kelly aims for more power, consistency — Young Cardinals catcher Carson Kelly is only 23 but, presumably, could be the starting catcher for several major league teams. Just not this one. — To that end, Kelly, who backs up eight-time All-Star Yadier Molina, has remained in St. Louis this off-season.
Kurt Voigt / Associated Press:
St. Louis Cardinals not ruling out more free agent signings — John Mozeliak did his best to keep any emotional reaction to last season's disappointment at bay. — That was no easy task at times for the president of the St. Louis Cardinals, particularly following a season …
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros Acquire Gerrit Cole — The Astros have acquired right-hander Gerrit Cole from the Pirates for righties Joe Musgrove and Michael Feliz, third baseman Colin Moran and outfielder Jason Martin, according to announcements from both teams. — Houston and Pittsburgh nearly reached …
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Justin Verlander / ESPN:
Pirates RHP Gerrit Cole traded to Astros in 5-player deal — The World Series champion Houston Astros have boosted their rotation with another big arm, acquiring Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a five-player trade. — The deal was announced Saturday.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Nicholas Parco / New York Daily News:
Pirates trade Yankees' target Gerrit Cole to Astros: report
Pirates trade Yankees' target Gerrit Cole to Astros: report
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and Bucs Dugout
ESPN:
Mets bringing on Adrian Gonzalez, sources say — Adrian Gonzalez has agreed to a deal with the New York Mets pending a physical, according to ESPN and other multiple reports. — It's the second significant move for New York this week. The team brought back free-agent outfielder Jay Bruce …
Discussion:
Sporting News and baseballmusings.com
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Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
Through injuries and off-the-field issues, Matt Bush still has his aim set for starting role — IRVING — Matt Bush will not be deterred. He remains determined to make a remarkable career change, going from the Rangers' bullpen to the rotation. — “My mind-set, my motivation …
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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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:
CBSSports.com, Purple Row, Mets Merized Online, FanGraphs Baseball, Bleacher Nation and Lone Star Ball
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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:
CBSSports.com, Sporting News and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Suspended Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia is expected to apply for reinstatement — MLB awards season is here. Take a look at all the 2017 winners. USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT — The annual reminder that Jenrry Mejia is still a Met comes around this time each year when the suspended reliever agrees …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Mets Merized Online
Doug Kyed / NESN.com:
James Harrison Will Find Out Monday If Patriots Play Steelers Or Jaguars — FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots outside linebacker James Harrison won't be watching Sunday afternoon's AFC Divisional Round matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk