Ballbug: Column: At White Sox hitters camp, Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert providing plenty of smiles (David Haugh/Chicago Tribune)

Fed up Pirates fans want Bob Nutting to sell team after trades — PITTSBURGH — Some Pittsburgh Pirates fans are signing a petition to express their frustration following the team's decision to trade star outfielder Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants. — EDITOR'S PICKS

Discussion: ESPN

ESPN:
Josh Harrison: ‘Perhaps it would be better for all involved’ if Pirates trade me, too

Discussion: Beyond the Box Score, Pinstripe Alley and NBCSports.com

Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison could be available for Mets, Yankees

Discussion: Amazin' Avenue and Pinstripe Alley

Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:

B-Lark University: Barry Larkin shapes young stars...until he's ready to manage the Reds — EVERY OFFSEASON, PLAYERS LIKE DEE GORDON AND FRANCISCO LINDOR SEEK OUT THE PRIVATE COACHING OF BARRY LARKIN. TAKE A VISIT TO B-LARK UNIVERSITY. — ORLANDO - It wasn't yet winter break …

Bob Nightengale / USA Today:

Nationals' year of reckoning includes overlooked free agent: GM Mike Rizzo — WASHINGTON — It's almost spring training, and while the most powerful man in this city has doctors attesting he's in fine health, folks around here can't help but fear this could be the Washington Nationals' last stand.

Discussion: Mets Merized Online, MLB Trade Rumors, Federal Baseball and Nationals Pastime

Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:

Are the Cubs gearing up for a run at Bryce Harper? — CHICAGO — He was there, though only in spirit. — Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper was omnipresent at the recently completed Chicago Cubs fan convention simply because there's growing sentiment that he could be on the team after he hits free agency in November.

Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue

David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:

Column: At White Sox hitters camp, Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert providing plenty of smiles — Chicago Tribune — Chicago's next baseball superstar thought it was funny the other day when he passed White Sox manager Rick Renteria in the hallway at Camelback Ranch.

Marlowe Alter / Detroit Free Press:

Are the Detroit Tigers the worst team in MLB? Bleacher Report says yes — We're about a month away from a new era of Detroit Tigers baseball. — That's right, pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Lakeland, Fla. on Feb. 13, and the team's first full-squad workout is Feb. 19.

Discussion: Bless You Boys

Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

Hawaii false alarm isn't what woke up Hamels for 2018 — DALLAS — Cole Hamels is usually up before the sun to get in an off-season workout during his family's annual sojourn to Hawaii, but on Saturday, after a night out with friends, the left-hander actually allowed himself to sleep in.

ESPN:

Reliever Jeremy Jeffress pleads guilty to 2016 DWI charge — Milwaukee Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress pleaded guilty to a DWI charge on Tuesday stemming from a 2016 arrest. — Jeffress, then with the Texas Rangers, was arrested on Aug. 26, 2016, by Dallas police.

Associated Press:

Twins hire retired Justin Morneau as special assistant — MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins have hired the recently retired Justin Morneau as a special assistant. — The team said Wednesday that Morneau will become the fourth former Twins player from his generation to get the job …

Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:

Braves Acquire Shane Carle — The Braves announced that they've acquired right-hander Shane Carle from the Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Pittsburgh had designated the 26-year-old Carle for assignment over the weekend in order to clear space …

Discussion: Talking Chop

Associated Press:

Gerrit Cole welcomes chance to pitch alongside Justin Verlander — HOUSTON — Gerrit Cole is joining a rotation filled with aces. — “I was just tremendously excited,” Cole said Wednesday, four days after the Houston Astros acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Marc Edelman / Forbes:

Jenrry Mejia Is Likely To Pitch For Mets In 2018, Despite ‘Lifetime Ban’ — On February 12, 2016, New York Mets relief pitcher Jennry Mejia was given what many describe as a “lifetime ban” for testing positive, on a third separate occasion, for the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Discussion: Mets Merized Online