Top News:
ESPN:
Manny Machado sends his thanks to Dodgers, fans as free agency beckons — While Manny Machado was noncommittal as to his future after the Los Angeles Dodgers lost the World Series in five games, he may have shed insight into his thinking Wednesday when he took to Instagram. — EDITOR'S PICKS
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Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Clayton Kershaw and Dodgers agree to extend deadline on option decision to Friday — Wednesday was supposed to mark the beginning of a busy Dodgers offseason. Clayton Kershaw had until midnight Eastern time — three days after Sunday's season-ending loss to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw Push Opt-Out Deadline To Friday Afternoon — The Dodgers announced tonight that they've agreed to push back the deadline on Clayton Kershaw's opt-out decision until Friday afternoon at 4pm ET. The original agreement in his contract was that he'd have three days …
Discussion:
True Blue LA, Bless You Boys and Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Pitching coach Derek Johnson latest to depart Craig Counsell's staff — MILWAUKEE — Brewers pitching coach Derek Johnson is leaving the team, the third departure on manager Craig Counsell's staff since the end of the season. — EDITOR'S PICKS — General manager David Stearns …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Hire Pitching Coach Derek Johnson Away From Brewers — 4:57pm: MLB.com's Adam McCalvy tweets that Milwaukee general manager David Stearns has confirmed that Johnson is leaving the organization. The Brewers had “extensive” negotiations in an effort to retain Johnson, Stearns said …
Discussion:
Red Reporter, Brew Crew Ball and Al's Ramblings
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds hire Derek Johnson as pitching coach from the Milwaukee Brewers — The Reds have made improving their pitching a priority in the offseason and they took their first step by hiring Derek Johnson as their new pitching coach, according to a source.
Associated Press:
Bill Fischer, who spent seven decades in pro baseball, dies at 88 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former big league pitcher Bill Fischer, who spent more than seven decades as a player and coach in professional baseball, died Tuesday. He was 88. — The Royals announced Fischer's death in a statement Wednesday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Jake Levin / NECN:
Red Sox Fan Recovering After Assault by Dodgers Fans — The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case as an assault with a deadly weapon and a robbery — Red Sox Fan Attacked by Dodgers Fans — A Boston Red Sox fan is recovering after he was attacked by Dodgers fans …
Discussion:
Fox News and Sports Illustrated
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Associated Press:
Thrown beer at Red Sox parade damages World Series trophy
Discussion:
WKYC-TV and BostonGlobe.com
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Who will define MLB's superteam era? Ranking the top 6 contenders
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Astros decline catcher Brian McCann's $15M option — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have declined their $15 million club option for 2019 on catcher Brian McCann. — EDITOR'S PICKS — McCann spent the last two seasons with the Astros after a trade from the New York Yankees in November 2016.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Talking Chop and The Crawfish Boxes
ESPN:
Brett Gardner staying with Yankees on new deal — NEW YORK — Brett Gardner is staying with the New York Yankees at a lower salary. — The 35-year-old outfielder agreed Wednesday to a one-year contract after New York declined his $12.5 million option for 2019.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Willie McCovey Passes Away — The Giants issued a heavy-hearted statement Wednesday, announcing that Hall of Famer and franchise icon Willie McCovey has passed away peacefully at the age of 80 “after losing his battle with ongoing health issues.” — “San Francisco and the entire baseball community lost …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, MLB Baseball News …, Lone Star Ball and baseballmusings.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks Name Darnell Coles Hitting Coach — The D-backs have announced that Darnell Coles, who recently stepped down as the Brewers' hitting coach, has been hired as the new hitting coach in Arizona. He'll replace the recently dismissed Dave Magadan.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals Reportedly “Finalizing” Contract With Trevor Rosenthal — 12:58pm: Unsurprisingly, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets, it'll be a MLB deal that's structured similarly to the contract that Greg Holland signed with the Rockies for the 2016 campaign.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, FanGraphs Baseball, Cubs Insider, MLB Daily Dish and Lone Star Ball
