Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Bryce Harper to Giants? It could be a perfect fit — When the Giants tried and failed to convince Giancarlo Stanton to accept a trade to San Francisco last winter, the real driving force behind their effort was not Larry Baer, the team's chief executive officer, nor Brian Sabean …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards head to GM Meetings in market for a premium player — Seated at the head of the table, near the front of the room, and fielding questions about how he intends to get the Cardinals back in the postseason, John Mozeliak listed the team's traditional selling points to free agents …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com
ESPN:
Dallas Keuchel, Bryce Harper among 7 to get qualifying offers — Houston Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper were two of seven major league players to receive qualifying offers Friday. — The players who received the offers have 10 days …
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Talking Chop
Maria Torres / Los Angeles Times:
Bryce Harper, Manny Machado headline 2018 free agency — When he signed a $93-million, three-year contract extension with the Dodgers on Friday, Clayton Kershaw opted not to test a free-agent market headlined by a pair of younger generational talents in Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros extend qualifying offer to pitcher Dallas Keuchel
Discussion:
Houston Chronicle and KHOU-TV
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Why Mookie Betts is the perfect player, and other fun stats — Before there was Baseball-Reference.com, there was “The Bill James Handbook,” the annual statistical compilation of the baseball season. The “Handbook” still exists, and it's still wonderful — 600 pages of stats and essays and delightful nuggets of information.
Associated Press:
Alex Cora brings World Series trophy to Puerto Rico — CAGUAS, Puerto Rico — Hundreds of arms stretched into the sky in the hometown of Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Saturday, as fans took pictures and video of the first man from Puerto Rico to lead a team to a World Series championship.
Discussion:
ESPN
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Justin Leger / NBCSports.com:
2018 Red Sox' biggest damage was done to doubters — Sometimes you just have to know when to tip your cap and admit you were wrong. — I'm not sure any team has been doubted and questioned more throughout a dominant run more than the 2018 Boston Red Sox.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays' Joey Wendle an interesting case for AL rookie award with finalists named Monday — The Rays are expected to have finalists named Monday night for two of the major postseason awards, with Blake Snell arguably the favorite for American League Cy Young honors and Kevin Cash a worthy candidate for manager of the year.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs prospect Nico Hoerner singles in West's 7-6 comeback victory in AFL Fall Stars Game — Chicago Tribune — Cubs prospect Nico Hoerner went 1-for-2, and his West team rallied with two runs in the ninth for a 7-6 victory in the AFL Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium in Arizona.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, Minor League Ball, Talking Chop and Over the Monster
ESPN:
Reds mourn death of pitcher Jairo Capellan after crash in Dominican — CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds say pitcher Jairo Capellan was killed and two other minor leagues players were injured in a car accident Saturday morning in the Dominican Republic. — Dick Williams, the Reds' president …
Patrick Mooney / The Athletic:
How the Cubs are assessing the messy Addison Russell situation — As the Cubs prepare to add and subtract from their roster this offseason, shortstop Addison Russell remains in limbo, serving a 40-game suspension under Major League Baseball's joint domestic violence policy with the players' union.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News … and Bleacher Nation
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets cut Rafael Montero, once considered an ace of the future — Once considered a future ace of the franchise, Rafael Montero was cut by the Mets Friday. The right-hander, who had surgery in the spring, ended up pitching in just 58 major league games for the Mets.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Multi-talented Daulton Varsho could be Diamondbacks' catcher of the future — Diamondbacks prospect Daulton Varsho has a short, stocky build, a compact swing from the left side, more power than expected and enough speed that some scouts think he could one day steal 20 bases in the big leagues.
