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5:40 PM ET, November 8, 2018

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 Top News: 
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Bryce Harper rejects $300 million?  All part of Scott Boras' blueprint  —  It's a tradition quite unlike any other at Major League Baseball's offseason gatherings.  The Boras Corporation will send a text message to reporters informing them that Scott Boras will be fielding questions at an anointed time and place.
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Manny Machado to the Mets not happening despite team needing a bat  —  CARLSBAD, Calif. — If Manny Machado is going to be playing in New York next season, don't expect him to make Flushing his home.  —  A source said the Mets are not expected to be a player for Machado despite the natural fit …
Discussion: NorthJersey.com and USA Today
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets kicking the tires on bringing back Asdrubal Cabrera … CARLSBAD, Calif. — The Mets' search for versatile infield depth includes an old friend.  —  In their effort to find a player who can play second base — either as a starter or reserve — and give the team a backup shortstop …
Jesse Dougherty / Chicago Tribune:
'Harper's bazaar has begun' — and so has the Scott Boras Show  —  The Washington Post  —  The joke was either seven years in the making or it rolled off the top of Scott Boras' head.  —  Either way, the agent was ready to unleash it when asked about Bryce Harper at baseball's General Manager meetings on Wednesday.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Bryce Harper will sign with the Phillies. You can bank on it.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Adrian Beltre's decision on his playing career is coming, leaving 2 hard questions for him and Rangers to answer
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Scott Boras rips teams that won't spend while downplaying idea Yanks won't consider Harper
Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:
Let the games begin between agent Scott Boras and the Yankees over Bryce Harper
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley and New York Times
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:   Agent Scott Boras ready to listen to ‘historical’ offers for Bryce Harper
Jared Diamond / Wall Street Journal:   The Best Free-Agent Class in Baseball History Has Lost Its Luster
Associated Press:
Mallex Smith dealt to Mariners by Rays for Zunino, Heredia  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Mallex Smith was made a promise by Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto when he was acquired for a second time by the Mariners after an initial tenure that lasted less than two hours.
RELATED:
Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Mariners working on a trade that would send catcher Mike Zunino, outfielder Guillermo Heredia to the Rays
ESPN:   Rays finalizing trade for Mariners catcher Mike Zunino, per report
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Who would the Cubs be willing to trade this offseason?  —  Photos of Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As the Cubs seek to improve a 95-win team without adding significantly to an already bloated payroll, the same names are usually bandied about in trade rumors.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Future of Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey in question after report he's on way out
Discussion: Chicago Tribune
Bruce Levine / 670 The Score:
Cubs Scouring Market For Bullpen Help
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Paul Sullivan / Sacramento Bee:   After knocking off the Cubs in the NL Central, the Brewers are primed for an encore
New York Daily News:
Yankees announce Gary Sanchez's shoulder surgery went ‘as expected’  —  The surgery to fix Gary Sanchez's ailing left shoulder went “as expected,” the Yankees announced.  —  Sanchez underwent the left shoulder debridement on Thursday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Gary Sanchez to have shoulder surgery, expected to be ready by Opening Day
Discussion: Sporting News and MLB Daily Dish
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Gary Sanchez to have shoulder procedure, but expected to be ready for Opening Day
Barry M. Bloom / Forbes:
Dodgers Exercise Option To Bring Dave Roberts Back As Manager In 2019  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers have picked up the option on Dave Roberts, who will continue to manage the team next season with the hope they can negotiate a longer term deal over time.  —  Andrew Friedman …
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers pick up option on manager Dave Roberts' contract
Discussion: DodgerBlue.com
Associated Press:   Dodgers exercise Roberts' option while eyeing long-term deal
Associated Press:
Farhan Zaidi ready to take a team effort leading Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Farhan Zaidi understands the intrigue that stems from his unique baseball path: from the small-budget Oakland Athletics to the big-spending Los Angeles Dodgers and back to the Bay Area to join the rival Giants.
RELATED:
Andy McCullough / Baltimore Sun:   Dodgers have to figure out how to replace Farhan Zaidi
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:   Giants' new baseball chief Zaidi talks Bumgarner, rebuild, working with Bochy
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox GM weighs in on Jerry Reinsdorf's patience level — 'It's not running out' — and Michael Kopech's season-ending injury — a ‘kick in the gut’  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Is Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf losing any patience with the rebuild after the White Sox's 100-loss season in 2018?  —  Not yet.
RELATED:
Associated Press:   White Sox extend manager Rick Renteria's contract past 2019
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
MLB focused on use of technology to steal signs  —  CARLSBAD, Calif. — Major League Baseball is continuing to take a hard look at the use of technology in order to steal signs during games, according to MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem.  Discussions this winter will help determine if they expand in-game security.
Associated Press:
J.T. Realmuto, Amed Rosario drive in two runs each to power MLB All-Stars over Yomiuri Giants  —  TOKYO — J.T. Realmuto and Amed Rosario drove in two runs each to lead the MLB All-Stars over the Yomiuri Giants 9-6 on Thursday in a warm-up game ahead of their six-game exhibition series against Japan's national team.
Discussion: ESPN
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves GM Meetings recap: Anthopoulos has options  —  Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos leaves the general manager meetings with a better understanding of the market, but nonetheless in a similar spot before his arrival.  —  Anthopoulos and 29 other GMs, along with abundant agents and reporters …
Discussion: Talking Chop
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Document prepared for potential investors says Dodgers plan on staying under luxury tax threshold  —  The Dodgers plan to keep their player payroll below the level that would require a luxury tax payment for at least the next four years, according to a document prepared for potential investors and reviewed by The Los Angeles Times.
ESPN:
Pirates re-sign Jung Ho Kang to 1-year deal  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates have re-signed infielder Jung Ho Kang to a one-year contract, the team announced Thursday.  —  Kang played in only three games — the Pirates' season-ending series against the Cincinnati Reds — in 2018 after missing nearly …
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
ESPN:
AL West offseason preview: Can Angels keep Mike Trout happy?  —  With free agency underway, the offseason is going to pick up steam.  What are the big questions facing all 30 teams?  We continue our division-by-division series with a look at the American League West.  —  2018 record: 103-59
 
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 More News: 
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Agree To Minor League Deal With Jett Bandy
Discussion: Dallas Morning News
 Earlier Picks: 
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' final season at Globe Life Park now has a farewell logo
Jim McLennan / AZ Snake Pit:
Arizona Diamondbacks named Wilson Defensive Team of the Year
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Hire Dave Hudgens As Bench Coach
Discussion: Bluebird Banter and Yahoo News
 

 
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