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12:00 AM ET, November 9, 2018

Ballbug

 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:
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Top agent Scott Boras calls rebuilding MLB teams a ‘competitive cancer’  —  The Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper takes off his batting helmet after he flied out against the Chicago Cubs this past season.  The Nationals made an offer to Harper late in the season in an attempt to reach a deal before he became a free agent.
Gabriel Baumgaertner / Sports Illustrated:
How Well Would Bryce Harper Fit With the Yankees? It's Complicated
Discussion: CBSSports.com and NESN.com
Jesse Dougherty / Chicago Tribune:   'Harper's bazaar has begun' — and so has the Scott Boras Show
Jared Diamond / Wall Street Journal:   The Best Free-Agent Class in Baseball History Has Lost Its Luster
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:   Scott Boras rips teams that won't spend while downplaying idea Yanks won't consider Harper
David Whitley / Baltimore Sun:
Tim Tebow gets baseball promotion, and outrage ensues  —  Orlando Sentinel  —  Spring training is three months away, but it's always Tebow season for baseball skeptics.  —  They have come out firing after the New York Mets said Tim Tebow would likely start the year in Triple-A. That's …
Discussion: New York Post and USA Today
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: USA Today and NorthJersey.com
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets kicking the tires on bringing back Asdrubal Cabrera
ESPN:
25 players eligible for MLB arbitration as super 2s  —  Cincinnati outfielder Scott Schebler and Texas pitcher Matt Bush just missed the cutoff for salary arbitration eligibility, while Chicago Cubs pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. and Toronto pitcher Joe Biagini earned the final spots.
RELATED:
ESPN:   25 players eligible for MLB arbitration as super 2s
ESPN:   25 players eligible for MLB arbitration as super 2s
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:
ESPN:   Rays finalizing trade for Mariners catcher Mike Zunino, per report
Mark W. Sanchez / New York Post:
Yankees sign veteran catcher as more Gary Sanchez insurance  —  A day after the Yankees announced a surprise Gary Sanchez surgery, they moved to further solidify his position.  —  The Yankees have signed veteran catcher Ryan Lavarnway to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, The Post's Joel Sherman reported Thursday.
Discussion: Over the Monster
RELATED:
New York Daily News:   Yankees announce Gary Sanchez's shoulder surgery went ‘as expected’
Associated Press:
Gary Sanchez to have shoulder surgery, expected to be ready by Opening Day
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish and Sporting News
Associated Press:
Man wins $100,000 lottery prize by picking Red Sox jersey numbers  —  A Massachusetts great-grandfather has won a $100,000 lottery prize by picking the jersey numbers of five members of the World Series-winning Boston Red Sox.  —  The lottery said in a statement that 84-year-old Jim Aylward Jr. …
Discussion: NESN.com and USA Today
RELATED:
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants' new boss Farhan Zaidi gets down to business at GM meetings  —  CARLSBAD, San Diego County — As Farhan Zaidi tried to hurry across the hotel grounds at the general managers' meetings Thursday, two young men approached asking him to sign baseballs.  —  “Can you write ‘Go Giants’ on there?” one asked.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers mailbag: How long will rebuild last?  Don't sugarcoat it  —  Taking a look at what the Tigers' starting lineup and pitching rotation could look like to open the 2019 season.  Video by Anthony Fenech and Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press.  —  CONNECT  —  CARLSBAD, Calif. - Buckle up for boredom.
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
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.
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
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
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.
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays have major decisions to make with their infield  —  CARLSBAD, CA - The Blue Jays infield, with all the intrigue and possible plot lines, is worthy of a Agatha Christie novel.  —  There are so many different scenarios that could unfold next season, or even this off-season …
Mark Townsend / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Silver Slugger winners announced for 2018  —  Baseball award season is in full swing.  While we won't know the major individual award — MVP, Cy Young, Manager of the Year and Rookie of the Year — winners until week, Major League Baseball has set the table this week with a couple tasty appetizers.
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
Paul Sullivan / Sacramento Bee:
After knocking off the Cubs in the NL Central, the Brewers are primed for an encore  —  The Cubs ended their season with a thud, blowing the division to the Brewers and losing in the wild-card game to the Rockies.  —  President Theo Epstein vowed to fix a “broke” offense in the offseason …
RELATED:
Bruce Levine / 670 The Score:
Cubs Scouring Market For Bullpen Help
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
 
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 More News: 
Janie McCauley / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Willie McCovey remembered for humility and care for others
Discussion: McCovey Chronicles
Zachary D. Rymer / Bleacher Report:
Corey Kluber Blockbuster Trade Is the 1 All-in Risk Yankees Need to Win a Title
Discussion: Forbes and Cubs Insider
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Which players would the Cubs be willing to trade this offseason?
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Agree To Minor League Deal With Jett Bandy
Associated Press:
J.T. Realmuto, Amed Rosario drive in two runs each to power MLB All-Stars over Yomiuri Giants
Discussion: ESPN
 Earlier Picks: 
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' final season at Globe Life Park now has a farewell logo
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox GM weighs in on Jerry Reinsdorf's patience level …
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves GM Meetings recap: Anthopoulos has options
Discussion: Talking Chop
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
ESPN:
Pirates re-sign Jung Ho Kang to 1-year deal
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
 

 
From WeSmirch:

David Browne / Rolling Stone:
Dickey Betts, Allman Brothers Band Singer-Guitarist, Dead at 80

Russ Weakland / Daily Mail:
Travis Kelce's favorite songs on Taylor Swift's new album REVEALED - as NFL champ plans something ‘special’ to celebrate the release of Tortured Poets Department

TMZ.com:
Kanye West Suspect in Battery Report After Man Allegedly Grabs at His Wife

 
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