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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

Column: Which players 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.

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.

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.

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

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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. …

Willie McCovey remembered for humility and care for others  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Aside from that fearsome left-handed swing everybody knew, Willie McCovey provided an example of humility in how he lived for many of his  —  San Francisco Giants teammates year after year.

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 …