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.
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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
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
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.
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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
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Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Manny Machado to the Mets not happening despite team needing a bat
Manny Machado to the Mets not happening despite team needing a bat
Discussion:
USA Today and NorthJersey.com
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets kicking the tires on bringing back Asdrubal Cabrera
Mets kicking the tires on bringing back Asdrubal Cabrera
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, SNY and The Sports Daily
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.
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:
CBSSports.com, NESN.com and USA Today
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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.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
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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
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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
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
As GM meetings conclude, Cardinals are all about the upgrades — CARLSBAD, Calif. • By the end of the 72-hour mixer Major League Baseball held this week for executives from all 30 clubs, the Cardinals' front office had talked with almost every team, explored a variety of trades …
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.
Dan Caesar / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Molina, other big leagues playing games in Japan on MLB Network — Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, a fan favorite, is on a team of big-league baseball players touring Japan to play a series of games against standout players from that nation. — Molina shined in a tune-up game Thursday …
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.
Discussion:
South Side Sox, Over the Monster, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Talking Chop