Top News:
Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA:
Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is nearly unanimous as MVP in first season after trade — Christian Yelich is the ninth player overall and the second in the NL to be named MVP in his first season with a club after being traded. — The other such NL winner was Braves third baseman Bob Elliott in 1947.
RELATED:
Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA:
Batting champ Mookie Betts wins AL MVP — Mookie Betts was elected the American League MVP, marking the 10th time a Red Sox player was honored. The others were Ted Williams in 1946 and 1949, Jimmie Foxx in 1938, Jackie Jensen in 1958, Fred Lynn in 1975, Jim Rice in 1978, Roger Clemens in 1986 …
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Mookie Betts, Christian Yelich win AL and NL MVP awards — Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts became the latest player to deny Mike Trout a third American League MVP award, while Milwaukee Brewers outfielder and Thousand Oaks native Christian Yelich captured the National League MVP in a nearly unanimous vote.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Christian Yelich, Mookie Betts Win MVP Awards — The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced tonight that Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich was voted the Most Valuable Player of the National League. Meanwhile, fellow outfielder Mookie Betts took the prize in the American League.
Discussion:
BBWAA
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB, Fox Sports Reach Reported $5.1 Billion Rights Agreement — Major League Baseball announced today that it has reached a new seven-year, multiplatform agreement with FOX Sports spanning the 2022-28 seasons. Eric Fisher of Sports Business Journal reports (via Twitter) …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation and The Sports Daily
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Baseball owners extend commissioner Rob Manfred's contract — ATLANTA — Baseball owners have extended the contract of Commissioner Rob Manfred after two days of meetings in Atlanta. — The owners put off any decision Thursday on changes that might speed games.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred jabs new Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen, earns five-year extension — ATLANTA - Just how much has life changed for Commissioner Rob Manfred, who four years ago was the subject of contentious debate among owners whether he deserved the job, and Thursday was unanimously approved for a five-year extension?
Daily Record:
Now is the time for Jacob deGrom and NY Mets to get a new deal done — Brodie Van Wagenen on the GM Meetings — Both Jacob deGrom and the Mets understood that they could hold off a few weeks before starting any potential contract negotiations. — DeGrom first had an award to win.
RELATED:
New York Post:
Writer who didn't vote for deGrom hangs up on WFAN host
Discussion:
Washington Post and Bleacher Nation
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Jacob deGrom at last gets a win: the Cy Young - in a landslide
Discussion:
Forbes, NorthJersey.com, New York Daily News and Birds Watcher
Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA:
Mets' ace Jacob deGrom rolls to landslide victory for Cy Young Award on the strength of 1.70 ERA
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Jacob deGrom led MLB in ERA while setting records, and should win Cy Young on Wednesday
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Kate Upton has much different reaction to Justin Verlander not winning Cy Young
Discussion:
New York Post, CBSSports.com and The Sports Daily
Associated Press:
Alex Cora gets a new deal from the Red Sox — Alex Cora brought a new voice and culture to the Boston Red Sox that helped propel them to their latest World Series title. — The Red Sox rewarded him for bringing home a championship in his first year with the team by giving him a new contract …
Discussion:
Minor League Ball
RELATED:
Nicole Yang / Boston Globe:
Alex Cora took in the Celtics-Bulls game following the announcement of his new contract terms
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Announce Extension With Alex Cora
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Yankees GM: Hustling ‘always a prerequisite,’ but won't discuss Manny Machado — New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman refused to enter the Manny Machado hustle debate Thursday, telling ESPN New York Radio that the bottom line is putting together “the best team we possibly can.”
RELATED:
Jenna West / Sports Illustrated:
Hal Steinbrenner Calls Manny Machado's October Comments on Hustling ‘Troubling’
Discussion:
New York Post, CBSSports.com and NESN.com
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Bryce Harper: Why the San Francisco Giants should sign the free agent — Bryce Harper, a National League MVP at 23, is a free agent at 26, peddling his services in an industry that's grown to nearly $11 billion in annual revenues. His combination of skills, age and marketing cachet …
Associated Press:
Japan beats MLB All-Stars 4-1 in final of exhibition series — NAGOYA, Japan — Sosuke Genda drove in three runs with a bases-clearing triple as Japan beat the MLB All-Stars 4-1 in the final of their six-game exhibition series on Thursday. — Genda tripled down the right field line off …
Gary Peterson / Mercury News:
Report: Draymond Green plans to appeal Warriors' $120,000 fine for verbal altercation with Kevin Durant — Draymond Green plans to appeal the $120,000 fine levied by the Warriors after Green's altercation with teammate Kevin Durant, ESPN reported Thursday. — Green and Durant quarreled late …
Discussion:
Marin Independent Journal, Daily Breeze and The Spun
RELATED:
Marcus Thompson II / The Athletic:
Unpacking the Draymond Green-Kevin Durant rift and what the fall out could mean long term
Discussion:
The Ringer, Hoops Rumors, Deadspin, NESN.com, The Spun and Sportsnet.ca
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs bump season ticket prices 2.6 percent — but discount some upper-deck seats — Photos of the ongoing renovations at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. — Chicago Tribune — Cubs season ticket-holders will see an average increase of 2.6 percent, the team announced Thursday.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets address reliever issues by signing lefty who hasn't pitched in big leagues since 2016 — The Mets have signed 30-year-old lefty reliever Ryan O'Rourke to a minor league contract Thursday. He also will receive an invite to major league spring training.
Larry Stone / The Seattle Times:
Bench coach Manny Acta defends Scott Servais, Mariners after allegations of racism by Lorena Martin — In a phone call from the Dominican Republic, Acta said during his three years on Servais' staff, he has never seen signs of the behavior alleged by former director of high performance Lorena Martin.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
RELATED:
Matt Calkins / The Seattle Times:
Let's not make assumptions about Lorena Martin or the Mariners
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
