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.
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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
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?
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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.
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
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
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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.”
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Jenna West / Sports Illustrated:
Hal Steinbrenner Calls Manny Machado's October Comments on Hustling ‘Troubling’
Discussion:
New York Post, CBSSports.com and NESN.com
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians INF Jose Ramirez finishes third in 2018 AL Most Valuable Player voting — Cleveland Indians infielder Jose Ramirez finished third in the voting for the 2018 American League Most Valuable Player Award. — CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians infielder Jose Ramirez finished third …
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 …
New York Post:
Writer who didn't vote for deGrom hangs up on WFAN host … The one baseball writer who didn't make Jacob deGrom's Cy Young Award win unanimous also apparently wasn't in the mood to “Schmooze.” — Longtime WFAN host Steve Somers, who landed an interview with John Maffei …
Discussion:
Washington Post and Bleacher Nation
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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
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.
