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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Associated Press:
Yelich near-unanimous pick as National League MVP; Carpenter finishes 9th — • Mookie Betts is ready to become an ambassador for baseball, now that he's won a batting title, World Series and Most Valuable Player award with Boston. “I enjoy being kind of a face around the game.
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 …
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Newly crowned MVP Mookie Betts staking a claim as MLB's best player — When you win a World Series, everybody remembers the big home runs and the clutch pitching performances, but the little plays can be just as important. Take Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.
Discussion:
CBS Boston
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.
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
Red Sox's Mookie Betts, Brewers' Christian Yelich win 2018 MLB MVP honors
Red Sox's Mookie Betts, Brewers' Christian Yelich win 2018 MLB MVP honors
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
With best years behind them, Giants face tough task of starting over — There is perhaps one positive way to look at the San Francisco Giants ' 2018 season. In 2017, the team lost 98 games and finished 40 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West …
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Bryce Harper: Why the Atlanta Braves should sign 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 make him an excellent fit for any major league franchise.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Phillies will spend big bucks in free agency, ‘maybe even be a little bit stupid about it’ — ATLANTA — If anyone had any doubt about Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton's intentions this winter, he made it abundantly clear before leaving the Major League Baseball owners' meetings.
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.
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred jabs new Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen, earns five-year extension
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB, Fox Sports Reach Reported $5.1 Billion Rights Agreement
MLB, Fox Sports Reach Reported $5.1 Billion Rights Agreement
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation and The Sports Daily
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Who could be the Detroit Tigers' next yearly award winners? — For the first time in 13 seasons, the Detroit Tigers did not have a player or manager receive a vote for a yearly award from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. — The absence of standout individual performances is not surprising …
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.”
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Nicole Yang / Boston Globe:
Alex Cora took in the Celtics-Bulls game following the announcement of his new contract terms — The party rocks on for Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who sat courtside for the Celtics-Bulls game at TD Garden Wednesday night. — The rookie skipper received a roaring applause upon being shown …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
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ESPN:
Veteran catcher Jeff Mathis agrees to two-year deal with Rangers — The Texas Rangers and veteran catcher Jeff Mathis have agreed to a two-year contract, The Athletic reported Thursday. — The deal is pending a physical. — Mathis, who turns 36 in March, is regarded as one of the game's top defensive catchers.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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 …
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.
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
Jacob deGrom at last gets a win: the Cy Young - in a landslide
Jacob deGrom at last gets a win: the Cy Young - in a landslide
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, New York Daily News, Birds Watcher and Forbes