Top News:
Arizona Republic:
Columnist Kent Somers: Trading Paul Goldschmidt would be painful for the Diamondbacks but it's a necessary move. — After enduring a September that dismembered the Diamondbacks' hopes for a division title, General Manager Mike Hazen left open all options for 2019, saying …
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Phillies will spend big bucks in free agency, ‘maybe even be a little bit stupid about it’
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Phillies owner John Middleton vows to spend big this winter
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Phillies Nation
Corey Seidman / NBCSports.com:
What would spending ‘stupid’ money look like for Phillies this offseason?
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' new staff may be piling up first-year coaches, but don't underestimate their ability to make a positive impact — They are treating this almost as if they are starting from scratch. — And maybe they are. — The Rangers have fallen on hard times, some of it self-inflicted …
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram and WFAA-TV
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Associated Press:
Rangers hire Julio Rangel to handle pitching staff — ARLINGTON, Texas — Julio Rangel has been hired by the Texas Rangers as pitching coach for new manager Chris Woodward. — Rangel will be with a big league staff for the first time after 12 years as a pitching instructor and coordinator …
Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers hire first-timer to majors Julio Rangel as new pitching coach — Texas Rangers rookie manager Chris Woodward will have a pitching coach making his major-league debut in 2019. — The Rangers on Friday unveiled Julio Rangel as their pitching coach. Rangel, 43, has never worked at the major-league level.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and MLB Baseball News …
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
NY Mets were open to Noah Syndergaard trade during summer; talks could heat up in winter — NEW YORK — If the Mets are going to trade Noah Syndergaard, Jeff Wilpon is expecting an offer that general manager Brodie Van Wagenen can't refuse. — “It all depends what Brodie thinks he can get back.
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Kristie Ackert / Baltimore Sun:
Jeff Wilpon says an extension for Jacob deGrom is not the Mets' top priority right now — Jeff Wilpon said that he spoke with Jacob deGrom Wednesday night, but he did not mention an extension during his conversation with the 2018 Cy Young Award winner. The Mets COO said Friday afternoon …
Discussion:
Sporting News and New York Daily News
Ashley Varela / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Astros acquire Aledmys Díaz from Blue Jays — Aledmys Díaz from the Blue Jays in exchange for minor league right-hander Trent Thornton, the teams announced Saturday. — Díaz, 28, was originally acquired by the Blue Jays last winter in a swap for minor leaguer J.B. Woodman.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, MLB Daily Dish and Batter's Box Interactive …
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
RedsXtra: Predictions for '19 are impossible at this point and will be until we see which pitchers the Reds add — I was on a panel discussing all things Reds the other night at the Green Diamond Gallery. Toward the end, someone asked for our predictions on the Reds record for 2019.
Mark Fischer / Baltimore Sun:
Manny Machado-Yankees free agency debate makes way to Joe Girardi — Joe Girardi's future in the majors seems as unclear as the crop of free agents he analyzed over the last season for MLB Network. — That group of course includes the prized — and controversial — Manny Machado.
Discussion:
New York Daily News
New York Daily News:
Derek Jeter celebrates Marlins logo reveal with Yankees pal — Derek Jeter celebrated the rebranding of the Marlins with an old pal. — The Captain was joined by Jorge Posada, among others, on Thursday night at a Miami hot spot hours after introducing his slick new logo to the rest of the majors.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Sports Illustrated
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Internal email from Mariners CEO says team did its own review of ex-employee's allegations and found no wrongdoing — In an email sent to Seattle Mariners employees Friday afternoon, team CEO and chairman John Stanton said the club did a “thorough internal review” of the allegations of racism …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Bleacher Report, Yahoo News and Lookout Landing
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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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.
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David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Newly crowned MVP Mookie Betts staking a claim as MLB's best player
Discussion:
CBS Boston
