Former Cleveland Indians Omar Vizquel, Travis Hafner, Manny Ramirez on Hall of Fame ballot for 2019  —  Former Cleveland Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel, designated hitter Travis Hafner and slugger Manny Ramirez on Hall of Fame ballot for 2019.  —  CLEVELAND — Could slugger Jim Thome …

Bryce, Manny, Corbin and more?  What a Yankees spending spree could bring  —  It's been a miserable, wretched nine seasons in the Bronx.  No World Series titles for the New York Yankees.  No World Series appearances.  The Yankees haven't finished in first place since 2012.

World Series MVP Steve Pearce: Boston ‘the place that I wanted to be’  —  BOSTON — World Series MVP Steve Pearce says it was a “no-brainer” to return to the Red Sox for another year.  —  “This was the place that I wanted to be,” he said on a conference call Monday, three days after agreeing …

Noah Syndergaard trade talk proves Mets' approach all wrong  —  The first step for the Mets to succeed in 2019 is to have a clear, concise direction and message.  Know who you are as a team and what identity you are establishing.  —  That is Job No. 1.  —  It's not that hard, Mets.  You make it hard.

Speedy Braves prospect Didder motivated by those before him  —  SCOTTSDALE, ARI.  Braves prospect Ray-Patrick Didder enjoyed playing baseball growing up.  It was a hobby more than an aspiration.  Athletically gifted, signing with a major league team still wasn't at the forefront of Didder's mind.

40-man roster deadline: There's 1 spot free for the Cubs, while White Sox have 5  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs' decision to protect infielder David Bote last November didn't get much attention, but it turned out to be one of their best moves of the offseason.

Griffin Conine, son of Mr. Marlin, tests positive for banned stimulant  —  NEW YORK — Toronto outfielder Griffin Conine, a son of former major league outfielder Jeff Conine, has been suspended for the first 50 games of next season under the minor league drug program for a positive test for the banned stimulant ritalinic acid.

Brewers hire hitting coach Andy Haines , pitching coach Chris Hook and bullpen coach Steve Karsay  —  The Milwaukee Brewers filled the three openings in their coaching staff Monday, naming Andy Haines hitting coach, Chris Hook pitching coach and Steve Karsay bullpen coach.

Indians Acquire Chih-Wei Hu From Rays  —  The Indians announced that they've acquired right-hander Chih-Wei Hu from the Rays in exchange for minor league infielder Gionti Turner.  The 25-year-old Hu brings Cleveland's 40-man roster count to 36 players, while the deal gives the Rays organization …

MLB Free-Agent Matchmaker: One Player Each American League Team Should Sign  —  Free agency is all about playing matchmaker, as players, agents and teams all try to woo each other and form a more perfect union.  Each squad, though, goes into the winter with a select list of targets …

ESPN to air 3 of Cubs' 1st 5 games in 2019  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Despite a quick exit from the 2018 postseason, the Cubs have maintained their national popularity.  —  ESPN announced Monday it will carry three of the Cubs' first five regular-season games in 2019: March 31 against the Rangers …