Top News:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
5 candidates to replace Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey — Chicago Tribune — With several other major-league teams' coaching staffs virtually set, the timing isn't the greatest for the Cubs to be looking for a new pitching coach. — But there are still several qualified candidates …
RELATED:
Jeff Gordon / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tipsheet: Cubs chaos continues as pitching coach Hickey departs — Say, what's going on with the Chicago Cubs? — Manager Joe Maddon is entering the final year of his five-year contract — and he is not getting an extension, despite his 387-261 record in the Windy City.
Discussion:
Cubs Insider and Bleacher Nation
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey steps down, becoming the team's third coach who won't return — Chicago Tribune — An unsettling Cubs offseason became choppier Tuesday, when they confirmed that pitching coach Jim Hickey resigned after only one season for what he called personal reasons.
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation and The Athletic
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Former Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey leaves Cubs for ‘personal reasons’
Former Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey leaves Cubs for ‘personal reasons’
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Roster moves leave Cubs and White Sox with little risk of losing top prospects in Rule 5 draft — Chicago Tribune — The maneuvering by the Cubs and White Sox prior to Tuesday's deadline to finalize 40-man rosters left them with minimal risk three weeks before the Rule 5 draft.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals add power pitchers Helsley, Cabrera to roster, protecting them from Rule 5 draft — The decisions the Cardinals ended up making before Tuesday's deadline to set their roster had less to do with the roles a handful of prospects could play for them in the coming season than it did assuring …
Detroit Free Press:
Last Slide — The Detroit Tigers wasted no time in protecting …
Last Slide — The Detroit Tigers wasted no time in protecting …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Deadline To Set 40-Man Rosters Before Rule 5 Draft Is Tonight
Deadline To Set 40-Man Rosters Before Rule 5 Draft Is Tonight
Discussion:
Royals Review, Denver Post, Purple Row and Al's Ramblings
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds add Jimmy Herget to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 Draft deadline
Cincinnati Reds add Jimmy Herget to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 Draft deadline
Discussion:
Red Reporter and River Avenue Blues
Associated Press:
Former NASA engineer Sig Mejdal leaves Astros for Orioles — BALTIMORE — New Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias called upon a familiar face to help rebuild the club, hiring former NASA engineer Sig Mejdal from the Houston Astros to be assistant general manager for analytics.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Jon Meoli / Baltimore Sun:
New Orioles GM Mike Elias brings former Astros analytics chief Sig Mejdal along to Baltimore — The Orioles next Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias meets with the media. (Kevin Richardson / Baltimore Sun video) — An Orioles analytics department that was previously marginalized …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Manny Machado clarifies controversial ‘Johnny Hustle’ comment — After a tumultuous postseason, Manny Machado is doing his best to answer lingering questions that hang over his free agency. — Machado was criticized during the National League Championship Series for not running out a ground ball …
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleacher Nation
RELATED:
ESPN:
Manny Machado hopes to address ‘Johnny Hustle’ comment with interested teams — Manny Machado, on the verge of what could be one of the richest free-agent contracts in baseball history, wants teams to know that he is “the guy who does whatever he can to win for his team” and hopes to clarify his …
Discussion:
Sporting News, NBCSports.com, Bleacher Report and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Reds keep closer Raisel Iglesias with 3-year contract — The Cincinnati Reds and right-handed reliever Raisel Iglesias have agreed to a new three-year contract, the team announced Wednesday. — Iglesias had 30 saves last season after posting 28 the season before.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Rays DFA C.J. Cron after career-high 30 homers — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have designated C.J. Cron for assignment after the slugger hit 30 home runs with an .816 OPS last season. — Cron batted .253, slugged .493 and drove in 74 runs in his first season with Tampa Bay …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Yankees trading for James Paxton was no-brainer as price was right, but there are plenty of red flags — Before we get into why the Yankees' trade for Seattle ace James Paxton was really a no-brainer, it is at least worth acknowledging all the red flags with this deal that may ultimately render …
RELATED:
Travis Sawchik / FiveThirtyEight:
The Yankees Snapped Up This Offseason's Best Pitcher
The Yankees Snapped Up This Offseason's Best Pitcher
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Pinstripe Alley, Halos Heaven, Newsday and Baseball America
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets “Seriously Considering” Noah Syndergaard Trade Scenarios — The Mets are “seriously considering” trade scenarios for high-end righty Noah Syndergaard, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred (via Twitter). Per the report, at least six rival organizations are “real players” for the high-octane starter.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Daily Dish, MLB & FANTASY …, Sportsnet.ca and Amazin' Avenue
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Miami Marlins must deal J.T. Realmuto before it's too late — The Washington Nationals had some of the worst catching production in the big leagues last season, with players at that position combining for just a .209 average, 54 runs and 12 homers. Among would-be contenders …
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's Khris Davis wins award as best designated hitter — Khris Davis of the A's was the best designated hitter of 2018. So say the writers, broadcasters and club public-relations officials whose votes earned Davis the 2018 Edgar Martinez Outstanding DH Award.
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Athletics Acquire Tanner Anderson, Add Four To 40-Man
Athletics Acquire Tanner Anderson, Add Four To 40-Man
Discussion:
The Sports Daily, MLB Baseball News …, Bucs Dugout, Sox On 35th and Birds Watcher