2018 Rule 5 Preview V 1.0  —  Now that the deadline has passed for players to be protected for the 2018 Rule 5 draft, we're diving in.  —  We will have many additions over the next few weeks in the lead up to Dec. 13's Rule 5 draft, but here is a first pass at five players who are notable candidates to be picked in the Rule 5.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …