Top News:
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 …
RELATED:
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.
Detroit Free Press:
Last Slide — The Detroit Tigers wasted no time in protecting one of the big pieces of their future. — On Monday afternoon - more than 24 hours before the 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 draft - the Tigers added right-hander Franklin Perez to the 40-man roster.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Deadline To Set 40-Man Rosters Before Rule 5 Draft Is Tonight — The deadline for Major League teams to set their 40-man rosters in advance of next month's Rule 5 Draft is tonight at 8pm ET. As such, baseball fans should expect to see a flurry of activity over the next 11 hours.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Denver Post, Purple Row and Al's Ramblings
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals shuffle minor-leaguers on 40-man roster to protect four prospects
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, Twinkie Town, The Crawfish Boxes and Athletics Nation
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds add Jimmy Herget to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 Draft deadline
Discussion:
Red Reporter and River Avenue Blues
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Players Added To The 40-Man Roster
Discussion:
The Athletic, DRaysBay, The Good Phight, Bluebird Banter and Talking Chop
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 …
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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:
Bleacher Report and MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
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 …
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Travis Sawchik / FiveThirtyEight:
The Yankees Snapped Up This Offseason's Best Pitcher
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Halos Heaven, Newsday and Baseball America
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Former NL managers among the Mets' candidates for bench coach, sources say — Jim Riggleman, who managed five teams, and former Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez are among those being considered for the job. — In search of a new bench coach, the Mets have keyed in on a certain type of baseball lifer: former National League managers.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres, Mariners In Talks On Significant Potential Trade — 4:57pm: A deal is “not thought to be close” right now, Rosenthal adds on Twitter, though the fact that players have been asked about their no-trade clauses still seems to indicate it's a serious possibility.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Sporting News and Gaslamp Ball
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Acquire Colten Brewer
Discussion:
East Village Times, MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster, Cubs Insider and Gaslamp Ball
Emily Jones / Dallas Morning News:
‘He gets it’: What Adrian Beltre meant to the Rangers, through the eyes of field reporter Emily Jones — Emily Jones, Texas Rangers reporter for FOX Sports Southwest, wrote this first-person essay for The Dallas Morning News: — It's hard to imagine a Rangers' clubhouse without Adrian Beltre in it.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Reactions: Future National Baseball Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre announces retirement
Discussion:
The Athletic, Dallas Morning News and NBCSports.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Adrian Beltre Retires
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Kyle Muller working to join Braves' pitching barrage — They don't check your I.D. in the big leagues. — Kyle Muller is vying to become the next youthful starter to grace the Braves' ensemble. Mike Soroka, Touki Toussaint, Kolby Allard, Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson, among others, already have tasted the majors.
ESPN:
Indians' Leonys Martin cleared to return following bacterial infection — Cleveland Indians outfielder Leonys Martin was given full clearance to resume baseball activity and will have no restrictions on strength and conditioning as he prepares for spring training, the team announced Tuesday.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins Acquire Nick Anderson, Designate Derek Dietrich — The Marlins announced tonight that they have acquired righty Nick Anderson from the Twins in exchange for infielder Brian Schales. To create roster space, the Marlins designated Derek Dietrich for assignment.
