Top News:
ESPN:
Jeff Wilpon: Mets wanted to ‘block’ rival Phillies from All-Star closer Edwin Diaz — New York Mets executive Jeff Wilpon said the team aggressively pushed to acquire Edwin Diaz in part to “block” the rival Philadelphia Phillies from trading for the All-Star closer. — EDITOR'S PICKS
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Mariners' rebuild painful to watch, but it didn't have to be — It has been 17 years since it was the most prestigious home on the block, but with the wear and tear, it needed an upgrade to fix the flaws. — Still, no one told the Seattle Mariners they had to douse it with gasoline …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Win-now Mets in need of more moves following Robinson Cano trade — Brodie Van Wagenen has our attention. — Whether or not you like the deal that brings Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to Flushing, the Mets new GM has shaken things up. He has gone into this offseason with a new, aggressive approach.
Associated Press:
Robinson Cano returns to New York — as a Met — NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Mets have acquired longtime star second baseman Robinson Cano and major league saves leader Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners in a seven-player trade. — The Mets also are getting $20 million from the rebuilding Mariners in the deal announced Monday.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Daily Record:
Five questions as NY Mets welcome Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz — The Mets area already one of the big movers of the offseason with the team acquiring Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz from Seattle in exchange for five players. — This is a win-now move that should help the Mets' playoff chances next season …
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Jay Bruce speaks after Mets trade, with Van Wagenen praise
Discussion:
SNY
Associated Press:
World Series champ Red Sox accept invitation to White House — The Boston Red Sox have accepted an invitation to the White House to celebrate their World Series championship. — Team President Sam Kennedy says the ballclub is working out a date with the White House.
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Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Why Kelvin Herrera will be of some interest to Red Sox — On the surface, it seems like an easy equation. — The Red Sox need a closer and that is exactly what Kelvin Herrera represents when healthy. Add in the fact that Dave Dombrowski tried trading for the 28-year-old …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, Over the Monster, The Athletic and CBS Boston
Associated Press:
Absent Nathan Eovaldi gets biggest cheers at Red Sox video premiere
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
What's next for David Ortiz? The slugger explains his role with the Red Sox
Discussion:
Over the Monster, MLB Baseball News …, Sports Illustrated and NESN.com
Chicago Tribune:
Dodgers enter Bryce Harper sweepstakes — and that's a game-changer — The Washington Post — For a solid month now, the pursuit of free agent outfielder Bryce Harper, centered mainly around a trio of east coast franchises — in Washington, Philadelphia and the Bronx …
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Yahoo! Sports:
Sources: After landing LeBron, Magic Johnson travels with Dodgers officials to court Bryce Harper — Bryce Harper likely means a journey to Las Vegas, the 26-year-old outfielder's hometown and a place where one generally arrives with hope and cash and leaves with less of both.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, MLB Trade Rumors, True Blue LA, Bleacher Nation, South Side Sox and DodgerBlue.com
Scooby Axson / Sports Illustrated:
MLB Trade Rumors: Dodgers Meet With Bryce Harper — As the Winter Meetings inch closer and closer, teams are preparing to offer big paydays for needed replacements and reinforcements. — Big name free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still expected to take home the largest paydays this offseason.
ESPN:
Young players have officially taken over major league baseball — This summer, when we asked major league veterans to talk about getting old, only one of them — Adam Jones, father of two sons — brought up Lightning McQueen. — Aging is not so much the body breaking down, Jones theorized …
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
What Jean Segura trade says about Phillies' pursuit of Manny Machado — The Mariners-Phillies trade is finally official: The Mariners will send shortstop Jean Segura and relievers Juan Nicasio and James Pazos to the Phillies for first baseman Carlos Santana and shortstop J.P. Crawford.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, NBCSports.com and Bluebird Banter
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Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Mariners send Jean Segura, Juan Nicasio and James Pazos to the Phillies in a five-player trade
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and baseballmusings.com
Ben Axelrod / WKYC-TV:
Former Cleveland Indians 1B Carlos Santana reportedly traded to Seattle Mariners
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Joey Kaufman / Orange County Register:
USC reportedly to hire Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator — Former Texas Tech head coach will allegedly take over for Tee Martin, one of three assistants recently dismissed by Trojans head coach Clay Helton — Former Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury will be USC's next offensive coordinator …
Discussion:
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Associated Press:
Japanese star lefty Yusei Kikuchi available to MLB teams on Tuesday — NEW YORK — Star Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi will be available to major league teams starting Tuesday, with the New York Yankees expected to be among those interested. — The 27-year-old Seibu Lions ace …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Seibu Lions To Post Yusei Kikuchi Tomorrow
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, Bucs Dugout, Lone Star Ball, MLB Baseball News … and Halos Heaven
