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
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
The Seattle Times and Sports Illustrated
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
With everybody making moves, the NL East is suddenly baseball's most compelling division — The National League East has suddenly become the most intriguing, mesmerizing and dynamic division in all of baseball. — The furious divisional quartet of the Washington Nationals, New York Mets …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets say it would take this to trade Noah Syndergaard, plus a David Wright update — The Mets have been willing to listen to offers on Noah Syndergaard this winter, but they are not expecting to hear a return that is enough for them to part with the big right-hander.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Phillies' interest in Edwin Diaz forced Mets to go all-in on closer — The Mets were not going to let Edwin Diaz get away. — When the club heard that the Phillies were pushing for a deal to bring Diaz to the City of Brotherly Love, they pushed harder. — “We got word of that …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Win-now Mets in need of more moves following Robinson Cano trade
Associated Press:
Mariners set sights on 2021 by dealing Cano, Diaz and Segura
Mariners set sights on 2021 by dealing Cano, Diaz and Segura
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Jay Bruce speaks after Mets trade, with Van Wagenen praise
Jay Bruce speaks after Mets trade, with Van Wagenen praise
Discussion:
SNY
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
What Jean Segura trade says about Phillies' pursuit of Manny Machado
What Jean Segura trade says about Phillies' pursuit of Manny Machado
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, NBCSports.com and Bluebird Banter
Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Mariners send Jean Segura, Juan Nicasio and James Pazos to the Phillies in a five-player trade
Mariners send Jean Segura, Juan Nicasio and James Pazos to the Phillies in a five-player trade
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and baseballmusings.com
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:
MLB Baseball News …, NESN.com, Bleacher Report, Sox On 35th, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation, True Blue LA, South Side Sox and DodgerBlue.com
RELATED:
Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Yankees president Randy Levine says 'We're as good as the Red Sox' — Conceding the Red Sox are superior is forbidden in these parts and Randy Levine is staying within the ideals of the Evil Empire. — Even if it means stretching popular opinion. — “I think we're as good as the Red Sox right now …
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 …
Chicago Tribune:
White Sox send Jim Thome to Las Vegas to meet with Bryce Harper — The White Sox aren't letting the state of their rebuild stand in the way of having lofty ambitions. — Hall of Fame slugger Jim Thome flew to Las Vegas last month as part of the organization's sales pitch …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and DodgerBlue.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Column: The Cubs have needs to address with winter meetings approaching — and the time is ripe to make roster moves
Scooby Axson / Sports Illustrated:
MLB Trade Rumors: Dodgers Meet With Bryce Harper
MLB Trade Rumors: Dodgers Meet With Bryce Harper
Discussion:
WEEI
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:
Over the Monster, The Athletic, CBS Boston, MLB Trade Rumors, NBCSports.com and Sports Illustrated
RELATED:
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 …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals To Sign Patrick Corbin — The Nationals have agreed to a deal with veteran lefty Patrick Corbin, according to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post (via Twitter). Corbin, a client of ISE Baseball, has landed a $140MM guarantee over a six-year term, Jon Heyman of Fancred tweets.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, The Comeback, baseballmusings.com, Federal Baseball and Al's Ramblings
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Hot Stove update: Cardinals explore Goldschmidt trade, look for market clarity as meetings approach — ST. LOUIS • With the winter meetings on the horizon next week in Las Vegas, the Cardinals have indicated they want to make some headway this week to determine if there is momentum for any deals …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish