Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Buster's Buzz: Biggest contender holes after run of major trades — Agents and executives have noted a trend — a concerning trend, for the veteran players — that will soon manifest for the middle class of the free-agent market: Teams are filling some of their big needs through trades.
RELATED:
Scott Boeck / Knoxville News-Sentinel:
Six MLB players who could be traded over the winter — With Major League Baseball's winter meetings days away and the best free agent starting pitcher already off the market, the offseason is about to take off in earnest. — There already has been a burst of activity.
Discussion:
USA Today
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks didn't let emotions stand in way of Paul Goldschmidt trade — Discussing the possibility of a Paul Goldschmidt trade earlier this offseason, a rival evaluator mused about what the situation would say about the state of the Diamondbacks under General Manager Mike Hazen.
Houston Chronicle:
Winter Meetings and the AL West: Seattle Mariners — Baseball's Hot Stove League is already in action ahead of next week's Winter Meetings. A look at what's going on with the Astros' rivals in the AL West: — Today: Mariners — 2018 record: 89-73 — Noteworthy Departures …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and The Crawfish Boxes
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets will be aggressive, but are Bryce Harper, Manny Machado in play?
Mets will be aggressive, but are Bryce Harper, Manny Machado in play?
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs might have to get creative without budget for a winter meetings splash — CHICAGO — What happens when you don't have the money to fix something that's broken? Sometimes the answer is to find a creative solution instead. That's seemingly what the Chicago Cubs' front office is facing …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and Cubs Insider
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
2018 winter meetings: Braves still seek outfield, pitching help — The Braves contingent travels to Las Vegas with a shortened shopping list after reeling in catcher Brian McCann and third baseman Josh Donaldson. Their go-get-it mentality still leaves three primary concerns: Corner outfield, rotation and bullpen.
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Re-Sign Nathan Eovaldi — 4:22pm: The deal has been formally announced. Per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter), Eovaldi's guarantee will actually be an even $68MM over the four-year term. — “We're very happy to have Nathan back with us,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said in a press release.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, NBC Bay Area, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Daily Dish and CBS Boston
RELATED:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Where will Yankees turn after losing out on Corbin?
Where will Yankees turn after losing out on Corbin?
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers hope to cash in Nicholas Castellanos for prospects — Taking a look at what the Tigers' starting lineup and pitching rotation could look like to open the 2019 season. Video by Anthony Fenech and Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press. — CONNECT — The names have changed, but the vision remains the same.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
J.P. Hoornstra / Daily News:
What's in a pitch? A Biola statistician connects a change in the baseball to movement — A major league pitcher and a veteran pitching coach affirm what Jason Wilson's research observes: when the aerodynamic properties of MLB balls changed, allowing for more home runs, it also affected the quality of pitches
Discussion:
Society for American …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
In midst of rebuild, Rangers won't spend big for 2019. How far will their payroll drop? — Gone from the Texas Rangers' 2018 payroll are the salaries of Adrian Beltre, Cole Hamels, Matt Moore, Martin Perez, Doug Fister, Robinson Chirinos, Jake Diekman and others.
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Tulo and other Blue Jays veterans on notice as winter meetings approach — As the Blue Jays continue to fast-track to the future — and whatever that may hold — it's clear the team is willing to further distance itself from the recent past if and when it makes sense.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians Extend Carlos Carrasco — The Indians have struck an extension with veteran righty Carlos Carrasco, announcing the deal just after Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported it (Twitter link). The ACES client will now be under contract in Cleveland through at least the 2022 campaign.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and MLB Daily Dish