Top News:
Howard Fendrich / Associated Press:
Nationals owner doesn't expect Bryce Harper to return; GM still has hope — As with most things involving the Nationals' offseason, a day that was supposed to be all about introducing Patrick Corbin morphed into a day about Bryce Harper. — The Nationals announced their six-year contract with Corbin …
RELATED:
Chris Lingebach / 106.7 The Fan:
Mark Lerner: Nats' offer to Bryce Harper ‘best we can do’ — Friday at Nationals Park was supposed to be about introducing Patrick Corbin to fans, but arguably the largest news item to come from the day wasn't about Corbin at all. — Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner spoke …
ESPN:
Nationals owner: Maxed out offer for Bryce Harper, 'don't expect him to come back' — Nationals owner Mark Lerner says he doesn't expect Bryce Harper to return to Washington after telling the superstar outfielder that the team maxed out its offer at the end of the regular season.
Discussion:
NESN.com
Jesse Yomtov / Des Moines Register:
Nationals owner: 'Really don't expect' Bryce Harper to come back
Nationals owner: 'Really don't expect' Bryce Harper to come back
Discussion:
Washington Post and NBCSports.com
Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
In a winter of bold moves, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still waiting
In a winter of bold moves, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still waiting
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News … and Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Paul Goldschmidt focused on Cardinals, not 2020 free agency — ST. LOUIS — Now that he is with the St. Louis Cardinals, Paul Goldschmidt is not thinking beyond the 2019 season. — The six-time All-Star was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks this week and will earn $14.5 million …
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards introduce Goldschmidt, rave about his defense — Most of the buzz about new Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is about his Silver slugging. He has won four such awards, including the past two seasons. — But then there are those three Gold Gloves.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Paul Goldschmidt could put St. Louis ‘over the top’ in NL Central, Cardinals boss says
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Goldschmidt, ‘the perfect fit’ for Cardinals, says all the right things
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals introduce the new centerpiece of their offense: No. 46 Goldschmidt
Jon Tayler / Sports Illustrated:
Paul Goldschmidt Trade Underscores MLB's Depressing Boom-and-Bust Culture
Paul Goldschmidt Trade Underscores MLB's Depressing Boom-and-Bust Culture
Discussion:
NESN.com and Houston Chronicle
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Four arrested in wake of former Angels infielder Luis Valbuena's death, as baseball mourns — Individuals reportedly had possessions belonging to Valbuena and Jose Castillo, who died in a car accident — Four individuals have been arrested in Venezuela in connection to the deaths …
Discussion:
New York Times, USA Today and Halos Heaven
RELATED:
Maria Torres / Los Angeles Times:
Former Angels infielder Luis Valbuena is killed in a car crash
Former Angels infielder Luis Valbuena is killed in a car crash
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Fox News, MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com, McCovey Chronicles, The Crawfish Boxes and BeisbolPLay
Associated Press:
After stint in South Korea, P Merrill Kelly signs with Diamondbacks — PHOENIX — Right-hander Merrill Kelly is joining his hometown Arizona Diamondbacks, agreeing to a $5.5 million, two-year contract. — The 30-year-old spent the past four seasons with SK Wyverns in South Korea.
Sarah Langs / ESPN:
How much money could be spent in Vegas on free agents? — With the winter meetings opening Sunday, free-agent contracts figure to be discussed at a dizzying clip, with proposals — and cash — being tossed in every direction. — There have been 39 free-agent contracts signed for at least $100 million …
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds could be active at next week's Winter Meetings — Throughout the offseason, the Cincinnati Reds have reached out to teams to gauge the trade market and they've talked to agents to find out how much money it would take to sign some of their free-agent targets.
RELATED:
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Viva Las Vegas: 2018 Winter Meetings Preview
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Brodie Van Wagenen and Brian Cashman have work cut out at Winter Meetings and could be bidding for similar players — The winter meetings are upon us and when Brian Cashman and Brodie Van Wagenen hit Vegas, they will each have plenty of work to do - in some cases, such as the relief pitcher market, likely working against each other.
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
With bulk of playoff team returning, Brewers can be patient in evaluating player moves — Some elite players have been moved in the early stages of baseball's hot stove season, but the Milwaukee Brewers aren't expected to make a similar big splash this winter, which actually might be a good thing.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Next offseason's uncomfortable reality for the Red Sox — On the surface, the Nathan Eovaldi signing suggested the Red Sox were simply putting smiles back on the faces of all those players who won a World Series by keeping things intact. Steve Pearce is back, and now is one of the other postseason's heroes.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Keeping playoff hero Eovaldi a risk Red Sox could afford to take
Keeping playoff hero Eovaldi a risk Red Sox could afford to take
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Boston Herald, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News …, Boston Sports Journal and Over the Monster
Toronto Sun:
Garrett Richards, Padres finalize US$15.5M, 2-year contract — SAN DIEGO — Free agent pitcher Garrett Richards and the San Diego Padres have finalized a US$15.5 million, two-year contract. — Richards will earn $7 million next year and $8.5 million in 2020 as part of the deal announced Friday.
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's head to winter meetings in need of starter — lots of them — Oakland's surprising success in 2018 came despite its rotation devastation, but repeating such a high-wire act would be next to impossible. — So the A's quest going into the winter meetings, which open Monday in Las Vegas …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation