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8:05 PM ET, December 8, 2018

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Here are 5 shortstops Detroit Tigers could target at Winter Meetings  —  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 Detroit Tigers remain on the hunt for a starting shortstop.
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
As Brodie Van Wagenen heads to first Winter Meetings, here's what Mets need most  —  Brodie Van Wagenen has not just dipped his toes into his new job as the Mets GM; he dove right in and started shaking up the roster and the organization immediately.  —  In his first month …
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rockies head to winter meetings needing offense, but will they find it?  —  GM Jeff Bridich says Colorado following “responsible growth plan”  —  Baseball's annual winter meetings open Monday at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.  The location invites a bevy of cliches, so we'll get those out of the way quickly.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
As Rangers search for pitching, they must also consider trading likes of Jurickson Profar  —  Jon Daniels and the Rangers front office head to the baseball's Winter Meetings in Las Vegas Sunday needing pitching.  A lot of pitching.  —  Just don't expect them to leave Las Vegas with any of it.
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:   Viva Las Vegas: 2018 Winter Meetings Preview
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:   Cincinnati Reds could be active at next week's Winter Meetings
Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
In a winter of bold moves, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still waiting
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Buster's Buzz: Never say never on Harper going back to the Nationals  —  Let the record show that if Bryce Harper never plays another game for the Washington Nationals, his last plate appearance resulted in a double off the Rockies' Chris Rusin, in Harper's 3,306th at-bat for the franchise that drafted him …
RELATED:
Scott Chiusano / Baltimore Sun:
Nationals don't expect Bryce Harper will be coming back to Washington, leaving the door wide open  —  He's running...away from Washington.  —  The Nationals appear resigned to the fact that they will not be re-signing superstar Bryce Harper, the highly-touted free agent who is one of two top prizes on the market this winter.
Discussion: New York Daily 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 …
ESPN:
Nationals owner: Maxed out offer for Bryce Harper, 'don't expect him to come back'
Discussion: NESN.com
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 …
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
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
TC Zencka / MLB Trade Rumors:
Minor MLB Transactions: 12/8/18  —  The game is afoot on the eve of the winter meetings, but more than just headline deals will play a role in shaping the coming season of major league baseball.  We'll use this post to track those minor moves from around the league today...
Discussion: Let's Go Tribe
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Miguel Montero goes from catching to repping in new career as player agent  —  Miguel Montero remembers driving a hard bargain.  He knew what it would take to get a deal done.  He did not budge until his demands were met.  —  When Montero essentially negotiated his own contract extension …
ESPN:
Mike Napoli, who made three trips to World Series, announces retirement  —  Veteran Mike Napoli, a popular clubhouse figure who hit 267 home runs and made three World Series trips during his 13-year career, announced his retirement Saturday.  —  Napoli, who did not play in the majors …
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.
 
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 More News: 
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
Jeremy Booth / KHOU-TV:
Hot stove season slow to liftoff for Astros
Shawn Drotar / Mile High Sports:
2018 Sportsperson of the Year: Kyle Freeland
Discussion: Purple Row and FanGraphs Baseball
Toronto Sun:
Garrett Richards, Padres finalize US$15.5M, 2-year contract
 Earlier Picks: 
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's head to winter meetings in need of starter — lots of them
Discussion: Athletics Nation
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Four arrested in wake of former Angels infielder Luis Valbuena's death, as baseball mourns
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
With bulk of playoff team returning, Brewers can be patient in evaluating player moves
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
MLB's next big thing: Ranking the Today's Game Era Hall of Fame ballot
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Ryan Gajewski / The Hollywood Reporter:
Melissa Barrera on Getting Fired From ‘Scream’ and the Controversy That Followed

New York Times:
How to Be Real With Your Kids  —  Actor Penn Badgley reads the essay “Watching Them Watching Me” …

Daily Star:
Scene where Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, tragically died as police cordon area

 
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