Top News:
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 …
Discussion:
ESPN
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 — Chicago Tribune — The day after Cubs President Theo Epstein called 2019 a year of “reckoning,” the rival Cardinals said they hope to end their three-year postseason drought after trading for six-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt.
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
Discussion:
NESN.com and FiveThirtyEight
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 …
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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 …
Jesse Yomtov / Des Moines Register:
Nationals owner: 'Really don't expect' Bryce Harper to come back — Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner seems resigned to the fact that Bryce Harper will be signing elsewhere this winter. — At Nationals Park introducing pitcher Patrick Corbin on Friday, Lerner spoke at length …
Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
In a winter of bold moves, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still waiting — The Washington Post — It takes a certain resolve to trade away the best position player in your franchise's history, coming off a season in which you contended until mid-September, but that's what the Arizona Diamondbacks …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Federal Baseball
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
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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.
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Sam McDowell / Kansas City Star:
As the MLB winter meetings near, let's take a look at the Royals' objectives there
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and Red Reporter
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.
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
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
