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8:55 AM ET, December 8, 2018

Ballbug

 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.
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 …
Discussion: NBCSports.com
Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
In a winter of bold moves, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still waiting
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
Discussion: NESN.com
Arizona Republic:   Paul Goldschmidt is just the latest Arizona Diamondbacks great to be traded
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 …
RELATED:
Doug Delony / KHOU-TV:   ‘RIP hermano’: Teammates, fans react to deaths of two former Houston Astros
Associated Press:   Ex-MLB players Luis Valbuena, Jose Castillo die in car crash in Venezuela
Jim Reineking / WKYC-TV:
Former Cleveland Indians player Luis Valbuena among 2 dead in crash
Discussion: WEEI and CBS News
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Luis Valbuena, Former Pirates Infielder Jose Castillo Killed In Car Accident In Venezuela
Discussion: Al's Ramblings
ESPN:
Ex-MLB players Luis Valbuena, Jose Castillo killed in car crash
Discussion: Let's Go Tribe and NESN.com
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.
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
Brian T. Smith / Houston Chronicle:
Smith: It's a little early to be worrying about Astros' offseason
Discussion: Plain Dealer
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
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
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.
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.
 
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 More News: 
Shawn Drotar / Mile High Sports:
2018 Sportsperson of the Year: Kyle Freeland
Discussion: Purple Row and FanGraphs Baseball
Howard Fendrich / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Nats GM: Corbin, Harper ‘independent’; owner thinks OF gone
Associated Press:
Stocks sink again, continuing a dismal streak for markets; Dow drops 574 points
Discussion: Whittier Daily News
Danny Knobler / Bleacher Report:
Yusei Kikuchi Is MLB's Latest International Mystery Man Up for Grabs
Discussion: Phillies Nation
 Earlier Picks: 
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers hand out 2018 awards. Who won what in the first year of their rebuilding plan?
Brian Cashman / Daily Record:
Yankees pitchers and catchers report date, and spring training schedule announced
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians listening to trade offers on Edwin Encarnacion and Yandy Diaz
Discussion: DRaysBay
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays considering ex-Astro Charlie Morton among starting pitching options
Discussion: DRaysBay and MLB Trade Rumors
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
MLB's next big thing: Ranking the Today's Game Era Hall of Fame ballot
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Miranda Siwak / Us Weekly:
50 Cent Is ‘Going for Sole Custody’ of His Son With Daphne Joy After She Was Named in Diddy Lawsuit (Exclusive)

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

Heidi Parker / Daily Mail:
Jennifer Aniston, 55, and Sandra Bullock, 59, are seen leaving a plastic surgery office in Connecticut that is known for facelifts and rhinoplasty

 
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