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8:15 AM ET, December 9, 2018

Ballbug

 Top News: 
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 …
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Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Manny Machado free agency takes form with Yankees keeping an eye out  —  Manny Machado should transition into teaching public relations once he hangs up the cleats, for it seems the coveted free agent is an expert on damage control.  —  A month after walking back his infamous “Johnny Hustle” …
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley and The Comeback
Sarah Langs / ESPN:
How much money could be spent in Vegas on free agents?
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
Scott Chiusano / Baltimore Sun:   Nationals don't expect Bryce Harper will be coming back to Washington, leaving the door wide open
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers pick 5th in MLB Rule 5 draft.  Here are 5 prospects to watch  —  We unearthed thousands of Free Press photo negatives and one sports writer's score book to tell the tale of baseball's greats.  “Bless you, boys.”  —  CONNECT  —  And with the No. 5 pick in Thursday's MLB Rule 5 draft, the Detroit Tigers select ...
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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
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Here are 5 shortstops Detroit Tigers could target at Winter Meetings
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:   Viva Las Vegas: 2018 Winter Meetings Preview
New York Daily News:
Didi Gregorius ‘confident’ he will return to Yankees his normal-self following Tommy John surgery  —  There's no telling when Didi Gregorius will return from the always-tricky Tommy John surgery.  —  That the Yankees shortstop is willing to concede.  —  “I don't have that information yet …
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Erik Boland / Newsday:
Didi Gregorius says elbow feels ‘really good’ but doesn't know when he'll be back  —  Didi Gregorius said his surgically repaired right elbow feels “really good,” but what that means in terms of a return to baseball activities, and ultimately the field, is not yet clear.
Discussion: New York Daily News
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
High Rollers?  Cardinals head to Vegas, putting their chips on 2019  —  As the Cardinals hung Paul Goldschmidt's No. 46 jersey with care, aware of the clatter his four Silver Slugger awards and .532 slugging percentage will bring nestled in their lineup, visions swirled about the zeroes and commas it will take to keep him there.
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Aniello Piro / Mile High Sports:
After Arizona dealt Paul Goldschmidt for peanuts, the Rockies would be ludicrous to trade Nolan Arenado
Discussion: Purple Row and Rox Pile
Associated Press:   Paul Goldschmidt focused on Cardinals, not 2020 free agency
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Cards introduce Goldschmidt, rave about his defense
Brian Crane / WKYC-TV:
Former Cleveland Indians first baseman and DH Mike Napoli announces his retirement from baseball  —  The Party at Napoli's is finally over.  —  Former Indians first basemen and designated hitter Mike Napoli is hanging up his cleats.  —  Napoli posted a message to his fans on social media Saturday afternoon.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Mike Napoli, who made three trips to World Series, announces retirement
Discussion: Lone Star Ball and CBS Dallas
Mike Puma / New York Post:
J.T. Realmuto pursuit could shape rest of Mets' offseason … Boldness and creativity were on the agenda for the Mets the last time the Winter Meetings came to Las Vegas, in 2008, when team officials were movers and shakers, adding stud free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez and participating …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   As Brodie Van Wagenen heads to first Winter Meetings, here's what Mets need most
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
Associated Press:
Senate passes bill to honor Indians, White Sox pioneer Larry Doby  —  The U.S. Senate passed legislation to honor former Indians center-fielder Larry Doby, the American League's first black ballplayer, with the Congressional Gold Medal.  —  Doby also played for the White Sox and became …
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 …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Venezuelan baseball fans mourn death of ex-major leaguers  —  SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS  —  BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (AP) — Dozens of Venezuelans waited in line outside a chapel in the state of Lara on Saturday, hoping to bid farewell to former major league baseball player Luis Valbuena …
RELATED:
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:   Four arrested in wake of former Angels infielder Luis Valbuena's death, as baseball mourns
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
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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From WeSmirch:

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

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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