How much more will Mets spend this winter?  Here's what they still need  —  The Mets have holes to fill but finances may limit what GM Brodie Van Wagenen can do.  —  CONNECT  —  Brodie Van Wagenen certainly has backed up his words from his introductory press conference when he said he planned to be in on every free agent.

Bryce Harper a perfect fit with Diamondbacks?  Making the case for Arizona  —  USA TODAY Sports has made its case for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Bryce Harper to join forces.  —  Granted, the publication is making the case for Harper to join every MLB team, but still, it provides an opportunity for Arizona fans to dream a little.

Giants Winter Meetings buzz: Trade talks, a Scott Boras meeting and $7 cups of coffee  —  LAS VEGAS-The Winter Meetings are billed as the ultimate destination for baseball's deal-makers, a hub where executives and agents lock themselves in hotel rooms late into the night to negotiate, strategize and take care of business.

Padres agree to deal with free-agent 2B Ian Kinsler  —  The San Diego Padres have reached an agreement with free-agent second baseman Ian Kinsler on a two-year, $8 million deal, according to multiple reports Friday.  —  The Padres have a club option for a third year, according to The Athletic, which first reported the agreement.

Cashman's absence fans Manny Machado Yankees intrigue … LAS VEGAS — When the Yankees announced assistant general manager Michael Fishman would address the media following Thursday morning's Rule 5 draft instead of Brian Cashman, it was easy to wonder if the GM had left the winter meetings for a sit-down with free agent Manny Machado.

Cardinals aim to play it smart as Alex Reyes prepares for return  —  LAS VEGAS  • As the Cardinals sift this winter through their options to protect late-game leads, there is one young, internal candidate for a pivotal role who has the Cardinals thinking about how they'll protect him.

5 takeaways for the White Sox and Cubs from the quiet winter meetings  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he is happy with his contract status despite not having been offered an extension on Dec. 11, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Yankees swing back over report of Yankee Stadium's unsanitary concession areas  —  LAS VEGAS - After taking a hit regarding sanitary conditions at Yankee Stadium concession areas, the club swung back.  —  A detailed report by ESPN's Outside the Lines into food safety ranked Yankee Stadium …

A's in no rush after slow winter meetings, despite all their roster needs  —  LAS VEGAS - The winter meetings often lead right into some major moves for the A's, who tend to be at their most active at the end of baseball's annual confab or in the following days.  —  Not this time around.

Fore!  Hit the golf links at Marlins Park... yes, Marlins Park … MIAMI - Instead of home runs and grand slams, you'll find birdies and bogeys at Marlins Park early next year.  —  The home stadium of Major League BASEBALL'S Marlins will open to the public for a one-of-a-kind golf course for three days from January 18-20.

Cardinals fall off their roost as ESPN prime-time national TV attraction  —  It's bye bye Birdies as a big ESPN prime-time attraction, at least as of now.  —  For eight years in a row, the Redbirds made the maximum number of appearances on ESPN's “Sunday Night Baseball” …

White Sox To Sign James McCann  —  1:05pm: McCann will receive $2.5MM on a one-year deal, per Fancred's Jon Heyman (Twitter link).  —  12:51pm: The White Sox have agreed to terms with free-agent catcher James McCann, pending a physical, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter).