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5:45 PM ET, December 18, 2018

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Daily Record:
Carlos Beltran joining Yankees as special advisor on eve of Manny Machado meeting  —  NEW YORK - A year after interviewing for the Yankees then-vacant managing position, Carlos Beltran is re-joining the Yankees as a special advisor to general manager Brian Cashman.
RELATED:
Enrique RojasESPNdeportes / ESPN:
Carlos Beltran says he has been named special adviser to Yanks GM Brian Cashman  —  One day before the New York Yankees receive a visit from free agent Manny Machado, Carlos Beltran confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday that the team has named him special adviser to general manager Brian Cashman.
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:
Manny Machado will be in the driver's seat when he pulls up to Yankee Stadium Wednesday  —  Manny Machado will be coming to the Bronx on Wednesday as part of his attempt to hustle up a $300 million-plus free agent deal.  The likelihood is he will be greeted with open arms and open wallet by the Yankees …
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Analysis: The White Sox are pursuing Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.  Who is the better fit on the South Side?  —  Right fielder Bryce Harper, left, and shortstop Manny Machado are two of the top free agents this offseason.  (Harper: Ross D. Franklin |  Machado: Derik Hamilton / AP photos)
Discussion: New York Post
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees officially ink J.A. Happ; is Manny Machado next?
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Pete Grathoff / Kansas City Star:
Royals bring back speedy outfielder Terrance Gore on a one-year deal  —  If nothing else, the Royals are cornering the market on baseball's fastest players during this offseason.  —  On Tuesday, the Royals announced they signed outfielder Terrance Gore to a one-year contract.
Discussion: Royals Review
RELATED:
Lee Judge / Kansas City Star:
On the Royals, Billy Hamilton and the value of getting the ball in play  —  In 2018, for the first time in the history of big-league baseball, there were more strikeouts than hits.  Big-league hitters struck out a record-breaking 41,207 times, and much of the responsibility for that dubious accomplishment …
David Ginsburg / Toronto Sun:
‘Up and coming star’ Hyde settles in as Orioles manager
Discussion: Camden Chat
WKYC-TV:
REPORT |  Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley agrees to 2-year/$32 million dollar deal with Houston Astros  —  “Dr. Smooth” was a three-time All-Star in his 10 years in Cleveland  —  It appears that the man known as “Dr. Smooth” will be taking his practice to the Lone Star State.
RELATED:
Kristie Rieken / Associated Press:
Sources: Astros agree to 2-year deal with Michael Brantley
Discussion: Talking Chop
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Wilson Ramos fit every criteria the Mets were looking for says Brodie Van Wagenen as new GM shrugs off injury concerns  —  Wilson Ramos slipped on the No. 40 jersey and smiled for the cameras as the Mets' starting catcher Tuesday.  —  After inking the 31-year-old Ramos to a two-year deal …
RELATED:
Daily Record:
Mets' lineup transformation almost complete after adding Wilson Ramos  —  The Mets have added their second big bat of the offseason by agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with catcher Wilson Ramos.  Ramos, 31, provides needed right-handed power, and should fit nicely into the heart of the order.
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
How good is J.T. Realmuto and who needs him most?  —  How good is J.T. Realmuto?  —  The All-Star catcher for the Miami Marlins remains the subject of trade rumors.  While the Mets have reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with free-agent catcher Wilson Ramos, that still leaves the Dodgers …
Phil Miller / Star Tribune:
Twins will retire Joe Mauer's No. 7  —  The former All-Star catcher and three-time batting champ is the eighth Twin to have his number retired.  —  TEXT SIZE  —  Joe Mauer didn't have to wait long to join the list of retired Minnesota Twins stars who received the ultimate team honor.
Tom Layberger / Forbes:
Tampa Bay Rays Build On 2018 Success By Spending For 2019  —  That was rather refreshing, wasn't it Rays fans?  —  The team that spent a good chunk of last winter, including the early days of spring training, ridding itself of fan favorite Evan Longoria and several other players while taking …
Discussion: DRaysBay
Nick Goss / NBCSports.com:
MLB rumors: Why Craig Kimbrel's free-agent market hasn't taken off (yet)  —  Craig Kimbrel is the best relief pitcher on the MLB free agent market, but right now, no team has met his lofty demands.  —  The Boston Red Sox closer reportedly is looking for a nine-figure contract.
RELATED:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
With demand down, Boston might be Craig Kimbrel's best bet
 
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 More News: 
Ben Cafardo / ESPN MediaZone U.S.:
ESPN Reaches Multi-Year Extension with MLB Analyst and World Series Champion David Ross
Discussion: MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com
Associated Press:
Nationals finalize $4M, 1-year deal with Matt Adams
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Red Sox nearing deal with righty Erasmo Ramirez
Steve Bulpett / Boston Herald:
Al Horford sees benefits in Celtics' rough start
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Calhoun sticking to weight-loss plan. How much does he want to drop before spring training?
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
 Earlier Picks: 
Ronald Blum / Toronto Sun:
APNewsBreak: Sabathia gets $500,000 bonus despite ejection
Associated Press:
Dodgers announcer Charley Steiner gets contract extension
Discussion: True Blue LA
Associated Press:
Jeurys Familia prioritized return to Mets over closer role elsewhere
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
The state of the starting pitching market
Discussion: Red Reporter
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Charlotte Edwardes / The Guardian:
‘True activism has to cost you something’: Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan on politics, paparazzi and parasocial fandom

Catherine Santino / People:
Sydney Sweeney Shares Emotional Response to Controversial American Eagle Jeans Ad: 'I'm Against Hate' (Exclusive)

Caroline Graham / Daily Mail:
‘See me one more time before I die’: Thomas Markle issues desperate plea to Meghan from hospital bed - and says Duchess HASN'T called him after ‘life or death’ leg amputation

 
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