Top News:
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:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees officially ink J.A. Happ; is Manny Machado next? — NEW YORK — When their pitching staff took a beating in this year's American League Division Series, it became painfully clear to the New York Yankees it was time for an overhaul. — But as it stands in the wake of the reacquisition …
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 …
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Allure of the 2019-20 free-agent class; Yanks shopping Andújar?; Happ's confidence; more notes
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Brew Crew Ball, Bleacher Report, Bucs Dugout, NBCSports.com, New Jersey Online, Purple Row, Sportsnet.ca, NESN.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Mike Rosenstein / New Jersey Online:
MLB trade rumors: Why Yankees might deal Miguel Andujar for Marlins' J.T. Realmuto
Discussion:
True Blue LA and MLB Trade Rumors
Kristie Rieken / Associated Press:
Sources: Astros agree to 2-year deal with Michael Brantley — Brantley is a career .295 hitter and gives Houston an upgrade to an outfield anchored by center fielder George Springer. — HOUSTON (AP) - A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press the Houston Astros …
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros Agree To Terms With Michael Brantley — 6:01pm: The terms have been agreed to, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, who tweets that the deal will not come with any options. — 5:48pm: The Astros are “closing in” on a deal with veteran outfielder Michael Brantley, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, SoDo Mojo, Over the Monster, FanGraphs Baseball, The Sports Daily and baseballmusings.com
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 …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
With demand down, Boston might be Craig Kimbrel's best bet — Considering Craig Kimbrel's excellence in the first nine seasons of his career, there appears to be a pretty good chance he will deliver an induction speech at Cooperstown. The strategic stature of starting pitchers has slowly diminished …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, NESN.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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Nick Goss / NBCSports.com:
MLB rumors: Why Craig Kimbrel's free-agent market hasn't taken off (yet)
Discussion:
The Athletic, MLB Trade Rumors and Over the Monster
Associated Press:
Jeurys Familia prioritized return to Mets over closer role elsewhere — NEW YORK — Jeurys Familia would rather be a setup man for the New York Mets than close for another team. — Familia had 123 saves for the Mets, who traded him to Oakland last July. He instructed agents Sam …
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Jeurys Familia says he pushed agent to work out a Mets homecoming
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Ronald Blum / Toronto Sun:
APNewsBreak: Sabathia gets $500,000 bonus despite ejection — NEW YORK (AP) Plunking an opponent paid off for CC Sabathia. — The New York Yankees gave Sabathia a $500,000 performance bonus, even though the 38-year-old left-hander was ejected from his final regular-season start six outs shy …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Deadspin and NBCSports.com
David Ginsburg / Toronto Sun:
‘Up and coming star’ Hyde settles in as Orioles manager — BALTIMORE (AP) Sitting side by side in the auxiliary clubhouse at Camden Yards, Orioles general manager Mike Elias and new manager Brandon Hyde spoke excitedly Monday about working together to mold the struggling franchise into a winner again.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Calhoun sticking to weight-loss plan. How much does he want to drop before spring training? — Texas Rangers designated hitter Willie Calhoun scores from first base on a single by outfielder Scott Heineman in the sixth inning as the Texas Rangers play the Los Angeles Dodger at in Glendale …
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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
Associated Press:
Dodgers announcer Charley Steiner gets contract extension — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have agreed to a contract extension with play-by-play announcer Charley Steiner, who will work a reduced schedule in 2019 at his request. — The team said Monday the deal extends through the 2021 season.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
