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)

Red Sox nearing deal with righty Erasmo Ramirez  —  The Red Sox are loading up on depth.  —  After signing an outfielder with significant major league experience in Gorkys Hernandez to a minor-league deal, the Sox appear to be close to reeling in another potential depth option, this time in the form of pitcher Erasmo Ramirez.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

‘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.

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 …

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 …

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.