Top News:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Is it really that crazy to think the Mets can win the NL East? — Hey, the New York Mets didn't hire Brodie Van Wagenen to be just another conventional general manager. They could have gone with the latest 30-something prodigy from Harvard or Yale if they wanted to do that.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
GM touts Mets as NL East favorites as N.Y. introduces another All-Star acquisition — NEW YORK — Wilson Ramos had a grip on the New York Mets from the moment he walked into their winter meetings suite in Las Vegas last week. — “It was his handshake,” new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen …
Discussion:
NESN.com
Matt Ehalt / USA Today:
With Wilson Ramos, Mets have added four significant pieces, have sights on NL East crown — Mets welcome Wilson Ramos to Flushing — NEW YORK — Before he even made his first move as Mets general manager, Brodie Van Wagenen let it be known he does not fear the rest of the NL East.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and NorthJersey.com
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Brodie Van Wagenen still has plenty of work to do before he can proclaim Mets to be the best in the NL East
Discussion:
SNY
Noah Trister / Toronto Sun:
Mercer the latest quiet addition for busy Detroit Tigers — DETROIT (AP) Jordy Mercer found out quickly that the Tigers had him on their radar. — “They were one of the first clubs that we had talks with,” Detroit's new shortstop said Tuesday. “It was early on in the process, so I know they were interested.
RELATED:
Carlos Monarrez / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers, city fit broadcaster Joe Davis. He should come home — Joe Davis needs to reconsider his interest in the Detroit Tigers' play-by-play job. For many reasons. — You may have heard the Tigers and Fox Sports Detroit currently have an open chair — maybe even two — in their television broadcast booth.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Jordy Mercer ready to bring leadership, contact hitting to Detroit — Who will start for the Detroit Tigers in 2019 after their offseason acquisitions — Jordy Mercer, the Detroit Tigers' new shortstop, has one connection on the team already. — He has met Michael Fulmer just once …
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Beltran joins Yankees' front office as adviser — Longtime big leaguer Carlos Beltran has joined the New York Yankees as a special adviser. — His hiring, announced Tuesday, came shortly before prized free agent Manny Machado was expected to meet with the Yankees on Wednesday.
RELATED:
Pete Grathoff / Kansas City Star:
Royals bring back speedy outfielder Terrance Gore on a one-year deal
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB Baseball News …
Enrique RojasESPNdeportes / ESPN:
Carlos Beltran says he has been named special adviser to Yanks GM Brian Cashman
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and 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
Discussion:
New York Post and Pinstripe Alley
Cincinnati.com:
Bad news: Cincinnati Reds fail to sign Harvey; Good news: Reds didn't spend $11 million — So, Matt Harvey is off the board. — Harvey reportedly has agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels. That goodwill he built with the Reds wasn't enough to sway him to re-up.
RELATED:
Arizona Republic:
Daniel Descalso agrees to deal with Chicago Cubs — Infielder Daniel Descalso and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a $5 million, two-year contract that includes a club option for 2021 and could be worth $8.25 million over three seasons. — He gets $1.5 million next year and $2.5 million in 2020.
RELATED:
Tony Andracki / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Cubs fill multiple needs with Daniel Descalso signing
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, AZ Snake Pit and NBCSports.com
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Three teams that know how to play the winter waiting game — The Tampa Bay Rays don't know where they will play in a decade. The Milwaukee Brewers spent about $150 million less in payroll than the champion Red Sox. The Minnesota Twins just announced they will retire the number …
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
The shift, 100 mph heat, near impossible odds: How hitters are fighting back — LAS VEGAS — From within, the conversation is less about evening the playing field and more about overcoming the odds. It isn't about taking things back to the way they used to be; it's about uncovering something new.
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
MLB proposal would allow Cuban players to sign with teams without defecting — Major League Baseball presented a proposal that would allow clubs to sign players out of Cuba beginning next year, rather than forcing them to first defect from the country and establish residency elsewhere …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and baseballmusings.com
