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.

Manny Machado visits Yankee Stadium as part of free-agency tour  —  NEW YORK — Manny Machado's free-agent tour continued Wednesday afternoon when he made a stop at Yankee Stadium to meet with the second of his three suitors, the New York Yankees.  —  He first dropped by the Chicago White Sox's facility on Monday.

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.

Rangers add 4 bullpen options on minor-league contracts, including one with a 98 mph fastball  —  The Rangers, looking for creative additions to a bullpen lacking in bodies, have added four pitchers on minor-league contracts, league sources confirmed.  —  The most notable of the group …

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.

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 …

Report: In Corey Kluber trade talks, Indians check on Reds' Nick Senzel, Taylor Trammell  —  The Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds have discussed a trade involving ace Corey Kluber, according to a report via Twitter from MLB Network's Jon Morosi, and the Tribe expressed interest in top Reds prospects Nick Senzel and Taylor Trammell.

WATCH: Indians thank Michael Brantley in Twitter video  —  The Cleveland Indians posted a tribute video to Michael Brantley, who signed a two-year deal with the Houston Astros after spending 10 years in Cleveland.  —  CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians were grateful to have outfielder Michael …

Indians, Cody Anderson Avoid Arbitration  —  The Indians announced today that they've avoided arbitration with right-hander Cody Anderson.  He'll take home a salary of $641,500 for the 2019 season, per Fancred's Jon Heyman (Twitter link).  The mark checks in shy of his $900K projection …

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 …