J.A. Happ wants Manny Machado join him on Yankees  —  NEW YORK — Now that he's staying with the New York Yankees, J.A. Happ would like to see Manny Machado join him in the Bronx.  —  “You get any kind of player like that on a team, that would be exciting,” the pitcher said Thursday …

MLB, MLBPA, Cuba strike historic pact for players to sign without defecting  —  HAVANA — Major League Baseball, its players' association and the Cuban Baseball Federation reached an agreement that will allow players from the island to sign big league contracts without defecting …

Three reasons why Cleveland Indians should trade Corey Kluber  —  Here are three reasons why the Cleveland Indians should trade Corey Kluber before the start of Spring Training in February.  —  CLEVELAND — Why in the world would a team still considered a contender in the American League want to trade a two-time Cy Young Award winner?

Detroit Tigers add three pitchers on minor league deals  —  The Detroit Tigers added three pitchers on minor-league deals, the team announced on Wednesday afternoon, bolstering their organizational depth on the mound.  —  As first reported by the Free Press last week, right-hander Eduardo Paredes …

Angels sign free agent Trevor Cahill to bolster rotation  —  The Los Angeles Angels, in desperate need of pitching when the offseason began, plugged holes in their starting rotation by betting on the upside with a couple of former All-Stars on short-term contracts.

Astros reliever Joe Smith has Achilles surgery  —  Houston Astros reliever Joe Smith will miss six to eight months after undergoing surgery for a ruptured left Achilles tendon, general manager Jeff Luhnow announced Thursday.  —  Smith, 34, was injured during a workout last week, and the Astros said the surgery was performed Tuesday.

Mariners Sign Zac Rosscup  —  The Mariners announced Thursday that they've signed left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup to a one-year, Major League contract.  The team's 40-man roster is now up to a total of 38 players.  —  “When healthy, Zac has swing-and-miss stuff, which has translated at all levels …

Adam Jones?  Melky?  Where Van Wagenen's Mets turn next … The pronouncement this week from Brodie Van Wagenen that his Mets can already be viewed as the team to beat in the NL East might not be a positive development for those expecting another splash or two this winter by the general manager.

MLB Mock Draft … Updated on: 12/20/2018  —  SEE FULL LIST  —  1  —  Adley Rutschman  —  Oregon State  —  Notes:  —  Why It Makes Sense: Rutschman is more cemented into the No. 1 overall prospect slot than Florida righthander Brady Singer was at this time last year.

Baseball Writers to honor Lee Smith, Costas, Mikolas, Carpenter at Jan. 20 dinner  —  Recently named Hall of Fame pitcher Lee Smith, Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Costas and 2018 Cardinals stars Miles Mikolas and Matt Carpenter will be among the headliners at the 61st St. Louis Baseball Writers' dinner …

19 DEC MELISA REIDY IS SPEAKING OUT.  IT'S TIME FOR EVERYONE TO LISTEN.  —  On September 19th, 2018, Melisa Reidy posted a blog that took her years to be able to write.  At first, she wasn't sure she would publish it.  Then, she was warned that speaking out could affect her financial future.

Cody Anderson, Indians avoid arbitration with one-year deal  —  CLEVELAND — Indians right-hander Cody Anderson has avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract for $641,250.  —  Anderson, who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2016 and is trying to make a comeback from elbow surgery …