Top News:
Keith Law / ESPN:
Four-pack sent to Reds buys Dodgers payroll freedom — The Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a modern blockbuster, one where some bad contracts changed hands along with useful major leaguers and prospects. The Reds got a little bit better, but perhaps not as much as they need to …
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Acquire Kemp, Puig & Wood From Dodgers For Homer Bailey, Prospects — The Dodgers and Reds have announced a long-rumored blockbuster that will shift around a variety of notable players. Veterans Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, and Alex Wood are all heading to Cincinnati, along with catcher/infielder Kyle Farmer and $7MM.
ESPN:
Reports: Dodgers deal Kemp, Puig, Wood to Reds
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and baseballmusings.com
James H. Williams / Orange County Register:
Dodgers, Reds fans react to trade of Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp to Cincinnati
J.P. Hoornstra / Orange County Register:
Dodgers trade Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp to Reds in 7-player deal
Discussion:
Daily Breeze
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals sign lefty Miller, an All-Star ‘on the Mount Rushmore of the modern bullpen’ — As the Cardinals rethought a discombobulated bullpen, they wanted to break from the rigidity of roles and fixed innings to add a lefty who would embrace modern strategy and a variety of assignments, a lefty in the mold of Andrew Miller.
RELATED:
Toronto Sun:
Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with reliever Andrew Miller — ST. LOUIS (AP) The Cardinals have found their elite left-handed reliever: Andrew Miller has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with St. Louis, with a vesting option for 2021. — “One of our stated goals this offseason was to improve our bullpen …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
It's Miller time: Cardinals closing in on multi-year deal for All-Star reliever
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, The Sports Daily and MLB Baseball News …
Jessica Kleinschmidt / MLB Baseball News …:
Here's why Andrew Miller to Cardinals might be good news for Giants
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, NBCSports.com and Viva El Birdos
Associated Press:
Average baseball salary down for first time since 2004 — The average major league salary dropped this year for the first time since 2004 and for only the fourth time since record-keeping started 50 years ago, according to the players' association. — The union said Friday its final average …
Discussion:
Sporting News and baseballmusings.com
Scott Chiusano / New York Daily News:
Mets sign two-time World Series champion Gregor Blanco to minor-league deal for more outfield depth — The Mets continue to add to their outfield depth without, for the time being, making a major signing. — They inked versatile outfielder Gregor Blanco to a minor league deal on Friday, the team announced.
RELATED:
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets dangling backup catchers in trade talks to build depth
Discussion:
The Sports Daily
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB's winter just got even more wild - but don't put Bryce Harper in Dodger Blue yet — No, Bryce Harper was not quite fitted for Dodger Blue on Friday night. — There was no need - not yet - for Harper to dial up Fernando Valenzuela and ask the Dodgers legend and current broadcaster …
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
CC Sabathia underwent a heart procedure, is expected to make a full recovery — [This story has been updated.] — The week of Dec. 10, Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia was scheduled to accompany Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley on a trip to London, England to promote …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Trade Rumors and TMZ.com
RELATED:
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
There's a process to the Rangers' rebuild, and trading Jurickson Profar to Oakland fits at least 2 of the 3 steps — Pardon me if this sounds a bit like Jason Garrett, but at this stage in the Rangers' rebuild, all you can really do is consider the process.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners Acquire Domingo Santana, Send Ben Gamel To Brewers — 6:25pm: The clubs have announced the swap. — 5:18pm: The Mariners and Brewers are closing in on a swap that would send outfielder Domingo Santana to Seattle, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants sign switch-pitcher Pat Venditte — The Giants signed ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte on Friday, giving manager Bruce Bochy a different level of matchup possibilities in the bullpen. — Venditte, 33, signed a one-year major-league contract and will be on the 40-man roster.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
ESPN adds 2 Cubs games at Wrigley Field in May to ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ schedule — Chicago Tribune — ESPN announced it's picking up two more Cubs games for “Sunday Night Baseball” — back to back weekends against National League Central rivals at Wrigley Field in May — in 2019.
Jim Bowden / The Athletic:
Which teams are the best fits for the top 15 remaining free agents? — So far, the 2019 free agent class is moving at the same pace as last year's, prompting some executives to clamor for a winter trade deadline. However, we have seen a number of significant signings so far this winter …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Sporting News and The Big Lead
