Top News:
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:
Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
Commentary: If the White Sox are rebuilding, why are they in the Bryce Harper-Manny Machado chase? — The Washington Post — Once, not so long ago, the Chicago White Sox leaped spikes-first into a painful teardown, one that seemed to signal the start of a long rebuilding process and represented …
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
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.
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ESPN:
Reports: Dodgers deal Kemp, Puig, Wood to Reds — The Los Angeles Dodgers are trading outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig and pitcher Alex Wood to the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Homer Bailey and prospects, according to multiple reports.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Phillies Nation
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.
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets dangling backup catchers in trade talks to build depth
Discussion:
The Sports Daily
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
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
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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:
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
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).
Discussion:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish, Brew Crew Ball and Al's Ramblings
