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5:20 PM ET, December 29, 2018

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
What's next for the Dodgers?  Bryce Harper?  J.T. Realmuto?  A look at the possibilities  —  Last Saturday, a post appeared on Major League Baseball's Instagram account featuring a photo of Bryce Harper and a question splashed across the bottom: Are the Dodgers the favorites for Bryce?
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David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Big questions left over from 2018 that 2019 will have to answer  —  As we count down the hours to the new year, baseball is still on the mind.  It's always on the mind.  I'm thinking of some of 2018's still-unanswered questions as we look ahead to 2019. ...  Where will Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sign?
Discussion: True Blue LA
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Yasiel Puig: ‘Merry Christmas!’ response to Cincinnati Reds fan opening photo as present
Andy Clayton / New York Daily News:
Dwight Gooden is healthy, happy and getting ready to pitch again  —  Good news, Mets fan.  Dwight Gooden is warming up his arm.  —  What a fantasy that would be to go back in time and see “Doc” back on the Shea Stadium mound ready to dominate another overmatched chump with his electric right arm.
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Jacob deGrom is our Daily News Sports Person of the Year (and yes, it was unanimous)  —  Midway through last season, Jacob deGrom let his frustration show.  That day, the Mets ace had been let down yet again by the team around him, having another strong start spoiled.
Ben Axelrod / WKYC-TV:
Report: Cleveland Indians unlikely to trade Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer  —  According to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, the Cleveland Indians may not be making a big move with their pitching staff this offseason after all.  —  For the better part of the past two months …
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Chelsea Howard / Sporting News:
MLB trade rumors: Indians unlikely to move Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Reds Xtra: Where will Cincinnati Reds' top prospect Nick Senzel play next year?  —  When Spring Training begins in February, all eyes will be on top prospect Nick Senzel.  It's clear that the Reds believe he can contribute to the Major League team next season, but there are other questions:
Jay Jaffe / ESPN:
How defense helps or hurts players on the Hall of Fame ballot  —  It would be inaccurate to say that a shelf full of Gold Gloves used to be easily converted into a golden ticket to Cooperstown, not when players such as 11-time winner Keith Hernandez, nine-timer Don Mattingly and a handful of eight-timers …
Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
There's more than one reason why Jurickson Profar's time with the Rangers was a huge disappointment  —  Gerry Fraley, Rangers beat writer for SportsDayDFW.com and The Dallas Morning News, answered your questions about the team during a live chat Thursday.  Below are highlights, edited for clarity.
Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers were 2nd-worst in sports in 2018; things are looking up  —  With the Detroit teams all in varying degrees of a rebuild, the Tigers have perhaps been more willing to embrace the struggle.  —  That said, “we'll be good in a few years” is a hard sell.  Even harder in today's win-now culture.
Geoff Baker / The Seattle Times:
In court documents, Mariners allege that Lorena Martin was dishonest and misrepresented herself  —  Former Mariners high performance director Dr. Lorena Martin, fired in November, denied the team's allegations.  “The Mariners are fabricating a termination rationale to avoid their contractual obligations,” she said.
Associated Press:
Matt Shoemaker agrees to 1-year deal with Blue Jays  —  TORONTO — Free-agent pitcher Matt Shoemaker has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced Friday.  —  Shoemaker went 2-2 with a 4.94 ERA in seven starts with the Los Angeles Angels last season.
Lee Judge / Kansas City Star:
Before we get to 2019, did Joe Buck ruin the World Series?  Or was it analytics?  —  Fox Sports broadcaster Joe Buck.  —  MICHAEL PEREZ  —  After the 2018 World Series, Fox broadcaster Joe Buck gave a radio interview in which he said TV ratings were down because the games weren't that compelling.
Jeff Passan / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Sources: Angels agree to deal with Jonathan Lucroy after disappointing 2018 season  —  Los Angeles Angels agreed on a one-year, $3.35 million deal Friday, giving the active Angels a full-time catcher and Lucroy an opportunity to bounce back from a disappointing season, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
ESPN:
Rays' Tommy Pham: Tampa Bay has ‘really no fan base at all’  —  Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Tommy Pham issued a stinging assessment Thursday of his team's attendance woes, telling SiriusXM that a new stadium or even relocation might be needed to draw more fans.
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Mike Sherman / Tampa Bay Times:
Tommy Pham: Rays need a new stadium or a new city
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Slugger Nelson Cruz, Twins agree to one-year deal  —  Free-agent slugger Nelson Cruz has agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins for $14.3 million, a source confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.  —  The deal also features a $12 million team option for 2020, according to the source.
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 More News: 
Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' Yohander Mendez ends Venezuela winter-league stay on down note
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
After moving on from Kelly, Cardinals bring back catcher Pena
Michelle Berth / Over the Monster:
Prioritizing the contract extensions for Boston's upcoming free agents
Discussion: Surviving Grady
 Earlier Picks: 
Chicago Tribune:
Cubs lose minor-league field coordinator Tim Cossins to Orioles, promote Chris Valaika to hitting coordinator
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
David Wellham / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Terry Pendleton to join Braves Hall of Fame
ESPN:
The Year That ... : What we'd bet baseball in 2018 will be remembered for forever
Discussion: Over the Monster
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Catherine Santino / People:
Sydney Sweeney Shares Emotional Response to Controversial American Eagle Jeans Ad: 'I'm Against Hate' (Exclusive)

Reuters:
American playwright Jeremy O. Harris arrested in Japan on alleged drug smuggling

Kate Werbowski / gofundme.com:
Honoring Chad: Support for His Funeral & Family

 
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