Top News:
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Passan: Why the baseball world is waiting on Manny and Bryce — In November 2017, when baseball free agency ground to an unexpected halt, teams claimed that there was no nefariousness to the industry's sudden sheepishness in signing players. They were simply waiting for Shohei Ohtani to pick …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, NBCSports.com, Deadspin, NESN.com, Phillies Nation and Sportsnet.ca
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Associated Press:
Troy Tulowitzki agrees to a one-year deal with Yankees — The New York Yankees have obtained a low-cost infield replacement, agreeing to a one-year contract with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for the major league minimum $555,000, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press.
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Sources: Yankees acquiring SS Troy Tulowitzki to bolster infield — Free-agent veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has agreed to a deal to join the New York Yankees, league sources tell ESPN. — The deal, which is pending completion of a physical exam, provides the Yankees a cost-effective shortstop …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Pinstripe Alley, Cubs Insider, FenwayNation, Fish Stripes, River Avenue Blues and Deadspin
Jim Salisbury / NBCSports.com:
Source: Phillies plan to meet with Bryce Harper even as they await Manny Machado's decision — The New Year has arrived and the Phillies remain one of at least three teams serious about signing free-agent infielder Manny Machado. — Machado visited with the White Sox, Yankees and Phillies before Christmas.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, Crossing Broad and The Good Phight
Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:
Troy Tulowitzki is just a spare part, Manny Machado is still the big target for the Yankees — At his peak, Troy Tulowitzki's offensive talents were closer to those of Alex Rodriguez than Derek Jeter. — Twice he hit more than 30 home runs and five times he posted an OPS over .900 - once …
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees, Troy Tulowitzki Agree To Deal — The Yankees have agreed to a deal with free-agent shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, pending a physical, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. It's expected to be worth the league minimum of $555K, Passan adds. — The 34-year-old Tulowitzki will remain at shortstop …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Scott Chiusano / New York Daily News:
Manny Machado's most recent Instagram follow will be of interest to Yankees fans
Mike Rosenstein / New Jersey Online:
MLB rumors: Who will sign 1st ... Manny Machado or Bryce Harper? Latest odds
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Pinstripe Alley, The Good Phight, Bleed Cubbie Blue and DodgerBlue.com
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Free-agent lefty Yusei Kikuchi agrees with Mariners — Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi agreed to a deal with the Seattle Mariners late Monday night, delivering a New Year's surprise for a team that has traded a number of foundational pieces already this winter, league sources familiar with the deal told ESPN.
Discussion:
New York Post, Pinstripe Alley and baseballmusings.com
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners, Yusei Kikuchi Reach Agreement
Discussion:
sports.MyNorthwest.com, MLB Daily Dish, Lookout Landing, MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
ESPN:
The five best trade fits for Corey Kluber — As the calendar turns to 2019, rumors of a Corey Kluber trade continue. A series of money-saving moves saw Yan Gomes, Yonder Alonso, Yandy Diaz, and Edwin Encarnacion traded from a division winner with Carlos Santana and Jake Bauers the principal returns.
John Dreker / piratesprospects.com:
Pirates Sign Left-Handed Pitcher Tyler Lyons — The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed 30-year-old left-handed pitcher Tyler Lyons to a minor league deal. Lyons spent part of 2018 with the St Louis Cardinals, posting an 8.64 ERA in 16.2 innings over 27 appearances.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, Rum Bunter and Baseball My Life
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Report: Free-agent pitcher Derek Holland says Cincinnati Reds have been in contact — Free-agent pitcher Derek Holland told MLB Network Radio that the Cincinnati Reds have contacted him during this offseason, according to a report via Twitter from MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Red Reporter and Baseball My Life
Dan Schlossberg / Forbes:
Braves Wonder Whether 2019 Will Bring Good News Or Bad News — Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. — The Atlanta Braves, who once won a record 14 division crowns in a row, will have a tall task starting a new streak - even with the first one already in the books.
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Jon Meoli / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles hire Koby Perez as senior director of international scouting — The Orioles' first piece of business in 2019 was one that new executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias has said was a priority since his arrival in November: bringing in someone to lead the club's under-utilized international scouting operation.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Brodie Van Wagenen now needs to finish what he started for Mets … The Mets' December to remember served as a solid start to this offseason, but now what about January? — After adding Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia and Wilson Ramos in a flurry following his arrival as general manager …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
After acquiring Clayton Richard, health issues a concern for Blue Jays starters — Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins was at downtown Toronto's Kensington Market on Monday, no doubt shopping for something other than a recently banged-up starting pitcher. — When you break down the Jays' rotation as it stands now …
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