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 …
RELATED:
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Rumors swirl but Bryce Harper's market remains far blurrier than Manny Machado's — A hush settled in over the baseball world recently, a polite quiet that allowed everyone a break for the holidays, at least on the outside. But as the calendar turned, the free agent market continued to churn …
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, Federal Baseball, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleacher Nation
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.
Barry Petchesky / Deadspin:
It's Time For Some Bryce Harper Game Theory — When last we left the Bryce Harper Derby ... absolutely nothing was happening, or so we were led to believe. The 26-year-old superstar outfield has been taking his time, sitting on (as far as we know) a single formal offer, $300 million over 10 years, from the Washington Nationals.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Cubs Insider and NBCSports.com
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.
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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, River Avenue Blues, New York Times, The Runner Sports, Cubs Insider, Deadspin, FenwayNation, Fish Stripes and NESN.com
Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:
Troy Tulowitzki is just a spare part, Manny Machado is still the big target for the Yankees
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees, Troy Tulowitzki Agree To Deal
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Darren Hartwell / NBCSports.com:
Will Manny Machado sign soon? Instagram activity sparks Yankees buzz
Discussion:
La Vida Baseball, Pinstripe Alley, New York Post and Let's Go Tribe
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Do Cubs have enough to keep up in baseball's toughest division? — CHICAGO — Search “Cubs” in any social media platform these days, and you're not going to find the same vibe that existed after the 2016 World Series. A team coming off a disappointing finish — combined with a quiet winter so far …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs and White Sox seasons storylines for 2019, from the Cactus League openers to the World Series — Photos through the years at Cubs and White Sox spring training. — Chicago Tribune — The 2019 season is approaching, and though plenty of free agents remain unsigned, it's time to start thinking ahead.
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.
Ryan Fagan / Sporting News:
Baseball Hall of Fame 2019: SN's Ryan Fagan explains his ballot — Voting for the Hall of Fame is an honor and a privilege. Filling out my ballot, and writing the companion column explaining my thought process, is one of my favorite parts of the year. It's a bit stressful and exhausting …
Discussion:
WEEI
Keith Law / ESPN:
Yusei Kikuchi gives Mariners some credibility in midst of rebuild — The Seattle Mariners have been tearing down their major league roster this winter, so it was a modest surprise to hear they'd won the bidding for NPB star Yusei Kikuchi, posted this winter by the Seibu Lions …
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Free-agent lefty Yusei Kikuchi agrees with Mariners
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, New York Post and baseballmusings.com
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants' Zaidi downplays expectations for ‘big-splash acquisition’ — Nearly two months after he was hired to remake the Giants, and three weeks after the winter meetings, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has added one big-league player to the roster, ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Passes for Braves' Chop Fest autograph session on sale Friday — By - Staff reports, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Passes for the Braves' 2019 Chop Fest autograph sessions will go on sale on Friday at noon, the team announced Wednesday. — The second annual Chop Fest will be held Jan. 19 …
