Top News:
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
MLB stock watch: Midwinter winners and losers — The Christmas holiday marks the midpoint of the baseball offseason. In fact, given an initial spring training reporting date of Feb. 13 for pitchers and catchers, the recent Dec. 25 respite neatly splits the hot stove season perfectly in two.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
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Daily Record:
Manny Machado still a Yankees option with Troy Tulowitzki signing? Brian Cashman weighs in — NEW YORK - As the waiting game for Manny Machado continues, the Yankees have gone all-in for Troy Tulowitzki. — At least for now. — “We're going into this with a commitment level …
Andy Martino / SNY:
This new info about Troy Tulowitzki makes you wonder about Yankees and Manny Machado — Tulowitzki received either offers or genuine interest from 16 teams, according to major league sources — The Yankees remain silent about their pursuit of Manny Machado, and the baseball world is left …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation and Cubs Insider
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Manny Machado gets formal offer from White Sox; talks heat up with Bryce Harper
Manny Machado gets formal offer from White Sox; talks heat up with Bryce Harper
Discussion:
The Athletic, La Vida Baseball, Sportsnet.ca, The Loop Sports, New York Post and Chicago Sun-Times
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Steady reliever David Robertson signs two-year deal with Phillies
Steady reliever David Robertson signs two-year deal with Phillies
Discussion:
KFH Radio
Justin Terranova / New York Post:
Bryce Harper pursuit murky as ever with Nationals back in picture
Bryce Harper pursuit murky as ever with Nationals back in picture
Discussion:
Sporting News, Federal Baseball and Halos Heaven
Associated Press:
Mets sign Arquimedes Caminero, Rymer Liriano to minor league deals — NEW YORK — The Mets have signed reliever Arquimedes Caminero and outfielder Rymer Liriano to minor league contracts, adding depth in two areas where New York appeared thin. — The team announced the moves Thursday …
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Terry Francona has high praise for Mets manager Mickey Callaway
Drew Davison / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
You could own a piece of Rangers — or Blue Jays? — history for ... $8,000? — Texas Rangers fans have a chance to own a piece of iconic history in franchise history. Or, maybe it's more iconic for Toronto Blue Jays fans. — Whatever the case, the home run ball from Jose Bautista's …
Alissa Greenberg / The Guardian:
San Francisco lighthouse seeks caretakers. Salary: $130,000 — Tiny island with beautiful views of city could be your new home - if you can pilot a boat and run a bed and breakfast — Wanted: lighthouse keepers. — Location: a tiny island with remarkable views of San Francisco.
Discussion:
WQAD-TV
Carl Lisciandrello / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays reducing seating capacity at Tropicana Field to create more ‘intimate’ experience — Among the changes are reducing capacity to 25,000-26,000 and eliminating the upper 300 level, according to a news release. — Seating capacity at Tropicana Field will be reduced to about 25,000 …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Deadspin and DRaysBay
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Claim Austin Brice, Designate Breyvic Valera — The Orioles have claimed right-hander Austin Brice off waivers from the Angels, as announced by both teams. In a corresponding move to clear roster space, the O's have designated infielder Breyvic Valera for assignment.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays Acquire Oliver Drake, Designate Jaime Schultz — The Blue Jays announced that they have traded right-hander Oliver Drake to the Rays in exchange for cash. Toronto designated Drake for assignment last week to open a spot on the roster for newly acquired southpaw Clayton Richard.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Thuc Nhi Nguyen / Daily News:
UCLA beats Stanford, ends slide in Murry Bartow's debut as coach — LOS ANGELES — It was the most exciting basketball UCLA has played in weeks. A no-look alley-oop pass, a steal that led to a fast-break three-point play and a stolen in-bound pass capped with a two-handed dunk.
Evan Woodbery / MLive.com:
Trade Nicholas Castellanos? Tigers shopping for an offer that might not come — DETROIT — It's the one thing that might add some excitement to a fairly sleepy hot-stove season, but it would also make the 2019 Detroit Tigers considerably worse. — And unless the Tigers lower their asking price, it might not happen at all.
Evan Drellich / NBCSports.com:
Where is Craig Kimbrel's market? — More teams should be tripping over themselves to sign Craig Kimbrel. Not at the six-year, $100 million price point that was floated in reports in December. But Kimbrel is worth a pretty penny, despite criticism around him and his love of the save.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, FenwayNation and MLB Trade Rumors
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Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Dissecting the Craig Kimbrel market
Dissecting the Craig Kimbrel market
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Baseball My Life
Damian Calhoun / Daily Breeze:
Daily Breeze Girls Athlete of the Week — Noteworthy: Hanaoka helped lead the Panthers to the championship of the NCAA Blue Division at the SoCal Prep Holiday Classic. She scored 21 points in the 51-49 win over Oak Ridge in the championship game. She averaged 19.5 points per game during the tournament.
Discussion:
Whittier Daily News
Jeff Sullivan / FanGraphs Baseball:
David Robertson Is the Phillies' New Right-Handed Lefty Reliever — Baseball finds itself in a difficult position. On the one hand, there's a clear, increasing emphasis on bullpen usage, as starters are throwing fewer and fewer innings every year. Teams are leaning on their relievers now more than ever …
Discussion:
Philly.com, The Good Phight, Pinstripe Alley, NBCSports.com and baseballmusings.com
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Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:
Zach Britton is now the Yankees' focus with David Robertson gone and Adam Ottavino all but out of contention
Zach Britton is now the Yankees' focus with David Robertson gone and Adam Ottavino all but out of contention
Discussion:
The Athletic and NESN.com