Yankees say Troy Tulowitzki is their shortstop but won't rule out signing Manny Machado  —  The Yankees view Troy Tulowitzki as their starting shortstop until Didi Gregorius returns from Tommy John surgery this summer.  —  Still, general manager Brian Cashman won't rule out trying to sign Manny Machado …

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.

Rangers acquire RHP Luke Farrell on waiver claim from Angels  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers acquired right-handed pitcher Luke Farrell on a waiver claim Friday from the Los Angeles Angels.  —  Texas also signed right-handers Adrian Sampson and Rafael Montero to minor league contracts …

Mariners expect Ichiro Suzuki, 45, to make opening-day roster as team starts season in Tokyo  —  Ichiro Suzukli, 45, has not retired.  —  He has often insisted that he would like to play until he is 50 years old.  —  The door is open for his return.  —  Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry DiPoto …

Twins to revamp busiest Target Field gate  —  Twins officials announced Thursday that work on Gate 34 (so named after Hall of Fame outfielder Kirby Puckett) will add more than 9,300 square feet of new space inside the ballpark.  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The busiest gate at Target Field …

Operating in Bears' shadow no problem for quiet Cubs: 'I'm pulling for them,' Theo Epstein says  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Chicago's intense focus on the Bears has managed to render the Cubs invisible this offseason, something you might have thought impossible only a couple of years ago.

Braves' comp pick fortune unclear as Stewart enrolls at JUCO  —  After failing to reach an agreement with the Braves, right-hander Carter Stewart enrolled at East Florida State junior college to begin what's expected to be a brief collegiate career.  The Braves' likelihood of receiving a compensation pick …

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 …

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 …

Steady reliever David Robertson signs two-year deal with Phillies  —  Free-agent reliever David Robertson has signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that includes a third-year club option, the team announced Thursday.  —  Robertson will make $10 million in 2019 and $11 million in 2020, a source told ESPN.