Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Free agent Bryce Harper set for meeting with Phillies — The Philadelphia Phillies front office - including owner John Middleton - is flying to Las Vegas on Saturday to meet with prized free agent Bryce Harper and his agent, Scott Boras, in their first face-to-face talks …
Discussion:
Denver Post, New York Post, Phillies Nation, Royals Review and The Good Phight
RELATED:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
From hot stove to death march, baseball is screwing itself one cold winter at a time — Tickets for spring training games at Phoenix's lovely Camelback Ranch go on sale today, offering fans of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers an opportunity to throw down some cash and dream of warmer times just a few weeks away.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Federal Baseball
Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:
Why Manny Machado's wife, Yainee, could lead star to Yankees — The most important free-agent signing of the last off-season didn't occur until Feb. 26, precisely a month before Opening Day, when J.D. Martinez signed a five-year, $110 million deal, including two opt-out clauses, with the Boston Red Sox.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and NESN.com
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Harper scheduled to meet with Phillies on Saturday — The Phillies are set to visit Bryce Harper's hometown on Saturday for a sales pitch as they fly to Las Vegas to continue their pursuit of the superstar free agent, Philly.com reported Monday.
Evan Drellich / NBCSports.com:
Red Sox talking contract extension with one of their core players — BOSTON — While free agency creeps along and the Red Sox continue their pursuit of relief pitching, the team too has actively tried to lock up at least one member of its core. — The Sox have recently had extension talks …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, FenwayNation and The Athletic
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox To Sign Kelvin Herrera
Discussion:
NESN.com, FanGraphs Baseball, NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Sources: David Wright set to move into Mets front office — When David Wright walked into Citi Field last September, his future was murky. — After years of battling injuries, the Mets captain admitted he was physically unable to play major league baseball any more, but he isn't entirely ready to leave the game.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
David Wright to join NY Mets front office as assistant to GM Brodie Van Wagenen — David Wright won't be suiting up for the Mets anymore, but he'll still be around to help. — The Mets' captain is set to join the Mets front office as a special assistant to new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, a source confirmed.
Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Mets ticket rep appears to take bizarre approach to win fan back
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:
How Troy Tulowitzki sees the Yankees-Machado sweepstakes and an uncertain future — Everything about the Troy Tulowitzki-to-the-Yankees deal reeks of a temporary assignment, almost as if the five-time All-Star shortstop has been hired as seasonal help by a department store.
RELATED:
Bob Hille / Sporting News:
MLB trade rumors: Giants, Brewers talk deal for Madison Bumgarner — It's unclear whether the Giants will deal left-hander Madison Bumgarner before opening day or wait until the nonwaiver trade deadline in July, but if San Francisco does offload him this offseason the most likely destination is the Brewers, MLB.com reported.
Discussion:
Forbes, MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers, Giants Have Reportedly Discussed Madison Bumgarner Trade — The Giants and Brewers have had “substantive communication” this offseason regarding a potential Madison Bumgarner trade, Jon Morosi of MLB.com wrote this morning. While there's no indication that the sides are particularly likely …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Associated Press:
Indians acquire C Plawecki in trade with New York Mets — The Indians were in the market for a catcher after trading All-Star Yan Gomes to the Washington Nationals in December. — CLEVELAND (AP) - The Cleveland Indians have acquired catcher Kevin Plawecki in a trade with the New York Mets.
Discussion:
San Francisco Chronicle
RELATED:
Mike Puma / New York Post:
D'Arnaud upside, minor league star: What Mets' busy day of trades means
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and The Sports Daily
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Acquire J.D. Davis
Discussion:
metsdaddy.com, The Runner Sports, Mets Critic, Call to the Pen, baseballmusings.com, MLB Daily Dish and Lone Star Ball
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Jerry Buchek dies; ‘South St. Louis kid’ played for Cardinals — March 1967 — Jerry Buchek, a veteran all-purpose infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals at the age of 24, and rookie infielder Jimmy Williams find something to smile about. Williams is returning to the baseball wars after completing six months of military service.
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Why the Cubs are in a bind; the meaning behind the Mets' moves; ex-manager finds interesting new gig — Bryce Harper to the Cubs? Hah. — In late November, the Cubs' budgetary restrictions caused them to lose free-agent reliever Jesse Chavez to the Rangers on a two-year, $8 million contract.
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Bleacher Nation and Cubs Insider
