MLB payrolls dropped for 1st time since 2010  —  Spending on Major League Baseball payrolls dropped last season for the first time since 2010, an $18 million decrease attributable to drug and domestic violence suspensions and a player retiring at midseason.  —  Still, even a year with flat payrolls is unusual for MLB.

2019's stealth contenders and the next move each should make  —  I think many of us share an idea of who makes up the cream of the MLB crop.  In the American League, it would be a shock not to see the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros return to the playoffs.

Dodgers Acquire Jaime Schultz  —  The Dodgers have struck a deal to acquire right-hander Jaime Schultz from the Rays, per Eduardo Encina of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter).  Fellow righty Caleb Sampen is headed to Tampa Bay in return.  —  Schultz was bumped from the Tampa Bay 40-man roster recently …

Yankees sign outfielder Billy Burns to minor-league deal with spring training invite  —  NEW YORK — Switch-hitting former Athletics and Royals outfielder Billy Burns has agreed to a Yankees minor league contract with an invitation to big-league camp.  —  The signing of Burns, 29, was announced by the Yankees on Monday.

MLB Sees Record Revenues Of $10.3 Billion For 2018  —  The bottom line for Major League Baseball continued to be strong in 2018, even as growth slowed compared with previous years.  —  For the 16th consecutive year, MLB saw record gross revenues.  For 2018, baseball-related revenues were $10.3 billion …

Choosing Travis d'Arnaud over Kevin Plawecki could backfire on NY Mets  —  Mets welcome Wilson Ramos to Flushing  —  Once the Mets signed Wilson Ramos to be their everyday catcher, it made either Travis d'Arnaud or Kevin Plawecki expendable.  —  D'Arnaud has a higher ceiling but comes …