Ed Kranepool, Art Shamsky excited for upcoming events honoring Mets' 1969 title team  —  Ed Kranepool (l) and Art Shamsky (r) discuss the 1969 title team  —  NEW YORK - For some of the members of the 1969 Mets, one of the great underdog title teams, it's as if they only played one season with the Mets.

Former Cardinal Chris Duncan takes leave from radio job  —  Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan has taken a permanent leave of absence from his radio job to battle brain cancer.  —  Duncan, the son of former Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, hit 22 homers as a rookie during St. Louis' 2006 title run.

Manny Machado Rumors: Decision Coming Within a Week amid Yankees Links  —  Free-agent infielder Manny Machado is reportedly expected to sign with a team “within a week,” according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago.  —  Levine noted that the Chicago White Sox …

Mets, Travis d'Arnaud agree to $3.5 million deal  —  NEW YORK — Catcher Travis d'Arnaud got a $40,000 raise from the New York Mets to $3,515,000 despite missing nearly all of last season following Tommy John surgery.  —  D'Arnaud, who turns 30 on Feb. 10, has been on the disabled list …

How David Wright reacted to infamous Marlin catching final Mets at-bat  —  David Wright had some fun with the Marlin responsible for putting a slight damper on his Amazin' finale.  —  Infamous in Flushing for capping off the captain's final at-bat in his triumphant return …

Rankings and predictions for every top remaining free agent  —  It's time for a free-agency update!  There are still a lot of free agents out there beside Bryce Harper and Manny Machado — including some quality second basemen, one of the best closers of all time, some past-their-prime outfielders …

Rangers Sign Shelby Miller  —  5:00pm: The Rangers have announced the signing.  Texas also formally announced its previously reported minor league signings of right-hander Jeanmar Gomez and infielder/outfielder Danny Santana.  Both Gomez and Santana will be in Spring Training as non-roster invitees.

Kelvin Herrera says White Sox remind him of the rebuilding Royals who won the 2015 World Series  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kelvin Herrera played an integral role on the Royals team that won the 2015 World Series, and the White Sox's newest reliever said he sees some of the same signs …

How Cubs manager Joe Maddon helped recruit Bruce Arians to the Bucs  —  Maddon and Arians grew up about 100 miles apart in Pennsylvania and a dinner at his south Tampa restaurant helped talk the Cardinals coach out of retiremment  —  Bruce Arians needed some convincing.

Astros Scouting And Player Development Is Extending Team's Contention Window  —  With the Mets needing corner infield depth, the Astros sent third baseman J.D. Davis to New York on Sunday and brought back in return Luis Santana, a promising teenaged middle infield prospect who is years away from the majors.