Top News:
Rotoworld.com:
Lowdown: Brewers' New Backstop — Brewers' New Backstop — The Milwaukee Brewers became major players in the free agent market on Wednesday, adding some significant punch behind the plate. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported that the team had secured a one-year commitment from Yasmani Grandal …
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets To Sign Jed Lowrie
Mets To Sign Jed Lowrie
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, DRaysBay, Bleacher Nation, MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers In “Heavy” Pursuit Of Infield Upgrade
Brewers In “Heavy” Pursuit Of Infield Upgrade
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Bleacher Nation
Toronto Sun:
Catcher Yasmani Grandal, Brewers reportedly agree to one-year deal — NEW YORK — Catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to an $18.25 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press. — The person spoke on condition …
Discussion:
FiveThirtyEight, NBCSports.com and Bleacher Nation
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Zachary D. Rymer / Bleacher Report:
Madison Bumgarner to Brewers Blockbuster Would Create Cubs' Worst 2019 Nightmare
Madison Bumgarner to Brewers Blockbuster Would Create Cubs' Worst 2019 Nightmare
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Trade Rumors and Brew Crew Ball
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Brewers reach agreement on one-year, $18.25 million deal with catcher Yasmani Grandal
Brewers reach agreement on one-year, $18.25 million deal with catcher Yasmani Grandal
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Sources: Yasmani Grandal agrees to 1-year, $18.25M deal with Brewers
Sources: Yasmani Grandal agrees to 1-year, $18.25M deal with Brewers
Discussion:
Deadspin and The Crawfish Boxes
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards hope to complete one-year deals with Ozuna, Wacha before Friday's arbitration deadline — In an attempt to use a deadline to spur agreement or leave salaries in the hands of three arbiters, the Cardinals have adopted the popular “file-and-trial” approach to negotiations with arbitration-eligible players.
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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Newcomer Jon Jay says friend Manny Machado will 'do what's best for his family' when making free-agent decision — Chicago Tribune — White Sox general manager Rick Hahn understands how it looks. New outfielder Jon Jay realizes it too. — But both were adamant Thursday …
Discussion:
Deadspin
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Corey Seidman / NBCSports.com:
Evolution of free agency is hurting players but could help Phillies with Manny Machado and Bryce Harper
Evolution of free agency is hurting players but could help Phillies with Manny Machado and Bryce Harper
Discussion:
NESN.com
Associated Press:
Source: Ex-Dodger Brian Dozier and the Nationals agree to $9-million, one-year deal — Brian Dozier found his latest team — and the Washington Nationals found a temporary solution at second base. — The free agent infielder and the Nationals agreed to a $9-million, one-year contract …
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Craig Edwards / FanGraphs Baseball:
Nationals Gain Upside with Brian Dozier — While much of the focus of the Nationals' offseason has been the potential loss of Bryce Harper, the club has been one of the more active teams this winter. Their big move brought in Patrick Corbin. They also signed Anibal Sanchez and traded Tanner Roark.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, MLB Trade Rumors, Bucs Dugout, Sports Illustrated and baseballmusings.com
ESPN:
Blue Jays reach one-year deal with free-agent RHP David Phelps — The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a deal with free-agent right-hander David Phelps, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Thursday night. — The one-year deal is worth $2.5 million and includes a club option, sources said.
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Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays' Dalton Pompey answers call for Canada for Pan Am Games qualifiers
Blue Jays' Dalton Pompey answers call for Canada for Pan Am Games qualifiers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Steven Wright agrees with Red Sox on one-year contract — BOSTON — Knuckleballer Steven Wright and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year contract for $1,375,000, a raise of $275,000, in a deal that avoided arbitration. — An All-Star in 2016, the 34-year-old right-hander started …
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Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Passan: Inside the wild, wonky world of MLB salary arbitration
Passan: Inside the wild, wonky world of MLB salary arbitration
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Over the Monster and Bleacher Nation
New York Daily News:
Mets sign lefty reliever Luis Avilan to minor-league deal — Before making a bigger splash with the Jed Lowrie signing, though that one came with some questions, the Mets made a smaller move on Thursday to acquire a lefty arm for the bullpen. — They signed Luis Avilan to a minor league deal …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Sign Luis Avilan To Minor League Deal
Mets Sign Luis Avilan To Minor League Deal
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets eye short-term Jacob deGrom fix with arbitration looming … Jacob deGrom's 2019 contract could be resolved as soon as Friday, but his long-term status likely will not be addressed until later. — The star pitcher heads the list of Mets players who must decide by Friday whether to settle …
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Associated Press:
Angels avoid arbitration with RHPs JC Ramirez, Nick Tropeano — LOS ANGELES — The Angels agreed to one-year contracts with right-handers JC Ramirez and Nick Tropeano that avoided salary arbitration. — Ramirez agreed at $1,901,000 on Thursday, a raise of $1,000.
Associated Press:
Casali agrees to $950,000, 1-year deal with Reds — CINCINNATI (AP) — Catcher Curt Casali and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $950,000, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. — Casali, 30, was acquired from Tampa Bay on May 31. He batted .293 in 52 games for the Reds — 35 starts — with four homers and 16 RBIs.
Associated Press:
John Ryan Murphy, D-Backs reach $900,000, 1-year deal — PHOENIX — Catcher John Ryan Murphy and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a $900,000, one-year contract, a raise from his $558,000 salary last year. — The 27-year-old set career bests with nine homers and 24 RBI in 223 plate appearances, hitting .202.
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
The question lingers - how far would the Nationals go to sign Bryce Harper? — Sign Bryce Harper, and the Nationals easily could surpass the luxury-tax threshold for the third straight season. If that happened, they would pay the maximum 50 percent penalty for every dollar they spend above the threshold in 2019.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, NBCSports.com and Bleacher Nation
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Associated Press:
Padres agree with Travis Jankowski to avoid arbitration — SAN DIEGO — Outfielder Travis Jankowski and the San Diego Padres agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,165,000, a raise from his $555,000 salary last year. — The 27-year-old hit .259 with four homers and 17 RBI last year.