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10:50 AM ET, January 11, 2019

Ballbug

 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 …
RELATED:
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.
RELATED:
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 …
Scott Chiusano / New York Daily News:
CC Sabathia is still confident Yankees can land Manny Machado  —  CC Sabathia believes Manny Machado will come around on the Yankees.  They just need to wait him out.  —  “I feel like the longer it goes on, the better chance we have,” the veteran lefty said on his podcast with Ryan Ruocco.
RELATED:
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Newcomer Jon Jay says friend Manny Machado will 'do what's best for his family' when making free-agent decision
Discussion: Deadspin
Corey Seidman / NBCSports.com:   Evolution of free agency is hurting players but could help Phillies with Manny Machado and Bryce Harper
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.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   As market starts to move, Cardinals have decisions to make now
Associated Press:
Shelby Miller signs 1-year deal with Texas; Jaime Garcia retires; Grandal to Brewers
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.
RELATED:
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:   Blue Jays' Dalton Pompey answers call for Canada for Pan Am Games qualifiers
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 …
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Sign Luis Avilan To Minor League Deal
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
AJ Mass / ESPN:
Fantasy baseball free-agent and trade tracker  —  For even the most committed fantasy baseball managers, getting caught up on a lengthy offseason of wheeling and dealing and free agent signings can be complicated.  —  To that end, here's a brief snapshot of some of the higher-profile transactions …
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 …
RELATED:
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Passan: Inside the wild, wonky world of MLB salary arbitration
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers taking chance on rotation full of Tommy John patients in effort to get ‘bang for our buck’  —  ARLINGTON - It seemed a little bit odd Thursday to see Rangers general manager Jon Daniels helping to introduce the announcement of an upcoming Billy Joel concert at Globe Life Park.
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
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.
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.
RELATED:
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:   Manny Machado and Bryce Harper still have us (and the Phillies) waiting | Extra Innings
Maury Brown / Forbes:
Economic Data Shows MLB Spent Less On Player Salaries Compared To Revenues In 2018  —  Major League Baseball had another record year for revenues in 2018, but the amount that went to the players saw the biggest drop year-over-year dating back to 2012.  —  Earlier in the week I reported …
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.
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.
 
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 More News: 
La Velle E. Neal III / Star Tribune:
Twins sign catcher Tomas Telis, pitcher Dario Alvarez to minor league contracts
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets eye short-term Jacob deGrom fix with arbitration looming
Mark Medina / Mercury News:
Warriors' Steve Kerr said DeMarcus Cousins will start in his first game
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs will start spring training on Feb. 12 in Arizona
Toronto Sun:
Catcher Yasmani Grandal, Brewers reportedly agree to one-year deal
 Earlier Picks: 
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Yankees pitcher to MLB scout to bench. One man's journey to get back to baseball.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants Showing Interest In DJ LeMahieu, Exploring Joe Panik Trades
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Buster's Buzz: Brewers' discipline gets Grandal at their price
 

 
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New York Times:
How to Be Real With Your Kids  —  Actor Penn Badgley reads the essay “Watching Them Watching Me” …

Daily Star:
Scene where Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, tragically died as police cordon area

 
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