Top News:
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets may have found their No. 2 hitter in free agent Jed Lowrie — Ed Kranepool (l) and Art Shamsky (r) discuss the 1969 title team — Brodie Van Wagenen's busy offseason continued Thursday night with the surprising development that Jed Lowrie agreed to a two-year, $20-million deal.
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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 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets To Sign Jed Lowrie
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Elite Sports NY, DRaysBay, Bleacher Nation and Lone Star Ball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Sign Luis Avilan To Minor League Deal
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Chicago Tribune:
Manny Machado's high school coach thinks he'll choose the White Sox — Photos of Manny Machado, one of the top free agents this season. — Chicago Tribune — Where will Manny Machado land? — His high school baseball coach says it'll be the White Sox.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
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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, Bucs Dugout, MLB Trade Rumors, baseballmusings.com and Sports Illustrated
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Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves avoid arbitration with Foltynewicz, 3 others — The Braves avoided arbitration with starter Mike Foltynewicz ($5.475 million), reliever Arodys Vizcaino ($4.8 million), utilityman Charlie Culberson ($1.395 million) and outfielder Adam Duvall ($2.9 million) before the 1 p.m. Friday deadline.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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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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 …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Lone Star Ball
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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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Alex Bregman Undergoes Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery — The Astros announced Friday that third baseman Alex Bregman underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow earlier today. Bregman is expected to be limited at the start of Spring Training but ready for full duty by Opening Day.
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 …
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.
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.
