Top News:
Pete Caldera / USA Today:
Yankees' addition of DJ LeMahieu casts more doubt on potential Manny Machado signing — .A lukewarm pursuit of Manny Machado might have just gone cold for the New York Yankees — On Friday, the Yankees and infielder D.J. LeMahieu agreed on a two-year, $24 million contract, first reported by the YES Network's Jack Curry.
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Scott Chiusano / New York Daily News:
Manny Machado's camp wants you to think there's a mystery team in the mix: report — There's a mystery team in play for Manny Machado...at least that's what his agent wants everyone to believe. — In addition to the Phillies and White Sox, Fancred's Jon Heyman reported Friday that another team …
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Phillies hire Manny Machado's mentor as infield coach, as pursuit of megastar free agents heats up — Let's get this out of the way: Manny Machado won't sign with the Phillies because they hired his longtime coach or the Chicago White Sox because they filled their lineup with his brother-in-law and one of his best friends.
Discussion:
South Side Sox and NESN.com
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.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees To Sign DJ LeMahieu — 11:43am: LeMahieu is heading to the Yankees, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. His contract is believed to be a two-year deal with a guarantee in the range of $24MM. — 11:40am: The Yankees are closing in on a two-year contract with free-agent second …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, NBCSports.com, DodgerBlue.com, Beyond the Box Score and MLB Baseball News …
Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:
Zach Britton has one thing on his mind by returning to the Yankees - winning ... Manny Machado's motivations may be different — Zach Britton, who two years ago led the American League in saves, says he re-signed with the Yankees despite knowing he will not close, for a simple reason.
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Aaron Nola, Trevor Story likely to join Luis Severino in arbitration hearings — Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story and Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola did not reach settlements on one-year deals for the 2019 season and are expected to head to arbitration hearings to determine their salaries …
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Mile High Sports
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Matt Ehalt / USA Today:
Jacob deGrom gets record contract; Mets still hopeful for long-term extension — A historic season resulted in a historic raise for Jacob deGrom. — DeGrom received the largest arbitration raise in Major League Baseball history by agreeing to a $17 million deal for 2019, according to a source.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Jacob deGrom and the Mets avoid arbitration as Cy Young winner accepts $17M for 2019
Maria Torres / Baltimore Sun:
Dodgers trade for catcher Russell Martin — Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin tries to tag Texas Rangers' Rougned Odor at the plate on Oct. 9, 2015. (Frank Gunn / Canadian Press / Associated Press) — The Dodgers on Friday found a solution for their vacancy at catcher …
Discussion:
FiveThirtyEight
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Michael Fulmer could stand in way of Tigers arbitration-free streak — Who will start for the Detroit Tigers in 2019 after their offseason acquisitions — The streak is still intact — for now. — But with the Detroit Tigers and right-handed starting pitcher Michael Fulmer failing …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers prospect Gregory Soto suspended 20 games by MLB — Who will start for the Detroit Tigers in 2019 after their offseason acquisitions — Gregory Soto, the Detroit Tigers' left-handed pitching prospect who was named the organization's minor league pitcher of the year two seasons ago, has been suspended 20 games.
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs sign suspended SS Addison Russell for below market value — CHICAGO — The Cubs have signed suspended shortstop Addison Russell to a one-year deal worth $3.4 million, avoiding an arbitration hearing, according to a source. — Russell can make up to a total of $4 million with roster time incentives …
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:
MLB Baseball News … and Talking Chop
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:
The Crawfish Boxes
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians Avoid Arbitration With Francisco Lindor — The Indians have agreed to a 2019 salary with star shortstop Francisco Lindor, Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer reports (Twitter links). It's a $10.55MM deal, checking in just shy of the first-year arb-eligible record set last year by Kris Bryant at $10.85MM.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe