Phillies' meeting with Bryce Harper might not end in an immediate deal, but optimism builds about free agency prospects  —  It took roughly 10 weeks, but the Phillies finally found themselves on Saturday face-to-face with Bryce Harper.  —  The Phillies — led by owner John Middleton …

Phillies avoid arbitration with six players, not Aaron Nola  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have avoided arbitration with six players, including second baseman Cesar Hernandez and third baseman Maikel Franco.  —  All-Star right-hander Aaron Nola didn't reach an agreement with the team.

Tigers deal with Nicholas Castellanos paves way for eventual trade  —  Who will start for the Detroit Tigers in 2019 after their offseason acquisitions  —  Heading toward Friday's deadline for teams and players to exchange salary arbitration figures, one case stood out as the Detroit Tigers' most complicated.

Padres moving Wil Myers back to the outfield, may need third baseman  —  SAN DIEGO — Wil Myers said Saturday that he's moving back to the rebuilding Padres' crowded outfield, indicating that San Diego is likely still in the market for a third baseman.  —  Myers said the decision …

Manny Pina's Contract Details  —  Catcher Manny Pina signed for $1.6MM in 2019, his first season of arbitration eligibility, but the Milwaukee Brewers hold a team option for 2020 worth $1.85MM, per Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  —  The team option for 2020 also includes …

Rams show playoff toughness, beat Dallas Cowboys to advance to NFC title game  —  C.J. Anderson, Todd Gurley run over the Dallas defense in a 30-22 home victory  —  LOS ANGELES - Dallas had a good game plan, a winning one.  So the Rams co-opted it, improved it, rolled it up and smacked the Cowboys around with it Saturday night.

Twins reach deals with eight players to avoid arbitration  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Right-hander Kyle Gibson and left fielder Eddie Rosario were among eight Minnesota Twins players who avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to one-year contracts Friday.  —  Gibson and Rosario received hefty raises.

The last-ditch option for heating up MLB's Hot Stove season  —  Oh, goodness, the hand-wringing.  —  So much hand-wringing over this slow-moving free-agent market.  From the players' side.  From the media.  From the fans.  —  It's enough to drive a free-market advocate into considering ... salary caps and floors?

Let's hold off on anointing Brodie Van Wagenen as the man who made Mets act like a big market team  —  Brodie Van Wagenen's signings and trades just keep on coming this winter with the new Mets GM being hailed as the great emancipator of the Wilpons' vault by swinging it wide open to the tune of some $191 million in spending so far.

Whatever Arenado wants, the Rockies should oblige him  —  As the 2019 season approaches, the Colorado Rockies have many questions surrounding the future of the roster.  The one that most Rockies fans are focused on is whether or not Nolan Arenado and the club can come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension.

Slugger Davis, A's reach agreement on $16.5M, 1-yr deal  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Athletics slugger Khris Davis is getting a $6 million raise after leading the majors in home runs last season.  —  Davis reached agreement Friday with Oakland on a $16.5 million, one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration.