Top News:
ESPN:
White Sox make $175 million pitch to Manny Machado — Manny Machado remains unsigned, but the Chicago White Sox have made at least one pitch to the superstar shortstop. — Multiple sources told ESPN's Buster Olney that the White Sox have a seven-year, $175 million offer on the table for Machado.
Discussion:
The Big Lead, MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com, FanGraphs Baseball and NESN.com
RELATED:
Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Manny Machado's agent slams White Sox rumors and is livid — Manny Machado's agent wants to set the record straight — or perhaps it's just all a ploy. — The oft-reported seven years, $175 million White Sox offer for the co-highest-profile free agent available always seemed a bit peculiar …
Discussion:
NESN.com, Bleacher Nation and MLB Daily Dish
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Will the White Sox's reported offer of $175 million be enough to land Manny Machado? — Photos of Manny Machado, one of the top free agents this season. — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox repeatedly warn fans not to believe every rumor they hear concerning the team's offseason pursuits.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Daily Record:
Mets not looking to trade Todd Frazier after Jed Lowrie signing — NEW YORK — Todd Frazier isn't going anywhere. — While adding Jed Lowrie will cut into the Toms River native's playing time, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen is planning to keep Frazier.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Mets newcomer Jed Lowrie ready to play all over the diamond — NEW YORK — Jed Lowrie would rather talk about wine than whine. — The infielder visited Citi Field on Wednesday after finalizing a $20 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets, likely less money and a shorter term …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Jed Lowrie says he signed with Mets because he likes how aggressive Brodie Van Wagenen has been this offseason — Calling the moves that GM Brodie Van Wagenen has made this winter “aggressive,” Jed Lowrie said that made his decision to sign a two-year deal with the Mets easier.
Associated Press:
Yankees' DJ LeMahieu says he'll bring many gloves to spring training — NEW YORK — DJ LeMahieu is putting away his mittens and packing more mitts. — A star second baseman for Colorado, LeMahieu is set to join a crowded New York Yankees infield. — “I was told to bring a lot of gloves,” he said Wednesday on a conference call.
RELATED:
Daily Record:
Yankees' D.J. LeMahieu expects to shuttle around the infield for his new club — NEW YORK - D.J. LeMahieu has arrived in Yankees Universe without a defined role. — But he'll soon be packing for spring training, and “I was told to bring a lot of gloves, if that's any indication,” LeMahieu said on Wednesday.
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
After 7 “special years” in Colorado, DJ LeMahieu says going from Rockies to Yankees is exciting, not intimidating
Discussion:
Purple Row and Rox Pile
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Marty Brennaman — who called Cubs fans ‘most obnoxious’ — to retire after 46 seasons as Reds voice — Chicago Tribune — Hall of Fame Reds radio announcer Marty Brennaman announced Wednesday he plans to retire after the coming season, his 46th with the team.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs Convention panels we'd like to see: Where's Bryce? …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks to sign infielder Wilmer Flores, according to report — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent infielder Wilmer Flores, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports. — The team has an option for 2020, according to the report. — The deal is pending a physical.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Source: Diamondbacks agree with Wilmer Flores on 1-year deal — Infielder Wilmer Flores has agreed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2020 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, a source tells ESPN's Jeff Passan. — The deal is pending a physical. — Flores, 27, hit .267 with 11 homers …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
As Cardinals' prospects gather in Jupiter, Alex Reyes returns (briefly) to the mound — ST. LOUIS • While some of the conversation about the Cardinals' pitching staff this winter has fixated on whether they have an ace, who that ace is, and whether they ought to add an ace, one thing is clear as spring training approaches.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals loaded with prospects at third base — A total of 43 players were invited to the Cardinals' minor-league instructional camp in Jupiter, Fla., and that list includes the club's three most-recent top draft choices: shortstop Delvin Perez (2016), outfielder Scott Hurst (2017), and this past year's first-round pick, Nolan Gorman.
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Reports: Indians discussing three-team trade with Padres, Reds for Corey Kluber — Reportedly, the Cleveland Indians are discussing a three-team trade with the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds for ace pitcher Corey Kluber. — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians were unable to move either …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
RELATED:
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Indians, Reds, Padres are talking about a Corey Kluber deal
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Bleacher Nation and Cincinnati.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Inside Dodgers' plan to revolutionize the fan experience: ‘This is a show business’ — The Los Angeles Dodgers are the world's leader in attendance, drawing more fans than any venue in sports, and leading Major League Baseball in attendance for six years running.
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Five moves we want to see this offseason — Let's discuss something other than Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Here are five moves I'd like to see. Actually, it's more than five, because the first suggestion deals with several moves that could vault the Cincinnati Reds into the thick of the race in the National League Central.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals' Eric Skoglund Suspended 80 Games — Royals left-hander Eric Skoglund has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for “Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators S-22 (Ostarine) and LGD-4033 (Ligandrol),” the league announced Wednesday. — Skoglund, 26, would presumably …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox reward Omar Vizquel for work with top prospects — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox are rewarding minor-league manager Omar Vizquel for his handling of some of the organization's top prospects. — Vizquel is being promoted from Class A Winston-Salem to Double-A Birmingham for the 2019 season.
