Top News:
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
‘I came up on one-year deals’: How Joe Maddon is approaching 2019 — CHICAGO — Though they've won the most regular-season games in baseball over the past four seasons, the Chicago Cubs aren't likely to catch much of a break from fans this weekend during their annual winter convention.
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Rick Morrissey / Chicago Sun-Times:
The Cubs have money to sign Bryce Harper, but ownership doesn't want to spend it
The Cubs have money to sign Bryce Harper, but ownership doesn't want to spend it
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Marty Brennaman — who called Cubs fans ‘most obnoxious’ — to retire after 46 seasons as Reds voice
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs Convention panels we'd like to see: Where's Bryce? …
Column: Cubs Convention panels we'd like to see: Where's Bryce? …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets officials aren't sure of Yoenis Cespedes' future — Do not expect any updates on Yoenis Cespedes. — The Mets slugger, who is entering the third year of a four-year deal, is not expected to return from double-heel surgery until at least July. — Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen …
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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:
FanGraphs Baseball, The Big Lead, MLB Baseball News …, NESN.com and baseballmusings.com
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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:
Purple Row, Sports Illustrated, Over the Monster and MLB Daily Dish
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Manny Machado's agent blasts ‘inaccurate and reckless’ reports as the White Sox's pursuit of the star continues — 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
Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Mets fan favorite Wilmer Flores lands with new team — No waterworks this time around. — On the day the Mets gave away his former No. 4, Wilmer Flores agreed to a one-year deal, including a team option, with the Diamondbacks, ESPN reported Wednesday. — The former fan favorite …
Discussion:
New York Post and MLB Daily Dish
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
50 greatest St. Louis Cardinals pitchers — Selected by Rick Hummel, who has covered baseball for the Post-Dispatch since the 1970s and and was inducted into the writers' wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. — HALL OF FAME BASEBALL WRITER RICK HUMMEL MAKES THE PICKS