Top News:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon denies report that Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo urged Chili Davis' firing — For the Cubs' Community Service Day, the team partnered with Good Sports, a nonprofit that provides equipment, apparel and footwear youngsters in need, for an event on Jan. 17, 2019, at Patrick Henry Elementary School.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon likes his calm Cubs as NL Central competitors load up on talent — Chicago Tribune — The rival Cardinals made a major statement last month by trading for slugger Paul Goldschmidt and signing prized left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Miller. — The Brewers upgraded at catcher …
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Can Cubs do more in 2019 by doing less this offseason? Seems unlikely.
John Harper / SNY:
Why Mets making Cubs castoff Chili Davis hitting coach shouldn't cause alarm
Why Mets making Cubs castoff Chili Davis hitting coach shouldn't cause alarm
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs Insider and Bleacher Nation
ESPN:
Angels reach one-year deal with Cody Allen to be closer next season — Free-agent reliever Cody Allen agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels, league sources told ESPN, filling a void in the back end of their bullpen after a half-decade closing for the Cleveland Indians.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Let's Go Tribe
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Mike Clevinger: Indians' roster moves show front office smart, adaptive to change — Mike Clevinger is confident in the Cleveland Indians' roster moves because the front office is smart, adaptive to change. — CLEVELAND — For starting pitcher Mike Clevinger and his Cleveland Indians teammates …
Jeff PassanESPN / ESPN:
Yankees, Adam Ottavino agree to 3-year, $27 million deal — Free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino and the New York Yankees agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal Thursday, league sources told ESPN, fortifying an already deep bullpen with a strikeout-happy right-hander who was one of the best setup men in baseball last season.
Discussion:
New York Times and Uni Watch
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ESPN:
Red Sox unlikely to spend big to sign closer, Dave Dombrowski says
Red Sox unlikely to spend big to sign closer, Dave Dombrowski says
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Over the Monster and MLB Baseball News …
Wallace Matthews / New York Daily News:
Adam Ottavino is no splash signing, but this Yankee bullpen is now the best in baseball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Close To Dealing Sonny Gray
Yankees Close To Dealing Sonny Gray
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, NBCSports.com and Lookout Landing
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees To Sign Adam Ottavino
Yankees To Sign Adam Ottavino
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News …, Baseball Essential, CBS New York, MLB Daily Dish and Lone Star Ball
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Is baseball heading toward a strike? Scott Boras warns the ‘noncompetitive cancer’ is spreading around MLB — Baseball is getting sicker. — The symptoms have been presenting for a while: sagging attendance, a growing number of “rebuilding” teams, a disappearing middle class of veteran players …
Discussion:
CBS New York
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Free agent Dallas Keuchel wonders what it takes to get signed — With spring training approaching and top free agents remaining unsigned, it's been an another icy winter for baseball's hot stove. — Left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel is one of the best players still available and took …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Keith Hernandez's star was rising 40 years ago with Cardinals — St. Louis Cardinals batter Keith Hernandez watches his single drop in, driving in two runs in the sixth inning of Game 7 of World Series, Oct. 30, 1982 in St. Louis, Mo. The RBI tied the game for the Cards and set up the tie-breaking score.
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Clint Frazier says he's ready to participate in Yankees spring training camp — NEW YORK — Clint Frazier is ready for spring training, a development he excitedly announced on Twitter. — Via his account Thursday, the Yankees' outfielder — who battled through a concussion …
Discussion:
Sporting News and Pinstripe Alley
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Kyle Schnitzer / New York Post:
Clint Frazier finally cleared, immediately angles for Yankees job
Clint Frazier finally cleared, immediately angles for Yankees job
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Buster's Buzz: Red Sox repeat? Four question marks facing the champs — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora held a morning baseball clinic for a small army of youngsters in his hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico, last month. Under the rising sun, Cora hoisted a microphone and introduced …
Arizona Republic:
Starting? Closing? Searching for meaning in Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley's tweets — Diamondbacks Archie Bradley calls teachers to let them know they won $5,000 — Will Archie Bradley be a starting pitcher next season or a closer? — Well, if you follow the Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher …
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Baseball Hall of Fame countdown: Mariano Rivera could break voting record — USA TODAY Sports is counting down the top 10 candidates on the 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in advance of the Jan. 22 election results. The countdown is based on voting by our power rankings panel, which includes five Hall voters.
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
If MLB Implements a Significant Rule Change in 2019, It Will Be a Pitch Clock — Several potential rule changes were recently discussed between MLB and the players union, but a pitch clock remains the primary focus. — No proposed rules change would improve baseball's pace of action issue …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and DodgerBlue.com