Top News:
Scott Chiusano / New York Daily News:
Manny Machado's dad says his son isn't going to land where everyone thinks — Manny Machado's family members have a lot to say about where the prized free agent will end up. — First it was his wife, Yainee, who wants to live in New York City and has a strong hold over her husband's decision making …
RELATED:
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Kris Bryant: ‘Not good’ that stars Bryce Harper, Manny Machado still unsigned — CHICAGO — Cubs star Kris Bryant expressed frustration for free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, who remain unsigned with less than a month to go before spring training begins.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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 …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Shildt feels a ‘rightful buzz’ about 2019 season as Winter Warm-Up arrives — Mike Shildt (center) gets a hand slap from Jose Martinez as Martinez returns to the dugout after hitting a homer against the Pirates last Aug. 28. (Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com)
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Longtime backup catcher Tony Cruz returns to Cardinals as minor-league instructor — ST. LOUIS • True to their organization's goal of having one generation of players shape the next and so on, the Cardinals' list of managers and instructors for the minor-league system is dotted …
Associated Press:
Avisail Garcia gets 1-year deal from Rays for as much as $6 million — Avisail Garcia can earn up to $6 million as part of his one-year contract with the Rays. — The team announced the deal Friday, an agreement that guarantees $3.5 million this season. — He can earn $250,000 each …
Chicago Tribune:
‘I feel strong’: Yu Darvish says he's pain-free after an injury-plagued 2018 season — Chicago Tribune — Yu Darvish will report to spring training next month with the comfort of knowing his teammates. — More important, he's headed to Arizona with a healthy right elbow.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Reliever Rob Scahill, a Willowbrook High alumnus, joins the Cubs on a minor-league deal — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs added bullpen depth Friday by agreeing to terms with right-hander Rob Scahill, a Willowbook High School alumnus, on a minor-league contract.
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
With Guerrero at the helm, the young Blue Jays will have a lot of fun playing together, win or lose — The Blue Jays clubhouse in recent years hasn't always been the most pleasant place to be around. Even when they were winning. — For every good guy there seemed to be as many prima donnas …
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves plan to hold Chop Fest, ‘rain or shine’ — The Braves' annual Chop Fest fan event is still scheduled for Saturday at SunTrust Park. A team representative said Friday that the event will take place “rain or shine.” — Many of the events are scheduled for indoors …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
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.
RELATED:
