Top News:
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Yankees' frugality allowed them to build an unhittable bullpen. Imagine what they could've done without Jacoby Ellsbury? — Now it can be told. There was a reason the Yankees only tip-toed in the Manny Machado waters and expressed zero interest in Bryce Harper: Why spend $34 million …
RELATED:
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Yankees haven't done enough to take down Alex Cora's Red Sox — Sure, the Yankees own the better bullpen. But they owned the better bullpen heading into the postseason last October, too. — Combined with all the other talent in The Bronx, is that enough to beat the World Series champion Red Sox this time around?
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and NBCSports.com
Evan Drellich / NBCSports.com:
Henry: Red Sox may not spend much more, but not because of luxury tax
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Union-News and The Athletic
Evan Drellich / NBCSports.com:
Henry: Government shutdown could keep Red Sox from White House
Discussion:
NESN.com and MLB Baseball News …
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Cubs' Kris Bryant upset that Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned — The unsettling pace of major league free agent signings is starting boil over. — Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is the latest star player to voice his concern that Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned …
RELATED:
Scott Chiusano / New York Daily News:
Manny Machado's dad says his son isn't going to land where everyone thinks
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Kris Bryant: ‘Not good’ that stars Bryce Harper, Manny Machado still unsigned
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Free agent Dallas Keuchel wonders what it takes to get signed
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
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 …
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays Tales: Why this roster may be set up just right — Rays are always tinkering, but what they have now may be what they want going forward. — ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays are never truly “done.” — Team officials, from the numbers-crunching analysts all the way up to principal owner Stuart Sternberg …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mozeliak: Ozuna assures Cardinals he's healthy, Gregerson has setback — ST. LOUIS • In a week, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak will head to the Dominican Republic to be present at a milestone for the organization. — He'll take a side trip to check on a difference-maker for the lineup.
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:
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.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
5 topics from Joe Maddon's panel at Cubs Convention — Chicago Tribune — Here are the top five topics from the panel on Cubs manager Joe Maddon and his coaching staff at Cubs Convention: — A fan lathered Maddon with praise, then expressed disappointment in his handling of the Russell situation.
Joe Noga / Plain Dealer:
Roberto Perez, Cleveland Indians catchers ready to step forward behind the plate — CLEVELAND, Ohio — Roberto Perez has waited five seasons for his opportunity, and after the Cleveland Indians traded away All-Star catcher Yan Gomes in November, the Tribe's starting spot behind the plate …
RELATED:
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Mike Clevinger: Indians' roster moves show front office smart, adaptive to change
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
‘It is amazing’: The miracle of the '69 Cubs is how much they're beloved — even 50 years later — A black cat walks past Cubs third baseman Ron Santo during a game against the Mets on Sept. 9, 1969, at Shea Stadium in New York. (UPI) — Chicago Tribune
Andy Martino / SNY:
Could Nolan Arenado be Yankees' real third base target? — Under all the Manny Machado talk, Arenado looms — Earlier this week, after I published my nine millionth story of the offseason about the Yankees and Manny Machado, a major league source reached out with a suggestion …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Rox Pile, Beyond the Box Score and Over the Monster
