Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Theo Epstein and Joe Maddon try to bridge the generation gap: ‘Every player is a millennial’ — Photos from the 2019 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. — Chicago Tribune — One of the keys to the Cubs' 2019 season, I learned at the team's annual convention this weekend …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
5 things we heard from Cubs President Theo Epstein, including Joe Maddon's status — Chicago Tribune — Unlike past sessions, team President Theo Epstein sat alone as he answered questions for approximately 50 minutes Saturday at the baseball operations panel at Cubs Convention.
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cards' Yadier Molina takes exception to quips by Cubs' Kris Bryant — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals won't see each other until early May, but the heat has already been turned up on one of baseball's best rivalries. — Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant called St. Louis …
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Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Cardinals' Yadier Molina calls Cubs' Kris Bryant a ‘loser’ for disrespecting St. Louis — It's only January, but the rivalry between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs is already heating up. — Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant drew outrage from the Cardinals' fanbase …
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Cubs' Kris Bryant upset that Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Kris Bryant: ‘Not good’ that stars Bryce Harper, Manny Machado still unsigned
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
Free agent Dallas Keuchel wonders what it takes to get signed
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
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 …
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Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Yankees haven't done enough to take down Alex Cora's Red Sox
Yankees haven't done enough to take down Alex Cora's Red Sox
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Evan Drellich / NBCSports.com:
Henry: Red Sox may not spend much more, but not because of luxury tax
Henry: Red Sox may not spend much more, but not because of luxury tax
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Union-News, The Athletic and NESN.com
Evan Drellich / NBCSports.com:
Henry: Government shutdown could keep Red Sox from White House
Henry: Government shutdown could keep Red Sox from White House
Discussion:
NESN.com and MLB Baseball News …
Brian Cashman / Daily Record:
Yankees close to trading Sonny Gray to Reds for prospects, per reports — Sonny Gray is close to being an ex-Yankee. — According to Fancred and MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Yankees are closing in on a trade that would send the right-handed Gray to the Cincinnati Reds.
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees, Reds “Finalizing” Sonny Gray Trade
Yankees, Reds “Finalizing” Sonny Gray Trade
Discussion:
Sporting News, Brew Crew Ball, Pinstripe Alley and The Crawfish Boxes
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays manager Montoyo on cloud nine heading into the 2019 season, even though his team will be overmatched — Someone asked new Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo if he took a turn on the Ferris wheel set up inside the Rogers Centre on Saturday. — Montoyo said he hadn't. And he didn't need to.
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Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Asdrubal Cabrera seems heartbroken over not rejoining Mets — Asdrubal Cabrera seems heartbroken. — Earlier this week, the veteran infielder shared a “Throwback Thursday” Instagram post featuring he and former teammate Jerry Blevins, to which one Mets fan commented, “We miss you! Come back!!!”
Parker Johnson / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves fans bring high hopes to Chop Fest — Scattered showers and overcast skies couldn't dampen the mood Saturday as Braves fans welcomed the new season with vigor at Chop Fest at SunTrust Park. — The booming of the drums from Heavy Hitters, the Braves' drumline, filled the soggy air …
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Mariano Rivera, the humble son of a fisherman and the greatest closer in baseball history, set to join other Yankee legends in Cooperstown — Only a few months after he finished off the Yankees' 27th World Series title, by inducing a weak grounder to second from Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino …
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
O'Day, Soroka ready for spring training — Recovering Braves pitchers Darren O'Day and Mike Soroka feel healthy with spring training less than a month away. — O'Day should be considered a notable addition. While injured, he was included in the Kevin Gausman trade last July …