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 …

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 …

‘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.

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)

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 …

‘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

Henry: Red Sox may not spend much more, but not because of luxury tax  —  MASHANTUCKET, Conn. — The highest luxury tax threshold for 2019 isn't going to keep the Red Sox from adding a reliever, Sox owner John Henry indicated on Friday.  It's simply the dollars overall that may keep the team …

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 …

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 …

Rockies better hope Bryan Shaw, Jake McGee rebound with Adam Ottavino gone  —  Scott Oberg's emergence could fill a hole in bullpen  —  Big-league relievers can be a fickle bunch.  Hence, signing them to big-money contracts is risky business.  —  Consider the case of right-hander Adam Ottavino …

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 …

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.