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:
New bench coach Mark Loretta says managing Cubs isn't on his radar: ‘Joe is a huge reason I was interested in taking this job’ — Chicago Tribune — When asked Saturday at the Cubs Convention if manager Joe Maddon would return next season, Cubs President Theo Epstein said: “I sure hope so.”
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and The Athletic
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 …
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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 …
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant calls St. Louis ‘so boring’ — and Cardinals players strike back — Kris Bryant high-fives young fans Friday after being introduced at the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Circle the date: May 31.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ozuna promises Cardinals he'll ‘be ready’ for spring training after shoulder surgery — As part of a planned visit to the Dominican Republic to mark a milestone for the organization's future, Cardinals executive John Mozeliak intends to make a side trip next week to check in on an essential part of the team's present.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mozeliak: Ozuna assures Cardinals he's healthy, Gregerson has setback
Mozeliak: Ozuna assures Cardinals he's healthy, Gregerson has setback
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Here's why ending Detroit Tigers' arbitration streak may be good thing — Who will start for the Detroit Tigers in 2019 after their offseason acquisitions — Sometime next month, inside a courthouse in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Detroit Tigers' 17-year streak of avoiding an arbitration hearing will be broken.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs still have 2020 vision for launching their new TV network but reveal few details on a potential deal — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs on Saturday offered a sneak preview of their new television network while remaining firm in their efforts to transition to mobile ticketing and unseat Ald.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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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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 …
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:
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, NESN.com, Union-News and The Athletic
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.
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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.