Top News:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Way-too-early 2019 All-Stars: Manny Machado and Bryce Harper will start for ...? — Nobody seems to be having much fun this offseason, so let's take a break from the endless Bryce Harper and Manny Machado speculation and repeat an exercise we tried around this time the past two years: our third annual way-too-early All-Star teams.
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Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees' Aaron Judge would welcome fellow right fielder Bryce Harper — As Bryce Harper's free agency trudges along, New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge was asked about what it might take to bring the left-handed hitter — who plays the same position as Judge — to the Bronx.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB's free agency freeze is an embarrassment for baseball — The baseball equipment and uniforms have been packed, the trucks are rolling on the highways, and in just a few days, spring training camps open in Florida and Arizona. — While local TV crews have breathlessly showed clips …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Joe Ricketts' emails are offensive, inexcusable and, alas, likely to be overlooked by Cubs fans — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs want people to pay no attention to Joe Ricketts and his online ugliness, exposed for the world to see. — The Cubs and the Ricketts family, which owns them, want a lot these days.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, NBCSports.com and Bleacher Nation
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Arizona Republic:
MLB farm system rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks make huge leap among MLB teams in 2019 — The Arizona Diamondbacks came in at No. 26 in ESPN's ranking of Major League Baseball farm systems in 2018. — It's a different story in 2019. — The Diamondbacks are now ranked No. 8 overall in the rankings which were released Monday.
Discussion:
Arizona Sports
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William WeinbaumESPN / ESPN:
Coroner: Fan struck in head by foul ball during Dodgers game died of blunt force injury — A California woman died in August as a result of being hit in the head by a batted ball at Dodger Stadium, according to a Los Angeles County coroner's report obtained by ESPN's “Outside the Lines” …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Echo Park-Silver Lake …, NBCSports.com, Ballpark Digest and baseballmusings.com
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Wait, the Giants are interested in Jacoby Ellsbury? — Start with this: Any trade of Jacoby Ellsbury would be incredibly difficult. He's 35 years old and hasn't played in a major league game in 476 days. He's owed about $48 million for the next two years, he has a full no-trade clause and …
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Sporting News:
MLB trade rumors: Phillies recently checked on J.T. Realmuto — Philadelphia Phillies v Detroit Tigers — With spring training less than two weeks away, the Marlins still have not agreed to give up J.T. Realmuto, so the Phillies are keeping themselves informed.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, The Good Phight and Phillies Nation
Myron Hosea / Greenville News:
Greenville Drive roster could include Boston's low-rated system's next wave of prospects … At the major league level, 2018 went extremely well for the Boston Red Sox. — After winning 108 regular-season games, the Red Sox rolled through the postseason to capture the World Series by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to one.
Newsday:
Mets pack up equipment truck, head to Port St. Lucie for spring training — The Mets packed up their equipment truck to head to Port St. Lucie for spring training on Monday at Citi Field. — Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen talks to fans during the Mets equipment truck sendoff …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
‘I have more confidence than last year’: A healthy Yu Darvish eyes his return to dominance with the Cubs — Photos of Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish. — Chicago Tribune — Eleven years ago, Yu Darvish was in his own universe. — “Darvish only spoke in Japanese,” …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Albert Pujols' campaign against human trafficking inspires $500,000 commitment from MLB and MLBPA — Albert Pujols and his wife, Deidre, launched a campaign against human trafficking two years ago. The couple picked up the cost of two concerts at Angel Stadium and a third at Nationals Park in Washington …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster named to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame — Ryan Dempster pitches for the Cubs against the Braves in 2011. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster was one of four people selected Tuesday to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Indians acquire reliever Nick Wittgren from Marlins — The Cleveland Indians have acquired relief pitcher Nick Wittgren from the Miami Marlins. — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have bolstered their bullpen less than two weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear …
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians Acquire Nick Wittgren
Indians Acquire Nick Wittgren
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and Let's Go Tribe