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.

MLB notes: Pham takes raise request to arbitration  —  Outfielder Tommy Pham asked an arbitration panel for a raise from $570,100 to $4.1 million, and the Tampa Bay Rays argued for $3.5 million.  —  Arbitrators Margaret Brogan, Andrew Strongin and Gil Vernon are expected to decide Tuesday, a day after hearing arguments.

Lakers pull out of Anthony Davis trade talks amid ‘outrageous’ requests by Pelicans … The Lakers have pulled out of conversations aimed at trying to acquire New Orleans All-Star forward Anthony Davis because of the Pelicans' “outrageous” trade requests, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

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.

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” …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

‘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,” …

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 …

Indians Acquire Nick Wittgren  —  2:55pm: The Marlins have announced the trade, revealing that they'll acquire fellow righty Jordan Milbrath from Cleveland in the deal.  —  Milbrath, 27, reached Triple-A for the first time last season but was hit hard in a small sample of 13 2/3 innings.