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
MLB's free agency freeze is an embarrassment for baseball
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and DRaysBay
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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:
Beyond the Box Score, Bleed Cubbie Blue and NBCSports.com
Broderick Turner / Los Angeles Times:
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.
Discussion:
KNBR-AM, NESN.com, Orange County Register, CBS Boston, The Sports Daily and Sportsnet.ca
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Chris Mannix / Sports Illustrated:
Inside the Celtics' Pursuit of Anthony Davis
Inside the Celtics' Pursuit of Anthony Davis
Discussion:
NESN.com and Celtics Wire
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.
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” …
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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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:
The Good Phight, MLB Trade Rumors and Phillies Nation
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:
WGN will televise the Cubs' season opener — likely for the last time — WGN-TV celebrated the 70th anniversary of its first Cubs' broadcast on April 16, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — With the Cubs on the verge of announcing their own network, WGN-9 will have the distinction of televising the team's season opener in 2019.
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,” …
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 …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians Acquire Nick Wittgren
Indians Acquire Nick Wittgren
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and Let's Go Tribe