Top News:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLBTR Poll: NL Wild Card Matchup — It's a quiet morning, but the evening promises to be filled with fireworks. The Nats and Brewers will square off in D.C. after falling shy in their respective divisions but out-running the rest of the National League Wild Card field.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Federal Baseball, Amazin' Avenue, Brew Crew Ball, Viva El Birdos and Bluebird Banter
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ESPN:
Expert picks for the 2019 MLB playoffs — The Boston Red Sox missed the playoffs, so there will be a new champion in 2019. Will the Houston Astros take home their second title in three years? Or can the Los Angeles Dodgers get over the final hurdle and take home their first championship since 1988?
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, DRaysBay and Washington Post
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals offer Anthony Rendon seven-year deal worth $210 million-$215 million
Sports Illustrated:
MLB Postseason Predictions: Who's Going to Win the World Series?
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, The Crawfish Boxes, AZ Snake Pit, Bless You Boys and True Blue LA
Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times:
Plácido Domingo resigns from L.A. Opera ‘with a heavy heart’ amid harassment inquiry — Plácido Domingo, the 78-year-old opera legend who has watched the legacy of his six-decade career darkened by allegations of sexual harassment, announced Wednesday that he is resigning …
Discussion:
New York Times, ABC News, NPR, The Wrap, Associated Press, Deadline and UPI
NBC News:
We're going to need a bigger net: Foul balls hurt hundreds of fans at MLB ballparks — In 2018, a grandmother celebrating her 79th birthday at Dodgers Stadium in L.A. died after being hit in the head by a foul ball. — Dwayne Sowa scored good seats to watch his beloved Mets play the Phillies …
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Pete Alonso of Mets donates commemorative 9/11 cleats to museum — Pete Alonso is a born-again New Yorker. — A Tampa, Florida, native, Alonso became a face of the Mets during his historic rookie season. He plans to live in his Upper East Side apartment for parts of the offseason.
RELATED:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Pete Alonso becomes first Met to win three Rookie of the Month awards in same season
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Tony Andracki / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
What the Cubs are looking for in their next manager — Cubs officially announced they were parting ways with Joe Maddon as a manager, Theo Epstein made it a point in several instances to mention the Cubs aren't looking for an anti-Joe or anything along those lines.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
5 key answers from Daniels about Rangers in 2019, in 2020, and more money this off-season — The Texas Rangers are going to have a bigger budget for 2020 and expect to make a bigger jump in wins and losses. — General manager Jon Daniels wouldn't say Tuesday how much more money or guarantee …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and MLB Trade Rumors
Jack Nicas / New York Times:
The Beauty of America's Ugliest Ballpark — What does baseball lose if the Oakland A's leave the Coliseum? — OAKLAND, Calif. — When the Oakland Coliseum opened in 1966, it was hailed as a Brutalist gem that could house two sports in an elegantly simple, circular design.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Antonetti: Indians Intend To Exercise Kluber's Option, Decline Options On Kipnis, Otero — Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti announced at the beginning of today's meeting with the media that the team intends to exercise its $17.5MM club option on right-hander Corey Kluber …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleacher Nation
Matt Breen / Inquirer.com:
Phillies' Jake Arrieta praises Gabe Kapler, but not Carlos Santana | Extra Innings — by Matt Breen, Turn out the lights, the party's over. The Phillies season ended Sunday with a defeat against a 105-loss team that was managed by a utility infielder. The Phillies used seven relief pitchers …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Phillies Nation
Alex Pavlovic / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Source: Hensley Meulens to interview for Giants manager job this week — SAN FRANCISCO — The first known name to interview for Bruce Bochy's old job is a familiar one. — Bench coach Hensley Meulens will interview this week to be the — Giants' next manager, according to league sources.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and McCovey Chronicles
ESPN:
Padres co-owner on 70-92 season: ‘It was embarrassing for me. We sucked’ — After a ninth consecutive losing season, San Diego Padres executive chairman and co-owner Ron Fowler said he has had enough. — Fowler said at the team's annual Social Summit on Monday that “heads will roll …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball and baseballmusings.com
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Brad Ausmus out after 1 season with Los Angeles Angels — The Los Angeles Angels have fired Brad Ausmus after only one season as their manager, increasing rampant speculation that Joe Maddon could soon replace him. — The decision was formalized on Monday, one day after the team concluded …
Discussion:
UPI and baseballmusings.com
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Angels fire manager Brad Ausmus; Joe Maddon expresses interest in job
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Eric Fisher / SportBusiness:
MLB ends '19 regular season at 16-year attendance low — Major League Baseball ended its 2019 regular season with a total attendance of 68.49 million, down 1.7 percent from a year ago and the league's sixth decline at the gate in the last seven seasons. — The total is league's lowest since 2003 …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bluebird Banter, NBCSports.com, True Blue LA, Halos Heaven, Over the Monster and baseballmusings.com
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Ian Harrison / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Rising sons give rebuilding Blue Jays reason for optimism
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Beyond the Box Score
