Irv Noren, a Bridge Between DiMaggio and Mantle, Dies at 94  —  After a strong rookie year with the Washington Senators, he joined the Yankees to fill an outfield gap.  He won three World Series rings with the team.  —  The Yankees had a problem in the spring of 1952.

Watch Cubs' extension talks with Javy Baez, interest in Japanese CF Shogo Akiyama for 2020 insight  —  Shogo Akiyama, hitting against a team of MLB All-Stars last year, is on the Cubs' radar as a potential solution to center field and the top of the order.  Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

What Ben Cherington as GM means for Pirates  —  Shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, Ben Cherington's United flight from Newark touched down at Pittsburgh International Airport, arriving at Gate A10.  —  Wearing jeans, a flannel shirt and rocking an old-school pair of EarPods …

What Mets told Carlos Beltran regarding sign-stealing scandal  —  The Mets are playing by MLB's investigative rules and they have told their center of the storm, new manager Carlos Beltran, just that.  —  General manager Brodie Van Wagenen has told Beltran the Mets will let MLB handle …

Royals Sign Matt Reynolds To Minor League Contract  —  The Kansas City Royals announced the signing of infielder Matt Reynolds to a minor league contract.  Reynolds has previously appeared in the majors with the Mets and Nationals.  —  Reynolds, 29 in December, was a 2nd round draft choice of the New York Mets back in 2012.

Column: Yu Darvish is conflicted over Astros sign-stealing allegations  —  He was like the Olympic athlete who finished fourth, only to learn years later that one or more of the medalists were on steroids.  —  Or the student denied entry into a prestigious university because his place went …

Kenta Maeda wants to start, so the Dodgers have a suggestion: pitch better  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — For Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda, the past three seasons have followed a similar trajectory.  He prepares to be a starter during spring training.  Over the course of two dozen outings, he performs like a credible member of the rotation.

AL Central offseason preview: Francisco Lindor's future, Twins' rotation in focus  —  With free agency underway, the offseason is going to pick up steam.  What are the big questions facing all 30 teams?  —  Here's a look at the AL Central, where the teams at the top could be in a state …

Royals will explore free-agent pitching market, plus other takeaways from GM meetings  —  Acquiring major-league caliber pitching clearly sits atop the list of offseason priorities for the Kansas City Royals.  —  Constructing a staff deep with quality arms capable of consistent performance …

Robust rotation, cutting-edge pitching approach has Reds rising as Central threat … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — With front office execs from almost all of the 29 other clubs and definitely one from each of his National League Central rivals gathered in the same ballroom this past week …

Judge says MASN should pay Nats based on MLB panel decision  —  MLB, Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays  —  NEW YORK — A judge has ordered lawyers for the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles to submit a proposed judgment of what the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network …

Brewers Claim Eric Yardley  —  The Brewers have claimed righty Eric Yardley off waivers from the Padres, per a club announcement.  While the MLB.com transactions page indicates that Yardley was released, he evidently had not yet cleared release waivers.  —  With the move, the Milwaukee club …

Dodgers' Cody Bellinger wins MVP award  —  Dodgers' outfielder Cody Bellinger was named the National League MVP two years after he won the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year.  —  Bellinger is the 18th former NL Rookie of the Year winner (2017) to go on to win an MVP Award, most recently Kris Bryant …