Astros exec suggested using cameras to spy in '17, sources say  —  A high-ranking Houston Astros official asked scouts to spy on opponents' dugouts leading up to the 2017 postseason, hoping to steal signs and suggesting the potential use of cameras to do so, sources familiar with the request told ESPN.

Pirates To Name Ben Cherington General Manager  —  Former Red Sox general manager and current Blue Jays senior vice president of baseball operations Ben Cherington has accepted an offer to become the next GM of the Pirates, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports (via Twitter).

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

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Angels' Mike Trout edges Astros' Alex Bregman for AL MVP  —  Over the final 22 days of the regular season, Mike Trout couldn't do anything but sit and watch.  His right foot, plagued by pain practically every time it hit the ground, could no longer give.  He needed season-ending surgery …