Top News:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
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.
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Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Rob Manfred's plan to destroy minor league baseball — As if they aren't squarely involved in enough transgressions against baseball, we should not be at all surprised to know the Houston Astros — the Jeff Luhnow Houston Astros — were the ringleaders of the MLB plan to essentially destroy …
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, Ballpark Digest, redsminorleagues.com, Bluebird Banter and Bleacher Nation
New York Times:
The Minor-League Teams That Could Lose M.L.B. Ties — Under a new proposal, 42 minor league teams would have their affiliations with major league clubs severed. Here is a list of the teams that would be affected.
The Athletic:
Astros executive asked scouts for help stealing signs and suggested using cameras, email shows — An Astros front-office executive wrote about the team's desire to steal signs in an August 2017 email that was obtained by The Athletic. As the club discussed its advance scouting plans ahead of the playoffs …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Camden Chat, Sports Illustrated, New York Post and Bleacher Nation
Dan Barry / New York Times:
Across the Country, Minor League Towns Face Major League Threat — M.L.B. says its proposal to sever parent-club ties with 42 teams in its minor league system is necessary to improve conditions over all, but targeted clubs are worried about survival. — LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington Legends take the mantle of home team seriously.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Baseball Prospectus, Lookout Landing, Bleed Cubbie Blue and baseballmusings.com
TC Zencka / MLB Trade Rumors:
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.
Discussion:
Royals Review
Associated Press:
Derek Jeter Among 18 Newcomers on 2020 Hall of Fame Ballot — Derek Jeter will likely be an overwhelming choice to join former Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera in Cooperstown. — NEW YORK — Derek Jeter is among 18 newcomers on the 2020 Hall of Fame ballot.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, McCovey Chronicles, Fish Stripes, Royals Review and Talking Chop
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Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Derek Jeter leads 2020 Hall of Fame ballot — The Baseball Hall of Fame has released the ballot for the 2020 induction class. There are 32 names on the ballot, 18 of whom are newcomers. — Of those newcomers, the guy at the top of the list stands a pretty decent chance of getting …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
On Astros' sign stealing, Rays' offseason moves, awards tally, the M-word — Rays Tales: Team execs on Houston's big problem, a base for winter acquisitions, trophy time and an upcoming owners meeting. — Updated Yesterday — Four Rays things to think about:
Discussion:
The Athletic and DRaysBay
Daren Smith / MiLB.com:
Twins' Costello found dead in New Zealand — Infield prospect was set to play in Australian Baseball League — Minnesota Twins infield prospect Ryan Costello died overnight in Auckland, New Zealand, his Australian Baseball League team announced early Monday. He was 23.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and Seattle Mariners on Yahoo! …
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun-Times:
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
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue, The Athletic, Cubs Insider and Bleacher Nation
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Patrick Mooney / The Athletic:
On the Cubs' radar: Mike Napoli, Shogo Akiyama, Brandon Morrow
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Forbes, Cubs Insider, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Trade Rumors
Richard Goldstein / New York Times:
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.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Column: Yu Darvish is conflicted over Astros sign-stealing allegations
Discussion:
SNY, Slate, Chicago Tribune, MLB Baseball News …, Athletics Nation, WKYC-TV, Bleacher Nation, Cubs Insider and Yahoo! Sports
Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
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 …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Bleacher Nation, Sportsnet.ca and Bucs Dugout
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Name Ben Cherington General Manager
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bucs Dugout, Over the Monster, MLB Daily Dish and Bluebird Banter
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
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 …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
