Top News:
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 …
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB commissioner says punishments could be severe in sign-stealing scandal — ARLINGTON, Texas — Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said he believes the sign-stealing scandal that has engulfed the sport involves only the Houston Astros and that he can mete out discipline beyond …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, Houston Astros on Yahoo! … and Plain Dealer
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.
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB Daily Dish, Associated Press, Orange County Register, Over the Monster, Halos Heaven, Lookout Landing, Athletics Nation, Sportsnet.ca, Call to the Pen, Cubs Insider, Bleacher Nation, baseballmusings.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball Think Factory, Let's Go Tribe, Lone Star Ball and Houston Astros on Yahoo! …
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.
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.
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Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Derek Jeter headlines 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 and Talking Chop
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Re-Sign Chris Martin — The Braves announced Tuesday that they've re-signed right-hander Chris Martin to a two-year contract. The deal is worth a guaranteed $14MM and will be evenly distributed at $7MM per season, according to the team. Martin is represented by ISE Baseball.
Discussion:
Braves News and Lone Star Ball
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
2019 Rule 5 Draft: 11 Prominent Prospects Unlikely To Be Protected — By 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, all 30 teams have plenty of decisions to make. Teams must add to their 40-man Major League rosters any Rule 5 eligible players that they want to protect from that draft.
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:
AZ Snake Pit, Seattle Mariners on Yahoo! …, MLB Baseball News …, Twinkie Town and MLB Trade Rumors
Todd Dybas / NBCSports.com:
Daniel Hudson represents a key offseason question for Nationals — An intact unit from a championship team is typically positive. Bring back the winners. Try it again. Why not? — The Nationals' bullpen, such as it was by the end of the season, will again be populated by pieces from the league's worst ensemble in 2019.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Will Brodie Van Wagenen give Carlos Beltran the coaching staff he wants? — As Carlos Beltran settles into his new life as Mets manager, it's unclear how much input he will have as the team fills out the rest of his coaching staff. But Beltran did disclose his preference for an experienced group …
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:
Bleacher Nation, DRaysBay and The Athletic
