Top News:
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 …
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Astros exec suggested using cameras to spy in '17, sources say
Astros exec suggested using cameras to spy in '17, sources say
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MLB Baseball News …, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Daily Dish, New York Post, Daily News, FanGraphs Baseball, Associated Press, Over the Monster, Orange County Register, Halos Heaven, Lookout Landing, Athletics Nation, Sportsnet.ca, Call to the Pen, Cubs Insider, Bleacher Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, baseballmusings.com, NBCSports.com, Lone Star Ball and Let's Go Tribe
Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Gerardo Parra signs with Japan's Yomiuri Giants — Gerardo Parra has signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, the team announced this morning. — Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker was the first to pick up the announcement. — Parra just won a World Series ring with the Nationals
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Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Gerardo Parra Signs With Japan's Yomiuri Giants — Veteran outfielder Gerardo Parra has reached an agreement to sign a contract with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, the Giants announced Wednesday (hat tip: Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, on Twitter).
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com, McCovey Chronicles and Federal Baseball
Claire Bessette / The Day:
Congressmen urge Major League Baseball to scrap ‘radical’ minor league overhaul — More than 100 congressmen, including U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, signed a letter sent Tuesday to all Major League Baseball teams and four members of the MLB commissioner's office expressing …
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Baseball America, MLB Trade Rumors, SportBusiness, Halos Heaven and MLB Baseball News …
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Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Mets showing interest in catcher Robinson Chirinos — The Mets, clearly motivated to improve their catching corps, have expressed interest in free agent Robinson Chirinos, according to an industry source. — Chirinos, who will turn 36 next June, enjoyed a strong 2019 season with the Astros …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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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 …
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
Derek Jeter headlines 2020 Hall of Fame ballot
Discussion:
New York Post, 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.
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Braves News, MLB Daily Dish, Talking Chop, MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Vinnie Duber / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Omar Vizquel will not return to White Sox organization in 2020 — Omar Vizquel's time helping to develop the — White Sox of the future is over. — The White Sox announced Wednesday that Vizquel, who spent the last two seasons as a manager in the White Sox minor league system, will not be back for 2020.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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.
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 …
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.
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AZ Snake Pit, Twinkie Town, Seattle Mariners on Yahoo! …, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
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:
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Bleacher Nation, DRaysBay and The Athletic