Yasmani Grandal, White Sox agree to four-year, $73M deal  —  MLB, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers  —  The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a four-year, $73 million contract with free-agent All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal, the team announced Thursday.

Rob Manfred tells MLBPA there will be no economic concessions for labor peace  —  Last summer Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association took the unprecedented step of opening Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations over two years before the current CBA expires.

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).

Yankees Release Jacoby Ellsbury, Designate Greg Bird  —  The Yankees have released outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and designated first baseman Greg Bird for assignment as part of a series of roster moves.  The club has also designated left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. and added seven players …

Mondelēz Global LLC Conducts Voluntary Recall of Limited Quantity of Cheese Nips (11 oz.  Box) Product in the U.S. Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material  —  When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service.

The TK Show  —  Tim Kawakami is one of the most respected sports writers in the nation and a leading voice in the Bay Area.  With his wealth of connections, he lands top-notch guests on the TK Show and produces must-listen interviews.  —  TK talks with Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi …

Mother charged after 3-year-old falls from escalator and dies  —  Jaiden Cowart, 3, passed away after falling from an escalator at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.  His mom is now being charged in his death.  —  CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two months after 3-year-old Jaiden Cowart fell …

MLB Owners Approve Sale Of Royals To John Sherman  —  MLB owners have approved the sale of the Kansas City Royals baseball club to area businessman John Sherman, as reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan (Twitter link).  —  In August, word came that longtime Royals owner David Glass was discussing …

Phillies Hire Joe Dillon As Hitting Coach  —  The Phillies announced that Joe Dillon has been hired as the team's new hitting coach.  Dillon is a familiar face within the NL East, as he has been the Nationals' assistant hitting coach for the last two seasons, and the hitting coach for Washington's Triple-A affiliate in 2014-15.

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 …