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.

Baseball owners approve Greg Johnson as Giants' control person  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Greg Johnson was approved by the major league clubs as the new controlling owner of the San Francisco Giants.  —  Following the decision Thursday at the owners meetings in Arlington, Texas …

Orlando baseball is not a threat to Tampa Bay, but apathy is  —  While communities across North America are gearing up for MLB expansion or relocation, Tampa Bay seems to be reacting with indifference to Rays attendance and stadium concerns.  —  ST. PETERSBURG — It would be easy to poke fun of the Orlando Dreamers today.

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 …

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 …

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.

ESPN to broadcast two of Cubs' first four games in 2020  —  It won't be long before baseball fans get their first look at the Cubs under new manager  —  David Ross.  —  ESPN announced Thursday they will broadcast two of the Cubs' first four games in 2020: March 29 against the

Braves exec to investors: 'We're set up to win, and we're going after it'  —  The Braves pitched a bullish outlook for the team, on and off the field, at an investors conference held by owner Liberty Media in New York on Thursday.  —  “We're set up to win, and we're going to go after it,” …

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 …