Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Phillies seen as top bidder for Zack Wheeler — The bidding for right-hander Zack Wheeler continues to progress toward resolution, with the Philadelphia Phillies seen by sources as the most potent bidders — and the Reds, White Sox and Rangers also involved.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Sources: Zack Wheeler joins Phillies on five-year deal worth $118 million — Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a five-year, $118 million contract, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. — Wheeler turned down a larger offer from the Chicago White Sox …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and baseballmusings.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
As free agency dominoes fall, Madison Bumgarner is expected to fetch at least $100 million — The free-agent pitching market broke wide open Wednesday, but the biggest winner of the day might be Madison Bumgarner. — With the Philadelphia Phillies signing Zack Wheeler for $118 million …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Bleacher Nation and MLB Trade Rumors
Scott Soshnick / Bloomberg:
Mets in Talks to Sell 80% of Team to Investor Steve Cohen — Deal would value Major League Baseball club at $2.6 billion — The billionaire would take control of team after five years — The owners of the New York Mets are in talks to sell up to 80% of the Major League Baseball team …
RELATED:
New York Times:
Steve Cohen in Talks to Buy Majority of Mets From Wilpons — The deal with Mr. Cohen, a billionaire hedge fund manager, would represent a significant change in the New York sports landscape. — Steven A. Cohen, a minority investor in the Mets, is negotiating with the Wilpon family to purchase …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and New York Post
Tim Tucker / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
How the signing of Cole Hamels affects Braves' 2020 payroll — Apparently, Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei was serious a couple of weeks ago when he said the Braves would “spend some money” this offseason. And apparently, Braves executive Mike Plant was serious, too, when he said on that same day, “We're going to go after it.”
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Sign Cole Hamels — 1:15pm: The Braves have formally announced the signing and (unlike most clubs) confirmed the terms of the contract in their press release. Their 40-man roster is now up to 38 players. — 11:18am: The Braves have struck a one-year deal with lefty Cole Hamels, per ESPN.com's Jeff Passan (via Twitter).
Discussion:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, NBCSports.com, FanSided, MLB Baseball News …, Talking Chop and The Good Phight
Alicia Robinson / Orange County Register:
Angels agree to stay in Anaheim through 2050, stadium to be sold for $325 million — Anaheim's hometown baseball team would continue playing in Angel Stadium for another 30 years, and the city would sell the stadium and 133 acres around it to a business partnership including team owner Arte Moreno …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Ballpark Digest, Halos Heaven and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Angels and Anaheim reach a deal for the team to stay in city through 2050
Angels and Anaheim reach a deal for the team to stay in city through 2050
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Nearing Acquisition Of Omar Narvaez — The Brewers are closing in on a deal with the Mariners to acquire catcher Omar Narvaez, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). The trade return remains unknown. — Narvaez is one of the few backstops in baseball that can match …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Lookout Landing, Bleacher Nation, Brew Crew Ball and Al's Ramblings
Beyond The Bases:
Marlins Park To Sport New Look In 2020 — Marlins Park continues to evolve with two significant changes to the field for the upcoming season. The Miami Marlins will install a synthetic grass surface at Marlins Park as part of a multi-year corporate partnership with Shaw Sports Turf.
Discussion:
Miami Herald, Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, Ballpark Digest, Fish Stripes and Marlins News
Associated Press:
Player treatment, not discipline, likely for opioids — MIAMI — Players who test positive for opioids would enter treatment and not be suspended under the change to Major League Baseball's drug agreement being negotiated by management and the players' association, according to union head Tony Clark.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
2020 Competitive Balance Draft Pick Order — Major League Baseball has determined the orders of Competitive Balance Rounds A and B for the 2020 amateur draft, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports. Comp Round A takes place after the first round of the draft, while Comp Round B goes down at the conclusion of the second round.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Brew Crew Ball, Royals Review, Bucs Dugout and Bless You Boys
ESPN:
St. Pete, Rays end talks of sharing team's home slate with Montreal — The Rays and the city of St. Petersburg have broken off talks regarding the possibility of the team playing some home games in a location other than the Tampa Bay area, according to a letter released from the mayor's office Wednesday.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com