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.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Trade Rumors, Lone Star Ball, Phillies Nation and New York Post
RELATED:
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Source: Free agent Zack Wheeler has eliminated the Rangers from consideration — Wheeler is expected to make a decision on destination before the winter meetings begin — The Rangers will not land their top free agent pitching target this winter. — Right-hander Zack Wheeler has informed …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Pinstripe Alley, Bleacher Nation and Lone Star Ball
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Ready to make a splash, White Sox going hard in pursuit of free agent Zack Wheeler
Ready to make a splash, White Sox going hard in pursuit of free agent Zack Wheeler
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, South Side Sox, MLB Trade Rumors, Phillies Nation, Let's Go Tribe, NBCSports.com and Dodger Blue
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Wheeler will be a $100 million man; the market for Bumgarner and Castellanos; more notes
Wheeler will be a $100 million man; the market for Bumgarner and Castellanos; more notes
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Beyond the Box Score, Red Reporter, CBSSports.com, New Jersey Online, Halos Heaven, Talking Chop, Over the Monster, NBCSports.com, Atlanta Braves on Yahoo! …, MLB Trade Rumors, Pinstripe Alley, Puckett's Pond, MLB Baseball News …, Phillies Nation, Lone Star Ball, Bleacher Nation, New York Post, Sportsnet.ca, Redleg Nation and SKOR North
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers, White Sox Have Had “Preliminary” Trade Talks On Joc Pederson
Dodgers, White Sox Have Had “Preliminary” Trade Talks On Joc Pederson
Discussion:
Royals Review, ESPN, MLB Baseball News … and Al's Ramblings
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 …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish, Amazin' Avenue and New York Post
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
One blockbuster move for all 30 MLB teams — Teams have made their 40-man roster additions, the non-tender deadline passed on Monday, the winter meetings loom next week and there have already been a few signings and trades of note this MLB offseason. So let's play everyone's favorite party game …
Discussion:
Call to the Pen, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Redleg Nation and Bleacher Nation
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:
MLB Baseball News …, FanSided, Phillies Nation, The Good Phight and Talking Chop
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:
NESN.com
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 …, Halos Heaven, Ballpark Digest and MLB Trade Rumors
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:
MLB Baseball News …, Ballpark Digest, Fish Stripes and Marlins News
Bradford William Davis / New York Daily News:
Orioles' Jonathan Villar salary dump demonstrates MLB's toxic commitment to their bottom line — Why would anyone pay a good player what he's worth when you can, instead, pay a bad player nothing at all? After waiving infielder Jonathan Villar as part of their strategic downsizing …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Jared Martin / Sports Illustrated:
Derek Shelton Officially Introduced as Pirates Manager - Reaction to the Press Conference — Derek Shelton will be announced today as the next manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was reported a week ago that Shelton beat out the other finalist, Matt Quatraro, for the job.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Rangers honor retired jerseys with dimensions at new stadium — Texas Rangers' ballpark will be similar to their old stadium, with slightly altered distances designed to honor the team's retired jersey numbers. — The left field pole will be 329 feet from home plate, the 29 a reference to former third baseman Adrian Beltre's jersey.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jed Lowrie does not deserve a second chance from the Mets — Second chances are, most of the time, a good thing. They allow players to flush putrid seasons, bounce back and start fresh. But Jed Lowrie, a career .261 batter who has yet to record a hit for the Mets, should not be given …