Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Phillies plan to pursue free-agent 3B Anthony Rendon, despite luxury tax implications — The Philadelphia Phillies, luxury tax be damned, plan to strongly pursue free-agent third baseman Anthony Rendon, with third baseman Josh Donaldson as a potential fall-back plan, two people with direct knowledge told USA TODAY Sports.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bleacher Nation, Phillies Nation, MLB Trade Rumors and NESN.com
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ESPN:
Nationals owner Mark Lerner says team can't keep both Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon — Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon were key components in the Washington Nationals winning the franchise's first World Series title this year, but Mark Lerner, the team's principal owner …
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Sports Illustrated
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals To Re-Sign Howie Kendrick — 9:00am: The two sides have finalized a one-year deal that promises Kendrick a $6.25MM guarantee, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports (Twitter link). It's the same guarantee that Steve Pearce received from the Red Sox on the heels of his own postseason heroics following the 2018 World Series.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and Sports Illustrated
Todd Dybas / NBCSports.com:
Nationals owner Mark Lerner says team can't afford Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon — The prime question as soon as Stephen Strasburg opted out of his contract was this: Could the Nationals afford to bring back Strasburg and Anthony Rendon? According to managing principal owner Mark Lerner, the answer is no.
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Five burning questions for MLB's Winter Meetings — It's not yet time to suggest baseball's offseason will move at a pace much quicker than a tugboat. Yet for the first time in several years, the game's Winter Meetings may actually provide significant movement.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster and Federal Baseball
George Miller / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Interested In Rick Porcello — With Zack Wheeler officially jumping ship to join a division rival, the Mets are exploring options on the starting pitching market, speaking with free agent right-hander Rick Porcello and his representatives, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, NESN.com and Brew Crew Ball
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
What to expect from the Royals at MLB's Winter Meetings, starting Monday in San Diego — Baseball's annual early Christmas arrives next week as the Kansas City Royals and the rest of Major League Baseball's 30 clubs set up shop in the winter wonderland of, uh, San Diego, California.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and The Athletic
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Derrick Hall: Arizona Diamondbacks unlikely to spend a lot on one player in free agency — With his club's spending power exceeding $30 million this offseason, Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall said Thursday he doesn't expect the club to dedicate a large portion to one player in free agency.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Trade Rumors
George Miller / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Hire Don Kelly As Bench Coach — The Pirates have hired Don Kelly to serve as the bench coach on Derek Shelton's staff, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Kelly, 39, worked the 2019 season as the Astros' first base coach, a role he accepted after beginning his post-playing career …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays, Padres Announce Tommy Pham-Hunter Renfroe Trade — DECEMBER 6, 6:32pm: The trade has been announced. The Rays will acquire a player to be named later to go with Renfroe and Edwards, with the Padres picking up Pham and Cronenworth. — 2:00am: It appears the Rays will also land another prospect …
Discussion:
DRaysBay, FanGraphs Baseball, MLB Baseball News …, Beyond the Box Score, Over the Monster and Gaslamp Ball
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Tommy Pham headed to Padres; Rays to get Hunter Renfroe
Discussion:
Associated Press
Karen Guregian / Boston Herald:
Tom Brady's future with the Patriots rests with Bill Belichick, Tom Brady Sr. says — FOXBORO — Tom Brady has consistently stated this season he doesn't know what the future holds for his playing career. Those close to Brady are guessing, too. — Like the 42-year-old quarterback …
Discussion:
New York Post, NESN.com, ProFootballTalk and CBS Boston, more at WeSmirch »
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Re-Sign Brad Brach — 2:55pm: Brach's signing has been announced. The club designated righty Chris Flexen for assignment to create roster space. — 1:13pm: The Mets have struck a deal with free agent righty Brad Brach, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter).
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, MLB Daily Dish, Amazin' Avenue and MLB Baseball News …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Twins To Sign Alex Avila — The Twins have agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent catcher Alex Avila, ESPN's Jeff Passan tweets. The Excel Sports client will take home a $4.25MM guarantee on the new deal, per the report. — Avila, 33 in January, is no stranger to the AL Central …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Baseball News …, MLive.com and Sportsnet.ca
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Twins To Re-Sign Michael Pineda — The Twins have re-signed right-hander Michael Pineda to a two-year deal, Pierre Noujaim of FOX 9 Minneapolis reports (Twitter link). The Athletic's Dan Hayes reports that Pineda will earn $20MM on the deal, which will become official after Pineda passes a physical.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, SKOR North, MLB Baseball News … and Bleacher Nation
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