Top News:
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.
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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:
Over the Monster and Federal Baseball
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:
Bleacher Nation, Twinkie Town, SKOR North and MLB Baseball News …
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Bill Baer / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Report: Twins, Michael Pineda agree to two-year, $20 million contract — Pierre Noujaim of Fox9 Minneapolis reports that the Twins and free agent starter — Michael Pineda have agreed on a two-year contract. — The Athletic's Dan Hayes confirms Noujaim's report and adds that the deal is for $20 million.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Yankees make signing righty Gerrit Cole top offseason priority — The New York Yankees have made signing right-hander Gerrit Cole their clear offseason priority and have ownership-level approval to offer him a record-setting deal, sources familiar with their plans told ESPN.
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays, Padres Agree To Tommy Pham-Hunter Renfroe Trade — FRIDAY, 2:00am: It appears the Rays will also land another prospect in the deal, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com. — 12:27am: The Padres will also acquire minor leaguer Jake Cronenworth in the trade, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
Discussion:
DRaysBay, Over the Monster, MLB Daily Dish and Gaslamp Ball
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Tommy Pham headed to Padres; Rays to get Hunter Renfroe — The San Diego Padres, intent on winning in 2020, agreed to a trade for outfielder Tommy Pham and two-way prospect Jake Cronenworth from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for outfielder Hunter Renfroe and prized second base prospect Xavier Edwards …
Discussion:
Associated Press
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:
MLB Baseball News …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
What we know about the Angels' deal with Anaheim — In the department of sports, the city of Anaheim is on a pretty good run. In a 13-month span, the city's two pro teams have agreed to extend their residency through the first half of this century. — The Ducks last November agreed to call Honda Center home through 2048.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Dodger Blue
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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:
Bleacher Nation and NBCSports.com
Yoo Jee-ho / Yonhap News Agency:
Two S. Korean players posted for MLB clubs — A pair of former South Korean baseball MVPs have been made available to major league clubs. — The Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner's Office announced Thursday (local time) that SK Wyverns' left-hander Kim Kwang-hyun …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, MLB Trade Rumors and The Korea Herald
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
2019 MLB Coach Of The Year: Derek Johnson — Sometimes the best technique a good coach can apply to help a struggling pitcher is to wait and say nothing. — Advice needs to be given. Potential remedies to fix problems need to be proposed. But the right advice at the wrong time is not helpful.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Sam Miller / ESPN:
How is WAR calculated, really? Breaking down a single play to find out — Bryce Harper charged a soft line drive on Sept. 5, fielded it cleanly and fired a strong throw home. The baserunner, Michael Lorenzen, who had started the play on second base, held at third.
Discussion:
Royals Review and Over the Monster