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9:55 AM ET, December 6, 2019

Ballbug

 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.
RELATED:
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.
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.
RELATED:
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.
RELATED:
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.
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
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 …
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
 
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 More News: 
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
The Dodgers are in position to make a big move this winter. Will they take advantage?
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors and Dodger Blue
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Sign Nick Ciuffo, Wei-Chieh Huang To Minors Deals
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
Jeff Wilson / Baseball America:
2019 Minor League Manager Of The Year: Corey Ragsdale
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
Tim Tucker / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
How the signing of Cole Hamels affects Braves' 2020 payroll
Discussion: Talking Chop
 Earlier Picks: 
New York Times:
Steve Cohen in Talks to Buy Majority of Mets From Wilpons
Associated Press:
Player treatment, not discipline, likely for opioids
Discussion: NBCSports.com and NESN.com
ESPN:
Sources: Zack Wheeler joins Phillies on five-year deal worth $118 million
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

Tom Bryant / The Mirror:
Paul O'Grady's beloved dog nuzzled star's shoulder as devoted husband battled to save him

Leah Bitsky / Page Six:
Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, and Vittoria Ceretti, 25, spark engagement rumors as she flaunts new ring

 
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