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.

Every team's Winter Meetings wish list  —  Major League Baseball's annual Winter Meetings are set to begin on Monday in San Diego, meaning the Hot Stove could be on the verge of heating up to another level.  —  Some teams have already made significant splashes — like the White Sox signing Yasmani Grandal …

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 …

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.

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.

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.