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.

Will Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen continue to do the unexpected?  —  SAN DIEGO — The thing about the winter meetings is that at almost any hour of the day, all hell can break loose.  —  Baseball's annual industry convention, which this year is in San Diego from Sunday through Thursday …

Nationals To Sign Kyle Finnegan  —  The Nationals have agreed to terms on an MLB deal with reliever Kyle Finnegan, per a team announcement.  —  The right-handed Finnegan has spent the entirety of his professional career as an Athletics farmhand.  In 2019 he recorded a 2.31 ERA with 14 saves …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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).

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.