Top News:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals To Sign Eric Thames — In a continuation of a recent signing bonanza, the Nationals have struck a deal with first baseman Eric Thames, according to Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic (via Twitter). It's a one-year, $4MM pact — that includes a $1MM buyout on mutual option …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Federal Baseball
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals, Daniel Hudson Agree To Two-Year Deal — 3:29pm: The deal's worth $11MM with up to $1MM in performance bonuses based on games finished, per Passan. The total falls in line with the two-year, $12MM guarantee MLBTR projected for Hudson at the beginning of the offseason.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
With the signing of Starlin Castro, a possible Plan B comes into focus for the Nationals — As the World Series champion Nationals await resolution on free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson, they are putting together a possible Plan B. — The Nats have reached agreement …
ESPN:
Source: Nationals to bring back infielder Asdrubal Cabrera — The Washington Nationals are re-signing Asdrubal Cabrera to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan. — Cabrera joins a Nationals free-agency haul that includes Stephen Strasburg, Howie Kendrick, Starlin Castro and Will Harris.
Discussion:
Plain Dealer, baseballmusings.com and Let's Go Tribe
Anthony Franco / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals To Re-Sign Asdrubal Cabrera
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Federal Baseball and Bleacher Nation
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals To Sign Starlin Castro
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and Fish Stripes
David Kaplan / NBCSports.com:
Why the Cubs and Theo Epstein haven't done anything this offseason — With the calendar flipped to 2020, the upcoming baseball season is not far away. Spring Training starts in a little over a month and Opening Day is right around the corner in late March.
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, Daily Herald, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Baseball News … and Bleacher Nation
Justin Rimpi / Sports Illustrated:
With Glut of Starting Pitching for New York Mets, Steven Matz Will Find Himself on Outside Looking In — The New York Mets, and more specifically General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen, have made a concerted effort this off season to improve one of the strongest parts of their team in 2019.
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels Acquire Kyle Keller, Designate Jake Jewell — The Angels have acquired right-hander Kyle Keller from the Marlins for catcher Jose Estrada, according to announcements from both teams. The Angels designated righty Jake Jewell for assignment in a corresponding move.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Fish Stripes
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Announce Shogo Akiyama Signing — The Reds announced today that they have signed a three-year deal with Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama. It's a $21MM pact, the club added. Akiyama will earn successive salaries of $6MM, $7MM, and $8MM, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com (via Twitter).
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Bill Plaschke / Los Angeles Times:
Column: Dodgers brass defends lack of offseason moves amid fan frustration — The boos have finally gone deep. — This Dodgers fans' annual offseason frustration, which usually swirls around the dugout of Dave Roberts or desk of Andrew Friedman, has soared beyond both this winter …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation and baseballmusings.com
Phil Miller / Star Tribune:
Twins likely out of the bidding for Josh Donaldson — The free agent third baseman is seeking a four-year deal for more than $100 million. — TEXT SIZE — The Twins' pursuit of Josh Donaldson isn't over, but the team has grown pessimistic about the outcome.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, Bleacher Nation and Talking Chop
Bradford William Davis / New York Daily News:
The Mets need J.D. Davis to follow in J.D. Martinez's footsteps — Mets masher J.D. Davis' 2019 ascent was a major catalyst for their late-season pennant drive, and easily the best acquisition of Brodie Van Wagenen's brief tenure with the Mets. But between Davis' well-documented defensive struggles …
Lindsey Adler / The Athletic:
Sources: Yankees make sweeping changes to training staff after record-setting season of injuries — The Yankees will make significant changes to their strength-and-conditioning and training staff rosters for 2020 following a year in which they set a record for most injured players in a single season.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Trade Rumors, Yankees News and New York Post
Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Giants sign Tyson Ross to a minor league deal — San Francisco Giants have signed pitcher — Tyson Ross to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. If he makes the team it'll be a $1.75 million pact. He can earn up to another $1.75 million in performance bonuses …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Matthew DeFranks / Dallas Morning News:
Former Stars coach Jim Montgomery checks into rehab for alcohol abuse, says it was ‘appropriate call’ to fire him — Montgomery: “Losing my job as head coach of the Dallas Stars last month was a wake-up call. It was also the appropriate call.” … It was Montgomery's first public comment since …
Discussion:
New York Post and Denver Post
