Top News:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Avoid Arbitration With Kris Bryant, Javier Baez — 3:07pm: The Cubs will pay Javier Baez an even $10MM, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). That's $700K north of his projected earning point. The sides are said to be interested in hammering out a longer-term contract …
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, NBCSports.com, Sports Illustrated, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Baseball News …
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Avoid Arbitration With Trevor Bauer — The Reds have worked out a deal with right-hander Trevor Bauer, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand (via Twitter). He'll pitch for $17.5MM in 2020 rather than going to a third-straight hearing. — The MLBTR/Matt Swartz model projected …
Discussion:
Red Reporter and MLB Daily Dish
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels, Max Stassi Avoid Arbitration — The Angels and catcher Max Stassi have avoided arbitration with an $800K agreement, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweets. That's the exact salary MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected for Stassi a few months back. — Stassi didn't hit much in 2019 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Jose Martinez part of Cardinals' package for Rays lefty prospect Matt Liberatore — MLB, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays — The St. Louis Cardinals are trading outfielders Jose Martinez and Randy Arozarena to the Tampa Bay Rays for left-handed prospect Matt Liberatore …
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Let's Go Tribe
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals finalizing deal to send Jose Martinez, Arozarena to Rays for top pitching prospect — For most of the winter the Cardinals have entertained interest from other teams in their plethora of outfield bats in hopes that a trade would not just offer them talent but also clarity for their roster, and room to maneuver.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, DRaysBay, Viva El Birdos, MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte looking likely to return to center field in 2020 — With spring training about a month away, Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen sounded more resigned to the fact that he again might not be able to land the center fielder he has wanted.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and AZ Snake Pit
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Connor Grott / UPI:
Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox avoid arbitration with record $27M deal — The Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration with star outfielder Mookie Betts after both sides agreed on a record-setting deal, the team announced Friday. — League sources told ESPN and MLB Media that Betts signed a one-year, $27 million agreement with the Red Sox.
Discussion:
MLB.com, MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Sign Jedd Gyorko, Designate Jake Faria — 4:30pm: The deal is official. It includes a club option for 2021. — The Brewers announced they've designated righty Jake Faria for assignment to create roster space. — 11:03am: The Brewers have agreed to a Major League contract …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Associated Press:
Brewers 'Counsell gets 3-year contract extension through '23
Brewers 'Counsell gets 3-year contract extension through '23
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and baseballmusings.com
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Extend Craig Counsell
Brewers Extend Craig Counsell
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and MLB Daily Dish
ESPN:
Source: Twins, Miguel Sano agree to three-year extension — Third baseman Miguel Sano is in agreement with the Minnesota Twins on a three-year contract extension, a source familiar with the deal told ESPN's Jeff Passan. — Sources confirmed to ESPN that the extension …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
2019 Dominican Summer League Top 20 Prospects — For most Latin American signings, their first official games on their way up the minor leagues come in the Dominican Summer League. — It's also a level that continues to become more heavily scouted, with clubs hoping to pick the pocket …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks To Extend David Peralta — The Diamondbacks and outfielder David Peralta are in agreement on a three-year extension that'll guarantee the Onyx Sports Management client a total of $22MM, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale (Twitter links). He can earn another $1.25MM annually via incentives.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, AZ Snake Pit and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
2020 MLB arbitration tracker: Follow along at Jan. 10 deadline — Friday was the deadline for 155 arbitration-eligible players and their MLB teams to agree on salaries or exchange desired numbers for 2020. This year, big names including Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Aaron Judge …
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
With four superstars on the trade market the hot stove is still sizzling, and more notes — All but four of Jim Bowden's top 35 free agents are signed, but the Hot Stove season isn't close to over. Not when four high-profile clubs (the Cubs, Cardinals, Red Sox and Dodgers) remain largely inactive.
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, Purple Row, MLB Trade Rumors, Halos Heaven, USA Today, Bleacher Nation and Chicago Sun-Times