Top News:
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Cody Bellinger on Astros, Red Sox allegations: Dodgers did it ‘the right way’ — MALIBU, Calif. — The sign-stealing scandal that has engulfed Major League Baseball throughout the offseason centers mostly on two teams, the 2017 Houston Astros and the 2018 Boston Red Sox. An obvious link: the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, South Side Sox, The Crawfish Boxes, Royals Review, DRaysBay, baseballmusings.com and NBCSports.com
RELATED:
The Athletic:
Exclusive: MLB hands down unprecedented penalties for Astros after sign-stealing investigation — In the most dramatic ruling of his five-year tenure, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred came down hard on the Astros Monday for illegally stealing signs during their World Series championship season in 2017.
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Astros owner Jim Crane fires manager A.J. Hinch, GM Jeff Luhnow after MLB suspensions in cheating scandal — Houston Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane has fired manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow following Major League Baseball's sign-stealing investigation, he announced in a press conference on Monday.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bless You Boys
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Astros' Jeff Luhnow, AJ Hinch fired for sign stealing — Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were fired by owner Jim Crane on Monday after Major League Baseball's announcement of discipline following the sign-stealing scandal. — A league investigation confirmed …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB To Suspend Jeff Luhnow, A.J. Hinch For One Year; Astros Stripped Of Draft Picks — Major League Baseball is set to bring forth an unprecedented set of penalties against the Astros organization in light of the sign-stealing scandal against them, Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic report.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Red Reporter, UPROXX and Halos Heaven
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Source: Rangers agree to deal with free agent infielder Todd Frazier — Frazier fills third base need, could play some first base if another third baseman is acquired. — With the likelihood of a Nolan Arenado trade dimming by the day, the Rangers on Sunday, acted to fill one of their pressing needs …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Los Angeles Dodgers News … and Lookout Landing
RELATED:
George Miller / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers To Sign Todd Frazier — The Rangers have reached an agreement with free-agent third baseman Todd Frazier, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that it's a one-year, $5MM guarantee that includes a club option for a second year.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, New York Post and Lone Star Ball
Peter King / NBCSports.com:
FMIA Divisional: Aaron Rodgers, Packers Aren't Finished, Derrick Henry Can't Be Stopped, and more — GREEN BAY, Wisc. — That pass. That Aaron Rodgers pass. It's still there. He's still got it. — I came to Green Bay wondering about Rodgers. (Stupidly, as it turns out.)
Discussion:
NESN.com, New York Post, UPROXX and Sports Illustrated
Jon Paul Morosi / MLB.com:
Cardinals emerging in Arenado talks (sources) — The Cardinals have emerged in recent days as a viable suitor in the Nolan Arenado trade discussions, multiple sources said Sunday. — One source said the Rockies and Cardinals have engaged in “preliminary” trade negotiations regarding Arenado …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, NESN.com, Lookout Landing and The Good Phight
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers avoid arbitration with deals for four players — Last year, the Detroit Tigers attended a salary arbitration hearing for the first time in 18 seasons. — This year, order has been restored. — The Tigers agreed to one-year contracts with all four of their remaining salary …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Source: Mookie Betts, Red Sox agree to record $27M deal — Outfielder Mookie Betts is getting a one-year, $27 million deal from the Boston Red Sox in a record agreement to avoid arbitration, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Friday. — The amount breaks the arbitration record of $26 million …
RELATED:
Connor Grott / UPI:
Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox avoid arbitration with record $27M deal
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster, MLB.com and baseballmusings.com
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Amed Rosario hopes new offseason regimen will put defensive struggles in the past — Ain't no rest for the wicked and for Amed Rosario, the grind only intensified this offseason. — The Mets shortstop is spending his time away from the field, well, on the field.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Only two months until Globe Life Field opens. How much work is left on new Rangers home? — The first event at Globe Life Field is scheduled for March 14, when the Chris Stapleton All-American Road Show comes to Arlington. — That's in 62 days. The ballpark, as of Thursday, was 90% complete.
