Top News:
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.
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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 …, DRaysBay, South Side Sox, Royals Review, The Crawfish Boxes and baseballmusings.com
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Hinch, Luhnow are suspended for '20, then let go — Sign-stealing penalties include loss of top Draft picks, $5 million fine — Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were each suspended without pay for the 2020 season by Major League Baseball, which on Monday released …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, NBCSports.com, Purple Row, Astros News, Orange County Register, UPROXX, NESN.com and Associated Press
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 …
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:
Baseball America, ESPN, NBCSports.com, Bronx Banter and Halos Heaven
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Technology, Once the Astros' Ally, Helps Do Them In — Jeff Luhnow built a powerhouse in Houston by trying to gain every edge possible. In the end, he pushed the envelope too far. — This was in the summer of 2012, in Jeff Luhnow's office at the old Union Station in Houston, adjacent to Minute Maid Park.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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:
Bless You Boys and MLB Baseball News …
Justin Toscano / NorthJersey.com:
Here's what the Astros' punishment means for Carlos Beltrán and the Mets — Phew. — Carlos Beltrán, the Mets and their fans may breathe a collective sigh of relief. Spring training in Port St. Lucie looks like it will be controversy free — something that seemed uncertain a few weeks ago.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Obvious interest, complex trade: Cutting through the clutter on Arenado and the Cardinals — When the Cardinals headed to California to woo Giancarlo Stanton and try to convince him, in person, to waive his no-trade clause and accept the trade the Marlins had to St. Louis …
Discussion:
Denver Post, MLB Trade Rumors and Twinkie Town
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Jon Paul Morosi / MLB.com:
Cardinals emerging in Arenado talks (sources)
Discussion:
NESN.com, Lookout Landing, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News … and The Good Phight
Carlos Collazo / Baseball America:
MLB Mock Draft — Note: We have removed Houston's first round pick following MLBs punishment of the organization for sign-stealing. — The amateur baseball season has not yet begun, but with the release of the top 100 draft prospects last week, here at Baseball America we are already getting excited about the 2020 draft.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Steve Melewski
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
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:
Los Angeles Dodgers News …, NBCSports.com and Lookout Landing
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George Miller / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers To Sign Todd Frazier
Discussion:
Over the Monster, New York Post and Lone Star Ball
Alex Pavlovic / NBCSports.com:
Pat Burrell back with Giants organization, named Single-A hitting coach — Pat the Bat is back and will try to mentor the next generation of Giants sluggers. — The organization announced Monday that Pat Burrell, a key piece on San Francisco's 2010 championship team, will be the hitting coach for the San Jose Giants.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Phillies Nation and MLB Trade Rumors
