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5:00 PM ET, January 15, 2020

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 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.
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / NorthJersey.com:
CC Sabathia: Yankees were ‘cheated’ out of a pennant due to Astros' sign stealing  —  NEW YORK — In the opinion of CC Sabathia, the Yankees were cheated out of a trip to the World Series due to the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal.  —  Commenting on Tuesday's edition of Showtime's …
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: MLB Trade Rumors
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Astros are still talented, but they are leaderless and flawed  —  The Houston Astros, the greatest team in baseball the past three years, woke up Tuesday morning, looked in the mirror, and gasped at the sight.  —  The makeup has come off, their hair is now gray and balding …
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 …
Justin Toscano / NorthJersey.com:
Here's what the Astros' punishment means for Carlos Beltrán and the Mets
Discussion: New York Daily News
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Cody Bellinger on Astros, Red Sox allegations: Dodgers did it ‘the right way’
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 …
RELATED:
Ben Pickman / Sports Illustrated:
Report: Twins Agree to Four-Year Deal With 3B Josh Donaldson  —  One of MLB's last remaining big-name free agents has reportedly found a new home.  —  One of MLB's last remaining big-name free agents has reportedly found a new home, as third baseman Josh Donaldson has agreed to a four-year deal …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Designate Odubel Herrera For Assignment, Claim Nick Martini  —  The Phillies announced Tuesday that center fielder Odubel Herrera has been designated for assignment.  His 40-man roster spot will go to Nick Martini, whom the Phillies have claimed off waivers from the Reds.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels Acquire Matt Andriese  —  4:13pm: The Diamondbacks and Angels have announced the trade.  —  3:47pm: The Angels and Diamondbacks have agreed to a trade that will send right-hander Matt Andriese from Arizona to Anaheim, tweets MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins Acquire Stephen Tarpley, Designate Brian Moran  —  The Yankees have traded left-hander Stephen Tarpley to the Marlins in exchange for minor league third baseman James Nelson and cash, the two teams announced.  In order to open a spot for Tarpley on the 40-man roster, fellow southpaw Brian Moran was designated for assignment.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Designate Dylan Covey, Announce Steve Cishek Signing  —  The White Sox have designated right-hander Dylan Covey for assignment, per a club announcement.  His roster spot goes to Steve Cishek, whose previously reported signing is now official.  —  Covey has certainly had his chances to forestall this result.
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.
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 …
RELATED:
George Miller / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers To Sign Todd Frazier
 
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 More News: 
Aaron Hancock / WFIE:
Eickhoff signs minor league deal with San Diego Padres
John Romano / Tampa Bay Times:
The Rays lineup could be a daily exercise in creativity this season
Discussion: DRaysBay
 Earlier Picks: 
Alex Pavlovic / NBCSports.com:
Pat Burrell back with Giants organization, named Single-A hitting coach
 

 
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