Top News:
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
MLB: No evidence Astros used wearable devices to aid sign-stealing — The Houston Astros' illegal use of technology fueled further speculation Thursday that the team's players took their methods a step further by wearing concealed devices that notified them of certain pitches.
Discussion:
Denver Post, The Ringer, New York Post, Yahoo Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, Associated Press and Beyond the Box Score
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Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Allegations of ‘buzzing devices’ against Altuve, Bregman raise Astros scandal stakes — Is the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal about to get even worse? — Allegations from unsubstantiated reports are starting to gather steam, especially among New York Yankees media.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, ESPN, USA Today and Sportsnet.ca
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
L.A. City Council to seek World Series titles for Dodgers amid cheating scandal — The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote within the next week on a resolution urging Major League Baseball to recall the championship trophies presented to the Houston Astros in 2017 and the Boston Red Sox in 2018 …
ESPN:
Mets agree to part ways with manager Carlos Beltran — Carlos Beltran, the only player named in MLB's investigation of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, is out as manager of the New York Mets before beginning his first season with the team, it was announced Thursday.
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Purple Row, New York Post, Beyond the Box Score and Bless You Boys
Jay Jaffe / FanGraphs Baseball:
Out Before Reaching Home: Carlos Beltrán, Ex-Mets Manager
Out Before Reaching Home: Carlos Beltrán, Ex-Mets Manager
Discussion:
New York Post, Sports Illustrated and MLB Trade Rumors
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Jose Altuve Denies Wearing Electronic Device Under Jersey
Jose Altuve Denies Wearing Electronic Device Under Jersey
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, MLB Baseball News … and USA Today
Jenna West / Sports Illustrated:
Giants Add Alyssa Nakken to Coaching Staff in Historic Hire — Alyssa Nakken is believed to be the first female coach in MLB. — The Giants have completed their hiring process for manager Gabe Kapler's staff and added Alyssa Nakken in a historic hire. — The club announced Thursday …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
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Associated Press:
Giants make Alyssa Nakken first female major league coach — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Alyssa Nakken became the first female coach on a major league staff in baseball history Thursday when she was named an assistant under new Giants manager Gabe Kapler.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Anthony Franco / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Acquire Casey Sadler — The Cubs have acquired right-hander Casey Sadler from the Dodgers, per team announcements. Minor league infielder Clayton Daniel is headed back to L.A. Sadler lost his spot on the Dodgers' 40-man when the club signed Alex Wood. The Cubs' 40-man roster now sits at 39.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, True Blue LA and Bleed Cubbie Blue
ESPN:
Jack McDowell says Tony La Russa had sign-stealing system with White Sox in '80s — Former Cy Young Award winner Jack McDowell on Friday accused Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa of having a camera-aided sign-stealing system installed when he was with the Chicago White Sox in the late 1980s.
Discussion:
New York Post and Mercury News
Grant Wahl / Sports Illustrated:
Sources: LA Galaxy Sign Mexican Star Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez — MLS has long wanted to land Javier Hernandez, and that day has come, with the Galaxy finding their heir to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. — The LA Galaxy no longer have a marquee-name void in their attack, and MLS is no longer chasing its white whale of a signing.
Discussion:
UPROXX and Orange County Register
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Sign Adeiny Hechavarria — The Braves have signed shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to a one-year contract worth $1MM, ESPN.com's Jeff Passan reports (Twitter link). The club has officially announced the deal. — Hechavarria returns to Atlanta after first joining the team on a free agent deal midway through August 2019.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Talking Chop
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds expect to make more moves before the start of spring training — If the start of the 3,500-mile, three-day caravan was any indication, the Cincinnati Reds aren't worried about increased expectations for the 2020 season. — The Reds know there will be more pressure to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Patrick Mooney / The Athletic:
'There's no magic free agent out there': Tom Ricketts on a slow winter and the Cubs' future — At least the Cubs haven't been dragged into a sign-stealing scandal like the Astros and the Red Sox. — That's the bright side to what looks like a second-straight frozen winter for the Cubs …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Cubs Insider and Bleacher Nation
Brian McTaggart / Astros News:
Potential targets in Astros' managerial search — HOUSTON — The Astros' search for a manager to replace AJ Hinch will stretch beyond just bench coach Joe Espada, with owner Jim Crane opening up a national search that will include experienced names like Bruce Bochy, Dusty Baker and Buck Showalter.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Lone Star Ball, MLB Baseball News …, MLB.com and The Atlantic
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