Top News:
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rockies GM Jeff Bridich: Nolan Arenado trade talks off the table — Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich on Monday put the brakes on the Nolan Arenado trade rumors. — Bridich made it clear that the all-star third baseman will be with the Rockies when they open spring training next month in Scottsdale …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Nation, MLB Daily Dish and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Nolan Arenado's ire rooted in Rockies' inactivity after 71-91 season — The disillusionment that has percolated for months in behind-the-scenes meetings between Colorado Rockies leadership and the camp of star Nolan Arenado finally bled into the public sphere Monday.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Nolan not happy with current situation — DENVER — Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado made it clear Monday he's unhappy with the club. — After general manager Jeff Bridich told the Denver Post that he expected to begin 2020 “with Nolan in the purple and black and as our third baseman.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, Purple Row and New York Post
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Asked about Arenado, Mozeliak offers no specifics but closes no doors — The chance to add an All-Star middle-order hitter who is also one of the finest fielders ever to play his position is tantalizing enough for the Cardinals to remain in discussions with Colorado as much as possible.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Viva El Birdos and MLB Trade Rumors
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets' fear of future owner Steve Cohen is taking over manager search — The shadow of an ownership change looms over the Mets' managerial search, as team executives try to deduce the best way to please the prospective new boss. — Only days after Carlos Beltran's departure as manager …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Sports Illustrated
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants To Sign Jerry Blevins — The Giants have inked a minors deal with lefty Jerry Blevins, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). It comes with an invitation to participate in MLB camp. — This move sends Blevins back out west for the first time since he wrapped up a lengthy stint with the Athletics.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Casey Drottar / Sports Illustrated:
Can the Indians Get Another Big Season Out of Carlos Santana? — It's Carlos Santana. By about a mile. — Sure, Shane Bieber (5.6) and Mike Clevinger (4.5) each had a higher WAR, while Francisco Lindor tied with Santana in that department (4.4). — Still, nobody did more for the Indians' offense than their first baseman.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Molina wants to play several more years for Cardinals, and if not them 'that's it for me' — At almost the same place and in the same room where he stood and said his current contract would likely be his last contract, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina grinned, bounced a bit, and bent his knees.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pedro Strop Weighing Multiple Offers — Free-agent righty Pedro Strop is mulling offers from multiple clubs, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet (Twitter links). The longtime Cubs setup man has three offers in hand at the moment, Nicholson-Smith adds, citing the Marlins, Brewers …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Setting sights on spring training, Jose Altuve confident embattled Astros will ‘be in World Series’ — HOUSTON — A week filled with fines, suspensions, firings and impromptu news conferences as a result of their sign-stealing scandal ended awkwardly in Houston on Saturday …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Crawfish Boxes
Joon Lee / ESPN:
J.D. Martinez confident Red Sox will be cleared in investigation, as ‘there was nothing going on here’ — SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez believes Major League Baseball's investigation into the 2018 World Series champions will not reveal sign stealing.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
TC Zencka / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Sign Juan Nicasio To Minor League Contract — The Rangers have signed Juan Nicasio to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale (via Twitter). — Nicasio has enjoyed impressive longevity as a right-handed reliever, hanging in the majors for most of the last nine seasons.
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, Lookout Landing and Lone Star Ball