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 …

A chance to get creative  —  The BBWAA has elected 11 players over the last three years, clearing out what had been a packed ballot.  —  It took Tim Raines and Edgar Martinez 10 years to gain the necessary 75 percent.  Jeff Bagwell needed seven years and Mike Mussina six.

Texas Rangers' miss on Plan A at third base softened by trade for Corey Kluber  —  The time limit has passed for Rangers Reaction to wish everyone a Happy New Year, but it's the thought that counts.  —  The holidays were good to the Wilsons, aside from a strained SI joint and the prescribed rest from workouts.

Trevor Bauer says ball heave might have played a role in trade from Indians  —  Appearing on Barstool Sports' “Pardon My Take” podcast, Trevor Bauer opened up about the trade that sent him from the Cleveland Indians to the Cincinnati Reds.  —  On July 28 of last year, Trevor Bauer made a start …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …