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 Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, Sports Illustrated, Purple Row, Bleacher Nation and Lone Star Ball
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
RELATED:
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
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
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:
MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
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
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:
The Crawfish Boxes
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
TC Zencka / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs' Players, Personnel on the State of the Team — The Cubs are one of two teams without a guaranteed signing this offseason, and there's a good chance their caution continues. By all accounts, the Cubs will have a chance at returning to National League prominence in 2020 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, AZ Snake Pit, Chicago Sun-Times, The Athletic and Chicago Sun Times
George Miller / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Sign Joe Panik To Minor League Deal — The Blue Jays have signed infielder Joe Panik to a minor league contract, reports Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. The deal includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Panik will earn $2.85MM if he cracks the big league roster.
Discussion:
Metsmerized Online, Bleacher Nation and Bluebird Banter
Michael Allardyce / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Cubs fans voice frustration, boo Tom Ricketts at Cubs Convention — The Cubs hold a convention every year before Spring Training. Typically it's a fun affair with fans interacting with players, while convention halls brim with excitement for the upcoming season.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Houston Astros on Yahoo! …