Top News:
Dennis Lin / The Athletic:
Sources: Padres and Red Sox have discussed potential Mookie Betts trade — In the latest sign of their ambitions, the Padres have discussed a trade centered around Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, sources told The Athletic. — Such a deal would shatter the relative monotony of the past month.
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ESPN:
MLB has no plans to strip Astros, Red Sox of World Series titles, says commissioner Rob Manfred — Major League Baseball has no plans to strip recent World Series titles from the Houston Astros or Boston Red Sox, according to commissioner Rob Manfred. — In his first public interview since …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Alex Speier / Baseball America:
CLICK HERE TO SEE BOSTON'S TOP 10 2020 PROSPECTS
CLICK HERE TO SEE BOSTON'S TOP 10 2020 PROSPECTS
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Buster Olney / ESPN:
MLB umpires' union clarifies use of electronics at spring training sites — Hours after baseball commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that an electronic strike zone would be used in spring training games, the executive committee of the umpires' union clarified that news, indicating …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, Union-News, Let's Go Tribe, Pinstripe Alley and NESN.com
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Vinnie Duber / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
More moves? Nicholas Castellanos? ‘Heavy lifting’ over, but White Sox might not be done — White Sox fans, you're not being greedy if you're looking for Rick Hahn's front office to keep adding to the roster. But maybe pause just a bit to congratulate the general manager on an offseason well done.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and MLB Trade Rumors
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Mitch Haniger has setback, will miss Opening Day — Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said today that outfielder Mitch Haniger had a setback in his rehab from a ruptured testicle (yes, a ruptured testicle) and a groin injury which ended his 2019 season last June.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Chris Bumbaca / USA Today:
Kansas City Royals' Whit Merrifield on missing 2018 All-Star Game: ‘Jose Altuve took my spot’ — Another MLB player chimed in about the Houston Astros cheating scandal. He's also taking it personally. — Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield said he believes the illicit sign-stealing operation cost …
Discussion:
Royals Review and New York Post
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners Claim Nick Margevicius — The Mariners have claimed lefty Nick Margevicius off waivers from the Padres, per a club announcement. Right-hander Reggie McClain was designated for assignment to create roster space. — Margevicius was designated for assignment recently by the Friars.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Nearing Deal With Steven Souza — The Cubs are closing in on a deal with free agent outfielder Steven Souza Jr., per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). If completed, it'll be the Chicago organization's first MLB contract of the offseason. — Souza was previously cut loose by the Diamondbacks.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Bleacher Nation and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Why Scott Boras says the Astros players don't need to apologize — Agent Scott Boras does not believe the Astros' players should apologize, not when their superiors promoted the team's illegal use of electronics to steal signs. — “I'm doing what my organization is telling me to do,” …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
Tim Healey / Newsday:
How Luis Rojas worked his way from bottom of the organization to become Mets' new manager — Luis Rojas' formal introduction as Mets manager — in a Citi Field news conference at 3 p.m. Friday — is a big-time promotion widely considered well-earned, a big-time decision from leadership received warmly …
Discussion:
Newsday
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
Royals cornerstone, veteran LF Alex Gordon returns to Kansas City on a one-year deal — Signs have indicated for months that the Kansas City Royals and franchise cornerstone outfielder Alex Gordon would reunite for at least one more year. The sides signed a deal Wednesday that will keep …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Royals Review, UPI and MLB Daily Dish
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
‘Rehab, rehab, rehab’: After difficult three years, Alex Reyes expects to crack Cardinals rotation — Before there was a Jack Flaherty, there was Alex Reyes. While Flaherty, now the Cardinals' pitching ace at age 24, was winning five games at Class A Palm Beach in 2016 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Baseball America:
2020 Top 100 Prospects — Baseball America's 2020 Top 100 MLB Prospects is here and will provide you with all you need to know about the game's future stars. — For the second straight year, there is consensus among Baseball America staffers when it comes to the No. 1 prospect in baseball.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Camden Chat, Bleed Cubbie Blue, NBCSports.com, Sportsnet.ca, DRaysBay, Brew Crew Ball, Over the Monster, Halos Heaven, Baltimore Sun, Fish Stripes, MLive.com, Metsmerized Online, Bleacher Nation, Viva El Birdos, Lookout Landing, Bluebird Banter, Talking Chop, Bless You Boys, Lone Star Ball and Royals Review
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J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
Notable MLB Prospects Who Missed The 2020 Top 100
Notable MLB Prospects Who Missed The 2020 Top 100
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, NBCSports.com and DRaysBay