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4:05 PM ET, February 11, 2020

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
MLB plotting playoff expansion — with reality TV twist  —  Imagine a team picking its playoff opponent.  Think about Brian Cashman and the Yankees deciding whether to face the Red Sox or avoid them in the first round of the postseason.  All on live TV.  —  Well, it is probably coming soon to the major leagues.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Sources: MLB weighing major changes to postseason, including growing number of teams to 14  —  Major League Baseball is mulling significant changes to its postseason, including increasing the number of teams from 10 to 14 and adding a reality TV-type format to determine which teams play each …
ESPN:
Love it or hate it? The proposal to shake up the MLB playoffs
Discussion: USA Today and Reason
Joon Lee / ESPN:
Chaim Bloom says Red Sox prioritized ‘big picture’ over fan reaction in trading Mookie Betts  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom publicly addressed the blockbuster trade of Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time Monday …
Discussion: Let's Go Tribe
RELATED:
Craig Edwards / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Big Mookie Betts Deal Is Finally Happening, but the Dodgers-Angels Trade Isn't
Max Goodman / Sports Illustrated:
Breaking Down a Potential Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series Matchup
Discussion: Over the Monster
Manny Randhawa / MLB.com:
Benintendi signs 2-year deal, avoids arbitration
Nancy Armour / USA Today:
Pitcher Mike Bolsinger says cheating Astros changed course of his career  —  The Houston Astros wronged a lot of people, in a lot of ways.  —  But the damage they did to Mike Bolsinger - to his career and to his whole life - was particularly harsh, and the former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher wants them held accountable.
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mike Bolsinger Sues Astros Over Sign-Stealing Scheme  —  Former big league hurler Mike Bolsinger has filed a lawsuit against the Houston Astros, Nancy Armour of USA Today reports.  The action was filed in California state court.  —  Bolsinger, a 32-year-old righty, has never pitched for the Astros.
Associated Press:
Ahmed, D-backs agree to $32.5 million, 4-year deal  —  SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS  —  PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks capped a busy offseason by locking down their two-time Gold Glove shortstop, who has slowly turned into a solid offensive threat.
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners To Sign Carlos Gonzalez  —  The Mariners have agreed to a minor league contract with three-time All-Star Carlos Gonzalez, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (Twitter link).  The 34-year-old Boras Corporation client has been invited to Major League Spring Training and would earn $750K if he cracks the big league roster.
Harry Pavlidis / Baseball Prospectus:
Cracking Crystal: The 2020 PECOTA Standings Projections  —  If you rub a crystal ball it will show you the future.  If the ball is cracked you might cut yourself.  Injury is more likely than insight.  Still, it is time for the annual feasting on the expectations of our projection system with the 2020 PECOTA Standings.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Hope For 2nd Half Return From David Robertson  —  The Phillies are hopeful they've got a built-in summer acquisition in the form of veteran reliever David Robertson.  As Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports on Twitter, new Phils skipper Joe Girardi says that he hopes Robertson …
Discussion: Phillies Nation
Scott Soshnick / Bloomberg:
NY Mets Said to Be for Sale With No Preconditions on Control  — Allen & Co. will begin new sales process for Mets immediately  — Deal with billionaire Steve Cohen died over issue of control  —  The proposed sale of the New York Mets to billionaire hedge fund titan Steve Cohen …
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
One thing to watch for all 30 teams as spring training begins  —  When spring training kicked off a year ago, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remained unsigned.  The drama this year will center around the Houston Astros: their cheating scandal, reactions from other players about the Astros' cheating scandal …
Discussion: NESN.com
Patrick Mooney / The Athletic:
When Kris Bryant gets to Mesa, he'll be the center of attention for a Cubs team in flux  —  While the rest of Major League Baseball has spent around $2.1 billion on free agents this offseason, the Cubs are banking on fuzzy concepts like attention to detail and a more structured clubhouse environment …
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves roster preview: Rotation could be formidable ... or position of need  —  More than any other spot — including the bullpen, third base and outfield — how the rotation shakes out is paramount to the Braves' success in 2020.  It's the most unique position on the club …
Discussion: Talking Chop
 
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 More News: 
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Athletics Showing Interest In Jason Kipnis
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Joe Maddon opens up on leaving Chicago Cubs, returning to L.A. Angels
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Why the Detroit Tigers' spring training emphasis is on ‘doing the work and earning it’
Discussion: Bless You Boys
 Earlier Picks: 
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets Spring Training Preview: 5 burning questions facing the Amazin's
 

 
From WeSmirch:

People:
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Announces Separation from Husband 3 Months After Prison Release

Beth Harris / Associated Press:
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87

Tamantha Ryan / Page Six:
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy accuses him of rape, physical abuse amid Diddy lawsuit drama — but he denies it

 
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