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.
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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 …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and MLB Baseball News …
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.
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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.
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Key quotes and takeaways from AJ Hinch's first interview since sign-stealing scandal
Key quotes and takeaways from AJ Hinch's first interview since sign-stealing scandal
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times and Pinstripe Alley
Craig Edwards / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Big Mookie Betts Deal Is Finally Happening, but the Dodgers-Angels Trade Isn't — On Tuesday, word got out that Mookie Betts would be traded to the Dodgers. Over the course of the week, the trade moved from a seeming certainty to something less so, as the Red Sox reportedly raised concerns …
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Max Goodman / Sports Illustrated:
Breaking Down a Potential Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series Matchup — The Mookie Betts blockbuster trade is reportedly set. Rumors of the three-team deal falling through were quashed after the transaction was revised with new parameters on Sunday night. — As planned, Betts and lefty David Price …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
ESPN:
Sources: Mookie Betts and David Price trade to Dodgers finally done — Mookie Betts and David Price are finally going to Los Angeles. Sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan that a deal has been agreed upon to send the players to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a package that includes outfielder Alex Verdugo …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
La Velle E. Neal III / Star Tribune:
Brusdar Graterol could stay with Twins as their portion of baseball megadeal falling through — Boston balked at the big trade, and the Twins aren't planning to give up more. — TEXT SIZE — FORT MYERS, FLA. - If a blockbuster trade involving Red Sox star outfielder Mookie Betts is to be made …
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 …
Discussion:
AM New York, MLB Baseball News …, Sports Illustrated and Lookout Landing
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.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Why the Detroit Tigers' spring training emphasis is on ‘doing the work and earning it’ — Our Detroit pro teams had plenty of “What if” moments in a mostly disastrous decade. Here are a few favorites for Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings, Lions. — CONNECT — The menu for the Detroit Tigers …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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