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:
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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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
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:
Union-News, Pinstripe Alley and Talking Chop
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
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, MLB Baseball News … and Talking Chop
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.
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Key quotes and takeaways from AJ Hinch's first interview since sign-stealing scandal
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.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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.
Discussion:
New York Post, Let's Go Tribe, Lookout Landing, Bleacher Nation and Brew Crew Ball
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Joe Maddon opens up on leaving Chicago Cubs, returning to L.A. Angels — LONG BEACH, Calif. — Joe Maddon settled into a small Italian deli bordering the Pacific coast Friday, only a block from the high-rise condominium that housed him for the past month, and instantly felt regret.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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
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
