Top News:
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
AJ Hinch: ‘I Am Not Aware’ That Astros Used Buzzers to Communicate Stolen Signs — In a statement, former Astros manager AJ Hinch clarified his response about buzzers in his interview last week with SI and MLB Network. — Former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch issued a statement Wednesday night …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, New York Post and Houston Astros on Yahoo! …
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Jim Salisbury / NBCSports.com:
Phillies reliever David Robertson blasts cheating Houston Astros — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Add David Robertson's name to the list of pitchers who believe they were victimized by the Houston Astros' cheating scheme in 2017. — “It's a disgrace what they've done and they're going to have to live …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, New York Post, MLB Baseball News … and Phillies Nation
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Aroldis Chapman calls Jose Altuve's 2019 actions ‘suspicious’ — TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman joined the chorus of players criticizing the Astros for stealing signs in 2017, and speaking through an interpreter, he called the actions of Houston's Jose Altuve …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated
Elizabeth Swinton / Sports Illustrated:
Gary Sanchez Says 'It's Hard to Say' if Yankees Were Cheated Out of World Series by Astros
Gary Sanchez Says 'It's Hard to Say' if Yankees Were Cheated Out of World Series by Astros
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
Angels' Stassi apologizes for Astros' sign-stealing scheme
Angels' Stassi apologizes for Astros' sign-stealing scheme
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Astros owner Jim Crane to talk strategy with team amid scandal
Sources: Astros owner Jim Crane to talk strategy with team amid scandal
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, Lookout Landing and Sports Illustrated
Joon Lee / ESPN:
Dustin Pedroia's knee still sore, will not report to Red Sox on Monday — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will not arrive to spring training when position players are required to report to camp Monday, interim manager Ron Roenicke said Thursday.
Discussion:
NESN.com
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Inside Mets' offseason pursuits of Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor — PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets worked harder and were more serious in conversations to try to obtain Cleveland's Francisco Lindor during the offseason, but they made numerous calls and exchanged several various concepts …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, AM New York, MLB Trade Rumors and NESN.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB Announces Rule Changes For 2020 Season — Major League Baseball announced on Wednesday the implementation of several rule changes that will take place in 2020 — most notably the previously reported three-batter minimum for pitchers, the expansion of standard roster size from 25 to 26 players …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Twinkie Town, Over the Monster, Brew Crew Ball, MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com and Lone Star Ball
Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Police: Blue Jays' Reese McGuire arrested for ‘Exposure of Sexual Organs’ — DUNEDIN, Fla. - Toronto Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire was arrested last weekend for the exposure of sexual organs and given a notice to appear in court, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake has left wrist fracture, hopes to be ready for season — Diamondbacks right-hander Mike Leake has a fracture in his left wrist, an injury he hopes won't keep him from making the Opening Day roster. — Leake, who suffered the injury on a fall at home …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and D-backs News
Baseball America:
2020 MLB Organization Talent Rankings — Baseball America's first installment of farm system rankings for the 2020 season is here, reflecting a myriad of changes since our last update midway through the 2019 season. — The top farm system in baseball again belongs to the Tampa Bay Rays …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit, Royals Review, NBCSports.com and Bleacher Nation
Maggie Haberman / New York Times:
Hope Hicks to Return to the White House After a Nearly Two-Year Absence — President Trump's former communications director will return as an aide to Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior adviser. — Hope Hicks, a close aide to President Trump who resigned nearly two years ago …
Discussion:
National Review, New York Post and Vanity Fair
Eric Longenhagen / FanGraphs Baseball:
2020 Top 100 Prospects … Below is my list of the top 100 prospects in baseball. The scouting summaries were compiled with information provided by available data, industry sources, as well as from my own observations. — Note that prospects are ranked by number but also lie within tiers demarcated by their Future Value grades.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Camden Chat, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, Lookout Landing, Over the Monster, Talking Chop and Lone Star Ball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Re-Sign Derek Dietrich — The Reds have re-signed infielder/outfielder Derek Dietrich to a minor league contract and invited him to Major League Spring Training, per a team announcement. He's represented by All Bases Covered Sports Management. — It's the second straight winter …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, Red Reporter and MLB Baseball News …