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! …
RELATED:
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:
New York Post, Los Angeles Times, MLB Baseball News … and Phillies Nation
Associated Press:
Angels' Stassi apologizes for Astros' sign-stealing scheme — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Max Stassi says he wishes he had done “the right thing” when he learned about the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scheme late in their World Series championship season in 2017.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Washington Post:
The world just learned of the Astros' cheating. Inside baseball, it was an open secret. — On the evening of Oct. 22, 2019, a group of umpires, Major League Baseball officials and the brain trusts of the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros — the respective general managers …
Elizabeth Swinton / Sports Illustrated:
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
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Astros owner Jim Crane to talk strategy with team amid scandal
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, New York Post, Lookout Landing, Sports Illustrated and MLB Baseball News …
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, 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.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, New York Post, Bluebird Banter, TMZ.com, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News … 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:
Red Reporter and MLB Baseball 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:
NBCSports.com and Bleacher Nation
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:
Camden Chat, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, Lookout Landing, Over the Monster, Talking Chop and Lone Star Ball
Bill Shanks / Sports Illustrated:
Braves start day one with news of Cole Hamels' injury — On a day that is counted down to all winter, the day pitchers and catchers officially report to spring training, the Atlanta Braves had inauspicious news start spring training Wednesday morning. — Manager Brian Snitker told reporters …
Discussion:
Talking Chop and MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Greg Bird comes to Texas Rangers camp early, healthy, ready to compete at first base — Feeling healthy again and with a job to win, Greg Bird is a week early to Texas Rangers spring training. — Once a top New York Yankees prospect, Bird was designated for assignment in November after four injury-plagued seasons.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and New York Post
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pedro Baez Wins Arbitration Hearing Against Dodgers — Dodgers right-hander Pedro Baez won his arbitration hearing against the team, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports (via Twitter). Baez will be paid at the $4MM rate submitted by agent Kelvin Nova rather than the $3.5MM submitted by the team …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
