Top News:
ESPN:
Report: Kevin Pillar agrees to 1-year, $4M deal with Red Sox — The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a deal with free-agent outfielder Kevin Pillar, according to The Boston Globe. — The newspaper reports it's a one-year, $4 million deal that could become official as soon as this weekend if Pillar passes his physical.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Associated Press
RELATED:
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:
Yahoo! Sports and NESN.com
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Inside Mets' offseason pursuits of Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor
Discussion:
AM New York, MLB Baseball News …, NESN.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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, MLB Trade Rumors and New York Post
RELATED:
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
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:
MLB Baseball News …, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, Phillies Nation and ESPN
Associated Press:
Angels' Stassi apologizes for Astros' sign-stealing scheme
Discussion:
Slate, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and baseballmusings.com
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
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays' Kevan Smith had an interesting cameo in Astros scandal — Smith was the White Sox catcher in a video that showed how the cheating scheme was working. — PORT CHARLOTTE — With all of the clubhouse TV screens and a good share of the Rays' attention locked in on the Astros apology …
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:
Slate, National Review, New York Post, Vanity Fair and The Hill
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels Notes: Maddon, Cubs, Anderson, Pena, Soriano — Joe Maddon is pleased to be returning to the Angels organization as the team's new manager, the veteran skipper tells ESPN.com's Alden Gonzalez. Rumors about Maddon taking over the managerial post swirled for much of last season …
Discussion:
MLB.com, MLB Baseball News … and Orange County Register
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mitch Haniger Undergoes Surgery — Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger underwent surgery on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. It's the second procedure Haniger has undergone since he had core surgery three weeks ago. It's unclear when he'll be able to come back, but there will be a significant delay …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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
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.
