Lindor trade market; digging into the Darvish, Snell deals; more notes  —  The Mookie Betts trade, a rival executive was saying on Tuesday night, amounted to a perfect storm.  The Dodgers had a win-now mentality, the money to absorb Betts' original $27 million salary for 2020, and interest in signing him long-term.

METS ACQUIRE FOUR-TIME ALL-STAR FRANCISCO LINDOR & RHP CARLOS CARRASCO FROM CLEVELAND  —  The New York Mets today announced that they have acquired four-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and RHP Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland in exchange for infielder Amed Rosario …

Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets — Grading the trade, what's next for both teams and more  —  The New York Mets made their first bold offseason splash since owner Steve Cohen took control of the team in November, acquiring star shortstop Francisco Lindor and veteran starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco …

Fired Los Angeles Angels clubhouse attendant names pitchers in ball-doctoring case  —  A revealing text message from star pitcher Gerrit Cole has been submitted as evidence in Brian Harkins' quest to prove he was unfairly made a scapegoat when the Los Angeles Angels fired him as their clubhouse attendant …

Report: Texans won't trade Deshaun Watson, if he asks for it  —  The Texans aren't waiting to see whether quarterback Deshaun Watson asks for a trade.  They're pre-emptively putting out word that Watson will not be traded.  —  “Under no circumstances will the Texans trade Watson,” …

'There's no rush to sign:' MLB agents bemoan slow free agent market  —  These are veteran agents, most of whom have gone through strikes and work stoppages, but nothing, they say, has resembled this winter.  —  There have been frigid free-agent winters, particularly the past few years, but nothing has resembled this deep freeze.