Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
In one blockbuster move, the Mets become World Series contenders after acquiring Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco — Remember when New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and team president Sandy Alderson said they were more than one player away, and it could take years before they were serious World Series contenders?
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Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
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.
Medium:
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 …
MLB Insiders / ESPN:
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 …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, The Ringer, MLB Baseball News …, Boston Herald and Over the Monster
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Fired Angels employee Bubba Harkins names Cole, others he says used his illegal product — The text message from then-Houston Astros star Gerrit Cole to former Angels visiting clubhouse manager Brian “Bubba” Harkins was sent Jan. 17, 2019, at 11:39 a.m. — “Hey Bubba, it's Gerrit Cole …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Halos Heaven, Houston Chronicle, AZ Snake Pit, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Post, NBCSports.com and Deadspin
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Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
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 …
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, Bleacher Nation and MLB Baseball News …
Mike Florio / ProFootballTalk:
Will Deshaun Watson ask for a trade? — The Texans have suggested that they'll listen to quarterback Deshaun Watson when hiring a coach. But what if they ultimately don't hire the person he'd like to be coached by? — Rumors already are circulating, and we've already heard …
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Mike Florio / ProFootballTalk:
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,” …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Patriots Wire, Niners Nation, On Tap Sports Net, Pro Football Rumors and New York Post
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
'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.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Metsmerized Online and MLB Trade Rumors
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J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
Start of Minor League Season At Double-A And Class A To Be Delayed
Discussion:
Detroit Free Press, Rox Pile, Fish Stripes, Brew Crew Ball, NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, PBN Pirates, Bleed Cubbie Blue, CBSSports.com, Royals Review, Over the Monster, Camden Chat, Talking Chop, Twinkie Town, True Blue LA, Associated Press, MLB Daily Dish, Pinstripe Alley, Bleacher Nation, South Side Sox and Lone Star Ball
Helene Elliott / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers legendary manager Tom Lasorda dies at age 93 of a heart attack — Tom Lasorda, who in 20 years as the Dodgers manager won two World Series championships, four National League pennants and eight division titles and always insisted that he bled Dodger blue out of loyalty to the organization, has died at age 93.
Discussion:
New York Times, Defector, Outsports and The Athletic
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Goold's Hall of Fame ballot, plus his take on a possible fit for David Peralta with the Cardinals — Comment: At the beginning of the chat, Derrick Goold released his Hall of Fame ballot, on which he checked eight boxes of the 25 nominees. Goold voted for (alphabetically): Bobby Abreau …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
As Dodgers methodically rebuild bullpen, Kirby Yates is an appealing target — One week into 2021, the Dodgers' offseason transactions have so far focused on the bullpen. They've officially added five relievers to their 40-man roster. Blake Treinen and Scott Alexander were re-signed.
Discussion:
New York Post, CBSSports.com, True Blue LA, Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors, Cubs Insider and Bleacher Nation
