Top News:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Cactus League executive: We'll be ready to host spring training, delay or no delay — After sending a letter to Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred that suggested delaying spring training “to allow for the COVID-19 situation to improve here,” Cactus League executive director Bridget …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Staten Island Advance
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Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Starting spring training in three weeks makes little sense — Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training in three weeks, but does anyone seriously think it's a good idea for camps to open on time in Arizona and Florida? — While COVID-19 cases are declining in all regions …
Discussion:
San Francisco Chronicle, MLB Trade Rumors, Athletics Nation, Brew Crew Ball, Bleacher Nation, Cubs Insider and True Blue LA
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Judge dismisses former Los Angeles Angels employee Brian Harkins' defamation lawsuit vs. team, MLB — A defamation lawsuit filed against Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Angels by Brian Harkins, the longtime clubhouse attendant who was fired for supplying illegal ball-doctoring substances …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated, New York Post, Orange County Register and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
New York Yankees send P Adam Ottavino to Boston Red Sox in rare trade between rivals — NEW YORK — Wanting to slash salary to avoid paying luxury tax, the New York Yankees opted to make a rare trade with the Boston Red Sox. — Boston acquired struggling reliever Adam Ottavino along …
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ESPN:
Garrett Richards, Boston Red Sox reach 1-year, $10 million deal, sources say — Starting pitcher Garrett Richards and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Saturday. — The deal is pending a physical.
Discussion:
DRaysBay, USA Today and New York Post
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants' outfield targets include Eddie Rosario, Jackie Bradley Jr. — The Giants are turning their focus toward obtaining another outfielder and might go the same route as they did to beef up their bullpen. — Sources told The Chronicle that the team has interest in Eddie Rosario, who …
Discussion:
Talking Chop, The Good Phight, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, Around the Foghorn and NBCSports.com
Pete Caldera / NorthJersey.com:
Masahiro Tanaka close to returning to Japan to continue his baseball career, report says — NEW YORK - After the Yankees pivoted to other starting pitchers, Masahiro Tanaka could be ready to return to pitching in Japan. — According to a report Monday from Sankei Sports out of Tokyo …
Discussion:
Call to the Pen
Dave Birkett / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Lions hiring Flint native Aubrey Pleasant as DBs coach: Report — Dan Campbell's coaching staff is falling into place. — Los Angeles Rams secondary coach Aubrey Pleasant is joining the Detroit Lions as defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator, NFL Network reported Monday.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, PHILLY SPORTS NETWORK, Pride Of Detroit and USA Today
Jim Callis / MLB.com:
These are baseball's 10 best 2B prospects — MLB Pipeline will reveal its 2021 Top 100 Prospects list on Friday, Jan. 29. Leading up to the release of the Top 100, we'll examine baseball's top 10 prospects at each position. — Second base isn't a glamour position.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, The Boston Globe, Bleacher Nation, Cubs Insider and NBCSports.com
Tom Pelissero / NFL.com:
Matthew Stafford Era in Detroit likely over as star QB requests trade — The Matthew Stafford era in Detroit appears to be coming to an end. — After meetings in recent weeks in which Stafford expressed a desire for a fresh start, the Lions understood his position and plan …
Brittany Ghiroli / The Athletic:
Sources: MASN planning major programming and personnel cuts for 2021 season — Major cuts are coming to the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), the shared television station of the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, multiple sources told The Athletic on Friday.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Washington Times, Baltimore Sun, MLB Trade Rumors, Camden Chat and BaltimoreBaseball.com