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, Bleacher Nation, MLB Trade Rumors, Athletics Nation, Cubs Insider, Brew Crew Ball 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 …
Curt Schilling:
I want to share with everyone the letter I wrote to the folks at the Hall of Fame yesterday. They've been otherworldly kind and gracious in every way possible and I'll be forever grateful to them and for that. — This was written privately and for their eyes only but I have always been fine …
Discussion:
Boston Herald, CBS Boston, Deadspin, Bleacher Nation and Forbes
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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David Hall / Virginian-Pilot:
Former Norfolk Tides manager Ron Johnson dies of COVID-19 complications — NORFOLK — Ron Johnson, a former major league first baseman and the Norfolk Tides' all-time winningest manager, has died from complications from COVID-19 in Tennessee, family sources confirmed Tuesday. He was 64.
Discussion:
CBS Boston and Boston Herald
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:
PHILLY SPORTS NETWORK, ProFootballTalk, Pride Of Detroit and Bleeding Green Nation
Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA:
No candidates elected to Hall of Fame for 2021 — For the ninth time in 77 years of balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, no candidate received the amount of votes necessary to gain election to the game's shrine.
Bruce Levine / Listen to Free Radio:
Seeking pitching help, Cubs will take a look at Carlos Rodon — The White Sox non-tendered Rodon in December. — (670 The Score) With four-fifths of their intended starting rotation for the 2020 campaign having departed this offseason, the Cubs are still seeking pitching help in free agency.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
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
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:
Red Sox News, The Boston Globe, MLB Baseball News …, Cubs Insider, Bleacher Nation 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 …
