Top News:
Curly W Live:
Washington Nationals agree to terms with Jon Lester — The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with three-time World Series Champion and five-time All-Star left-handed pitcher Jon Lester on Wednesday. — Lester, 37, joins the Nationals after six seasons …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Cubs Insider and Federal Baseball
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Medium:
ZACK SCOTT NAMED ACTING GENERAL MANAGER — The New York Mets today announced that Zack Scott will serve as the acting General Manager beginning immediately. Scott joined the organization as the club's Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager on December 23, 2020.
Discussion:
New York Times, MLB Trade Rumors, Amazin' Avenue and The Good Phight
Rob Bradford / Listen to Free Radio:
Source: Red Sox sign former Mariners pitcher Matt Carasiti
Source: Red Sox sign former Mariners pitcher Matt Carasiti
Discussion:
Union-News, Over the Monster and MLB Trade Rumors
Maria Torres / Los Angeles Times:
Angels aren't in on Trevor Bauer but still expect to beef up starting rotation — The Angels have been searching for a rotation ace for years. Every attempt made to lure one in previous offseasons was rebuffed, forcing them to take one-year risks on pitchers who ultimately provided negative value on the mound.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Halos Heaven and USA Today
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Justin Toscano / NorthJersey.com:
Mets trade Steven Matz to Blue Jays as Trevor Bauer rumors heat up
Mets trade Steven Matz to Blue Jays as Trevor Bauer rumors heat up
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated
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:
NBCSports.com, ESPN, Union-News, Cubs Insider, Deadspin, CBS Boston, MLB Baseball News …, Boston Herald, Bleacher Nation and Forbes
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Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
No one elected to Baseball Hall of Fame; Curt Schilling requests removal from writers' ballot
No one elected to Baseball Hall of Fame; Curt Schilling requests removal from writers' ballot
Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA:
No candidates elected to Hall of Fame for 2021
No candidates elected to Hall of Fame for 2021
Discussion:
ESPN, Plain Dealer, Associated Press, Bleed Cubbie Blue, True Blue LA, The Athletic, Halos Heaven, Pinstripe Alley and New York Post
Ramona Shelburne / ESPN:
Candace Parker to play for hometown Chicago Sky after 13 seasons with Los Angeles Sparks, sources say — Two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker has committed to play for the Chicago Sky after 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, sources told ESPN. — Parker, who was drafted at No. 1 in 2008, is an unrestricted free agent.
Keith Law / The Athletic:
Top 100 MLB prospects for 2021: Keith Law's rankings are here, with Wander Franco at No. 1 — Welcome to this year's ranking of the top 100 prospects in baseball. I've been compiling and writing such rankings for 14 years now, and those of you who've read them before will find the format here similar to those from the recent past.
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants talking to Dodgers postseason star Joc Pederson about a Bay Area homecoming — Among the free-agent outfielders the Giants are considering this winter, one appears to be a natural fit — even though he's spent his entire career with the Dodgers. — According to multiple sources …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, McCovey Chronicles, MLB Trade Rumors and True Blue LA
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Martinez uses winter ball's biggest stage to showcase strength, launch bid for Cards' rotation — The phrase Carlos Martinez said and later shared over a picture of him on the mound last week is one the Cardinals have heard before and have waited to see from their righthander.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation and Viva El Birdos
ESPN:
Reports: New York Yankees agree with reliever Darren O'Day on 1-year, $2.5 million deal — The New York Yankees quickly found a replacement for their bullpen, agreeing to a $2.5 million, one-year contract with submarining right-hander Darren O'Day, according to multiple reports.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News … and Lookout Landing
San Francisco Chronicle:
Free-agent starter Mike Fiers wants to return to A's, but it's complicated — A free agent after two-plus seasons with the A's, starting pitcher Mike Fiers is hoping to re-sign with Oakland, citing the team's camaraderie and culture and fans' support including last year after his role …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Noah Syndergaard is starting his own book club, and he wants recommendations from fans — You're invited to the iciest book club in town. Bath preferred, shirt not required. — Noah Syndergaard is starting his own book club, going by the imaginative name: Noah's Book Club.
Discussion:
Mets News
Tod / All - Kyodo News+:
Ex-Yankee pitcher Masahiro Tanaka to return to Japan with Eagles — Former New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has agreed to a two-year contract with the Rakuten Eagles, his first pro team, the Pacific League club said Thursday. — The deal appears to be worth 900 million yen ($8.6 million) a year with additional incentives.