Aaron Judge's contract likely to be for nine years, sources say  —  The way the free-agent market for Aaron Judge is developing, it appears increasingly likely the winning bid will be for nine guaranteed years, sources involved in the negotiations say.  —  A nine-year deal for Judge …

Padres have met with top free-agent shortstop Trea Turner twice ahead of Winter Meetings  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres have met with free-agent shortstop Trea Turner twice in person ahead of next week's Winter Meetings in San Diego, major-league sources told The Athletic, signaling …

Sources: Bryan Reynolds requests trade as his situation takes odd turn before Winter Meetings.  —  Bryan Reynolds' standing with the Pirates took an odd an expected turn on Saturday afternoon, as sources confirmed to the Post-Gazette that the outfielder has requested a trade.

What to watch for from the Mets at MLB's Winter Meetings  —  The Winter Meetings begin Sunday in San Diego and it may finally bring some clarity to the Mets' ongoing roster retool.  With Jacob deGrom still unsigned it could provide an opportunity to finally get him signed.

How Jacob deGrom decided to ditch New York and become a Texas Ranger  —  Chris Young, the head of baseball operations for the Texas Rangers, called Bruce Bochy on Thursday with news that stunned the new manager.  “Jacob wants to come with us,” Young said.  —  Bochy's response: “Are you kidding me?”

Sources: Rangers, Jacob deGrom agree to 5-year, $185M deal  —  MLB, Texas Rangers, New York Mets  —  Two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom agreed to a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers, sources told ESPN, bringing the most talented pitcher in baseball …

Hot Stove ignites with return of MLB Winter Meetings; Cardinals seek their first spark  —  SAN DIEGO — Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, like so many of his industry peers, often remarks how deadlines spur action.  Trade talks can idle or yo-yo, simmer or dwindle …

Astros' Justin Verlander reluctance could open door for other teams  —  Word is, the Astros and Justin Verlander are “far apart” in talks.  Verlander seeks $130 million for three years (the Max Scherzer deal), and the Astros, with their deep rotation, seem pessimistic on Verlander …

Tampa Bay Rays, Zach Eflin reach agreement on 3-year, $40M deal  —  Right-hander Zach Eflin and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a three-year contract worth $40 million, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.  —  The deal, which is pending a physical, is the largest free-agent contract in Rays history …

Former Red Kyle Farmer, named 2022 team MVP, reflects on an era gone by  —  As former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Kyle Farmer reflected on the trade that sent him last month to the Minnesota Twins, he got a FaceTime call from former Reds outfielder Jesse Winker.

Odell Beckham Jr. completes Giants visit, flies to Buffalo with noise building on Cowboys  —  Sterling Shepard was Facetiming with Odell Beckham Jr. during the Giants' open locker room Friday, asking when his friend would be at the facility and joking that “the Feds” — the local media — were hot on OBJ's trail.

State knocks $600,000 off Orioles' annual Camden Yards rent for team's reconstruction of left field wall  —  It's nearly impossible to quantify all the effects a deeper, taller left field wall at Camden Yards had on the Orioles' 2022 season.  —  The wall — which the team built …