Mariners, Giants emerge as front-runners for Brendan Donovan trade: Sources  —  The Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants have emerged as front-runners for St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, sources familiar with negotiations tell The Athletic, with the Cardinals looking to land multiple top prospects in a return.

Royals add Collins, Mears in trade with Brewers, part with Zerpa (sources)  —  KANSAS CITY — Continuing their flurry of activity following the Winter Meetings, the Royals swung a trade Saturday night.  They acquired outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed reliever Nick Mears from the Brewers …

Under pressure, can Mets, Padres line up on a trade that could help both clubs?  —  If ever two teams needed each other in trade discussions, it's the New York Mets and San Diego Padres.  —  The Mets are under pressure to fortify their roster after losing closer Edwin Díaz and first baseman Pete Alonso to free agency this week.

Kobbie Mainoo prefers Napoli  —  Although at least 12 clubs are reportedly in the race, sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Chelsea and Bayern Munich are “leading the chase”.  However, the player's personal preference list still places Napoli as the frontrunner.

Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks finalizing two-year, $40 million deal: Source  —  After a brief stint in Texas, Merrill Kelly is returning to the desert.  A league source told The Athletic on Sunday that the 37-year-old righty is finalizing a two-year, $40 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks …

Cubs promote Tyler Zombro to vice president of pitching as he takes on more influential role  —  Nearly two years after Craig Breslow departed to take over the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs have identified the leader they want to take their pitching infrastructure to the next level.

Mets, IF Jorge Polanco agree on 2-year deal, sources say  —  The New York Mets and infielder Jorge Polanco are in agreement on a two-year, $40 million contract, sources told ESPN on Saturday, as the club pivots away from a transformational week following the losses of Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso in free agency.

5 things we learned at winter meetings about Cardinals' approach, MLB hot stove  —  In today's 10 AM “Ten Hochman,” brought to you by Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at Cardinals' spring training, Ben Hochman and Derrick Goold discuss the state of the St. Louis Cardinals.  And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card!

Mariners close to signing Knizner as backup catcher (sources)  —  SEATTLE — The Mariners have found their leading candidate to be their backup catcher in 2026.  —  The club is nearing an agreement on a Major League contract with veteran backstop Andrew Knizner, sources told MLB.com on Friday night …

Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro signs five-year deal to continue ‘relentless pursuit’ of World Series title  —  Top executive has helped team's value grow immensely since coming aboard in 2015.  —  The lead man in the braintrust that brought the Blue Jays to the brink of the World Series isn't going anywhere.