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.

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.

D-backs bringing back Merrill Kelly on 2-year deal (sources)  —  Merrill the Mainstay is coming back to Arizona.  —  The Diamondbacks on Sunday agreed to terms with right-hander Merrill Kelly on a two-year, $40 million contract pending a physical, sources told MLB.com.  The club has not confirmed the move.

Adolis Garcia to the Phillies, per report  —  MLB Rumors: Adolis Garcia and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to terms on a one year, $10 million deal, per Francys Romero.  —  Garcia, who turns 33 in March, was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers in November after his second straight disappointing offensive season in 2025.

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 …

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.

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.

Royals Finalizing Extension With Maikel Garcia  —  The Royals and infielder Maikel Garcia are finalizing a five-year contract extension that'll contain a club option for a sixth season, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.  The Wasserman client will be guaranteed $57.5MM on the deal …

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!