Top News:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
MLB free agency reset: Predictions for top remaining targets — We've started to see some top free agents come off the board as the MLB offseason has gotten rolling: Kyle Schwarber back to the Philadelphia Phillies, Pete Alonso to the Baltimore Orioles and Dylan Cease to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Discussion:
FanSided, NESN.com, World Baseball Network and sports.yahoo.com
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Passan's MLB free agency, trade intel on Tucker, Bregman, more — On this date last year, Major League Baseball teams had spent around $2.1 billion on free agents. So far this year, that number is shy of $1.4 billion. And as big as that difference seems, it's impossible not to notice …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, FanSided, OnPattison, Boston.com, TWSN Sports and masslive.com
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
How David Stearns is remaking Mets after historic collapse — The New York Mets arrived in Orlando, Florida, for the winter meetings last week with a chance to re-sign closer Edwin Diaz and first baseman Pete Alonso. — Díaz had already received two contract offers …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, True Blue LA, FanSided, New York Post and Yahoo Sports
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Updated contract projections for top four free agent hitters — The market for free agent hitters got a jolt last week at the winter meetings when 32-year-old designated hitter Kyle Schwarber agreed to a five-year, $150 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, and that was followed …
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
What I'm hearing about the DBacks' interest in Alex Bregman, plus more MLB offseason notes — On Monday, a rival executive summed up the Arizona Diamondbacks' offseason messaging thusly: — “We have no money, we have no money, we have no money . . . oh, Ken got aggressive.”
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Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
What I'm hearing about the Diamondbacks, Rays and Cardinals, plus more MLB notes — Here's some of the latest offseason information I'm hearing from major-league sources: — A scenario exists in which the Arizona Diamondbacks would both sign free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman and keep second baseman Ketel Marte.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks showing interest in big-name free-agent Alex Bregman
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, FanSided, Boston.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Dan Hayes / The Athletic:
Partial team sale will significantly clear Twins' finances, may set table for future sale — The Minnesota Twins have completed a partial sale of the team, a move that will clean up the club's finances in what was described as a “significant” manner and could set the stage for a more lucrative deal in the future.
Discussion:
KARE-TV, Zone Coverage, Twin Cities and MLB Trade Rumors
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Associated Press:
Twins finalize sales, name Tom Pohlad new controlling owner — MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins ownership has finalized the purchase of portions of the franchise by three different investors, limited partnerships the Pohlad family sought for a fresh infusion of cash and strategy after deciding earlier …
Discussion:
MLB.com, World Baseball Network, Twin Cities and baseballmusings.com
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rox hire Jeff Pickler to serve as Schaeffer's bench coach — DENVER - Former Twins and Reds coach Jeff Pickler is joining the Rockies as bench coach under manager Warren Schaeffer, the club announced Wednesday. — “We are beyond excited to bring Jeff Pickler onto the staff,” said Schaeffer.
Discussion:
Denver Post, MLB Trade Rumors and Purple Row
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Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rockies hire former Mets exec Levin as assistant GM
Discussion:
Denver Post, MLB Trade Rumors and Purple Row
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Bichette open to 2B? Plus: The latest on Bregman — When the offseason began, Bo Bichette was the consensus No. 1 choice among all available shortstops, setting him up for a potential bidding war between clubs in need at that position. — As we head toward January, things have changed a bit.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, FanSided and New York Post
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
What I'm hearing about the Royals' interest in Jarren Duran and more MLB notes — Even after signing free agent Lane Thomas and trading for Isaac Collins, the Kansas City Royals are open to adding another outfielder - most notably Jarren Duran, if the Boston Red Sox lower their asking price.
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Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Reliever Brad Keller, Phillies agree to 2-year deal (source) — PHILADELPHIA - President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski indicated on Tuesday that the Phillies would pursue a reliever or two before Spring Training. — He got one less than 24 hours later.
MLB.com:
Giants adding Houser to rotation on 2-year deal (report) — The Giants are adding a veteran arm to their rotation, agreeing with right-hander Adrian Houser on a two-year, $22 million deal, according to a report by ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday. The team has not confirmed the deal, which reportedly includes a club option for 2028.
