Top News:
The Athletic:
Where the Cubs, Yankees, Blue Jays and more teams stand as MLB's offseason moves into January — The new year is upon us. The baseball offseason is entering its third month. And unfinished business abounds. — As of Monday morning, the top three free agents on The Athletic's Big Board …
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Jim Bowden / The Athletic:
Orioles head the list of MLB's 7 most-improved teams so far this offseason — The MLB offseason hot stove has developed slowly but consistently over the last two months. As we open the new year, there are plenty of big names still left on the free-agent market, including starting pitchers Framber Valdez …
Discussion:
Battery Power, masslive.com, Boston Herald and SportsNet Pittsburgh
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Five reasons for MLB's agonizingly slow winter: When will free agents sign? — Groundhog Day may still be a month away, but in baseball free agency, groundhog day has been going on for the past 64 days. — Virtually every day is the same. — Rumors are floated. Teams check in. Teams check out.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
Patrick Andres / Sports Illustrated:
Blue Jays Add Six-Time Japanese All-Star Kazuma Okamoto on Four-Year Contract — Toronto is making moves to shore up its offense. — The Blue Jays had a revolving door at third base last season, and they appear to have thrown a new name into the conversation.
Discussion:
Canadian Press, World Baseball Network, Bless You Boys, FanGraphs Baseball, MLB.com, The Athletic and Yahoo Sports
Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates didn't get Kazuma Okamoto. What are the next steps for their offseason? — As expected as it might've been given the challenge of signing Japanese players, especially ones of his caliber, the Pirates failing to land Kazuma Okamoto was a tough pill to swallow. — But it won't define their offseason.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bucs Dugout, SportsNet Pittsburgh and Battery Power
The Athletic:
Yankees have interest in Marlins' Edward Cabrera: Sources — With uncertainty surrounding their starting rotation to begin the season, the New York Yankees are talking to the Miami Marlins about a potential trade for starting pitcher Edward Cabrera, league sources told The Athletic.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, New York Post, Pinstripe Alley, cubsinsider.com, SNY and sports.yahoo.com
Associated Press:
Royals manager Matt Quatraro gets 3-year extension through '29 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Royals manager Matt Quatraro has agreed to a three-year contract extension through 2029. — His deal includes a team option for 2030, the Royals said Sunday. — Quatraro replaced Mike Matheny …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Royals Review, MLB Trade Rumors, The Athletic and baseballmusings.com
Curt Hogg / JSOnline:
Brewers provide update on status of Jackson Chourio, other players in Venezuela — Outfielder Jackson Chourio is among the members of the Milwaukee Brewers currently in his native country of Venezuela, in the wake of the United States' capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in an overnight strike.
Discussion:
World Baseball Network and New York Post
Andrew Mearns / Pinstripe Alley:
Yankees sign veteran infielder Paul DeJong to minor-league deal — The New York Yankees' quiet offseason has continued into the new year as we sit about a month and a half from pitchers and catchers reporting to their spring training complex in Tampa. On Sunday morning though …
Discussion:
ESPN, World Baseball Network, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Post, New York Daily News and Yahoo Sports
Will Sammon / The Athletic:
Kona Takahashi will return to Japan instead of signing with MLB team: Source — Right-handed pitcher Kona Takahashi, whose posting window closes on Sunday, is going back to Nippon Professional Baseball, a league source told The Athletic. — Takahashi is set to return to the Seibu Lions …
Discussion:
MLB.com, World Baseball Network, Red Reporter, Battery Power and MLB Trade Rumors
Dianna Russini / The Athletic:
What I'm hearing about the NFL coaching carousel and the changes coming in Vegas — The Athletic has live coverage of Panthers vs. Buccaneers and Seahawks vs. 49ers from NFL Week 18 action. — Sprinting the 25 feet from my front door to the car to escape the freezing air Saturday morning …
Discussion:
Pro Football Rumors, New York Post and sports.yahoo.com
