2024 MLB Farm System Talent Rankings  —  Image credit: Jackson Holliday (Photo by Isaiah Jones)  —  For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.  —  Baltimore is built for the long run.  The Orioles are coming off a 101-win season …

Theo Epstein Returns to Fenway Sports as Part Owner, Advisor  —  One-time Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is returning to the organization, taking part ownership of Fenway Sports Group and joining in the role of senior advisor, FSG will announce Friday morning.

Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow, forecasting early spring  —  Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow Friday, predicting an early spring from Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania, the scene of the country's largest and best known Groundhog Day celebration.

Orioles acquire former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes from Brewers  —  MLB, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers  —  The Baltimore Orioles have acquired former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, the teams announced Thursday, giving up infielder Joey Ortiz …

Tartine's Country Bread  —  2 weeks (or 2 days with active starter)  —  The country bread from Tartine Bakery in San Francisco has reached cult status among passionate bakers, and deservedly so.  Based on traditional principles, Mr. Robertson has developed a way to get a tangy …

This year's NBA trade market hindered by a lack of significant activity  —  Less than a week remains before the NBA's trade deadline, and yet news and noise around the league has been few and far between.  The Houston Rockets trading the injured Victor Oladipo and his expiring contract …

Mets close to agreement with reliever Jake Diekman: Sources  —  The New York Mets are close to an agreement with left-handed reliever Jake Diekman, league sources told The Athletic on Thursday.  —  Diekman would fit the profile the Mets were said to be looking for in their bullpen …

Diamond Sports agrees with Rangers, Guardians, Twins on cable contracts  —  MLB, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Guardians  —  Diamond Sports Group, the regional sports operator hoping to emerge from bankruptcy, reached agreements with the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Guardians …

Industry analysts and MLB insiders on the Orioles' $1.725 billion valuation: ‘Low’  —  Around baseball, the reaction to the valuation of the Baltimore Orioles at $1.725 billion was one of surprise and in some cases disbelief.  —  Seven industry analysts and rival officials …

Sources: Twins, first baseman Carlos Santana agree to deal  —  The Minnesota Twins added a veteran bat on Friday, agreeing to a deal with free agent first baseman Carlos Santana, sources confirmed to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.  —  Santana's contract is for one year and worth $5.25 million, according to multiple reports.

Marquee Sports Network will broadcast majority of Cubs spring-training games remotely  —  The lead tandem of Jon Sciambi and Jim Deshaies will be in Arizona for the first weekend of games at the end of this month.  Most of the remaining games will be called remotely.

Calgary Flames Trade Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks  —  Per TSN insider Chris Johnston, veteran Center Elias Lindholm was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night.  —  Heading back to Calgary is Russian winger Andrei Kuzmenko in a multi-asset deal.  —  Full Lindholm Trade