Top News:
Joe Vardon / The Athletic:
Knicks coaches didn't get rings on banner night; MSG staff received phishing email: Sources — NEW YORK — To the untrained eye, it looked like a lovely moment for the New York Knicks coaches. — One by one, the coaches, in their white coaching pullover sweatshirts, were handed black boxes …
Discussion:
Defector, Bleacher Report and sports.yahoo.com, more at WeSmirch »
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Stefan Bondy / New York Post:
Knicks reveal $3.7 million plan for employee championship rings after coming under fire for phishing email ‘mistake’ — BOSTON - Amid scrutiny that they ignored assistant coaches and an admission of an “unfortunate mistake” involving a cybersecurity test, the Knicks are handing …
Discussion:
sports.yahoo.com and Bleacher Report
Fabian Ardaya / The Athletic:
Dodgers ‘fully expect’ Shohei Ohtani to remain two-way player, pitch in 2027 — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to remain a two-way player and pitch for the team in 2027, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Wednesday.
Discussion:
ESPN, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, sports.yahoo.com, True Blue LA, New York Post, Orange County Register, BaseballNow.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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Andy McCullough / The Athletic:
MLB's lockout is coming. Before it arrives, baseball insiders expect a free-agent frenzy — LOS ANGELES — The Major League Baseball calendar contains a period of purgatory this winter. On Dec. 1, after years of saber-rattling and months of performative proposals, the 30 owners will lock out the players and shut down the sport.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, sports.yahoo.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Gaslamp Ball
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Rays opt for Nick Martinez to open World Series vs. Brewers — MILWAUKEE — In a bit of a curveball, the Tampa Bay Rays will start Nick Martinez, not staff ace Drew Rasmussen, in Game 1 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Kevin Cash announced Thursday.
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB.com, BaseballNow.com, Yahoo Sports, The Athletic, Front Office Sports and DRaysBay
Barry Jackson / Miami Herald:
How Marlins will fill their payroll if there's a salary floor. And hot stove news — A six-pack of Marlins notes on a Thursday: — ▪ The Marlins finished the season with a $100.2 million payroll, including $18 million in player benefits, a figure that places them ahead …
Discussion:
RoundtableSports, MLB Trade Rumors and BaseballNow.com
Laura Albanese / Newsday:
Grading the 2026 Mets: What letter did David Stearns receive? — If this were college, the Mets would have flunked out by the second semester. — Despite some encouraging bright spots, this past season was mostly one to forget — marked by high expectations that were quashed weeks …
ESPN:
Kurt Suzuki out as Angels manager; interim GM John Mozeliak won't return in 2027 — The Los Angeles Angels will be looking for a new manager and general manager for the 2027 season. — After just one season, Kurt Suzuki will not be returning as manager after the Angels lost 100 games …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels Decline 2027 Option On Manager Kurt Suzuki
Angels Decline 2027 Option On Manager Kurt Suzuki
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Yahoo Sports
The Athletic:
Mariners' manager search includes Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler, among others: Sources — In their ongoing search for a new manager, the Seattle Mariners have identified a group of candidates that includes an outside-the-box option in Chicago Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, MLB Trade Rumors and Yahoo Sports
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Chandler Rome / The Athletic:
Astros could name new general manager before end of World Series: Sources
Astros could name new general manager before end of World Series: Sources
Discussion:
MLB.com, Forbes, MLB Trade Rumors, Yahoo Sports, On Tap Sports Net and Chicago Sun Times
Jaylon Thompson / Kansas City Star:
Kansas City Royals set for a busy offseason. What are the top priorities? — Key Takeaways — AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. — Royals plan aggressive bullpen moves after a 5.07 ERA ranked second-worst. — Kansas City also seeks a starter to deepen a rotation hit by injuries.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Inside the Crown and Kings Of Kauffman
Matt Law / Telegraph:
Fabian Hurzeler would cost record fee with no release clause in Brighton contract — Exclusive: German coach admired by Manchester United but hiring him would be a complicated and expensive operation — Fabian Hurzeler does not have a release clause in his Brighton contract …
Discussion:
sports.yahoo.com, Football Today and The Peoples Person
Zack Meisel / The Athletic:
The pitching plan and offensive disappearance that led to the Guardians' ALCS demise — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Cleveland Guardians left themselves susceptible to hand-wringing, to first-guessing, second-guessing and third-guessing about pitching strategies, about their refusal to call upon Tanner Bibee …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
Shawn McFarland / Dallas Morning News:
Three things the Rangers can learn from Brewers, Rays to get back to World Series — The Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers — two teams with slight budgets who prioritize analytics and strategic offensive approaches — will play for a World Series.. — Suddenly, luxury-taxed payrolls aren't in vogue anymore.
Gary Phillips / New York Daily News:
How would a salary cap help the Yankees? Hal Steinbrenner doesn't want to talk about it — Hal Steinbrenner only talks to reporters in group settings once or twice a year, so when he does, he typically fields a hodgepodge of questions. — Such was the case on Wednesday, when the Yankees owner …
Discussion:
RoundtableSports, The Athletic and Yahoo Sports
