Top News:
Brad Hunter / Toronto Sun:
BROCHACHO BROUHAHA: Did Josh Donaldson shade the Blue Jays?! — #Burn! — Former Blue Jays star Josh Donaldson served up a double play of diss for his former team. — The Bringer of Rain and former MVP signed a one-year contract for $23 million with the ascendant Atlanta Braves …
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
More likely Braves land LeBron than Bryce Harper — It's fun to play the what-if game with Bryce Harper, imagining him dropped into the middle of a particular lineup. There are Braves fans who view this as more than fantasy, however, based on the response to a tweet posted the other day, after Atlanta signed Josh Donaldson.
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves confident in health of Donaldson, McCann — The Braves' splashy Cyber Monday was applauded, but it would be remiss to ignore it brings some level of risk despite short-term deals. — Catcher Brian McCann and third baseman Josh Donaldson signed with the club, making the Braves one of the early go-getters of the winter.
Associated Press:
MLB has deal with MGM Resorts — MGM Resorts International became Major League Baseball's official gambling partner in the U.S. and Japan, a deal made as the sport tries to ensure more prevalent legal sports betting does not lead to any scandals of the type sparked by illegal wagers in its past.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Japan Times
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Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
No, MLB partnering with MGM Resorts does not somehow vindicate Pete Rose — Yesterday I wrote about how Major League Baseball and MGM Resorts have become business partners, with the latter being “the official gaming partner” of MLB. — While some people's response to that has been about …
Discussion:
NBC News
Mike Axisa / CBSSports.com:
MGM becomes MLB's first-ever ‘official gaming partner’: Everything you need to know
MGM becomes MLB's first-ever ‘official gaming partner’: Everything you need to know
Discussion:
Forbes and baseballmusings.com
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Robinson Cano to the Mets? As unlikely as it may sound, the two teams are still talking — Jeff McNeil is not looking over his shoulder - or at Twitter and MLB Network these days. — The infielder heard second hand that new GM Brodie Van Wagenen said he was “penciled in,” to be the Mets starting second baseman in 2019.
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
What Yankees, Mets would have to do to get Mariners' stud closer
What Yankees, Mets would have to do to get Mariners' stud closer
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, WEEI, Talking Chop, River Avenue Blues, Bleacher Nation, CBS Boston, MLB Trade Rumors and Phillies Nation
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Rich Hill offers interesting revelation about Game 4 of World Series — Rich Hill was involved in the most controversial decision of this year's World Series. Obviously, when the President of the United States weighs in, the moment probably is of some significance.
Discussion:
NESN.com
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Alex Reimer / WEEI:
Joe Buck blames baseball's plodding pace for diminished World Series ratings: 'The games …
Joe Buck blames baseball's plodding pace for diminished World Series ratings: 'The games …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, DodgerBlue.com and NBCSports.com
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
Why you should care about Dan Butler retiring
Why you should care about Dan Butler retiring
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Boston Herald
Evan Drellich / NBCSports.com:
Why hasn't rising star Brian Bannister left the Red Sox?
Why hasn't rising star Brian Bannister left the Red Sox?
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Cubs Insider
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Prized hitting guru Robert Van Scoyoc, 3 others join Dodgers coaching staff for 2019 — LOS ANGELES — Robert Van Scoyoc, the 32-year-old cutting-edge hitting instructor who helped turn J.D. Martinez into a superstar, was announced as the Los Angeles Dodgers' new hitting coach on Wednesday.
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Add Chris Gimenez To Coaching Staff — The Dodgers announced their finalized coaching staff Wednesday, including the hiring of catcher Chris Gimenez as their new “game planning coach.” That appointment, it seems, will bring a 10-year Major League career to a close for Gimenez.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Freddie Benavides announced as Cincinnati Reds bench coach; Delino DeShields promoted — With a goal of completing the Major League coaching staff by the end of November, the Reds introduced four hires to David Bell's staff on Wednesday. — The Reds announced Freddie Benavides …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Rob Huff / MLB Trade Rumors:
Projecting Payrolls: Milwaukee Brewers — As we kick off the ninth installment of this series, here are links to the previous team payroll projections: — Los Angeles Dodgers — Los Angeles Angels — Atlanta Braves — New York Yankees — Chicago White Sox — Boston Red Sox
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Jim Riggleman, Adam Guttridge hired as Mets blend the old with the new — The Mets bolstered their bench and analytics department with the additions of Riggleman and Guttridge, respectively. — The Mets came in with the old and the new on Tuesday. — On the same day they introduced …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Acquire Adam McCreery, Designate Pat Venditte — The Dodgers announced Wednesday that they've acquired left-hander Adam McCreery from the Braves in exchange for cash. To open a spot on the 40-man roster, switch-pitcher Pat Venditte was designated for assignment.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Acquire Ronald Torreyes — The Cubs have acquired recently designated infielder Ronald Torreyes in a swap with the Yankees, per an announcement. Cash or a player to be named later will head to New York in return. — Torreyes, 26, makes his way back to an organization that once had him as a minor-leaguer.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees suddenly facing battle for their top free-agent target … The last time the Yankees and Phillies competed in a high-stakes setting, the Yankees copped the 2009 World Series title and christened the latest rendition of Yankee Stadium in a grand way. — Nine years later …
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Sports Talk Philly
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Katherine Acquavella / CBSSports.com:
Patrick Corbin free agency rumors: Best starter on the market meets with Phillies, with the Yankees lurking
Patrick Corbin free agency rumors: Best starter on the market meets with Phillies, with the Yankees lurking
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Phillies Nation and Sports Talk Philly
Jared Diamond / Wall Street Journal:
Tony Clark to Continue as Executive Director of MLB Players Association — The union voted to keep Clark in his position through at least 2022 — One year after the worst employment market for baseball players in memory, the MLB Players Association has decided to stand behind its leader …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and mrwilliamjobrien
Tyler Carey / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians OF Michael Brantley named AL Comeback Player of the Year by peers — Brantley hit .309 over 143 games this past season with 89 runs scored, 17 home runs, and 76 RBIs. — He may very well have played his last game in an Indians uniform, but Michael Brantley continues to make an impact.