Dodgers, Red Sox discussing trade for superstar Mookie Betts  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers have engaged in exploratory trade talks with the Boston Red Sox about former MVP outfielder Mookie Betts, according to two officials with direct knowledge of the discussions.

Astros Re-Sign Joe Smith  —  The Astros have announced a two-year deal to bring back reliever Joe Smith.  The deal includes $8MM in guaranteed money, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter).  Smith is a client of Excel Sports Management.  —  Smith missed a big chunk of 2019 owing …

Brewers in discussions to sign former Rays outfielder Avisail Garcia  —  Tampa Bay had interest in re-signing a key contributor to its 2019 success.  —  Updated Yesterday  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Outfielder Avisail Garcia appears headed to a new home.  —  Garcia, a free agent …

Interesting talks, unlikely deals — what Padres, Yanks discussions about Lindor, Schwarber really mean  —  The left side of the Padres' infield — Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop and Manny Machado at third base — is one of the most dynamic in baseball.  —  Why, then, would the Padres …

Brewers Sign Ryon Healy  —  The Brewers announced a one-year deal with corner infielder Ryon Healy.  Financial terms aren't known.  Healy had been cut loose by the Mariners at the outset of the offseason.  —  Healy will presumably be given a shot at earning a role in camp — if he can show he's at full health.

Detroit Tigers will retire Lou Whitaker's No. 1 during 2020 season  —  The Detroit Tigers don't need to wait for Lou Whitaker to become a Hall of Famer.  —  In their strongest statement on his ongoing Cooperstown candidacy, the team announced Tuesday they will be retiring Whitaker's No. 1, which he wore from 1978-1995.

Boras' billions: baseball agent creates free-agent flurry  —  SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Scott Boras showed up at the winter meetings with his own press conference backdrop.  How appropriate, given his banner offseason.

Top 25 Baseball Stories of the Decade — No. 23: The Strasburg Shutdown  —  We're a few short days away from the dawn of the 2020s.  So, instead of counting down the Top 25 stories of the year, we're taking a look at the top 25 baseball stories of the past decade.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, on his relationship with Le'Veon Bell: ‘I have none’  —  Mike Tomlin isn't sentimental about facing former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell.  —  Bell, who held out the 2018 season rather than play on the franchise tag, will face his former team Sunday …

Texas Rangers trade with Cleveland Indians for two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber  —  The Texas Rangers missed out on one of the game's best players last week at the winter meetings, but on Sunday they acquired one of the game's best pitchers.  —  The Rangers will enter spring training …