Top News:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB return-to-play proposal expected within week, sources say — Major League Baseball expects to offer a return-to-play proposal to the MLB Players Association within a week, as teams have begun to encourage players to prepare for a “spring” training that could begin in mid-June and a season …
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New York Post, The Athletic, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Phillies Nation, The Seattle Times, Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, NBCSports.com, FiveThirtyEight, Detroit Free Press, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Brew Crew Ball, McCovey Chronicles, Red Reporter, MLB Trade Rumors, Ballpark Digest, Over the Monster, Camden Chat, Lookout Landing, NESN.com, Arizona Sports, WKYC-TV, Sportsnet.ca, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Baseball News … and AM New York
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Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Though one team has discussed a July 1 MLB return, no plan is close to firm — There is no plan, can be no plan, until Major League Baseball gains a clearer perspective on which states are containing COVID-19 well enough for games to be played safely in their most stripped-down form, without fans.
Thornton McEnery / New York Post:
Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez end their quest to buy the Mets — There is no joy in Flushing, for J-Rod has pulled out. — According to multiple sources, Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez are no longer interested in buying the Mets. That decision was reached after negotiations …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit, Fox News, Pinstripe Alley, Forbes, Union-News, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Lookout Landing, NESN.com, Sports Illustrated and Amazin' Avenue
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Joe Castiglione, a childhood Yankees fan turned longtime Red Sox broadcaster, talks about the great rivalry that is currently on pause — Joe Castiglione saw his first baseball game in the Bronx. The Connecticut native fell in love with the game watching the Yankees.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Chris Cotillo / Union-News:
Boston Red Sox's Collin McHugh: 'You can't make this mandatory' for players if they feel MLB season is unsafe to play — Red Sox pitcher Collin McHugh is cautiously optimistic there will be baseball this year but believes some players may decide to sit out the season if they deem the safety risk is too high for them or their families.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Pinstripe Alley, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Boston Red Sox News …, NESN.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Matt Fountain / San Luis Obispo Tribune:
Exclusive: 1996 court document confirms Tara Reade told of harassment in Biden's office — A court document from 1996 shows former Senate staffer Tara Reade told her ex-husband she was sexually harassed while working for Joe Biden in 1993. — The declaration — exclusively obtained …
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
MLB Teams Expect Decision On Shortened 2020 Draft Soon — When Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association agreed on a deal to reduce the 2020 draft to five or 10 rounds and to place the date of the draft between June 10 and July 20, MLB told teams that they could expect …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Sports Illustrated, Lone Star Ball and Brew Crew Ball
CNN:
One of Trump's personal valets has tested positive for coronavirus — (CNN)A member of the US Navy who serves as one of President Donald Trump's personal valets has tested positive for coronavirus, CNN learned Thursday, raising concerns about the President's possible exposure to the virus.
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Dallas Braden comes clean: A's starter was hung over for 2010 perfect game — Nearly 10 years after his perfect game, the 19th in major-league history, Dallas Braden revealed that he was not actually at his best that day. — “I wasn't following protocol, let's say,” Braden said.
Discussion:
SFGATE, Tampa Bay Times, Breitbart, Arizona Republic, New York Post, McCovey Chronicles and Tampa Bay Rays on Yahoo! …
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
Coronavirus pandemic slows contract talks between Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs — The coronavirus pandemic has put on hold not only the 2020 major league season but also contract-extension talks between All-Star shortstop Javier Baez and the Chicago Cubs. — Baez, under team control through 2021 …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and True Blue LA
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
James Click wants to make Astros' farm system sustainable again — Uncertainty shrouds almost all aspects of James Click's immediate plans for the Astros. Whether he will see a team in either the major or minor leagues play a regular season game this year is in doubt.
Discussion:
Union-News and MLB Trade Rumors
Rob Goldberg / Bleacher Report:
Patrick Corbin Talks World Series, Bryce Harper, All-Time Best SPs in B/R AMA — While he awaits the start of the 2020 MLB season, Washington Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin joined Bleacher Report for an AMA session. — The two-time MLB All-Star is coming off an excellent first year …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com and Federal Baseball
