Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
‘Business as usual’: GM meetings end as MLB's collective bargaining agreement set to expire — CARLSBAD, Calif. — Baseball's general managers and executives headed out to catch their flights Thursday as union executive director Tony Clark, chief negotiator Bruce Meyer poured into the same seaside resort they were vacating.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and NESN.com
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Tim Healey / Newsday:
Sandy Alderson says luxury tax won't be an impediment to Mets' spending — CARLSBAD, Calif. — Eventually, after or while they hire a general manager and manager and a whole bunch of coaches, the Mets can get to the fun part of the offseason: Bringing in really good baseball players in an attempt to form a really good baseball team.
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Scott Boras says 17 MLB teams will try to win in 2022. Here they are — Super-agent Scott Boras is never exactly who he believes he is - a de facto commissioner of baseball - nor exactly what others believe him to be - such as the shadow head of the MLB Players' Association.
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Why MLB seems headed toward a lockout — and how that'll create a free-agent frenzy — CARLSBAD, Calif. — Here in paradise, a place where the sun shines every hour available, a cloak of darkness was omnipresent this week. Almost every substantive conversation at Major League Baseball's GM meetings touched …
The Athletic:
Before free agency, MLB proposes paying players based on FanGraphs' calculation of WAR — CARLSBAD, Calif. — Major League Baseball on Wednesday made an updated proposal for baseball's reserve system, including a revised approach to eliminating salary arbitration.
Thomas Harrigan / MLB.com:
'21 Silver Slugger Award winners announced — After a season filled with some unforgettable offensive performances, MLB's top hitters were recognized Thursday night when the Silver Slugger Awards were announced on MLB Network. — The World Series-champion Braves led the way with four winners …
Jim Bowden / The Athletic:
MLB free agency, trades and offseason outlook: Jim Bowden answers 20 questions on Red Sox, Angels, Braves, more — As the MLB offseason plays out, I'll regularly do reader mailbags to answer your questions and share what I'm hearing around the league. Let's get right to this edition, which hits on 20 teams.
Discussion:
Boston.com, BoSox Injection, NESN.com and Red Reporter
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Party of two? Cardinals, Brewers lay ‘groundwork’ at GM Meetings while NL Central rivals seem set to downshift — CARLSBAD, Calif. — With planes to catch, homes to reach, and, for at least one official, a car to rent for a quick scouting peek across the border in Mexico …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Shams Charania / The Athletic:
Ben Simmons feels 76ers want to force him to play; team responds: Exclusive — Ben Simmons believes the Philadelphia 76ers' recent actions are exacerbating his mental health issues, and that the team wants to deem him fit to force him to play, regardless of what he tells the team's mental health therapist …
Discussion:
Liberty Ballers, Delaware County Times, New York Post, Barrett Media and Section 215
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Sources: Arizona Diamondbacks expected to name Brent Strom as pitching coach — The Diamondbacks are on the verge of hiring Brent Strom as their new pitching coach, a source said Friday, a move that would give them a highly respected instructor at a time when the organization is desperate to improve its run prevention.
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
How Farhan Zaidi sees the Giants rebuilding their rotation — CARLSBAD, San Diego County — Even with the retirement of Buster Posey and uncertainty of Brandon Belt's future with the team, the Giants' primary focus this offseason has nothing to do with seeking replacements at their positions.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
The Athletic:
The Mets' real target remains David Stearns, whoever they hire as GM this winter: Sources — CARLSBAD, Calif. — While the Mets are moving closer to naming their next general manager, New York has bigger plans for its head of baseball operations. Sources say the Mets' primary target remains …
Discussion:
Forbes, Lookout Landing, Sports Illustrated, New York Post, USA Today, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleacher Nation
