Top News:
Bradford William Davis / Insider:
Major League Baseball secretly used 2 different types of baseballs last season — An astrophysicist has collected and taken apart MLB game balls for years, looking for changes. — She found MLB secretly used two different balls, one lighter than the other, in 2021.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation, Marc Normandin …, Yahoo News, FanSided and Fish Stripes
RELATED:
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Major League Baseball, players union no closer to deal with collective bargaining agreement set to expire, sources say — A day of negotiating brought Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association no closer to a new collective bargaining agreement, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Discussion:
MLB - The Athletic and Bleacher Nation
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB lockout inevitable on Dec. 1: What is in dispute and how long will it last?
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Gary Sanchez returning to Yankees as team will tender him contract — Earlier this offseason, general manager Brian Cashman said he was “exploring” options to upgrade at catcher. — And if he didn't find anything, the GM said, “We'll come back with what we have.”
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated and Pinstripe Alley
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Báez nearing a deal with Tigers (source) — DETROIT — The Tigers' long-running search for a shortstop is finally nearing a conclusion. The team spent Monday night closing in on a long-term deal with former Cubs and Mets star Javier Báez, a source told MLB.com's Jon Morosi.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Tigers News and Bless You Boys
Matthew Roberson / New York Daily News:
The Yankees' free agent inactivity could signal a new era in the Bronx — In the span of one holiday weekend, the entire tone of the MLB offseason shifted. — The lockout is about to burst through the door like Kramer, and in anticipation of that, general managers, players and agents answered …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Dennis Young / New York Daily News:
Brian Kelly demands 7 a.m. meeting with Notre Dame players after he suddenly left them for LSU — Brian Kelly's now-former players at Notre Dame willingly signed up to play for a coach who has a long track record of throwing people under the bus. They probably just wish Tuesday morning's bus had a slightly later departure.
Discussion:
The Big Lead, Orange County Register, Wide Right & Natty Lite, Sports Illustrated, New York Post, The Ringer and NESN.com
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Ralph D. Russo / Associated Press:
Brian Kelly is leaving Notre Dame after 12 seasons to become LSU's football coach. No previous coach has left the Irish to take a job at another school. — LSU is hiring Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame, a stunning move by one of the most accomplished coaches in college football jumping …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Chicago Sun-Times and Los Angeles Times
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Sources: Expanded playoffs, draft lottery proposals in CBA negotiations — Major League Baseball's expanded playoff proposal, as part of a new collective bargaining agreement between owners and players, includes the ability for division winners to pick their wild-card opponent, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Trade Rumors, Call to the Pen and Talking Chop
Childs Walker / Baltimore Sun:
Five things we learned from the Ravens' 16-10 win over the Cleveland Browns — The Ravens survived another ragged offensive performance thanks to a heroic effort from their defense in a 16-10 win over the Browns. Here are five things we learned Sunday night.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, ESPN, Baltimore Beatdown and Orange County Register
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C.J. Doon / Baltimore Sun:
WATCH: Ravens TE Mark Andrews' one-handed catch leads to incredible Lamar Jackson TD pass vs. Browns
Discussion:
Mercury News, The Athletic and ProFootballTalk
Omar Kelly / Sun-Sentinel:
Grades for Dolphins' dominant victory over Panthers; plus stock up and stock down — During the month of November the Miami Dolphins turned a dreadful start to the season into something that should be admired. — Miami's four straight wins, which became a reality with Sunday's 33-10 domination …
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ESPN:
Sources - Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, Seattle Mariners finalizing $115 million contract — Reigning AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and the Seattle Mariners are finalizing a five-year, $115 million contract with an opt-out after the third season, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Source - Pirates, catcher Roberto Pérez agree on 1-year MLB deal — PITTSBURGH — Catcher Roberto Perez and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on a one-year contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN's Jeff Passan. — The deal, which is contingent upon Perez passing a physical …
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Is an MLB lockout coming? Will free agency freeze? Jeff Passan answers 20 burning questions — IRVING, Texas — The free-agency frenzy of Sunday, which saw $407 million guaranteed to players, was the latest sign that a labor stoppage in Major League Baseball is upon us.
Discussion:
Boston.com and Bleacher Nation
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Matt Gelb / The Athletic:
Where MLB's free-agent frenzy leaves the (so far) quiet Phillies as a lockout looms — There can be multiple things true about the free-agent frenzy that percolated on the brink of a Major League Baseball lockout and barely included the Phillies. Players who would have helped them are no longer available.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, That Balls Outta Here, MLB Trade Rumors and Phillies Nation
MLB.com:
Transactions … Chicago Cubs signed free agent LHP Locke St. John to a minor league contract. — Chicago Cubs signed free agent CF Narciso Crook to a minor league contract. — Cleveland Guardians traded RF Harold Ramirez to Chicago Cubs for cash. — Chicago Cubs selected the contract …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation and Cubs Insider
