Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Mets speak with star free-agent Justin Verlander, sources said — Might Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, teammates with the Tigers from 2011 to 2014, be headed for a reunion? — It is at least a possibility. — The Mets, dealing with several holes in their rotation …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, New Jersey Online, Amazin' Avenue and Bleacher Nation
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets believe Jacob deGrom prefers to stay if contracts are similar — A tie — or close to it — goes to the Mets. — That, at least, is the organizational belief as Mets brass consider Jacob deGrom and whether the ace right-hander will return next season.
Ken Rosenthal / MLB - The Athletic:
Will Cody Bellinger sign one-year deal? Plus Brandon Nimmo's potential and more — Cody Bellinger is a free agent at 27, an ideal age for a player to hit the open market. But his agent, Scott Boras, sounds as if he wants Bellinger to sign only a one-year deal.
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
From MVP to cut free: Dodgers release Cody Bellinger, just three years after he won NL MVP — Cody Bellinger is just 27 years old and ostensibly entering his athletic prime. Yet suddenly, he's no longer a Los Angeles Dodger, just three years after he was the National League's Most Valuable Player.
Alex Speier / The Boston Globe:
J.D. Martinez and other big hitters pulling for the return of opposite-field success — Want to find a power hitter this offseason? Good luck. — Several longtime power hitters found in 2022 that blasts that customarily landed several rows into the stands instead expired well shy of the wall.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Union-News and MLB Trade Rumors
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Los Angeles Angels acquire 3B Gio Urshela from Twins — The Los Angeles Angels acquired veteran infielder Gio Urshela from the Minnesota Twins on Friday, a move that helps the team's desire to add more major league-quality depth to its roster. The Twins received 19-year-old starting pitcher Alejandro Hidalgo in exchange.
Julia Poe / Chicago Tribune:
7 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls' 124-110 loss, including how a 3rd-quarter meltdown led to a 3rd-straight defeat — The Chicago Bulls lost for the fifth time in the last six games Wednesday, this time a 124-110 blowout on the road against a New Orleans Pelicans team playing without Zion Williamson.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Boston Herald and Associated Press
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Aaron Judge megadeal? Star shortstop splurge? Going young in 2023? Inside the Yankees' offseason alternatives — Here in this little sliver of the world we are not a hostage to format. This might be 3Up, but I think there are four big-picture ways this offseason can play out for the Yankees:
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Pinstripe Alley, Sports Illustrated and MLB Trade Rumors
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge wins AL MVP after record-setting season — Perhaps it was a closing act. More likely, it was mere prelude. Either way, Aaron Judge received the ultimate reward for one of the greatest seasons in New York Yankees history. — Playing under the weight …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Sports Illustrated, Judge wins AL MVP in runaway … and Padres
