Top News:
Willson Contreras / ThePlayerTribune:
Let's Do This, St. Louis! — First things first: No one could ever replace Yadier Molina. We all know that. — It's impossible. Actually, if there's some word that means even more impossible than the word impossible ... that's what it is. — Yadier Molina is a legend.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Bleacher Nation, NBCSports.com and Chicago Tribune
Peter Abraham / The Boston Globe:
Xander Bogaerts to sign 11-year, $280 million deal with Padres, bringing end to 10-year tenure with Red Sox — SAN DIEGO — For the better part of the last year, Xander Bogaerts hoped to agree to a long-term contract that would allow him to finish his career with the Red Sox.
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Sports Illustrated, ESPN, BoSox Injection, MLB.com, NBCSports.com, Associated Press, The Athletic, New Jersey Online, Boston.com, masslive.com, Bleacher Nation, Lone Star Ball, New York Post, MLB Trade Rumors, Boston Herald, NESN.com, Dodger Blue, MLB Baseball News …, KNSD-TV, Los Angeles Times, Lowell Sun, Gaslamp Ball, Padres and FanSided
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Joseph Salvador / Sports Illustrated:
Padres to Sign Xander Bogaerts to 11-Year Deal, per Report — The Padres and Xander Bogaerts are reportedly in agreement on an 11-year contract worth $280 million, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal will keep Bogaerts under contract through his age-40 season.
Discussion:
NESN.com, Pinstripe Alley, Cubs Insider, Over the Monster and masslive.com
Kiley McDaniel / ESPN:
‘I have no words’: What MLB evaluators are saying about Masataka Yoshida's $90 million deal with Red Sox — It's important to start with this context before diving into the industrywide reviews of the Boston Red Sox signing Masataka Yoshida, a free agent outfielder from Japan who received a five-year …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Big catch: Cardinals' record offer lures former Cub Willson Contreras to new home — SAN DIEGO — What better way to get to know the Cardinals' first new everyday catcher in nearly 20 years than to ask the person he once shared a position with, long shared a dugout beside, and now has to face Willson Contreras as a division rival.
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Patrick Mooney / The Athletic:
Why Willson Contreras got a long-term commitment from the Cardinals, not the Cubs — SAN DIEGO — Willson Contreras wanted to be wanted. The piece-by-piece deconstruction of the 2016 World Series team left him, at times, feeling confused and frustrated. The emotionally draining process …
audacy.com:
Crane Kenney on Cubs: ‘We may be in the 3rd inning of our offseason in terms of how the roster will look come February’ — (670 The Score) The Cubs made a pair of key additions in right-hander Jameson Taillon and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger at the Winter Meetings earlier this week …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Bleacher Nation
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
D-Backs' outfielders drawing heavy interest as meetings conclude — SAN DIEGO — As Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings wound down on Wednesday evening, the Diamondbacks were still holding their full stable of talented, young outfielders. A trade, club officials said, was not close.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Fish Stripes, Sox On 35th and MLB Trade Rumors
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
Aaron Judge's role in Yankees' free-agency push for Carlos Rodon — SAN DIEGO — The Yankees are targeting Carlos Rodon following the record Aaron Judge deal for a variety of reasons, such as: — 1. They understand they still need to close the gap with the Astros;
Discussion:
NESN.com, New Jersey Online, Pinstripe Alley and Amazin' Avenue
Stewart Mandel / The Athletic:
Former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett a finalist for Stanford head coach opening: Sources — Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has emerged as a finalist for the Stanford head-coaching job, multiple sources with knowledge of the search process told The Athletic on Thursday.
Discussion:
NESN.com, ProFootballTalk, New Jersey Online, FanSided and Mercury News
Jonas Shaffer / Baltimore Sun:
With QB Lamar Jackson sidelined, the Ravens' margin for error is thin. Tyler Huntley's used to that. — The first start of Tyler Huntley's NFL career ended on a last-second sack. His second start came down to a last-minute 2-point conversion. A last-minute touchdown was the difference in his third career start.
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Boston Herald
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Khobi Price / Orlando Sentinel:
Magic pull out win over Clippers in overtime to end losing streak — ExpandAutoplay — 1 of 28 — Orlando forward Paolo Banchero (5) tries to shoot over L.A. defenders Kawhi Leonard (2) and Paul George (13) during the L.A. Clippers at Orlando Magic NBA game at the Amway Center in Orlando on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
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Associated Press, Mercury News, Los Angeles Times, The Athletic and Padres
Kristian Winfield / New York Daily News:
How the Nets are attempting to minimize Kevin Durant's workload — Fewer shootarounds. More pregame walkthroughs. New rotations. Hopefully some blowout games. The Nets are doing whatever it takes to save their star for the end of the season. — Reducing Kevin Durant's workload …
Discussion:
New York Post and Padres
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Kristian Winfield / New York Daily News:
Nets blow 23-point lead, hold on to beat shorthanded Hornets
Nets blow 23-point lead, hold on to beat shorthanded Hornets
Discussion:
The Athletic, At The Hive, Swarm and Sting, New York Post and Padres
Stefan Bondy / New York Daily News:
Julius Randle shines against nemesis Trae Young, Knicks beat Hawks 113-89 — Trae Young's latest Broadway show was a flop. — Attempting to play up his villain status Wednesday at MSG, Trae Young wore sneakers in Knicks colors with the following message stitched into the back: “King Of Broadway.”
Discussion:
New York Post, The Athletic, Mercury News, Peachtree Hoops, Padres, FanSided, Newsday and USA Today