Breeders' Cup: Fierceness bounces back to win Juvenile for trainer Todd Pletcher  —  ARCADIA — Conventional wisdom might have told us to steer clear of Fierceness in Friday's $2 million Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita.  In the race that oftentimes determines the early favorite …

Sad to see Joey Votto leave Cincinnati Reds, but don't lose sight of the plan  —  The Cincinnati Reds told us nearly two years ago they finally had a plan to try to win championships, trading away veterans and stockpiling some of baseball's top prospects.  —  They continued to show they're bent …

White Abarrio captures $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita  —  ARCADIA — Trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. is back winning big races again after saddling White Abarrio for a one-length victory in Saturday's $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Miami Marlins' Josh Bell makes decision on player option for 2024 season  —  Josh Bell is staying with the Miami Marlins.  —  The veteran first baseman, acquired at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Guardians, has exercised his $16.5 million player option for the 2024 season.

Marcus Stroman Opts Out Of Deal With Cubs  —  Marcus Stroman has enacted the opt-out clause in his contract and will now become a free agent, the New York Post's Jon Heyman reports (X link).  Stroman's three-year, $71MM deal with the Cubs from the 2021-22 offseason allowed Stroman to opt …

2023 MLB Farm System Statcast Hitting Rankings  —  Image credit: Michael Busch (Photo by Eddie Kelly)  —  For the first time, Baseball America is measuring performance based on underlying metrics via the Hawkeye data gathered across the minor leagues.  —  The benefit of using this data versus …

Sources: Colorado's Pat Shurmur to call plays in new role  —  Colorado has stripped offensive coordinator Sean Lewis of his offensive playcalling duties and is elevating analyst Pat Shurmur to an on-field role where he will take over as the team's playcaller, sources told ESPN.

Shohei Ohtani headlines 130-player MLB free agent class  —  Shohei Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell and Aaron Nola were among the 130 players who became free agents Thursday as baseball's business season began the day following the Texas Rangers' first World Series title.

Padres to interview Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza for manager; Matt Carpenter exercises player option  —  Fourth candidate to replace Bob Melvin set to meet with A.J. Preller, others at Petco Park  —  The Padres' manager search continues this weekend, with the team interviewing Yankees bench coach Carlos Medoza.

Going Out a Champion: Rangers Reliever Ian Kennedy Retiring  —  Report: Rangers Reliever Ian Kennedy Retiring  —  Texas Rangers reliever Ian Kennedy is going out a champion.  —  The 17-year veteran, who missed the World Series due to injury, revealed to Sport Relay during …

Padres took out additional loan to cover end-of-year expenses  —  Team needed $50 million infusion in September despite realizing record revenue  —  The Padres have doubled their revenue since 2019, but were unable to cover their expenses at the end of the 2023 season without an infusion of outside money.

5 takeaways from Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen's season wrap  —  The offseason began for the Diamondbacks on Thursday, which meant General Manager Mike Hazen met with the media at Chase Field.  Most years, this happens in late September or early October, and Hazen has usually had time to sort …