Shohei Ohtani to Sign with Toronto Blue Jays over Los Angeles Dodgers: Sources  —  The wait is over: Shohei Ohtani is signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  According to multiple sources who spoke with Dodgers Nation on Friday, the two-way superstar has ended the suspense of the most lucrative free-agent pursuit in baseball history.

What I'm hearing about Rangers' pitching plans, Jorge Soler and more  —  Imagine Jacob deGrom and Clayton Kershaw both joining the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers sometime after the All-Star break.  It would be as if the team was making two stunning deadline additions …

Carlyle's Rubenstein Is in Talks to Acquire Baltimore Orioles  — Rubenstein's net worth is $4.6 billion according to Bloomberg … Rubenstein is among suitors pursuing a transaction, said one of the people, all of whom requested anonymity discussing confidential information.

Braves Acquire Max Stassi, David Fletcher  —  The Braves and Angels have lined up a swap of change-of-scenery candidates.  Atlanta announced the acquisition of infielder David Fletcher and catcher Max Stassi for minor league first baseman Evan White and reliever Tyler Thomas.

Detroit Tigers re-sign Brenan Hanifee to minor-league contract with spring training invite  —  Right-hander Brenan Hanifee, who spent most of last season in Triple-A Toledo before his MLB debut in September, has re-signed with the Detroit Tigers.  —  Hanifee, 25, signed a minor-league contract …

Has Shohei Ohtani's super-secret sweepstakes slowed Cardinals' pursuit of trades, relievers?  —  Sports columnist Ben Frederickson wraps up the Cardinals' trip to Nashville for this year's winter meetings, where meetings were plentiful and one potential reliever was nabbed.

Are they in?  On Yoshinobu Yamamoto and others, Red Sox seemingly remain on periphery  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn — As the market for top free-agent starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto narrows to a select few serious suitors, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was asked one simple question on Wednesday.

Yankees' Juan Soto trade means a risky move back to center for Aaron Judge  —  Let us hear from The Mayor, who just happens to be the Yankees' previous hitting coach, and hates the idea of Aaron Judge playing center field.  —  Sean Casey, step to the microphone.

Red Sox trade Alex Verdugo to Yankees for three pitchers  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Yankees acquired outfielder Alex Verdugo from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, with New York turning to the 27-year-old to improve its offense in just the eighth trade between the rivals since the start of the Divisional Era in 1969.

Whatever Shohei Ohtani decides, Cubs still moving in other directions  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Chicago Cubs appear to be pivoting in different directions while Shohei Ohtani continues with his clandestine process.  The Cubs aren't going to put this message on the Wrigley Field marquee: “We're out on Ohtani.”