Top News:
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
With Hader off market, where will top FAs sign? — Another major free-agent domino finally fell on Friday, as Josh Hader agreed to a five-year, $95 million deal with the Astros. — With the top relief pitcher now off the market - and Robert Stephenson reportedly agreeing to a three-year deal …
Discussion:
NBC Sports Chicago, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation, Athletics Nation and Battery Power
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Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Josh Hader, Astros agree to record five-year $95M deal, source says — All-Star closer Josh Hader agreed to terms on a five-year, $95 million contract with the Houston Astros on Friday, significantly bolstering a team that has made seven consecutive appearances in the American League Championship Series …
Discussion:
SportsMap, Bleed Cubbie Blue, BVM Sports, MLB.com, Phillies Nation, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Trade Rumors, Lookout Landing, Battery Power, Yahoo Sports, DraftKings Network, New Jersey Online, New York Post, Dodgers Nation, Lone Star Ball, ClutchPoints, Bleacher Nation, The Crawfish Boxes and Associated Press
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Angels, Robert Stephenson agree to 3-year, $33M deal — Right-hander Robert Stephenson and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a three-year, $33 million contract that includes a conditional option that could be triggered if Stephenson misses a particular amount of time due to an elbow injury …
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg diagnosed with cancer — MLB, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies — Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, who played 15 seasons for the Chicago Cubs, announced on Instagram that he has been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and has begun treatment.
Joseph Person / The Athletic:
Where Dan Morgan fits in Panthers' GM and head coach searches: What we're hearing — CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the Carolina Panthers' simultaneous searches for a head coach and general manager move into the next phases, it's looking more and more likely that assistant general manager Dan Morgan …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Pro Football Rumors and BVM Sports
David Laurila / FanGraphs Baseball:
Sunday Notes: Cooperstown Could Use More Closers — Billy Wagner has a chance to be voted into the Hall of Fame this year. As I type these words on Saturday evening, the erstwhile left-handed reliever — this in his penultimate appearance on the BBWAA ballot — is polling at 80.0% …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, BVM Sports and baseballmusings.com
Sam McDowell / Kansas City Star:
Chiefs, Royals respond to ‘unresolved’ stadium issues in letter to county legislature — The Chiefs and Royals say they're finalizing a letter of intent with the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority that represents agreement on “virtually all of the principal terms” for their stadium proposals in the county.
Discussion:
KSHB-TV, Royals Review, baseballmusings.com, FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV and Associated Press
ESPN:
New details on Wander Franco investigation in Dominican Republic — WHEN EVERYTHING WAS falling apart for Wander Franco, the incandescent star shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, prosecutors in the Dominican Republic allege he opened WhatsApp on his phone and sent a message to the teenage girl …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, ClutchPoints and New York Post
