Breaking down Héctor Neris' Cubs deal, plus more MLB free agency notes  —  Considering Héctor Neris' age, diminished velocity and lack of recent closing experience, he probably was valued appropriately.  But at first glance, it appeared the right-handed reliever's one-year …

Shohei Ohtani joining Dodgers ‘made too much sense’ says Stan Kasten |  Nightengale's Notebook  —  Los Angeles Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten was strolling into the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto on New Year's Day to watch the inaugural game of a new women's professional hockey league - when someone yelled at him.

Tigers sign infield prospect Colt Keith to 6-year, $28.6M deal  —  DETROIT — The Tigers made an unusual bet on a player with no major league experience, signing 22-year-old infield prospect Colt Keith to a six-year contract Sunday that guarantees him $28,642,500.

MLB free agency: How the crowded DH market could begin to thin  —  The working theory among some agents in December was that once Shohei Ohtani picked a team, the market for corner guys — corner outfielders, corner infielders, designated hitter types — would loosen, with clubs that lost …

Yankees should see ‘quite a bit’ of Will Warren as top prospects join the mix  —  The injury bug never relented after it began biting Yankees starters during spring training last year.  As a result, the team had to deploy a few pitchers who weren't projected to impact the rotation.

Former Braves coach Jimy Williams has passed  —  A former manager of the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Astros, Jimy Williams spent six years as the Braves third base coach during the 1990s.  —  Jimy Williams, who coached third base for the Atlanta Braves from 1991 through 1996, has passed away.

Age fraud on the rise in Dominican Republic, sowing chaos for MLB teams, young players  —  Age and identity fraud among amateur baseball players in the Dominican Republic — once a major issue in the country — is on the rise again, according to executives and agents familiar with the sport's international signings.

Orion Kerkering will have a big role in the Phillies' bullpen.  Could he wind up being the closer?  —  It's always useful to listen to what team officials say about assembling a roster.  But it's often more informative to watch what they do, with past actions tending to portend …

Jacob deGrom says he, Max Scherzer aiming for midsummer returns  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — The World Series champion Texas Rangers have two multiple-Cy Young Award winners who could return to their rotation sometime in the middle of the summer.  —  Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer …

Angels are mired in free-agent purgatory.  Why haven't they signed any top players?  —  The Angels seem mired in baseball purgatory as spring training approaches, one big bat and frontline starter away from possible playoff contention, and one or two injuries away from another fourth-place finish in the American League West.

Jrue Holiday reveals free agency preference after Celtics trade  —  MIAMI — Jrue Holiday has only been in Boston for four months but he's hoping to stay a lot longer.  In an exclusive interview, Holiday revealed his desire to stay in Boston over the long-term, highlighting the hope of reaching …

How the Terry Rozier trade has reset the point guard market  —  The NBA's marketplace works in cycles and precedents, with yesterday's price often setting today's.  When Devin Vassell signed a five-year, $135 million extension with San Antonio this fall, agents and executives around …