Top News:
Jim Bowden / New York Times:
Top 45 MLB free agents for 2024-25 with contract predictions, team fits: Will Soto get $600M+? — MLB free agency is almost here so it's time for my annual ranking of the top free agents with contract predictions and the best team fits for each player. Eligible players technically become free agents …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, Yahoo Sports, Bleacher Nation, Burn City Sports, Lone Star Ball and NESN.com
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Dodgers star Fernando Valenzuela, who sparked ‘Fernandomania’, dies at 63 — Valenzuela's phenomenal start to the 1981 season ignited the craze and boosted interest in the team among the region's Mexican-American fan base. He later worked for the team's Spanish-language broadcasts.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Daily News, NBC Los Angeles, USA Today, ESPN, Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, New York Times, MLB.com, Sports Illustrated, Bleed Cubbie Blue, True Blue LA, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleeding Yankee Blue, baseballmusings.com, Bleacher Nation, Baltimore Sun, Times of San Diego and New York Post
Phil Akre / NBCSports.com:
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers World Series history: Past matchups, head-to-head record, most rings — It's a clash of stars, coasts, and baseball history. If you want World Series fireworks, you're in for a show, courtesy of the dramatic flair and explosive moments the Dodgers and Yankees are sure to provide.
New York Times:
Their MLB cameos led to World Series rings. Are they happy? Well, it's complicated — The one man who cannot lose this World Series sat at home, watching the playoffs unfold when a friend forwarded an online post that gave him a shock. — “Because I'm with the Yankees now …
Discussion:
New York Post, True Blue LA, New Jersey Online and The Good Phight
Connor Ackerley / Sports Illustrated:
Diamondbacks 2024 Player Reviews: Blaze Alexander — In an injury laden season for the Diamondbacks, Blaze Alexander got to see more time and experience than expected. The result was a season that saw him start hot, and work through some bumps along the way.
Associated Press:
MLB wants Rays near Tampa area even if damaged Trop unusable — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Major League Baseball hopes to find the Tampa Bay Rays a temporary home near their fan base at least for the start of the 2025 season if the damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton cannot be repaired in time.
Discussion:
Fox News, Tampa Bay Times and DRaysBay
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Paul Blackburn Undergoes Spinal Procedure — The Mets announced Tuesday that right-hander Paul Blackburn underwent a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair procedure on October 11. The typical timeframe to return to play from a procedure of this nature is four to five months, per the club.
Discussion:
New York Post, Athletics Nation, New Jersey Online, ESPN, Amazin' Avenue and Yahoo Sports
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks coach leaving for role with Astros, marking 4th departure of offseason — Tony Perezchica, one of the longest-tenured members of the organization, is leaving the Arizona Diamondbacks after 22 seasons to become the third-base coach for the Houston Astros, sources said Monday.
Discussion:
New York Times, MLB Trade Rumors and Sports Illustrated