How Cardinals seek to keep veterans, clear path for youth and raise a roster, not raze it  —  In today's 10 a.m. “Ten Hochman” sports video — brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center — Ben Hochman discusses the potential role of Cards pitcher Matthew Liberatore!  And a happy birthday shoutout to Sally Field!

Red Sox ‘right in the thick’ of Garrett Crochet trade talks (MLB Notebook)  —  There are elite starting pitchers on the free agent market to pursue, but all along, the prevailing wisdom in the industry has been that the Red Sox will seek a top-of-the-rotation solution on the trade market rather than via free agency.

The underrated infielder generating lots of buzz at GM Meetings  —  SAN ANTONIO - Could Ha-Seong Kim be one of the first players off the free-agent market?  —  According to a source, Kim has already generated “lots of interest” in the early days of free agency, while a second source …

Mets owner Steve Cohen is making his first big Juan Soto move with Scott Boras visit  —  SAN ANTONIO — The Mets' full court press on Juan Soto is about to begin.  —  With it appearing more and more the free-agent slugger is a priority for the team this offseason, Mets owner Steve Cohen plans …

Cardinals, Diamond Sports Group reach new agreement  —  Diamond Sports Group, bankrupt operator of what was previously called Bally Sports, announced a new linear rights and digital rights agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.  —  The Cardinals have joined the Atlanta Braves …

Sources: Angels agree with ex-Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks  —  SAN ANTONIO — Free agent pitcher Kyle Hendricks has agreed to a one year, $2.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.  —  Hendricks, 34, posted a 5.92 ERA for the Chicago Cubs …

Yankees check in on top-of-the-market starters — including Mets target  —  The Yankees checked on the free-agent ace pitchers — Max Fried, Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell — but it remains uncertain whether they would do Soto and an ace pitcher, too.  —  The Yankees also are interested in Sean Manaea …

What I'm hearing about the Phillies at the GM meetings  —  SAN ANTONIO — As Dave Dombrowski and his lieutenants have taken meetings with other clubs and player agents this week at the general managers' meetings, they continue to repeat a mantra that he's used to define this Phillies offseason.

Red Sox free agent options: A detailed look at which starters fit best  —  With free agency in full swing, it's time to start breaking down which players might fit the Red Sox's needs.  —  Since the end of the season, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has signaled on multiple occasions …

Rays join growing list of Juan Soto suitors as two other mystery teams emerge  —  SAN ANTONIO — Seven teams that have called on Juan Soto are known, and while one is a major surprise — the homeless-at-the-moment Tampa Bay Rays — the other six are all major-market teams that have big payrolls …