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.

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!

Seattle Mariners' Jerry Dipoto Spotted with Rival Executive at GM Meetings, Prompting Speculation  —  For now, we'll file this under these notes on the Mariners and Chicago Cubs as “interesting offseason conversation” and keep tabs on it, but it's nothing to overreact to just yet.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Injury rehab will shape Nico Hoerner's winter, but he'll return with clear Cubs goal: ‘You want to dominate’  —  The GM meetings this week also provided injury updates for Cubs pitchers Ben Brown, Cade Horton and Jordan Wicks.  —  SAN ANTONIO - In the immediate aftermath of the 2024 season …

Though Cubs won't target top free agents, they're well positioned to make trades  —  SAN ANTONIO - The pressure on the Chicago Cubs' front office to make the playoffs next year was a topic of conversation this week at Major League Baseball's general manager meetings in Texas.

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 …