Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
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!
Discussion:
New York Times, MLB Trade Rumors and BVM Sports
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Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cardinals' Contreras moving from catcher to 1B permanently — SAN ANTONIO — St. Louis Cardinals slugger Willson Contreras is making a permanent move to first base, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak confirmed Wednesday. — “We think that being such a productive hitter …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, Sports Illustrated, BVM Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation and baseballmusings.com
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
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 …
Discussion:
The Korea Times, Mercury News, Bleacher Nation, McCovey Chronicles, Yahoo Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
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Brady Farkas / Sports Illustrated:
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.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Bleacher Nation
Mike Puma / New York Post:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, New Jersey Online, Sports Illustrated, BVM Sports, ESPN, Newsday, New York Daily News, Yahoo Sports, New York Times and Pinstripe Alley
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
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 …
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, New York Times, Associated Press, MLB Trade Rumors, Awful Announcing, Barrett Media and BVM Sports
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
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 …
Sean McAdam / masslive.com:
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.
Discussion:
audacy.com, Yahoo Sports, NESN.com, BVM Sports and Bleacher Nation
Matt Gelb / New York Times:
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.
Discussion:
The Philadelphia Inquirer, MLB Trade Rumors and The Good Phight
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
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 …
Discussion:
USA Today, BVM Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, masslive.com and Battery Power
Maddie Lee / Chicago Sun Times:
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 …
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cubsinsider.com, Bleacher Nation, New York Times and BVM Sports
New York Times:
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.
Discussion:
cubsinsider.com, Bleacher Nation, BVM Sports and Bleed Cubbie Blue