Hal Steinbrenner, Steve Cohen have dueling Juan Soto visits planned in Mets-Yankees showdown  —  Hal Steinbrenner will not go down without a flight.  —  It is not just Mets owner Steve Cohen who is planning a trip to Southern California to see Juan Soto and Scott Boras, but the Yankees' owner, too.

Chiba Lotte Marines to post Japanese star Roki Sasaki to MLB  —  The Chiba Lotte Marines announced Saturday that they will begin the process of posting Roki Sasaki, the Japanese right-hander considered one of the most talented pitchers in the world, paving the way for the 23-year-old to join Major League Baseball in 2025.

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.

Detroit Tigers sign Bligh Madris to minor league deal, acquiring him for 3rd year in a row  —  The Detroit Tigers called Bligh Madris to Cleveland before Game 5 of the ALDS as a contingency plan because Kerry Carpenter, a fellow left-handed hitter, suffered a hamstring injury.

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 …

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 …

Craig Breslow claims that this offseason, the Red Sox are ready to pursue top pitching: ‘I think we have to’  —  SAN ANTONIO - If nothing else, the Red Sox are playing a different game at the start of this offseason.  —  A year ago, the Red Sox were very much an organization in transition at the GM Meetings.

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.

Injury rehab will shape Nico Hoerner's winter, but he'll return with clear Cubs goal  —  SAN ANTONIO — In the immediate aftermath of the regular season, Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner took the discussion about building 90-win teams up a notch.  —  “I don't think 90 wins should necessarily be the goal …

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.

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 …