Top News:
New York Times:
Juan Soto bidding reaches $600M, MLB sources say; process of eliminating teams underway — LOS ANGELES — The floor for Juan Soto is $600 million. — The bidding for the free-agent MLB outfielder has surpassed that amount, according to two people briefed on the negotiations who were not authorized to speak publicly.
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The Boston Globe, Crossing Broad, CBSSports.com, Sports Illustrated, New Jersey Online, Bleacher Nation, MLB Trade Rumors, Dodgers Nation, NESN.com, New York Post, cubsinsider.com, OnPattison, Staten Island Advance, Daily Mail, Pinstripe Alley, Yahoo Sports, New York Daily News, Trump's defense pick …, BVM Sports, Sportsnet.ca, masslive.com, Over the Monster and SNY
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Yanks could swing big for Adames if they miss on Soto (sources) — The Yankees remain hopeful about bringing Juan Soto back to the Bronx, but in the event that the slugger signs elsewhere, New York will have plenty of money to pivot to Plan B. — According to sources …
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Source: Superstar Juan Soto nearing decision on free agency — LOS ANGELES — Juan Soto's much-hyped free agency is nearing its final stages, with a source familiar with the process opening the possibility that the star outfielder could pick his destination by the end of this week — before the start of the annual winter meetings.
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masslive.com, Newsday, Sportsnet.ca, Bleacher Nation, Just Baseball, NESN.com, Camden Chat, Dodgers Nation, Battery Power and BVM Sports
Buster Olney / ESPN:
MLB winter meetings: Free agency intel from Olney and Passan — MLB's winter meetings begin Monday in Dallas, signaling when baseball's offseason activity is likely to take off after a relatively slow first month. — All eyes will be on the free agency of superstar outfielder Juan Soto …
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audacy.com, Yahoo Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, NESN.com, Boston.com and Sporting News
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Kiley McDaniel / ESPN:
The trades we want to see at MLB's 2024 winter meetings
The trades we want to see at MLB's 2024 winter meetings
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Associated Press, Bleacher Nation, Yahoo Sports, Crossing Broad, WI Sports Heroics, OnPattison, Sporting News and NESN.com
Jim Bowden / New York Times:
7 big trades I'd like to see happen at MLB's Winter Meetings — MLB's Winter Meetings begin Monday, and this offseason the anticipation is a bit higher than the past few years. Many in the industry believe the top free agents, who have been garnering offers for weeks, are close to making decisions.
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Chicago Sun Times, Camden Chat, WI Sports Heroics, New Jersey Online, Sporting News and MLB.com
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Ken Rosenthal / New York Times:
What I'm hearing about the Cardinals and Ryan Helsley, the baffling Blue Jays and more — As the St. Louis Cardinals reset, closer Ryan Helsley appears perhaps their most obvious trade candidate. But teams talking to the Cardinals are under the impression the team will hold Helsley …
Discussion:
Last Word On Baseball, Phillies Nation, MLB Trade Rumors, Sports Illustrated and BVM Sports
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Athletics, Luis Severino reach 3-year, $67M deal — Right-hander Luis Severino and the Athletics are in agreement on a three-year, $67 million free agent contract that is the largest guarantee in the franchise's history, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
ESPN:
White Sox All-Star, broadcaster ‘Beltin’ Bill' Melton, 79, dies — Chicago White Sox All-Star third baseman and broadcaster Bill Melton died Thursday in Phoenix after a brief illness. He was 79. — “Beltin' Bill” hit 33 homers in both 1970 and 1971, when he led the American League and made his lone All-Star team.
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baseballmusings.com, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times and BVM Sports
Jon Conahan / Sports Illustrated:
New York Yankees Considered Threats To Poach Philadelphia Phillies Star Relievers — The New York Yankees need relievers and the two Philadelphia Phillies stars could help them fix that issue. — The New York Yankees feel like a team just waiting around, hoping to pounce on whoever becomes available.
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New York Times, New Jersey Online and BVM Sports
Annie Costabile / Chicago Sun Times:
Jewell Loyd requests trade from Seattle Storm — Loyd was at the center of the Storm's investigation into its coaching staff, a source close to the situation told the Sun-Times. Her future in Seattle was contingent upon a belief that relationships within the organization could be mended.
Discussion:
Sportsnet.ca, Chicago Tribune and USA Today
New York Times:
Farhan Zaidi talking to Dodgers about front office role: Sources — The Los Angeles Dodgers are talking to their former general manager and ex-San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi about returning to the organization, league sources told The Athletic on Tuesday.
Andrew Marchand / New York Times:
‘The Michael Kay Show’ will move off afternoons, ending an era in New York radio: Sources — The end of a New York sports radio era will conclude as “The Michael Kay Show” will soon broadcast its last program in the afternoon time slot on ESPN New York, sources briefed on the decision told The Athletic.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and New York Post
New York Times:
Clay Holmes could start, Luis Robert Jr.'s trade market and other rumblings — Former New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes last started a game in 2018. — Might that change? — With clubs continuing the recent trend of signing free-agent relievers to boost their rotation …
Discussion:
Royals Review, Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors, New Jersey Online, Sox Machine, The Royals Reporter and BVM Sports
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