Top News:
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers defend record spending, unprecedented deferred deals — LOS ANGELES — Blake Snell's introductory news conference took place amid commotion. The two-time Cy Young Award winner sat behind a dais in the right-field corner while bulldozers and cranes dotted Dodger Stadium's playing surface …
Discussion:
New York Times, baseballmusings.com and New York Post
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Jim Bowden / New York Times:
MLB Hot Stove matchmaking: A free-agent fit for each team as the Winter Meetings near — There have been a sprinkling of signings so far this offseason, but with MLB's annual Winter Meetings just days away, the floodgates should open soon. — Teams and agents are hoping to reach …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated and Just Baseball
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ESPN:
Juan Soto free agency: Predicting teams, contract date — With the MLB winter meetings just around the corner, Juan Soto's free agent decision has the attention of the entire sport. — After helping the New York Yankees reach the World Series, Soto is expected to receive one of the richest contracts …
Discussion:
NESN.com, New York Daily News, Pinstripe Alley, Dodgers Nation, masslive.com, Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet.ca and Newsday
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Athletics, Luis Severino reach 3-year, $67M deal
Discussion:
Just Baseball, BVM Sports, NBC Sports Bay Area …, Newsday, MLB Trade Rumors, Sports Illustrated, MLB.com, Sportsnet.ca, New Jersey Online, Associated Press, Bleacher Nation, Sportico, Mercury News, Yahoo Sports, Lone Star Ball, NESN.com, New York Times, Athletics Nation, New York Post and baseballmusings.com
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
With or without Juan Soto, Cody Bellinger should be part of Yankees plans — Whether the Yankees sign Juan Soto or don't, they should try to obtain Cody Bellinger from the Cubs. — If the Yankees have Soto, they will attempt thrift at first base (Ben Rice) and/or left field (Jasson Dominguez).
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Bruce Levine / audacy.com:
Cody Bellinger's trade market is beginning to heat up — (670 The Score) The Winter Meetings should have a dramatic impact on the Cubs' hope to improve their club for 2025 and beyond, and one of the main storylines for them as executives come together next week is first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger's future.
Damichael Cole / The Commercial Appeal:
Marcus Smart returns to Boston, where Grizzlies want to end Jayson Tatum's unbeaten streak — Desmond Bane didn't need any reminders. — The stat is already engraved in the head of the Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard ahead of a matchup against the Boston Celtics.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, NESN.com, BVM Sports, masslive.com, Hoops Rumors, USA Today and Associated Press
Mike Puma / New York Post:
The Mets are getting calls about Brett Baty. Are they ready to make a move? — Teams are asking about Brett Baty this winter. That's not to say the Mets are in a hurry to trade the third baseman, but the outside interest is understandable given Baty's potential upside and what the team's roster could become by spring training.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Last Word On Baseball, MLB Trade Rumors, Yahoo Sports, New Jersey Online and SNY
New York Times:
Cubs adding Jose Javier from Yankees as Craig Counsell reshapes coaching staff: Sources — The Chicago Cubs are putting Jose Javier on their major-league staff as the new first-base coach, league sources told The Athletic, continuing the adjustments ahead of Craig Counsell's second year as manager.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation and Chicago Sun Times
Cincinnati.com:
W&W: Is MLB creating Savannah Bananas-like sideshow with Golden At-Bat idea? — Jason Williams Gordon WittenmyerCincinnati Enquirer … Williams: Rob Manfred must love being the most hated guy in baseball. And he's working on making that a lifetime achievement with his latest stupid idea …
Discussion:
MLB.com, New York Post, Yahoo Sports and New York Times
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Astros have offer in to Bregman, but there's a contingency plan in place — HOUSTON - The Astros haven't ruled out a reunion with free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman as the Winter Meetings approach, but their ability to re-sign him hinges on what other offers he's received on the market.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, RotoBaller, KHOU-TV, MLB Trade Rumors, BVM Sports, New York Post, NESN.com and Last Word On Baseball
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Sean McAdam / masslive.com:
MLB Notebook: As Craig Breslow prepares for winter meetings, lots on his plate — Starting Monday, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will oversee the Red Sox' efforts at the Winter Meetings, his second year in charge. — Last year, newly hired, Breslow, handcuffed by payroll limitations imposed …
Discussion:
NESN.com and Boston.com
Joe Trezza / MLB.com:
Competitive Balance rounds set for 2025 Draft — The top of the 2025 Draft won't be set until Tuesday's MLB Draft Lottery presented by Nike. But the overall Draft order is beginning to take shape, now that the Competitive Balance rounds are set. — Since 2017, Major League Baseball …
Discussion:
Royals Review, New York Post, Farm to Fountains, WI Sports Heroics and Red Reporter
Ken Rosenthal / New York Times:
Matt Chapman open to temporarily moving to shortstop if Giants sign Ha-Seong Kim: Sources — One problem for the San Francisco Giants if they sign free agent Ha-Seong Kim is that they would remain without a shortstop until Kim recovered from shoulder surgery. — Enter Matt Chapman.
Discussion:
Last Word On Baseball, BVM Sports, NBC Sports Bay Area … and MLB Trade Rumors
