Top News:
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
Yankees, Mets up Juan Soto bids north of $700 million as his historic free agency nears end — DALLAS — The Yankees and Mets both remain heavily involved in the five-team Juan Soto Derby, with both clubs recently upping offers into the $710 million-$730 million range — MLB record territory …
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB rumors: Juan Soto bids eclipse $700 million as Winter Meetings kick off — DALLAS — It was 24 years ago that baseball's Winter Meetings, in this same location, produced one of the wildest free-agent runs in history. — Alex Rodriguez received a staggering 10-year, $252 million contract …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors, Phillies Nation, Bleacher Nation, NESN.com and Pinstripe Alley
New York Times:
MLB free agency notes: What we're hearing about the Orioles and Mets' pitching pursuits — The Baltimore Orioles are reluctant to pursue the remaining free-agent starting pitchers who received qualifying offers from other clubs - Max Fried, Sean Manaea and Nick Pivetta.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and MLB Trade Rumors
masslive.com:
Where Red Sox' pursuit of Juan Soto stands as Winter Meetings begin — DALLAS — As the baseball world descends upon the Hilton Anatole on Sunday ahead of the annual Winter Meetings, there's an industry-wide feeling that Juan Soto's free agency decision is imminent.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, NESN.com, LAFB Network, New York Post, MLB.com and FanSided
Jim Bowden / New York Times:
MLB Hot Stove matchmaking: A free-agent fit for each team as the Winter Meetings near
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Nation
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Roki Sasaki expected to be posted at winter meetings — Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki is expected to be officially posted at Major League Baseball's winter meetings next week, sources told ESPN on Saturday, opening a 45-day window in which teams will try to convince him to choose …
Jack Baer / Yahoo Sports:
Tyler O'Neill joins Orioles on 3-year, $49.5 million deal after resurgent season, per report — Tyler O'Neill is staying in the American League East. — The former Boston Red Sox outfielder has agreed to a three-year, $49.5 million deal, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Discussion:
masslive.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Capital Gazette, Lone Star Ball, Boston.com, Boston Herald, New York Post, Bleacher Nation, NESN.com and Sportsnet.ca
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Source: Tyler O'Neill, Orioles reach 3-year, $49.5 million deal — Outfielder Tyler O'Neill and the Baltimore Orioles are in agreement on a three-year, $49.5 million contract, a source told ESPN, filling a void created by the free agency of slugging outfielder Anthony Santander.
Gordon Wittenmyer / Cincinnati.com:
Four questions (and an answer or two) for Cincinnati Reds heading to MLB's winter meetings — The Cincinnati Reds quickly added one veteran starting pitcher in a big trade and nabbed a $20 million free agent in another early offseason deal — and now look who's coming to the annual winter meetings …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and True Blue LA
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Giants, Willy Adames agree on 7-year, $182M deal — Shortstop Willy Adames and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a seven-year, $182 million contract, the largest outlay in franchise history, sources told ESPN on Saturday. — Adames, 29, was the Giants' top target this winter.
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 …
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).
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, MLB Trade Rumors, cubsinsider.com, NESN.com and Bleacher Nation
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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, masslive.com, NESN.com, Boston.com and Hoops Rumors
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
