Top News:
MLB.com:
Could Goldschmidt AND Arenado end up on Yankees? — With first baseman Christian Walker off the free-agent market after agreeing to sign with the Astros, the Yankees' interest in adding veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is rapidly increasing, sources told MLB.com on Friday.
RELATED:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Yankees, 1B Paul Goldschmidt reach $12.5M deal, sources say — First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a one-year, $12.5 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN, pairing the 2022 National League MVP and seven-time All-Star with the American League champions in the midst of a significant overhaul.
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Sources: Astros, Christian Walker reach 3-year, $60M deal — The Houston Astros and free agent first baseman Christian Walker have agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports Friday. — The deal is pending a physical exam, a source told ESPN.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals All-Star Nolan Arenado declines deal to Astros, but trade talks ongoing: Sources
Discussion:
New York Times, MLB Trade Rumors, 101 ESPN and Last Word On Baseball
New York Post:
Rickey Henderson, Hall of Famer and MLB's all-time stolen bases leader, dead at 65 — Rickey Henderson, a Baseball Hall of Famer and MLB's all-time stolen bases leader, has died, The Post has confirmed. — He was 65. — Henderson, a 10-time All-Star and 1990 American League MVP …
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TMZ.com:
Oakland A's Legend Rickey Henderson Dead at 65 — RICKEY HENDERSON MLB HALL OF FAMER DEAD AT 65 … Baseball's “Man of Steal,” Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson is dead after a bout with pneumonia ... TMZ has learned. — Sources with direct knowledge tell us ... Henderson passed away Friday …
Discussion:
UPI, Cup of Coffee, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Yahoo Sports, Amazin' Avenue and NESN.com, more at WeSmirch »
CNN:
Party City is going out of business — New York CNN — Party City is closing down all of its stores, ending nearly 40 years in business, CNN has learned. — CEO Barry Litwin told corporate employees Friday in a meeting viewed by CNN that Party City is “winding down” …
Discussion:
Chicago Sun Times
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Yankees trade Trevino to Reds for Cruz, Jackson — The New York Yankees traded catcher Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson, the teams announced Friday. — The move represents a passing of the torch behind the plate for the Yankees.
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Anthony Franco / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees, Reds Swap Jose Trevino For Fernando Cruz
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Yahoo Sports, Associated Press, Pinstripe Alley and MLB.com
Ken Rosenthal / New York Times:
MLB notes: The latest on Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays' offseason — Picture the Toronto Blue Jays keeping first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. long-term. Trading shortstop Bo Bichette. Signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. — None of those outcomes is particularly likely.
Discussion:
Last Word On Baseball, MLB Trade Rumors, CBSSports.com, UPI, Bleacher Nation, Plain Dealer, MLB.com, NESN.com, NBC Sports Bay Area … and Sportsnet.ca
Christopher Crawford / NBCSports.com:
Astros sign Christian Walker to three-year deal: 2025 fantasy outlook, contract details — One of the more intriguing storylines of this offseason was seeing where some of the free-agent bats were going to land, and in particular, the first base market seemed to be a waiting game to see what team …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
New York Times:
Woody Johnson's Jets: ‘Madden’ ratings, a lost season and ‘the most dysfunctional place imaginable’ — Woody Johnson decided to do his own research. — The New York Jets' owner was at his house in Palm Beach, Fla., last February, discussing potential offseason acquisitions with team decision-makers as they watched game tape.
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Passan's MLB free agency, trade intel: Arenado, Bregman, more — Major League Baseball's free agent market has cooled since a red-hot stretch at MLB's winter meetings that included middle- and lower-tier free agents landing strong deals in addition to Juan Soto's record $765 million contract with the New York Mets.
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Dodgers, Mets, Yankees top MLB-record 9 luxury tax offenders — A record nine MLB teams were over the luxury tax threshold for 2024, according to a memo sent to teams Friday and obtained by ESPN. — The result was a record $311 million paid in penalties, led by the Los Angeles Dodgers who are paying $103,016,896.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, Orange County Register, True Blue LA and The Good Phight
