NEWS
Lee Smith and Harold Baines both were elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame via the Today’s Game Era committee.
Results of the Today’s Game Era Ballot (12 votes needed for election): Lee Smith (16 votes), Harold Baines (12 votes), Lou Piniella (11 votes), Albert Belle, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser, Davey Johnson, Charlie Manuel and George Steinbrenner all had less than 5 votes.
ESPN will begin broadcasting Sunday Night Baseball games an hour earlier beginning in 2019, with first pitch scheduled shortly after 7 PM EST.
TRANSACTIONS
The Tigers have signed RHP Tyson Ross to a 1 year/$5.75 million contract.
The Rangers claimed INF Carlos Asuaje off of waivers from the Padres.
The Mariners have signed C Jose Lobaton in a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Royals have signed OF Billy Hamilton to a 1 year/$5.25 million contract plus incentives.
RUMORS
The Braves are seeking outfield help and have contacted the Mariners about Mitch Haniger and the D-Backs about David Peralta.
The White Sox have been connected to OF Bryce Harper and 3B/SS Manny Machado.
Several teams have inquired on Cubs OF Kyle Schwarber.
The Dodgers are letting teams know that OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig and OF Joc Pederson are available.
The Blue Jays are interested in RHP Mike Fiers and RHP Kendall Graveman.
The Padres and Yankees remain in contact regarding an RHP Sonny Gray trade.
The Braves have LHP Dallas Keuchel near the top of their wish list for the off-season.
The Padres have shown interest in UT Marwin Gonzalez.
The Dodgers have “serious interest” in RHP David Robertson.
The Astros have been in touch with the White Sox about 1B Jose Abreu.
The Angels are a sleeper team on pitching.
Several teams have expressed interest in Giants 1B Brandon Belt.
The Dodgers showing continued interest in 2B D.J. LeMahieu.
The Tigers OF Nick Castellanos is drawing trade interest, Braves among the teams that have checked in.
RHP Corey Kluber trade talks have intensified, Dodgers among the teams involved.
The Mariners are still open for business on 1B Carlos Santana and RHP Mike Leake.
The Twins are a new team in the mix for DH Nelson Cruz.
The Phillies have had ongoing dialogue with LHP J.A. Happ.
The Rays have had trade discussions with the Indians about 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion and INF Yandy Diaz.
The Brewers have expressed interest in retaining 3B Mike Moustakas.