MLB Bullets Closes The Door

There's 76 shopping days left until the Cactus League opener.

• I really hope this is the last time I have to talk about Pete Rose. If you're a big Rose fan, I'm sorry, but you've probably already read a million pieces on him. You're also probably lost on your way to Red Reporter. For the rest of us, I'll just link to a few pieces. Jayson Stark says the door is now closed for good on Rose and that the story of Rose is ultimately a sad one for baseball.
• Joe Posnanski writes that Rose made the decision easy on Manfred by admitting that he still bets on baseball.
• Tyler Kepner writes that Rose just doesn't get it.
• If you want to read Commissioner Manfred's decision, it's here.
• Darren Rovell says Rose will make more money banned. Of course he will.
• Will Leitch hopes baseball can finally move on from Rose. I hope that too. Please.
• I'm moving on. Johnny Cueto is now a Giant. His baseball-reference page still lists him at 5'11". That's odd. I guess I'm a Giant too.
• Jeff Sullivan breaks down Cueto's contract, with the opt-out after only two years.
• David Schoenfield writes that Giants are gambling on Cueto's health.
• Johnny Cueto by the numbers.
• Chris Cwik thinks the Dodgers shouldn't make a panic move in response to the signings by the Giants and Diamondbacks.
• You think the contracts being given out by teams are high now? Joe Posnanski assesses the chances that Bryce Harper gets the first $500 million contract.
• Harper's probably worth it just for the way he's willing to lip-sync "My Girl" to a young Nationals fan.
• The Nationals are also talking with the Reds about a deal for Brandon Phillips.
• Andrew Simon says this year is a big one for Stephen Strasburg as he approaches free agency next year.
• Senate Majority Leader (and Nats fan) Mitch McConnell wants the team to trade Jonathan Papelbon. He's already a more qualified GM than Mike Rizzo.
• Cliff Corcoran lists the top five free agent pitchers left on the market after Cueto's signing.
• Cardinals GM John Mozeliak says that the team will not be making a "dynamic signing" this offseason. Mike Axisa doesn't believe Mozeliak.
• Jamal Collier has some teams that might be interested in trading for Carlos Gonzalez.
• Over at Royals Review, Max Rieper says the Royals are playing a dangerous game of chicken with Alex Gordon.
• The Orioles have made an offer to free agent Korean outfielder Hyun-Soo Kim.
• MLB's goodwill tour to Cuba arrived with several Cuban players, including Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu.
• Nancy Armour writes that it was an emotional time for the Cuban expats, many of whom have not been back home since defecting.
• Craig Calcaterra believes that recent comments by Jose Fernandez indicate that he's very happy being a Marlin. NOT!
• Phil Rogers has some ideas for changing (or just scrapping) the save rule. Spitting on your old friend Jerome Holtzman's grave, Phil?
• Jeff Sullivan says you may not have heard of Mychal Givens, but he's the Orioles secret weapon.
• This is one of the best moments from one of the winter fan fests. A young girl at the Orioles fanfest asked Buck Showalter why he never smiles.
• New Astros closer Ken Giles thanked the fans in Philly--including those who booed him during his major league debut.
• I'm already sick of Star Wars and the film hasn't even opened yet. But if you're a person who just can't get enough of the Force, ESPN has a starting baseball lineup of Star Wars characters. Also for a lot of other sports too.
• And finally, after deciding which team to sign with, the most important decision a baseball player has to make is his walk-up song. But what happens if someone else decides to have the same walkup song as you? Embarrassing! But there's no need to worry. You can now hire former major leaguer Royce Clayton, who will have his team of musicians write you a personalized walk-up song. They'll even work your name into it.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.