MLB Bullets Has A Slow Weekend

The news over the holiday weekend was pretty slow, so I've included one fake news story. See if you can spot it.

• It's early January, and most of the big free agent hitters are still on the market. In his Sunday notes column, Nick Cafardo wonders what is going on with the big bats. He's also got storylines for 2016, thoughts on the late Frank Malzone and a look at the trade market.
• The White Sox are interested in signing free agents outfielders Yoenis Cespedes or Alex Gordon, but won't go beyond three years for either.
• Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Padres are talking with shortstop Ian Desmond. Morosi thinks Desmond is a perfect fit for the Padres, but San Diego has not made a big offer yet, in part because there are few other potential suitors.
• Nick Lampe wonders how the luxury tax threshold is affecting team spending this winter.
• We have some details on the Dodgers deal with Kenta Maeda. It's eight years, $24 million, but with tons of incentives.
• CJ Nitkowski has a scouting report on Maeda.
• Mike Axisa writes about the long history of Japanese pitchers on the Dodgers.
• Morosi also writes that the early returns on the new Dodgers front office have been underwhelming and that the Dodgers enter 2016 as a flawed team.
• Axisa thinks that Yasmany Tomas could be the key to the Diamondbacks chances in the NL West this season.
• Christina Kahrl has ten pitchers with the potential to have breakout seasons in 2016. Adam Warren is one of her choices.
• Richard Justice notes that the American League will be defined by parity in 2016 and that all 15 teams have a chance to make the postseason.
• Jerry Crasnick has the 16 most interesting people in baseball for 2016.
• And I think there was a story suggestion floating around the BBWAA listserv over the weekend, because Anthony Castrovince has the 16 most fascinating people in baseball for 2016. Is interesting different than fascinating? It's a fascinating question. Or is it an interesting question?
• Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that all Friday games in 2016 will be "casual Friday" for managers, who will not have to wear team uniforms for Friday games. Angels manager Mike Scioscia has already announced what he'll be wearing in those games.
• The Blue Jays announced that they will have a dirt infield in 2016 at the Rogers Centre.
• Royals infielder Omar Infante had elbow surgery over the winter. He expects to be ready for the start of spring training.
• Cliff Lee is thinking of pitching in 2016, but the team he signs with would have to be a "perfect fit," he says.
• Here's a story on former American college players trying to expand the popularity of the sport in Israel.
• And the popularity of baseball in Australia has taken a hit in recent years. Aussie fans are hoping that investments from MLB in the Australian Baseball League will rejuvenate interest in the sport.
• Ben Berkon has a story on research into why people become fans and why some fans stick with losing teams year after year.
• And finally, Randy Johnson met with Bryce Harper at the Fiesta Bowl. I just got a kick out of the picture of the 6'3" Harper looking like Jose Altuve next to Johnson.

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