It’s Veterans Day on the 98th anniversary of the Armistice. So remember a veteran today.
- Since it’s still that time of year, Bryan Grosnick provides you with yet another list of the top free agents on the market, but this time with some predictions of where they might end up. (Ignore the predictions by “Randy.” If you read the introduction, you see that he’s just a random number generator. The idea is that “Randy’s” picks might be better.)
- Jerry Crasnick notes that with a weak free-agent market for starting pitching, there is a lot of whispers about top pitchers who might get traded this winter.
- The Athletics are one of the teams that will listen to offers on all their pitchers. (Memo to Theo: Call about Sean Doolittle. Sure, he’s quirky. But he’s also good, left-handed and cost-controlled.) Ken Rosenthal also has some notes on the Rangers and White Sox.
- Ken “Robo-thal” also explains why the Astros are looking at picking up some big names in the free agent and trade markets, such as Carlos Beltran or Brian McCann. Also some notes on the Marlins and the third baseman market.
- There was one actual free-agent signing. R.A. Dickey signed with the Braves. Atlanta has a long history with old knuckleballers.
- The biggest name on the market may not actually be on the market. Barry M. Bloom explains that a lot of teams are holding their wallets until they find out if Shohei Otani is posted.
- Daniel Brim explains what all the fuss is about Otani. It’s a lot of fuss.
- Grant Brisbee thinks that the Phillies are the most fascinating team this winter.
- The Orioles are interested in free agent outfielder Josh Reddick.
- A lot of teams are calling the Twins about second baseman Brian Dozier. I can’t figure out why. (Yes, I can.)
- Jerry Crasnick reports that the Pirates are have to decide whether or not to trade Andrew McCutchen.
- David Schoenfield looks at the Pirates dilemma and thinks McCutchen will end up heading west this winter.
- C. Trent Rosecrans reports that the Reds have no intention of dealing Joey Votto.
- Outfielder Matt Holliday is officially a free agent. Technically, his final year on his contract became guaranteed if he finished in the Top 10 in the MVP voting, but both Holliday and the Cardinals agreed that’s not happening.
- The Cardinals are also planning on stretching out Trevor Rosenthal into becoming a starter, or at least a multi-inning reliever like Andrew Miller.
- Adam Berry reports that Miller’s performance in Cleveland has many GMs thinking about new reliever usage patterns.
- Dieter Kurtenbach lists the biggest need this winter for every MLB team.
- Will Leitch lists what every team’s expectation should be for 2017.
- Nicolas Stellini thinks the Rockies might be closer to contending than you might think.
- Commissioner Rob Manfred talked about some issues facing the game during the GM meetings.
- MLB is likely to adopt a “Preller Rule” that would standardize what medical information is required to be disclosed in trades.
- The voters in Arlington, Texas approved a new retractable-roof stadium for the Rangers.
- Mark Armour has a three-part series on the history of the MLBPA Collective Bargaining Agreements. Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. Did you know that Ron Santo was the first player ever to invoke his 10-5 rights to reject a trade?
- Jose Fernandez was posthumously named NL Comeback Player of the Year.
- MLB has decided to destroy, not donate, all of the “Cleveland Indians World Champions” gear. The official reason given was to keep this merchandise out of the secondary markets, but I know that these sorts of donations have become increasingly controversial among NGOs over the past few years for the way they disrupt third-world economies.
- Howard Bryant writes that in this turbulent year, America really needed a World Series like the Cubs/Indians one. It’s also a good overview of the controversies in 2016 in baseball.
- The Cubs just went from first place on this list to last. But I don’t think any of us will mind. The Cubs are now ranked 30th in Will Leitch’s ranking of the “most-tortured fan bases” in MLB.
- Finally, you’ve seen game 7 of the World Series. But have you seen it re-enacted with OYO/Lego Figures? No? Then you have to watch this now. If anything, don’t miss the Lego re-enactment of Jason Heyward’s pep talk in the weight room.