relief pitcher Lee Smith and OF/DH Harold Baines are elected into the Hall of Fame by Veteran Committee
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relief pitcher Lee Smith and OF/DH Harold Baines are elected into the Hall of Fame by Veteran Committee

ByTom

The results of the Veterans Committee voting for the 2019 Hall of Fame Election are announced: relief pitcher Lee Smith is a unanimous selection, and OF/DH Harold Baines joins him by being named on 12 of the 16 ballots. Lou Piniella falls just short, with 11 votes. While Smith’s election had been widely anticipated, that of Baines comes as a surprise, given that he had done quite poorly in the original BBWAA voting.

Yankees have acquired superstar slugger Giancarlo Stanton from Miami

ByTom

2017 – The rumor in today’s morning news is that the Yankees have acquired superstar slugger Giancarlo Stanton from Miami. The Yankees take the inside track after Stanton reportedly nixed tentative deals with San Francisco and St. Louis by refusing to waive his no-trade clause to join either team, while the Yanks are apparently on the short list of teams he would be prepared to join. The question is what New York is prepared to give up to make the trade happen, and if simply picking up the remainder of Stanton’s huge contract, with some token players thrown in, may be enough, given the Marlins are mainly seeking salary relief – on-field competitiveness be damned. The trade will be made official in two days.

At the Winter Meetings in Nashville, TN, the Pirates trade 2B Neil Walker to the Mets in return for P Jonathon Niese; the Yankees send reliever Justin Wilson to the Tigers for prospects Luis Cessa and Chad Green; and the Athletics send 3B Brett Lawrie to the White Sox for two prospects.

ByTom

At the Winter Meetings in Nashville, TN, the Pirates trade 2B Neil Walker to the Mets in return for P Jonathon Niese; the Yankees send reliever Justin Wilson to the Tigers for prospects Luis Cessa and Chad Green; and the Athletics send 3B Brett Lawrie to the White Sox for two prospects.

Broadcasting pioneer Graham McNamee is named the posthumous winner of the annual Ford C. Frick Award

Broadcasting pioneer Graham McNamee is named the posthumous winner of the annual Ford C. Frick Award

ByTom

Broadcasting pioneer Graham McNamee is named the posthumous winner of the annual Ford C. Frick Award. He described every World Series from 1923 to 1934 for a national audience, as well as the first four All-Star Games

Chicago Cubs Sign John Lester 6 years $155M

Chicago Cubs Sign John Lester 6 years $155M

ByTom

One day after their south side rivals, it’s the Cubs’ turn to steal the headlines at the winter meetings in San Diego, CA. First, they sign highly sought-after free agent P Jon Lester to a six-year deal worth $155 million, and then they acquire C Miguel Montero from Arizona for minor leaguers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley.

The Mets sign Curtis Granderson to a four-year, $60 million contract, the team’s richest free-agent deal since Sandy Alderson became the GM in 2010. The 32 year-old outfielder, who hit 84 homers in two seasons for the Yankees before being limited to 61 games last year due to injuries, is expected to provide some much-needed power for the team that ranked 25th in the long ball in 2013.

ByTom

The Mets sign Curtis Granderson to a four-year, $60 million contract, the team’s richest free-agent deal since Sandy Alderson became the GM in 2010. The 32 year-old outfielder, who hit 84 homers in two seasons for the Yankees before being limited to 61 games last year due to injuries, is expected to provide some much-needed power for the team that ranked 25th in the long ball in 2013.

Roy Halladay announces his retirement, ending a stellar 16-year career

Roy Halladay announces his retirement, ending a stellar 16-year career

ByTom

After signing a one-day contract with the Blue Jays, Roy Halladay announces his retirement, ending a stellar 16-year career with a 203-105 (.659) won-loss record. The 36 year-old right-hander, who decided not to seek free agency after two injury-filled seasons with the Phillies, asked Toronto for the ceremonial contract to show his appreciation for the organization where he spent his first 14 professional seasons, having been drafted out high school as the team’s #1 pick in 1995 amateur draft.

The Modern Era Committee elects  Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre 

The Modern Era Committee elects  Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre 

ByTom

The Veterans Committee unanimously elects three managers who were highly successful in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s to the Hall of Fame: Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre were fixtures in the postseason over the period, combining for 8 World Series titles and 10 Manager of the Year awards. In addition to their overlapping careers, LaRussa, Cox and Torre rank 3rd, 4th and 5th on the all-time list of managerial wins, behind Connie Mack and John McGraw.

The Rays trade their ace, James Shields, along with fellow P Wade Davis, to the Royals for OF Wil Myers, last year’s Minor League Player of the Year, and Ps Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery and 3B Patrick Leonard.

ByTom

The Rays trade their ace, James Shields, along with fellow P Wade Davis, to the Royals for OF Wil Myers, last year’s Minor League Player of the Year, and Ps Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery and 3B Patrick Leonard.