From a banished closer and a racist mascot to fond and not-so-fond farewells, serious issues plagued baseball in 2016. But in the end, a World Series for the ages lifted the sport to new heights.
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz highlighted the Silver Slugger Awards announced Thursday. He won his seventh in his final season as the top-hitting DH in the American League.
Free-agent knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey agreed to a one-year deal with the Braves on Thursday.
New York Mets pitcher Jeurys Familia has pleaded not guilty to a disorderly persons charge stemming from a domestic violence case.
Matt Holliday became the final free agent of 2016, formally leaving the St. Louis Cardinals when he and the team agreed to waive a provision in his contract.
Late Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was voted the NL Comeback Player of the Year by his peers in the annual Players Choice Awards of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz has been fired by the baseball players' union, a source told The Associated Press.
Need an ace? Free agency isn't going to get you one. This offseason's biggest moves are going to come from the teams willing to trade away high-end starting pitching.
The face of the franchise coming off a career-worst year, it's possible Andrew McCutchen has played his last game with the Bucs. Where could he land?
Dealing stars isn't new to Pirates GM Neal Huntington, and he's always listening, but he's counting on a rebound season by OF Andrew McCutchen.
What will the Cubs' outfield look like in 2017? Will big-name players be on the trade block? We look at the biggest issues facing teams in the NL Central.
October taught us versatility is valuable, relievers rule and curveballs are crucial to success. That could mean big bucks for a select group.
Yes, the free-agent market is light on top-tier talent, but it does have a number of useful players -- even if a little past their prime -- who can still help a major league team.
If you're not careful during Hot Stove season, you might get burned. Winter sprees can be toxic if a team isn't ready. Here's how a couple clubs could fall into that trap.
Like his World Series-MVP-winning teammate last offseason, Dexter Fowler's versatility will put him in high demand on the free-agent market. Which teams could be the best fit?
Will the White Sox shake up the trade market by making Chris Sale and Jose Quintana available? What moves will the Indians make? We look at the biggest issues facing teams in the AL Central.
With advanced metrics helping determine Gold Glove Award winners (congrats, Buster Posey and Ian Kinsler), errors now are rare. Still, there's room to second-guess some of this year's choices.
Rizzo takes pride in winning Gold Glove
Lindor eager to share Gold Glove with father
Perez doesn't take fourth straight Gold Glove for granted
Kiermaier thrilled with second straight Gold Glove
Inciarte's aggressiveness key to Gold Glove Award
What separated Keirmaier from rest of field?
Weak FA class. Pretenders that think they'll contend. Stars on rebuilding squads. Who could move? Chris Sale and Andrew McCutchen highlight the list.
In yet another sign of Cleveland camaraderie, Indians slugger Carlos Santana gave Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith the bat he used to hit his final regular-season homer this season.
The most dominant pitcher in the AL this season? Orioles closer Zach Britton. So why isn't he a Cy Young contender? The BBWAA blew it.
Theo Epstein might have earned a place on the Mount Rushmore of baseball executives. How about, someday, the actual Mount Rushmore? On Election Day, our panel discusses Theo's third act.
With star power stretching far beyond the baseball diamond, Chicago's drought-busters are set to earn big endorsement bucks everywhere from shoe stores to supermarket shelves.
Can the Mets replace Yoenis Cespedes if he leaves? Why is Trea Turner's role such a big deal? We look at the biggest issues facing teams in the NL East heading into the offseason.
Now that we're no longer rooting for long-suffering losers, what's a Cubs fan to do?
This year's free-agent class is light on top-tier talent and depth, but there's plenty of power to go around, including a few 40-homer guys.
Could Edwin Encarnacion be the key to the offseason plans of both the Red Sox and Blue Jays? We look at the biggest issues facing teams in the AL East heading into the offseason.
Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis didn't let the sting of a World Series loss get in the way of his annual gear giveaway.
Chris Sale to the Red Sox? Ryan Braun headed out of Milwaukee? Biggest closer prize: Kenley or Aroldis? We posed the top offseason questions to 38 MLB execs just as things are about to heat up.
Bud Black goes from managing half his games at a pitcher's haven to the hitter's paradise known as Coors Field, which could be a tough transition.
Vegas was going to come out ahead if the Cubs, early betting favorites, won the World Series. That allowed several bookmakers who are Chicago natives to enjoy their run, just as fans.
The Cubs ended 2016 on top with their first World Series title since 1908 and they start the offseason in exactly the same place in our early rankings. Who else cracks the top five?
The Chicago Cubs' lineup will be dangerous for years to come, but to remain atop the mountain, the team will have to maintain its solid rotation.
With a young core and deep pockets, the Cubs should remain the team to beat. But anything can happen. Look at other talented teams that didn't deliver.
The Cubs' journey to their first World Series championship since 1908 was packed with big hits, plays and pitching performances. Which postseason highlight was your No. 1?
Free agent Yoenis Cespedes has been selected as an NL Silver Slugger. Cespedes opted out of his contract with the Mets last weekend.
Tributes by Cubs fans on outer Wrigley walls being taken down today, including touching signs like this
Reds general manager Dick Williams put an end to any semblance of Joey Votto trade speculation at this week's MLB meetings in Scottsdale. "Joey's a guy we're building around," Williams said. "He's peaking right now, and he's so valuable to teaching our young guys, I foresee him being a part of what we've got coming." Votto is still owed a guaranteed $179 million on his longterm deal with Cincinnati.
It's difficult to handicap whether Neil Walker will accept a qualifying offer from the Mets, but there definitely is a chance. The sides are not believed to have gotten into the nitty gritty of contract talks despite meeting in Phoenix, but a multiyear deal remains possible with the Mets, too.
Yankees? 🤔 Phillies? 🤔 Dodgers? 🤔 Astros? 🤔 Giants? 🤔 Mariners? 🤔 Some of the teams Andrew McCutchen could end up.. es.pn/2fFBGU8
The 42-year-old hurler (and 2012 Cy Young award winner) gets a one-year deal with a club option for 2018. twitter.com/Braves/status/…
The Cardinals open their Grapefruit League schedule Feb. 25 against the Marlins and conclude spring training slate with two games at their Triple-A Memphis and Double-A Springfield teams on the final two days of March.
Jeurys Familia pleaded not guilty to a charge of simple assault during a hearing on Thursday morning in Fort Lee, New Jersey, according to Newsday's Jim Baumbach. He also reports that both Familia and the alleged victim wanted the previous requirement that they have no contact removed, so the judge agreed. Baumbach added that the judge advised Familia that the case can move forward even if the alleged victim of domestic violence chooses not to cooperate with authorities. The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15.
Pittsbugh's latest dilemma: Trade or keep Andrew McCutchen? es.pn/2eFzR4Y
Don't expect for a suspension for Jeurys Familia to be handed down by MLB anytime soon. Commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters that the legal process likely would play out first, especially since MLB has the luxury of an offseason to buy time. Familia's first legal hearing on a domestic-violence allegation is scheduled for Thursday. "I think it is usually difficult for us to complete our investigation before the criminal process has run its course," Manfred said. "We have the luxury of not being on the field right now, and we're going to take advantage of that."
From All-Star to adieu: Why Pirates would trade Andrew McCutchen es.pn/2eFnbuG
Players selected Kyle Hendricks NL outstanding pitcher edging Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw as the players choice awards were announced on Wednesday. Daniel Murphy beat out Kris Bryant for outstanding player while Curtis Granderson was named Man of the Year over Anthony Rizzo. The winners and finalists were selected by players in late September. The writers awards will be announced next week.
Curtis Granderson is the Players Association's Marvin Miller Man of the Year for his charitable activities. He already had won MLB's Roberto Clemente Award for similar endeavors.
Among changes the Pirates are considering: Polanco in left field, Marte in CF, McCutchen in RF
Scott Boras gave his annual review of the Mets' spending habits while talking with reporters today at the GM's meetings. "To finish the lap in the pool, you always have to swim in the deep end to get back to the shallow end," Boras said. "The deep end is a place that the Mets are regularly visiting now. I think they have a good chance of completing their lap." Boras joked that he's shifted from his old supermarket theme to more of a "resort dynamic" in discussing the Mets' payroll.
Curtis Granderson participated in the Mets' annual food drive benefiting The River Fund NY on Wednesday at Citi Field. Granderson recently won MLB's Roberto Clemente Award for philanthropy.
Sandy Alderson told reporters he met with Neil Walker's agent on Wednesday. However there was "nothing asked, nothing offered," the GM said, according to the New York Times. Walker has until Monday to accept or reject a one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer from the Mets.
As the Arizona Fall League nears its completion, Tim Tebow discusses how he has improved during his time in Scottsdale. Tebow also weighs in on working with Mets hitting coach Kevin Long (a Phoenix resident) as well as Yankees instructor Reggie Jackson, who is visiting Tebow's AFL team this week.
#06010MLB @SultanofStat & me: MLB postseason & AFL reactions, Maybin trade, Cardinals IF plans, your Q's. LISTEN: es.pn/2fCQaE8
The Giants have three Gold Glove Award winners this season in 2B Joe Panik, SS Brandon Crawford and C Buster Posey. That's their most since 1994 when they also won three, and tied for their second most ever (won four in 1993).
The Dodgers will kick off their 2017 Cactus League schedule with a Saturday, Feb. 25 game against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.
Jake Arrieta is not on any of the Cubs autographed items being sold. Told it wasn't a priority given his travel and young kids.
