It pains me to say, this would be a good target for the Brewers.

This has gotten so very ugly.

It could be down to the Cubs, Reds, Diamondbacks, and Rays.

He’s coming back. Well, kinda. Morrow gets a no-risk, low-cost, minor league deal to try to show he’s healthy again.

Kinda of a curious, and specific exclusion.

Interesting that it was the length, specifically, that was the initial hurdle.

Here’s a bit of weird intertwining of several players and storylines going on right now.

Is that legit interest, or are the Cardinals just looking to eff with the Cubs and the Reds?

Yes, the ball was juiced. No, the league doesn’t exactly know precisely how or why or how to fix it. Which is neat.

Whatever. It’s a free country. They ask about Darvish, I tell them to cram it.

A couple more weeks of heavy free agent activity before trade season?

Presumably, the Cubs would target Victor Robles in any deal, and it’s easy to see why the Nationals would refuse.

What else is new. (But seriously, couldn’t this just be negotiation?)

Very glad to hear expanded netting is coming all across MLB.

Sure, sure. Now that the market is about to move, teams are concerned about salaries and defense and the Cubs’ asking price.

Third base market moving tonight.

Tonight’s update from the front office ain’t gonna feed your fires, I’m afraid.

Seems pretty reasonable to take that chance on Shogo Akiyama, yes?

Treinen wound up getting a sizable $10 million commitment.

There are obvious roster-related impacts here.

That doesn’t mean talks won’t pop up again later.

I suppose it always depends on the players in these situations, but I have a hard time seeing the Cubs dealing for merely “good” prospects.

A little preview action on tomorrow’s draft, in which the Cubs could be picking 13th.

It’s fun, but pointless.

Interesting to hear Maddon talk about knowing what’s up.

Here’s hoping something with Baez can get done soon, and other negotiations can follow.

Cole’s huge contract doesn’t mean free agency is fixed, but it does raise a lot of related considerations about league finances.

A whole bunch of rumor miscellany to get into tonight.

Are you suuuuuuuure? He seems sure.

This rumor has some holes, and seems awfully convenient for the Braves.

Interesting how the landscape could be shifting.

The Cubs’ new manager takes his turn at the mic.

Not that Bryant has any reason to seek anything less than a market extension, though. And that’s not likely to happen.

No reason not to right now.

The new crew is in place, and it’s quite a bit of turnover.

The Phillies and Nationals have holes at third base, but neither is an ideal fit for the Cubs, who apparently seem very set on shopping Bryant.

The Cubs aren’t going to say what the payroll plan is, but right now, their approach is consistent with a range of outcomes.