Community Picks: Chi Cubs 60% vs Milwaukee 40%

Major League Baseball's sign-stealing saga may have added a new layer on Friday. While the league's focus remains on the Houston Astros following allegations of sign stealing during the 2017 season, the Milwaukee Brewers methods came into question after comments by Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish led to speculation that Milwaukee's bullpen was relaying signs to Christian Yelich during a game in 2019. Yu Darvish fuels speculation In a Los Angeles Times story centered around Darvish's feelings on the Houston Astros' sign-stealing allegations, the Cubs right-hander referenced a concerning incident from this season. Continue to Article

November 15, 2019 6:47:pm EST

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout became the 11th player in baseball history to win at least three MVP awards, topping Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman in results announced Thursday. In voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America, Trout received 17 first-place votes and 355 voting points. Bregman was the runner-up with 13 first-place votes and 335 points, and Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien was a distant third with 228 points. Continue to Article

November 14, 2019 10:01:pm EST

Pitcher Jake Odorizzi accepted a $17.8 million qualifying offer to stay with the Minnesota Twins and first baseman José Abreu took the same amount to remain with the Chicago White Sox as general managers headed home Thursday following their four-day annual meeting. Using the threat to accept San Francisco's offer as leverage, reliever Will Smith became the first of the 168 free agents to switch teams, agreeing to a $40 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. Just 10 free agents received the offers on Nov. 4, and their former teams will receive draft-pick compensation if they sign elsewhere before the amateur draft in June. Continue to Article

November 14, 2019 5:11:pm EST

Gabe Kapler has been hired as manager of the San Francisco Giants, a month after being fired from the same job by the Philadelphia Phillies. Kapler replaces Bruce Bochy, who retired at the end of the season following 13 years and three championships with San Francisco. The Giants made the announcement late Tuesday and planned a formal introduction to follow. Continue to Article

November 12, 2019 10:36:pm EST

Imagine if, after watching the thrilling victory of the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series over the Cleveland Indians – a game in which the Cubs won their first championship in over a century – you learned that the Indians had collaborated with gamblers to intentionally throw the series. Would you trust the game, its umpires and its players, ever again? That was the scope of the crisis that enveloped baseball a century ago, when key members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox, including pitchers Eddie Cicotte and Claude “Lefty” Williams, conspired to throw the series to their opponents, the Cincinnati Reds. Continue to Article

November 10, 2019 6:30:pm EST