With the New CBA, Ownership Finally Eliminates the Bonus  —  “Ownership must eliminate the bonus.”  This declaration came from the one and only Branch Rickey in his 1965 autobiography, The American Diamond.  The year before, the Angels had coughed up a record $205,000 to sign outfielder Rick Reichardt …

Bullpen action starting to heat up  —  Some notes on the bullpen market, according to major-league sources:  —  *Agents for the top two remaining free-agent left-handers, Jerry Blevins and Boone Logan, are signaling to teams that the pitchers will secure deals of at least two years and $12 million.

Jim Harbaugh shares milk with mail truck driver who hit him as kid  —  Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh bumped into a familiar face on the recruiting trail in Iowa on Wednesday evening.  —  This meeting was significantly less painful for Harbaugh than the first.

Is there more in play in Rangers' pursuit of Napoli than just money?  —  Adrian Beltre said he believes his general manager, Jon Daniels, is continuing to look for ways to upgrade the Texas Rangers' offense.  If Daniels weren't, perhaps Beltre's words served as a call to action.

Sources: Cleveland Indians to host 2019 MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field  —  Fans pumped up for the big game from A1  —  The Indians hosted four World Series games in 2016.  In a couple of years, they'll host another marquee MLB event.  (Lisa DeJong/PD)

Keith Law's prospect rankings: Top 100, farm system and team-by-team lists  —  Who will become baseball's stars of tomorrow?  Which teams are set up to win for years to come?  We go deep into the minors to find out.

Rangers Sign Wesley Wright To Minors Deal, Outright Brady Dragmire  —  The Rangers announced on Friday that they've signed veteran left-handed reliever Wesley Wright to a minor league contract and outrighted right-hander Brady Dragmire to Triple-A Round Rock.

Brewers emerge as possibility for Matt Wieters  —  As the market starts to sort out for free agent catcher Matt Wieters, the Milwaukee Brewers have emerged as a potential suitor, league sources tell FanRag Sports.  Something that seemed unlikely early this offseason as Wieters was seeking a large deal is now possible on a shorter deal.

Braves To Sign Kris Medlen  —  The Braves have struck a minor-league deal with righty Kris Medlen, per David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter links).  Once a key member of the Atlanta organization, Medlen will now have to earn his way into MLB camp, as his deal doesn't include an invite.

Lamenting another uninspiring offseason of The Rays Way  —  There's a phrase that always comes up when talking about the Rays.  —  Those who cheer for the Rays use it.  As do those who write about them and talk about them.  —  I've used it.  We all use it.  —  Well, that's just what the Rays do.

2017 MLB Draft Slots And Bonus Pools  —  Baseball America has obtained proposed individual bonus slots for the 2017 draft.  As reported in December, the first overall pick comes with a bonus slot value of $7.4 million, down from more than $9 million in 2016.

Indians Claim Richie Shaffer, Designate Jesus Aguilar  —  The Indians have claimed corner infielder/outfielder Richie Shaffer off waivers from the Reds, per a club announcement.  Presumably, he lost his roster spot in Cincinnati to clear space for the signing of righty Scott Feldman.