Cubbies Crib: Morning Marquee 11/18

The Arizona Fall League concluded on Saturday afternoon when the Mesa Solar Sox fell to the Suprise Saguaros 2-0. Cubs prospect Dallas Beeler had a solid outing on the mound while Jorge Soler and Kris Bryant failed to reach base.

As the AFL is over, we now turn the focus to Winter League play. Cubs pitcher Daniel Bard continues to struggle for Criollos de Caguas in Puerto Rico. He walked five and gave up three runs on Saturday in his third relief appearance. Bard has given up seven earned runs on nine walks and four wild pitches, hit three batters, but has yet to give up a hit. Luis Valbuena made his third straight start at second base for Cardenales de Lara in Venezuela, and was hitless for the first time and outfielder Junior Lake scored a run and stole two bases for Estrellas in the Dominican Republic on Saturday.

Baseball America: Johnson embraces new challenges with Cubs

Cubs Den: Cubs Notes: Hoyer reiterates that the Cubs are sticking to the plan; Samardzija; minor signings; AFL

ESPN Outside the Lines: MLB hurt Fla. investigation

SweetSpot: Texas should deal Kinsler, sign McCann

ESPN MLB: Scherzer rumors spice up winter

MLB.com: Dealing Scherzer opposite of Tigers’ win-now mentality

Brewers.com: Hart, Mets among Brewers’ options at first base

New York Daily News: Robinson Cano set to wait for pitch he wants

SweetSpot: Cardinals’ options at shortstop

St. Paul Pioneer Press: Twins going “hard after Ricky Nolasco, rival GM says

Boston Globe: Posting standoff puts Yankees’ plans in jeopardy

Sports on Earth: Fan’s Guide to trade proposals

FOX Sports: McCuthen got gold, Goldy got robbed

Peter Gammons Daily: Mike Trout was deserving of MVP award

Fan Graphs: The most startling trend in baseball

NBC Sports: Tigers could prefer Brian Wilson for closer

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