Sunday Notes: Danny Mendick is Chicago’s 2019 Cinderella Story | FanGraphs Baseball

It’s unlikely that Gallen will pitch out of the bullpen if he fails to earn a starting job in the spring. Ditto the other contenders for that role.

“Every organization has the five starters and then six, seven, and eight continuing to grow and learn,” Lovullo said when asked about Gallen’s pen possibility. “Starting baseball games in Triple A, I think that’s extremely important. You’re going to go down and get those guys, no doubt. I wouldn’t say anybody that doesn’t make it is going to be sent to the bullpen.”

Sunday Notes: Chris Woodward is Bullish on Willie Calhoun and the Rangers’ Offense | FanGraphs Baseball

David Laurila’s Sunday column includes some interesting stuff about Willie Calhoun.

Dave Dombrowski adjusts to life on outside looking in - The Boston Globe

The Boston Globe’s Sunday baseball column.

Rosenthal: The Reds are interested in Zack Wheeler; the Braves’ big bullpen bet; more notes

As first reported by Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times, free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson is a legitimate consideration for the Dodgers.

Donaldson, who turns 34 on Dec. 8, would provide right-handed balance for a team heavy in left-handed hitters (Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Max Muncy, Joc Pederson, Alex Verdugo, Gavin Lux). He also would bring an edge to a team that might benefit from such a jolt.

As the Braves discovered, Donaldson can be a bit of an acquired taste — as one club source put it, “he’s loud, in your face, an alpha who will test the room.” He went through an adjustment period in Atlanta, and Freddie Freeman talked with him at one point about better fitting into the clubhouse, the source said. But Donaldson eventually found his niche, and the Braves came to relish his daily intensity and competitiveness.

The team wants him back.