Top News:
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres trade Barfield for Cleveland prospects — The Padres have ignited the hot-stove season Wednesday, trading second baseman Josh Barfield to the Indians for highly regarded Triple-A third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and Triple-A pitcher Andrew Brown. — Barfield, 23, gave the Padres …
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians grab Barfield from Padres — Tribe gives up Kouzmanoff, Brown to get second baseman — CLEVELAND — Mere days into the Hot Stove season, the Indians have addressed one of their most glaring holes. — The Tribe acquired 23-year-old second baseman Josh Barfield from the Padres …
Baseball America:
Trade Central: Josh Barfield to Tribe — With no clear-cut everyday starting second baseman on the roster, the Indians made a major move without giving up a whole lot in return—acquiring Josh Barfield from the Padres for infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff and righthanded reliever Andrew Brown.
Associated Press:
Barfield to Indians for Kouzmanoff, Triple-A pitcher — CLEVELAND — Not wanting to risk striking out in free agency, the Cleveland Indians found an everyday second baseman the conventional way, acquiring Josh Barfield in a trade with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Zito contacts new Rangers skipper — Washington says the lefty is considering Texas this offseason — ARLINGTON — New Rangers manager Ron Washington has been hearing from many old friends since being hired on Sunday. — Among those who called was free-agent pitcher Barry Zito.
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:Hitting coach for A's expected to join Cubs
Discussion:
GROTA
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres choose Black as manager — The Padres have decided on Bud Black as their manager, according to major league sources. — Black, 49, is expected to attend the team's award banquet in downtown San Diego on Thursday. Black, a former San Diego State pitcher who lives in Rancho Santa Fe …
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Associated Press:
Padres hire Angels coach Bud Black as manager — SAN DIEGO — Angels pitching coach Bud Black was hired Wednesday to replace Bruce Bochy as the manager of the San Diego Padres, a baseball official said. — Black will be introduced at the team's awards banquet Thursday night, the official said …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs complete coaching staff with Perry — New hitting coach worked for Piniella with Mariners — CHICAGO — New Cubs manager Lou Piniella completed his coaching staff Wednesday, naming Gerald Perry as hitting coach. — Piniella and Perry were together in Seattle from 2000-02 …
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USA Today:
Piniella looks to turn around Cubs' losing ways — While driving to his Tampa-area home from a day-long fishing trip on the Gulf of Mexico, where he caught everything from redfish to ladyfish, Lou Piniella still couldn't believe he had hooked the Cubs' managing job. — Piniella calls it a "job of a lifetime."
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Baseball America:
New York Yankees — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Garciaparra 'open' to third, outfield — Whether he returns to the Dodgers or joins another team, first base is not necessarily the first option for Nomar Garciaparra. — The Dodgers on Tuesday signed utility infielder Ramon Martinez to a one-year contract worth $800,000 …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
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Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs are bid players in Matsuzaka derby — As the Cubs continue with their busier-than-usual organizational meetings this week in Mesa, Ariz., they will take a break today to monitor the bidding on Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka. — Sources say the Cubs are among the bidders …
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com - MLB:
Phils essentially held hostage by Burrell's no-trade clause … PHILADELPHIA — Phillies general manager Pat Gillick is quite nimble for a 69-year-old. Just think of all the hoops he jumped through before dealing Jim Thome and Bobby Abreu, high-profile players with big salaries and complete no-trade clauses.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Red Sox don't exercise their option on Foulke — On a day Theo Epstein listed a closer among the needs of the Red Sox as he heads into next week's general managers meetings in Naples, Fla., Epstein announced the team was not exercising the $7.5 million option on Keith Foulke …
Jim Salisbury / Philadelphia Inquirer:
Lopes wants to stress Phils' need for speed — Seldom does the first-base coach get this much attention, but, hey, Davey Lopes is here to do more than pick up the helmets, and everyone knows it. — Part of the Phillies' beefed-up coaching staff, Lopes drew a crowd of reporters during …
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Rockies would be wise to move Jennings — The Rockies' sales pitch could go like this: — Available in trade: 200-inning pitcher, signed for 2007 season at $5.5 million. Posted 3.78 ERA last season, 12th best in the National League. Won at Coors Field when the park was a hitter's paradise.
