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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Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Indians get Barfield from Padres — CLEVELAND (AP) — Just like his dad, Josh Barfield made it to the big leagues. Now, he's following his father to the American League. — Barfield, who as a rookie second baseman helped San Diego win a division title, was acquired Wednesday by the Cleveland Indians …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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 …
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 …
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 …
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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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Pettis joins Rangers staff — Former outfielder latest coach to follow Washington to Texas — The Rangers could lose Gary Matthews Jr. to free agency, but they picked up a Gold Glove center fielder Wednesday. — Only problem: He last won the award in 1990.
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:Hitting coach for A's expected to join Cubs
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
New hitting coach wants Cubs in a zone — Another Lou Piniella protégé was brought into the organization on Wednesday when the Cubs named Gerald Perry to replace Gene Clines as hitting coach. — Perry, who started out as a hitting coach under Piniella in Seattle from 2000-02 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Jim Street / MLB.com:
Bids are in, wait on Matsuzaka begins — Seibu has four days to accept or reject best offer for star — Now they wait. — Wednesday's 5 p.m. ET deadline to submit a bid for negotiating rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka has passed, and the Major League teams that placed bids must now wait …
Discussion:
It's Outta Here!
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Verlander receives rookie honor — Pitcher recognized by peers with MLB Players Choice Award — DETROIT — The second of what will likely be a triple crown of rookie honors for Justin Verlander came Wednesday, when he was honored as the American League's Outstanding Rookie as part of the MLB Players Choice Awards.
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Peers choose Dye as AL's best — Sox outfielder wins Players Choice Award as Most Outstanding — CHICAGO — During a brief conversation at the end of the 2006 regular season, Jermaine Dye proved he's far too honest and forthright to ever think about a career in politics.
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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MLB.com:
D-backs shed their skin after unveiling new uniforms, colors on runway — Team embraces "D-backs" nickname on home, alternate jerseys — (SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) — The Arizona Diamondbacks tonight unveiled their new uniforms and logos featuring new colors — Sedona Red, Sonoran Sand and black …
Discussion:
Powered
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Phillies hamstrung 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.
Associated Press:
Pirates looking to sign Cuban defector — PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in signing former Cuban Olympic right-hander Yuslan Herrera to a three-year contract, but any deal looks to be at least several weeks away. — The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Herrera defected …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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.
Discussion:
Luck O' The Redbirds
USA Today:
Young staff buoys Pirates' hopes — Things have gotten so bad for the Pittsburgh Pirates that even Batman took a few swings at the organization this year. — Actor Michael Keaton, a suburban Pittsburgh native who played the Caped Crusader in the 1989 movie Batman, criticized the team's owners …
Discussion:
Bucco Blog
