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 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 …
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Friars select Black as new manager — Angels pitching coach helped steer club to '02 championship — The Padres have chosen Angels pitching coach Bud Black as their new manager and will introduce him on Thursday night at a San Diego hotel before the annual awards dinner, general manager Kevin Towers confirmed on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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 …
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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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:
Athletics Nation
Baseball America:
Dodgers Promote White, Hire Watson — After seeing the impact of Logan White's draftees on the Dodgers' 2006 roster, general manager Ned Colletti came away impressed. — So impressed, that in remaking the Dodgers' scouting and player development staff roster, Colletti not only kept White, but he promoted him.
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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
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Associated Press:
Sheffield says he's blocked from talking to Boss — NEW YORK — Gary Sheffield said he's being blocked by "middle men" from speaking with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner about his desire to stay in New York and will comply with the team's request to form a list of clubs he'd prefer to be traded to.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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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.
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
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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
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.
