Top News:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Furcal acquisition could trigger trade for pitcher — The Braves appear on the verge of bringing back veteran shortstop Rafael Furcal, which could be the precursor to a trade for a top starting pitcher. — FoxSports.com reported early today that the free agent and former Braves All-Star …
RELATED:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Source: Furcal, Braves reach multiyear deal — The Atlanta Braves have reached preliminary agreement on a multiyear contract with free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, a baseball source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. — The deal is pending completion of a physical exam.
Discussion:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Angels blog, MLB Rumors, The Knobler Blog and Talking Chop
Baltimore Sun:
Izturis officially an Oriole — Team announces two-year deal with slick-fielding shortstop — The Orioles today announced they have completed the signing of free-agent shortstop Cesar Izturis to a two-year contract, shoring up a position that was a revolving door for the team in 2007.
Associated Press:
Orioles sign Izturis to stop revolving door at SS … BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles finally filled their hole at shortstop, signing free agent Cesar Izturis to a two-year contract Tuesday. — The 28-year-old Izturis batted .263 in 135 games with the St. Louis Cardinals this year.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
ESPN.com:
Source: Furcal moves closer to deal with Braves — Free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal moved closer to a deal with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, but a source familiar with the situation told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that a report that the two sides have reached agreement pending a physical exam is premature.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
JAYS OUT OF RUNNING FOR FURCAL
JAYS OUT OF RUNNING FOR FURCAL
Discussion:
Hot Stove Blog, Dodger Thoughts, umpbump.com, Bluebird Banter, MLB FanHouse and Royals Review
For the Record:
QUOTE(#5): … Absolutely, get Texeira. We need to put the ball in play. See if Manny will give us a discount, too! I also believe that the Yanks are dawdling on Lowe because they have no confidence in their middle infield to corral all those ground balls that'll be coming their way.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
For Sox, Mark Teixeira deal would be 2nd to none — Money matters — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — The courtship of Mark Teixeira is consuming a great deal of time and energy on Yawkey Way. — Should the Red Sox [team stats] eventually come out on top …
Discussion:
Toeing the Rubber, MetsBlog.com, NJ.com, Angels blog, MLB Rumors, Center Field, Hot Foot and Associated Press
RELATED:
Earl Bloom / Angels blog:
Report: Red Sox offer Teixeira $200 million
Report: Red Sox offer Teixeira $200 million
Discussion:
Boston Herald, It is about the money, stupid, Hardball Times, MLB FanHouse and MLB Rumors
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Hot Stove Rumblings on Cameron, Pettitte and Manny — In talking to some people involved today, I get the feeling the Yankees are backing away from a potential Melky Cabrera-for-Mike Cameron trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, at least for now. There's a deal the teams could make …
RELATED:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Mel Stottlemyre believes J.J. Putz can succeed here, but sets up concern — Mel Stottlemyre was J.J. Putz's pitching coach last season in Seattle and knows enough about the Mets' new reliever to believe that he can thrive in New York. — The one adjustment that bears watching, though …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Gathright could fit on Cubs' bench — Fleet-footed outfielder has played for Piniella before — CHICAGO — Outfielder Joey Gathright has popped up on the Cubs' radar. — Gathright could be added to the roster this week and compete for a spot on the Cubs' bench.
RELATED:
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Alderson expects Padres ace to start 2009 season with organization — Asked about Jake Peavy Monday, Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said, “It's likely Jake will be with us Opening Day.” — The Padres have shopped Peavy since October. Talks with two of his preferred teams - the Braves and the Cubs - fell short.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Free agent Wolf confirms Mets' interest — Left-hander could replace Perez in New York's rotation — NEW YORK — The need for an additional left-handed pitcher in the Mets' rotation seems to increase with each day that Oliver Perez doesn't re-sign. The trades that removed Scott Schoeneweis …
Peter Schmuck / The Schmuck Stops Here:
Is D.Cabrera a commodity? — Baltimore Sun baseball guy Dan Connolly just got off the phone with Mike Powers, the agent for just-released pitcher Daniel Cabrera, and Powers says he's been on the phone a lot since the Orioles chose to non-tender D-Cab on Friday night.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Bottom9 Baseball, whygavs.com, Al's Ramblings, Raise the Jolly Roger!, South Side Sox and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Toronto Sun:
Moyer, 46, given two-year deal — PHILADELPHIA — Jamie Moyer agreed yesterday to a $13-million US, two-year contract that keeps the 46-year-old left-hander with the World Series champion Phillies. — Philadelphia also confirmed it has a preliminary agreement with Chan Ho Park, a one-year contract worth $2.5 million.
RELATED:
Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
Astros sign outfielder Jason Michaels — The Astros signed Jason Michaels to a one-year, $750,000 contract plus incentives, essentially filling the club's other backup outfielder's role for the 2009 season. — With Michaels and Darin Erstad to go along with starters Carlos Lee …
RELATED: