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 …
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Furcal agrees to terms with Braves — Three-year deal includes a vesting option for 2012 season — ATLANTA — The Braves are looking forward to the opportunity to once again place Rafael Furcal at the top of their lineup. At the same time, they're looking forward to having both Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar in that same lineup.
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:
Hardball Times, True Blue LA, The Knobler Blog, Angels blog, Talking Chop, umpbump.com, Bluebird Banter, Hardball and MLB FanHouse
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.
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.
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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 …
Ed Price / New Jersey Online:Deal for Cameron still possible for New York Yankees
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
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:
Baseball Musings, Toeing the Rubber, MetsBlog.com, Angels blog, Hot Foot, Center Field and Associated Press
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WEEI Blogs:
Report: Teixeira anticipates $22-28 million/year — Karl Ravech of ESPN reported that he had checked in with someone close to the Teixeira negotiations. According to Ravech's source, the first baseman, who is the prize of the free-agent market, is in negotiations with five teams: the Angels, Nationals, Orioles, Red Sox and Yankees.
Earl Bloom / Angels blog:Report: Red Sox offer Teixeira $200 million
Discussion:
Boston Herald, It is about the money, stupid, Hardball Times, MLB FanHouse and MLB Rumors
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 …
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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 …
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.
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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.
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:
Bottom9 Baseball, whygavs.com, Al's Ramblings, Raise the Jolly Roger!, South Side Sox and MLB Rumors
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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.
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