Top News:
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.
RELATED:
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 …
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.
Discussion:
Sabernomics
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.
RELATED:
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Big man CC hits Big Apple to sign big deal — The Yankees' biggest pitching acquisition ever, CC Sabathia, was scheduled to get into town late last night. — The 6-7, 290-pound Sabathia, who has agreed to a seven-year, $161-million contract, was flying in from California last night.
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:
Toeing the Rubber, Baseball Musings, MetsBlog.com, Angels blog, Hot Foot, Center Field and Associated Press
RELATED:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Red Sox extend offer to Teixeira — Boston reportedly looks to ink free-agent slugger for eight years — BOSTON — Though the Red Sox continue to operate in intriguing secrecy when it comes to their pursuit of free-agent slugger Mark Teixeira, it appears an offer has been transmitted …
Discussion:
Bombers Beat
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.
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 …
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Wilpons give green light after Ponzi scheme — Omar Minaya spoke with the Wilpons concerning their huge losses in the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, the Mets' general manager told Newsday yesterday, and he received the green light to keep working on the Mets' offseason renovation.
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs land Gathright; Pie's future with team in doubt — The Cubs just signed a guy so fast he's already run past Felix Pie on the outfield depth chart and looks like he's about to run Pie right out of the organization. — What's certain: Former Tampa Bay and Kansas City outfielder Joey Gathright …
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros to close Venezuelan Academy — Players will instead train in Dominican, Gulf Coast League — HOUSTON — Twenty years ago, the Astros were the first team to start a baseball academy in Venezuela, and since then, dozens of products from that grassroots undertaking have gone …
Discussion:
Hardball Times
