Top News:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Mets won't break bank to add more arms and fill out rotation — The Mets' three-year offer to Derek Lowe for slightly more than $36 million makes it clear the 35-year-old righty is their top free agent choice. But that doesn't mean another new starter won't join Lowe in the Mets rotation, too.
RELATED:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Lowe to keep shopping; Sox not involved — According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Derek Lowe is likely to continue shopping for a more desirable offer after the New York Mets presented him with a three-year, $36 million offer on Tuesday. — While some reports have placed Lowe's target …
Discussion:
Bats, Mets Fever, Mets Merized Online, The 'Ropolitans, NJ.com, Hot Foot and Ya Gotta Believe
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets make Lowe an offer, but expect slow response — The Mets do not anticipate a quick resolution to the pursuit of Derek Lowe, despite their three-year offer of roughly $36 million, and have a free-agent contingency plan in place that includes, in order, Oliver Perez, Randy Wolf and Jon Garland.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Turnbow, Rangers agree to deal — The Rangers moved to upgrade their bullpen Wednesday night by reaching a tentative agreement with free-agent right-hander Derrick Turnbow on a one-year contract. — Turnbow chose the Rangers over the Marlins and Pirates, in large part because of his familiarity …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Hot Stove Blog:
Turnbow, Rangers in agreement — The Rangers moved to upgrade their bullpen Wednesday night by reaching a tentative agreement with free-agent right-hander Derrick Turnbow on a one-year contract. — Turnbow chose the Rangers over the Marlins and Pirates, in large part because of his familiarity …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers investigating relief candidates — Turnbow, Isringhausen, Cordero are possibilities for Texas — ARLINGTON — The Rangers are working hard to upgrade their bullpen, and right-handed reliever Derrick Turnbow appears to be at the top of their list right now.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs trade DeRosa to Indians, what's next? — After a relatively slow off-season, the Cubs stepped it up on New Year's Eve, saying good-bye to Mark DeRosa while welcoming his replacement, Aaron Miles. — DeRosa was traded to Cleveland for three pitching prospects, shortly after the announcement …
Discussion:
FakeTeams
RELATED:
Chicagosports / Hardball:
Cubs sign Aaron Miles; DeRosa likely gone — The Cubs signed switch-hitting infielder Aaron Miles to a two-year, $4.9 million deal on Wednesday, giving them a potential leadoff man to move Alfonso Soriano down in the lineup. — The 32-year-old Miles batted .317 in 134 games for St. Louis last year …
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Tribe acquires DeRosa from Cubs
Tribe acquires DeRosa from Cubs
Discussion:
The DiaTribe, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Plain Dealer, Blue Collar Baseball and Al's Ramblings
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Closers market drying up for Brewers — With Fuentes gone, Milwaukee has few free-agent options remaining — MILWAUKEE — It came as little surprise to Brewers general manager Doug Melvin on Wednesday when free-agent closer Brian Fuentes chose his home-state Angels.
RELATED:
Howard Megdal / New York Observer:
The Pedro Feliciano Project — For players in Caribbean winter leagues like Pedro Feliciano, each game is an exercise in multitasking. — Feliciano, who is currently pitching for Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico, has the immediate task in front of him—helping his team to the Puerto Rican playoffs.
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
MLB Network to debut in mere hours — Today's debut to be seen in 50 million households — Studios 3 and 42 are ready, the new talent is ready, the new theme music is ready, the highlights are ready, Don Larsen's perfect game is ready after 52 years under wraps, the remotes are ready …
Discussion:
Blue Collar Baseball
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Hendrickson signing solidifies O's staff — Veteran left-hander adds experience to young crew of pitchers — BALTIMORE — The Orioles made their first official tweak to their pitching staff on Wednesday, when they announced that they had signed veteran Mark Hendrickson to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball
RELATED:
Darren Rovell / Sports Biz with Darren Rovell:
My Interview with Super-Agent Scott Boras — Superagent Scott Boras has made waves again this offseason as the agent of Mark Teixeira. He's also still negotiating for Derek Lowe and Manny Ramirez, among others. — This morning on “Squawk Box,” I sat down with Boras for a wide-ranging interview.