Top News:
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
It's here: MLB Network is under way — Commissioner delivers address to estimated 50 million households — With a surprise greeting from Commissioner Bud Selig that called it “the ultimate television destination for baseball,” the MLB Network went on the air Thursday at 6 p.m. ET amid great anticipation …
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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Fans, critics applaud Network launch — MLB Network was launched on Thursday night and the reaction to the first two shows was fast and furious. Fans liked the first 60-minute edition of “Hot Stove” and they loved the digitized kinescope of Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 …
Discussion:
The Griddle
MLB.com:
Vasgersian has challenges at Network — Host of MLB Tonight can infuse program with signature style — What strikes you about Matt Vasgersian on the air is that he is irreverent without dipping into cynicism, intelligent without being showy, witty without being contrived. He is, in other words, likable.
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Liveblogging MLB Network launch — It's 2009 at last, and that means the MLB Network goes live in an estimated 50 million homes. It's the largest launch in cable network history, and we are liveblogging this New Year's Day all the way. — 5:22 p.m.: Jimmy Rollins is in the house.
Mark Newman / MLB.com:MLB Network to debut in mere hours
Discussion:
The Baseball Zealot, bronxbanterblog.com, U.S.S. Mariner, Athletics Nation and Blue Collar Baseball
Dennis O'Donnell / KPIX-TV:
Giants Offer Slugger Manny Ramirez 4-Year Deal — The San Francisco Giants are pursuing free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez and have offered him a four-year deal, a well-connected source told CBS 5. — Financial terms of the contract offer were not immediately known.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Altering Jones deal could lead to Manny — Dodgers discuss reworking contract of unhappy-in-LA outfielder — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are in discussions to rework the contract of beleaguered outfielder Andruw Jones, with the goal of moving him off the roster while freeing up salary …
Drew Silva / MLB Rumors:
Dodgers Trying To Unload Andruw Jones — By Drew Silva [January 1 at 9:55pm CST] — 9:55pm: As pointed out in the comments section below, Andruw's '09 salary could be deferred across several years and would thus gain interest, resulting in a higher total payout. That could work for both sides.
Barry Jackson / MiamiHerald.com:
Florida Marlins likely to sign Scott Proctor — The Marlins are expected to sign former Dodgers right-hander Scott Proctor to bolster a bullpen that has lost several veterans. — Proctor agreed to a one-year contract for $750,000, with another $250,000 in incentives, according to an industry source.
Discussion:
FishStripes, MVN, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, MLB Rumors, Scott Proctor's Arm, Bottom9 Baseball and River Avenue Blues
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins may have found replacement for reliever Nelson — The Marlins believe they have a found a replacement for reliever Joe Nelson with right-hander Scott Proctor. — According to a baseball source, the Marlins have agreed to a one-year deal with Proctor pending a physical.
Discussion:
iYankees
MLB.com:
Time travel: Network brings past to life — Inaugural night affords chance to revisit old friends, days gone by — The performances on many of the compact discs, the LP's and — yes — the 45's I have accumulated since Oct. 8, 1956, were recorded before JFK was sworn in, I'm proud to say.
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
Pittsburgh Pirates Top 20 Prospects for 2009 — Age relative to league isn't everything. . . Pittsburgh Pirates Top 20 Prospects for 2009 — All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get out of the top 10.
Discussion:
whygavs.com
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Friars seek overall improvement in '09 — Black calls for club to step up in every area this season — SAN DIEGO — Bud Black, set to begin his third season as manager of the Padres in 2009, recently said there's no one specific area his team needs to be better at if it's to climb back to the top of the National League West.
Yahoo! Sports:
Rangers sign RHP Turnbow to minor league deal — Buzz up! — ARLINGTON, TEXAS (TICKER) —The Texas Rangers on Thursday signed pitchers Derrick Turnbow, Casey Daigle and Elizardo Ramirez to minor league contracts. — Turnbow, who will turn 31 on January 25, has spent the last four seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers.
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