Top News:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Milton Bradley Signs With Cubs — By Tim Dierkes [January 5 at 3:10pm CST] — According to ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine, the Cubs signed Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30MM contract “with some options in the deal.” Ken Rosenthal has a similar story, noting that the two sides have to “work through language issues.”
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ESPN:
Sources: Cubs, Bradley agree to deal — The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley, sources told ESPN on Monday. — The deal is pending a physical. — Bradley led the American League in on-base percentage last season …
Jayson Stark / ESPN.com:
Burrell, Rays sign 2-year deal; Giambi to A's? … Pat Burrell's last swing of the bat in 2008 was a double against Tampa Bay in Game 5 of the World Series. — Now, his first swing of the bat in 2009 will be as a member of those very same Rays, having signed a two-year, $16 million contract Monday.
Discussion:
Just A Nats Fan, Lookout Landing, El Lefty Malo, Deadspin, The700Level.com, Bluebird Banter, Lone Star Ball and Sliding Into Home
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Rays, Burrell Agree To Two-Year Deal — By Tim Dierkes [January 5 at 1:51pm CST] — 1:51pm: Buster Olney agrees with Rosenthal. He writes that Burrell has agreed in principle to a two-year $16MM deal with the Rays pending a physical. — 12:51pm: According to Ken Rosenthal …
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Marquis set to become a Rockie — Right-handed starter Jason Marquis could officially become a Rockie as soon as Tuesday. MLB.com and Chicago-area media reported today that the trade that has Marquis coming to Colorado in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino is likely to become official on Tuesday.
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Tampa Bay Rays sign free-agent Pat Burrell — UDPATE, 5:45 Executive VP Andrew Friedman said Burrell, who will primarily be the DH, adds power and balance and gives the Rays a better lineup than they had last season: “Any time you add a hitter like that to the middle of your lineup you're a much improved team.”
Discussion:
LA Times Sports Blog
Neal St. Anthony / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Longtime Twins owner Carl Pohlad, 93, dies — Carl Pohlad, a working-poor son of the Great Depression who became one of America's wealthiest dealmakers, has died. He was 93. — A financier who came to be best known through his 1984 acquisition of the Minnesota Twins …
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Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
Source: A's closing in on Giambi — Free-agent first baseman could sign one-year deal this week — OAKLAND — The Rays agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Pat Burrell on Monday, dramatically increasing the likelihood of free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi returning to the A's.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Teixeira introduction set for Tuesday — News conference scheduled at Yankee Stadium for slugger — NEW YORK — Yankee Stadium is set to host what may be its final gala on Tuesday, as the Yankees prepare to introduce another winter prize in first baseman Mark Teixeira.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
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Associated Press:
La Russa: Carpenter could close for Cardinals — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Still looking for a closer, the St. Louis Cardinals might consider turning to oft-injured ace Chris Carpenter next season. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told The Associated Press on Monday that he'd think about using …
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Brockforbroglio / Fantasy Baseball:
Follow Up: Spring Training '08 Cliches (1 of 2) — Last season, Tim chronicled various reports out of Spring Training about players claiming to have lost weight, get eye surgery, flirt with Yoga, Ballet, etc. (a personal fav. feature of mine—if for nothing else than the entertainment value, alone).
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Oswalt may be No. 1 starter for USA — Astros' ace to pitch for his country in World Baseball Classic — HOUSTON — Several Major League organizations will be represented by the U.S.A. team in the World Baseball Classic, including the Astros, who have one marquee player ready to pitch.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels lock in Mike Scioscia through at least 2014 — The manager agrees in principle to contract extension. Terms are not disclosed, but deal ensures the longest-tenured manager in the American League will continue with team ‘for a long, long time.’ — The Angels, ensuring the term …
Associated Press:
A. Jones agrees to defer salary to escape L.A. … LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andruw Jones and the Los Angeles Dodgers are close to parting ways. — The team has agreed to trade or release Jones in exchange for the center fielder deferring much of the $22 million remaining on his contract …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox get Green — The Red Sox have agreed to terms with infielder Nick Green on a minor league deal and will invite him to major league camp in spring training to compete for the utility infielder job. — Green, 30, is righthanded hitter (.240 career), has been with four teams including Atlanta …
Discussion:
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …
