Top News:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Lowe agrees to $60 million deal with Braves — The Braves finally have their ace. — They've agreed to terms with veteran pitcher Derek Lowe on a four-year, $60 million contract, a person familiar with negotiations said this morning. The deal will be finalized after Lowe takes a physical Wednesday.
Discussion:
NY Daily News, MetsBlog.com, Braves Blast, Jorge Says No!, Dodger Thoughts, NJ.com, Productive Outs …, MLB Rumors, True Blue LA, Baseball Insider, Boston Globe, Sabernomics, My Pinstripes, River Avenue Blues, Mostly Mets, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Mets Merized Online, Deadspin, Talking Chop, Mets Blog, Walkoff Walk, The 'Ropolitans, LA Times Sports Blog, Mets Heads, 24 Hours From Suicide, Projo Sox Blog, Sliding Into Home, myfoxatlanta.com, Chop-n-Change and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Braves make 4-year, $60M offer — Free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe has received a four-year, contract offer worth about $60 million from the Braves, and indications are that he's leaning strongly toward signing with Atlanta, a baseball source told ESPN.com.
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Smoltz introduced — John Smoltz had not held up a new jersey and slapped on a new cap for 23 years, since he was an 18-year old draft choice of his hometown Detroit Tigers. He spent 22 years with one team, the Atlanta Braves, re-upping each time free agency arrived.
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Return of the 'Cou'-pons? — In light of the Derek Lowe signing …
Return of the 'Cou'-pons? — In light of the Derek Lowe signing …
Discussion:
Mets Fever
ESPN.com:
Yankees president subpoenaed over stadium — ALBANY, N.Y. — A New York Assembly committee investigating the use of millions of dollars in public funding to build the new Yankee Stadium has subpoenaed the team's president. — Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, a Democrat from Westchester County …
RELATED:
TheNaturalMevs / Diamond Hoggers:
An Exclusive Virtual Tour of New Yankee Stadium — On the day that the Yankees unveil a new patch commemorating their new palace, we present you with one of the first inside looks at the new stadium. This tour comes courtesy of us from Editor George's roommate (thanks George).
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Prior, Burke agree with Padres — The San Diego Padres have agreed to terms with pitcher Mark Prior and second baseman Chris Burke on minor league deals and have invited each to spring training. — If Prior pitches in the major leagues, he'll earn $1 million, and Burke …
RELATED:
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Preston Gomez dies at 86; Dodgers' third-base coach when team won 1965 World Series
Preston Gomez dies at 86; Dodgers' third-base coach when team won 1965 World Series
Discussion:
The Griddle
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Michael Young's likely move is to third base, not a new team … Longtime Rangers star Michael Young doesn't want to move to third base. But at this point that seems to be a more likely option for him than moving to another team. With five years and $62 million remaining on his contract …
RELATED:
Peter Schmuck / The Schmuck Stops Here:
O's: Getting to first base and more — Orioles beat writer Jeff Zrebiec was nice enough to spoon-feed me a couple of things today, so I'll pass them along to you. The Orioles remain interested in Ty Wigginton (right) as a possible option at first base, but he apparently is holding …
RELATED:
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates invite Monroe, Perez to camp — The Pirates today signed outfielder Craig Monroe and catcher Miguel Perez to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. — There now are 14 non-roster invitees.
Discussion:
Raise the Jolly Roger, Pittsburgh Lumber Co., whygavs.com, Bucs Trade Winds, Bucs Dugout and MLB.com
Tom Hoffarth / Farther Off the Wall:
The whole Top 50 ASA list, from Scully to Collins and beyond — Following up to our post over the weekend (linked here) about the Top 50 sportscasters, as voted by the American Sportscasters Association, we now have the complete list picked by members and a special committee.
NY Daily News:
Yanks, Mets reveal '09 stadium patches — It's a season of new beginnings - and new fashion - in Queens and the Bronx. — When the Mets and Yankees open their ballparks this spring for the first time, each team will be sporting a special commemorative patch on their uniforms …
Discussion:
iYankees
RELATED:
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
Hey Man, Your Comments Don't Hold Water — “I never thought [Bert Blyleven] was a Hall of Famer when he was playing, and I saw him play his entire career.” — “[His popularity] is based on a lot of younger people on the Internet who never saw him play.” — “It's not about stats...it's about impact.”
Discussion:
MLB.com
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Dunn Looking For Four Years, $56 Million — By Tim Dierkes [January 13 at 11:40am CST] — ESPN's Jerry Crasnick talked to an official of a team interested in Adam Dunn. That official said Dunn's current asking price is four years, $56MM ($14MM per). Crasnick says the Braves and Nationals are more focused on trades.
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Ray signs one-year deal with Orioles — Right-hander may compete with Sherrill for closer role — Chris Ray was Baltimore's closer in 2006-07 before undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, and on Tuesday, he took the first step toward trying to reclaim that job.
Discussion:
MASNsports.com