Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Phils to sign Madson for 3 years — One day after locking up No. 1 starter Cole Hamels for the next three years, the Philadelphia Phillies are on the verge of doing the same with their top set-up man, Ryan Madson. — Madson — The team and Madson have agreed to a three-year …
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Inquirer Online Desk / Philly.com:
Phillies, Madson reach 3-year extension deal — Inquirer staff writer Jim Salisbury reports: — The Phillies and righthanded reliever Ryan Madson have reached agreement on a three-year contract extension, The Inquirer learned today. The deal, which is pending a physical exam, is believed to be for $12 million, with incentives.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Hernandez gets $3.8 million from M's — The Seattle Mariners have signed pitcher Felix Hernandez, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time, to a one-year contract worth $3.8 million. — The Mariners and the right-hander have explored multiyear deals over the last two offseasons, but without success.
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seattlepi.com Mariners blog, Baseball Musings, MLB Rumors, This Purist Bleeds Pinstripes and MLB Main
Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com:
Another trade (updated again) — The Orioles have dealt reliever Randor Bierd, last year's Rule 5 pick, to the Boston Red Sox for right-hander David Pauley. — At least the teams aren't afraid to trade within the division. — The San Diego Padres selected Pauley, 25, in the eighth round of the 2001 draft.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins find slim pickings behind plate — Florida has Baker, but is hoping to land experienced depth — MIAMI — Speculation has the Marlins weighing whether to pursue Andruw Jones, but according to a baseball source, the team's bigger priority remains finding catching depth.
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Zim: I've recovered from stroke — Despite a recent health scare, Don Zimmer believes he'll be back in uniform next month to add another digit to his Rays' jersey number and bring it to 61 - one for each season he's been in baseball. — Last month, Zimmer says he suffered a “small stroke” …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Rockies sign RHP Street — The Colorado Rockies have signed right-handed reliever Huston Street to a one-year, $4.5 million contract to avoid arbitration, a Major League Baseball source said Monday. — Street — The deal also includes All-Star and award bonuses.
MLB.com:
Cards Agree to Terms with Wellemeyer and Duncan — The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to terms today with pitcher Todd Wellemeyer and outfielder Chris Duncan, avoiding salary arbitration with both players. Financial terms of the contracts were not released. — Wellemeyer and Duncan represent …
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Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Understanding the Real Value of MLBAM and MLB Network — On New Year's Day, approximately 50 million households witnessed the largest cable channel launch to date in the MLB Network, and with it, a new spigot of revenues for the league was born. And, much like MLB Advanced Media …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Wrigley seat licenses? — Selling seat licenses was termed a “possibility” by Cubs management — Most of the first two days of the 2009 Cubs Convention were devoted to dissecting the painful past and looking ahead to the potential of a better ending next October.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
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Larry Stone / Seattle Times:
Edgar Martinez is eligible for the Hall of Fame starting with the 2010 ballot — Edgar Martinez is on the Cooperstown clock. — The beloved ex-Mariner can hardly believe his five-year waiting period for Hall of Fame consideration will expire after the 2009 season.
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Classic rosters to be released today — Event marks 45 days to the start of the international tournament — Provisional 45-man rosters for each of the 16 teams participating in the World Baseball Classic will be released today at 6 p.m. ET. That will mark 45 days to the start of the tournament …
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds look to fine-tune their pitching — One rotation spot up for grabs as Spring Training draws nearer — CINCINNATI — Can anyone remember an offseason in which the Reds weren't feverishly trying to make acquisitions and improvements to their rotation?
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs deal Pie to O's for lefty Olson — Outfield prospect struggled during two seasons in Chicago — CHICAGO — It's time for Felix Pie to move on. — On Sunday, the Cubs dealt the outfielder to the Baltimore Orioles for two pitchers, left-hander Garrett Olson and right-hander Henry Williamson.
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