Top News:
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Classic rosters stacked with star power — More big-name Major Leaguers promises more excitement — Carlos Beltran, Ryan Braun, Miguel Cabrera, Brad Hawpe, Felix Hernandez, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Evan Longoria, Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Grady Sizemore, Ichiro Suzuki, David Wright and Kevin Youkilis.
Discussion:
BaseballGB
RELATED:
Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Angels don't want Vladimir Guerrero playing in World Baseball Classic
Angels don't want Vladimir Guerrero playing in World Baseball Classic
Discussion:
MLB Main
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions — This installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Jan. 13 to 16. The previous installment is available here. — Atlanta Braves — Removed from 40-man roster: LHP Francisley Bueno — A native of Cuba who signed with Atlanta in 2006 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Mets Today, Mets Fever, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …, Major League Baseball and The 'Ropolitans
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's lock up Markakis — Sources: Club finalizes six-year, $66 million extension with right fielder — The Orioles have finalized a six-year, $66 million contract extension with outfielder Nick Markakis, according to baseball sources. Markakis will be in Baltimore later this week to take a routine physical and to sign the contract.
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Sources: O's, Markakis agree to $66M extension — The Baltimore Orioles have rewarded their top young hitter with a long-term extension. — The Orioles and outfielder Nick Markakis agreed to a six-year, $66 million extension, pending a physical, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
ChiSox sign Jenks for 1-year, $5.6M — The White Sox have signed closer Bobby Jenks to a record-setting one-year, $5.6 million contract. — Jenks — The $5.6 million is the highest salary in history by a closer who was arbitration-eligible for the first time, at least for the moment.
RELATED:
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
The Market For Adam Dunn — Right now, Adam Dunn wants a four-year, $56 million contract. And who knows, maybe he gets it. Maybe he also gets a Lamborghini, a new house, and exclusive use of the Burj Al Arab helicopter pad. Maybe he can hire Pat Burrell to babysit his kid.
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, MLB Main, Lookout Landing, The Yankee Scrolls, Talking Chop and Mariners Insider
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets reach deals with Sanchez, Reed — Four players on roster remain eligible for arbitration — NEW YORK — The Mets had hoped to sign at least half of their six salary arbitration-eligible players before Tuesday, the day clubs and players exchange salary proposals for possible hearings.
Scotgreg / Chicago's Inside Pitch:
Garcia decision likely coming soon — All quiet on the Freddy Garcia front on Monday, but look for the free-agent starting pitcher to make a decision sometime this week. — As it looks now, the White Sox, Mets and Rangers are still in on the big right-hander, with the Yankees' interest fading.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Rockies Avoid Arb With De La Rosa — By Tim Dierkes [January 19 at 4:15pm CST] — According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies avoided arbitration with pitcher Jorge De La Rosa by signing him for $2MM for '09. He can make another $100K based on innings pitched.
RELATED:
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.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres' projected payroll for 2009 remains $5 million over desired target — To meet the $40 million payroll mandated by club chairman John Moores, the Padres apparently need to trade a high-salaried player either before or during the season. Whether Jake Peavy is that player still could hinge …
Dave Sheinin / Nationals Journal:
Strasburg — Just wanted to chime in here on the subject of Stephen Strasburg, the San Diego State right-hander who has been pegged as the probable No. 1 overall draft pick next June — a pick held, of course, by the Nationals. Speculation is rampant as to the meaning of the San Diego Union-Tribune story …
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
In Book, Radomski Talks About Dealing Drugs and Dealing With Mitchell — Kirk Radomski traveled to Washington last week to testify before a federal grand jury investigating whether Roger Clemens committed perjury when he told Congress that he did not use performance-enhancing drugs.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Texas nearing Francisco, Vizquel deals — Agreement with pitcher would leave two arbitration-eligible Rangers — The Rangers are close to finishing off a pair of contracts. — They are close to a one-year contract with reliever Frank Francisco that will avoid a possible arbitration hearing …