Top News:
ESPN.com:
Cubs trade twice: Hill to Orioles, Wuertz to A's — CHICAGO — The Cubs traded right-handed reliever Michael Wuertz to the Oakland Athletics for a pair of minor leaguers Monday and sent left-hander Rich Hill, their starter in Game 3 of the division series two years ago, to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named.
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Orioles trade for left-hander Hill — Starter acquired from Cubs for player to be named later — BALTIMORE — The Orioles' starting rotation started to take a more rounded shape on Monday, when they acquired southpaw starter Rich Hill from the Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com:
Hill is official (updated with quotes) — The Orioles have completed the trade for Rich Hill, sending the Cubs a PTBNL. — Pitcher Brian Burres has been designated for assignment to make room for Hill. — I was late on that prediction, but I knew it was coming.
Bruce / DailyHerald.com Blogs:
First Hill, now Wuertz — Out of options, out of town. — That's how it's been with the Cubs this year. Infielder Ronny Cedeno, center fielder Felix Pie, lefty Rich Hill and right-handed reliever Michael Wuertz all were out of minor-league options, and all found themselves traded by Cub GM Jim Hendry.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
METS REACH TERMS WITH PEREZ — The Mets have reached agreement with Oliver Perez on a three-year, $36 million contract that will be finalized when the left-hander passes a physical, the Post has learned. — The Mets now know the likely composition of their rotation with Perez joining Johan Santana …
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ESPN.com:
MLB commish Selig paid more than $18M in '07 — NEW YORK — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig made more than all but three of his sport's players in 2007. — Selig received a raise of about $3 million to nearly $17.5 million that year, according to Major League Baseball's latest tax return.
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays offer Millar Minor League deal — Slugger likely to wait before accepting any offer for 2009 — TORONTO — As this strange offseason of economic uncertainty nears its close and pitchers and catchers prepare to travel to Arizona and Florida for Spring Training's rapidly approaching reporting dates …
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Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Floyd, Hernandez on Towers' wish list — The long list of unsigned free agents could produce two players for the Padres - left-handed hitter Cliff Floyd and starting pitcher Livan Hernandez. — Padres General Manager Kevin Towers said Thursday night the Padres were interested in the pair.
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
Heyman “Breaks” Another Story — Oh who would ever want to be king? - Coldplay, Viva La Vida — Jon Heyman has done it again. He broke another story on Friday when reporting that Jason Varitek had “reached a two-year agreement with the Red Sox.” — In typical Heyman fashion …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers near deal with Guardado — Veteran would give Texas another left-handed option in bullpen — ARLINGTON — With less than two weeks to go before Spring Training, the Rangers seem more likely to add reliever Eddie Guardado than starter Ben Sheets to their pitching staff when pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 14.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Phils hopeful of avoiding Howard arbitration — Salary arbitration hearings are scheduled to begin today in Phoenix, but the Phillies and Ryan Howard still have time to strike a deal before heading to the table. — The date of Howard's hearing has been a closely guarded secret …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Out Of Options 2009 — By Tim Dierkes [February 2 at 9:22am CST] — Our list of players who are out of options for 2009 (and who have less than five years service time). Out of options means these players have to clear waivers before being sent to the minors.
