Top News:
Kuiperfan / Joe Posnanski:
Hall of Fame: The Eight Definites — In my mind, there are eight players on this year's ballot who are clearly above my Hall of Fame standard. That does not mean that they are without their flaws. A couple of them have significant flaws ... I refused to vote for one of them for a while until …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Jeff Pearlman, Can't Stop The Bleeding, HardballTalk, Pinstriped Bible … and Redleg Nation
RELATED:
Dan Graziano / Fanhouse MLB Blog:
Jeff Bagwell a ‘No’ for This Hall Voter — No, I didn't vote for Jeff Bagwell for the Hall of Fame. Yes, it's for the reason everybody loves to hate. I don't know for sure that Bagwell took steroids or any other performance-enhancing drugs to help him attain his Hall of Fame-caliber numbers.
Discussion:
The Platoon Advantage, HardballTalk and joy of sox
Sports Illustrated:
Palmeiro on Hall of Fame: ‘I hope the voters judge my career fairly’
Discussion:
HardballTalk, USA Today, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Fanhouse MLB Blog and Deadspin
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Jeff Bagwell tires of steroids talk
Discussion:
BronxBanterBlog.com, baseballmusings.com and Fanhouse MLB Blog
Fox Sports:
Angels front-runners to land Beltre — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since August 2005. He appears weekly on MLB on FOX. Follow him on Twitter. — The Angels, more than ever, look like the front-runners to sign free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Mariners blog, MLB Rumors, NESN.com, HardballTalk, FenwayNationWorld, Fanhouse MLB Blog and Angels blog
RELATED:
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Halos may have re-taken lead in Beltre sweeps — Reports indicate Angels have inside track to sign star free agent — The Angels are apparently still alive in the Adrian Beltre derby, and they could be in the driver's seat. — According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
Trsullivan / Postcards from Elysian Fields:
Of Adrian Beltre, Michael Young and Conspiracy Theories — Are the covert Rangers really interested in free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre and have sinister plans for Michael Young? — Or are they just staying around the periphery long enough to drive up the price at the expense of the Angels.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
MLB LOSES PILLAR OF HONESTY — Bill Lajoie was one of the most remarkable men I ever encountered in Major League Baseball. One reason for that status was he was one of the most honest men I ever met in Major League Baseball. I don't mean he fell short of being 100 percent honest while others didn't.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Killebrew Diagnosed With Cancer — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew says he has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. — Killebrew released a statement through the Minnesota Twins on Thursday saying that he is receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Sports Illustrated:
Brewers, Red Sox, Phillies, Nationals top list of winter winners … The Brewers, Red Sox and Phillies stood out this winter. But they aren't nearly the only winners to date. With still plenty of free agents remaining, here are the 11 biggest winners so far... 1. Brewers.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Mack's Mets and JSOnline
Daniel Moroz / Beyond the Box Score:
Nick Markakis: No Longer A Star? — One of the more disappointing trends in recent years has been the progression (or lack thereof) of Nick Markakis' career. After his phenomenal 2008 season (.306/.406/.491, +12 UZR), Nick has seemingly settled in as just a decent player …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
R.J. Anderson / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Playoffs Sweet Spot — Baseball season is officially creeping ever closer with the release of the first CAIRO projections. With the news cycle a little slow, these projections can serve as discussion fodder but shouldn't be taken as gospel given the premature state of rosters and depth charts.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, HardballTalk, Diamond Hoggers and TYU
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Six Teams Interested In Chad Qualls — The A's are one of six teams with legitimate interest in Chad Qualls, the reliever's agent told Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter links). Alan Hendricks acknowledged that he has spoken with the Athletics, but says no “substantial” discussions have taken place yet.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, HardballTalk, Mets Fever and DRaysBay
