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 …
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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.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Jeff Bagwell tires of steroids talk
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, HardballTalk, baseballmusings.com and Fanhouse MLB 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
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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
Associated Press:
Harmon Killebrew Says He Has Esophageal Cancer — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The 74-year-old Killebrew released a statement through the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, saying he expects to make a full recovery from the “very serious” condition.
Discussion:
The Sommer Frieze
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
Nick Collias / MLB Rumors:
Rangers, Yankees, Indians Interested in Bartolo Colon — Bartolo Colon's work in the Dominican winter league has continued to draw the attention of major league teams, and the 37-year-old starter sounds eager to sign. According to an AP story out of Santo Domingo, Colon told reporters …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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 …
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:
lenNY's Yankees, Halos Heaven, HardballTalk, Diamond Hoggers and TYU
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:
Mack's Mets, MLB Rumors and JSOnline
