Top News:
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Rangers Talking With Adrian Beltre — 10:30pm: After talking to Rangers officials, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan writes, “There appears to be some mutual interest on both sides, but nothing is remotely imminent.” — 6:52pm: Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports that the two sides are close to agreeing to a deal (link in Spanish).
Discussion:
Full Count, MLB.com, Athletics Nation, Lone Star Ball, Over the Monster, Boston Globe, Angels blog, NESN.com and 6-4-2
RELATED:
Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
Report of $96M Beltre deal premature — The Texas Rangers still are talking with Adrian Beltre but haven't reached an agreement with him, a major-league source said Sunday. — PioDeportes.com, a website based in Beltre's native Dominican Republic, reported Sunday morning …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Halos Heaven
Eric Ortiz / NESN.com:
2011 Red Sox Will Challenge 1927 Yankees for Title of Greatest Team in Major League History — The Red Sox have won 100 or more games three times in their 110-year existence. — They will make it four in 2011. But this team has the potential to accomplish something even bigger than winning 100 games.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Mat Thornton irritated by Oney's tweets — Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Matt Thornton said recent tweets by manager Ozzie Guillen's son, Oney, about Bobby Jenks were “irritating” and take the focus off baseball. — “I'm not a big fan of the social media, personally,” Thornton said on ESPN 1000's “Talking Baseball.”
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Sox Machine and HardballTalk
Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
BAGWELL RISES ABOVE ‘WAR’ — The deadline for voting for the Hall of Fame came and went Friday, and since I like to work on deadline - I have worked on deadline my entire life - I submitted my ballot by fax Friday evening. A year ago I waited until the deadline day, Dec. 31 …
RELATED:
Chicago Tribune:
Baseball Hall of Fame: Who gets in on Wednesday? — If the Tribune's Hall of Fame voters reflect national sentiment, Roberto Alomar will get in on his second year on the ballot when results are announced Wednesday. Our seven voters were unanimous in naming Alomar on their ballots.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Wezen Ball, BBTF's Baseball Primer …, Chicago Tribune and HardballTalk
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Bargain hunters cooking up plans at the Hot Stove — The holiday break is over, and now the “second season” of the Hot Stove is about to begin. Here's a look at who might benefit from bargain basement players or January trades: — 1. Tampa Bay — The Rays didn't sign Joaquin Benoit until Feb. 15 …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, AaronGleeman.com, Federal Baseball, MetsBlog.com and Mets Merized Online
Associated Press:
Orioles' Simon suspected in murder … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon is the main suspect in a fatal shooting New Year's Eve in the Dominican Republic, police said Sunday. — The pitcher is suspected of killing 25-year-old Michel Castillo Almonte …
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Paige Schector / MLB.com:
Mets' Owen keys no-hitter for Caguas — Right-handed prospect goes seven frames for Winter Ball win — Dylan Owen, who spent time in starting and relief roles in the Mets' farm system in 2010, made his case as a starter Sunday with seven no-hit innings for Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
Wednesday's Cooperstown results today — Yup, it's that time of the year again. On Wednesday, January 5, 2011, Cooperstown will announce the results of this year's annual BBWAA voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame. And then we'll know who goes in and who stays out. — But why wait until then to find out?
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and Jeff Pearlman
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Position-by-position Mets look entering '11 — As the Mets turn the page to 2011, here is a position-by-position breakdown of where things stand at the moment. — Catcher — New York Mets — Profile — 2010 Season Stats — GM — HR — RBI — R — OBP — AVG — 91
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Mets Merized Online
Jeff Zrebiec / Orioles Insider:
O's agree to terms with Lee — The Orioles are close to knocking off a big item from their offseason wish list as they have agreed to terms with free agent first baseman Derrek Lee, according to sources. The deal is pending a physical and the terms of the deal aren't currently known …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Camden Chat, MASNsports.com, Fanhouse MLB Blog, Oriole Post and Nationals Journal
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats said to offer LaRoche two-year deal
Nats said to offer LaRoche two-year deal
Discussion:
Nationals Baseball and National Record
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Nats Offer LaRoche Two-Year Deal
Nats Offer LaRoche Two-Year Deal
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Federal Baseball and DC Pro Sports Report