Top News:
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Source: Adrian Beltre, Rangers close — ORLANDO, Fla. — The Texas Rangers and free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre are close to completing terms on a multiyear deal, a source told ESPNdeportes.com on Sunday. — “They are still talking and have not completed the details …
Discussion:
USA Today, Fanhouse MLB Blog, HardballTalk, Mariners blog and Angels blog
RELATED:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Roundup: No agreement between Texas, Beltre — ARLINGTON — Rangers officials said Sunday they do not have an agreement with free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. There appears to be some mutual interest on both sides, but nothing is remotely imminent. — A report out of the Dominican Republic …
Discussion:
The Sommer Frieze, Lone Star Ball, Full Count and Angels blog
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:
ESPN, Lone Star Ball, My Pinstripes, Angels blog, Full Count, baseballmusings.com, Over the Monster, Athletics Nation, Boston Globe, NESN.com and 6-4-2
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Reports of Texas Rangers deal with Beltre called premature by source
Discussion:
Angels blog and Purple Row
Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
Report of $96M Beltre deal premature
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Halos Heaven and HardballTalk
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:
baseballmusings.com, HardballTalk, Red Hot Mama, Where Have You Gone … and Bucs Dugout
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Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Rafael Palmeiro May Find Door Closed to Hall of Fame
Discussion:
HardballTalk and NotGraphs Baseball
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Aloha, Andy? Pettitte decision expected this week — Now that the holidays are over and Andy Pettitte has had more than enough time to mull over his future, the Yankees expect to hear from him this week on whether or not he will return to pitch in 2011. According to a team official …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Bronx Baseball Daily, HardballTalk and Sliding Into Home
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Inbox: Time to pass on Papelbon? — Beat reporter Ian Browne fields questions from Red Sox fans — Why don't the Red Sox think about trading Jonathan Papelbon for a couple of prospects — including a catcher — and give Daniel Bard the opportunity to be the closer?
Discussion:
Boston Globe
RELATED:
Boston Globe:
Sox bring back Okajima
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, WEEI, The LoHud Yankees Blog and The Soxaholix
Jenifer Langosch / By Gosh, It's Langosch:
Burres back with Bucs — Brian Burres has agreed to a Minor League deal with the Pirates that includes an invitation to Spring Training. Pittsburgh now has 15 non-roster invitees set to compete for roster spots beginning in February. — Burres, who made 20 appearances for Pittsburgh in 2010 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Pirates Prospects and HardballTalk
Mike Sielski / Wall Street Journal:
There's Reason to Be Optimistic — Will Three Proven Lieutenants in the Mets' Front Office Lead to Better Decision-Making or Chaos? — Early in the summer, Paul DePodesta read a book that intrigued him. Its title was “Chasing Stars.” Its author was Boris Groysberg, an associate professor at Harvard Business School.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
New events to come with New Marlins Ballpark — This is part of an MLB.com/Marlins.com exclusive series with team president David Samson chronicling the progress and developments of the new retractable-roof stadium that is scheduled to open in 2012. Throughout the series …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
O's Simon surrenders to cops after fatal shooting … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon surrendered to police Monday to face an involuntary manslaughter charge in a fatal shooting New Year's Eve. His lawyer said he was firing celebratory shots in the air.
Discussion:
Confessions of a She-Fan and The LoHud Yankees Blog
RELATED:
Dionisio Soldevila / MiamiHerald.com:
Police: Orioles' Simon is main suspect in killing
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball and Yahoo! Sports
