Top News:
Rob Neyer / ESPN:
Change will roll into the Hall, someday — Yesterday, Jim Caple wrote a perfectly cogent, clear-eyed look at the Hall of Fame electorate's tortured take on drugs. — In the wake of yesterday's BBWAA Hall of Fame voting results, a number of other cogent and clear-eyed pieces have been written …
Discussion:
THE BOOK, HardballTalk, TYU and Baseball Crank
RELATED:
Kuiperfan / Joe Posnanski:
The Hall of Fame Recap — Bert Blyleven ranks fifth all time in strikeouts (3,701) and ninth in shutouts (60). (AP) — Well, for the most part, Hall of Fame day went as expected. Roberto Alomar didn't just go into the Hall of Fame, he received 90% of the vote, a higher percentage than Jackie Robinson …
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
The Hall of Fame gives voters a clear signal: moralize about steroids even more
Discussion:
Getting Blanked, Crashburn Alley, baseballmusings.com and It's About The Money
Bill / The Platoon Advantage:
Is Jeff Idelson Lying or Incompetent? Either Way, He's Trying to Ruin the Hall
John Romano / St. Petersburg Times:
Fred McGriff at a disadvantage with Hall of Fame voters because …
Discussion:
New York Times and Bats
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Boras: Rafael Soriano open to setup — Free-agent closer Rafael Soriano led the majors in saves last year, but he would consider being a setup man for one team in baseball — the New York Yankees. — “That door is open for a number of different reasons,” Soriano's agent, Scott Boras, told ESPNNewYork.com.
Discussion:
Fanhouse MLB Blog, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Bronx Baseball Daily, HardballTalk and River Avenue Blues
RELATED:
Bruce Levine / MLB:
Source: Reds to sign Edgar Renteria — The Cincinnati Reds will announce the signing of shortstop Edgar Renteria to a one-year contract Thursday afternoon, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. — The deal could be worth as much as $3 million with an incentive package.
Dan Rosenheck / Bats:
The Final Word on Kevin Brown — Hall of Fame voters have made plenty of boo-boos over the years. But we learned on Wednesday that the Baseball Writers' Association of America committed a great injustice. — Just 12 of the organization's 581 voters listed Kevin Brown's name on their ballots this year …
RELATED:
Tim Marchman / Improve Conditions:
Kevin Brown gets the call
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and Can't Stop The Bleeding
Anthony Andro / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Ian Kinsler could return to Texas Rangers' leadoff spot — ARLINGTON — Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said Wednesday that new third baseman Adrian Beltre would likely bat cleanup. — The rest of the lineup remains in flux, with the exception of Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz sandwiching Beltre.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Time in Arlington
RELATED:
Dan Mennella / MLB Rumors:
Brian Bannister Heading To Japan — Free-agent starter Brian Bannister has agreed to a one-year deal (plus a club option) with the Tokyo Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. — Bannister, a five-year veteran of the big leagues, pitched for one season …
Kuiperfan / Joe Posnanski:
The Willie Mays Hall of Fame — Bob Costas said something on Wednesday that I've heard a lot of people say through the years, but because he's Bob Costas, and I think the world of the guy, his words inspired this post. Bob thinks that the Baseball Hall of Fame is too big.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Young following in path set by Jackie, Rose — ARLINGTON — If Michael Young ends up playing first base for the Rangers in 2011, it will be his fourth position in 11 years. — That may seem unusual for a player who is considered the “face of the franchise,” but there is historical precedent for it.
Alex Speier / WEEI:
THE CAMERON EQUATION: HOW THE OUTFIELDER FITS THE 2011 RED SOX — Mike Cameron had a pair of noteworthy phone conversations around the time the Red Sox signed free agent Carl Crawford to his landmark seven-year, $142 million deal. — The first was initiated by Red Sox GM Theo Epstein …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers' opener moved up to March 31 — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers' Opening Day game with the defending World Series champion Giants at Dodger Stadium has been moved up a day to Thursday, March 31, at 5 p.m. PT, from the originally scheduled Friday, April 1, the clubs announced Thursday.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Yahoo! Sports
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Phillies Invite Delwyn Young To Spring Training — The Phillies announced that Delwyn Young is one of seven players they have invited to Spring Training. The Phillies and Brewers pursued Young after he elected free agency last fall. — Philadelphia also invited Brian Bass, Tuffy Gosewisch …
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Keppinger to undergo surgery on left foot — Infielder suffering from inflammation, likely to miss start of season — HOUSTON — Jeff Keppinger, who started at second base for the Astros for most of last season, led the team in doubles and was second in batting average …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Phillies Re-Sign J.C. Romero — Two months after declining his $4.5MM option for 2011, the Phillies have re-signed lefty J.C. Romero according to the team. The one-year deal will pay the reliever $1.35MM plus performance bonuses. He is represented by Praver/Shapiro.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and phillyBurbs.com
