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:
HardballTalk, THE BOOK, TYU and Baseball Crank
RELATED:
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
The Hall of Fame gives voters a clear signal: moralize about steroids even more
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 …
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 Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Bronx Baseball Daily and River Avenue Blues
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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 …
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Tim Marchman / Improve Conditions:
Kevin Brown gets the call
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
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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
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers to open season on ESPN vs. Yanks — DETROIT — The Tigers haven't had the honor of the first nationally televised game of the season in several years, but their Opening Day matchup at Yankee Stadium is going to change that. The 1:05 p.m. ET showdown with the Yankees on March 31 will kick off ESPN's Opening Day tripleheader.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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.
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
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
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