Top News:
Bruce / Chicago's Inside Pitch:
Cubs to send 4 prospects for Garza — Would you give up Chris Archer, Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer and Robinson Chirinos to get Matt Garza. The Cubs are getting set to do just that, I've learned this morning. An announcement is not imminent for several reasons (physical exams, for one) …
RELATED:
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Chicago Cubs are close to a trade for Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza — The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs are close to agreeing to a multi-player deal that would bring right-handed pitcher Matt Garza to Chicago, according to a major league source. — The Cubs and at least three …
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Cubs To Acquire Matt Garza — 12:57pm: The deal is done pending physicals, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times (on Twitter). — 11:54am: The deal is not completely done yet, but it's heading in that direction, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
Discussion:
The Process Report
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Cubs, Rays Working On Garza Trade — Cubs GM Jim Hendry is working feverishly to acquire Matt Garza from the Rays, according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald. The Cubs are getting set to send Chris Archer, Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer and Robinson Chirinos to Tampa Bay, according to Miles.
Discussion:
NESN.com, River Avenue Blues and Bucs Dugout
Brian Costello / New York Post:
Yankees' Pettitte ‘just chilling out’ — DEER PARK, Texas — Tanned and rested, Andy Pettitte stood on his front porch last night and answered the question on every Yankees fan's mind: Do you know if you're going to pitch this year? — “I don't,” Pettitte told The Post fresh off his two-week vacation in Hawaii.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, TYU, Bronx Baseball Daily, HardballTalk, The Sommer Frieze and Yankees Daily
RELATED:
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Is Roger Clemens spooking Andy Pettitte and his return to the Yanks? — Another day has passed on the Andy Pettitte vigil, with no sign or word from the pitcher who's gone into hiding. Little by little, the Yankees are coming to terms with the reality that Pettitte may have indeed slipped through …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Sliding Into Home and It's About The Money
Enrique Rojas / MLB:
Reds, Edgar Renteria agree to deal — ORLANDO — Veteran shortstop and World Series MVP Edgar Renteria has signed a one-year deal for $3 million with the Cincinnati Reds. — Renteria, who led the Giants to its first World Series title since the franchise moved to San Francisco …
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds and Redleg Nation
RELATED:
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds close to signing Series MVP Renteria — Report indicates one-year deal; Janish's status in question — CINCINNATI — While reports exist that the Reds have an agreement to sign veteran shortstop Edgar Renteria, there is no formal deal in place — yet. — As of Friday morning, there had been no official announcements.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Mark My Word
host.madison.com:
Baseball: Cazenovia native Ryne Duren, 81, dies — Wisconsin native Ryne Duren, one of Major League Baseball's premier relief pitchers during the 1950s and a familiar face in recent years at Madison Mallards games, died Thursday at his winter home in Lake Wales, Fla. He was 81.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball-Reference Blog
JT Jordan / Hardball Times:
Catcher Defense 2010 — Estimating a player's defensive value is quite difficult. — I know, I know—duh. BUT, I would venture to say that it's a tad bit easier to estimate a catcher's defensive value compared to other positions. At least, most of it.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Santangelo set to join Nats' TV team — WASHINGTON — Former Major Leaguer F.P. Santangelo said Thursday night that he will become a TV analyst for Nationals games on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. — Santangelo is considered an excellent radio personality on KNBR in San Francisco and has done fill-in work during Giants games.
Discussion:
NATS INSIDER, William World News and The Nationals Enquirer
Christina Kahrl / Baseball Prospectus:
Signing Adrian Beltre — Apparently failing to get Cliff Lee has its benefits. As a defending pennant-winner, once you have decided that you have roughly nine figures to burn as fuel for your franchise's ambition, and then you don't get your man, what are you supposed to do?
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
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:
Federal Baseball, HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
FOUR-RING CIRCUS COMING TO COOPERSTOWN — In two years Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens and Mike Piazza will be on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time. What a spectacular induction ceremony that would make if only.... Before those players or Hall officials make plans …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and It's About The Money
RELATED:
Rob Neyer / ESPN:
Change will roll into the Hall, someday
Change will roll into the Hall, someday
Discussion:
Baseball Analysts, Amazin' Avenue, THE BOOK, Baseball Insider, HardballTalk and Federal Baseball