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:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, The Process Report and Fanhouse MLB Blog
Newsday:
Ken Davidoff's baseball insider — We've discussed a few times this winter Brian Cashman's reluctance to give up a first-round draft pick to sign Rafael Soriano as a setup man. Today, Cashman came right out and told Chad Jennings of the Journal News that he wouldn't sign Soriano, because of the draft pick.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Cubs, Rays Working On Garza Trade
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, River Avenue Blues, DRaysBay, NESN.com 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.
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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, It's About The Money and Sliding Into Home
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
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds close to signing Series MVP Renteria
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Mark My Word
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
Baker: No quarterback controversy at short
Discussion:
OMGreds and Redleg Nation
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, Baseball-Reference Blog and Al's Ramblings
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Former major league reliever Ryne Duren dies at 81 — LAKE WALES, Fla.—Ryne Duren, an All-Star pitcher known for a 100 mph fastball, occasional wildness and Coke-bottle glasses that created a most intimidating presence on the mound, has died at his winter home in Florida. He was 81.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Cashman: “I will not lose our No. 1 draft pick” — Essentially taking himself out of the running for Rafael Soriano, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said this afternoon that he absolutely will not make a move that costs the Yankees their top draft pick. — “I will not lose our No. 1 draft pick,” Cashman said.
Discussion:
lenNY's Yankees, River Avenue Blues, Full Count, Fanhouse MLB Blog and ESPN
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Inbox: Who will be Padres' backup catcher? — Beat reporter Corey Brock answers questions from fans — What can you tell us about the catching position in 2011? I know Nick Hundley is set to be the starter, but who will back him up? — The Padres have two players, Rob Johnson and Guillermo Quiroz …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Bill Center / SignOnSanDiego.com:
Bell wants to remain a Padre with multiyear deal
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Globe and Mail:
Mariners, Ryan make two-year deal — The Seattle Mariners announced a US$2.75-million, two-year contract with infielder Brendan Ryan on Friday. — The deal, which avoided salary arbitration, was agreed to last month. Ryan gets $1-million this year and $1.75-million in 2011.
