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 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, USA Today, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Fanhouse MLB Blog, Brew Crew Ball and FenwayNationWorld
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:
River Avenue Blues and Bucs Dugout
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
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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.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Kelly, Rizzo among 20 invited to Padres camp — Newly signed Frandsen angling for Opening Day roster spot — SAN DIEGO — Pitcher Casey Kelly and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, two of the players obtained from the Red Sox last month in the Adrian Gonzalez trade, are among the 20 non-roster players invited …
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Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Keppinger to undergo surgery on left foot
Keppinger to undergo surgery on left foot
Discussion:
HardballTalk and River Avenue Blues
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Phillies Invite Delwyn Young To Spring Training
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, Baseball Insider, Amazin' Avenue, HardballTalk and Federal Baseball
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Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
FOUR-RING CIRCUS COMING TO COOPERSTOWN
FOUR-RING CIRCUS COMING TO COOPERSTOWN
Discussion:
HardballTalk and It's About The Money
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
St. Petersburg Times:
Sheffield “99.9-percent” sure he's going to retire — It appears that Tampa native Gary Sheffield's career is coming to a close. — Sheffield told ESPN 1040 in Tampa this afternoon that he's “99.9-percent” sure he's going to retire. Sheffield, who last played in 2009 with the Mets …
Discussion:
BronxBanterBlog.com and HardballTalk
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
Bill Center / SignOnSanDiego.com:
Bell wants to remain a Padre with multiyear deal — Rather than become a free agent at the end of the 2011 season, closer Heath Bell would like to sign a multiyear contract with the Padres. — “That would be my dream,” Bell said Thursday as he discussed his future with the Padres.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Reuters:
Curveballer Bert Blyleven Recalls Life's Twists — NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bert Blyleven's best pitch as a major leaguer was a nose-to-toes curveball so it was perhaps no surprise that he travelled an unusual, roundabout way to Baseball's Hall of Fame. — Born in the Netherlands …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, MLB Rumors and Twinkie Town
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.
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
Bailey staying focused during rehab — A's closer remains patient in return from elbow surgery — OAKLAND — Andrew Bailey's ascension into the big leagues is no ordinary tale. — That's why his story — struggling Double-A starter turned Arizona Fall League phenom turned Spring Training …
Discussion:
HardballTalk