Top News:
Boston Globe:
Dave Sisler; Red Sox pitcher was team's top rookie in '56 — ST. LOUIS — Dave Sisler, the Red Sox Rookie of the Year in 1956, died yesterday at 79. — His son, David G., said Mr. Sisler died of complications from prostate cancer. — David M. Sisler was the last surviving child of Baseball Hall of Famer George Sisler.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Lowrie may be worth a longer look at short
Lowrie may be worth a longer look at short
Discussion:
Over the Monster, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Stephanie Innes / Arizona Daily Star:
Born, died between 2 tragedies — Aspiring politician Christina-Taylor Green was born in the midst of tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001, and died Saturday morning while trying to meet Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. — The strong-willed 9-year-old third-grader had gone to meet Giffords with a neighbor when she was shot.
Discussion:
ESPN.com, USA Today, Dodgers Blog, Deadspin, HardballTalk, msnbc.com, The700Level.com, Yahoo! Sports, Philly.com, Phillies Nation, True Blue LA and NESN.com
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
The baseball side of Tucson tragedy
The baseball side of Tucson tragedy
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MetsBlog.com, Mets Fever and ESPN
Mike Silva / Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest:
Pearlman Discusses HOF Vote, Bagwell, Piazza on Radio — Last night, Jeff Pearlman of Sports Illustrated joined me to discuss his controversial comments regarding steroids and Jeff Bagwell. — One of the points that Jeff made, and I agree with, is how MLB hasn't provided direction …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Dan Connolly / Orioles Insider:
Simon's agent: Witnesses will testify that the Orioles pitcher did not fire fatal shot — The agent for Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon said there are several witnesses in the Dominican Republic who are willing to come forward and testify that the pitcher could not have fired the fatal bullet …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Fanhouse MLB Blog
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Carl Crawford driven to Sox — HOUSTON — When he learned the parameters of the contract offer from the Red Sox [team stats], Carl Crawford nearly crashed his Range Rover. — It was the night of Dec. 8, and Crawford was driving along one of Houston's many freeways when he took a call …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball, baseballmusings.com and HardballTalk
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Astros Acquire Sergio Escalona — The Astros acquired left-hander Sergio Escalona from the Phillies for minor league second baseman Albert Cartwright, according to the teams. The Phillies designated Escalona for assignment over the weekend to make room for J.C. Romero.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Bartolo Colon struggling this winter — Former major league pitchers Raul Valdes and Bartolo Colon are going opposite ways in the round robin semifinal in the Dominican Republic winter league. While Cuban born Valdes is doing very well, Colon has not had good outings so far.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
New York Magazine:
The Greatest Athlete: “Is Derek Jeter Such a Bad Defender That He's a Bad Player?” — Ruth seems like a sure victor, but for his weight. Ewing suffers, unfairly? And one participant mourns the absence of an eighties fan favorite. — Yogi Berra, 1955. … Al Leiter: Lawrence Taylor was this guy who transcended his sport.
Doug Padilla / ESPN:
Source: White Sox sign two pitchers — Add two more names to the list of pitchers that will have a chance to earn their way onto the White Sox's 2011 pitching staff. — According to a major league source, the White Sox have agreed on minor league contracts with right-handers Josh Kinney and Shane Lindsay.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and Chicago Breaking Sports
Joey Matschulat / Baseball Time in Arlington:
The Trade That Didn't Happen — This past weekend may have comprised the rare and unusual off-season Rangers trade (one which saw recently DFA'd Guillermo Moscoso shipped to Oakland in exchange for minor league power reliever Ryan Kelly, who may not ever contribute to the Rangers' bullpen …
Discussion:
ESPN
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman thinks Tampa Bay Rays asking price for pitcher Matt Garza was too high — The Yankees talked to the Rays about recently traded pitcher Matt Garza this winter, but GM Brian Cashman determined quickly that Tampa Bay's price tag would be too high for the righty who was dealt to the Cubs last week.
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily, River Avenue Blues, The LoHud Yankees Blog, MLB Rumors and Bombers Beat
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Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays finalize trade sending Matt Garza to Chicago Cubs …
Tampa Bay Rays finalize trade sending Matt Garza to Chicago Cubs …
Discussion:
Chicago Sun Times, The LoHud Yankees Blog and HardballTalk
Tom Haudricourt / Baseball America:
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe) — When the Brewers reached the playoffs in 2008—their lone postseason appearance in the last 28 years—they had their farm system to thank. It produced a largely homegrown lineup led by Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder …
Bill Center / SignOnSanDiego.com:
Gwynn on the mend, eyes return to coaching — Tony Gwynn is planning to return to his coaching and commentary duties soon after completing eight weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer. — Gwynn has also been undergoing a rehab program for back problems.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Gaslamp Ball and ESPN.com
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
Forecasting Cooperstown's future — It's all over except for the inducting. — After another year of debate, arguments, and anticipation, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced that Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar will join Cooperstown's halls this year (just like I predicted!).