Top News:
Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
Source: Tigers, Brad Penny close to deal — The Detroit Tigers are on the verge of signing free-agent starter Brad Penny to a one-year, $3 million contract, a major-league source told FOXSports.com early Tuesday morning. — Penny, 32, will have the chance to earn more through incentives.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Yahoo! Sports, Beck's Blog, HardballTalk, Bless You Boys, MetsBlog.com and Projo Sox Blog
RELATED:
MLB:
Sources: Brad Penny, Tigers agree — The Detroit Tigers and free-agent right-hander Brad Penny have agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million, plus $3 million in incentives, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. — Penny is recovering from an upper-back injury that limited him to just nine starts in 2009.
Discussion:
The Detroit Tiger Weblog and NESN.com
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers, Penny come to terms on one-year deal
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Leaders of the youth movement — Craig Kimbrel participated in the union's seminars over the past week, a means for educating young players like the Braves' reliever. They talked about dealing with the media, the good and bad of social media, investing money, that sort of thing.
Discussion:
Memories Of Kevin Malone, HardballTalk, It's About The Money and Twinkie Town
RELATED:
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Could Lew Wolff end up owning the Dodgers? — There's an interesting — but troubling — musing in Buster Olney's latest column. First Olney notes that Frank McCourt is in dire financial straits — no surprise — but then speculates about one possible outcome:
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and VIN SCULLY IS MY HOMEBOY
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: New York Yankees step up pursuit of Justin Duchscherer — The New York Yankees, still in the market for pitching help, are stepping up their pursuit of free agent Justin Duchscherer, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — Duchscherer, 33, has a career record of 33-25 with a 3.13 ERA …
Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
Benson says he's done pitching — In 1996, the Pittsburgh Pirates made Kris Benson the No. 1 overall pick in baseball's amateur draft. Within four years, he had thrown more than 400 innings in the majors and appeared on his way to realizing much of the potential he showed as a star at Clemson University.
Discussion:
Fanhouse MLB Blog, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Kris Benson to Retire from Baseball
Amanda Covarrubias / L.A. NOW:
Lenny Dykstra accused of sexual assault by housekeeper; no charges filed — Former pro baseball player Lenny Dykstra's housekeeper accused him of sexual assault, according to records, though prosecutors declined to file charges this month citing a lack of evidence.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and HardballTalk
Bailey Stephens / MLB.com:
Cubs claim catcher Ramirez from Red Sox — The Cubs added some catching depth on Monday, claiming Max Ramirez off waivers from the Red Sox. — Ramirez, who is out of Minor League options, is on the move again after he was just claimed by the Red Sox off waivers from the Rangers on Jan. 5.
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Gedman happy to be back with Red Sox
Gedman happy to be back with Red Sox
Discussion:
Surviving Grady and NESN.com
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Left-hander Hideki Okajima, Boston Red Sox complete deal
Left-hander Hideki Okajima, Boston Red Sox complete deal
Discussion:
NESN.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo! Sports
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Rothschild Yankees' only coaching change — NEW YORK — The Yankees have finalized their coaching staff for the 2011 season, and they announced on Tuesday that five members will return to their respective positions. — Mike Harkey, Mick Kelleher, Kevin Long, Tony Pena and Rob Thomson …
Jonah Keri / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Success Cycle is Full of Crap — We're pleased to welcome our newest addition to the FanGraphs team - Jonah Keri. You may be familiar with his work, as he's written for every publication known to man. We're thrilled that he's going to be writing for us going forward.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and DRaysBay
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Angels, Callaspo Avoid Arbitration — The Angels agreed to a one-year contract with Alberto Callaspo, avoiding arbitration, according to the team. The sides agreed to a $2MM deal, according to the AP (via the Miami Herald). The 27-year-old was arbitration eligible for the first time.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Fox Sports:
AL MVP Josh Hamilton hospitalized with pneumonia — AL MVP Josh Hamilton has been hospitalized with pneumonia. — The Texas Rangers disclosed his condition Tuesday and said Hamilton was diagnosed with an early case Monday. The team expects the hospital to release him by Wednesday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Ken / Red Reporter:
Red Reporter Talks With Sean Casey — The Mayor celebrates a Home Run. via a.espncdn.com … Ken: How did you get involved with the MLBN and how do you like it so far? — Sean Casey: I was playing with the Red Sox in 2008 when we played the Rays [in the ALCS]. Harold Reynolds was working for TBS for the playoffs.
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds
MLB.com:
Date announced for 7th annual Subway FanFest — Record 41 D-backs Players, Coaches, Broadcasters & Alumni to Attend Event at Chase Field on Feb. 12 — (PHOENIX) - The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they will host the seventh annual SUBWAY® D-backs FanFest on Feb. 12 to the general public …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
Lance Williams / California Watch:
On day he homered, Bonds allegedly used banned drugs — On April 8, 2003, San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds hit his 616th career home run - a bases-empty shot that provided the only real excitement for local fans in a 9-4 loss to the visiting San Diego Padres.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds make Renteria deal official, sign Lewis — World Series MVP's one-year pact worth up to $3 million — CINCINNATI — A busy January continued for the Reds on Monday as they checked another item off the wish list by signing outfielder Fred Lewis to a one-year contract worth $900,000.
Discussion:
Red Hot Mama, Batter's Box Interactive …, Fanhouse MLB Blog and Mark My Word
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Reds Sign Fred Lewis
Reds Sign Fred Lewis
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Chris Sabo's Goggles