Top News:
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
All-time saves leader Hoffman retires — Closer finishes stellar 18-year career with 601 saves — Trevor Hoffman, certainly the top National League closer of his era, has decided to retire, ending his stellar 18-year career, he told MLB.com in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Fanhouse MLB Blog, Gaslamp Ball, Fish Tank, Yahoo! Sports, USA Today, baseballmusings.com, MLB Rumors, Brew Beat and Yahoo! Sports
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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Selig: No expansion of playoffs, replay this year — PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — As owners and general managers prepared to gather this week for their first meetings of the new year, Commissioner Bud Selig told MLB.com that the playoffs and instant replay won't be expanded this coming season.
Discussion:
Bats, HardballTalk, Beyond the Box Score and Fanhouse MLB Blog
MLB:
Trevor Hoffman retiring — Trevor Hoffman, the Major League Baseball leader in saves, has decided to retire, the Beverly Hills Sports Council, who represents Hoffman, confirmed Tuesday. — Hoffman ends his 18-year career with an all-time record 601 saves, 41 ahead of New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera, who is in second place with 559.
Discussion:
BronxBanterBlog.com
Associated Press:
Tigers, Penny reach one-year, $3 million deal — NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiation tells The Associated Press that right-hander Brad Penny has agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers. — The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement hasn't been announced.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and baseballmusings.com
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Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
Source: Tigers, Brad Penny close to deal
Source: Tigers, Brad Penny close to deal
Discussion:
Beck's Blog, MLB Rumors, Bless You Boys, MetsBlog.com, Yahoo! Sports and HardballTalk
MLB:
Sources: Brad Penny, Tigers agree
Sources: Brad Penny, Tigers agree
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, 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:
It's About The Money, HardballTalk and Twinkie Town
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Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Could Lew Wolff end up owning the Dodgers?
Could Lew Wolff end up owning the Dodgers?
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Mets Interested in Dave Bush for Rotation — In seven big league seasons with the Blue Jays and Brewers, Dave Bush has appeared in 193 games, making 184 starts, and is 56-68 with a 4.66 ERA in 1104 innings. — He went 8-13 with a 4.54 ERA in 31 starts and one relief appearance in 2010 …
Discussion:
Tedquarters and Mets Merized Online
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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, Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk and Can't Stop The Bleeding
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 …
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Breaking down CarGo's new contract with Rockies — Time to fill in the blanks. Or more specifically, the numbers after the decimal point in the new seven-year, $80-million contract for Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. — I have previously posted the signing bonus of $3 million …
Discussion:
Purple Row, HardballTalk and Fanhouse MLB Blog
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Amaro Talks Blanton, Durbin and Manuel's Contract — Ruben Amaro Jr. sounds pretty comfortable with the 59 players he has coming to Spring Training next month. — He has been shopping and continues shopping Joe Blanton, who will make $17 million over the next two seasons, although he said this week he does not have to shed payroll.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Mets To Sign Taylor Tankersley — The Mets have reached agreement on a minor league deal with left-handed reliever Taylor Tankersley, according to Dave Gershman of the SPANdemonium blog. MLBTR has confirmed the agreement, which includes a Spring Training invitation.
Discussion:
SPANdemonium, Mets Fever and Mike Silva's …
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
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
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.