Top News:
Mike Axisa / River Avenue Blues:
What's the excuse now? — In the unlikely event that you missed it last night, the Yankees have agreed to a contract with free agent reliever Rafael Soriano. I'm not a fan of the deal at all but I'm not here to talk about that. Instead I want to rant about a member of the pitching staff directly impacted …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, lenNY's Yankees, Yankeeist and baseballmusings.com
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Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Mariano Rivera saved the Yanks ... again — Sales job on management may have given Bombers some valuable peace of mind — Mariano Rivera ended the 2010 baseball season with 559 career saves. — As he prepares to begins the 2011 season, his total now stands at 560.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Sliding Into Home and River Avenue Blues
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Nice work by Scott Boras on the Rafael Soriano deal
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Boston Globe, Subway Squawkers, Bats and baseballmusings.com
Buster Olney / ESPN:
For Yankees, a potent arm, a puzzling deal
Discussion:
TYU, HardballTalk and Zell's Pinstripe Blog
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Yankees agree to terms with Soriano
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, SOX & Dawgs and FenwayNationWorld
NY Daily News:
Rafael Soriano agrees to 3-year, $35 million deal with Yankees …
Discussion:
New York Times, Deadspin and Red Sox Monster
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Yankees add Soriano to bullpen with 3-year deal
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Projo Sox Blog, Red Sox Beacon, USA Today and New York Yankees Fan Blog
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Jeff Francis, Royals agree — Free-agent pitcher Jeff Francis has reached agreement on a one-year, guaranteed deal with the Kansas City Royals, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — The contract is pending completion of a physical exam, the source said. — Terms weren't immediately available.
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Oakland Athletics add Grant Balfour to bullpen, sources say — The Oakland Athletics have agreed on a two-year, $8.1 million deal with reliever Grant Balfour, sources familiar with the negotiations told ESPN.com. — The contract also includes a club option for 2013.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Associated Press:
AP Source: A's Agree to Terms With RHP Balfour — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have agreed to terms with free agent right-handed reliever Grant Balfour on an $8.1 million, two-year deal. — A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the deal to The Associated Press …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
A's To Sign Grant Balfour
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog and River Avenue Blues
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Third annual NatsFest set for March 30 — WASHINGTON — The Nationals will host the annual NatsFest at Nationals Park on March 30 so that more fans can celebrate the beginning of baseball alongside players, coaches and team personnel. This move will offer fans access to a fun-filled festival featuring …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Rizzo confident in Nats' stable of pitchers — WASHINGTON — Published reports have indicated that the Nationals are trying to acquire free-agent right-hander Chris Young. Not true, according to a baseball source, who declined to say why the club doesn't have interest.
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Source: Mets to ink Willie Harris — Longtime Mets nemesis Willie Harris is likely bringing his glove to New York. — Harris, 32, intends to sign a one-year, minor league contract with an invitation to Mets spring training, a baseball source told ESPNNewYork.com.
Discussion:
Kranepool Society
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Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Previewing The Market For Prince Fielder
Discussion:
JSOnline and MetsBlog.com
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Inbox: How do the Mets value Pagan?
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Mack's Mets
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Twins re-sign Jim Thome to one-year, $3 million contract — After flirting with the Rangers while searching for a multi-year deal, Jim Thome has returned to the Twins on a one-year contract. — According to Kelly Thesier of MLB.com he'll get $3 million in guaranteed money …
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Gregg excited about O's despite undefined role — Free agent signs two-year deal, but not guaranteed closer's job — Why did Kevin Gregg choose to sign with the Orioles this offseason? The 32-year-old reliever immediately cited two specific reasons during a Friday morning conference call.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Mike Sielski / Wall Street Journal:
No More Fear of the Phillies — J.P. Ricciardi came to the Mets …
Discussion:
Crashburn Alley
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
New York Mets lefty Johan Santana OK'd to throw after surgery — NEW YORK — Johan Santana has been given the green light to begin a throwing program as he continues rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. — The team has not set a timetable for his return, but manager Terry Collins …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Detroit Tigers bump Zumaya's pay after limited season — DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $1.4 million, one-year contract with reliever Joel Zumaya, a raise of $485,000. — Zumaya — Zumaya was limited to 31 games last year, when he fractured his elbow in late June.
Discussion:
TigerBlog
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Autonomy, meddling and media — So, I assume we will now get endless reports and talk-radio babble about autonomy and ‘meddling,’ right? Or, is that only when talking about the Mets?
