Top News:
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Agree To Sign Rafael Soriano — The Yankees have agreed to terms with Rafael Soriano, reports SI.com's Jon Heyman (all Twitter links). The deal is believed to be worth $35MM over three years, and will allow the player to opt out after either of the first two years.
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ESPN:
Source: Rafael Soriano, Yanks agree … The New York Yankees have agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal with reliever Rafael Soriano, a source confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com. — Soriano will be an eighth-inning setup man for longtime closer Mariano Rivera. — Soriano must still pass a physical to complete the contract.
Discussion:
Replacement Level …, NoMaas.org and YFSF
Drew Silva / HardballTalk:
Yankees agree to deal with Rafael Soriano — Brian Cashman sure slow-played this one. — Despite insisting last week that the Yankees would not surrender their first round pick in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft in order to sign a remaining Type A free agent, the Bombers agreed to terms on Thursday night with reliever Rafael Soriano.
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Nice work by Scott Boras on the Rafael Soriano deal — The Rafael Soriano deal represents some pretty sweet work by Scott Boras. Not just the in the sell-ice-to-Eskimos sense — the Yankees already have a pretty decent bullpen ace — but also in its structure.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Subway Squawkers
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Yankees add Soriano to bullpen with 3-year deal — The New York Yankees have agreed to a three-year deal with All-Star reliever Rafael Soriano and plan to use him as a setup man in front of Mariano Rivera. The contract is worth about $35 million. — Rivera recently signed a two-year deal …
Joe Pawlikowski / River Avenue Blues:
With endgame in place, Yanks need to work on opening — When the Yankees had a lead to start the eighth inning last season, they went 80-7. Two of those leads were blown in the ninth, so the Yankees lost five leads during the eighth inning. They were also 5-4 when tied after seven.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, TYU, Yankeeist, MLB Rumors, Respect Jeter's Gangster and BronxBanterBlog.com
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.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, baseballmusings.com, Inside the Colorado Rockies, Yankeeist and Associated Press
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Previewing The Market For Prince Fielder — Earlier today we heard from Scott Boras, who is still trying to find a job for three of his highest profile clients this offseason. His biggest client next offseason, both literally and figuratively, will be Prince Fielder of the Brewers.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and JSOnline
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Scott Boras' big names need homes
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and South Side Sox
Bill Center / SignOnSanDiego.com:
Padres close to adding C Gregg Zaun, RHP Chad Qualls — The Padres are close to signing a paid of veteran free agent reserves - catcher Gregg Zaun and right-handed reliever Chad Qualls. — Zaun, who turns 40 April 19, would join Rob Johnson and Guillermo Quiroz in the competition for the No. catching job behind Nick Hundley.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Padres Close To Deal With Chad Qualls
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Fanhouse MLB Blog
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals look to replace Harris on bench — WASHINGTON — Utility player Willie Harris is not expected to return to the Nationals. Instead, he will sign with another Major League club as early as this week, according to a baseball source. — Two big league teams have made Harris an offer.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer and MLB Rumors
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Fox Sports:
Which records are in jeopardy in 2011? — Chipper Jones is on pace to reach several milestones this season. — Dayn Perry is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com. His second book, “Reggie Jackson: The Life and Thunderous Career of Baseball's Mr. October,” is available from HarperCollins Publishers.
Dan McGrath / New York Times:
Sandberg, Spurned by Cubs, Moves On — A Cubs Convention without Ryne Sandberg is almost unfathomable, like Wrigley Field without ivy-covered outfield walls or cold beer. — But as past, present and all other things Cub are celebrated this weekend at the Chicago Hilton, Sandberg …
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions: Jan. 1-10 — Lefty reliever Mariano Gomez, 28, has decent secondary stuff but no overpowering pitch, despite a 6-foot-6, 240-pound build. As a member of the Braves' Gwinnett affiliate, he held Triple-A lefties to a .234/.302/.351 batting line in '10. — Florida Marlins
Discussion:
Texas Rangers
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Pedro Martinez keeping busy — Ex-Sox ace may pitch — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — While he tries to figure out if he really wants to pitch or retire, Pedro Martinez is moving ahead with plans that will keep him plenty busy long after he does hang up his spikes.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Wells admits he got ‘too big for my britches’ — Pitcher apologizes for disappointing sophomore season — Sean Marshall, Koyii Hill, Darwin Barney and Jay Jackson entertain kids at Mt. Carmel Academy. (José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune / January 12, 2011)
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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