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.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, River Avenue Blues, The LoHud Yankees Blog, FanGraphs Baseball, It's About The Money, Pinstripe Alley, ESPN, Amazin' Avenue, Sox #1 Fan dot com, Baseball Prospectus, Rays Index, newyorkstateofsports.com, DRaysBay, Mets Merized Online, Sox Machine, Mike Silva's … and BronxBanterBlog.com
RELATED:
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:
NoMaas.org, Replacement Level … 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
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, Respect Jeter's Gangster, MLB Rumors 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 and Yankeeist
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
RELATED:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Scott Boras' big names need homes
Scott Boras' big names need homes
Discussion:
MLB, MLB Rumors, Twinkie Town, HardballTalk and South Side Sox
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 …
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
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Padres Close To Deal With Chad Qualls
Padres Close To Deal With Chad Qualls
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Fanhouse MLB Blog
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
One billion seconds since an odd story began... At some point today, probably around 8:50 p.m. Central Standard Time, it'll be one billion seconds since the beginning of one of baseball's nastiest beanball incidents. You can't quite call it a beanball war, as this was pretty one-sided.
Discussion:
TigerBlog
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:
MLB Rumors and The Nationals Enquirer
RELATED:
Patrick Sullivan / Baseball Analysts:
Bobby Jenks & Kyle Farnsworth — Well, this is post number two this week provoked by Dave Cameron's writing. The funny thing is that I really liked both pieces. I touched on a subtle point about tone with regard to defense and Wins Above Replacement on Wednesday. This morning, I want to address Dave's latest.
Discussion:
THE BOOK
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
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