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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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:
Boston Globe, Bats, baseballmusings.com and Subway Squawkers
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.
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
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Yankees agree to terms with Soriano
Yankees agree to terms with Soriano
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs, Pinstripe Alley and FenwayNationWorld
Joe Pawlikowski / River Avenue Blues:
With endgame in place, Yanks need to work on opening
With endgame in place, Yanks need to work on opening
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, TYU, Pinstriped Bible …, Yankeeist, MLB Rumors, Respect Jeter's Gangster and BronxBanterBlog.com
NY Daily News:
Rafael Soriano agrees to 3-year, $35 million deal with Yankees …
Rafael Soriano agrees to 3-year, $35 million deal with Yankees …
Discussion:
New York Times, Red Sox Monster and Deadspin
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Yankees add Soriano to bullpen with 3-year deal
Yankees add Soriano to bullpen with 3-year deal
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Red Sox Beacon, USA Today, New Jersey Online 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.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, USA Today, baseballmusings.com, MLB Daily Dish, 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:
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Inbox: How do the Mets value Pagan?
Inbox: How do the Mets value Pagan?
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Mack's Mets
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
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 …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors, baseballmusings.com, AaronGleeman.com, Lone Star Ball and Fanhouse MLB Blog
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:
MLB Rumors, Yahoo! Sports and River Avenue Blues
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
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 …
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.
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
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
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
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