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:
River Avenue Blues, The LoHud Yankees Blog, It's About The Money, FanGraphs Baseball, dockoftherays.com, ESPN, Pinstripe Alley, Baseball Prospectus, Rays Index, Sox #1 Fan dot com, newyorkstateofsports.com, Amazin' Avenue, Mets Merized Online, DRaysBay, Sox Machine and BronxBanterBlog.com
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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, Sports Illustrated, Bats, baseballmusings.com and Subway Squawkers
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.
Mike Axisa / River Avenue Blues:
What's the excuse now? — In the unlikely event that you missed …
Discussion:
lenNY's Yankees, baseballmusings.com and HardballTalk
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
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
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 …
Discussion:
New York Times, Red Sox Monster and Deadspin
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
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
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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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals look to replace Harris on bench
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and The Nationals Enquirer
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
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
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?
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.
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
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
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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
