Top News:
NY Daily News:
Madden: Yanks could be Sori about new reliever — As a mostly unremarkable baseball winter (at least in New York) winds down to the one-dimensional DH market, last week was a transient one for premier closers with Trevor Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, moving out, and Rafael Soriano …
Discussion:
It's About The Money and DRaysBay
RELATED:
NY Daily News:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman overruled by Hank, Hal Steinbrenner in Rafael Soriano signing, source says — The Yankees made a hairpin turn when they decided Thursday to sign All-Star closer Rafael Soriano to become a set-up man and perhaps their closer-in-waiting.
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Yanks suddenly AL East favorites again — The addition of Rafael Soriano makes the Bronx Bombers the champs of the offseason — If it were possible to win a division in January, then the Yankees would be American League East champions today. — That's how good a pickup Rafael Soriano looks …
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online and Over the Monster
MLB:
Sources: Joey Votto gets $38M deal — The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a three-year, $38 million deal with first baseman Joey Votto, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Sunday. — The deal is pending a physical, which is scheduled for Monday, the sources said.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Chicago Breaking Sports
RELATED:
Marksheldon / Mark My Word:
Votto agrees to three-year deal — This just in — the Reds and Joey Votto have agreed to terms Sunday on a three-year, $38 million contract with 1B Joey Votto, baseball sources told MLB.com. This is pending a physical, which is scheduled for Monday. — This would cover all three …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds reward MVP Votto with three-year deal — CINCINNATI — The Reds on Sunday agreed to terms on a three-year, $38 million contract with first baseman and National League Most Valuable Player Joey Votto, baseball sources told MLB.com. — The contract, which would avoid arbitration …
Associated Press:
Pujols tight-lipped on contract talks … ST. LOUIS (AP) — Albert Pujols repeatedly has said he wants to spend his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals. The odds of that happening are anyone's guess at this point. — Pujols declined Sunday to provide any kind of update on negotiations …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and MLB
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals set to sign infielder Ramon Vazquez
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
T.J. Simers / Los Angeles Times:
Alliance between Fox and Frank McCourt spells trouble for Dodgers — Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, right, greets former owner Peter O'Malley at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena before the unveiling of a plaque honoring Walter O'Malley, the former owner who moved the team from Brooklyn to L.A. …
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Fox advances Frank McCourt money to help cover Dodgers' operating expenses
Discussion:
VIN SCULLY IS MY HOMEBOY, True Blue LA and HardballTalk
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Franklin says he wants to pitch beyond 2011 — ST. LOUIS — Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin does not see 2011 like he once did — as a farewell tour before ending his career at the end of his current contract. — He sees no reason to walk away that soon. — “I've done a lot of that …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Gil Lebreton / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rafeal Palmeiro deserves to be in Hall of Fame — During his blessed 27-year reign as head of the Roman Catholic Church, the late Pope John Paul II personally canonized 482 into the ranks of sainthood. — During the same term, 1978-2005, the Baseball Hall of Fame added 79.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Zachary Levine / Houston Chronicle:
Astros' first-round pick arrested in Georgia — DeShields Jr. released on $2,500 bail for the three misdemeanors — Astros first-round draft pick Delino DeShields Jr. was arrested in Athens-Clarke County, Ga., and charged with DUI, underage possession of alcohol and a traffic violation early today, according to jail records.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
MLB.com:
Cubs to honor Ron Santo with statue at Wrigley Field, uniform patch throughout 2011 season — Statue to be unveiled on “Ron Santo Day” - August 10 — The Chicago Cubs today announced the organization will honor Ron Santo with a statue of his likeness, only the fourth of its kind at Wrigley Field …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, HardballTalk and Yahoo! Sports
