Top News:
Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers, outfielder Marcus Thames agree on a deal — He's likely to platoon in left field with Jay Gibbons. Club is also close to signing outfielder Gabe Kapler. — Staff and wire reports — The Dodgers went into spring training last year with Manny Ramirez in left field …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Dylan Hernandez / Dodgers Blog:
Dodgers reach agreement with Marcus Thames, close to signing Gabe Kapler — The Dodgers are close to making some modest upgrades to their outfield, as they have agreed to terms on a deal with Marcus Thames and are close to signing Gabe Kapler to a minor league contract.
Discussion:
ESPN, Bronx Baseball Daily, Fanhouse MLB Blog and MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
Report: Mets agree to deal with Young — NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says right-hander Chris Young has agreed to a contract with the New York Mets, pending a physical. — Mets at a glance — The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Mets and Chris Young have AGREED to a deal
Mets and Chris Young have AGREED to a deal
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, NY Daily News and Kranepool Society
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Source: Chris Young, Mets close
Source: Chris Young, Mets close
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Yahoo! Sports, Amazin' Avenue, Mets Merized Online, MLB Rumors and MetsBlog.com
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Young, Mets agree, pending physical
Young, Mets agree, pending physical
Discussion:
HardballTalk, New York Post, Mets Merized Online, Bats, MLB Rumors and OnTheBlack.com
Sports Illustrated:
Jon Heyman>DAILY SCOOP — More ColumnsEmail Jon HeymanFollow Jon Heyman on — Cardinals may not offer Pujols an A-Rod deal (cont.) — Yankees won't be Sori about big set-up expense — The Yankees gave Rafael Soriano a $35-million, three-year contract with two opt-out options to be their set-up man.
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily, It's About The Money, River Avenue Blues and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
New York Yankees exec: Rafael Soriano issue not bad for Brian Cashman
New York Yankees exec: Rafael Soriano issue not bad for Brian Cashman
Discussion:
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …, NESN.com and Yankees Daily
ESPN:
Sources: New York Yankees lead chase for OF Andruw Jones
Sources: New York Yankees lead chase for OF Andruw Jones
Discussion:
New York Post, Pinstripe Alley and The Captain's Blog
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
New York Yankees less confident Andy Pettitte will return next …
New York Yankees less confident Andy Pettitte will return next …
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily and NESN.com
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
What Is Tom Gorzelanny? — After picking up Matt Garza from Tampa Bay, the Cubs were widely expected to trade Tom Gorzelanny in order to free up a spot in the rotation for their newly acquired starter. Today, that expectation became reality, as they shipped Gorzelanny to the Nationals for a trio of prospects.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment, NATIONALS NEWS NETWORK, NATS INSIDER and Mr. Irrelevant …
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats acquire lefty Gorzelanny from Cubs
Nats acquire lefty Gorzelanny from Cubs
Discussion:
Nationals Inquisition, Federal Baseball and Nationals Baseball
Pat Lackey / Fanhouse MLB Blog:
Report: Cubs Trade Tom Gorzelanny to Nationals for Prospects
Report: Cubs Trade Tom Gorzelanny to Nationals for Prospects
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America and baseballmusings.com
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Votto, Lozano Make Smart Deal — Joey Votto has nothing to lose. He and agent Dan Lozano avoided arbitration and worked out a deal with the Reds that's worth $38MM in guaranteed money. And Votto doesn't hit free agency a minute later than he was originally scheduled to.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
RELATED:
Jim Reeves / ESPN:
Rafael Palmeiro doesn't pass the test — It would be nice to ignore steroid controversy in HOF voting, but it would be wrong — For years, Rafael Palmeiro ducked the phone calls, ignored the messages, stayed out of the public eye and hoped that perhaps people would forgive and forget.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score and HardballTalk
Adam Kilgore / Nationals Journal:
Nationals avoid arbitration with Doug Slaten, Michael Morse — The Nationals avoided an arbitration hearing with left-handed reliever Doug Slaten by reaching an agreement on a one-year contract worth $695,000 plus incentives, according to a league source. Slaten will make a $5,000 bonus once …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
Adam Kilgore / Nationals Journal:
Nationals avoid arbitration with John Lannan
Jayson Stark / MLB:
MLB: Most creative contract clauses of offseason — Many contracts signed this offseason are filled with the most imaginative clauses — Always check out the small print. — If your mom and dad never told you that, once upon a time, then hopefully your lawyer did. — Why?
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays avoid arbitration with B.J. Upton — ST. PETERSBURG — Centerfielder B.J. Upton went through the untoward experience of an arbitration hearing — and an unsuccessful one at that — last year. So given the opportunity by the Rays to avoid another and get a healthy raise in the process …
Discussion:
Projo Sox Blog
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays avoid arbitration, sign Upton for $4.825
Rays avoid arbitration, sign Upton for $4.825
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Galarraga agrees to one-year deal with Tigers — DETROIT — The Tigers will go another winter without an arbitration hearing, continuing their streak by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with right-hander Armando Galarraga. — The deal, announced on Tuesday, is reportedly worth $2.3 million …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Ted Berg: Mets are going to sign Scott Hairston — Hairston, 30, hit .210 with a .295 OBP, 10 HR, 36 RBI and 6 stolen bases in 104 games for the Padres last season. In his seven-year career, he's played all three outfield positions and second base. — He's a decent player …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg continues rehab from surgery — IN SAN DIEGO Stephen Strasburg, the pitcher whose brilliance last summer grabbed baseball by the throat, has not grabbed a baseball in months. Some 150 days have passed since Strasburg picked up a ball …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and William World News
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Bautista the big question mark as arbitration deadline looms — On the eve of baseball's deadline for the exchange of arbitration numbers, right-handers Casey Janssen, Shawn Camp and Jesse Litsch agreed to terms on one-year contracts with the Jays for 2011. — Janssen, 29, settled on a $1.095 million (all figures U.S.) contract.
Myron Logan / Hardball Times:
Five winning moves of the offseason — With most major transactions likely complete, it's as good a time as any to take a look at some of the best moves of the 2010-2011 offseason. In no particular order: — 1) Boston Red Sox acquire Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego Padres …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Yahoo! Sports:
Rauch, Janssen agree with Blue Jays — has agreed to a $3.75 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Casey Janssen — has settled his salary arbitration case. — Rauch, a free agent, gets one-year contract worth $3.75 million under Monday's agreement.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Blue Jays Sign Jon Rauch
Blue Jays Sign Jon Rauch
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Yahoo! Sports
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Indians, Cabrera agree, avoid arbitration — CLEVELAND — The Indians settled on a one-year contract with Asdrubal Cabrera on Monday night, avoiding arbitration with the shortstop. The deal is worth $2.025 million. — The pact comes one day prior to the deadline for clubs …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Let's Go Tribe!