Top News:
The Knobler Blog:
Did Lee damage Yankees — and front office? — It's no surprise to hear someone say the Yankees overpaid for a free agent. — But it sure is a little strange when that someone is the general manager of the Yankees. — That would be the same general manager of the Yankees who joked …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, baseballmusings.com, BronxBanterBlog.com, Boston Globe and FenwayNationWorld
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Mark Viera / Bats:
Cashman Explains Stance as Yanks Introduce Soriano
Cashman Explains Stance as Yanks Introduce Soriano
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and NotGraphs Baseball
Ken Rosenthal / mlbbuzz:
Sources: Pavano “seriously considered” Yankees
Sources: Pavano “seriously considered” Yankees
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, ESPN, Subway Squawkers, Bronx Baseball Daily, MLB Rumors, TYU and The Sommer Frieze
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Soriano ‘happy to be close to greatest closer’
Soriano ‘happy to be close to greatest closer’
Discussion:
The Captain's Blog, It's About The Money and Sliding Into Home
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Reyes likes NYC, but no contract during season — Yesterday at Citi Field, Jose Reyes told reporters he is not interested in talking about his contract during the season. — “I want to be focused trying to help this team win,” he explained. “I just want to play baseball for now.”
Discussion:
New York Post
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Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
It's wait and see for Jose Reyes, Mets — NEW YORK - The enthusiasm was real and familiar, with Jose Reyes seeming as if he was ready to begin spring training Wednesday morning as he excitedly spoke first to a group of fifth- and sixth-grade kids and then to the media.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Projo Sox Blog
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Boston Red Sox's Adrian Gonzalez has first catch after surgery
Boston Red Sox's Adrian Gonzalez has first catch after surgery
Discussion:
Red Sox Beacon, Sox #1 Fan dot com, Boston Globe and HardballTalk
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Twins Agree To Terms With Carl Pavano — The Twins have agreed to terms with right-hander Carl Pavano on a two-year, $16.5MM contract, according to a team press release. Pavano will earn $8MM next season and $8.5MM in 2012, plus an extra $500K should he reach certain incentive clauses.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town and HardballTalk
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Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Prospect Watch: Top 10 second basemen — Mariners' Ackley leads a diverse group at the position … The term “natural second baseman” doesn't come up very often. It's not that it never happens, but it's more than common to see any list of second-base prospects consist of shortstops …
Discussion:
Mariners blog
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Green shares approach in upcoming book — Former Dodgers slugger puts baseball philosophy on paper — LOS ANGELES — Shawn Green spoke to Dodgers prospects at last week's winter development camp, but he also spoke with new manager Don Mattingly, a conversation delayed by 15 years.
Fox Sports:
A's need to get moving or else — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since August 2005. He appears weekly on MLB on FOX. Follow him on Twitter. — Free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre was the player the A's wanted most this offseason.
Dave Gershman / Beyond the Box Score:
Who Gets the Scoop? Major League Reporters, Ranked. — Ever wonder if there were standings ranking America's best baseball reporters? — Wonder no more. This actually took a few hours, but I've compiled the standings of Major League deals broken to the public by reporter by scouring MLBTR …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …, THE BOOK and Lookout Landing
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Executive excellence — Lucchino worthy of Fuchs Award — You know the best thing you can say about Larry Lucchino in his role as CEO of the Red Sox? He sticks up for his organization. — Whether it's challenging agents like Scott Boras, or defending the team's name nationally …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER:
Rizzo on Gorzelanny, Hairston — It's turned into a busy day in NatsTown. Actually, it's been a busy week already, with the Tom Gorzelanny trade (which was officially announced this afternoon) and the signings of Jerry Hairston, Todd Coffey and Alex Cora.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Nationals Journal, Nats320 and The Goessling Game
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Padres Agree To Terms With Chad Qualls — The Padres have agreed to terms with right-hander Chad Qualls, according to a team press release. The contract is for one year with a team option for 2012. Qualls will earn $1.5MM next season and it will cost the Padres $1.05MM to buy out the 2012 option …
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, HardballTalk and Yahoo! Sports
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Mariners to use committee to fill Niehaus' spot — At least five announcers will rotate after Hall of Famer's passing — SEATTLE — The Mariners have made a decision on how best to replace Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus, with the answer being to use a group of familiar personalities …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, ESPN, Lookout Landing and Mariners blog
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions: Jan. 11-17 — Arizona Diamondbacks — Atlanta Braves — Baltimore Orioles — Boston Red Sox — Jon Still spent all of last season on the inactive list. A fourth-round pick in '06, he batted .233/.301/.416 for Double-A Portland in '09. — Chicago Cubs
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Talking Chop