Top News:
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
Reds. Volquez close to a deal — A couple of things from today's caravan stop at Great American: —Walt Jocketty said he expects to have a one-year deal wrapped up with Edinson Volquez this weekend. The Reds tried to get a multiyear deal done but Volquez wanted a one-year.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, HardballTalk, SBNation.com, MLB Rumors, Chicago Breaking Sports and Red Reporter
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Dan Mennella / MLB Rumors:
Jim Edmonds Likely To Retire — Jim Edmonds is probably going to retire, according to Reds GM Walt Jocketty, blogs John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. — Edmonds has been contemplating whether he'd return in 2011 after playing well (.276/.342/.504) in 86 games with the Brewers and Reds in 2010.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Mets will host 2013 All-Star Game … The Mets will host the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field, people with knowledge of the situation told SI.com. — While the decision isn't being characterized as “official,” plans are already in the works. — The team has not hosted the All-Star Game since 1964 …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, New Jersey Online, ESPN, The Mets Police, CBS New York and NESN.com
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New York Times:
Trustee Faults Mets Owners Over Madoff Fraud
Discussion:
ESPN, New Jersey Online, HardballTalk, ESPN, MLB.com, Mike Silva's …, 6-4-2 and MetsBlog.com
Emma Span / BronxBanterBlog.com:
Mets Minority Partner Madness
Discussion:
Patrick Flood, SBNation.com, baseballmusings.com and HardballTalk
Joefrisaro / The Fish Pond:
Hill signs Minor League deal — The Marlins have added some big league experienced starting pitching depth to their Spring Training roster. — Right-hander Shawn Hill, who made four starts with the Blue Jays, has signed a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and FishStripes
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Paul Hagen / Philly.com:
Sources: Grilli could join Phillies' minor league roster — The Phillies have some interest in signing free-agent reliever Jason Grilli to a minor league contract, two sources confirmed yesterday. No agreement has been reached yet. — The 34-year-old righthander missed all of last season with a knee injury.
Discussion:
That Balls Outta Here and MLB Rumors
Minor Matters:
Brian Cashman: Jesus Montero is “better, defensively, than some catchers in the big leagues right now” — Last season, at the upper levels of Scranton and Trenton, the mid-levels at Tampa and Charleston, and the lower levels at Staten Island and the Gulf Coast and Dominican Summer Leagues …
Discussion:
lenNY's Yankees and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Albert Pujols will veto any trade proposal from the St. Louis Cardinals, sources say — Other teams have asked the Cardinals about Albert Pujols in the past to let St. Louis know if it ever thought about dealing the perennial MVP candidate, the inquiring team's interest was established.
Discussion:
Fanhouse MLB Blog, HardballTalk, Bleacher Report, MLB Rumors, baseballmusings.com, Chicago Breaking Sports and ESPN
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Rangers, Mike Napoli avoid arbitration — The Texas Rangers and catcher-first baseman Mike Napoli agreed to terms on a one-year deal for $5.8 million, avoiding an arbitration hearing. — Napoli was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in return for reliever Frank Francisco and cash.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Buzz: Mets Have Offer Out to Rodrigo Lopez — According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, RHP Rodrigo Lopez is weighing offers from the Mets, Braves and Rockies, and is expected to make a decision by the end of the weekend. — Stark believes each team as made a “non-roster” offer to the 35 year old Lopez …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Talking Chop and ESPN
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Blue Jays avoid arbitration with Frasor — The Blue Jays announced Friday night that they have reached an agreement with reliever Jason Frasor that could keep him in the fold for the next two seasons. — Frasor, who became the team's longest-tenured player with last week's blockbuster trade …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Charlie / Bucs Dugout:
Bucs Dugout Talks To Frank Coonelly, Neal Huntington, Paul Maholm — More photos » Gene J. Puskar - AP — 10 months ago: Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly attends a spring training baseball game between the Pirates and the Houston Astros in Bradenton, Fla., Monday, March 29, 2010.
Discussion:
Pirates Prospects and Where Have You Gone …
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Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Club not offering hints on who will be closer
Discussion:
Hands off my Pirates Booty
Samuel Goldsmith / NY Daily News:
Long Island liquor king Martin Silver wants a meeting with Wilpons; wants minority share of Mets — A Long Island liquor mogul wants a meeting with Fred and Jeff Wilpon to discuss buying a piece of their struggling franchise. — Martin Silver said he's ready to throw money at the Wilpons …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Farnsworth contract details — The Rays are paying RHP Kyle Farnsworth $2.6-million in salary this season, with a $650,000 buyout on a 2012 option the difference in what has been reported as a $3.25-million deal. If the Rays want to bring him back, his salary in 2012 would be $3.3-million.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Source: R.A. Dickey, Mets agree to 2-year deal just hours after Wilpons announce they seek investors — Hours after the Mets asserted that Friday's news about their finances would not impact baseball operations, the team invested in its pitching staff, agreeing to terms with knuckleballer R …
Discussion:
Mets Fever
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Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Mets Avoid Arbitration With R.A. Dickey
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and MetsBlog.com
