Top News:
Enrique Rojas / MLB:
Source: Pirates sign Tabata to 6-year extension — ORLANDO — Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jose Tabata has signed a contract extension for six years, a source close to the negotiations told ESPNdeportes.com on Friday. — Tabata's new deal with the Pirates is guaranteed through the 2016 season …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, MLB Rumors, Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Rob Biertempfel / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Pirates to extend Tabata, Walker — The Pirates are putting the finishing touches on a long-term contract with outfielder Jose Tabata and also are deep into talks with second baseman Neil Walker about a similar deal, several team and league sources told the Tribune-Review today.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Eye on Baseball, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors and Bucs Dugout
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Pirates, Jose Tabata Nearing Extension
Discussion:
Where Have You Gone …, PittsburghLIVE.com and HardballTalk
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Fifth-place Cubs fire general manager Hendry — With one of the highest payrolls but the second worst record in the National League, the Chicago Cubs fired general manager and vice president Jim Hendry on Friday. — Assistant general manager Randy Bush was named Interim general manager, the team announced.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Yahoo! Sports and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Chicago Tribune:
Hendry out as Cubs GM; Bush promoted on interim basis — Jim Hendry is out as general manager of the Chicago Cubs and assistant GM Randy Bush will take over the job on an interim basis, the team said Friday. — “It's professional baseball ... if you don't win enough games over a couple of years …
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Where Have You Gone … and Yahoo! Sports
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cubs feed Cards another bitter pill
Discussion:
Eye on Baseball
David O'Brien / Atlanta Braves:
Chipper ends speculation: “I'm playing next year” — Chipper Jones said he will return to play for the Braves in 2012, ending speculation that the Braves' 39-year-old third baseman might retire after this season and walk away with a year left on his contract.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Eye on Baseball
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Associated Press:
Braves hit 3 homers, shut down D-Backs for 4-2 win — The Braves did all their scoring with the long ball and Derek Lowe combined with four relievers on a six-hitter, leading Atlanta past the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 Friday night in a matchup of NL playoff contenders.
Discussion:
Associated Press, AZ Snake Pit and Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Canadian Martin homers twice, Yankees beat Twins — MINNEAPOLIS — Phil Hughes allowed just two hits in 7 2-3 innings and Canada's Russell Martin hit two home runs to lead the New York Yankees to an 8-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. — Hughes (4-4) gave up one run …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Pinstripe Alley
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Associated Press:
Hamilton, Moreland lead Rangers over White Sox — CHICAGO—Josh Hamilton hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth inning, Mitch Moreland added two homers, a three-run shot in the fourth and a two-run shot in the sixth, and the Texas Rangers beat the Chicago White Sox 7-4 on Friday night.
RELATED:
Sam Miller / Angels blog:
Six* reasons the Angels are still in it
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Halos Heaven
Associated Press:
Tigers expand AL Central lead with win over Indians — DETROIT — Max Scherzer pitched seven strong innings and the first-place Detroit Tigers hit three homers in a 4-1 victory over the second-place Cleveland Indians on Friday night. — The Indians could have taken over the AL Central lead …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Yahoo! Sports and Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Rodriguez Leads Astros to 6-0 Win Over Giants — HOUSTON (AP) — Wandy Rodriguez pitched eight innings and had a two-run single to lead the Houston Astros to a 6-0 victory over the slumping San Francisco Giants on Friday night. — The Astros were leading 2- in the sixth inning …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Adam McCalvy / Brew Beat:
Brewers' Rogers suspended for stimulant — A lousy season got worse Friday for Brewers pitching prospect Mark Rogers, who drew a 25-game suspension after a second positive test for a stimulant in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Discussion:
MLB.com and HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
Trial date set for Madoff trustee vs. Mets — NEW YORK (AP) — A March trial date has been set for a jury to hear a $1 billion claim against the New York Mets' executives by the trustee recovering money for cheated investors of Bernard Madoff. — U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff set the March 5 trial date at a Friday hearing.
