Top News:
Tim Kurkjian / MLB:
Sources: Orioles close to naming Duquette GM — The Baltimore Orioles are close to officially naming Dan Duquette as their next general manager, two sources confirmed Saturday. — Duquette, formerly a GM for the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox, interviewed in Baltimore Friday and was traveling …
Discussion:
Orioles Insider, School of Roch, MLB Rumors, baseballmusings.com, HardballTalk, NESN.com, Boston Globe, ESPN and River Avenue Blues
New York Post:
Mets will pay 3% interest to investors — The New York Mets are hoping to drum up more interest in the team by paying a little interest. — The money-losing franchise, shopping $20 million to $30 million minority stakes to as many as 10 buyers, is now telling prospective investors …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MetsBlog.com
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David Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Mets lay off nearly 10 percent of their non-playing employees — Before Game 7 of the World Series, reporters asked commissioner Bud Selig about the $25 million that Major League Baseball had loaned the New York Mets back in November 2010. Has Mets ownership, which has been fighting …
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Mets lay off 10 percent of non-player staff
Mets lay off 10 percent of non-player staff
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Amazin' Avenue, Mets Merized Online and HardballTalk
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
MLB All-Stars win fourth straight in Taiwan — Nats' Morse delivers go-ahead two-run single in sixth inning — KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — The venue changed, the weather heated up and the All-Stars of Major League Baseball kept on winning, but this one was close.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, The LoHud Yankees Blog and MetsBlog.com
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Doug Miller / MLB.com:
MLB All-Stars cruise to third straight in Taiwan
MLB All-Stars cruise to third straight in Taiwan
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Yankees ‘certainly will talk to’ Wilson despite postseason problems — C.J. Wilson has won 31 games in his two seasons as a starter for the Rangers, becoming one of the best lefties in the game and perhaps the most sought-after free-agent pitcher this offseason.
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, NESN.com and River Avenue Blues
Fox Sports:
Braves ready for moves to improve — The Braves are up to something. How can they not be after their historic collapse in September? — No one should be immune from trade discussions. And, apparently, no one is. — Yes, the Braves would move right-hander Jair Jurrjens and left fielder Martin Prado …
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Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals' efforts to acquire the Braves' Jurrjens stall — The hot stove grew warmer this week for the Royals, whose offseason efforts to bolster their rotation led to discussions with the Atlanta Braves regarding right-handed pitcher Jair Jurrjens. — Those talks stalled when the Braves …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Phillies Nation, Royals Review, MLB Rumors and SI Tracking Blog
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Communication breakdown between Diamondbacks, agent, hurts Willie Bloomquist's chances to remain in Arizona — Versatile infielder/outfielder Willie Bloomquist is drawing “a lot of interest” on the free agent market, agent Scott Boras said, adding that his client could land with a team that views him as more than a utility player.
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Jon Paul Morosi / mlbbuzz:
Sources: Giants willing to deal Jonathan Sanchez — In an effort to free up money so they can pursue offensive upgrades, the Giants are willing to trade starter Jonathan Sanchez, according to major-league sources. — The Giants have one of the best (and most expensive) starting rotations in baseball.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball, MetsBlog.com and MLB Rumors
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Harper ready for Rising Stars spotlight — Nats top prospect to play in nationally televised AFL showcase — If there was one knock about Bryce Harper's offensive game heading into the 2010 Draft, it was the length of his swing and how that might affect his ability to make adjustments.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and Bucs Dugout
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Thome, Phillies agree to one-year deal — PHILADELPHIA — Jim Thome signified a rebirth of baseball in Philadelphia with his arrival in 2003. — He's coming back for possibly his final shot at a World Series championship. — Sources said Friday evening that the Phillies and Thome have agreed on a one-year contract.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online, MLB Rumors, The Good Phight, HardballTalk, The Zo Zone, Yahoo! Sports, Phillies Nation and SI Tracking Blog
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Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Phillies Agree To Sign Jim Thome
Phillies Agree To Sign Jim Thome
Discussion:
Through The Fence Baseball, Around the Majors, Crashburn Alley and DRaysBay
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats interested in free agent Oswalt to lead staff — WASHINGTON — After signing right-hander Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year deal, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo indicated that he wants to add another veteran starter to the rotation. — According to a baseball source …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and SI Tracking Blog
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Howard Fendrich / Globe and Mail:
Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang's one-year, $4-million contract …
Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang's one-year, $4-million contract …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Matheny interviews with Cardinals; but no Francona yet — The Cardinals interviewed Mike Matheny for the manager's job today, but they didn't talk to former Red Sox manager Terry Francona. — Matheny, a former Gold Glove catcher with the Cardinals, is currently a minor-league instructor in the organization.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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