Top News:
John Harper / NY Daily News:
If free agent Jose Reyes goes, so does NY Mets' hope — Cost-cutting team can't pretend to be contender without him — For weeks, it has seemed likely the Mets were going to retain Jose Reyes only if he fell in their laps. Maybe they had a chance if other teams were scared off …
Discussion:
Fish Bytes and Amazin' Avenue
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New York Post:
Rap song reveals Reyes' free-agent feelings — Mets on Twitter — So, what's in a rap song? Perhaps, the key to Jose Reyes' free agent future. — While on hold waiting to speak with someone from Peter Greenberg and Associates, the agency that represents Reyes, I heard a familiar, high-pitched voice.
Discussion:
Fish Tank blog, HardballTalk, The LoHud Mets Blog and Tedquarters
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Marlins president Dave Samson talks free agents, Josh Johnson, Hanley Ramirez — Marlins president David Samson went on the Power Alley show with Jim Duquette and Kevin Kennedy on MLB Network radio this morning. — He didn't offer any insight to the team's off-season moves …
Vinny Cartiglia / MetsBlog.com:
Marlins may offer Reyes 3 year-deal high annual salary — Hanley Ramirez will not be in town when the Marlins host Jose Reyes this afternoon at their new ballpark, according to the Sun-Sentinel. The two infielders are very good friends, with Ramirez being Godfather to Jose's daughter.
Discussion:
Florida Marlins and baseballmusings.com
Alex Speier / WEEI:
MONEY IN THE NINTH: RYAN MADSON DEAL RAISES BAR FOR JONATHAN PAPELBON, CLOSER MARKET — Well, that didn't take long. — The starter's pistol for free agent closers went off on Tuesday, and teams in the market for free agent closers were floored when it did so.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Madson, Phillies talking multiyear deal … Free agent closer Ryan Madson and the Phillies reached an agreement on a deal for $44 million over four years, but the contract has been awaiting the approval of Phillies general partner David Montgomery for more than a day now.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Full Count and NESN.com
Fox Sports:
Rangers must make splash in free agency — The Rangers need to change the conversation, and I'm not talking about manager Ron Washington's earthy speech to his players before Game 7 of the World Series. — No, I'm talking about spring training, when the team will want to move past its crushing Series defeat.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Over the Monster, Lone Star Ball and Rangers Blog
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Progress made in labor talks — Negotiations in Major League Baseball's stalled labor talks have taken “a step forward” this week, according to one source familiar with the discussions, and a second source told ESPN.com it's possible a deal could be completed this week.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, SI Tracking Blog and MLB Rumors
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Crasnick: Seven offseason questions for baseball executives — Pursue Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder? Go after C.J. Wilson or Mark Buehrle? Plus ... ESPN.com — Major League Baseball's general managers will gather next week in Milwaukee as a prelude to the quarterly owners' meetings.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and DRaysBay
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox to interview Lovullo on Friday, Lamont on Saturday — Toronto Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo will interview with the Red Sox on Friday. Detroit third base coach Gene Lamont will follow on Saturday. — They join Pete Mackanin, Dale Sveum and Sandy Alomar Jr. as candidates to replace Terry Francona as manager.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady and Yahoo! Sports
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals interview Francona
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Baseball Prospectus, NESN.com, Yahoo! Sports and HardballTalk
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox keep ticket prices the same
Discussion:
Hardball Times, The Soxaholix, MLB.com and FenwayNation
ESPN:
Ex-Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade didn't want other position with team — Former Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade said Wednesday he doesn't believe his fate was sealed by the lack of a quality roster for the 2011 season. — Quade was fired by new president of baseball operations Theo Epstein …
Pete Caldera / Boston Herald:
Yankees ready to enter arms race — The Yankees are sampling a wide marketplace for pitching, though it might be awhile until general manager Brian Cashman is ready to proceed to the checkout counter. — On the free agent front, Cashman already has reached out to Bob Garber …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers Interested In Buehrle
Discussion:
Fish Tank blog, South Side Sox, Bronx Baseball Daily and Talking Chop
Denver Post:
Ian Stewart remains a possibility at third base for Rockies — The Rockies have a number of directions they can pursue to address third base, an offensive sinkhole last season. — While a trade cannot be ruled out — the top targets, Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox and David Wright of the Mets …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Duquette re-enters Majors with Orioles position — Former Red Sox GM introduced as VP of baseball operations — BALTIMORE — After more than nine years out of Major League Baseball, Dan Duquette was officially introduced Tuesday morning as the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations …
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