Top News:
Fox Sports:
Phillies, Madson discussing $44M deal — Will the Phillies re-sign Ryan Madson or won't they? — The answer is still not known. — The Phillies were close to agreeing with Madson on a four-year, $44 million free-agent contract, according to numerous reports on Tuesday.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Nation
RELATED:
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:
Over the Monster, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball and Rangers Blog
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, MLB Daily Dish, CBSSports.com Blogs, Full Count and NESN.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
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:
Yahoo! Sports, Amazin' Avenue and Fish Bytes
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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
Vinny Cartiglia / MetsBlog.com:
Marlins may offer Reyes 3 year-deal high annual salary
Discussion:
Florida Marlins and baseballmusings.com
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Scouting Cespedes Aftermath — It was easy to write 4,000 words on a video as remarkable as the Yoenis Cespedes showcase video that was posted on Sunday night. It took the internet by storm, showed up on Deadspin (among many other places), and basically went viral. — Then it was gone.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and The Yankee Analysts
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George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees looking at Cuban outfielder
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Bleacher Report, MLB Rumors and MLB.com
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees have eyes on Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Bronx Baseball Daily
Cathal Kelly / Toronto Star:
Nailing down a closer just got a little tougher for Jays … Odds are if you stand outside the Rogers Centre long enough holding a bat and a glove, Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos will eventually wander down to watch you shag a few flies. — Just in case. — His legend as a man who wants …
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, Baseball Nation, 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
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
No Winter Ball for Chapman — Aroldis Chapman is back throwing pain-free, but winter ball is no longer part of his offseason plan. — “We've decided against sending him to Puerto Rico,” GM Walt Jocketty said. “He's on a strength-and-conditioning program in Arizona.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Redleg Nation
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 …
