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
RELATED:
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
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees looking at Cuban outfielder — Yankees pitching guru Rick Williams' arrival in Santo Domingo yesterday created a buzz throughout the scouting fraternity in the Dominican Republic that has been following the workouts of Cuban refugees. — However, the Yankees appear to be more interested …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Bleacher Report, MLB Rumors and MLB.com
RELATED:
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Scouting Cespedes Aftermath
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and The Yankee Analysts
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 …
