Top News:
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins escort Reyes on tour of Miami — Team president Samson calls free-agent shortstop a ‘priority’ — MIAMI — A stadium tour and lunch at South Beach institution Joe's Stone Crab were on the menu for Jose Reyes on Wednesday. — Marlins president David Samson called the free-agent shortstop …
Discussion:
Fish Tank blog and Florida Marlins
RELATED:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
The Mets Could Go From Bad to Dreadful — We are conditioned to think of the American League East as baseball's superpower division. The Yankees and the Boston Red Sox spend lavishly. The Tampa Bay Rays have made three playoff appearances in the past four seasons.
Discussion:
The Mets Police
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Phillies, Madson discussing $44M deal
Discussion:
ESPN, HardballTalk and Baseball Nation
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Madson, Phillies talking multiyear deal
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, CBSSports.com Blogs, The Good Phight, Full Count, NESN.com and HardballTalk
Alex Speier / WEEI:
MONEY IN THE NINTH: RYAN MADSON DEAL RAISES BAR FOR JONATHAN PAPELBON, CLOSER MARKET
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers, Kemp discussing long-term contract — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers, unlikely to pursue top-tier free agents Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder because the team is for sale, nonetheless are in negotiations on a long-term contract for Matt Kemp that have had “more substance lately,” according to a baseball source.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers add analytical Tamin to front office — Attorney brings history of success in arbitration to new post — LOS ANGELES — Brad Pitt is not lined up to play him in the next baseball blockbuster, but the hiring of Alex Tamin as director of contracts, research and operations should move …
Tony Jackson / ESPN:
Kemp's agent hopes to reach new deal ‘soon’ — The agent for Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder and National League Most Valuable Player candidate Matt Kemp said Wednesday that talks on a long-term contract extension for his client are moving in a positive direction and that he is optimistic an agreement will be reached.
Discussion:
Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, True Blue LA and HardballTalk
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Maddux brings levity to managerial interview — Defers talk of brother Greg joining staff; Alomar on tap Friday — CHICAGO — Mike Maddux did his homework before interviewing for the Cubs job by talking to his brother, Greg, who could possibly join his older sibling's coaching staff if he were hired to manage the team.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Sandy Alomar Jr Interviews for Red Sox Manager Job
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Boston Globe and ESPN
Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:
Sandy Alomar Jr interviews for Red Sox manager job
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Report: Wilson Ramos kidnapped in native Venezuela — Awful news to pass along. Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped in his hometown of Valencia, Venezuela, according to his Venezuelan winter league team. — Ramos, 24, had gone home for the winter and planned to participate …
RELATED:
Shemar Woods / NY Daily News:
Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos kidnapped by four gunmen in Venezuela — Ramos returned home to play for Tigres de Aragua — Wilson Ramos is missing after returning home to play winter baseball. — Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped in his hometown of Valencia …
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, HardballTalk and Bleacher Report
Mike Mazzeo / ESPN:
Posada on return to Yanks: ‘Not gonna happen’ — NEW YORK — Jorge Posada remains undecided on his future, but believes it won't be with the New York Yankees. — “It's not gonna happen,” Posada said Wednesday night at a Manhattan function for The Jorge Posada Foundation.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Sliding Into Home, Associated Press and Yahoo! Sports
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Beltran, Cespedes offer shoppers intriguing contrast — There's not a whole lot out there on the outfielder market, which is why it'll probably be good to be a young Cuban with a free-spirited video, and why it'll definitely be good to be Carlos Beltran(notes).
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue and MLB Rumors
ESPN:
Don't count out Angels on big names — Jerry Dipoto, newly appointed senior vice president and general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, says not to count out the franchise as a player in the free-agent sweepstakes for Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. — “Don't assume that we have no interest …
Discussion:
Angels blog and MLB Rumors
Laurel Pfahler / TCPalm.com:
Q&A: Bob Larsen still a fan, but not of new Yankee Stadium — VERO BEACH — Baseball fans in Vero Beach grew accustomed to seeing former Dodgers legends roaming the backfields of “Dodgertown.” — This week, they have had the opportunity to see some Yankee greats, too …
Discussion:
IT IS HIGH!
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:
Bleacher Report, The LoHud Yankees Blog and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Scouting Cespedes Aftermath
Discussion:
Over the Monster, joy of sox, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman still getting feel for pitching market — NEW YORK - Yankees general manager Brian Cashman visited with reporters this morning while at a charity function at Times Square. Cashman was at the Hard Rock Cafe assisting New York Cares with its winter coat drive.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, The Yankee Analysts and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Boston Herald:
Yankees ready to enter arms race
Discussion:
Hardball Times and Pinstripe Alley
