Top News:
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Pujols to meet with Marlins, possibly Saturday — The wooing of Albert Pujols is about to get under way in earnest. — An industry source told MLB.com on Thursday that Pujols' camp is scheduled to meet in Miami with the Marlins within the next few days, possibly as early as Saturday.
RELATED:
David Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Pujols to visit Marlins, Jose Reyes ‘almost a done deal’ in Miami — Talk about a Miami Makeover. Not only are they about to become the Miami Marlins with a new stadium, new manager in Ozzie Guillen and new uniforms, but South Florida's Major League Baseball team might be getting a bunch of new players to fill all of that out.
Discussion:
Riptide 2.0, Florida Marlins, The Mets Police and Yahoo! Sports
Fox Sports:
Marlins to meet with free-agent Pujols — The Marlins' star search continues. — Club officials will meet with free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols either Friday or Saturday in Miami, according to major league sources. — The meeting, first reported by MLB.com, will be the Marlins' third of the week with a prominent free agent.
Discussion:
Getting Blanked
Matthew Leach / MLB.com's On the Beat:
Pujols, Marlins to meet
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, MLB Daily Dish, Purple Row, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins impressed by Cespedes in workout
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and The Fish Pond
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Report: Jose Reyes “almost a done deal” for the Marlins
Discussion:
Bleacher Report and baseballmusings.com
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Wilson Ramos abduction in Venezuela: Police gathering evidence, still no contact from kidnappers, 36 hours in — UPDATE, 10:25: Venezuelan authorites have turned to “advanced” investigation tactics, including aerial operations, the Associated Press reports from Venezuela.
Discussion:
Fish Tank blog, Federal Baseball, HardballTalk and SI Tracking Blog
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Tom Powers: Twins are aware of risks in Venezuela — After landing in last month Venezuela, Minnesota Twins outfielder Joe Benson hopped in a cab for the trip to Maracay and the home offices of Tigres de Aragua, his winter baseball team. It wasn't long before the trip turned into a nightmare.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Juan Ferero / Washington Post:
Kidnapped Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos is alive, police say
Discussion:
USA Today, Bleacher Report, IT IS HIGH! and Twinkie Town
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Nats issue statement; Venezuelan authorities confirm kidnapped Wilson Ramos is alive
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Bleacher Report, HardballTalk, Federal Baseball and Rangers Blog
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Investigations under way in Ramos kidnapping
Discussion:
By Gosh, It's Langosch, Athletics Nation and The Yankee Analysts
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Francona in the wings — He's apparently ready, ‘deep down’ willing and clearly able to manage Cubs — If the new Cubs hierarchy really wants to hire the most qualified manager available, they already would have introduced Terry Francona or will soon. — But Francona …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk, Red Sox Monster, NESN.com and FenwayNation
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Carroll Nearing Multiyear Deal With Unknown Team — 12:19pm: The Braves and Indians aren't finalists for Carroll, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). — 11:40am: The Padres are not the team nearing a deal with Carroll, reports MLB.com's Corey Brock (on Twitter).
Discussion:
HardballTalk, DRaysBay, Talking Chop and Bluebird Banter
Star-Telegram / Foul Territory:
Rangers unlikely to pursue Pujols or Fielder — Texas Rangers president and CEO Nolan Ryan said the team likely won't get too involved in the market for first basemen Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder this offseason. — The Rangers are confident in Mitch Moreland, and believe some his struggles …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Angels blog, Baseball Time in Arlington and MLB Daily Dish
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Phils eyeing Jonathan Papelbon — The Philadelphia Phillies continued to show “serious” interest in longtime Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon on Friday, as momentum toward a deal to bring back their incumbent closer, Ryan Madson, was disintegrating.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and ESPN
Fox Sports:
Newbie managers a gamble for teams — The White Sox can gush all they want about Robin Ventura. The Cardinals can do the same if they hire Mike Matheny. — I still don't like the idea of hiring a manager who has no previous managing experience and barely any coaching experience.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and SI Tracking Blog
Tennessean.com:
Pete Rose serves players as unofficial advisor — Players contact banned ex-star for game advice — Pete Rose speaks in Nashville: Baseball Great Pete Rose talks to fans at LP Field Thursday evening about baseball and shares personal stories of all the greats he took the field with.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Pirates, Barajas agree to one-year deal — Veteran catcher's contract includes a club option for 2013 — PITTSBURGH — An aggressive pursuit of free agent Rod Barajas paid off Thursday for the Pirates, who were able to ink the veteran catcher to a one-year deal that includes as club option for 2013.
Discussion:
Dodgers Blog
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Pirates Sign Rod Barajas
Discussion:
Pirates Prospects, Baseball Nation, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo! Sports
Mike / Mike Scioscia's tragic illness:
Rod Barajas Heads to Pittsburgh
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Bucs Dugout, baseballmusings.com and ESPN
