Top News:
Joey Nowak / MLB.com:
Kimbrel, Hellickson take top rookie awards — Braves closer set freshman saves mark; Rays righty won 13 — Braves closer Craig Kimbrel and Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson received high honors for their outstanding first full seasons in the Major Leagues on Monday, as they were named …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Bleacher Report, Call to the Pen, WasWatching.com and Batter's Box Interactive …
RELATED:
Joseph Smith / The Heater Feed:
Hellickson in line for possible AL Rookie of the Year Award today — Rays righthander Jeremy Hellickson admitted he's allowed himself to think about today's announcement of the American League Rookie of the Year Award. — Nervous? Nope, he said. After all, Hellickson has showed little nerves …
Discussion:
Talking Chop, U.S.S. Mariner, Royals Review, BBTF's Baseball Primer …, Lone Star Ball, Yahoo! Sports and MLB Rumors
Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA.com:
2011 Rookies of the Year — Jeremy Hellickson Wins AL Award, — Craig Kimbrel Wins in NL — Tampa Bay pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, who went undefeated in five consecutive starts against American League East opponents in September as the Rays earned the wild-card playoff berth …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Getting Blanked
Fox Sports:
Sources: Kemp, Dodgers working on deal — The Los Angeles Dodgers and Matt Kemp are in serious discussions that could land the 27-year-old outfielder $160 million over eight years, sources told FOXSports.com. — It would rank as the seventh-largest contract in baseball history.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, ESPN, MLB Rumors, NESN.com and Bleacher Report
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Steve Dilbeck / Dodgers Blog:
Matt Kemp on verge of signing record contract — Good news, so hard to come by from the Dodgers for two years now, is set to arrive like an unexpected tidal wave. — Matt Kemp is on the verge of signing a long-term deal with the Dodgers that would be the largest contract in team history.
Fox Sports:
Sveum to get 2nd interview with BoSox — As the Red Sox and Cubs interviewed many of the same candidates for manager, the possibility existed that they would end up trying to hire the same guy. — The possibility is growing stronger. — Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum is scheduled …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Boston Globe, Fenway West, NESN.com and FenwayNation
RELATED:
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Theo Epstein endures an existential crisis as he negotiates with Red Sox
Theo Epstein endures an existential crisis as he negotiates with Red Sox
Discussion:
Baseball Nation
Jon Paul Morosi / mlbbuzz:
Sources: Mariners would kick in cash to move Figgins — The Mariners are willing to include cash in order to trade the underperforming Chone Figgins, major-league sources say. — Mariners officials are hopeful that teams in need of a leadoff man will engage them in trade talks over the next few weeks.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Mariners Willing To Including Cash In Figgins Trade — The Chone Figgins' signing has been nothing short of a disaster for the Mariners, which is why the team is willing to include cash in any trade involving the infielder according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Fox Sports:
Sources: Tigers interested in Prado — With Aaron Hill returning to the Diamondbacks on a two-year, $11 million deal, the Tigers believe they may need to turn to the trade market to fill their opening at second base. — The Tigers are interested in Atlanta's Martin Prado, sources say.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Tigers Interested In Martin Prado
Tigers Interested In Martin Prado
Discussion:
MLB.com and Rowland's Office
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals pitching coach Duncan intends to return — ST. LOUIS • New Cardinals manager Mike Matheny reached out to Dave Duncan on Sunday night to make sure the longtime pitching coach knew there was a spot waiting for him on the coaching staff, if he wanted it.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and HardballTalk
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Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cardinals hand managerial reins to Matheny
Cardinals hand managerial reins to Matheny
Discussion:
Babes Love Baseball, Viva El Birdos, Red Hot Mama and Deadspin
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Realignment, labor, Astros, playoffs mean key week for MLB — MILWAUKEE - Major League Baseball's power brokers began arriving Monday in Milwaukee, and by the time they leave town Thursday, the baseball landscape may be dramatically different. — In the next 72 hours …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Angels blog
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Astros Likely To Join American League In 2013
Astros Likely To Join American League In 2013
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs, Hill agree to two-year contract — Pending physical, deal allows parties to avoid arbitration — PHOENIX — The D-backs' infield picture became much clearer as they reached agreement with second baseman Aaron Hill on a two-year contract, a baseball source confirmed Monday.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Doug Harrison / CBC News:
Diamondbacks re-sign Aaron Hill for 2 years: reports
Diamondbacks re-sign Aaron Hill for 2 years: reports
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Sports Illustrated:
New-look Marlins make a splash but big questions still remain … The newly-named Miami Marlins entered this world with a bang — actually three of them. You've got to give them credit for one thing at least. They do know how to make an entrance. — Coincidence or not, last Friday …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MetsBlog.com, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors and Fish Tank blog
Buster Olney / MLB:
Sources: MLB sides close to OK'ing draft tweaks — Major League Baseball and its players' union appear to be close to agreeing to a draft structure that will serve to restrain signing bonuses — something commissioner Bud Selig has wanted — and could eliminate first-round draft pick compensation …
Discussion:
Where Have You Gone …, MLB Rumors and The Yankee Analysts
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Dodgers Reach Agreement With Mark Ellis — Check another item off the Dodgers' winter to-do list, as the team reached an agreement with second baseman Mark Ellis on a two-year, $8.75MM deal that includes a team option for 2014. — With Dee Gordon penciled in at shortstop and Juan Uribe at third …
Discussion:
Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, HardballTalk, Baseball Nation, True Blue LA and 6-4-2
Kevin Baxter / LA Times Sports Blog:
Angels hire Hal Morris as pro scouting director — In the latest move toward rebuilding a front office decimated by firings, the Angels on Monday announced that former big leaguer Hal Morris has agreed to terms on a multiyear contract to become director of pro scouting.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Halos Heaven and 6-4-2