Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / Postcards From Elysian Fields:
Rangers Sign Joe Nathan — The Texas Rangers have signed Closer/RHP Joe Nathan, to a 2 year $14.5 million contract that includes a buyout. Nathan will be introduced tomorrow at a news conference and is expected to take over the closer spot in the bullpen.
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com, Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball, Baseball Nation, Lookout Landing and Twinkie Town
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Rangers Sign Joe Nathan — The Rangers' 2012 pitching staff just took shape and so did the rest of their offseason. The defending American League champions agreed with Joe Nathan on a two-year deal that includes a team option for 2014. Dave Pepe of Pro Agents, Inc. negotiated a $14.5MM guarantee for the four-time All-Star.
Discussion:
CloserNews
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Rangers sign closer Nathan; Feliz to rotation — The Texas Rangers have agreed to terms with RHP Joe Nathan on a two-year contract with a club option for a third year, the team announced. The deal is worth $14.5 million plus a buyout. — The move means closer Neftali Feliz will move into the rotation …
Discussion:
NESN.com
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Inbox: Will Rangers push to re-sign Wilson?
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Explaining my MVP ballot — The American League MVP was just announced and as one of the two voters from Boston, accountability requires revealing who was on my ballot. — Two BBWAA writers from each AL city vote, ranking their selections 1-10. Voting is based on the regular season and ballots are due before the postseason.
Discussion:
NESN.com and MLB Rumors
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Verlander turns double play, wins AL MVP — Cy Young winner first starting pitcher to couple awards since '86 — DETROIT — Justin Verlander's case for winning the American League MVP is closed. His trophy case, on the other hand, had better be open, because he's going to need room.
Discussion:
BBWAA.com, joy of sox, The House That Dewey Built, ESPN and Bugs & Cranks
Evan Grant / Rangers Blog:
Justin Verlander wins MVP; one man's MVP ballot — I will be providing an explanation on my MVP vote later this afternoon on the Dallas Morning News' website, but for now, here is my ballot: — 1. Michael Young, Rangers — 2. Justin Verlander, Detroit — 3. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, Lone Star Ball, HardballTalk, Drunk Jays Fans and FenwayNation
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
MLB, players set to announce labor deal — Valid through 2016, new agreement includes testing for HGH — NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached a preliminary agreement on a new five-year Basic Agreement and are expected to announce it on Tuesday afternoon …
Discussion:
Mike Silva's …
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Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
New MLB Labor Agreement to Be Announced at 1pm ET on Tuesday — Without the rancor that has befallen the NFL and NBA, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Union will announce a new 5-year labor agreement tomorrow in New York. Commissioner Selig and MLBPA Executive Director Michael Weiner …
Sports Illustrated:
Projections for Pujols, Fielder, Reyes and the top 65 free-agents … The winter spending season is off to a fast start if you're a middle-rung middle infielder. Clint Barmes, Willie Bloomquist, Mark Ellis, Jamey Carroll and John McDonald, who combined to hit 25 home runs last year, have deals for $33 million in total.
Discussion:
Rangers Blog and MLB Rumors
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Mike DiGiovanna / LA Times Sports Blog:
Angels manager, GM to dine with C.J. Wilson Monday night — The Angels' pursuit of free-agent pitcher C.J. Wilson will continue Monday night when Manager Mike Scioscia and General Manager Jerry Dipoto have dinner with the veteran left-hander in Los Angeles.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
The latest on the search for a manager — The latest on the Red Sox managerial front: — • Sandy Alomar Jr. has been eliminated. — • Gene Lamont will meet with ownership later this week. Presumably that would be Tuesday or Wednesday. — • Bobby Valentine …
Discussion:
FenwayNation
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Conor Glassey / Baseball America:
Greg Halman Murdered — Mariners prospect Greg Halman was stabbed to death on Nov. 21 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Dutch police arrested Halman's younger brother as a suspect. — “The Mariners family is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Greg Halman,” Mariners chairman Howard Lincoln …
Discussion:
seattlepi.com, Batter's Box Interactive … and Hardball Times
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Geoff Baker / The Seattle Times:
Greg Halman stabbed to death in the Netherlands
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner and Lookout Landing
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Inbox: Any prospects set to make big impact? — Beat reporter Chris Haft answers Giants fans' questions — Is there someone in the Minor Leagues who might be a breakthrough player in 2012? Or is it wishful thinking on my part? — Right-hander Heath Hembree generated plenty of excitement …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, Giants Win and Bay City Ball
Brian McTaggart / Tag's Lines:
Barmes tells MLB.com he's agreed to terms with Pirates — Clint Barmes, who appeared in 123 games for the Astros last season, has agreed to terms on a two-year, $10.5-million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. — Barmes, who was in Pittsburgh on Monday for a physical …
Discussion:
Where Have You Gone …, MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, Brew Beat, Bucs Dugout, Baseball Nation, HardballTalk, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
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Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Wigginton trade helps pave way for Arenado — The Rockies seem to be so impressed with third-base prospect Nolan Arenado that they're in the process of clearing the way for him to make a serious run for the starting position next year. — Colorado took another step in that direction Sunday …
Discussion:
Full Count
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