Top News:
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:
MLB Rumors and NESN.com
RELATED:
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, ESPN, The House That Dewey Built 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:
HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball, Drunk Jays Fans and FenwayNation
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
AL MVP Day — The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) announces the AL Most Valuable Player at 2 PM EST Monday afternoon. It seems to be a very tough choice this season. There are a number of very good candidates, and which one you choose depends on how MVP is defined.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Boston Globe, SOX & Dawgs, Beyond the Box Score and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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, Yahoo! Sports, Brew Beat, ESPN, Bucs Dugout, MLB Daily Dish, Baseball Nation, HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
Dan Mennella / MLB Rumors:
Phillies Acquire Ty Wigginton From Rockies
Discussion:
Purple Row, Phillies Nation, The Good Phight, Mets Merized Online, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo! Sports
Troy Renck / On the Rox:
Rockies trade Ty Wigginton to Phillies for player to be named later
Discussion:
MLB Dirt and Baseball Nation
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
NO MATTER WHO IT MIGHT BE, THIS HAS TO BE BEN CHERINGTON'S MANAGER — Larry Lucchino recently told WEEI.com regarding the process of searching for the next Red Sox manager that “ownership has a seat at the table, to be sure.” — That's fine. Just let the general manager make the final toast.
RELATED:
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Red Sox owners send a Valentine to new GM
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
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 …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Latest On Andrew Bailey — 4:43pm: The Mariners have inquired on Bailey, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Olney suggests the A's will definitely move the reliever this offseason. — 12:48pm: The A's are very willing to trade Bailey, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds, Mark My Word, USA Today, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Inbox: Will Rangers push to re-sign Wilson? — Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers questions from fans — CJ Wilson is everything the Rangers could want in looking at someone to re-sign — he's the best starter on the staff, takes pride in his physical condition, plus he's homegrown and Rangers fans love him.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Nationals visiting Mark Buerhle, their top free agent target, at his home — The Nationals have identified starting pitcher Mark Buerhle as their top free agent choice, and team officials, led by General Manager Mike Rizzo, will visit with the veteran left-hander and his representatives …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Federal Baseball, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
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:
MLB Rumors
John Perrotto / Baseball America:
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe) — The Pirates have committed to building from within and spending generously on scouting and player development ever since Bob Nutting ousted Kevin McClatchy as the franchise's chairman prior to the 2007 season.
Discussion:
By Gosh, It's Langosch
David Villavicencio / Inside Sports …:
Potential trade could bolster Marlins rotation — The Marlins are on the verge of upgrading their starting rotation. — A source close to Gio Gonzalez reports the Miami native could be joining his hometown team soon. — The 26-year-old is coming off the best season of his young career.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, The Fish Pond, HardballTalk and Fish Stripes
