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:
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, 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:
Baseball Nation, 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 …
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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Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Red Sox owners send a Valentine to new GM
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
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, Brew Beat, Yahoo! Sports, Bucs Dugout, MLB Daily Dish, Baseball Nation, HardballTalk 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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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
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 …
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:
Hardball Times and Batter's Box Interactive …
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
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Nationals visiting Mark Buehrle, their top free agent target, at his home — The Nationals have identified starting pitcher Mark Buehrle 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
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
