Top News:
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:
ESPN, The House That Dewey Built and Bugs & Cranks
RELATED:
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, joy of sox, Drunk Jays Fans and FenwayNation
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.
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, FanGraphs Baseball, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Beyond the Box Score
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:
MLB Rumors, Yahoo! Sports, Where Have You Gone …, ESPN, MLB Daily Dish, baseballmusings.com, Brew Beat, HardballTalk, Bucs Dugout and Baseball Nation
RELATED:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers look elsewhere with Barmes off table — Shortstop signs with Pirates as Crew waits on Prince situation — MILWAUKEE — One of the Brewers' potential 2012 shortstops fell off the market Monday when Clint Barmes confirmed he'd chosen a two-year, $10.5 million deal with the Pirates.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Phillies strike deal with Rockies for Wigginton — The Phillies added a veteran presence to their bench Sunday night by acquiring Ty Wigginton from the Rockies in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. — The versatile Wigginton can play each of the corner positions and serve …
Discussion:
Crashburn Alley
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
ESPN:
Source: Bobby V, Red Sox set meeting — MILWAUKEE — Bobby Valentine will meet with the Boston Red Sox Monday to discuss the team's managerial vacancy, a source close to the former Texas Rangers and New York Mets manager said Sunday afternoon. — The 61-year-old Valentine, who is an ESPN analyst …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, FenwayNation, Baseball Nation, Dan Shaughnessy Watch and joy of sox
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:
MLB Rumors
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:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
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 Rumors and HardballTalk
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
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Latest On Andrew Bailey — 12:48pm: The A's are very willing to trade Bailey, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. He notes that the Phillies had interest before they signed Jonathan Papelbon. — 11:19am: A Reds source agrees that Alonso is way too much for Bailey, writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds, USA Today, Mark My Word and MLB Daily Dish
