Inside MLB's New 5-Year Labor Agreement  —  Here are the details of the new 5-year labor deal just announced by MLB and the MLBPA:  —  I.. TERM  —  a.  Five-year contract  —  b.  December 1, 2016 termination date  —  II.. SCHEDULING,, REALIGNMENT,, AND POSTSEASON PLAY  —  a.

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.

C.J. Wilson to visit Marlins  —  C.J. Wilson is making the rounds, and one of his East Coast stops will include a post-Thanksgiving visit to South Florida to meet with the Marlins, who seem to be throwing out the welcome mat for every available free agent.  The Marlins met with Wilson's agent …

Valentine is the right Sox fit  —  He is married to the daughter of Ralph Branca, who threw the gopher ball to Bobby Thomson at the Polo Grounds in 1951.  His first roommate in professional baseball was Bill Buckner, when the two were drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968.

Braun over Brains  —  Ryan Braun wins the NL MVP vote, as my post from this morning noted that Matt Kemp might not get his due, and voters placed more emphasis on being on a winning team.  Braun received 20 first place votes and 12 second place votes, with Kemp going 10-16-6 as the consensus second place pick.

Mets sign Adam Loewen to minors deal  —  According to Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the Mets have signed RF Adam Loewen to a minor league contract.  —  Loewen, who will be 28 in April, is a converted pitcher and has primarily played right field since 2008.

Inbox: Will Chisenhall start season in Majors?  —  Indians beat reporter fields queries on promising third baseman … Are third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and second baseman Jason Kipnis going to start the year in the Majors or Minors?  If they're not with the Indians on Opening Day …

How Does Quality of Contact Relate to BABIP?  —  In the first part of this study, I used detailed batted ball speed information from HITf/x to examine the degree of skill that batters and pitchers had in quality of contact made or allowed.  Here, I will look deeper into the question …

Yanks announce ticket info; new plans on tap  —  Majority of prices to remain unchanged or will be reduced for 2012  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees have announced general ticket information for regular-season games played at Yankee Stadium, stating that more than 70 percent of prices will be reduced or unchanged.

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

Greg Halman stabbed to death in the Netherlands  —  PHOTO CAPTION: Greg Halman was part of a European tour of MLB players that passed through Prague, Czech Republic, two weeks ago, where he posed with some fans.  Today, he was stabbed to death in The Netherlands.  (Photo Credit: Robert Vavra)