Top News:
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Sources: Heath Bell, Marlins agree — The Miami Marlins and free-agent closer Heath Bell have agreed on a three-year contract, pending a physical, sources told ESPN.com. — The two sides have been talking about a deal that would pay Bell $9 million a year. The deal also includes a vesting option for a fourth year.
Discussion:
Full Count, MLB Rumors, CloserNews, Drunk Jays Fans and Fish Stripes
RELATED:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Sources: Marlins pursuing Heath Bell
Sources: Marlins pursuing Heath Bell
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Eye on Baseball, CloserNews, Drunk Jays Fans and MLB Rumors
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Will Heath Bell be the next Marlins closer?
Michael Hurley / NESN.com:
Bobby Valentine Plans Blending Sabermetrics With Baseball Experience to Make Decisions With Red Sox — BOSTON — When news broke of Bobby Valentine earning the Red Sox managerial job, one of the first perceived conflicts was how a team that heavily relies upon advanced statistics and sabermetrics …
Discussion:
THE BOOK
RELATED:
Michael Vega / Boston Globe:
Could Bill Buckner join Valentine's coaching staff? — While there are two openings on the Red Sox coaching staff, manager Bobby Valentine said at his introductory press conference Thursday at Fenway Park he had not made any decisions on who would fill those spots or even if he would retain …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Boston Dirt Dogs
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Valentine set to return as Red Sox manager
Valentine set to return as Red Sox manager
Discussion:
WEEI, Full Count and joy of sox
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
LoMo to have surgery on right knee — Outfielder expected to be ready for Spring Training — MIAMI — Hampered for months by discomfort in his right knee, Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison has opted for arthroscopic surgery on Monday in Miami. — Recovery time for the 24-year-old is six to eight weeks.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and SI Tracking Blog
RELATED:
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison will have arthroscopic surgery Monday on right knee
Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison will have arthroscopic surgery Monday on right knee
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Eye on Baseball
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Alderson set to reopen talks with Reyes' agents — NEW YORK — A slow-developing market for free-agent shortstop Jose Reyes could receive some juice as soon as this weekend, when Mets general manager Sandy Alderson plans to reopen the lines of communication with Reyes' agents at the Winter Meetings, which start Monday in Dallas.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Marlin Maniac, SI Tracking Blog and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Brian Erni / MetsBlog.com:
Marlins still confident, Brewers & Tigers are ‘iffy.’
Marlins still confident, Brewers & Tigers are ‘iffy.’
Discussion:
Eye on Baseball, MLB Rumors, Marlin Maniac and Mets Merized Online
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Trading Garza not on Epstein's mind — Matt Garza's name has surfaced in trade rumors recently because he's one of the few bargaining chips the Cubs have in trying to resuscitate an otherwise lifeless team. — But Cubs president Theo Epstein didn't sound like someone who was in a hurry to deal his best starter for inventory.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Brewers, Cardinals, Giants In Talks With Alex Gonzalez — 5:18pm: The Brewers and Cardinals are also interested in Gonzalez, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. — 4:48pm: The Giants are negotiating with free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, reports Fernando Gonzalez of ESPN Deportes …
Discussion:
El Lefty Malo, MLB Daily Dish and Phillies Nation
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
No visit for C.J. Wilson — As we have reported on this site for weeks (months?), the Yankees are not that hot for C.J. Wilson. In fact, even though, his agent requested a trip to the Bronx, the Yankees said no. So I'd put the chances of Wilson becoming a Yankee at close to less than five percent.
Discussion:
Eye on Baseball, HardballTalk, SI Tracking Blog, River Avenue Blues and Sliding Into Home
Mark Townsend / Yahoo! Sports:
David DeJesus' wife is a tad happy he signed with the Cubs — New general manager Jed Hoyer made it known on Tuesday that the Chicago Cubs were in the market for essentially everything, but specifically noted a left-handed bat was among the team's biggest needs.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Yahoo! Sports and THE BOOK
Dan Connolly / Orioles Insider:
Orioles talk with Rangers about Teagarden; Mathis could fit backup plan — One of the main priorities you can expect the Orioles to soon address - whether it is this week, during the winter meetings or shortly thereafter - is getting a backup catcher. The Orioles are looking for someone …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Baseball America, Camden Chat, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
D'Backs Have Made Offer To Lyle Overbay — The Diamondbacks have an offer on the table to veteran first baseman Lyle Overbay, reports Jack Magruder of Fox Sports Arizona (Twitter link). It is thought to be a one-year contract and the Snakes expect a response from Overbay's representatives early in the Winter Meetings.
Discussion:
Where Have You Gone …
Fox Sports:
Jays could make statement with Fielder — The Blue Jays last made the playoffs nearly two decades ago. They finished fourth in the AL East in each of the past four seasons. Ask an average American sports fan what he or she knows about baseball in Toronto, and the reply will have something …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Drunk Jays Fans