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.
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Bell could help Marlins send message — Everything changed for the Mets when they signed right-hander Pedro Martinez to a four-year, $53 million free-agent contract after the 2004 season. — Remember? — Center fielder Carlos Beltran followed by accepting a seven-year, $119 million free-agent contract.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Miami Marlins
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Marlins Eyeing Aramis, Pursuing Reyes, Buehrle — The Marlins have discussed the possibility of signing Prince Fielder and some of their front office executives like the idea of pursuing the 27-year-old free agent, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Discussion:
Fox Sports, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Sources: Marlins pursuing Heath Bell
Sources: Marlins pursuing Heath Bell
Discussion:
ESPN.com, The Good Phight, MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, Eye on Baseball, CloserNews, Miami Marlins and Drunk Jays Fans
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Valentine on his way to recruit Ortiz — CAP CANA, Dominican Republic — Bobby Valentine is wasting no time trying to improve the Red Sox. — Installed as manager yesterday, Valentine is on his way to the Dominican Republic now to meet with David Ortiz and participate in his charity golf event tomorrow.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and NESN.com
RELATED:
ESPN:
Reports: Bobby V to Dominican to recruit Ortiz — It looks like Bobby Valentine's first act as manager of the Boston Red Sox is to recruit free-agent designated hitter David Ortiz. — According to multiple reports, Valentine is headed to the Dominican Republic to meet with Ortiz …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Michael Hurley / NESN.com:
Bobby Valentine Plans Blending Sabermetrics With Baseball Experience to Make Decisions With Red Sox
Bobby Valentine Plans Blending Sabermetrics With Baseball Experience to Make Decisions With Red Sox
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Michael Vega / Boston Globe:
Could Bill Buckner join Valentine's coaching staff?
Could Bill Buckner join Valentine's coaching staff?
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies' Stewart on trade block, but DeWitt not right fit — It has been said about Colorado weather, if you don't like it, wait 15 minutes. The same applies to baseball's hot stove. Trade talks, to the say the least, are fluid situations. — While the Rockies have explored trading …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies are interested in Cubs infielder Blake DeWitt — It's that time of year for major-league players to keep their friends close and their cellphones closer. Two months into the offseason, the Rockies have shipped out Ty Wigginton and Chris Iannetta and are actively seeking trades …
Discussion:
Hardball in the Rockies and HardballTalk
Sean Brennan / NY Daily News:
Former NY Mets GM Omar Minaya hired by San Diego Padres for undisclosed front office position — Minaya was canned by Mets after 2010 season — Omar Minaya, fired by the NY Mets after 2010 season, is back in baseball with the Padres. — A year after seeing his five-year stint …
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Crasnick: Highly touted Cuban outfielder available for the taking — Cuban free-agent outfielder could command in the neighborhood of a $50 million deal — Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has yet to play a game in the major leagues, and some scouts are already comparing him to former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Raul Mondesi.
Discussion:
Detroit News, HardballTalk, Bats and Tiger Tales
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Looking For Bullpen, Infield Help — The Brewers stand to lose both Takashi Saito and Francisco Rodriguez to free agency this winter, and GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel that he plans to talk to agents and look for bullpen help at the Winter Meetings next week (all Twitter links).
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Dodgers Sign Chris Capuano — The Dodgers announced that they signed left-hander Chris Capuano to a two-year contract that rounds out the team's rotation and may signify the end of Hiroki Kuroda's tenure in Los Angeles. The $10MM deal includes an $8MM mutual option for 2014 and $1MM in incentives.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, HardballTalk and True Blue LA
Chris McShane / Amazin' Avenue:
Transcript of Sandy Alderson's Conference Call with Bloggers — On Thursday evening, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson spent a good portion of his evening fielding questions from the blogs, and Eno, Eric, and I have put together the full transcript of the call.
Discussion:
The Mets Police, Getting Blanked, Mets Merized Online, Kranepool Society, MLB.com, On The Black and SI Tracking Blog
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison will have arthroscopic surgery Monday on right knee — Logan Morrison today visited with Marlins doctors, who examined his sore right knee. Morrison will have minor surgery Monday and is expected to be riding an exercise bike the following week, according to his agent, Fred Wray.
Discussion:
Eye on Baseball and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
LoMo to have surgery on right knee
LoMo to have surgery on right knee
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and SI Tracking Blog