Top News:
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Red Sox acquire Mark Melancon from Astros — The Red Sox have made a significant addition to their bullpen, acquiring righthanded reliever Mark Melancon from the Astros for infielder Jed Lowrie and reliever Kyle Weiland. The team confirmed the move in a press release this afternoon.
Discussion:
Baseball America, Yahoo! Sports, Baseball Prospectus, MLB Daily Dish, The Mighty Quinn Media Machine, joy of sox and ESPN
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Acquire Melancon For Lowrie, Weiland — The Red Sox acquired reliever Mark Melancon from the Astros for shortstop Jed Lowrie and starter Kyle Weiland, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick first tweeted that Weiland was traded to Houston in a deal that involved a reliever going to Boston.
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Kelly Shoppach agreement spells likely end for Jason Varitek with Red Sox
Discussion:
Surviving Grady and Obnoxious Boston Fan
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Darvish bidding process is cloak-and-dagger affair — The Yu Darvish sweepstakes is turning into a spy novel. An international man of mystery. Exorbitant amounts of money. Suspense. Lies. Subterfuge. The only things missing are a shifty mole and a double cross.
RELATED:
Paul White / USA Today:
Baseball buzz turns to imports Yu Darvish, Yoenis Cespedes — Exclusive rights to negotiate with Darvish, a Japanese pitcher, will be awarded to one major league team this week. All 30 will have the opportunity within weeks, if not days, to woo Cespedes, a Cuban outfielder who defected …
Discussion:
LA Times Sports Blog, Yahoo! Sports and Washington Post
DanDotLewis / Amazin' Avenue:
An In-Depth Look at the Mets' Finances — The Mets' financial situation is worse than we thought. I've written a few things over the last week or so, and during the process, I keep finding new facts alleged by the media about the dollars and cents — or lack thereof — which make this team run.
Discussion:
Forbes, HardballTalk, Deadspin and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Sources: Nakajima explores alternatives — If Japanese infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima does not want to play for the New York Yankees, there still might be a way for him to join a major-league team next season. — The Yankees could work a sign-and-trade involving Nakajima …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Quinn Roberts / MLB.com:
Giants bringing back Mota for third season — The San Francisco Giants are close to finalizing a $1 million, one-year deal with free-agent reliever Guillermo Mota, according to The Associated Press. — Both sides have agreed to terms and are waiting to complete a physical and final paperwork …
Fox Sports:
Who's still in Fielder market, who's not — Albert Pujols will turn 32 next month. It's very possible that his best seasons are behind him. He just signed a 10-year, $254 million contract with the Angels. — Prince Fielder, 27, is entering his prime. He had the better 2011 regular season.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Drunk Jays Fans
Phil Mackey / 1500 ESPN SportsWire:
Role still being finalized, but Bill Smith likely returning to Twins — 4:05 p.m. Twin Cities Sports Update - with John Heidt — SportsWire Twins Role still being finalized, but Bill Smith likely returning to Twins — Former general manager Bill Smith appears to have rejoined the Minnesota Twins' organization.
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com, Minneapolis Star Tribune, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Cubs, Dodgers Interested In Coco Crisp — The Cubs and Dodgers have been in discussions with Coco Crisp to play left field, MLBTR has learned. The 32-year-old hasn't played left regularly since 2005 with the Indians. — The Cubs' inquiry on Crisp is interesting, since …
Discussion:
True Blue LA and HardballTalk
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
Jocketty is still frustrated — Walt Jocketty's progress report on the trade front: — “It's all I've been working on — trying to improve our pitching,” he said. “It's been an extension of the winter meetings. But we're still not close on anything. It's very frustrating.”
Discussion:
HardballTalk
CBSSports.com Blogs:
Rockies, Cards, Jays among those in on Beltran — The market for Carlos Beltran is heating up, with at least five clubs and possibly more seriously talking with the free agent outfielder. Among them, according to sources: The Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals and …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, MLB Rumors, Bluebird Banter and Drunk Jays Fans
