Top News:
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Notebook: Rangers might grab Fielder with kick at the finish — If the Rangers do land Prince Fielder, they will likely look to move Mitch Moreland. (Getty Images) — The early word was that lone remaining free-agent superstar Prince Fielder would shoot for a “Mark Teixeira contract,” meaning $180 million over eight years.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Rumors, Drunk Jays Fans, Sports Illustrated and CBSSports.com Blogs
RELATED:
Bob Elliott / Toronto Sun:
SPORTS BASEBALL — Jays frontrunners for Darvish? — The bidding is in for the right to negotiate for Yu Darvish and several industry sources believe the Jays have outbid the Yankees and Rangers. (US Presswire, files) TORONTO - — Where will free agent Yu Darvish land?
Discussion:
Drunk Jays Fans
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Source: Cubs bid on Yu Darvish — The Chicago Cubs are one of numerous teams to put in a bid on Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish, according to a major league source. — Darvish, 25, was posted by the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters earlier this week. Bidding closed Wednesday, and the Ham Fighters have until Tuesday to accept a bid.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and LA Times Sports Blog
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Willingham signs 3-year, $21M deal with Twins … EDITIONS: — CITIES: — ESPN MLB — Shop — Josh Willingham passes Twins physical — ESPN.com — Veteran outfielder Josh Willingham passed his physical with the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, completing a three-year, $21 million deal with the club.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Around the Majors:
Twins haven't ruled out Cuddyer's return; hope rising internally — There is growing hope within the Twins organization that they might be able to re-sign Michael Cuddyer, despite already signing free agent outfielder Josh Willingham to a three-year, $21 million deal.
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com, Seattle Times and HardballTalk
Phil Mackey / 1500 ESPN SportsWire:
Role still being finalized, but Bill Smith likely returning to Twins
Discussion:
Minneapolis Star Tribune, AaronGleeman.com, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
MLB, Union Form International Talent Committee, Move Toward International Draft — Major League Baseball has taken another step toward its goal of implementing an international draft. — MLB and the MLB Players' Association today announced they have formed an International Talent Committee …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
MLB, MLBPA To Talk International Acquisitions
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Melancon leaves Houston with mixed emotions — HOUSTON — Mark Melancon was eating a vacation lunch on a Cancun beach with his uncle on Wednesday when his wife walked up to him with a concerned look on her face. Melancon immediately thought the worst, thinking something was wrong with the couple's baby daughter, Brooklyn Marie.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox get relief in deal
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Surviving Grady, The Soxaholix and River Avenue Blues
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies favorite to land Cuddyer, their primary target — LAS VEGAS — With their best and final offer on the table, the Rockies were growing increasingly confident Thursday night that they would land free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer. — The Rockies have extended themselves as far as they will go …
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Twins Sign Steve Pearce, J.R. Towles — The Twins announced a major signing today, and GM Terry Ryan also stayed busy on the minor league front. The Twins signed Steve Pearce and J.R. Towles to minor league deals, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter links).
Discussion:
Around the Majors and Al's Ramblings
David Laurila / FanGraphs Baseball:
Clint Hurdle: Four Scouting Reports — “Why is he a good hitter?” That was my question for Clint Hurdle at the Winter Meetings, and I asked it four times. I queried the Pirates manager about two of his outfielders: Andrew McCutchen and Jose Tabata, and a pair of his infielders: Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker.
Discussion:
Where Have You Gone …
Fox Sports:
Reds need to pull trigger on a trade — The Cincinnati Reds need to make like the Arizona Diamondbacks. — D-backs GM Kevin Towers, calling the NL West “wide open,” made a bold move to obtain right-hander Trevor Cahill this month and still could add right-hander Hiroki Kuroda or re-sign lefty Joe Saunders in free agency.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Casey Feeney / csnphilly.com:
The case for Pence as next season's NL MVP — While the Philadelphia sports universe awaits a decision on Jimmy Rollins' future, I have begun to think about the upcoming season and how the lineup will shake out with or without J-Roll. — Every time I engage in this mental exercise …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
