Top News:
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Yankees ‘not getting’ Japanese pitching star Yu Darvish — NEW YORK — If Japanese pitching sensation Yu Darvish indeed throws his first major league pitch next season, it will not be in a Yankees uniform. — The Yankees are “not getting him,” a person with knowledge of the situation said today …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, NoMaas.org, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, It's About The Money and Bronx Baseball Daily
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Franz Lidz / Sports Illustrated:
Highest Darvish bid beats Dice-K's, sets record for posting process … Contrary to published reports, the top sealed bid submitted for star Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish on Wednesday was the highest in the history of the posting process, exceeding the record $51.1 million fee that the Boston Red Sox paid …
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily, River Avenue Blues, FenwayNation, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and Baseball Nation
Fox Sports:
Source: Diamondbacks, Kubel reach deal — The Diamondbacks, continuing their impressive off-season, have reached agreement with free-agent outfielder Jason Kubel on a two-year, $15 million contract, according to a major-league source. — The deal, which is pending a physical, also includes an option for 2014, the source said.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Full Count and 1500 ESPN SportsWire
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Diamondbacks To Sign Jason Kubel — The Diamondbacks have signed outfielder Jason Kubel, tweets Tom Krasovic. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms the agreement, which is for two years with an option. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports says the deal is worth $15MM. Kubel is represented by Wasserman Media Group.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Cash Kruth / MLB.com:
Padres swap Latos to Reds in five-player deal — San Diego lands Volquez, Alonso and other top prospects — The Reds and Padres announced a five-player deal Saturday, as Cincinnati sent right-hander Edinson Volquez and three of its top 10 prospects to the Padres for right-hander Mat Latos.
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Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Reds Acquire Latos For Alonso, Grandal, Volquez — The Reds wanted to boost their rotation this winter and the club wasn't afraid to part with a great deal of talent in order to get their man in Mat Latos. The Reds acquired Latos from the Padres this afternoon for Yonder Alonso, Edinson Volquez, Yasmani Grandal, and Brad Boxberger.
Fox Sports:
Critics of Reds' deal should look again
Discussion:
Red Reporter, MLB Rumors, Yahoo! Sports, Minor League Ball and Cincinnati Reds
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Padres trade Mat Latos to Reds
Discussion:
Associated Press, ESPN and High Heat Stats
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
Reds Finally Get Their Ace in Mat Latos
Discussion:
Chicken Friars, Amazin' Avenue, MLB.com, U.S.S. Mariner and Red Reporter
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Revamped AL teams major concern for Sox — With the likelihood the expanded playoff format won't go into effect until 2013, the Red Sox must be careful not to go a third year without a postseason berth. — Not only must they worry about the Yankees and Rays in their division, there are the rising Blue Jays as well.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, MLB Rumors and Baseball Nation
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Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Sources: Red Sox called on Kansas City closer Joakim Soria — The Red Sox have expressed some interest in Royals closer Joakim Soria. (AP) — According to multiple sources, the Red Sox had discussions with the Royals about the possibility of dealing for Kansas City closer Joakim Soria.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, joy of sox, FenwayNation, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
Sources: Cards still interested in Beltran — The Cardinals did extensive background work on free-agent outfielder Carlos Beltran last week and maintain strong interest in him, according to major league sources. — Other teams remain in the mix, however, and Beltran is weighing a variety …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and MLB Rumors
Paul Hagen / MLB.com:
GMs eye trade route for starting pitching help — Gio, Jurrjens, Pineda among starters that could be on block — So you're a general manager, and you went into the offseason hoping to improve your rotation. But C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Yu Darvish proved to be too pricey, and you're not thrilled with the remaining free agents.
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Appear To Have Won Rights To Aoki — Sunday: The Brewers have not yet officially been awarded the negotiating rights to Aoki but still appear to be in good shape, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Until the posting process officially concludes …
Discussion:
JSOnline, Baseball Nation, Al's Ramblings, Yahoo! Sports and HardballTalk
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Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Orioles Agree To Sign Endy Chavez — The Orioles and Endy Chavez have agreed to a one-year, $1.5MM major league deal. The deal will also give the outfielder the chance to earn another $500K through performance bonuses. — The Mets showed interest in Chavez earlier this offseason …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Camden Chat and MetsBlog.com
