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:
NoMaas.org, HardballTalk, River Avenue Blues, MLB Rumors, It's About The Money and Bronx Baseball Daily
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Jays hope to score in Darvish bidding war — Albert Pujols is an Angel. The marketing potential of a superstar and the team's new regional television rights deal with FOX are two of the biggest reasons why. — Now consider the power of a single national franchise, beamed coast …
Discussion:
Baseball America and Bluebird Banter
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:
Inside the D-backs, FanGraphs Baseball, baseballmusings.com, AZ Snake Pit, Full Count and 1500 ESPN SportsWire
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Kubel, D-backs reach two-year deal — PHOENIX — The D-backs have agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Jason Kubel on a two-year contract with an option, a baseball source confirmed Monday. — The move is somewhat surprising in that the D-backs had not been linked in any rumors to Kubel …
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:
Baseball Nation and 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.
RELATED:
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
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Endy heading to Baltimore with one-year deal — Speedy free agent expected to be O's top reserve outfielder — BALTIMORE — The Orioles crossed an item off their offseason shopping list, bolstering their outfield depth by agreeing to terms with veteran Endy Chavez for one year, pending a physical.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
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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:
MetsBlog.com, HardballTalk and Camden Chat
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
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Sources: Red Sox called on Kansas City closer Joakim Soria
Discussion:
Over the Monster, joy of sox, FenwayNation, HardballTalk 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 Win Rights To Norichika Aoki — MONDAY: MLB officially announced the Brewers won the bid for Aoki. They now have 30 days to negotiate a contract with him. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Brewers plan to work him out in Arizona before deciding whether to sign him.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Baseball Nation, Al's Ramblings and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
The Cooperstown case for Jeff Bagwell — It's December, so for me that means its Hall of Fame month. Early next month, Cooperstown announces the results of the annual BBWAA election. With that in mind, last month I wrote a piece for THT, “The Cooperstown case for Tim Raines.”
Discussion:
HardballTalk and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Daily / Philly.com:
Pence ready to go after offseason surgery — Phillies rightfielder Hunter Pence underwent sports-hernia surgery soon after the Phillies' elimination. He did about 3 weeks of rehab in Philly and the rest in Houston, where he resides in the offseason, owns a baseball academy and continues to be involved in the community.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
