Top News:
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Andruw Jones, who spent last season with Yankees, may be right for Boston Red Sox — Bombers could lose slugger to rival — Yankees might find Andruw Jones is better suited for offer from Red Sox. — For weeks, it has appeared to be a foregone conclusion that Andruw Jones would return …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Pinstripe Alley, HardballTalk, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Bombers Beat, FenwayNation and Sliding Into Home
RELATED:
JonPaulMorosi / mlbbuzz:
Could League be option for Red Sox, Reds, Angels? — Oakland's Andrew Bailey isn't necessarily the only big-name closer left on the trade market. — Some within the industry believe the Mariners are willing to move Brandon League — if not now, then perhaps closer to spring training.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and FenwayNation
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Source: Cubs, Red Sox strike deal
Source: Cubs, Red Sox strike deal
Discussion:
Boston Globe, FenwayNation and NESN.com
Fox Sports:
Sources: Reds eyeing Cubs lefty Marshall — The Reds and Cubs are in the advanced stages of trade discussions that would send left-handed reliever Sean Marshall to Cincinnati, according to major league sources. — The Cubs are targeting left-hander Travis Wood, a pitcher …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, FanGraphs Baseball, Blog Red Machine, Baseball Nation and Reds Country
RELATED:
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Red Sox among four teams interested in closer Francisco Cordero
Red Sox among four teams interested in closer Francisco Cordero
Discussion:
mlbbuzz, HardballTalk, FenwayNation and MLB Rumors
Dan Mennella / MLB Rumors:
Reds, Cubs Close On Swapping Wood, Marshall
Reds, Cubs Close On Swapping Wood, Marshall
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds, ESPN and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mike Fast / Baseball Prospectus:
Hit-and-Run Success is No Accident — “In this game you never know enough.” —Dale Mitchell — The hit-and-run play is not highly regarded by the analytical crowd. It is considered a one-run play and, like the sacrifice bunt attempt, it garners derision from people who hate small-ball tactics.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, THE BOOK, HardballTalk, Tedquarters and Getting Blanked
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Quick Q&A: w/ Kevin Goldstein about cutting GCL Mets — The Mets announced Tuesday that they are eliminating their rookie league team in the Class-A Gulf Coast League, though they will continue to operate Kingsport. — Kevin Goldstein writes about every team's farm system for Baseball Prospectus, ESPN and Sirius/XM Radio.
Discussion:
MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com
RELATED:
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Mets to drop Gulf Coast League team amid financial troubles
Mets to drop Gulf Coast League team amid financial troubles
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Beltran expected to chose team soon — Image — The Cardinals remain in the mix for one of the top free agents still on the market even as they explore alternate ways to address an opening in the outfield. — All-Star Carlos Beltran is expected to select his next team this week, a source familiar with his plans said.
Discussion:
ESPN, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and FenwayNation
Baseball America:
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe) … If there were any remaining doubters regarding the Rays' way of doing business, the 2011 season should leave nothing more than the sound of chirping crickets. Despite having to build an entire bullpen and fill several other holes …
Discussion:
The Heater Feed, Rays Index and DRaysBay
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
To Attract Potential Investors, Mets Add Perks to the Deal — It is, understandably, not the easiest sell: $20 million to own a small, noncontrolling interest in a baseball team renowned of late for losing — on the field and at the gate. — Of course, the owners of the Mets …
Deborah Braconnier / Yahoo! Sports:
A Real Fan Will Always Believe in the Cubs: A Fan's Perspective — I first became a fan of the Chicago Cubs back in the 1980s as a young teenager. I had always loved playing softball and, because I lived just outside of Chicago, I had followed the Cubs games when I had the chance.
RELATED:
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Bill Conlin sex abuse allegations bring shock and outrage, and cold statement from BBWAA — Baseball Writer's Association of America misses mark on statement — Portrait of Bill Conlin from Philly.com — Hours after the Philadelphia Inquirer posted a report alleging that Hall …
Discussion:
Deadspin and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Nancy Phillips / Philly.com:
Four say Philly Daily News writer Bill Conlin sexually abused them as children
Four say Philly Daily News writer Bill Conlin sexually abused them as children
Discussion:
HardballTalk, The Big Lead, Baseball Nation, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN and Deadspin
A.J. Daulerio / Deadspin:
Legendary Columnist Bill Conlin Resigns Over Forthcoming Philly Inquirer Bombshell [UPDATE]
Legendary Columnist Bill Conlin Resigns Over Forthcoming Philly Inquirer Bombshell [UPDATE]
Discussion:
The Big Lead and NESN.com
Dylan Hernandez / Dodgers Blog:
Ronald Belisario suspended for 25 games [UPDATED] — Reliever Ronald Belisario has received a visa valid for the next five years and is expected to be in Arizona for the start of spring training, but he won't be on the Dodgers' opening-day roster. — Belisario must serve a 25-game suspension …
Discussion:
Mike Scioscia's tragic illness
RELATED:
Dylan Hernandez / Dodgers Blog:
Ronald Belisario receives visa, is expected to rejoin Dodgers
Ronald Belisario receives visa, is expected to rejoin Dodgers
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, HardballTalk and True Blue LA
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers acquire Martinez for catching depth — ARLINGTON — The Rangers have acquired catcher Luis Martinez from the Padres for Minor League pitcher Ryan Kelly. Martinez, who appeared in 22 games for the Padres this past season, has been placed on the 40-man roster.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Road-tripping Fielder has market to himself — Scott Boras and Prince Fielder are kickin' it old school, as the, well, middle-aged people say. — For the past eight days they've been on the road, touring major league towns as Fielder's free agency nears its happy place, like an old-fashioned recruiting trip.
Discussion:
School of Roch
RELATED:
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Thoughts from the Orioles beat (Fielder, Jackson, Oswalt, Chen, Jones) — With news that the Texas Rangers won the posting rights to Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish, speculation has arisen that the Rangers may not be able to afford free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder.
Discussion:
Bowman's Blog, Baseball Nation, HardballTalk, Talking Chop and MLB Rumors