Top News:
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Source: Cubs, Reds agree on trade — The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a trade in principle that will send pitcher Travis Wood and two minor-leaguers to the Cubs for left-handed reliever Sean Marshall, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Redleg Nation
RELATED:
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:
Baseball Nation, FanGraphs Baseball, Reds Country, Blog Red Machine and MLB Rumors
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, MLB Rumors and FenwayNation
Dan Mennella / MLB Rumors:
Reds, Cubs Close On Swapping Wood, Marshall
Reds, Cubs Close On Swapping Wood, Marshall
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds, HardballTalk and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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 …
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:
HardballTalk, 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
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:
THE BOOK, Getting Blanked, HardballTalk, baseballmusings.com and Tedquarters
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Catching up with Cardinals abroad — TOWER GROVE • A day before the St. Louis Cardinals added the outfielder who could be his chief rival for a spot on the major-league roster, Adron Chambers doubled, tripled and finished 2-for-3 with a walk in his winter effort to get a head start on spring training.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
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:
Rays Index, DRaysBay and The Heater Feed
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, Drunk Jays Fans, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and FenwayNation
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Phils give Minors deals to Luna, Montanez — The Phillies were involved with three transactions on Wednesday, including the signing of two players to Minor League contracts. — Philadelphia added infielder Hector Luna and outfielder Luis Montanez, and invited both to big league camp at Spring Training as non-roster players.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
ESPN:
Source: Buckner will coach Cubs' Boise team — Ending speculation that he could be hired to join the Red Sox coaching staff, former Boston first baseman Bill Buckner will join the Chicago Cubs' Class A affiliate Boise Hawks as their hitting coach, a source ESPN's Jeremy Schaap.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and NESN.com
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 …
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 and HardballTalk
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, True Blue LA and Mike Scioscia's tragic illness