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6:35 AM ET, December 22, 2011

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Danks, White Sox reportedly agree to $65 million deal  —  Despite persistent trade rumors, it appears that John Danks will be staying with the White Sox after agreeing to a five-year, $65 million contract, according to multiple reports.  —  Danks, who made $6 million last season …
RELATED:
Chicago Sun Times:
Sox close to signing John Danks to 5-year, $65 million extension  —  White Sox left-hander John Danks, who has been shopped throughout general manager Ken Williams' rebuilding exploration journey this offseason, is close to signing an extension.  —  The Christmastime present …
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Jays pitch for Japanese sensation Darvish was more than $50 million
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.
RELATED:
Mark J. Miller / Yahoo! Sports:
Four teams wooing Francisco Cordero
Fox Sports:
Sources: Reds eyeing Cubs lefty Marshall
CBSSports.com Blogs:
Beltran talks hot, Indians now in mix  —  Carlos Beltran continues to sort through interest from at least five clubs — maybe more — and hopes to make a decision by Christmas, sources with knowledge of the discussions say.  —  The Cardinals, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Rays were all said to be …
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Beltran expected to chose team soon
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, MLB Rumors and Scout.com
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:
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Road-tripping Fielder has market to himself
Discussion: School of Roch
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.
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Twins close to a deal with Jason Marquis  —  The Twins are close to signing RHP Jason Marquis, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  —  Last month, Ken Davidoff of Newsday said the Mets were interested in acquiring Marquis to replace Chris Capuano and in August, Marquis told Andy Martino …
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Baseball America ranks Middlebrooks first  —  Baseball America is the industry standard when it comes to ranking prospects.  Here is their top 10 for the Red Sox:  —  1. 3B Will Middlebrooks  —  2. SS Xander Bogaerts  —  3. C Blake Swihart  —  4. RHP Anthony Ranaudo  —  5. OF Bryce Brentz
Discussion: FenwayNation
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.
Discussion: Hardball Times
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Angels looking to shore up bullpen  —  With C.J. Wilson in the mix, the Angels sport one of baseball's best rotations.  And now that Albert Pujols is on board, the lineup figures to be much improved, too.  —  But do they have enough in the bullpen?  —  One overlooked addition …
Discussion: MLB Rumors
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.
RELATED:
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Mets to drop Gulf Coast League team amid financial troubles
Discussion: HardballTalk
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
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.
 
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 More News: 
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers acquire Martinez for catching depth
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
ESPN:
Source: Buckner will coach Cubs' Boise team
Discussion: HardballTalk and NESN.com
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Bill Conlin sex abuse allegations bring shock and outrage, and cold statement from BBWAA
Discussion: Deadspin and HardballTalk
 Earlier Picks: 
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Thoughts from the Orioles beat (Fielder, Jackson, Oswalt, Chen, Jones)
Baseball America:
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe)
Discussion: DRaysBay and The Heater Feed
Dylan Hernandez / Dodgers Blog:
Ronald Belisario suspended for 25 games [UPDATED]
Discussion: Baseball Nation and HardballTalk
 

 
From WeSmirch:

NBC News:
Amber Heard speaks out on Blake Lively allegations against Justin Baldoni: ‘I saw this firsthand’

Hazel Jones / Daily Mail:
Lily Allen's active Raya profile is revealed as marriage to David Harbour falls apart

Vital Voices:
Statement by Vital Voices on Decision to Rescind Voices of Solidarity Award.

 
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