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5:50 PM ET, December 21, 2011

Ballbug

 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.
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 …
Mark J. Miller / Yahoo! Sports:
Four teams wooing Francisco Cordero
Discussion: Over the Monster
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Red Sox among four teams interested in closer Francisco Cordero
Dan Mennella / MLB Rumors:
Reds, Cubs Close On Swapping Wood, Marshall
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: MLB Rumors and FenwayNation
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
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.
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 …
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.
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
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:
MLB.com:
Padres announce dates for 2012 FanFest & Annual Awards Dinner
Discussion: Lone Star Ball and Gaslamp Ball
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 …
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: HardballTalk and Deadspin
RELATED:
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
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.
 
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 More News: 
ESPN:
Source: Buckner will coach Cubs' Boise team
Discussion: HardballTalk
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Valentine making Crawford a priority in 2012
Discussion: Fenway West
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Road-tripping Fielder has market to himself
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Jays pitch for Japanese sensation Darvish was more than $50 million
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals are among Dobbs' final suitors
Discussion: Federal Baseball and Marlin Maniac
 Earlier Picks: 
Rany JazayerliPOSTED / Grantland:
The MLB Prospect Bubble
Todd Rosiak / JSOnline:
Betancourt returns to Kansas City
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Rockies To Sign Casey Blake
Discussion: HardballTalk and Dodgers Blog
Associated Press:
PA. COURT TOSSES SEX-FOR-TICKETS CONVICTION
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Liz Calvario / TODAY.com:
‘It Ends with Us’ star Jenny Slate speaks out in support of Blake Lively: ‘I stand by her side’

TMZ.com:
Justin Baldoni's Ex-Publicist Sues Over Alleged Smear Campaign

Jack Smart / People:
Ben Affleck Is ‘Healthy, Single and Enjoying Life’ After Jennifer Lopez Split: He's ‘Excited’ for Holiday with His Kids (Exclusive)

 
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