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 …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, baseballmusings.com and The LoHud Yankees Blog
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
Jays pitch for Japanese sensation Darvish was more than $50 million
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, HardballTalk, Baseball Prospectus, Getting Blanked and Drunk Jays Fans
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 …
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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
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:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Rumors and Redleg Nation
RELATED:
Mark J. Miller / Yahoo! Sports:
Four teams wooing Francisco Cordero
Four teams wooing Francisco Cordero
Discussion:
Over the Monster, HardballTalk and Full Count
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Baseball Insider, The Knobler Blog and Drunk Jays Fans
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Beltran expected to chose team soon
Beltran expected to chose team soon
Discussion:
ESPN, Drunk Jays Fans, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and FenwayNation
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
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:
Getting Blanked, Tedquarters, THE BOOK, HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
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, Talking Chop, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
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 and Drunk Jays Fans
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
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
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
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
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
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