Top News:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Acquire Andrew Bailey — The Red Sox have acquired Andrew Bailey from the Athletics in a trade that will send Josh Reddick to Oakland and Ryan Sweeney to Boston, the teams announced. First base prospect Miles Head and right-handed pitching prospect Raul Alcantara are going to Oakland in the deal.
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Cash Kruth / MLB.com:
Red Sox acquire closer Bailey from A's — Outfielder Sweeney also headed to Boston in five-player swap — The Red Sox found their new closer Wednesday afternoon, acquiring right-hander Andrew Bailey from the A's for three players. — The trade was first reported by ESPN's Buster Olney.
Discussion:
Gonzo and ‘The Show’ and Crashburn Alley
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Cherington: Bailey is a top-quality closer — Ben Cherington just did a conference call with the media. A few of his more interesting comments . . . On Andrew Bailey: “Andrew's a proven, top-quality closer in the American League. He's done for three years and had a lot of success.
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs and MLB Daily Dish
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox acquire Andrew Bailey, Ryan Sweeney — The Red Sox have acquired Oakland closer Andrew Bailey and OF Ryan Sweeney. — Josh Reddick is going to Oakland as part of the deal. The Athletics also receive Single A first baseman Miles Head and Single A RHP Raul Alcantara.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and The Mighty Quinn Media Machine
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Reports: Yankees agree to minor-league deal with reliever Hideki Okajima — The Yankees have agreed to a minor-league contract with former Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima, according to multiple reports. Okajima, who turned 36 on Christmas Day, will be invited to spring training and could compete …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady and Sliding Into Home
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Yankees To Sign Hideki Okajima — The Yankees agreed to a minor league deal with reliever Hideki Okajima, tweets David Waldstein of the New York Times. Earlier, Sports Hochi in Japan reported talks between the two parties were in the final stages and a deal could be reached shortly after the new year …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, New York Yankees Fan Blog, The Yankee Analysts and FenwayNation
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks, Okajima agree on Minor League deal — NEW YORK — The Yankees will offer Hideki Okajima a chance to help fill out their bullpen, agreeing to terms with the former Red Sox left-hander on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. — Okajima, 36, was an effective force …
Discussion:
NESN.com
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Yankees' A-Rod saw German doctors on advice from Kobe — Kobe Bryant can be credited with an assist to Alex Rodriguez. — According to multiple sources, the Yankees third baseman recently followed a recommendation from Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers star, and traveled to Germany …
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Yahoo! Sports, New York Magazine, River Avenue Blues, Baseball Nation, MLB Rumors and FenwayNation
RELATED:
Associated Press:
A-Rod has plasma-rich platelet injections in knee, shoulder — The New York Yankees say star third baseman Alex Rodriguez is totally fine after having special treatment on his right knee and left shoulder in Germany earlier this month. — The 36-year-old Rodriguez had plasma-rich platelet …
eye-on-baseball.blogs.cbssports.com:
Gap still exists in Giants/Lincecum talks — After some more negotiating this winter, indications are that there's still a sizable gap in long-term contract talks between the San Francisco Giants and their ace pitcher Tim Lincecum. — Neither side would speak directly about the specifics …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Diamondbacks Add Cuban Lefty — Cuban lefthander Alexander Carreras, who turns 22 on Sunday, has signed with the Diamondbacks for $400,000. — At his best, Carreras has shown a solid delivery and athleticism, touched 93 mph and mixed in a hard cutter/slider, which some scouts believe is his best pitch.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
Boras taking his time with Fielder deal — To the question, “What the heck is taking Prince Fielder so long to sign a contract?” his agent, Scott Boras, essentially replies, “These things take time.” — Fielder is a rare free agent, a 27-year-old slugger with 230 career homers …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Baseball Nation
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Four votes for the Hall of Fame — Here are the players I selected for the Hall of Fame: — Larkin, Raines and Trammell were on my ballot last year. Nothing changed as far as their merits. — Briefly, Larkin and Trammell were consistent, productive players who dominated a premium position for a long period of time.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, HardballTalk and Deadspin
RELATED:
Kuiperfan / Joe Posnanski:
HOF Story 3: The Yea Votes
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, Beyond the Box Score, THE BOOK and HardballTalk
