Top News:
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:
HardballTalk and Deadspin
RELATED:
Kuiperfan / Joe Posnanski:
HOF Story 3: The Yea Votes — People talk all the time about who “feels” like a Hall of Famer and who does not. I know exactly what they're saying, because I feel those same impulses... and yet, I don't know exactly why it's true — why some players feel like Hall of Famers while others (who might be even better players) do not.
Discussion:
THE BOOK and HardballTalk
Ron Chimelis / Union-News:
Writer picks his Baseball Hall of Fame final four: Bagwell, Morris, Larkin, McGriff
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Baseball Nation and HardballTalk
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
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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 and The Yankee Analysts
Brian Costa / Wall Street Journal:
Knuckleballs of Kilimanjaro: Dickey Plots Ascent — When he goes out for his daily run, Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey straps on a black mask covering his eyes, nose and mouth. The guise has two distinct effects. The first is to limit his oxygen intake, simulating the conditions at a high altitude.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue and Deadspin
RELATED:
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:
New York Magazine, Baseball Nation, HardballTalk, River Avenue Blues and FenwayNation
Fox Sports:
Yanks end days of splurging on talent — Crazy times, is what baseball people are telling us about the game's current financial state. The Yankees and Red Sox are frozen in place, refusing to splurge, while the Marlins and Angels have blown through their retirement funds.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Joe Frisaro / The Fish Pond:
Keeping Dobbs a top priority — MIAMI — Exploring the market for a frontline starting pitcher is high on the Marlins' shopping list. — But it's not the club's most immediate priority. — Right now, bringing back free agent Greg Dobbs is a main objective, and the team is hoping to finalize a deal done soon.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Call to the Pen, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Yorvit Torrealba suspended in Venezuela … Texas Rangers backup catcher Yorvit Torrealba has been suspended 66 games by the Venezuelan League for striking an umpire, league president Jose Grasso Vecchio announced Monday morning on Twitter. — The suspension covers the rest of this season …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Deadspin
RELATED:
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins' new home to feature aquatic theme — This is part of an MLB.com/Marlins.com exclusive series with team president David Samson, chronicling the progress and developments of the new retractable-roof stadium that is opening in 2012. Throughout the series, fans are encouraged …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
2011 MLB Salaries See 3% Increase, Rangers Lead All Clubs — Each year, a litany of articles are written about who is spending what on player payrolls in Major League Baseball based upon the Opening Day rosters. — But, a more telling set of numbers arrives each year, well after the season has ended …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Lone Star Ball, Baseball Nation, Lookout Landing and MLB Rumors
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds unable to follow up strong campaign — After 2010 division title, injuries, rotation woes led to subpar ‘11 — CINCINNATI — The Reds’ 2011 season began with high expectations and ended in disappointment. — You couldn't blame a single person in the organization for feeling that way.
NPB Tracker:
NPB Bullet Points: Okajima, Pinto, Aoki, Whitesell — A couple of hot stove notes for the evening... - Sanspo reports that Milwaukee started negotiations with Norichika Aoki in in the backup player range, around $1-1.5m. Additionally, since the Brewers lack a scouting presence in Japan …
Discussion:
JSOnline, Brew Crew Ball, Full Count, MLB Daily Dish and FenwayNation
