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:
Crashburn Alley and Gonzo and ‘The Show’
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
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
A's ship Bailey to Boston for Reddick, two more — Oakland stays busy, adds pair of prospects in five-player swap — OAKLAND — Less than a week after trading one of their All-Star pitchers, the A's dealt another to Boston on Wednesday, shipping right-handed closer Andrew Bailey to the Red Sox.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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
Discussion:
HardballTalk, New York Yankees Fan Blog, The Yankee Analysts and FenwayNation
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, New York Magazine, River Avenue Blues, Baseball Nation, Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors and FenwayNation
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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 …
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 and Baseball Nation
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:
HardballTalk, MLB Rumors 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 and THE BOOK
