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.
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Ben Cherington talks Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard and the Red Sox' right field situation — Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington spoke via a conference call regarding his team's trade of Josh Reddick, Raul Alcantara, and Miles Head to Oakland for Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney.
Discussion:
Call to the Pen, Over the Monster, FanGraphs Baseball and MLB Rumors
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
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
A's ship Bailey to Boston for Reddick, two more
Discussion:
Baseball Nation and MLB Rumors
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Cherington: Bailey is a top-quality closer
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs, Over the Monster and MLB Daily Dish
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox acquire Andrew Bailey, Ryan Sweeney
Discussion:
Over the Monster, MLB Daily Dish and The Mighty Quinn Media Machine
Baseball Insider:
Nats player: We are “shooting for” Prince — There's been a lot of discussion and debate lately about whether the improving Washington Nationals are one of the teams trying to sign free agent slugger Prince Fielder. — And while there's still nothing definitive on the subject, one Nats player told me Thursday, “We're in the market.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
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, Washington Post and Baseball Nation
Jonathan C. Mitchell / MLB Dirt:
Historically Underrated: John Olerud — When the Hall of Fame ballots come out I love to look at the names that are included for the first time. To simply be named on the Hall of Fame ballot is an honor even if you know that player will not get a single vote.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Batter's Box Interactive …
RELATED:
Boomskie on Baseball:
My Hall of Fame Ballot for 2012 — I voted for Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Jack Morris, Rafael Palmeiro, Tim Raines, Lee Smith and Alan Trammell. — It's a very down year for first-year possibilities on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot distributed …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, THE BOOK and HardballTalk
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, Baseball Nation, MLB Rumors, New York Magazine, River Avenue Blues, HardballTalk, Yahoo! Sports and FenwayNation
RELATED:
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 and The Yankee Analysts
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Mariners Interested In Kevin Millwood — The Mariners have interest in free agent right-hander Kevin Millwood, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. Seattle is looking at veteran pitchers who could join Felix Hernandez, Michael Pineda and Jason Vargas in the projected 2012 rotation.
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright expects to excel — As he's advanced the past couple of weeks with his throwing program, Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright can no longer fight his nature. — He'll get to one of his last pitches of a workout and wait for his catcher to expect another fastball.
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog
Bill Lucey / The Morning Delivery:
A Departing Q & A with George Vecsey — I always hoped this day would never come. — Breaking into journalism as a sports reporter back in 1960 with Newsday on Long Island, then beginning in 1968, landing at The New York Times as a general assignment sports reporter …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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:
Call to the Pen, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Ian Rapoport / Rap Sheet:
Exclusive: NYC-based company says Cowboys WR Dez Bryant is ducking another lawsuit — Forgive me for some non-Patriots news... Cowboys WR Dez Bryant will have more on his mind on Sunday when he heads to New Jersey to play the Giants. The mercurial playmaker is facing another legal battle …
Discussion:
SBNation.com, The Big Lead, ProFootballTalk and SI Tracking Blog
