Top News:
Fox Sports:
Sources: Big Z headed to Miami — Big Z is headed to Miami. — The Marlins, seeking to make another offseason splash, are close to acquiring Cubs right-hander Carlos Zambrano, according to major-league sources. — Zambrano, 31, would need to waive his full no-trade clause to complete the deal, if he hasn't done so already.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, Yahoo! Sports, Phillies Nation, Fish Tank blog and Miami Marlins
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Marlins Close To Acquiring Carlos Zambrano — 6:15pm: Chris Volstad is joining the Cubs in the deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). The 6'8" right-hander posted a 4.89 ERA with 6.4 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 and a 52.3% ground ball rate in 165 2/3 innings for the Marlins in 2011.
Discussion:
csnchicago.com, Real Dirty Mets Blog and HardballTalk
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Source: Cubs deal Carlos Zambrano — The Chicago Cubs are trading Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins, according to a source familiar with the situation. — The deal, which is pending physicals, requires the Cubs to pay $15 million of the $18 million owed Zambrano in 2012.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Torre resigns to explore bid to buy Dodgers — LOS ANGELES — Former Dodgers manager Joe Torre has resigned his position as executive vice president for baseball operations of Major League Baseball to pursue a purchase of the club, MLB announced on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Giants Win, New Jersey Online and Associated Press
RELATED:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Torre resigns, to explore bid to buy Dodgers
Torre resigns, to explore bid to buy Dodgers
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
Bill Shaikin / Dodgers Blog:
Dodgers bid deadline delayed to Jan. 23
Dodgers bid deadline delayed to Jan. 23
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, True Blue LA, MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Stan McNeal / Sporting News Stan McNeal Feed RSS:
Astros' new GM adds stats guru, ex-cheerleader to staff — LAST UPDATED 14 hours and 25 minutes ago … New Astros GM Jeff Luhnow is building a front office geek squad. (AP Photo) … Luhnow makes another unusual move
Discussion:
HardballTalk and THE BOOK
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Zachary Levine / Ultimate Astros:
Astros go data-heavy with addition of director of decision sciences
Astros go data-heavy with addition of director of decision sciences
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Viva El Birdos, MLB.com, HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox may prefer Soler to Cespedes — The Red Sox have scouted and are impressed with both Cuban defectors Yoennis Cespedes and Jorge Soler, but it appears the Red Sox will likely pass on the huge dollars it may take to sign Cespedes and bid for Soler instead, according to a major league source.
Discussion:
BoSox Injection and FenwayNation
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Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Red Sox continue to be frugal shoppers
Mike DiGiovanna / LA Times Sports Blog:
Return of Angels slugger Mark Trumbo delayed again — Mark Trumbo said Wednesday that the stress fracture in his right foot will take about five months to heal, an extended timetable that will push the Angels slugger's rehabilitation right up to the start of spring training in late February.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and SI Tracking Blog
Susan Slusser / Oakland Athletics:
Coco Crisp says he chose A's over Rays — I just spoke to old-new A's center fielder Coco Crisp, whose two-year deal will become official tomorrow after his physical, and he told me that his decision came down to Tampa Bay and Oakland. — There were pros and cons to both …
Discussion:
The Heater Feed, San Francisco Chronicle, Athletics Nation, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds remain in market for depth in left field — Move will be predicated on what happens with closer Cordero — CINCINNATI — As the Reds continue to maneuver during what time remains this offseason, left field could certainly loom large. — There is definitely a depth issue.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Cincinnati Reds
T.R. Sullivan / Postcards From Elysian Fields:
Daniels on Napoli, Fielder, Bullpen — The Rangers aren't likely to get a long-term deal done with catcher Mike Napoli this winter. General manager Jon Daniels said the two sides are far apart and are focused on a one-year deal that will avoid arbritration.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Federal Baseball and MLB Daily Dish
Lynn Henning / detroitnews.com:
Tigers' Dombrowski: Jacob Turner not on trading block — Jacob Turner, it appears, is not for sale. — Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers president and general manager, said during an energized Wednesday phone conversation that the Tigers have no plans, nor desire, to trade their 20-year-old …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Bless You Boys and MLB Rumors
Dan Szymborski / Transaction Oracle:
2012 ZiPS Projections - Milwaukee Brewers — The Brewers projections go up and just about the perfect time: after Betancourt is gone, after Ramirez is signed, but before Fielder signs elsewhere. Fielder's a great player, but the Brewers really do have a solid team that can survive even the loss …