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8:45 AM ET, January 5, 2012

Ballbug

 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.
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Zambrano completes Marlins' circus act  —  To: Rick Jaffe, Senior VP, FOXSports.com  —  Much as I enjoy covering all 30 teams as the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com, the time has come for a change.  —  I am writing to ask that you allow me to cover the Miami Marlins full time next season.
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.
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
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.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies' Seth Smith to Atlanta Braves trade talk cools  —  While outfielder Seth Smith remains a coveted commodity, the Atlanta Braves' interest has cooled, according to a major league source with the direct knowledge of the talks.  —  The Braves are unwilling to move infielder Martin Prado …
Discussion: Talking Chop and MLB Daily Dish
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
RELATED:
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: FenwayNation
RELATED:
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:   Red Sox continue to be frugal shoppers
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.
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 …
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: Cincinnati Reds and MLB Rumors
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.
RELATED:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Torre resigns, to explore bid to buy Dodgers
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 …
 
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 More News: 
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Time running out for Yankees to sign Japanese infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima
Dan Szymborski / Transaction Oracle:
2012 ZiPS Projections - Milwaukee Brewers
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Aoki workout this weekend
Discussion: HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
Baseball America:
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe)
 Earlier Picks: 
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
On Baseball: Yankees Saving Now to Make Free-Agent Splash Later
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
LaRoche uncertain about future in Washington
Discussion: HardballTalk
Phil Mackey / 1500 ESPN SportsWire:
SportsWire Twins Mackey: Twins narrowing down search for free-agent bullpen options
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish and FenwayNation
Dejan Kovacevic / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Pirates, starter Maholm talk; return is unlikely
Discussion: Bucs Dugout and MLB Daily Dish
 

 
From WeSmirch:

New York Times:
Private messages detail an alleged campaign to smear Blake Lively after she accused Justin Baldoni of misconduct on the set of “It Ends With Us.”

Gil Macias / People:
Alfa Anderson, Vocalist Behind Chic Hits Including ‘Good Times’ and ‘Le Freak,’ Dies at 78: ‘Forever Loved’

TMZ.com:
Michael B. Jordan Trespasser At Home, Police Respond

 
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