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:
Baseball Prospectus, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Phillies Nation, MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, Fish Tank blog, Miami Marlins and Yahoo! Sports
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:
Phillies Nation, Baseball Prospectus, csnchicago.com, HardballTalk and Call to the Pen
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.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and South Side Sox
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Marlins Agree To Acquire Carlos Zambrano — The 2012 Marlins are about to get a little more interesting. In case Ozzie Guillen, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell don't add enough intrigue to the upcoming season, the team has agreed to acquire Carlos Zambrano from the Cubs for Chris Volstad …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, Baseball Nation, MLB Daily Dish and Talking Chop
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Jenks has a second procedure — More fragments taken from back — BOBBY JENKS Late start in spring training — Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks recently had a second spinal decompression procedure after experiencing discomfort following the first procedure in mid-December.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and FenwayNation
RELATED:
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Red Sox continue to be frugal shoppers
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers, Napoli likely to settle on one-year deal — GM Daniels discusses potential extensions, makeup of bullpen — ARLINGTON — The Rangers, while focused on signing pitcher Yu Darvish, have not shut down all other business. They are still discussing long-term contracts for certain players …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and Rangers Blog
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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:
Federal Baseball, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
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:
SI Tracking Blog
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:
MLB Rumors, 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:
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, HardballTalk, MLB.com and baseballmusings.com
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, MLB Daily Dish, Athletics Nation, HardballTalk and San Francisco Chronicle
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.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, 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