Top News:
Fox Sports:
Sources: Red Sox agree with Cook — The Red Sox, taking a step toward upgrading their rotation, have reached agreement with free-agent right-hander Aaron Cook on a minor league contract, according to major league sources. — The deal, which will become official when Cook passes a physical …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, NESN.com, Red Sox Monster and MLB Daily Dish
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Peter Gammons / MLB.com:
Big markets remain silent during strange winter — Here it is, approximately six weeks from Spring Training, and Prince Fielder is still on hold, like Rick Ankiel or Aaron Cook. So are Ryan Madson and Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson. — When the Cubs traded for Anthony Rizzo Friday, it sent several clear messages.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Baseball Time in Arlington
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Good starting point for Sox is 200 innings — The Red Sox were one of seven teams that didn't have a pitcher log 200 innings last year. They were joined by the Royals, Nationals, Reds, Pirates, Rockies, and Padres. None of them made the playoffs, and only the Red Sox finished over .500.
Discussion:
Red Sox Post, Call to the Pen, NESN.com, HardballTalk, Getting Blanked, MetsBlog.com and MLB Rumors
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
SOURCE: AARON COOK, RED SOX AGREE TO DEAL — According to multiple industry sources, the Red Sox have agreed to terms with free agent starting pitcher Aaron Cook on a minor league deal, pending a physical. The 32-year-old right-hander is expected to compete for one of the final spots in the Sox' rotation in 2012.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, MLB Rumors, Bleacher Report, Baseball Nation and FenwayNation
Dan Mennella / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Agree To Sign Aaron Cook — 11:39: The deal is worth $1.5MM prorated if Cook is called up to the Major Leagues, according to Rob Bradford and Alex Speier of WEEI.com. — 9:43pm: The Red Sox have agreed to terms with right-hander Aaron Cook on a minor league contract, pending a physical …
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs, Amazin' Avenue and Bucs Dugout
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Revealing my Hall of Fame ballot — Barry Larkin, of course, plus nine others, but not Alan Trammell or Bernie Williams — Off in the distance, the Steroid Era apocalypse is approaching, only a year away now. Woo-hoo. I can hardly wait. — Yes, way out there, just beyond the horizon …
RELATED:
John Schlegel / MLB.com:
MLB.com writers cast their HOF ballots — Each year, lifetime members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, i.e. those who spent 10 or more consecutive years with the organization, are bestowed a unique honor: Together, they comprise the electorate for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Discussion:
Mark My Word
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Larry Walker is more Rockies royalty than Hall of Famer
Discussion:
Purple Row and baseballmusings.com
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
Jorge Posada career highlights — On Saturday, news surfaced that Jorge Posada intends to retire after 17 years in baseball. In that time, he combined two things that rarely go together. He was a longtime New York Yankee, and he was constantly underrated.
Discussion:
USA Today
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ESPN:
Source: Jorge Posada to retire
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Lady Loves Pinstripes, Bleacher Report and NESN.com
Howie Rumberg / Associated Press:
AP Source: Yankees Posada set to retire
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Sports Illustrated:
Howard struggles, but Magic squeeze past Kings … Dwight Howard was in foul trouble the whole game and scored just five points, but the Magic still managed to earn a 104-97 victory over the Kings. — SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dwight Howard was back on the bench again, taking a seat …
Discussion:
The Point Forward and ProBasketballTalk
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Baseball Insider:
Rangers' Darvish bid is about $52M; work to do — The Texas Rangers are offering about “Dice K money” to star Japanese righthander Yu Darvish, sources told CBSSports.com, and there's no evidence a deal is at hand. — The expression “Dice K money” would mean the offer is someone in the range …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Kevin Millwood not a primary option for Rockies' rotation — The Rockies' chances of re-signing right-hander Kevin Millwood nosedived last month with the acquisition of Kevin Slowey, leaving little room in the budget for the veteran. — Before the trade for Slowey at the winter meetings …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and FenwayNation
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Giavotella expects to be 100% by spring — Infielder set to accept George Brett Hitter of the Year Award — KANSAS CITY — Second baseman Johnny Giavotella will be arriving for the Royals Awards Luncheon on Wednesday with some good news about his surgically-repaired right hip.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Game Time … PHILADELPHIA — Roy Halladay wasn't the shutdown pitcher he has been most of the season. Philadelphia's offense bailed him out and helped the Phillies pull off a doubleheader sweep of the Florida Marlins. — Carlos Ruiz's RBI single to center with two outs …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Bud Selig's contract as MLB commissioner may be expiring, but don't expect him to go anywhere — Selig has $20 million reasons to remain in baseball's highest posistion when deal ends — As one former MLB executive says, anyone who thinks Bud Selig is willing to walk away from a $20 million …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Prospectus
