Top News:
Gerry Fraley / Rangers Blog:
Roy Oswalt on Rangers' radar; Ryan optimistic Darvish will sign — ARLINGTON — The Rangers could add two more starting pitchers. — As what team president Nolan Ryan labeled promising negotiations with Japanese righthander Yu Darvish continue, the Rangers have also made inquiries …
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, MLB Daily Dish, Lone Star Ball, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and mlbbuzz
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Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Rangers CEO ‘optimistic’ about signing Darvish — ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan said he's “optimistic” that his club will sign Yu Darvish before Wednesday afternoon's deadline. — “My expectation is that we'll get something done,” said Ryan prior to the Texas Rangers Award Show …
Discussion:
Baseball Nation and Yahoo! Sports
Juan C. Rodriguez / Miami Marlins:
Miami Marlins have not changed stance on Fielder; Cepedes remains top target — In spite of the buzz out there about owner Jeffrey Loria meeting Scott Boras, who represents unsigned free agent Prince Fielder, the Marlins' position on the slugging first baseman has not changed.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, MLB.com, Federal Baseball, HardballTalk, Eye on Baseball, MLB Rumors and Baseball Nation
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Enrique Rojas / MLB:
Cespedes to play in D.R. while waiting on MLB — Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will play with Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Republic winter league while waiting to be declared a free agent to sign with a MLB team. — Cespedes is scheduled to make his professional debut on Thursday …
Barry Bloom / MLB.com:
Boras: Prince will sign before spring's first pitch
Boras: Prince will sign before spring's first pitch
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, baseballmusings.com, MyNorthwest.com, Mariners Musings, NESN.com, Eye on Baseball, MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
ESPN:
Report: Police talk to Castro about sex assault — Chicago Cubs All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro was questioned by Chicago police Thursday night and into Friday morning over allegations of sexual assault, according to WBBM Newsradio in Chicago. — A woman accused Castro, 21 …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays won't limit search for another bat to first basemen — Andrew Friedman prefers a deep pool of options. — ST. PETERSBURG — With Luke Scott signed and set for everyday duty, the Rays are now focused on adding another hitter to complete the planned upgrade of their offense.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Reynolds to handle hot-corner duties for O's — BALTIMORE — Assuming the Orioles don't make any impact corner infielder additions in the next month, Mark Reynolds will head into Spring Training as the team's starting third baseman. — While there was thought to keeping Reynolds at first base …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers avoid arbitration with Parra — After missing 2011 season, lefty agrees to one-year deal — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers and left-hander Manny Parra struck an agreement on a one-year contract Thursday, avoiding arbitration. — Parra did not pitch in the Major Leagues in 2011 …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Brewers, Parra Avoid Arbitration
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Theo Epstein talks decision to join Cubs, Carl Crawford, compensation and all things Red Sox collapse — Theo Epstein called the Red Sox situation “completely repairable.” — The Cubs president also said regarding Manny Ramirez, “I don't think it's a good fit for us.”
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
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Nick Collias / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox, Vicente Padilla Moving Toward Deal
Red Sox, Vicente Padilla Moving Toward Deal
Discussion:
Full Count, Boston Globe and Over the Monster
Paul White / USA Today:
Trey Griffey: The Kid's kid is a different kind of hitter — ORLANDO - Keyshawn Johnson spent the morning drilling, grilling and otherwise challenging the collection of top high school wide receivers, but he saved his best shot for last. — “He's here because he can't hit the curveball …
Discussion:
Seattle Mariners blog
Brian Costa / Wall Street Journal:
Mets' Wilpon: 'I Think We'll Be Fine' — PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz.—Back in New York, he faces heavy debt, staggering losses and a potentially crippling lawsuit. But here, at a lavish mountainside resort, Fred Wilpon was at peace. — The embattled Mets owner smiled broadly Thursday …
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
Ramona Shelburne / ESPN:
Josh Macciello wants the Dodgers — Is this underdog in the Dodgers bidding process for real? Could be — ESPNLosAngeles.com — STUDIO CITY, Calif. — Josh Macciello lives about where you would expect a guy who says he wants to buy the Dodgers would live.
Discussion:
Mike Scioscia's tragic illness and VIN SCULLY IS MY HOMEBOY
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
A couple of years later and many pounds lighter, “Da Meat Hook” making a comeback … Dmitri Young began toying with the idea of a comeback on a sun-splashed afternoon in Cooperstown, N.Y., last June, after dominating the proceedings against a bunch of fellow baseball geriatrics in the annual Hall of Fame Classic.
Discussion:
HardballTalk