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2:30 AM ET, January 17, 2012

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Source: Red Sox would have to move payroll in order to sign Roy Oswalt  —  Despite a FoxSports.com report that the Red Sox have “maintained active dialogue” with Roy Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, the likelihood of the team signing the 34-year-old remains in doubt.
RELATED:
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles have some interest in Francisco Cordero  —  The Orioles have expressed some interest in the lone viable free-agent closer, Francisco Cordero, according to an industry source.  —  Although discussions are not considered far along, the Orioles have inquired about the 36-year-old right-hander …
Discussion: HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
BoSox need to face reality, fix rotation  —  The Yankees had to upgrade their starting rotation.  They knew it.  Their fans knew it.  The competition knew it, too.  —  The New York starters were mediocre last year — 14th among 30 big league teams in ERA — and couldn't beat …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox To Sign Vicente Padilla
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies trade Smith to Oakland for two pitchers; offer deal to Jamie Moyer  —  Seth Smith spent the winter in wonderland.  On Monday, the questions and uncertainty ended.  —  With the outfielder viewed as a luxury item after the signing of free agent Michael Cuddyer, Smith was traded …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Athletics acquire OF Smith in deal with Rockies  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have traded outfielder Seth Smith to the Oakland Athletics for right-hander Guillermo Moscoso and left-hander Josh Outman.  —  Monday's deal came a day after Smith and the Rockies avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2,415,000.
Troy Renck / On the Rox:
Rockies' Smith avoids arbitration with one-year deal
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:   Rox trade Smith to A's for Moscoso, Outman
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Angels, Callaspo agree on one-year deal  —  ANAHEIM — The Angels agreed to a one-year contract with infielder Alberto Callaspo on Monday, thereby avoiding arbitration.  —  The deal is worth $3.15 million, according to a source, which is slightly higher than the reported figure Kendrys Morales agreed to …
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers agree to terms with Porcello, Coke
Discussion: SI Tracking Blog
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Tigers Avoid Arbitration With Rick Porcello
Associated Press:
Report: Angel Pagan, Giants agree  —  SAN FRANCSICO — The San Francisco Giants and outfielder Angel Pagan agreed to a $4.85 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said.  —  The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the club hadn't formally announced the deal.
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Yankees eye Damon as DH  —  With the Yankees in the market for a designated hitter now that Jesus Montero is heading to Seattle, they are looking at a number of options and reportedly already reached out to Johnny Damon and Carlos Pena.  —  Since they already added $10 million to the payroll …
RELATED:
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Yankees may bring back free agent Johnny Damon to play him as designated hitter
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Howell deal set for $1.35M, 4 still arbitration eligible  —  LHP J.P. Howell and the Rays [are finalizing] have completed a one-year deal for $1.35-million to avoid arbitration.  —  Howell also gets incentive bonuses for 45 and 60 innings pitched, which can push the total value to $1.4-million.
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports and MLB Daily Dish
Jorge Castillo / New York Times:
Puerto Rico Traces Decline in Prospects to Baseball Draft  —  Ivan Rodriguez at bat.  Mr. Rodriguez, 41, is currently a free agent and playing for one of the Puerto Rican Winter League's four teams.  He is the last active Puerto Rican major leaguer to avoid the draft.  More Photos »
Discussion: HardballTalk and IT IS HIGH!
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Prospect Watch: Top 10 right-handed pitchers  —  Pair of Pirates, D-backs among game's up-and-coming aces … On the 2011 list of Top 10 right-handed pitchers, there was the American League Rookie of the Year and the hurler who finished fifth in that voting.  Seven of the 10 pitched in the big leagues.
Discussion: Bucs Dugout
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Reds To Sign Ryan Ludwick  —  The Reds have agreed to sign free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a one-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2013, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets.  Ludwick gets a $2.5MM guarantee and could earn another $500K in incentives, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.
Star-Telegram / Foul Territory:
Josh Hamilton's father-in-law backs out  —  Michael Dean Chadwick has reconsidered being the accountability partner to son-in-law Josh Hamilton because of family considerations.  Hamilton said over the weekend that Chadwick, who lives in North Carolina, has a daughter who is finishing up high school.
Discussion: Eye on Baseball
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Mets' rebuilding efforts are upside-down  —  Editor's note: Yahoo! Sports will examine the offseason of every MLB team before spring training begins in mid-February.  Our series continues with the New York Mets.  —  2011 record: 77-85  —  Finish: Fourth place, NL East  —  2011 final payroll: $142.2 million
Discussion: Mets Merized Online
 
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 More News: 
Associated Press:
Hughes and Yankees reach deal
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
SportsDayDFW com / Dallas Morning News:
National writer: If Rangers sign Prince Fielder, he'd be best hitter in baseball ‘by a mile’
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
The possible upcoming Cooperstown ballot apocalypse
Discussion: HardballTalk and Baseball Nation
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Hanrahan, Morton get deals to avoid arbitration
 Earlier Picks: 
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Bat will determine Flores' future position
Discussion: Mets Merized Online
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals extend Gio's contract through 2016
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
10th anniversary: Rangers sign Chan Ho Park
Associated Press:
Oakland manager Melvin excited about Japan series
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Samantha Masunaga / Los Angeles Times:
Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra talks ‘arms dealer’ strategy, defends ‘Spider-Man’ spinoffs

Marc Malkin / Variety:
Brian Tyree Henry, Ryan Destiny on ‘Fire Inside’ Boxing and Emotional ‘Beyond the Spider-Verse’: 'There's Not Going to Be a Dry Eye in the House'

TMZ.com:
Comedian and Broadway Star Dick Capri Dead at 93

 
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