Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Yu haul: Rangers land Darvish in $60M deal — ARLINGTON — Yu Darvish is undertaking the journey from Japan to the U.S. with the intention of helping the Rangers achieve their goal of winning a World Series championship. — That is one of the reasons why he is coming to Texas and why the Rangers …
Discussion:
B3: Big, Bald and Beautiful and The Soxaholix
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Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
The Nationals look like Prince Fielder favorites — My instant analysis from last night concerning the effect of Yu Darvish's contract on Prince Fielder already seems woefully wrong. I still liked the Rangers' chances to land Fielder, and then Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels said of signing him …
Discussion:
Seattle Times, Federal Baseball and Postcards From Elysian Fields
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Rangers, Yu Darvish reach deal … ARLINGTON, Texas — Japanese ace Yu Darvish will be pitching in a Texas Rangers uniform in 2012, agreeing to a six-year deal worth approximately $60 million on Wednesday. — Darvish agreed to the deal, which includes a player option for the sixth year, just before Wednesday's 5 p.m. ET deadline.
Discussion:
VFTB, Seattle Mariners blog and 6-4-2
Fox Sports:
Darvish, Texas agree to six-year deal — The Texas Rangers and Japanese pitching star Yu Darvish have agreed on a six-year contract, the team announced Wednesday. — The deal is worth close to $60 million, one major-league source confirmed to FOXSports.com. It does not include deferred money.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Evan Grant / Rangers Blog:
Rangers remain interested in Prince Fielder, but only in “creative” deal
Discussion:
MLB.com, MLB Daily Dish, Federal Baseball and JSOnline
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
It's time for Rangers to make a deal with Yu Darvish
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Federal Baseball, Postcards From Elysian Fields and The Big Lead
Ben Cafardo / ESPN MediaZone:
Star-Studded Schedule for ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball — ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Taco Bell - the exclusive, national game of the week - will continue to showcase Major League Baseball's top teams and biggest stars throughout 2012. The Sunday Night Baseball schedule …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Mets Today, River Avenue Blues, Halo Hangout, Patrick Flood, HardballTalk, Nationals Buzz and Old Time Family Baseball
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Jon DeRosa / bronxbanterblog.com:
Leave the Gun. Take the Cannoli. — I can't relate to pitchers. I had to take the ball from the second grade up through freshman year of high school and I hated it most of the time. I could hit, though, until it was too dark out to see the ball. If my dad's arm didn't get tired, we might still be out there.
Discussion:
It's About The Money and baseballmusings.com
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Orlando Cabrera retires — Orlando Cabrera, who helped the Red Sox to the 2004 World Series, told a radio station in his native Columbia that he was retiring. — Cabrera, 37, played for nine teams over 15 seasons, hitting .272 with 123 home runs and two Gold Gloves.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Old Time Family Baseball and The Mighty Quinn Media Machine
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Orlando Cabrera To Retire
Discussion:
Full Count and NotGraphs Baseball
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Prospect Watch: Top 10 third basemen — Rockies slugger, Minors RBI leader Arenado heads list … Over the past few years, there seemed to be a dearth of legitimate prospects at the hot corner. While it might not quite be a full-on renaissance, this year's Top 10 third-base prospect list does …
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Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Yoenis Cespedes Hits First Home Run (With Video) — Yoenis Cespedes has gotten off to a sluggish start in the Dominican League playoffs, but he flashed his bat speed and power potential tonight with his first home run since joining the Aguilas Cibaeñas.
Discussion:
South Side Sox, School of Roch, HardballTalk and Old Time Family Baseball
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies sign 49-year-old Jamie Moyer to minor-league deal — Left-handers aren't measured in years. Carbon dating is more like it. Lefties believe they can throw forever, and in the case of Jamie Moyer, he's going to try. — In a deal first reported by The Denver Post on Monday …
Discussion:
On the Rox
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Rockies To Sign Jamie Moyer
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo! Sports
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Bulked-up Fowler center of attention for Rockies — Outfielder targets greater strength, speed — LAS VEGAS — The most arresting sight in the gym on this day wasn't a carved Troy Tulowitzki, another bench press from Jason Giambi or the barreled chest of trainer Mark Philippi that should come with a dresser and nightstand.
Discussion:
Associated Press, HardballTalk, baseballmusings.com and Purple Row
John Lowe / Boston Herald:
Replacing Victor Martinez won't be easy, but Tigers begin process — DETROIT — The vehicles of the Tigers' caravan will roll from Comerica Park early this afternoon. Vladimir Guerrero won't be in any of them unless something remarkable and unexpected happens at the last minute.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Baseball America:
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe) … Last year, the Tigers returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. While they lost to the Rangers in the American League Championship Series, the makeup of the AL Central and Detroit's major league roster should mean …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Adam Berry / MLB.com:
Jeter honored with Lou Gehrig Memorial Award — TAMPA, Fla. — Wednesday night's “Launch Party” kicked off the 9th Annual Derek Jeter Celebrity Golf Classic, presented by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. But this year's fundraiser held a little extra meaning for Jeter.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
