Top News:
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Dan Patrick: Braun ‘may be innocent’ — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Citing information from “somebody involved in the process,” sports commentator Dan Patrick said on his radio show Monday morning that “Ryan Braun may be an innocent man” and “may be exonerated.”
Discussion:
Baseball Nation and SI Tracking Blog
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Braun ‘upbeat’ while awaiting decision — NL MVP focused on positives despite potential suspension — MILWAUKEE — A Brewers spokesperson who was with Ryan Braun over the weekend described the outfielder as “upbeat” in the face of a possible suspension. — Braun spoke Saturday night …
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Agent: Shortstop Vizquel agrees with Blue Jays — Free agent shortstop Omar Vizquel has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, his agent Adam Katz confirmed to ESPN.com. — Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove award winner, has 2,841 hits in 23 seasons with Seattle …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Batter's Box Interactive …
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Julian Levine / MLB Daily Dish:
Blue Jays Sign Omar Vizquel — Jerry Crasnick of ESPN tweets that Omar Vizquel has reached an agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year deal. Vizquel, 44, appeared in 58 games with the Chicago White Sox in 2011, hitting .251/.287/.305 in 182 plate appearances.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Mark Sheldon / Mark My Word:
Willie Harris signed — The Reds agreed to terms with utility player Willie Harris on a minor league contract, two sources confirmed to MLB.com on Monday. — Harris, who will be invited to camp as a non-roster player, can earn an $800,000 base salary if he makes the club and his overall salary can reach $1 million with incentives.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Redleg Nation
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Don McKee / Philly.com:
Former Phillies broadcaster Andy Musser dies — Former Phillies broadcaster Andy Musser died peacefully in his home in Wynnewood on Sunday, his family said. — Mr. Musser was 74. No cause of death was listed. — The native of Lemoyne, Pa., broadcast Phillies games for 26 years.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Agree To Sign Cody Ross — The Red Sox have reached an agreement with outfielder Cody Ross, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. A team source told Michael Silverman of the Boston Globe that it's a one-year contract, and ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes reports the deal is worth roughly $3MM plus incentives (all Twitter links).
Discussion:
Fox Sports, Boston Globe, Over the Monster, MLB Daily Dish, NESN.com and MetsBlog.com
Associated Press:
New Astros owner mulls name change — HOUSTON — New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is considering changing the name of the franchise as well as its uniforms. — Crane says the team will conduct a study to decide whether or not to change the name. He says switching uniforms is something they are “highly considering.”
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, baseballmusings.com and Yahoo! Sports
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com Hot Stove Blog:
Angels still in the mix to land Cordero — Free-agent closer Francisco Cordero expects to pick a team by the end of this week, and the Angels are one of four finalists for his services, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told MLB.com. — The identity of the other three clubs …
Discussion:
Sports Now, MLB Rumors, Halos Heaven, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and Eye on Baseball
Tony Jackson / ESPN:
Deadline for Dodgers bidders passes — Although the less-than-rigid deadline for submitting initial bids to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers came and went on Monday, there still was little information available that would hint at who will emerge as the franchise's new owner.
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog
KenRosenthal / mlbbuzz:
Sources: Nationals know Zimmerman's price — As the Nationals talk to free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder, they face a significant contractual decision on one of their own players - third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. — Zimmerman has informed the team of the exact terms he would accept long-term, according to one major-league source.
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog and MLB Rumors
MLB.com:
Opening Day Ticket Opportunity Begins Tomorrow — Gold and Marquee Games also Included in Opening Day Opportunity at Brewers.com — The Milwaukee Brewers today announced specifics of an Opening Day Opportunity that will allow fans the chance to purchase tickets to Opening Day at Miller Park …