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1:50 PM ET, January 24, 2012

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 Top News: 
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Texas likely out of Prince Fielder free-agent derby  —  The Texas Rangers believe they are out out of the bidding for free-agent slugger Prince Fielder, according to a person with knowledge of the talks, but not authorized to speak publicly because of the ongoing negotiations.
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
If Nats want Fielder, now may be perfect  —  The Prince Fielder sweepstakes finally are nearing conclusion, according to major league sources.  The Nationals remain a leading contender for the free-agent first baseman, if not the outright favorite.  —  Which is as it should be.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats in running for Prince, but race far from over
Ken Rosenthal / mlbbuzz:
Sources: Nationals know Zimmerman's price
Discussion: Federal Baseball and MLB Rumors
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
OF Cody Ross agrees to sign with Red Sox  —  SAN FRANCISCO—Cody Ross agreed to sign with the Boston Red Sox, giving them an experienced hitter with postseason success on his resume to help replace J.D. Drew in right field.  —  Foxsports.com and ESPN.com reported the contract is for one year and $3 million.
RELATED:
Mike Cole / NESN.com:
Report: Red Sox Sign Cody Ross to One-Year Deal  —  The Red Sox have apparently added some outfield depth, and it's going to come in the form of Cody Ross.  —  FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the veteran outfielder has agreed to a contract with the Red Sox.
Rob Sinclair / CBC News:
Blue Jays re-sign Morrow for $20M  —  The Toronto Blue Jays locked up a key right-hand man Tuesday, re-signing starting pitcher Brandon Morrow to a three-year, $20-million US contract.  —  The pact includes a $10-million US club option for 2015.  —  Morrow, a 27-year-old right-hander …
RELATED:
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 is joining the Blue Jays on a minor league contract with an invitation …
Julian Levine / MLB Daily Dish:
Blue Jays Sign Omar Vizquel
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
Joey Nowak / MLB.com:
Emotional Posada retires after 17-year career  —  Longtime Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who spent his entire 17-year Major League career in pinstripes, announced his retirement during a Tuesday morning news conference at Yankee Stadium.  —  “Today's a very emotional day for me,” said Posada.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
After 17 Seasons and 5 Titles, Posada Retires  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Flanked by his wife and children, with five World Series trophies sitting on a table to his right, Jorge Posada announced his retirement Tuesday.  —  The five-time All-Star catcher ends his major league career after 17 seasons, all with the New York Yankees.
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Jerome Solomon / Ultimate Astros:
Solomon: Astros name change?  (Forget) that  —  Jerseys from Astros' 50 years  —  It is only right that Jim Crane has decided to slash ticket prices for that technically-major-but-closer-to-minor- league baseball team now known as the Houston Astros.  —  Perhaps fans can get their money's worth in the 2012 season.
RELATED:
Zachary Levine / Ultimate Astros:
Astros drop ticket prices, relax food policies in new ‘fan-friendly initiatives’  —  Astros fans will be able to bring their own food and water to games this season, reversing a longstanding ban that had given Minute Maid Park a notorious distinction among major league ballparks.
Associated Press:
New Astros owner mulls name change
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers receive more than 10 opening bids for the team  —  Those submitting bids include Magic Johnson, Mark Cuban, Peter O'Malley and Joe Torre.  Sources say that St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke has explored whether to bid.  —  As expected, those involved in groups bidding for the Dodgers …
RELATED:
Tony Jackson / ESPN:   Deadline for Dodgers bidders passes
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Reinsdorf gave Guillen blessing to leave Sox early for Marlins  —  In the latest of a seemingly endless saga regarding manager Ozzie Guillen's departure from the Chicago White Sox to the Miami Marlins, Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf issued a statement saying he allowed Guillen …
Discussion: Miami Marlins
RELATED:
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Reinsdorf issues statement on Ozzie's exit
Discussion: South Side Sox and Yahoo! Sports
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
If everything goes right...  According to Ted Berg's math, based on Wins Above Replacement, if everything goes right for their pitching staff, the Mets are capable of winning 94 games.  —  In other words, “The Mets do probably have the talent to get to the playoffs if absolutely everything goes right,” he explains.
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
2012 Baseball Farm System Rankings  —  I have never done formal farm system rankings before.  People have asked me to do it constantly over the years, but I guess I read too much post-modern stuff in college and the idea of saying “this farm system is better than that farm system” never appealed to me outside of generalities.
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
RELATED:
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Sources: Reds ink veteran utility man Harris
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
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 …
RELATED:
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Dan Patrick: Braun ‘may be innocent’
 
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 More News: 
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Orioles Sign Wilson Betemit
Discussion: Motor City Bengals
Don McKee / Philly.com:
Former Phillies broadcaster Andy Musser dies
Discussion: Bats and Yahoo! Sports
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com Hot Stove Blog:
Rangers among teams interested in Cuban pitcher Gerardo Concepcion
Discussion: HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
 Earlier Picks: 
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
Ten least-likely guys to break up a no-hitter
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
MLB.com:
Opening Day Ticket Opportunity Begins Tomorrow
Hal Bodley / MLB.com:
Rays keep beating the odds
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Orioles Release Kyle Hudson
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish and School of Roch
 

 
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