Top News:
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Source: Oswalt likely to sign with Cards ‘soon’ — Free-agent pitcher Roy Oswalt has elected to remain in the National League and is likely to sign with theSt. Louis Cardinals “soon,” a major league source said late Friday night. — Presumably, any agreement would be pending a physical for Oswalt …
RELATED:
Hartford Courant:
A Big League Pep Talk From Bobby Valentine — Red Sox Manager Visits UConn Baseball Team — Players gathered around Bobby Valentine, but it was a group much different from the ones he will be addressing in a month. — These were young players, UConn baseball players, and he had their attention.
Discussion:
joy of sox and Boston Globe
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards deny that Oswalt deal is in the works — ST. LOUIS — Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak denied on Saturday that a deal is in the works with Roy Oswalt, as reports swirled that the club is close to a contract with the veteran free-agent right-hander.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com Sports News …, MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Red Sox tickets go digital to foil scalping — BOSTON—The Boston Red Sox are going to a new digital ticketing system for the cheapest seats at Fenway Park to keep them out of the hands of scalpers. — Fans with seats in the $12 upper bleacher section for high-demand games will receive only digital tickets.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Associated Press
Steve DeShazo / Sports and stuff:
Maine signs with Red Sox
Discussion:
Surviving Grady, Over the Monster, SoxProspects News, SI Tracking Blog, Boston Globe, NESN.com and MLB Rumors
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Mark Cuban, Dennis Gilbert eliminated from Dodgers' bidding race — At least eight bidders reach the next round, including groups of Magic Johnson/Stan Kasten and Rick Caruso/Joe Torre. — Mavericks owner Mark Cuban yells at officials during the second half of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves …
Discussion:
Dodgers Blog, True Blue LA, HardballTalk and Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Dodgers Blog:
Dodgers ownership finalists include Magic, Torre, Cohen [UPDATED] — The finalists in the bidding to own the Dodgers include a group led by Magic Johnson, a group led by developer Rick Caruso and former Dodgers Manager Joe Torre, and East Coast hedge-fund giant Steven Cohen.
Discussion:
Lasorda's Lair, Eye on Baseball and ESPN
Associated Press:
Report: Dodgers begin narrowing bids — NEW YORK — Hedge fund head Steven Cohen and groups including Joe Torre and Magic Johnson have survived the first round of cuts in bidding for the Los Angeles Dodgers. — Initial bids were submitted Monday to the financial firm handling the sale by Frank McCourt …
Bill Shaikin / Dodgers Blog:
Mark Cuban, Dennis Gilbert out of Dodgers' ownership derby
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness and Chad Moriyama
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson injured in fall, misses charity baseball game — Just got back from Fort Lauderdale Stadium, where I had hoped to catch up with Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson for his thoughts on how Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez might handle a move to third base this season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, NESN.com, SI Tracking Blog, Eye on Baseball and School of Roch
John Schlegel / MLB.com:
Rangers sign outfielder Hudson to Minors deal — The Rangers added speedy outfield depth to their Spring Training contingent by signing free agent Kyle Hudson to a Minor League contract that includes an invitation to Major League camp. — Hudson, 25, made the rare trip from Class A through …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Peter Gammons / MLB.com:
Heyward hopes hard work is rewarded — Young outfielder determined to reclaim budding-star status — On April 5, 2010, Jason Heyward was 20 years old — an age when most of his friends would have been coming off spring break and downshifting toward the end of the school year.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Doug Padilla / ESPN:
White Sox's Dunn ready for a second chance — CHICAGO — The loudest countdown on New Year's Eve might have been coming from the Adam Dunn household. — The disappointing Chicago White Sox slugger is among those glad that the calendar has turned to 2012 — the further he can get away from the worst season of his career the better.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Mauer declares himself healthy, rarin' to go — Catcher ready to move forward after injury-riddled 2011 — MINNEAPOLIS — After dealing with a range of injuries and illnesses that plagued him during the 2011 season, Joe Mauer said Saturday that his offseason has been going to plan and that he's fully healthy.
Discussion:
Eye on Baseball
Dylan Hernandez / Dodgers Blog:
Hiroki Kuroda talks about leaving Dodgers, why he chose Yankees — Hiroki Kuroda confirmed what Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti said earlier this month: Colletti remained in contact with his agent until he decided to sign with the New York Yankees three weeks ago.
Discussion:
Chad Moriyama and River Avenue Blues
Associated Press:
Source: MLB to decide division ties with one-game playoff — NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the talks says baseball players and owners have reached an understanding that ties for division titles will be broken on the field under the new playoff format.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
MLB may still add wild cards in '12
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Denver Post and HardballTalk
