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:
MLB Rumors, CBSSports.com Sports News … 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:
Over the Monster, Surviving Grady, 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
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, Eye on Baseball, School of Roch and SI Tracking Blog
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
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Yu Darvish opens doors to Japan — Rangers get opportunities to cash in on new pitcher's popularity in his homeland — ARLINGTON, Texas — When Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish makes his first appearance on a bullpen mound on the back fields at Surprise Recreation Campus less than a month from now …
Fox Sports:
MLB may still add wild cards in '12 — Baseball still could add two wild cards for the 2012 season, according to major-league sources. But to expand the postseason so quickly, the sport must confront a scheduling puzzle that might be impossible to solve. — Union and management officials plan …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Denver Post and HardballTalk
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