Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Howard can block trades to 21 teams — As Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. explores trades involving first baseman Ryan Howard, he faces challenges beyond trying to move an underperforming player with a big contract. — Under the terms of Howard's five-year …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
MLB:
Phillies, P Harang agree to 1-year, $5M deal — The Philadelphia Phillies and pitcher Aaron Harang have agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal, the team announced Monday. — The 36-year-old right-hander had a bounce-back season after signing with the Atlanta Braves before last season, finishing 12-12 with a 3.57 ERA in 33 starts.
Discussion:
Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Amazin' Avenue, The Good Phight and MLB Daily Dish
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Former Phillies closer Madson joins Royals
Discussion:
Drinking the Royals Blue Aid, MLB Daily Dish, The Good Phight, Royals Review, HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors
Christian Red / NY Daily News:
On eve of likely Hall of Fame selection, Pedro Martinez reveals he wanted to be a Yankee — 'I was almost traded to New York more than once. A lot of people don't know that. I wanted the trade to happen,' Martinez said while also expressing his admiration for late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Bleeding Yankee Blue
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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Johnson, Martinez and Smoltz could all be elected on first ballot — MLB.com executive correspondent Richard Justice breaks down the challenges voters face when selecting candidates to the Hall of Fame — NEW YORK — Anticipation about the Class of 2015 is very high, and for the second consecutive year …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score and The Crawfish Boxes
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Club still looking to improve rotation through trade or free agency — Ken Rosenthal discusses contract expectations for James Shields, prospective deals for the Yankees and Hall of Fame voting — ARLINGTON — The Rangers met with free agent pitcher James Shields during the Winter Meetings last month …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Lone Star Ball and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Big-money James? Market for Shields is strong, unpredictable — FOX Sports — Free-agent pitcher James Shields seems on track to get a contract worth $100 million. The question is from what team. — Think the Max Scherzer market is a mystery? Try figuring out which team is getting James Shields.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Royals Review, Over the Monster, HardballTalk, Halos Heaven, SI.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Catcher fell short on first two ballots, but believes career speaks for itself — Mike Piazza, a 12-time All-Star and 1993 National League Rookie of the Year, hit 427 homers during his 16-year career, the most by a catcher — NEW YORK — Early next week, for the third consecutive year …
Discussion:
Metsblog
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Espn Com / MLB:
ESPN's 2015 Hall of Fame ballot
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score and baseballmusings.com
Joe Lemire / Medium:
MLB Agent Fights For His Clients—And His Life … The lobby of the winter meetings draws a collection of baseball's finest talkers and rumormongers, with the long days testing each's stamina for conversation. Even in that room—amidst all the half-truths and full speculations …
Discussion:
School of Roch, MLB Trade Rumors and Baseball Prospectus
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
COLORADO ROCKIES / MLB — ROCKIES OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH CATCHER NICK HUNDLEY — The Denver Post — Nick Hundley was selected by the Padres in the second round of the 2005 MLB draft out of the University of Arizona. (Getty Images file)
Discussion:
U-T San Diego stories
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Braves' rebuild will hinge on success of young pitchers — FOX Sports — Star outfielders Jason Heyward and Justin Upton have been replaced in Atlanta by a handful of talented but unproven young pitchers. — It has become a common refrain among rival executives this offseason:
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Gaslamp Ball
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Loss of Heyward, J-Up will be felt, but gains strengthen club's future
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Sign Juan Carlos Oviedo, Designate Matt West — The Rangers have inked righty Juan Carlos Oviedo to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, club executive VP of communications John Blake announced on Twitter. Texas also designated righty Matt West for assignment …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Lone Star Ball
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Son of former big league star a top international prospect, next in long line of swinging Guerreros — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is looking for big league success like his father, Vlad, a former All-Star. — DON GREGORIO, Dominican Republic — The lonely dirt road that leads to the famous iron door …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Metsblog
