Top News:
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Athletics Close To Acquiring Zobrist, Escobar — The Athletics are close to acquiring Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the Rays, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that the Rays will get John Jaso and two prospects in the deal.
Discussion:
Metsblog, HardballTalk and DRaysBay
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Susan Slusser Updated / Associated Press:
A's set to acquire Ben Zobrist, Yunel Escobar — Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist connects for a home run against the Boston Red Sox, Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, in Boston. — The A's are finalizing a deal to acquire two-time All-Star Ben Zobrist and shortstop Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Chronicle has learned.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Lone Star Ball and SBNation.com
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
US govt. clears Cuban flamethrower Lopez to sign — Cuban right-handed pitching prospect Yoan Lopez has been cleared by the United States government, and he is expected to sign with a Major League team before the start of Spring Training, according to industry an source.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, True Blue LA and MLB Trade Rumors
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Ben Badler / Baseball America:
First Showcase Scheduled For Hector Olivera — Teams have been informed that Cuban infielder Hector Olivera will have his first open showcase on Jan. 21 and 22 at the Giants' academy in the Dominican Republic. — It will be the first opportunity for teams to scout Olivera since he left Cuba in September.
Discussion:
Nats Insider, South Side Sox, The LoHud Yankees Blog and MLB Trade Rumors
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Cano to log short stint in Dominican Winter League — 11/16/14: Robinson Cano discusses his experience eating Japanese cuisine and talks about the injury to his right foot — SEATTLE — Robinson Cano has been granted permission by the Mariners to play a handful of games …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Former Seattle Steelhead played 10 seasons of baseball after serving in World War II — Ken Griffey Jr., Herb Simpson and Alvin Davis at Safeco Field in 2013. (Ben Van Houten/Mariners) — SEATTLE — Herb Simpson, the last known surviving member of the Seattle Steelheads …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart: Price too high for catchers via trade — On the day the Diamondbacks traded Miguel Montero, General Manager Dave Stewart said finding another catcher was something the club had to do. But after seeing the cost of catchers on the trade market, Stewart doesn't seem to feel that way anymore.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and Metsblog
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals outfielder will be out of action when Spring Training begins — MLB.com Nationals reporter Bill Ladson talks about the impact of Jayson Werth's shoulder surgery that could delay the start of his season — WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth had arthroscopic surgery on his right AC joint Friday.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
HOW ZOBRIST FITS WITH THE NATIONALS
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Federal Baseball and HardballTalk
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Kang and Pirates are close to a pact; expected to be four-year deal — The Pirates and Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang are moving close to a deal, sources said. — The sides have been talking about a four-year deal for the power-hitting infielder who had a monster year for the Nexen Heroes last year …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Trade Rumors
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Reliever shows return of velocity in winter ball — 6/16/14: Juan Carlos Oviedo forces Manny Machado to pop out, notching the save and securing the Rays' 5-4 victory — ARLINGTON — The Rangers acquired a veteran closer that not many people had heard of when they signed right-hander Juan Carlos Oviedo …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Lone Star Ball
Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Deal between Kalish, Blue Jays falls through — Ryan Kalish is returning to free agency after he and the Toronto Blue Jays failed to complete the minor-league contract they agreed to last month. — It's unclear why the deal came apart. The outfielder appeared in 57 games with the Chicago Cubs …
Discussion:
MLB.com, HardballTalk, CBSSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and Bluebird Banter
Stefan / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Foul Territory Blog — Joey Gallo was named the Texas Rangers Minor League Tom Grieve Player of the Year after hitting 42 home runs in 126 games with Class A Myrtle Beach and Double A Frisco. It was Texas minor league record. Gallo, 21, also had 106 RBIs while batting .271
Discussion:
MLB.com, Texas Rangers Blog and Lone Star Ball
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