Top News:
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Athletics Acquire Ben Zobrist, Yunel Escobar — The Rays have announced that they've traded Ben Zobrist and shortstop Yunel Escobar to the Athletics for catcher/DH John Jaso, shortstop prospect Daniel Robertson, and outfield prospect Boog Powell. The Rays also announced …
Discussion:
DRaysBay, Bleacher Report, Metsblog, CBSSports.com, Athletics Nation, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
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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, Federal Baseball, SBNation.com, Athletics Nation and Fox Sports
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Matt Silverman On The Ben Zobrist Trade — The trade of Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar to the Athletics for John Jaso, shortstop prospect Daniel Robertson and outfield prospect Boog Powell on Saturday was a franchise-changing one for the Rays, who parted with a longtime star.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Athletics Nation and DRaysBay
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
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Stout / Urbana Citizen:
LeBeau resigns as Steelers' defensive coordinator — PITTSBURGH - Calling it a “mutual parting,” Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau told the Urbana Daily Citizen on Saturday that he is resigning as defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. — “I'm resigning this position …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bleacher Report, Deadspin, SBNation.com and ESPN
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 and Metsblog
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News:
Tigers: Iglesias on target for return to full health — Still to come are the hard tests that will determine if he can run and shift nimbly, and repeatedly, on a baseball field during successive days and games. But the Tigers are satisfied shortstop Jose Iglesias is closer to a reunion with full health and his vital lineup role.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
Mitch Abramson / NY Daily News:
Yankees lefthander CC Sabathia says knee is feeling ‘fine’ after injury-shortened season — Sabathia was all smiles on Friday night at the inaugural boxing card for Roc Nation Sports, the same sports agency that inked him last January to represent him on and off the field.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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
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:
South Side Sox, Nats Insider, The LoHud Yankees Blog and MLB Trade Rumors
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Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
US govt. clears Cuban flamethrower Lopez to sign
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, True Blue LA and MLB Trade Rumors
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:
DRaysBay, HardballTalk, MLB.com, CBSSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and Bluebird Banter
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
