Top News:
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Diamondbacks Agree To Sign Yoan Lopez — Cuban righthander Yoan Lopez has agreed to sign with the Diamondbacks for $8.25 million. — Lopez is 21, so he is subject to the international bonus pools. The Lopez signing puts the Diamondbacks well beyond their allotted pool space …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks agree to terms with Cuban starter Yoan Lopez — The Diamondbacks made another major splash on the international market on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with Cuban right-hander Yoan Lopez on a deal that includes an $8.27 million signing bonus. — Lopez, 21, is 6-foot-4, 195 pounds …
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baseballmusings.com
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart says he won't add a catcher — After saying last week the Diamondbacks would be comfortable going into the season with their current catchers if a better option didn't present itself, General Manager Dave Stewart took it a step further Tuesday …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks still interested in James Shields, despite tight budget — Although the imminent signing of Cuban right-hander Yoan Lopez puts the Diamondbacks beyond their financial comfort zone and could push them to make cost-cutting moves, General Manager Dave Stewart said Tuesday …
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Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Cuban pitcher Lopez agrees to record deal with D-backs
Cuban pitcher Lopez agrees to record deal with D-backs
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Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Dodgers, D-backs, Padres and Yankees express strong interest in right-hander
Dodgers, D-backs, Padres and Yankees express strong interest in right-hander
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Baseball Essential
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Wandy Rodriguez To Sign With Braves After Failing Physical With Phillies — Veteran lefty Wandy Rodriguez has failed his physical with the Phillies and instead agreed to a minor league deal with the Braves. Hector Gomez of Listin Diario first tweeted that a deal with Atlanta was close …
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Justin K. Aller / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves sign Wandy Rodriguez to minor league deal — The Braves signed veteran left-hander Wandy Rodriguez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, where he'll compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, a person familiar with the situation said.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Scott Soshnick / Bloomberg:
Prokhorov Exploring Sale of Brooklyn Nets Basketball Team — The Brooklyn Nets are for sale. — Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov retained Evercore Partners (EVR) to sell the National Basketball Association team he bought in 2010, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.
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Alex SpeierGLOBE / BostonGlobe.com:
Red Sox create new behavioral health department — The annual announcement of Red Sox front office personnel changes typically features an array of title changes and newly hired evaluators who put in critical but unseen work, and this year's will be little different — except, perhaps, on one count.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Source: Desmond, Nats haven't discussed contract — Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond wins his third career Silver Slugger Award — WASHINGTON — According to a baseball source, the Nationals haven't had any significant negotiations with shortstop Ian Desmond and his representative regarding a contract extension.
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Ace Hamels still on Padres' radar; Wil Myers not involved in talks — Fresh off a trio of bold impact moves to rework their entire outfield and the middle of their lineup, the aggressive Padres are still said to be alive for another potential blockbuster, this one involving Philly's ace …
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Rob Biertempfel / Greensburg Tribune-Review:
Pirates' voluntary minicamp opens up without Pedro Alvarez — BRADENTON, Fla. — Pedro Alvarez was not at Pirate City on Monday morning for the start of four days of voluntary workout sessions. — That's not unusual, as players who are on the 40-man roster are not required to attend the minicamp and most veterans opt out.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Marc Berman / New York Post:
Basket case blowing $25K to go to every Knicks game this season — No one in New York has worse timing than Dennis Doyle. — After the lifelong Knicks fan lost his job as a lawyer with a commercial litigation firm, he decided to pursue his passion and cheer on his favorite team at every game for an entire season.
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