Top News:
Arizona Republic:
Randy Johnson will enter Hall of Fame with Arizona Diamondbacks cap — Legendary pitcher Randy Johnson will enter the Hall of Fame as a representative of the Diamondbacks, a fact the team will leverage as part of its promotional schedule for the 2015 season.
John Lott / National Post:
Did the Toronto Blue Jays have a clubhouse problem? Jose Bautista says no, but R.A. Dickey says a ‘shakeup’ was necessary — “I wouldn't say it's a real tight-knit group. I think we need to bring in some fresh faces.” - Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, radio interview, Sept. 29, 2014 (the day after the season finale)
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and ANDREWSTOETEN.com
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
GM points to the club's improved lineup, bullpen — Juff Luhnow joins Christopher Russo live on Ballpark Cam to discuss the acquisition of Evan Gattis and the 2015 roster — HOUSTON — Are the Astros poised to have their first winning season in nearly a decade? General manager Jeff Luhnow thinks so.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
JAMES SHIELDS TO THE TIGERS WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE — JP Morosi — James Shields' agent, Page Odle, has been in recent contact with the Detroit Tigers, according to a source, and it's easy to understand why both parties would benefit from that conversation.
Discussion:
Detroit Free Press and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Why Tigers GM ruling out Max Scherzer needs a disclaimer
Why Tigers GM ruling out Max Scherzer needs a disclaimer
Discussion:
Sporting News Feed RSS, Bless You Boys and CBSSports.com
Steven Marcus / Newsday:
Source: Alex Rodriguez believes he will win Yankees' third-base job … SEE ALSO — A-Rod's career home runs — INTERACTIVE — Alex Rodriguez's injury history — DATA — MLB drug suspensions database … Yankees — The many faces of Alex Rodriguez
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues and Sporting News Feed RSS
RELATED:
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
A-Rod's thoughts on the start of his latest comeback attempt
A-Rod's thoughts on the start of his latest comeback attempt
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Sporting News Feed RSS and HardballTalk
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees finalize one-year deal with Drew — MLB.com's Tim McMaster and Jeff Nelson break down the Yankees' signing of Stephen Drew and how he may benefit from a full Spring Training — NEW YORK — Counting on a rebound season, the Yankees have finalized a one-year contract with infielder Stephen Drew …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
MLB.com:
All three sign one-year deals for 2015 — DENVER — The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has avoided arbitration with left-handed pitcher Rex Brothers, right-handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin and catcher Michael McKenry by agreeing to one-year contracts for the 2015 season.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Jeff / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' search for backup catcher points to Corporan, Soto — The Texas Rangers' pursuit of a catcher to back up Robinson Chirinos could take them to a familiar face or to a division rival. — The Rangers and the catcher-rich Houston Astros have discussed a trade for Carlos Corporan …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Texas Rangers Blog, Baseball Prospectus and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Evan Drellich / Ultimate Astros:
Astros talking Carlos Corporan trade with Rangers
Astros talking Carlos Corporan trade with Rangers
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Hot Stove, The Crawfish Boxes and MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants, Nori Aoki Agree To One-Year Deal — 11:30am: Shea tweets that Aoki's option is valued at $5.5MM, adding that he can earn up to $1.5MM worth of incentives in each year of the deal. — 11:06am: The Giants and outfielder Nori Aoki have agreed to a one-year contract with an option for the 2016 season …
Discussion:
SBNation.com, Bleacher Report, McCovey Chronicles, Amazin' Avenue, Camden Chat, FanGraphs Baseball and MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Mets minor league P gets 50-game suspension — NEW YORK — A minor league pitcher for the New York Mets has been suspended 50 games after a second positive drug test. — The commissioner's office penalized 23-year-old Brandon Welch on Friday for taking a drug of abuse.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Gerry Fraley / Texas Rangers Blog:
Rangers are still in pursuit of Philadelphia's Cole Hamels — Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hamels pitches to the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game in Miami, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. — The Rangers continue to pursue the possibility of adding left-hander Cole Hamels from Philadelphia.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Don't count on Cole Hamels coming to Red Sox (yet)
Don't count on Cole Hamels coming to Red Sox (yet)
Discussion:
Union-News, Boston Herald, Over the Monster, FanGraphs Baseball, Fox Sports, Viva El Birdos and NESN.com
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Monfort tells NY paper Tulo deal ‘not happening’ — MLB.com's Richard Justice and Bryan Hoch discuss the latest rumors regarding Troy Tulowitzki and which teams could be interested in a trade — DENVER — The notion of the Rockies trading shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the Mets …
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Rockies owner: Troy Tulowitzki to Mets ‘not happening’
Rockies owner: Troy Tulowitzki to Mets ‘not happening’
Discussion:
Sporting News Feed RSS, baseballmusings.com, Hot Stove, HardballTalk, Metsblog, Amazin' Avenue, CBSSports.com and New Jersey Online
John Vogl / BN Hockey:
Sabres' Nolan frustrated that players aren't listening — Ted Nolan is a positive thinker, an optimist. But even he looks worn down and defeated by the Sabres' nine-game losing streak. — “It's extremely hard,” the coach said Friday. “It's extremely hard when you ask somebody to do something and they don't do it.
Discussion:
ProHockeyTalk and Sporting News Feed RSS
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Avoid Arbitration With Wieters, Davis, Tillman, Matusz — The Orioles have avoided arbitration by agreeing on one year deals with three players, according to reports. Catcher Matt Wieters, corner infielder/outfielder Chris Davis, righty Chris Tillman, and lefty Brian Matusz all have reached terms for 2015.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and Athletics Nation
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Schlesinger happy with bump after disappointing finish to 2014 season — COO Rick Schlesinger said the Brewers are ahead by 20 percent in season-ticket sales compared to ‘14. — MILWAUKEE — Despite the Brewers’ finish last season and few offseason transactions, chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings