Top News:
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Max Scherzer in talks with Nationals and others on 7-year deal; deal soon — Top free agent pitcher Max Scherzer is talking to the Nationals and at least one other club about potential seven-year scenarios, sources said. — The Nats have a chance to win the services of the top free-agent pitcher after coming out of nowhere.
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MLB:
Scherzer to sign with Nationals, source says … Free-agent pitcher Max Scherzer has agreed to a seven-year contract with the Washington Nationals, a source confirmed Sunday night to ESPN.com's Jim Bowden. — A source had earlier told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Nationals …
Discussion:
ESPN and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Jeff Sullivan / FanGraphs Baseball:
Nationals Build Potential Super-Team, Add Max Scherzer — Here's maybe the simplest way to put this: a season ago, by his peripherals, Tanner Roark was about a three-win pitcher. By his actual runs allowed, he was about a five-win pitcher. He actually finished with a higher RA9-WAR …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk and South Side Sox
Washington Post:
Nationals complete deal with free agent pitcher Max Scherzer — The Washington Nationals radically altered the baseball landscape Sunday night, ending a winter of relative inactivity by agreeing to a seven-year contract with free agent pitcher Max Scherzer, according to a person with direct knowledge of the talks.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and Federal Baseball
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
(USATSI) — Top right-handed starter Max Scherzer and the Nationals are in agreement on a seven-year deal, CBSSports.com has learned. — Details of the deal beyond the seven years are not known. — Scherzer was reported by the Washington Post to have been “very close” …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
NY Daily News:
Coming back swinging! Mets hitting coach Kevin Long hurt by Yankees axing, ready to work — Although Long took the fall for the Yankees' offensive failures last season, he knows he's good at what he does, particularly in diagnosing problems and creating cures for them.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and Metsblog
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Edward Creech / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers “On Verge” Of Acquiring Yovani Gallardo — MONDAY: The Rangers and Brewers have a deal “in principle,” but they're currently reviewing medicals, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets. — SUNDAY 9:23pm: The Rangers have offered shortstop Luis Sardinas in several potential trades this winter …
Discussion:
JSOnline, Brew Crew Ball, HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Rangers close to landing Gallardo — The Texas Rangers are close to a trade to acquire right-handed pitcher Yovani Gallardo from the Milwaukee Brewers, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com on Sunday. — It was not immediately known which player or players would be going back to Milwaukee in the trade.
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fox Sports and Lone Star Ball
NY Daily News:
Billy Beane's moves have Athletics good to go, while John Hart's deals have Braves gone for season — Beane did a similar dismantling of his club as Hart did, with nine deals with nine different clubs involving 27 players, but things are looking brighter in Oakland.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …, Lone Star Ball, New Jersey Online, Amazin' Avenue and Metsblog
MLB.com:
Yankees announce coaches for the 2015 Season; Name Jeff Pentland, Joe Espada and Alan Cockrell to staff — The New York Yankees today announced Joe Girardi's coaches for the 2015 season, with Jeff Pentland (hitting), Joe Espada (third base) and Alan Cockrell (assistant hitting) joining the staff.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins open to two-year deal with Ichiro — Ichiro Suzuki discusses his pursuit of 3,000 hits and how he is using it as motivation to continue playing — MIAMI — The Marlins have intensified talks with 10-time All-Star outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and are open to a possible two-year deal, MLB.com has learned.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Sources: Blue Jays showing interest in RHP James Shields — FOX Sports — The Blue Jays are said to be interested in former Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields. — As the price for James Shields drops, an increasing number of clubs are renewing their interest in him.
