Top News:
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Mauer handily catches AL MVP Award — Twins leader, batting champ gets 27 of 28 first-place votes — MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Mauer joined an elite group of players when he won his third American League batting title this past season. — Now the 26-year-old Twins catcher has become a member …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Mauer named AL's MVP — NEW YORK — Joe Mauer became only the second catcher in 33 years to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, finishing first in a near-unanimous vote Monday. — The Minnesota Twins star received 27 of 28 first-place votes and 387 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Paul White / USA Today:
Batting champion Mauer near-unanimous pick as AL MVP — Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer more than made up for a late start to his 2009 season, first by winning his third batting championship and on Monday when he won the American League Most Valuable Player Award.
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
DeMarlo Hale named Boston Red Sox bench coach — DeMarlo Hale, who has been the third-base coach for the Boston Red Sox the last four seasons, was named the team's bench coach by manager Terry Francona, the team announced Monday. Hale replaces Brad Mills, who left to become manager of the Houston Astros.
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox finalize coaching staff — An announcement may not come until later this afternoon or tomorrow, but the Red Sox have finalized their coaching staff. — Third base coach DeMarlo Hale will replace Brad Mills (now manager of the Astros) as bench coach.
Adam Rubin / Surfing The Mets:
Mets-Marlins in San Juan may be looming — Major League Baseball is negotiating with a promoter about playing regular-season games in Puerto Rico next season, which likely would involve the Mets as the visiting team against the Marlins this summer, the Daily News has learned.
RELATED:
Joe Capozzi / Florida Marlins news, analysis …:Florida Marlins may play Mets in Puerto Rico next summer
Discussion:
FishStripes
Hot Stove Blog:
Cantu likely to remain a Marlin — Because the Marlins are willing to listen to possible trade scenarios for just about every one of their players, speculation has surfaced that Jorge Cantu will be dealt. — Indications are that won't be the case. — MLB.com has learned that it is …
Tom Haudricourt / Baseball America:
Milwaukee Brewers Top 10 Prospects — Milwaukee Brewers … Under former scouting director Jack Zduriencik, who's now the Mariners' general manager, the Brewers focused on hitters in the draft and succeeded in advancing several to the big leagues. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder form …
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
JD Drew explains his surgery — J.D. Drew's initial reaction when asked about having surgery on his left shoulder last Thursday? — “What surgery?” — But then, after a brief explanation that word had come out regarding the procedure, Drew relented. The Red Sox' outfielder hadn't wanted …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Veteran Guardado wants to pitch in 2010 — Reliever feels strong after knee rehabilitation program — ARLINGTON — Left-handed reliever Eddie Guardado, who spent the last two years pitching out of the Rangers bullpen, wants to pitch again. — Guardado, who talked about retiring at the end …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
Outfield and Catcher Free Agents Review — There are lots of free-agent catchers and outfielders, many of whom provide little or no bang for the buck. Again, these players are listed roughly in order of what I see as their chance of providing value for the contract they'll sign. — Catchers
Tommy Bennett / Baseball Prospectus:
Help Up the Middle — The up-the-middle positions are known as the skill positions for a good reason. Catchers, shortstops, second basemen, and center fielders are hard to find. And the ones who play the positions well defensively? They're even harder yet to find.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Jason Reid / Redskins Insider:
Betts has torn ACL and MCL — Although the Redskins have not yet reviewed the results of Ladell Betts's MRI that was scheduled this morning, they believe he has suffered torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and will undergo season-ending surgery, a league source said.
Discussion:
DC Pro Sports Report
