Top News:
Howard Megdal / MLB Rumors:
Yankees, Braves Closing In On Vazquez Deal — 9:08am: Not surprisingly, the Yankees will pay Vazquez's entire salary, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter). — 8:56am: Sherman tweets that the Braves are acquiring righty Arodys Vizcaino, Melky and Dunn for Logan and Vazquez.
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NY Daily News:
Yankees land Javier Vazquez in deal with Braves that sends Melky Cabrera, two prospects to Atlanta — The Yankees are bringing pitcher Javier Vazquez back to the Bronx... Javier Vazquez is coming back to the Bronx. — The Daily News has learned that the Yankees will acquire …
Sam Borden / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
And behind door number 3 ... The Yankees began this offseason by making a strong trade for an outfielder, Curtis Granderson. Then, last week, they completed a deal for Nick Johnson (that's still being finalized) which shored up the DH spot left open by Hideki Matsui's departure.
New York Post:
Yanks working hard to get Vazquez — The Yankees are working hard to re-acquire Javier Vazquez from the Braves, the Post has learned. — Vazquez had arguably his best season as a major leaguer last season, going 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA. He is due $11.5 million next season.
Mark Feinsand / Blogging The Bombers:
Are Yankees getting ready to make a move? — The Yankees appear to be on the verge of adding a starting pitcher, though it remains unclear who Brian Cashman is targeting. — A source said Monday night that Cashman was closing in on a deal, one that isn't simply a salary dump.
Byron Kerr / MASN Online:
Nats to sign Jason Marquis — MASNsports.com has learned that the Nationals will sign starting pitcher Jason Marquis. Stay tuned for more on this breaking story.
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Chico Harlan / Washington Post:
Nationals sign Marquis to two-year deal — Through two years of epic losing, the Washington Nationals had both a clear deficiency (they lacked a quality veteran pitcher) and a clear objective (they needed to find one). More specifically, the Nationals needed a veteran who could anchor …
Jayson Stark / MLB:Source: Mets looking into possibly signing Pedro Martinez
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Blue Jays To Acquire Brandon Morrow — TUESDAY, 9:12am: Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times reports that Morrow will head to Florida to take a physical this afternoon. We may not hear official confirmation of the deal until tomorrow. Baker also notes that the prospect won't be Brett Wallace …
Discussion:
The Seattle Times, Miked Up, Lookout Landing, Bluebird Banter, baseballmusings.com and Circling The Bases
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Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Montero ready to move one step closer — Last year's stint in Double-A was cut short by a finger injury, but the Yankees believe Jesus Montero is ready to open next season in Triple-A. — Vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman said this afternoon that the Yankees plan …
Associated Press:
New York Yankees charged with $25 million luxury tax penalty for 2009 — NEW YORK — Winning came with a hefty price for the New York Yankees. — The World Series champions were hit with a luxury tax of nearly $25.69 million Monday, the penalty for once again crossing the payroll threshold …
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Lowell clarifies thumb situation — Speaking by phone from Orlando, Mike Lowell clarified the history of the thumb injury that ultimately led to the cancellation of the trade that would have sent him and $9 million to Texas for minor league catcher/infielder Max Ramirez.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MVN, The House That Dewey Built, SOX & Dawgs, Over the Monster, Fox Sports and Projo Sox Blog
ESPN:
Nothing to it — Cubs source refutes report about talking to Yanks about Zambrano — A New York Post article regarding the Chicago Cubs talking to the New York Yankees about sending Carlos Zambrano to New York for a center fielder is premature. — First and foremost …
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Yankees Top 11 Prospects — Four-Star Prospects — Three-Star Prospects — Four More: — 12. Corban Joseph, INF: A gritty infielder with a good approach and a line-drive bat, Joseph still generates questions about his ability to stay at an up-the-middle position.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Lynn Henning / Detroit News:
Edgar Martinez gives Hall of Fame voters first legit DH candidate — It's the most wonderful time of the year: Hall of Fame ballots arrived this month. — Gentlemen, start your scathing e-mails. — This year's ballot will be different, personally speaking.
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Damon takes to the ring to host ‘Raw’ — Outfielder participates in skits, approves featured matches — It's almost Christmas, and Johnny Damon doesn't know where he'll be playing next year. He can almost be certain that it won't be with the Yankees, the team he spent the last four seasons with …
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians acquire pitchers Talbot, Rivera — Tribe completes trade that sent catcher Shoppach to Rays — CLEVELAND — The player to be named from the trade that sent catcher Kelly Shoppach to the Rays has a name, and it's Mitch Talbot. — The Indians announced Monday that they have selected …
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Bowman's Blog:
Caray to call games for Fox Sports Net — Chip Caray received an early Christmas present on Monday morning, when Fox Sports Net hired him to serve as their play-by-play announcer for all the Braves games televised by Fox Sports South and SportSouth. — This was the role previously held by Jon …
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