Top News:
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
DeRosa, Giants agree to two-year contract — San Francisco to formally announce deal on Tuesday — SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants have reached a preliminary agreement with Mark DeRosa on a two-year contract. — Giants spokesman Jim Moorehead said the 12-year veteran passed a physical …
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Fox Sports:
Source: Giants close to deal with DeRosa — The San Francisco Giants are closing in on a two-year deal with Mark DeRosa, according to a major-league source. — The Giants are expected to use DeRosa at third base and also as a super-utility man who could fill in at multiple positions.
Sports Illustrated:
Talks heat up between DeRosa, Giants — Mark DeRosa is in serious discussion with the San Francisco Giants on a possible two-year deal, sources say. The Giants offered him a two-year contract for $12 million a couple weeks ago, as SI.com reported, and talks have heated up the past few days.
MLB.com:
Nationals Agree to Terms with 1B Josh Whitesell and INF Eric Bruntlett on Minor-League Deals — The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with first baseman Josh Whitesell and infielder Eric Bruntlett on 2010 minor-league contracts that include invitations to big league Spring Training.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Bruney eager for ‘challenge’ with Nats — Former Yankees reliever to compete for club's closer role … MLB.com: What was your reaction when you found out that you were traded to the Nationals? — Brian Bruney: I feel good being a National. I think there is a better opportunity for me there.
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Note: Major Mets Update from Francesa Tomorrow — Today on WFAN, Mike Francesa said he will give a ‘major, major update on the Mets,’ during tomorrow's show. … Updated at 7:56 pm: … Updated at 9:52 pm: — ...i listened to it again, and mike's statement can also be interpreted …
Baseball Beat with Bruce Levine:
Chicago Cubs are interested in former White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras — As the new year approaches, the Chicago White Sox seem to have only one more important move to make while their crosstown rivals are in the planning stages of what needs to be done to bring them back to elite status.
Matt Swartz / Baseball Prospectus:
For the Long-Term Investors — Last week, we discussed when bad teams should attempt to sign free agents. The primary scenarios in which this makes sense are when the team stands an outside chance of competing, and when there also will be a valuable market for that player at the trade deadline …
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Inbox: Will chemistry remain intact? — Beat reporter Bryan Hoch answers Yanks fans' questions — One of the things that made the '09 Yanks winners was the chemistry these guys had. What do you think will happen to the mojo? Don't you think Robinson Cano will be affected without Melky Cabrera?
Mitchel Lichtman / Hardball Times:
How do baseball players age? (Part 2) — In my last article, I used the “delta method” to analyze the relative performance of ballplayers as they age. Let's address a major issue in this approach and attempt to correct for it. The major issue in question is known as... Survivor bias
Sam Borden / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
A familiar face is still out there waiting — The Yankees non-tendered Chien-Ming Wang in early December and it was widely assumed by most baseball officials that the move would be the end of Wang's tenure in pinstripes. At this point, that is still the most likely scenario.
Inside the D-backs:
D-backs not done yet — The D-backs have solidified their bullpen and given their starting rotation a new look this offseason. — Their work, however, is not done yet. — With about $3 million left in their budget, the D-backs have an offer out to free agent Kelly Johnson and expect …
