Top News:
MLB:
Sources: Seattle Mariners to acquire Casey Kotchman from Boston Red Sox for Bill Hall — The Seattle Mariners are expected to acquire first baseman Casey Kotchman from the Boston Red Sox in return for Bill Hall and at least one minor leaguer, according to major-league sources.
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Ellsbury to LF, Cameron to CF — As soon as the Red Sox signed Mike Cameron, manager Terry Francona said he knew what he would do. It was obvious to him that Jacoby Ellsbury belonged in left field, and that he'd prefer Cameron to man center. He just needed to check with general manager Theo Epstein and bench coach DeMarlo Hale.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady, Unfiltered, Over the Monster, Circling The Bases, The Joy of Sox and The iYankees Blog
Fox Sports:
Source: BoSox on verge of dealing Kotchman to M's — Red Sox first baseman Casey Kotchman is on the verge of being traded to the Mariners, according to a major-league source. — The deal, first reported by ESPN.com, will bring the Red Sox utility man Bill Hall and a minor leaguer.
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Boston Red Sox move Jacoby Ellsbury to left field, Mike Cameron to center field — Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona informed Jacoby Ellsbury recently that he will be playing left field, with newcomer Mike Cameron in center, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein confirmed on Wednesday. — Cameron
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily, NESN.com, Over the Monster, Union-News, Amazin' Avenue, Pinstripe Alley and Athletics Nation
Projo Sox Blog:
Ellsbury will play left field in 2010 — The Red Sox have decided Jacoby Ellsbury will play left field, and Mike Cameron will man center for the 2010 season. — Once the Sox inked Cameron to a two-year deal worth $15.5 million this offseason, general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona …
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Bill Hall to Red Sox in Kotchman Deal — A baseball source said that Bill Hall would be going from the Mariners to the Red Sox in the Casey Kotchman deal, describing his inclusion in the agreement between the clubs as “a done deal.” Hall will be sent to the Sox along with a player to be named and cash for Kotchman.
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:Sox to send Kotchman to Mariners, receive Bill Hall
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Fox Sports:Beltre deal is a steal for Red Sox
Discussion:
Full Count, Boston Globe, El Lefty Malo, MLB Rumors, Twinkie Town and Sports Illustrated
Rob Bradford / WEEI:IT WASN'T EASY, BUT THE RED SOX FINALLY GOT THEIR MAN
Discussion:
The House That Dewey Built, Clubhouse Insider, Sabernomics, Red Sox Monster, MetsBlog.com, ESPN and MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Randy Johnson retires after 22 seasons, 303 victories — SAN FRANCISCO — Randy Johnson is retiring after 22 major league seasons. — The Big Unit, an overpowering lefty who last June became the 24th pitcher to win 300 games, made the expected announcement Tuesday on a conference call.
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Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Big Unit officially ends 22-year career — Left-hander won 303 games, is second all-time in K's — Randy Johnson, who was virtually unmatched in his ability to intimidate and dominate hitters, announced his retirement from baseball during a Tuesday evening conference call.
Pat Andriola / Hardball Times:
Randy Johnson retiring? — It looks like Randy Johnson is going to announce his retirement tomorrow morning. If so, the Big Unit has timed this one nicely, coinciding the Hall of Fame hoopla with his trot into the sunset. Johnson will end with career totals of 303 wins, 4875 strikeouts …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, FanGraphs Baseball, Camden Chat, The iYankees Blog, Lookout Landing and MVN
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Holliday, Cards reach 7-year deal — The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a seven-year, $120 million deal with Matt Holliday, SI.com has learned. Holliday will also get a full no-trade clause. — Holliday batted .353 with 13 home runs and 55 RBIs in 63 games with the Cardinals …
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Mike Klis / Denver Post:
Mike Shanahan reaches deal to coach Redskins — Mike Shanahan has reached an agreement in principle to become the new head coach of the Washington Redskins, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. — The Redskins are making plans for Shanahan to sign his contract and announce his hiring Wednesday.
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Sports Illustrated:
Shanahan's to-do list after taking 'Skins job … WWSD? What Would Shanahan Do? That's the question on the minds of so many Redskins fans today as they close in on finalizing a contract with former Denver head coach Mike Shanahan, and I thought I'd tell you the four things I think he'll do early in his regime:
MLB.com:
Gutierrez, Seattle on verge of extension — Center fielder's deal reportedly for four years with an option — The Mariners reportedly are on the verge of signing center fielder Franklin Gutierrez to a four-year contract extension for $20.5 million with a team option for a fifth year, Gutierrez's agent Wil Polidor told MLB.com.
Discussion:
Mariners blog
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Braves with David O'Brien:
Damon could be good fit atop Braves' order — A few thoughts while wondering if Johnny Damon would wear his hair Boston-era caveman style or Yankees-era short when he signs with the Braves — OK, if he signs with Braves — and trying to figure out how it's colder in Atlanta this week …
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Florida Marlins:
Florida Marlins: “Still in the game” for Chapman; Uggla to stay put? — The Marlins apparently are giving free agent Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman something to think about. According to an American League source following the situation, the Marlins are “still in the game” …
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Bill Shaikin / LA Times Sports Blog:
Angels' announcer Rory Markas dies — Rory Markas, one of the Angels' play-by-play announcers since 2002, has died. The Angels' team-owned radio station, AM 830, announced his death this morning. The station did not announce a cause of death. — “I think now everybody should just celebrate …
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Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
Newly re-signed Juan Uribe (one year, $3.25 million) could be everyday third baseman, Giants revisit Rowand in leadoff spot; Sabean's next wish is LH hitter — Giants GM Brian Sabean and Manager Bruce Bochy discussed the club Tuesday morning and came to a few conclusions.
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Gillick on Morris: ‘He Just Found a Way to Win’ — As we consider potential Hall of Famers this week, one background name comes to mind: Pat Gillick. As a general manager, Gillick built a two-time World Series winner in Toronto and oversaw playoff teams in Baltimore and Seattle.
