Top News:
MLB:
Sources: Seattle Mariners to acquire Casey Kotchman from Boston Red Sox — The Seattle Mariners are expected to acquire first baseman Casey Kotchman from the Boston Red Sox in return for at least one minor leaguer, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
Discussion:
ESPN, Full Count, MLB Rumors, U.S.S. Mariner, Prospect Insider, NESN.com, Mariners blog and Circling The Bases
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John Tomase / Clubhouse Insider:
Beltre turned down more money to play for Sox — The Red Sox have always liked Adrian Beltre. For much of free agency, they just didn't like his price. — But that changed when Beltre decided one year in Boston was worth more in the long run than three or four somewhere else.
Fox Sports:
Beltre deal is a steal for Red Sox — The Red Sox are stealing Adrian Beltre. — Doesn't matter if Beltre's contract ends up as one year, $10 million, two years, $14 million or even two years, $20 million. — Free-agent third baseman Chone Figgins signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the Mariners early in the off-season.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
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.
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 …
RELATED:
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Red Sox Truck Day is coming... Friday, Feb. 12 — In what has become an annual sign that spring is around the corner in Boston, Truck Day will arrive on Friday, Feb. 12, when the Red Sox moving van will be loaded at Fenway Park for the 1,467-mile trek to the team's spring training complex …
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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MLB.com:
Broadcaster Rory Markas passes away — ANAHEIM, CA: Angels Baseball Tuesday announced that veteran broadcaster Rory Markas passed away yesterday at his home in Palmdale, CA. No other details are available, and funeral service information is pending. — Markas, 54, spent eight seasons calling play …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Mets to unveil Bay on Tuesday — Outfielder passes physical; conference to be held at 11 a.m. — At about noon ET on Monday, the Mets officially secured one of their biggest reasons for optimism heading into next season. — The Mets announced a Tuesday news conference at 11 a.m. to unveil Jason Bay …
Discussion:
New York Magazine
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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:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Shoppach, Rays agree to deal — Catcher Kelly Shoppach has agreed to a guaranteed two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays worth about $5.5 million, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — The contract takes Shoppach through his final two years of salary arbitration, and includes a club option for his first year of free agency.
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.
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, TYU, Sliding Into Home, Circling The Bases, River Avenue Blues and The iYankees Blog
New York Post:
Notes, Thoughts on Mets Signing of Bay — I wanted to see the first major press conference held at Citi Field so I interrupted my vacation to attend and here are 10 tidbits I picked up that I thought would be interesting to our readers: — 1. The Mets were pleasantly surprised early …
