Top News:
Tom Brady / Yahoo! Sports:
Source: Chapman to sign with NL team — Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman, whose defection sparked a bidding war among major league teams that coveted his 100-mph fastball, agreed Sunday morning to sign for $30 million with a National League team, according to a source close the negotiations.
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Luke Adams / MLB Rumors:
Reds, Aroldis Chapman Agree To Deal — 5:00pm: Fay has an update on his blog, stating that Chapman's major league deal with the Reds is around five years, $25MM with a player option for a sixth year. The payment will be spread out over ten years. Chapman's 2010 salary will be around $1MM …
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
Chapman details — The deal with left-hander Aroldis Chapman is for $25 million over five years with a player option for a sixth. His salary for 2010 will be in $1 million range. — It's a major league deal and it's spread out over 10 years. The first year it will be a major burden on the big league budget is 2014.
Fox Sports:
Sources: Cuban lefty Chapman OKs deal with Reds — Jon Paul Morosi is a national MLB writer for FOXSports.com. He previously covered baseball for the Detroit Free Press and Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He began his journalism career at the Bay City Times in his native Michigan.
MLB:
Reports: Aroldis Chapman agrees to deal with Cincinnati Reds … Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman has an agreement to play with the Cincinnati Reds, multiple outlets reported on Sunday. — One source told ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure that the Reds expect to sign Chapman …
New York Post:
Derek Jeter, Minka Kelly set to become Mr. and Mrs. ‘November’ — Women of New York, start weeping. — After months of speculation that the Yankees' hunk and his sexy steady Minka Kelly are headed to the altar, The Post has learned that the super couple may have settled on a wedding date — Nov. 5.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
A central issue is how Ellsbury will handle move — There's something about the position. Center field. — Maybe it is The Catch by Willie Mays in the 1954 World Series at the Polo Grounds that has stuck in everyone's minds. Those who play center feel a sense of accomplishment …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Mets Fever, MetsBlog.com, MASNsports.com, The iYankees Blog and River Avenue Blues
John Perrotto / Baseball Prospectus:
On the Beat — Weekend Update — All the big names are off the free-agent board now that Matt Holliday has re-signed with the Cardinals, Jason Bay pulled a surprise and signed with the Mets, and John Lackey caught many off guard by switching coasts and signing with the Red Sox.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Rangers Top 11 Prospects — Four-Star Prospects — Three-Star Prospects — Four More: — 12. Miguel Velasquez, OF: The ultra-talented outfielder could be on the verge of a breakout if his personal issues are totally behind him. — 13. Kasey Kiker, LHP: He has big-league arm …
Trsullivan / Postcards from Elysian Fields:
Rangers sign Khalil Greene — The Rangers have signed infielder Khalil Greene to a one-year contract to be their utility infielder. He will receive $750,000. The agreement is pending a physical. He batted .200 in 77 games and 193 at-bats for the Cardinals last year.
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Evan Grant / Texas Rangers:
Sources: Rangers agree to terms with Guerrero — According to two sources, the Rangers have agreed to terms with outfielder/DH Vladimir Guerrero on a one-year contract believed to be worth $5 million plus performance bonuses. General manager Jon Daniels has not responded to requests for confirmation.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases, Postcards from Elysian Fields, Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors and MetsBlog.com
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Slow going for Westmoreland — The Red Sox will host a development program for some of their brightest prospects this week at Boston College, using the indoor facility to help the players get prepared for the season while at the same time acclimating them to life in Boston.
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Joefrisaro / The Fish Pond:
J.J. contract update — Sometime this week the Marlins plan to have discussions with agent Matt Sosnick regarding a contract for Josh Johnson. — Whether there is movement on a multiyear deal will depend on a key factor. — Sosnick claims if the Marlins will guarantee a four-year deal then he will listen.
