Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Wang agrees to deal with Nationals — Right-hander will be coming back from shoulder surgery — The Nationals have agreed to terms with right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, a baseball source has confirmed to MLB.com. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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Yahoo! Sports, Boston Globe, Rivalry Central, Fanhouse MLB Blog, MLB Daily Dish and NATIONALS NEWS NETWORK
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Nationals Journal:
Nats reach deal with Wang — Throughout the first portion of the offseason, the Washington Nationals remodeled their team by signing a half-dozen free agents, each serving a particular purpose and place. But the Nationals, on Tuesday, opted for a far different strategy in making what is likely …
Discussion:
D.C. Sports Bog, Bronx Baseball Daily, HardballTalk, The iYankees Blog and Bottom9 Baseball
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Nationals To Sign Chien-Ming Wang — The Nationals have agreed to sign Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year $2MM deal that includes up to $3MM in performance bonuses. The team hasn't confirmed the agreement, but they have a press conference scheduled for Friday. We heard last week that the Nationals were the favorites to sign the righty.
Sports Illustrated:
10 for '10: Young aces among those at risk of Verducci Effect … Nothing is more inspirational this time of year than the pop of a well accelerated fastball into the cavern of a catcher's mitt — so welcome after a long, cold winter that the fastball's usual antagonist, the hitter, is unnecessary to its drama.
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Jurrjens to have MRI on right shoulder — Braves hurler experienced soreness after throwing at camp — ATLANTA — Right-hander Jair Jurrjens will see Braves doctors later this week to learn why he has recently felt some discomfort in his right shoulder. — Braves general manager Frank …
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ESPN.com:
Jair Jurrjens of Atlanta Braves to have MRI exam on sore right shoulder — Atlanta Braves starter Jair Jurrjens has a sore right shoulder and will undergo an MRI exam this week. — Braves GM Frank Wren said the exam is “just precautionary,” according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Tony Jackson / ESPN:
Reports: Dodgers look at minor league deal for Eric Gagne — The Dodgers are exploring the possibility of signing former Cy Young Award-winning closer Eric Gagne to a minor league contract for the upcoming season, according to various media reports. — Gagne, 34, last pitched in the majors …
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Phillies Top 11 Prospects — Four-Star Prospects — Three-Star Prospects — Two-Star Prospects — Four More: — 12. Jarred Cosart, RHP: This long-armed projectable righty has the raw ability to rocket up this list should his secondary pitches develop.
Discussion:
Phuture Phillies
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians extend offer to Branyan — Left-handed hitter would provide depth at corner positions — CLEVELAND — Looking for depth at the corner infield and outfield spots, the Indians have an offer on the table to free agent Russell Branyan, though it was unclear on Tuesday if it's …
ESPN:
Texas Rangers sign outfielder Endy Chavez to minor league contract — ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers signed free-agent outfielder Endy Chavez to a minor league contract Monday with an invitation to spring training. — Chavez, 32, played 54 games with Seattle last season before suffering …
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
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John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Victor Martinez deal not up for discussion — FORT MYERS - Apprised of comments in yesterday's Herald that Victor Martinez would prefer to sign with the Red Sox [team stats] before reaching free agency, Theo Epstein stuck to club policy about not discussing contract talks.
Discussion:
NESN.com
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Brian Costa / New Jersey Online:
Countdown to spring training: Omir Santos, Josh Thole will compete for NY Mets starting catching job … COUNTDOWN TO SPRING TRAINING — Today: A look at the Mets' catching situation — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — When the Mets signed Henry Blanco in early December, they figured …
Joe Christensen / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Is Mauer worth the long-term risk? — Joe Mauer is the hometown hero and three-time AL batting champ. But contracts for eight years and longer are rare and risky, especially for catchers. — If you want to become the most unpopular sportswriter in Minnesota, try listing the potential drawbacks …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mark McGwire gets set for new role — MISSION VIEJO, Calif. — A few days after the announcement that he would leave his private practice to become the Cardinals hitting coach, Mark McGwire invited longtime pupil Skip Schumaker and new charge Brendan Ryan to his house for pizza and a World Series game.
Alex Remington / Yahoo! Sports:
What can the Mariners expect from Ken Griffey Jr. in 2010? — We all have questions about the 2010 season and Alex Remington luckily has some answers. The Stew's resident stats guru will address a few per week as Opening Day approaches. — The Situation: Ken Griffey Jr.
