Top News:
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Rays wrap Day 2 by acquiring Escobar from Marlins — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Everybody attending the Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel is convinced that the Rays will trade one of their coveted starting pitchers. — But they did not do so on Tuesday, instead sending Minor League …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, FanGraphs Baseball and Bluebird Banter
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays promote Jamie Nelson to assist hitting coach Derek Shelton — NASHVILLE — As the Rays struggled offensively during the season, fans and talk-show callers had all kinds of suggestions for hitting coach Derek Shelton. — Tuesday, the Rays got him some help.
Discussion:
DRaysBay and HardballTalk
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Report: Yunel Escobar ready to move on from Miami Marlins
Discussion:
Baseball America, Getting Blanked, HardballTalk and Fish Tank blog
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Yunel Escobar's change of heart prompted Marlins trade
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Rays Close To Deal For Yunel Escobar
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, DRaysBay, MLB Daily Dish and In No Way Affiliated …
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Greinke sets pitching market — How much does Zack Greinke want, from which team? A waiting market wonders … NASHVILLE — One of these days, in a transactions column near you, Zack Greinke will get around to picking his next employer. — It might be this week. It might be next week.
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Fox Sports:
Rangers pursuing Hamilton, Greinke
Discussion:
ESPN, Baseball Time in Arlington and Postcards From Elysian Fields
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Nationals get Dan Haren for one year at $13 million
Discussion:
Athletics Nation and Twinkie Town
Fox Sports:
Will meetings produce a blockbuster? — A blockbuster could be in the works. — A variety of three-, four- and even five-team trades are in play at the winter meetings, mostly involving the same clubs and same principal players, according to major-league sources. — The clubs: Arizona, Cleveland, Texas and Tampa Bay.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com Sports News …, Red Sox Monster, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Full Count and Sporting News Feed RSS
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians, D-backs talk Asdrubal-for-Bauer swap
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Justin Upton Rumors: Wednesday
Discussion:
Metsblog, Baseball Nation and Getting Blanked
ESPN:
Source: Jeff Keppinger to White Sox — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a three-year, $12 million deal with free-agent infielder Jeff Keppinger, a source told ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine. — The move likely signals the end of Kevin Youkilis' White Sox career …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Luke Adams / MLB Rumors:
White Sox To Sign Jeff Keppinger — Jeff Keppinger greatly improved his stock in 2012, going from a non-tender a year ago to a three-year, $12MM contract with the White Sox today. A break in Keppinger's right fibula suffered last month didn't deter his suitors, which also included the Yankees, Marlins, Diamondbacks, and Cubs.
Discussion:
South Side Sox and Bucs Dugout
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Shane Victorino, Boston Red Sox agree to $39 million contract — source — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Boston Red Sox agreed to a deal with free-agent outfielder Shane Victorino on Tuesday. — Victorino, who is on a snorkeling trip in Maui, confirmed on his Twitter account that he has joined the rapidly rebuilding Red Sox.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, Red Sox Monster, ESPN.com, ESPN.com, baseballmusings.com and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
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Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Shane Victorino gives Sox outfield flexibility
Discussion:
Surviving Grady and Associated Press
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox To Sign Shane Victorino
Discussion:
Boston Globe, FanGraphs Baseball, Baseball Prospectus, Over the Monster, HardballTalk, WEEI, Metsblog, Red Sox Monster and MLB Daily Dish
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Sveum shrugs off being shot in ear by Yount during hunting trip — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dale Sveum apparently was the victim of a Cubbie occurrence recently when he was accidentally shot in the right ear during a quail hunting trip with old pal Robin Yount. — “He got the bird,” Sveum said.
Discussion:
New York Times, Baseball Nation, Yahoo! Sports and JSOnline
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Rangers talks with Josh Hamilton said ‘on hold’ at moment — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rangers have been talking to Josh Hamilton, but one source suggested talks are “on hold” at the moment. — It is believed the holdup may have to do with the Rangers' spirited efforts to land top free-agent starter Zack Greinke.
Discussion:
Getting Blanked and MLB Rumors
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Adam Rubin / ESPN:
David Wright proud to return to Mets — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — None of the most notable players in New York Mets history has played his entire career with the franchise. — Tom Seaver was traded to the Cincinnati Reds midway through 1977, while en route to a 21-win season.
Discussion:
Metsblog and Amazin' Avenue
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Rockies Acquire Wilton Lopez — The Rockies added a late-inning reliever today, acquiring Wilton Lopez and a player to be named later or cash from the Astros for starter Alex White and minor leaguer Alex Gillingham, the teams announced. — Lopez, 29, very nearly joined the Phillies …
Discussion:
Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus and The Crawfish Boxes
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies acquire Houston reliever Wilton Lopez for starter Alex White
Discussion:
MLB.com and FanGraphs Baseball
Baseball Hall of Fame:
Tom Cheek Named 2013 Ford C. Frick Award Winner for Broadcasting Excellence — Legendary Blue Jays Voice Will Be Honored at July 26-29 Hall of Fame Weekend — (COOPERSTOWN, NY) - Tom Cheek, who called the first 4,306 regular-season and 41 postseason games in Toronto Blue Jays history …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive … and Bluebird Banter
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Mariners To Sign Jason Bay — The Mariners reached an agreement to sign left fielder Jason Bay, pending a physical, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. The deal is for one year and is expected to be worth less than $1MM, according to Greg Johns of MLB.com.
Discussion:
Mariners Musings, HardballTalk and Lookout Landing
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Orioles, McLouth agree to one-year pact — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Orioles have agreed to terms on a one-year deal for outfielder Nate McLouth, according to an industry source. — Baltimore had steady dialogue with McLouth's agent, Mike Nicotera, and manager Buck Showalter spoke on the phone …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Mets hold cards, but unsure how Dickey saga will play out — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Mets have told R.A. Dickey what they are willing to do in a contract extension. — They have told teams interested in acquiring Dickey the types of players — notice the plural — necessary to obtain him.
Discussion:
Metsblog and Amazin' Avenue
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Marlins don't seem enthusiastic about Carl Pavano reunion, but never say never — Dave Pepe, the agent for pitcher Carl Pavano, spoke to the Marlins yesterday, but there's no indication on how those talks went. — One Marlins source didn't seem enthusiastic about the team taking a chance on Pavano …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals aren't entertaining Butler talks in Nashville — Club may be out of running to acquire Mets knuckleballer Dickey — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Although manager Ned Yost keeps talking about the Royals hitting more home runs next year, that doesn't seem to stop speculation about a trade involving his top home-run hitter, Billy Butler.
Discussion:
Mariners blog
