Top News:
Evan Grant / Texas Rangers Blog:
Sources: Rangers involved in advanced talks with Phillies about possible Michael Young trade — NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Rangers haven't really gotten anywhere on their big free-agent targets. And complicated pie-in-the-sky trade scenarios haven't really gained traction.
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Pursuit of Upton driving blockbuster talks — Texas badly wants Justin Upton, according to major-league sources. Arizona, seeking a shortstop, is focused on Asdrubal Cabrera. — The goals of those two clubs are driving talk of three- and four-team blockbusters at the winter meetings …
Discussion:
Metsblog and MLB Daily Dish
Geoff Baker / Mariners blog:
Mariners said to still be very much in the running for Josh Hamilton — The Mariners and Josh Hamilton are said to be “very close” to a deal, depending on what happens first between free agent pitcher Zack Greinke and the Texas Rangers. Photo Credit: AP — It once seemed like Josh Hamilton …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, Getting Blanked, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Rangers talks with Josh Hamilton said ‘on hold’ at moment
Rangers talks with Josh Hamilton said ‘on hold’ at moment
Discussion:
Getting Blanked and Fox Sports
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Josh Hamilton sits, waits restlessly
John Manuel / Baseball America:
Braulio Lara, Jose Dominguez Lead Rule 5 Buzz — NASHVILLE—A relatively placid day during the Winter Meetings on Wednesday gives way to what should be a much more active Thursday. — Most fans are hoping for a free-agent signing by their team or to be involved in a trade involving Justin Upton.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Twinkie Town, AZ Snake Pit and Minor League Ball
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox could lose players in Rule 5 Draft — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The annual Rule 5 Draft of veteran minor leaguers will be this morning. The Red Sox have the seventh pick if they care to use it. — Any player selected must remain on the major league roster all season or be offered back to his original team.
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
NY Mets have not met R.A. Dickey's asking price as negotiation process is still ongoing — Jeff Wilpon reiterated earlier comments that the Mets were willing to allow Dickey to simply play out next season on the pre-existing $5 million club option, and become a free agent.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
David Wright proud to return to Mets
David Wright proud to return to Mets
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Amazin' Avenue and Metsblog
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Mets hold cards, but unsure how Dickey saga will play out
Mets hold cards, but unsure how Dickey saga will play out
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Metsblog
Adam McCalvy / Brew Beat:
Melvin met with agent for E-Jax, Howell — It's been a quiet Wednesday so far for the Brewers at the Winter Meetings, but GM Doug Melvin did meet with one high-powered agent, Greg Genske, though Melvin would not reveal the content of that discussion. Among Genske's free agents this winter …
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Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Third year blocking Dempster deal
Third year blocking Dempster deal
Discussion:
ESPN, MLB Rumors, FanGraphs Baseball and Metsblog
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Angels add Joe Blanton, Sean Burnett — The Los Angeles Angels added another piece to their starting rotation Wednesday, agreeing with free agent Joe Blanton on a two-year contract worth $15 million contract, according to a baseball source. — The guaranteed deal includes a club option for a third year, the source said.
Discussion:
MLB, Baseball Prospectus, The Good Phight and Halos Heaven
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees looking to trade Curtis Granderson to free up payroll: source — Granderson, who turns 32 in March, will surely be looking for a huge payday when he reaches free agency next season, though the Yankees will already be looking to re-sign Robinson Cano and may still have to pay Derek Jeter, who has a $9.5 million option for 2014.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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:
South Side Sox and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Luke Adams / MLB Rumors:
White Sox To Sign Jeff Keppinger
White Sox To Sign Jeff Keppinger
Discussion:
South Side Sox and Bucs Dugout
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Cubs To Sign Nate Schierholtz — The Cubs agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder Nate Schierholtz, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. The deal is worth $2.25MM with $500K in incentives, adds Crasnick. Schierholtz, 29 in February, was non-tendered by the Phillies last week. He's represented by Lapa/Leventhal.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation
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
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays promote Jamie Nelson to assist hitting coach Derek Shelton
Rays promote Jamie Nelson to assist hitting coach Derek Shelton
Discussion:
HardballTalk and DRaysBay
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Pirates acquire versatile pitcher Oliver from Tigers — Bucs send catching prospect Cabrera to Detroit for Minors left-hander — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Pirates got into the Winter Meetings trade action in a “Minor” way on Wednesday, acquiring left-hander Andrew Oliver from Detroit in exchange for catcher Ramon Cabrera.
Discussion:
Minor League Ball and MLB Daily Dish