Top News:
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
NY Mets pitching to keep National League Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey with two-year, $20 million contract extension — As the Daily News has been reporting, Dickey has been asking for a two-year extension for approximately $26 million, totaling $31 million over three years.
Discussion:
ESPN, Metsblog, ESPN, Amazin' Avenue, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
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Fox Sports:
Rangers see dramatic identity shift — A rival executive, assessing the Texas Rangers on Monday, said, “They're going to overpay Hamilton or they're going to overpay ‘KT.’” — That's Hamilton as in free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton. And that's “KT” as in Arizona general manager Kevin Towers …
Discussion:
ESPN, Metsblog, MLB.com, Lone Star Ball, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets eye Ross, cast R.A. as elf — The Mets' offseason work still encompasses more than resolving R.A. Dickey's status. — Though the veteran knuckleballer's future remains high on the agenda, so does evaluating other pieces that potentially could help the Mets in 2013.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Metsblog and MLB Daily Dish
Ben Lindbergh / Baseball Prospectus:
The Royals, the Rays, and the Problem with Windows — Note: If you've already listened to today's episode of Effectively Wild, some of this may sound familiar. — If you think about it, the Royals and Rays, the two teams that completed a massive prospects-for-pitchers trade on Sunday, are a lot alike.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, ESPN and The Heater Feed
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
For Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey, NY Mets asking price on trade remains very high
For Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey, NY Mets asking price on trade remains very high
Discussion:
Over the Monster, New York Post, The Crawfish Boxes, Metsblog and Amazin' Avenue
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Royals bet big, get ‘the piece’ in James Shields after blockbuster trade with Rays
Royals bet big, get ‘the piece’ in James Shields after blockbuster trade with Rays
Discussion:
Joe Blogs, Over the Monster, Kansas City Star, FanGraphs Baseball, Royals Review, HardballTalk, Baseball Nation and ESPN
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals acquire Shields from Rays for prospects
Royals acquire Shields from Rays for prospects
Discussion:
DRaysBay, MLB Daily Dish, Royals Review, Purple Row, HardballTalk and Minor League Ball
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians still looking for the right deal for Asdrubal Cabrera — CLEVELAND, Ohio — Things move fast in the off-season. Just ask the Indians and Phillies. — Before the start of the winter meetings last week in Nashville, the two teams were talking about a trade …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and Phillies Nation
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Ryan Lawrence / Philly.com:
Ruben Amaro: Michael Young has what Phillies need — MICHAEL YOUNG has played more games than any player in the history of the Texas Rangers organization. — He holds several other club records and has called Arlington home ever since he was traded from Toronto as a minor leaguer 12 1/2 years ago.
Discussion:
The Good Phight and HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Andruw Jones to sign in Japan — TOKYO — The Rakuten Eagles of Japan's Pacific League say they are set to sign veteran major league outfielder Andruw Jones. — The 35-year-old Jones became a free agent after playing for the New York Yankees the last two seasons, and the Eagles …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and Talking Chop
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Twins To Sign Kevin Correia — The Twins have reached an agreement to sign Kevin Correia, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (on Twitter). ESPN's Jerry Crasnick first reported that the two sides were nearing a two-year deal, and he adds that Correia will earn $10MM over the life of the contract (Twitter links).
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, AaronGleeman.com, HardballTalk, Bucs Dugout, Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Dodgers officially introduce Korean lefty Ryu — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers' newest pitcher, Hyun-jin Ryu, was explaining his desire to improve his English in order to talk to his new teammates when team co-owner Magic Johnson piped in with some advice for Ryu's interpreter.
Discussion:
ESPN.com and True Blue LA
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Steven Marcus / Newsday:
Yankees to drop StubHub, nearing deal with Ticketmaster — The Yankees are opting out of a five-year renewal between MLB and StubHub, an online service for buying and selling tickets, a person familiar with the development said Monday. The Angels and Cubs also will not participate, StubHub said.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Globe and Mail:
Blue Jays sign five to minor-league contracts — The Toronto Blue Jays have signed pitchers Claudio Vargas, Richard Thompson and Juan Perez and infielders Eugenio Velez and Luis Jimenez to minor-league contracts with invitations to major-league spring training.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
csnphilly.com:
Jim Thome is all ears: 'I'm not retired' — Jim Thome had just finished a strenuous morning workout when his phone rang. — Strenuous workout? — We thought Thome would be enjoying retirement with a morning cup of coffee and an iPad by now. — Not so. — “I'm not retired,” the 42-year-old slugger said with a laugh.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and SI Tracking Blog