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:
Metsblog, ESPN, HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue 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, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball 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:
MLB Rumors, Metsblog, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
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:
New York Post, The Crawfish Boxes, Metsblog and Amazin' Avenue
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Tampa made yet another big splash — Execs chime in with their thoughts on multiplayer deal involving Rays and Royals … Andrew Friedman, the Tampa Bay Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations, didn't make a single appearance in the Opryland Hotel lobby during the recent winter meetings …
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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
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, FanGraphs Baseball, Kansas City Star, Over the Monster, HardballTalk, Royals Review, Baseball Nation and ESPN
Fox Sports:
Royals made right move with trade
Royals made right move with trade
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, MLB Daily Dish, Baseball Nation, Over the Monster and Royals Review
Associated Press:
Royals Acquire Shields, Davis From Rays for Myers
Royals Acquire Shields, Davis From Rays for Myers
Discussion:
The Heater Feed, USA Today, DRaysBay and baseballmusings.com
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:
HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, 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
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
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:
AaronGleeman.com, Twinkie Town, HardballTalk, Bucs Dugout, Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish
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
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Youkilis' uncle says he loves NY; weighing offer — Youk loves New York. — And, according to a New Yorker who knows Kevin Youkilis as well as almost anyone, New York is going to love Youk back. That is, if the two wind up forming a professional alliance.
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, The LoHud Yankees Blog, MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Baseball America:
2013 Atlanta Braves Top 10 Prospects … In many ways, the 2012 season was one of redemption for the Braves, who were able to erase the memory of 2011's collapse by rebounding with a 94-68 record—their best mark since winning 96 games in 2004—and earning a spot in the first-ever National League wild-card playoff.
Discussion:
Atlanta Braves
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians reach agreement with power-hitter Mark Reynolds on 1-year $6 million deal — CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Indians have reached agreement with free-agent slugger Mark Reynolds to a one-year $6 million deal. — Reynolds, 28, hit .221 (101-for-457) with 26 doubles …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, HardballTalk and Let's Go Tribe
RELATED:
Daniel Seco / MLB Rumors:
Indians To Sign Mark Reynolds
Indians To Sign Mark Reynolds
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, SI Tracking Blog and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Reynolds agrees to one-year deal with Indians