Top News:
Nick Cafardo / The Boston Globe:
The best rosters in MLB heading into 2013 — Sometimes the best rosters don't ensure the best results. Sometimes the less impressive ones win it all. The San Francisco Giants roster doesn't knock your socks off, but it works better than any other roster in baseball.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Nationals Pastime and MLB Daily Dish
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Adam Kilgore / Nationals Journal:
Adam LaRoche still wants to re-sign with Nationals, keeping options open — As his negotiations with the Nationals remain stagnant, free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche said Friday evening that he is in talks with multiple opposing clubs, as well. LaRoche maintained his preference to return …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Over the Monster, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, MLB.com and MLB Rumors
Philly.com:
Democracy, or vigilante justice? History says steroids should not be a consideration for writers in Hall of Fame voting — Most writers have a little bit of drama queen inside of them. It is part of our nature, part of the reason why we spend so much of our time living other people's lives instead of our own.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
Exercising my right not to vote — I simply can't do it. I put off mailing in my 2013 Hall of Fame ballot until today's deadline. — It will not be sent. — I'd rather abstain than play judge and jury this year. The two most deserving players statistically of the 37 on the ballot are Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Bleed Cubbie Blue and HardballTalk
T.J. Quinn / ESPN:
The HOF: Why I stopped voting — A voter gives up his right to help determine who is inducted at Cooperstown — It struck me over the past couple of years that I was down to one reason I should continue voting for baseball's Hall of Fame: It's cool. — I loved receiving the stuffed brown envelope every December.
Discussion:
Deadspin, baseballmusings.com, Marin Independent Journal, Fox Sports and HardballTalk
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins cite policy, would listen to offers for Stanton — MIAMI — Giancarlo Stanton is a force in the middle of the Miami Marlins' lineup. But like any player in the organization, the 23-year-old slugger is not considered untouchable. — But that doesn't mean the Marlins are actively looking …
Discussion:
Metsblog, Fish Stripes and MLB Rumors
Joe Smith / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays expect bullpen to be championship-caliber again — ST. PETERSBURG — Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman has often said bullpens are “volatile.” — To account for that, Tampa Bay has been able to successfully tweak its stock of relievers each of the past several seasons, a key to its success.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
NY Mets pitcher Dillon Gee has weight off shoulder as surgery fixes blood clot — Gee expects to have a normal spring training and that's important to the Mets' staff, since he moves up a notch in the rotation after the trade of Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey
Discussion:
Metsblog and HardballTalk
Mary Kay Cabot / Plain Dealer:
Pat Shurmur, Tom Heckert expected to be gone by Monday after Cleveland Browns take on Pittsburgh Steelers — PITTSBURGH, Pa. - It's become a Browns tradition over the past several years: Close out the season against the Steelers and then watch heads roll within 24 hours after the game.
Discussion:
NESN.com, SBNation.com and ProFootballTalk
Roch Kubatko / School of Roch:
Spring training competitions — Another day passed without the Orioles signing or trading for a player. The 40-man roster still has an opening. — Perhaps it will be filled during my drive home from Ocean Pines. News tends to break while I'm behind the wheel. — I may have to brake a few times in the snow.
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, Camden Chat and MLB.com
Ken Belson / Bats:
Ratings for Citi Field Bonds Lowered — With one glaring exception, the Mets appear to be in cost-cutting mode this winter. Yes, David Wright agreed to an eight-year, $138 million contract this month. — But the Mets traded their ace, R.A. Dickey, over what amounted to a few million dollars …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
