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
RELATED:
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 Rumors and MLB.com
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
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:
Fish Stripes, Metsblog and MLB Rumors
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Dodgers full of promise for '13 — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers ushered in 2012 with a divorce settlement. They hope they've ended it with the promise of years of marital bliss. — It was a year of courting for the Dodgers, who worked on wooing a loyal but disgusted fan base …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Minor League Ball
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
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Javier Vazquez May Return, Wants To Join Contender — Javier Vazquez is pitching for Puerto Rico's Ponce Lions this winter and is planning to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic in March. Peter Gammons of MLB Network reported in November that Vazquez would gauge things during …
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Lone Star Ball and Camden Chat
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
