Top News:
John Perrotto / Baseball Prospectus:
The Hall of Fame Ballot — It took a lot of time and a lot of thought to solve my Hall of Fame voting conflict. As I referenced in last week's On The Beat, I still had a blank ballot in my hands less than a week before the deadline to submit my vote. I truly agonized over whether to vote …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Daily Herald
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MLB.com:
2013 National Baseball Hall of Fame election results to air live on January 9 — Costas, Amsinger, Gammons, Heyman, Kenny, Leiter, Reynolds, Rosenthal, Verducci & Watney on Hall of Fame Coverage Starting at 1:00 p.m. ET — MLB Network to Air Special 2013 Hall of Fame Roundtable Show on Tuesday, January 8 at 9:00 p.m. ET
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: David Price, Rays agree
Source: David Price, Rays agree
Discussion:
ESPN.com, MLB Daily Dish, FanGraphs Baseball, SI Tracking Blog, MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Gerry Fraley / Texas Rangers Blog:
Rangers close to adding reliever Frasor — The Texas Rangers are close to a one-year deal with sturdy veteran right-handed free-agent reliever Jason Frasor, an industry official said on Thursday. — Frasor, 35, was 1-1 with a 4.12 ERA in 43 2/3 innings with Toronto last season.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball and MLB Daily Dish
Anna Hiatt / Yahoo! News:
Why baseball's National League should adopt the DH — Designated hitters don't ruin America's pastime — they make it more fun to watch — Pitchers are terrible hitters. We all know it. Of course, it's completely understandable. Aspiring young pitchers are so busy perfecting their curveball …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Beyond the Box Score and Baseball Nation
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Fox Sports:
Berkman talking about 2013 return — Free agent Lance Berkman still has not decided that he will play in 2013. But he is talking about a possible return with multiple clubs, including the Texas Rangers, major-league sources say. — Berkman's hometown team, the Houston Astros …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, HardballTalk, DRaysBay, MLB Daily Dish, SI Tracking Blog, MLB Rumors and Lone Star Ball
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
SOX SCOUTING JAVIER VAZQUEZ ON FRIDAY — According to an industry source, the Red Sox are slated to scout right-hander Javier Vazquez when he pitches for Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League on Friday. Vazquez is pitching against Santurce in the third game of the playoffs for Caguas …
Discussion:
Nationals Journal, FanGraphs Baseball, Over the Monster, HardballTalk, NESN.com and MLB Daily Dish
Larry Holder / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Jonathan Vilma takes issue with Steve Spagnuolo report: 'We're not the Jets' — New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma sounded off Wednesday morning about comments from an unnamed Saints player that said defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo should be fired.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, ESPN and Deadspin
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Larry Holder / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
New Orleans Saints player: Steve Spagnuolo should be fired as defensive coordinator
New Orleans Saints player: Steve Spagnuolo should be fired as defensive coordinator
Discussion:
NESN.com, ProFootballTalk, Deadspin and ESPN
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
RHP Brett Myers will get chance to start for Cleveland Indians after agreeing to 1-year deal — CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Indians have reached agreement with veteran right-hander Brett Myers on a one-year deal with a club option for 2014 pending a physical. — Myers, according to a league source …
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Mike Graham / TCPalm.com:
Treasure Coast pitcher Scott Proctor signs with San Francisco Giants — JENSEN BEACH — Veteran Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher Scott Proctor has agreed to terms with the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants, according to his agent, Mark Rodgers.
Discussion:
Hardball Times, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, ESPN, Drunk Jays Fans, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball and MLB Rumors
Mark Sheldon / Mark My Word:
Rolen still undecided — Veteran 3B and free agent Scott Rolen still has not made up his mind about whether he will retire or play in 2013. Rolen, who turns 38 on April 4, has been in periodic contact with Reds GM Walt Jocketty. There is interest in bringing Rolen back if he wants to play.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
Josh Kosman / New York Post:
Amazin'! Mets owners refi $450M in loans — The owners of the Mets have scored some financial relief. — After a months-long process, team owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz have refinanced $450 million in loans borrowed against cable network SportsNet New York, which airs Mets games, The Post has learned.
Discussion:
Metsblog and Amazin' Avenue
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets to host winter blood drive Thursday — NEW YORK — The Mets will host their annual winter blood drive at Citi Field from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, in partnership with the New York Blood Center. All fans who donate blood will receive a voucher redeemable for one pair of tickets to a select Mets game in April.
Discussion:
Metsblog
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Despite intact bullpen, Duquette open to adding another reliever — Last season, the bullpen was one of the Orioles' season-long strengths, and while the club's corps of relievers returns intact in 2013, executive vice president Dan Duquette said he's open to adding another bullpen arm this offseason.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Camden Chat
Manish Mehta / NY Daily News:
Rex Ryan leaves New Jersey as Jets ponder next move — Rex Ryan has been eerily silent since the season ended. — The typically talkative coach hasn't commented on the team's decision to fire GM Mike Tannenbaum, the looming firing of offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, the new GM search or surviving the ax on Black Monday.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, NESN.com, SI Tracking Blog and Deadspin