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
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Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
THE VOTE BASEBALL WRITERS DON'T NEED — One and done. I placed an X next to Jack Morris on my Hall of Fame ballot, and I was finished voting. If Morris is elected, I will most likely be finished voting period. If Morris is not elected this time, I will vote for him next year in his final year of eligibility and then be done.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and THE BOOK
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Larry Walker, Barry Bonds not worthy of Hall of Fame vote ... yet — Barry Bonds is the best hitter I've ever seen. It wasn't his power, though, that was breathtaking. It was his bat speed. Once, as he was tilting the sport on its head, he hit a home run against the Rockies on an inside pitch …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Gerry Fraley / Texas Rangers Blog:
Rangers add reliever Jason Frasor — The Texas Rangers have added sturdy veteran right-handed reliever Jason Frasor to a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.5 million. He earned $3.75 million with Toronto last season. — The deal came together on Thursday after Frasor passed a physical.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Bluebird Banter, Lone Star Ball, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Rangers Sign Jason Frasor
Rangers Sign Jason Frasor
Discussion:
Drunk Jays Fans and Getting Blanked
Greg Johns / Mariners Musings:
Mike Jacobs signed to Minor League deal — No big roster news yet coming out of the holidays on the Mariners, as things still seem quiet across the MLB world with most teams stepping back to evaluate things over the Christmas break. — But I can report today that the Mariners have signed …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, SI Tracking Blog and MLB Daily Dish
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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 …
The Heater Feed:
Friedman discusses Price deal, and potential for long-term — Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said it's always helpful for a team to get as much of their “heavy lifting” done earlier in the offseason. — And Tampa Bay did just that by signing one of it's biggest stars …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Opening Night to feature new AL West Texas rivalry — HOUSTON — The Astros will begin the 2013 season at 7 p.m. CT on March 31 against the Rangers at Minute Maid Park — two days earlier than previously scheduled — to accommodate the game being televised nationally on ESPN's Opening Night telecast.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds investigating multiyear deals for Latos, Bailey — Pitchers represent two of club's six remaining arbitration-eligible players — CINCINNATI — The holidays are now over, so 'tis really the season for younger arbitration-eligible Major League players to add some zeros to their paychecks.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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:
Camden Chat, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
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.
MLB.com:
Padres announce dates for 2013 Fanfest & annual awards dinner — Both events to be held the second weekend in February — SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres today announced Padres FanFest presented by State Farm will return to Petco Park on Saturday, February 9, 2013. The daylong event is free and open to the public.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball