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4:20 PM ET, January 4, 2013

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Berkman, Lohse looking for fits as free agents  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  With spring training in sight, Lance Berkman acknowledges he's mulling options and “still a little bit in limbo” when it comes to next season and his Hamlet dilemma: to play or not to play.
RELATED:
Cliff Corcoran / Sports Illustrated:
Cliff Corcoran>INSIDE BASEBALL  —  While the majority of this offseason's top free agents have signed, including 24 of the top 30 according to the Reiter 50, the annual list of the offseason's top 50 free agents compiled by SI.com's Ben Reiter, there are still a handful of key players searching for a team for the coming season.
Discussion: Royals Review
Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
The added cost of signing Kyle Lohse  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  TOWER GROVE  • The concept of draft-pick compensation is nothing new for baseball and its free-agent season.  Just last year the St. Louis Cardinals received four picks …
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
Roch Kubatko / School of Roch:
Showalter nearing agreement on contract extension  —  Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos and Buck Showalter are meeting again today to discuss the manager's contract extension, and an announcement could be made early next week, according to an industry source.  —  Showalter is flying …
Daniel Dale / Toronto Star:
Jose Canseco considers run against Rob Ford to be Toronto mayor  —  Jose Canseco outlined his potential platform in tweets to the Star at 1:17 a.m. on Friday.  “Ford too much trouble to be effective,” he wrote.  “Gotta fix budget, traffic, get new $ not from taxes, get more new businesses, and help schools.”
Discussion: NESN.com and Drunk Jays Fans
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Mariners outright Mitchell to Triple-A Tacoma  —  SEATTLE — Right-handed pitcher D.J. Mitchell was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma by the Mariners on Friday, remaining in the organization after being designated for assignment on Dec. 26 to make room on the 40-man roster for free-agent signee Raul Ibanez.
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Dan Martin / New York Post:
A-Rod's surgery remains on hold; Yankees GM says to expect fewer homers  —  No date has been set for Alex Rodriguez's hip surgery and it's not expected to be performed until the middle of the month — at the earliest.  —  When asked for a potential return date for the third baseman …
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
March 31: Astros vs. Rangers  —  The Houston Astros' debut in the American League against the Texas Rangers will officially open the 2013 season on ESPN's “Sunday Night Baseball” on March 31.  —  The 8 p.m. ET game, announced by Major League Baseball on Thursday, will be played at Minute Maid Park …
RELATED:
Richard Justice / MLB.com:
Myers a savvy move for Indians
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Opening Night to feature new AL West Texas rivalry
Discussion: Getting Blanked and Lone Star Ball
Jeff Schuler / Morning Call:
Catasauqua's Anthony Recker ready for fresh start with New York Mets  —  The 29-year-old former Rough Rider hopes to land a spot on New York's Opening Day roster.  — Pin It  —  Anthony Recker takes batting practice with the Oakland Athletics before a game against the New York Yankees on August 23, 2011 in Yankee Stadium.
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions: Dec. 22-31  —  Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period Dec. 22-31.  —  Baltimore Orioles  —  Signed: LHP Zach Braddock (released by Brewers in May), LHP Daniel Schlereth (non-tendered by Tigers) …
Fox Sports:
Sources: LHP Oliver mulls retirement  —  Left-hander Darren Oliver's decision on whether to continue his career is more complicated than it might appear.  —  Oliver, 42, wants to play, but is not willing to return to the Toronto Blue Jays unless the team increases his salary from $3 million, according to major-league sources.
Hal Bodley / MLB.com:
Marlins should waste no time dealing Stanton  —  The Miami Marlins should trade Giancarlo Stanton — the sooner, the better.  —  Having said that, objections from the already suffering Marlins fans will undoubtedly be deafening.  —  Obviously, trading a franchise player of Stanton's caliber …
Discussion: Fish Stripes
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
All quiet for Reds  —  Spoke to Walt Jocketty today.  Everything is pretty quiet in Redsland.  Here's an update:  —Scott Rolen did not call today and say whether he's retiring or not.  As Mark Shelton wrote yesterday, Rolen is still making up his mind as to whether he'll play or not.
Discussion: Reuters, Red Reporter and Redleg Nation
RELATED:
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds investigating multiyear deals for Latos, Bailey
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
Diamondbacks may still trade Upton  —  Want to know why Justin Upton still might get traded?  —  Consider:  —  • The Arizona Diamondbacks have a surplus of outfielders after signing Cody Ross to a three-year, $26 million free-agent contract.  —  • At least three teams …
Michael Baron / Metsblog:
Rubin: Mets to re-sign Omar Quintanilla to a Minor League deal  —  According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the Mets will re-sign INF Omar Quintanilla to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training.  —  In 29 games for the Mets in 2012, Quintanilla hit .257 with five doubles, one home run and four RBI in 70 at-bats.
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish, ESPN and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Greg Johns / Mariners Musings:
Mike Jacobs signed to Minor League deal
 
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 More News: 
Mark Simon / ESPN:
How the 2013 Mets make the playoffs
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Deal official, Swisher unveiled by Tribe
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Orioles Release Top 2011 Latin American Signing Elvis Duran
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Villarreal shelved by Tigers for rest of winter
Discussion: HardballTalk
 Earlier Picks: 
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Blue Jays hiring of former Expos' star Tim Raines a positive step: Griffin
Discussion: Drunk Jays Fans
Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
THE VOTE BASEBALL WRITERS DON'T NEED
Discussion: HardballTalk and THE BOOK
The Heater Feed:
Friedman discusses Price deal, and potential for long-term
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

New York Times:
How to Be Real With Your Kids  —  Actor Penn Badgley reads the essay “Watching Them Watching Me” …

Daily Star:
Scene where Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, tragically died as police cordon area

 
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