Top News:
Clark Spencer / Fish Bytes:
Marlins not shopping Stanton, and my HOF ballot — Sorry about the absence, but used some vacation time, covered the Sugar Bowl, and watched with detached amusement as the Giancarlo Stanton trade rumors swirled about. The Marlins are not shopping Stanton. They are not dangling him like the carrot at the end of a stick.
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NESN.com, Getting Blanked, HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
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UTSanDiego.com:
Padres Insider: Club studies spring training strategy; Marlins shopping Stanton — It's far too early to talk about the possibilities, but the Padres are one of the clubs the Miami Marlins have talked to regarding right-handed, power-hitting right fielder Giancarlo Stanton.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, Sporting News Feed RSS, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and HardballTalk
Bill Center / North County Times:
Padres Insider: Club studies spring training strategy; Marlins shopping Stanton — Among the issues discussed recently by the Padres brass is how the club will deploy its forces over the longest exhibition season in franchise history. — Because this is also the spring of the third World Baseball Classic …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Fox Sports:
Sources: Upton trade talks still on — Justin Upton for Chase Headley? — The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres have held on-and-off discussions about a trade involving those players since July, but the talks have failed to progress, according to major-league sources.
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MLB Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Gaslamp Ball, baseballmusings.com, HardballTalk and Sporting News Feed RSS
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Fox Sports:
Berkman close to signing with Texas — The Texas Rangers — closing in on a new designated hitter — are finalizing an agreement with free agent Lance Berkman, according to major-league sources. — The contract is expected to be for one year in the $10 million to $11 million range …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Viva El Birdos, Lone Star Ball and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Rangers To Sign Lance Berkman
Rangers To Sign Lance Berkman
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Getting Blanked
Nick Cafardo / The Boston Globe:
Will ‘roid rage’ among baseball writers show up in vote? — On Wednesday, the Baseball Writers Association of America and the Hall of Fame will announce the results of the voting that decides which candidates will be enshrined in Cooperstown, N.Y., this year.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Metsblog, MLB Rumors and Let's Go Tribe
Richard Deitsch / Sports Illustrated:
A Notre Dame-Alabama TV primer; Bobby Valentine gets a talk show — Brian Kelly wants Notre Dame's first title since 1988; Nick Saban wants 'Bama's third title in four years. — When Notre Dame and Alabama kickoff on Monday night in Miami shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN executives …
Discussion:
NESN.com, HardballTalk, Boston Globe and Boston Globe
Robert Klemko / USA Today:
Dr. James Andrews says he never cleared Robert Griffin III to go back into game after injury … Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) reacts after getting injured during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FedEx Field on Dec. 9. (Photo: Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports)
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, NESN.com, Sporting News Feed RSS and ESPN
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Mo says knee ‘95 percent’ on way toward full health — Baseball's all-time saves leader conducts pitching clinic for Connecticut kids — Mariano Rivera addresses kids at a pitching clinic in Danbury, Conn., on Saturday. (Bryan Hoch/MLB.com) — DANBURY, Conn. — To most of his audience …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
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Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Unresolved questions linger for Yanks, Mets, free agents — To be honest, you probably could take an extended nap (like the one Carl Pavano took from 2005 through 2008) from now until the start of spring training, and you wouldn't miss a great deal in the baseball world.
Discussion:
Metsblog
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Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Infusion of $160 Million Gives Mets a Chance to Spend, Perhaps on Talent
Infusion of $160 Million Gives Mets a Chance to Spend, Perhaps on Talent
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Metsblog, Amazin' Avenue and The LoHud Mets Blog
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Indians step up to plate, but DH remains a need — CLEVELAND — The Indians are not done looking for ways to upgrade aspects of their roster. After signing right-hander Brett Myers, though, the club appears to be done doling out substantial big league contracts to free agents.
Discussion:
Plain Dealer and MLB Rumors
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Buster Posey's incredible arbitration case — Buster Posey hasn't played in two full seasons' worth of regular-season games yet — 308, to be exact. But he's made the most of his time in the big leagues, winning a rookie of the year award, a batting title, a most valuable player award and two World Series titles with the Giants.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Still unsure of comeback, Vazquez eyes Nats — WASHINGTON — Right-hander Javier Vazquez said Saturday that he has not made a final decision about his future in the big leagues. If he decides to make a comeback, he would consider playing for the Nationals even though their rotation is set.
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