Top News:
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Hall mess means this voter won't vote for tainted players — this time — This year's Hall of Fame ballot contains the most star-studded collection of baseball names outside of, well, the Hall of Fame. — But, oh, what a mess. — The first honest-to-goodness steroid-era ballot …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Dave Perkins / Toronto Star:
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens merit Hall of Fame nod: Perkins
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens merit Hall of Fame nod: Perkins
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score and Hardball Times
Nick Cafardo / The Boston Globe:
Will ‘roid rage’ among baseball writers show up in vote?
Will ‘roid rage’ among baseball writers show up in vote?
Discussion:
Camden Chat, MLB Daily Dish, Let's Go Tribe, HardballTalk, Metsblog and MLB Rumors
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, The LoHud Yankees Blog and River Avenue Blues
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Hopeful They Can Complete Napoli Deal — It's been more than a month since the Red Sox and Mike Napoli initially reached an agreement on a three-year, $39MM contract, but that deal has yet to be finalized. The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham writes that the Red Sox are still working …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox ‘hopeful’ of finishing Napoli deal
Red Sox ‘hopeful’ of finishing Napoli deal
Discussion:
MLB.com, Over the Monster and MLB Daily Dish
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Alderson expects offseason to pick up pace — NEW YORK — On Monday, the Mets remained the only team in the Majors that had not signed a big league free agent. That will eventually change, general manager Sandy Alderson said in a telephone interview Monday evening, though the Mets are not close on any deals for pitchers.
Discussion:
Metsblog
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Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Unresolved questions linger for Yanks, Mets, free agents
Unresolved questions linger for Yanks, Mets, free agents
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Metsblog
Larry Granillo / Baseball Prospectus:
Through the Years: Jeff Bagwell — With the Hall of Fame announcement scheduled for this week, now is a good time to look back at the early careers of some of this year's most talked-about nominees. (And with the early exit polls looking as they do, it might be nice to remember just how great some of these players were.)
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Gerut on mission to protect players' finances — Former Major Leaguer turned agent focused on preventing money woes — Jody Gerut learned to invest his Major League earnings wisely and now wants to help other players. (Matt York/AP) — There was a time when Jody Gerut …
Discussion:
DRaysBay, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Bucs Dugout
MLB.com:
Rangers sign free agent Lance Berkman to one-year contract with club option that can vest for 2014 — LHP Tommy Hottovy designated for assignment — Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers formally announced tonight that the club has signed free agent first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Lance Berkman …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Designate Arcenio Leon For Assignment — The Brewers announced that they have designated right-hander Arcenio Leon for assignment in order to make roster space for the recently signed Mike Gonzalez. — Milwaukee claimed the 26-year-old Leon on waivers from the Astros back in November.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
MLB.com:
Brewers sign lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez — Free Agent Agrees to One-Year Deal — MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez to a one-year contract today. To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated right-handed pitcher Arcenio Leon for assignment.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
GM: Derek Jeter still on target — Derek Jeter has yet to swing a bat, field a ball or run on dry land since suffering a broken ankle in the 12th inning of Game 1 of the AL Championship Series last October. — Still, the New York Yankees insist their 38-year-old captain will be ready …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Halos Heaven
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Former first-rounder Johnson eyes revival with Bucs — As Pirates gather for workouts, lefty continues standout winter in Dominican — The Pirates' annual pre-Spring Training voluntary workouts are under way at Pirate City. This year, the conclave is living up to one of its chief purposes …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Mike Axisa / FanGraphs Baseball:
Rebuilding The Brewers' Bullpen — No bullpen took more losses (33) or blew more saves (29) than the Brewers' relief unit last season. A total of 18 different relievers pitched to a combined 4.66 ERA, the worst mark in the big leagues. Unsurprisingly, GM Doug Melvin set out to remake …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue