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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Brian T. Smith / Ultimate Astros:
Role with Astros is Clemens' for taking
Role with Astros is Clemens' for taking
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Sporting News Feed RSS and HardballTalk
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
Tim Marchman / Wall Street Journal:
Let the People Have a Vote
Let the People Have a Vote
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Athletics Nation, Let's Go Tribe, HardballTalk and ESPN
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Derek Jeter should be ready for 2013 Opening Day after having surgery on injured left ankle — Captain should be set to go by time season rolls around, though he has not yet run. Meanwhile, the Mets may have interest in former Yankee Carl Pavano. — New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter …
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Sporting News Feed RSS
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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:
MLB, HardballTalk and Halos Heaven
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Cervelli: Pain in the neck
Cervelli: Pain in the neck
Discussion:
HardballTalk, The LoHud Yankees Blog and Bombers Beat
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
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Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
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Bombers Beat, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, The LoHud Yankees Blog and River Avenue Blues
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox ‘hopeful’ of finishing Napoli deal — A Major League source told the Globe tonight that the Red Sox are working toward a contract agreement with first baseman Mike Napoli and are “hopeful” of getting it done. — Napoli agreed to terms on a three-year, $39 million deal on Dec. 3.
Discussion:
MLB.com, NESN.com, Over the Monster and MLB Daily Dish
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Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Hopeful They Can Complete Napoli Deal
Red Sox Hopeful They Can Complete Napoli Deal
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Niese doesn't need heart ablation surgery — NEW YORK — Turns out Jon Niese's heart issue was a non-issue. — Originally scheduled to undergo a heart ablation before Christmas to correct the arrhythmias he has experienced throughout his career, Niese instead opted against surgery.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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
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
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
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:
MLB Rumors, DRaysBay, Bucs Dugout and HardballTalk
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