Top News:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Gallardo, Maldonado slated to play in Classic — MILWAUKEE — Mexican-born Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo and catcher Martin Maldonado of Puerto Rico are expected to appear later this week on their homelands' preliminary rosters for the World Baseball Classic, separate sources said.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Baseball America:
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe) … When the Brewers were foundering in late July amid a bullpen crisis, GM Doug Melvin decided it was time to trade Zack Greinke, who had spurned overtures to sign a contract extension. — Melvin figured it best to recoup …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Rizzo to play for Italy in World Baseball Classic
Rizzo to play for Italy in World Baseball Classic
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Mets GM Sandy Alderson gets a look at reliever Brian Wilson, source says — Mets general manager Sandy Alderson watched former Giants closer Brian Wilson throw during a workout at UCLA on Saturday, sources confirmed Sunday, though it's still unclear whether the team will offer him a big-league contract.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Mets Showing Strong Interest In Brian Wilson
Mets Showing Strong Interest In Brian Wilson
Discussion:
New York Post, New York Mets Fan Blog, MLB Daily Dish and Amazin' Avenue
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Sources: Interpreters OK on mound — When the Texas Rangers decide this season that it's time to go to the mound to talk with Yu Darvish, the manager or pitching coach won't necessarily be trotting out there alone. — Baseball owners approved a rule change last week, several sources have told ESPN …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, HardballTalk, It's About The Money and ESPN
Bill Brink / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates agree to terms with Karstens — The Pirates and right-handed pitcher Jeff Karstens have agreed to a one-year major league contract, according to a source. — Karstens, 30, was non-tendered by the club this offseason when the team acquired catcher Russell Martin.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Getting Blanked, HardballTalk, Pirates Prospects, Bucs Dugout and MLB Daily Dish
Joey Nowak / MLB.com:
Dickey, Kimbrel, Pettitte set to pitch for USA — Some of the latest players to commit to playing for Team USA in this year's World Baseball Classic include the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, one of the game's most experienced left-handers and one of baseball's best young relievers.
Discussion:
Hit and Run, Denver Post, Bluebird Banter, The LoHud Yankees Blog, ESPN and Getting Blanked
Mark Sheldon / Mark My Word:
Izturis signed, camp invites — The Reds on Monday announced 15 Spring Training non-roster invites. One of the more newsworthy is they signed veteran SS Cesar Izturis to a minor league deal. — Here is the full list: RHP Nick Christiani, LHP Wilkin De La Rosa, RHP Justin Freeman …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
Carson Cistulli / FanGraphs Baseball:
2013 ZiPS Projections - Pittsburgh Pirates — Dan Szymborski's ZiPS projections, which have typically appeared in the pages of Baseball Think Factory, are being released at FanGraphs this year. Below are the projections for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Szymborski can be found on Twitter at @DSzymborski.
Discussion:
whygavs.com and Pirates Prospects
Fox Sports:
Yankees likely to pass on Upton — On Jan. 13, 2012, the Yankees stunned the baseball industry by signing Hiroki Kuroda and acquiring Michael Pineda from Seattle. — On Jan. 13, 2013, the Yankees could send a similar thunderbolt with a trade for Arizona outfielder Justin Upton.
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Dan Martin / New York Post:
Yankees hitting coach: A-Rod was in pain in August — Kevin Long saw the lack of power down the stretch from Alex Rodriguez and was well aware something wasn't right with the third baseman. — “I knew it in August,” the Yankees hitting coach said by phone Saturday.
Discussion:
The Yankee Analysts and It's About The Money
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Dodgers Have Looked Into Rafael Soriano — The Dodgers have already spent big on their bullpen this offseason, adding Brandon League on a three-year, $22.5MM deal and J.P. Howell for one year and $2.85MM. According to ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter), that hasn't stopped them from looking …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Nick Cafardo / The Boston Globe:
Bobby Valentine backs Mike Piazza, Pudge Rodriguez — Bobby Valentine does believe that “time will heal all wounds. These guys have received a slap on the wrist, but I think eventually those who should be there will be there.” — Bobby Valentine managed both Pudge Rodriguez and Mike Piazza.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Getting Blanked, It's About The Money, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues
Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball America ranks the Cardinals' top 10 prospects — • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285 — TOWER GROVE • The current issue of Baseball America arrived at my doorstep over the weekend, and a few pages before the magazine revealed its top 10 prospects …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
miami.marlins.mlb.com:
Marlins Job Fair — Location: … Dates/Times: — Event Staff and Part-Time Positions Available! — The Marlins will be hosting a Job Fair on Tuesday, January 15th from 10 A.M. to 7 P.M. at Marlins Park, located at 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL 33125. As the Marlins prepare …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Fish Tank blog