Top News:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Dr. Bryan Kelly tells Yankees that Alex Rodriguez has less cartilage damage in hip than expected, source says — Nothing is guaranteed for A-Rod, who was scheduled to be released from the hospital on Thursday — Alex Rodriguez won't make spring training this year but is expected to return mid-July.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Sporting News Feed RSS and HardballTalk
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox, Joel Hanrahan Avoid Arbitration — The Red Sox and Joel Hanrahan avoided arbitration with a one-year deal worth $7.04MM, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned. Hanrahan, a Reynolds Sports Management client, will earn 15K for completing 45 games, 50 games, 55 games and 60 games.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Full Count, Phillies Nation and Metsblog
Carson Cistulli / FanGraphs Baseball:
2013 ZiPS Projections - New York Mets — 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 New York Mets. Szymborski can be found on Twitter at @DSzymborski.
Discussion:
ESPN and Amazin' Avenue
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
World Baseball Classic will have Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez, Ramon Hernandez in play — At the end of the 2012 season, the Rockies had nearly 10 players talking about participating in the World Baseball Classic. In the end, the Rockies figure to lose only three to the spring tournament following …
Discussion:
Purple Row and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Many of world's best set to play for their countries
Many of world's best set to play for their countries
Discussion:
Baseball America and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions: Jan. 8-14 — Official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period Jan. 8-14. — Baltimore Orioles — Signed: RHP Stu Pomeranz (non-tendered and re-signed), C Chase Weems (re-signed), 1B Steve Pearce (re-signed after outright assignment), 2B Travis Adair (re-signed)
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats reach deals with five, with one case remaining — Stammen gets two years while rest re-up with Washington on one-year pacts — WASHINGTON — The Nationals were busy Friday, signing Ross Detwiler, Ian Desmond, Roger Bernadina and Tyler Clippard to one-year deals, while inking Craig Stammen to a two-year, $2.25 million contract.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Adam Berry / MLB.com:
Wieters, three others avoid arbitration with Orioles — Johnson, Hammel, O'Day unable to reach deals, exchange salary figures with club — The Orioles avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to one-year deals with four of their remaining arbitration-eligible players, including catcher Matt Wieters …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Venable avoids arbitration with Padres — Outfielder to make $2.675M in '13 as San Diego crosses one contract off list — SAN DIEGO — It will be a busy two-day stretch for the Padres, who are hunkered down in their Petco Park offices, trying to come to terms with their eight arbitration-eligible players.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Associated Press:
Phillies agree with Bastardo on $1.4M contract — PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed with left-hander Antonio Bastardo on a $1.4 million, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. — Bastardo was 2-5 with one save and a 4.33 ERA in 65 games last season. He struck out 81 in 52 innings.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Niemann agrees to $3-million deal, 3 more in talks — The Rays reached agreement with RHP Jeff Niemann on a one-year deal for $3-million, leaving them in talks with three other arbitration eligible players - OF Sam Fuld, OF Matt Joyce, INF Ryan Roberts - heading to the 1 p.m. deadline to exchange figures.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
NY Mets rookie Travis d'Arnaud has a chance to be Opening Day starting catcher — Here's a snapshot of how high the Mets are on d'Arnaud: Alderson said that he tried to get two specific players from an unnamed team for Dickey, but the team balked. — Travis d'Arnaud will have to play …
Discussion:
MLB Prospect Watch and HardballTalk
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Corey Hart to undergo knee surgery, will miss start of season — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — The Brewers' situation at first base changed Friday when they learned Corey Hart will need knee surgery that will make him miss at least the first six weeks of the 2013 season.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLB Injury News and Disciples of Uecker
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Avoid Arbitration With Carlos Gomez — 5:46pm: Gomez will earn $4.3MM in 2013, a baseball source told Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. — 5:39pm: The Brewers announced that they have reached agreement with Carlos Gomez on a one-year deal to avoid arbitration. The centerfielder is represented by Scott Boras.
Discussion:
Metsblog, The Crawfish Boxes and Al's Ramblings
RELATED:
Adam McCalvy / Brew Beat:
Gomez signs for $4.3 million
Gomez signs for $4.3 million
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, HardballTalk, Disciples of Uecker and MLB Daily Dish