Top News:
Fox Sports:
Upton not D-backs' kind of player — Well, the Arizona Diamondbacks are getting what they wanted, a team full of gritty dirtballs. — They've traded center fielder Chris Young, right-hander Trevor Bauer and right fielder Justin Upton, all for questionable returns.
Discussion:
Deadspin, HardballTalk and Baseball Nation
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
The Bourn Market: Mets, Braves, Rangers, M's and four more — Star free agent Michael Bourn remains the best player without a team. But suitors are starting to show up now for the center fielder who by some advanced-stat estimates has saved 80 runs or more with his defense over the past four years.
ESPN.com:
Source: Braves acquire J. Upton from D-backs — The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a trade to acquire outfielder Justin Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson from the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitcher Randall Delgado, infielder Martin Prado and minor leaguers Nick Ahmed, Brandon Drury and Zeke Spruill, sources tell ESPN.
Discussion:
ESPN, FanGraphs Baseball, MLB and ESPN
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
D-Backs agree to unload Justin Upton to the Braves
D-Backs agree to unload Justin Upton to the Braves
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Over the Monster
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves make offer for Arizona's Upton
Braves make offer for Arizona's Upton
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Getting Blanked and Talking Chop
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves agree to acquire coveted outfielder J. Upton
Braves agree to acquire coveted outfielder J. Upton
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
Associated Press:
Martinez Returns to Red Sox as Assistant to GM — BOSTON (AP) — Pedro Martinez has returned to the Boston Red Sox. — On Thursday, Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star, who spent seven seasons in Boston, was brought back to the franchise.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MLB Daily Dish, Over the Monster and CBSSports.com
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Pedro joins Red Sox as special assistant — Former ace feels he can offer veterans, prospects meaningful advice — BOSTON — Back in 2004, Pedro Martinez mentioned that he would always consider himself a Bostonian. Now he can once again call himself a member of the Red Sox …
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Pedro Martinez joins Red Sox front office
Pedro Martinez joins Red Sox front office
Discussion:
Full Count and the joy of sox
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Rays set to re-sign DH Luke Scott — The Rays are set to re-sign DH Luke Scott, the Times has learned. — Scott spent last season with the Rays, and though they declined his $6-million option, both sides have maintained contact and mutual interest in a return. The Rays already paid Scott a $1-million buyout.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Rays To Sign Luke Scott
Rays To Sign Luke Scott
Discussion:
DRaysBay, MLB Daily Dish and The Heater Feed
Zack Meisel / MLB.com:
Morgan reportedly agrees on deal to play in Japan — Outfielder Nyjer Morgan will reportedly play in the Far East this season. Whether his alter ego, Tony Plush, will join him remains to be seen. — According to The Associated Press, the former Brewers outfielder has agreed …
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Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
MLB statement: Status quo not sustainable — MLB issued this statement this afternoon: — “The Commissioner has had conversations with Stuart Sternberg and is disappointed with the current situation in the Tampa Bay market. — The status quo is simply not sustainable.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
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Stephen Nohlgren / Tampa Bay Times:
Tampa Bay Rays officials say MLB has lost faith in bay area
Tampa Bay Rays officials say MLB has lost faith in bay area
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Mets, pitcher Marcum agree to one-year deal — The New York Mets, who had been the lone team not to sign a free agent to a major league contract this winter, have agreed to terms with right-hander Shaun Marcum. — Marcum, 31, will get a one-year deal contingent on passing a physical, a major league source confirmed.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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Michael Baron / Metsblog:
Mets agree to sign RHP Shaun Marcum
Mets agree to sign RHP Shaun Marcum
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Getting Blanked, MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
John & Cait:
Brewers Go For the Gold and Announce Gold Alternate Jersey — The Brewers go for the gold every season. Each of the 30 flags atop the Commissioner's Trophy awarded to the World Series Champion are adorned in gold and it is the Brewers goal to one day have that trophy at Miller Park.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Al's Ramblings
NY Daily News:
Manti Te'o girlfriend hoax perpetrator Ronaiah Tuiasosopo impersonated ‘Lennay Kekua’ female voice over phone to speak to Notre Dame player — The soul-baring chats between the star linebacker and the man posing as his phantom girlfriend were the linchpin of their fake fairy-tale romance.
Discussion:
The Big Lead, ESPN, Deadspin, NESN.com, ProFootballTalk, CBSSports.com and SBNation.com, more at WeSmirch »
T.R. Sullivan / Postcards From Elysian Fields:
Thursday morning...Bourn, Lohse not happening — The Braves are acquiring outfielder Justin Upton from the Diamondbacks. The Rangers haven't talked to the Diamondbacks since making one final offer earlier this month. — Industry sources said Thursday the Rangers don't expect …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors and Texas Rangers Blog
Tom Groeschen / Cincinnati Reds:
Billy Hamilton to start year in Triple-A — Reds top prospect Billy Hamilton will start the year at Triple-A Louisville and play every day in center field, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said Thursday. — Jocketty, speaking before the annual Reds caravan rolled away from Great American Ball Park …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Redleg Nation