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, Baseball Nation and HardballTalk
RELATED:
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:
Over the Monster, MLB.com and HardballTalk
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
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Star free agent Michael Bourn remains the best player without a team.
Star free agent Michael Bourn remains the best player without a team.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Metsblog, New York Post, Lookout Landing, McCovey Chronicles, NY Daily News, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors and Talking Chop
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 and Talking Chop
Fox Sports:
Carl Pavano suffers ruptured spleen — Free-agent right-hander Carl Pavano doesn't figure to be signing with a new team anytime soon. — Pavano, 37, recently suffered a ruptured spleen that will sideline him for 6 to 8 weeks, according to major-league sources.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and CBSSports.com
RELATED:
D.J. Short / HardballTalk:
Report: Carl Pavano suffered ruptured spleen after falling while shoveling snow — Well, this might be the most Carl Pavano injury ever. According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the veteran right-hander recently suffered a ruptured spleen when he slipped and fell while shoveling snow in his driveway in Vermont.
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 …
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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:
Associated Press, Boston Globe, MLB Daily Dish, Over the Monster and CBSSports.com
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:
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 — Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said Thursday that he wants to keep his team in the region, but “Major League Baseball at this point no longer believes in the Tampa Bay area.” — Five years of success on the field …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, HardballTalk and Minnesota Twins News …
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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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Jurrjens agrees to deal with Orioles — Free agent righthander Jair Jurrjens, an All-Star in 2011 who was not tendered by the Braves after a rough 2012 season, has agreed to a deal with the Orioles, CBSSports.com has learned. — Jurrjens will receive a $1.5 million base on a Major League deal …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Camden Chat, MLB Rumors and CBSSports.com
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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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
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 Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and Texas Rangers Blog
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, MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
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