Top News:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves agree to acquire coveted outfielder J. Upton — Source says Prado, Delgado, three prospects to D-backs; Johnson to Atlanta — ATLANTA — The Braves have reached a preliminary agreement to acquire Justin Upton from the D-backs in exchange for five players, including Martin Prado.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
RELATED:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves make offer for Arizona's Upton — Eight weeks after signing B.J. Upton to the biggest free-agent contract in franchise history, the Braves are trying to land his brother, Arizona's Justin Upton, in a trade that could give them one of baseball's most dynamic outfields with a pair of Uptons and Jason Heyward.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and Talking Chop
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.
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Metsblog, New York Post, MLB Daily Dish, Talking Chop, HardballTalk, Getting Blanked and CBSSports.com
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
The Braves are said to have increased their pursuit of Justin Upton recently, and sources suggest the Diamondbacks could make a trade involving either Upton or Jason Kubel within the next few days. — Arizona is said to be talking to the Orioles about Kubel, as it tries to decide which outfielder to trade.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Bucs Dugout, McCovey Chronicles, Talking Chop and Federal Baseball
Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
D-Backs want a decision on Upton or Kubel by Friday
Discussion:
Getting Blanked, MLB Daily Dish, CBSSports.com and Talking Chop
Fox Sports:
Sources: O's eye Kubel, Porcello
Discussion:
Minor League Ball, AZ Snake Pit, MLB Daily Dish and Talking Chop
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Orioles Pursuing Jason Kubel
Discussion:
Metsblog and MLB Daily Dish
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:
ESPN, Deadspin, The Big Lead, CBSSports.com, SBNation.com and ProFootballTalk, more at WeSmirch »
RELATED:
ESPN:
Te'o phone logs show hours of calls to ‘Kekua’
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, The Big Lead, Deadspin and NESN.com
Associated Press:
Ex-Brewers OF Morgan to play for Japan team — YOKOHAMA, Japan — Free-agent outfielder Nyjer Morgan has signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan's Central League. — The team says the 32-year-old Morgan will join the BayStars on a one-year-deal worth $1.6 million.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and Bucs Dugout
Fox Sports:
Sources: Cubs, Hairston agree to deal — The Chicago Cubs, adding another veteran to their outfield, have reached agreement with free agent Scott Hairston on a two-year contract, according to major league sources. — Hairston, 32, figures to platoon with another free-agent signee, Nate Schierholtz, in right field.
Discussion:
Metsblog and CBSSports.com
Michael Baron / Metsblog:
Mets agree to sign RHP Shaun Marcum — The Mets and free-agent RHP Shaun Marcum have agreed to a one-year deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. — Marcum, 31, went 7-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 21 starts for the Brewers in 2012, during which he missed two months of the season with an elbow injury.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Amazin' Avenue, Getting Blanked and HardballTalk
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Joba: Call to new Yankees teammate Youkilis has not been returned — Not long after Kevin Youkilis signed with the Yankees, Joba Chamberlain called his new teammate. — Considering the duo's history, including numerous times in which Chamberlain threw pitches in the vicinity of Youkilis' head …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster and CBSSports.com
RELATED:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain still waiting for Bombers' new third baseman Kevin Youkilis …
Discussion:
Bleeding Yankee Blue, The Big Lead, NESN.com, HardballTalk and Boston Globe
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
The Indians are looking to add a hitter, have a few bucks to spend (but not too many bucks) and are considering a reunion with several former longtime Indians. — Jim Thome and Travis Hafner are two of the ex-Indians being considered, among other free agents.
Discussion:
Plain Dealer, Getting Blanked, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
More on latest signings, Scott's possible return
Discussion:
DRaysBay, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Troy Renck / On the Rox:
Jonathan Herrera agrees to contract, avoids arbitration hearing with Rockies — Jonathan Herrera will be able to focus on making the team, not a potential arbitration hearing. The Rockies agreed to a one-year, $900,000 deal with the infielder on Wednesday.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Delmon Young, and the potential tragicomedy called the 2013 Phillies — A baseball player, a lawyer and a rabbi walked into Ruben Amaro Jr.'s explanation for signing Delmon Young yesterday, and now a once-proud baseball team enters 2013 as a potential off-Broadway farce.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Clark Spencer / Fish Bytes:
Marlins sign Kevin Slowey, Mitch Talbot to minor league deals — The Marlins have reeled in two more players hoping to resurrect their big league careers in pitchers Kevin Slowey and Mitch Talbot. The two right-handers — neither of whom has pitched in the majors since 2011 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Darren Rovell / MLB:
Cooperstown mayor shrugs off 2013 concerns — Jeff Katz wants everyone to know that Cooperstown will be OK. — The mayor of the small village in upstate New York that houses the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum says not having a living inductee this summer, for the first time since 1965 …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
