Top News:
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:
NoMaas.org, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors and CBSSports.com
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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.
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Inside the Phillies: A third-place finish in offseason moves — BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Phillies have not won the offseason. — They have, in fact, finished third in the National League East, the same position they were stuck in when time expired on the 2012 season.
Discussion:
Philliesflow.com
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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:
CBSSports.com Sports News …, Talking Chop, Getting Blanked, Baseball Nation, Deadspin, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
ESPN.com:
Source: Braves acquire J. Upton from D-backs
Source: Braves acquire J. Upton from D-backs
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, ESPN, 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:
Over the Monster, HardballTalk and MLB.com
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
Fox Sports:
Mets-Bourn match looks unlikely — First off, I'll believe the Mets are signing Michael Bourn when I see them introduce him at a news conference and present him with a ceremonial cap and jersey. So, the debate over the type of draft pick they should forfeit for him probably is a pointless exercise.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball and Metsblog
RELATED:
T.R. Sullivan / Postcards From Elysian Fields:
Thursday morning...Bourn, Lohse not happening
Thursday morning...Bourn, Lohse not happening
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors and Texas Rangers Blog
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 …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Martinez Returns to Red Sox as Assistant to GM
Martinez Returns to Red Sox as Assistant to GM
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Associated Press, Boston Globe and MLB Daily Dish
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Pedro Martinez joins Red Sox front office
Pedro Martinez joins Red Sox front office
Discussion:
Full Count, Over the Monster 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 Bay Rays officials say MLB has lost faith in bay area
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, HardballTalk and Minnesota Twins News …
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions: Jan. 15-20 — Official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period Jan. 15-20 — Atlanta Braves — Signed: LHP Eric Pfisterer (NDFA—Duke), SS Mattia Mercuri — International baseball sites indicate that Mattia Mercuri …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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:
Camden Chat, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and CBSSports.com
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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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Miami Marlins: Ex-Dolphins QB Pat White has minor league offer in hand — If former Miami Dolphins quarterback Pat White wants to give baseball another shot, the Miami Marlins are prepared to take a look. — White on Thursday told 640 Sports' Orlando Alzugaray he has an offer in hand from the Marlins' organization.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and ProFootballTalk
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 …
RELATED:
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
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 and MLB Rumors