Top News:
Erik Boland / Newsday:
Derek Jeter on field for first time since breaking ankle — From the start, Derek Jeter maintained he'd be ready for Opening Day 2013. — That steady march continued Monday morning. — For the first time since surgery on his broken left ankle in October, the 38-year-old shortstop worked out on the field.
Discussion:
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Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Phillies, Durbin Agree to 1-Year Deal — The Phillies are bringing back a familiar face to fortify their bullpen. — Sources told MLB.com today the Phillies and right-hander Chad Durbin have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, pending a physical. The deal includes a club option for 2014.
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The Good Phight, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
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Fox Sports:
Kelly Johnson, Rays reach agreement — The Tampa Bay Rays have reached agreement with free-agent second baseman Kelly Johnson on a one-year contract, according to major league sources. — The move will enable the Rays to use Ben Zobrist in right field as well at second base …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Royals Review, FanGraphs Baseball, DRaysBay, Rays Index, Bucs Dugout and MLB Rumors
YES Network:
Michael Kay signs multi-year contract extension with YES Network — Michael Kay, whose voice has been synonymous with the YES Network since its launch in 2002, has signed a multi-year extension with the network to remain its lead New York Yankees play-by-play voice.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and It's About The Money
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Interested In Lyle Overbay — The Brewers are talking to free agent first baseman Lyle Overbay about a minor league deal, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (Twitter links). Overbay, who played for Milwaukee from 2004-05, is talking to other clubs and expected to reach a decision shortly.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Brew Crew Ball and Brew Beat
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, River Avenue Blues and WasWatching.com
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Montero ready to build on experience of rookie year — SEATTLE — For all the talk about new additions and increased veteran leadership, the biggest improvement for the 2013 Mariners might well lie with the progress of their returning youngsters. — And tops on that list figures to be Jesus Montero …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and HardballTalk
Barry Petchesky / Deadspin:
The Art Of The Japanese Bat Flip — This video was put together by some unknown Japanese hero a year ago, but it's making the rounds today (I think it popped up first on Fangraphs last week). And that's 100 percent of the background on the video you're going to get.
Roger Schlueter / MLB.com:
MLB Notebook: Aramis impresses with XBH — On the final day of the 1921 regular season, Yankees outfielder Babe Ruth went 2-for-4 and hit his 59th home run to help New York to a 7-6 victory against the Red Sox. With the homer, Ruth completed the year with 119 extra-base hits in 693 plate appearances.
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
2013 Baseball Farm System Rankings — Up until 2012, I had avoided doing farm system rankings. Here is the introduction I wrote about them last year: … That's all still true. Things can change fast of course: the Marlins farm system is now better than the Jays system …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Gaslamp Ball, McCovey Chronicles and Pirates Prospects
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Infield a formidable strength for Mets — This is the first installment of a four-part Around the Horn series, taking a segment-by-segment look at the Mets' roster heading into Spring Training. Up first: Infield. — NEW YORK — The 2012 Mets were flawed in many ways.
Associated Press:
Infielder Cedeno, Cards agree to $1.15M deal — ST. LOUIS — Infielder Ronny Cedeno has agreed to a $1.15 million, one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, giving them insurance in case shortstop Rafael Furcal has problems returning from an elbow injury that sidelined him late last season.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Viva El Birdos
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Free Agent Rumors: Brewers, Lowe, Athletics — The all-unemployed team would feature Michael Bourn, Kyle Lohse, Joe Saunders, Brian Wilson and others, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark points out (all Twitter links). The free agent market also includes many designated hitter candidates, which is usual for this time of year.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish