Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Mariners, Felix Hernandez agree to $175 million deal — Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez has agreed to a seven-year, $175 million contract that should be finalized before spring training, making him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history, a person familiar with the contract details told USA TODAY Sports.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, ESPN.com, FanGraphs Baseball, MLB Daily Dish, Lookout Landing, MLB.com, Mariners blog, MLB Rumors, Baseball Nation, Bless You Boys, Minor League Ball, Seattle Mariners blog, True Blue LA, McCovey Chronicles, Bleed Cubbie Blue, CBSSports.com, U.S.S. Mariner, baseballmusings.com, Over the Monster, Bluebird Banter, Beyond the Box Score, River Avenue Blues and The LoHud Yankees Blog
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Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw have mutual interest in pact, GM says — Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw will be eligible for free agency after the 2014 season. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / September 4, 2012) — Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers share “a mutual interest” …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
ESPN.com:
Report: Hernandez, M's agree to $175M deal — Felix Hernandez has agreed to a new seven-year, $175 million contract with the Seattle Mariners, USA Today Sports reported Thursday. — The deal would make Hernandez the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history.
Discussion:
ESPN
ESPN:
Curt Schilling, MLB — ESPN MLB analyst Curt Schilling says he will be surprised if Alex Rodriguez plays again. Schilling also shares his thoughts on Ryan Braun and more.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, Let's Go Tribe, CBSSports.com and Red Sox Monster
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Jerry Spar / Full Count:
Curt Schilling: ‘Members of the [Red Sox] organization’ encouraged me to use PEDs
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Deadspin, MLB Daily Dish, Over the Monster, The Big Lead, ESPN and HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
Source: Lyon nears deal with Mets — Free-agent reliever Brandon Lyon is finalizing a one-year contract with the New York Mets, according to a major league source. — The two sides continue to negotiate the guarantee, which will be between $750,000 and $900,000, the source said.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets add final piece to 'pen in veteran righty Lyon
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Francisco, Collins say vet still Mets closer
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue, ESPN, Metsblog and Kranepool Society
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Mexico captures Caribbean Series in 18-inning thriller — Clark's homer gives Mexico's Yaquis de Obregon second title in three years — Mexico celebrates after winning the Caribbean Series in front of its home fans. (Andres Leighton/AP) — HERMOSILLO, Mexico — It took a lot longer …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Angel Villalona Gets Visa, Will Be In Giants Big League Camp — Angel Villalona has received his work visa and will be in big league camp with the Giants for spring training, a team official confirmed today. He will travel to Arizona next week to join the team.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Shoppach, Mariners finalize $1.5M, 1-year deal — SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract with catcher Kelly Shoppach, providing a needed backup to expected starter Jesus Montero. — Seattle announced the deal Thursday.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner and Lookout Landing
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Mariners Agree To Terms With Joe Saunders — The Mariners have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent left-hander Joe Saunders, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter link). The contract will become official once Saunders passes a physical. Saunders is represented by Greg Genske.
Discussion:
Camden Chat, MLB Daily Dish, Lookout Landing and HardballTalk
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Indians will give Rich Hill a shot — The Indians have signed lefthanded reliever Rich Hill to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. — Hill, 32, appeared in relief in 25 games for the Red Sox last season after returning from Tommy John surgery in April and had a 1.83 ERA.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Rehab going well, but Braves' McCann unlikely for Opening Day — Brian McCann has never been in this situation. Three days before Braves pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the six-time former All-Star is not ready to play ball. Won't be, until his surgically repaired right shoulder …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Scott Cacciola / New York Times:
Line Up, Shut Up and Maybe Mr. Jeter Will Sign — TAMPA, Fla. — Shortly before noon, and nearly a week before spring training was to begin, a Yankees employee named John Johnson received word on his two-way radio that Derek Jeter had wrapped up his work for the day and would be leaving the team's minor-league complex here.
